Saturday, April 13, 2013

BlackBerry Shines in Fast-Growing Nigeria

BlackBerry launched its new Z10 handset in Nigeria, the second fastest growing mobile market in the world and a key market for the smartphone maker. Kirsty Basset reports in this special news video on BlackBerry in Nigeria

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83 percent of Americans did not even know BlackBerry 10 launched! Makers of BlackBerry, Research In Motion Ltd of Canada only yesterday Friday April 12, 2013, asked regulators to investigate a negative analyst report that sent its shares tumbling since the launch of what it calls its most important Blackberry. But can Nigeria save BlackBerry?

Transparency International Calls For Help Against Corruption in Nigeria



12 Apr 2013 16:20 Africa/Lagos

 ENDING CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA: EVERY HELP IS NEEDED


 BERLIN, 11 April 2013 / PRNewswire Africa / - Abuja, the capital of the oil rich nation Nigeria, a “planned city” built in the 1980s, is one of the wealthiest and most expensive capitals in Africa.

Very few Nigerians can afford living there. Shanty towns with mass poverty, high unemployment, and poor sanitation is a much more common environment for the vast majority of the population.

The reason for this? Weak governance and endemic corruption.

Nigeria's corruption troubles are well known. Graft is costing the federal government billions of dollars each year. It deprives ordinary citizens of basic services and exacerbates social problems like crime and insecurity. Because of a lack of effective and appropriate sanctions against offenders, many in Nigeria see corruption and embezzlement as risks that are worth taking.

Tackling corruption in Nigeria was the subject of a meeting in February, hosted by the Open Society Institute for West Africa.

The meeting provided an arena to discuss these issues and how Transparency International could support anti corruption efforts in Nigeria. Participants, a mix of activists, academics, and community leaders spoke hard truths: the magnitude of systemic corruption, the lack of adequate strategies and resources to confront corruption, and the need for a strong anti corruption movement in Nigeria. They stressed that TI could play a key role in amplifying local voices against corruption, strengthening advocacy capacity, and offering expertise and knowledge.

Soji Apampa from Integrity Nigeria strongly felt that Nigerian civil society organizations needed to learn from the wider anti corruption movement to make a stronger impact at home.

Yet, there were also reasons not to lose hope. The millions of Nigerians who took the streets in 2012 to protest removal of the fuel subsidy and poor management of oil revenues demonstrated that people from all walks of life were ready to speak up against corruption with a connected voice through rallies, strikes and technology.

For an organization like Transparency International, this is good news. Empowered citizens can engage in the fight against corruption. From Kenya to Madagascar, this is what Transparency International chapters are doing. By giving a voice to victims and witnesses of corruption, educating the youth on integrity, and helping journalists expose graft, Transparency International works to ensure that everyone feels responsible for making change happen.

“Every help, big and small, is needed to succeed, and citizens should be part of the solution”, according to Auwal Musa Rafsanjani from the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre in Nigeria.

Change will not happen overnight in Nigeria. It will require collective resolve and decisive action.

 Lilian Ekeanyanwu of the Technical Unit on Governance & Anti-Corruption Reform concluded that any serious effort to end corruption should focus both on “building public pressure and reforming institutions and professional bodies”.

Nigeria was ranked 139 out of 174 countries in the 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index. Expectations are high that Transparency International will lend a helping hand. Transparency International stands ready to take this challenge and work with local stakeholders for a corruption-free Nigeria.

SOURCE : Transparency International



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Dulce Vida, World's Only Certified USDA Organic 100 Proof Tequila Now in New York



12 Apr 2013 13:40 Africa/Lagos Dulce Vida, World's Only Certified USDA Organic 100 Proof Tequila, Now Available Throughout the State of New York AUSTIN, Texas and BROOKLYN, N.Y., April 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Dulce Vida, the world's only certified USDA organic, 100 Proof tequila, announces distribution expansion within The Empire State of New York. Union Beer Distributor's craft spirits division, BluePrint Brands, is joining forces with Dulce Vida to develop and further expand the market throughout the state, legendary for connoisseurs of fine spirits.



 (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130412/PH93361-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130412/PH93361-b )

"As an artisan distiller of handcrafted tequilas, we are pleased and excited to be entering the great state of New York," stated Chris Cain, Director of Sales & Marketing for Dulce Vida Spirits. "We are fortunate to have the relationship with BluePrint Brands as they house a portfolio of truly craft spirits with a dedicated team focused on attentively building brands, making this partnership ideal."

 "Dulce Vida offers a boutique line of the finest tequila, distinct from other brands in the market, which makes this an excellent addition to our portfolio and further enhances our offering to serve our customers. Truly distinct products that improve the experience for our customers is what we constantly seek to align ourselves with," states Jay Frary, Vice President Sales & Marketing of BluePrint Brands.

"Dulce Vida's distribution began in our Texas backyard in 2009 and we've thoughtfully and strategically expanded, staying true to our heritage as a small-batch, handcrafted spirit. Today, Dulce Vida is offered in Canada, Western Europe, Taiwan, and eleven states within the U.S. What has been important," as stated by Richard Sorenson, CEO and Founder of Dulce Vida, "is building the brand properly and carefully. After approximately five years in the market, Dulce Vida is proud of a very strong and faithful following in the market and stands out as one of the finest boutique tequilas available."

About Dulce Vida Spirits: 

Dulce Vida, translated as "sweet life" in Spanish, uses only 100% organic agave from the Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico. Due to the unique climatic characteristics and the distinctive air & soil, this area is well known for producing larger, fruitier agave, ideal for tequila. This organic agave ensures Dulce Vida produces their product the way tequila has always tasted best: pure and powerful, free of any additives.

Dulce Vida's products are 100 Proof to capture the absolute purest form of tequila with minimal dilution. The result is a decidedly flavorful and authentic tequila, distinct and smooth. Demonstrating the outstanding flavor profile of Dulce Vida are over 40 top medals in respected taste competitions, including: Platinum from the SIP International Spirits Competition, Double Gold from San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Best of Category from the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, Gold from The Fifty Best, Gold from the New York International Spirits Competition, and the Best Anejo of the Year from Tequila.net.

Dulce Vida has also gained packaging recognition, earning back-to-back first place wins in 2011 and 2012 for the Wine & Spirit Category from the Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute, a second place overall for the Spirits Category from Beverage World Magazine for 2012, and top honors for the Tequila Category from The DieLine packaging organization.

Dulce Vida's tequilas are distilled under the supervision of founder and master distiller Carlos Jurado. Dulce Vida has established relationships with local organic growers - securing harvest rights to agave fields and acting as a community partner, playing a role in the well being of the region through utilization of sustainable practices.

Dulce Vida Spirits is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with distilling operations near Guadalajara, Jalisco. For more information, please go to www.dulcevidaspirits.com

 Media Contact:
Richard Sorenson
512-637-9200
Email

This press release was issued through eReleases® Press Release Distribution. For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Dulce Vida Spirits
Web Site: http://www.dulcevidaspirits.com



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Nollywood, the Money Making Machine Paying the Actors Peanuts



Nollywood, the Money Making Machine Paying the Actors Peanuts


 Nollywood makes $590 million every year and it has made Jason Njoku, a 32-year-old chemistry graduate a multimillionaire in USD, got him on Forbes Top 10 Young African Millionaires to watch, Africa's largest distributor of Nigerian movies and has made over $12 million since he launched his Iroko Partners the company operating his Iroko TV on the internet.. And Nollywood has created over 1 million jobs so far, making it the largest employer after agriculture in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with an estimated population of 170 million people.


“Njoku currently has 71 employees in Lagos, London and New York, and often boasts that these people are working for us in a country with 50% unemployment according Rebecca Moudio’s report published by AllAfrica.com on April 11, 2013. But in spite of these exciting and thrilling success stories of Jason Njoku and others making millions of dollars from this money making machine, majority of the actors are only earning peanuts.



Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is among the highest paid actors in Nollywood.
But what she earns is peanuts when compared to even average actors in Bollywood and Hollywood.

 “Even the most popular get paid between $1,000 and $3,000 per film. Only a few can claim higher earnings. Actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, one of Nollywood's highest-paid performers, recently topped the charts at 5 million naira ($32,000) per film, “reported Moudio.


Pirates are the biggest earners in Nollywood. 

 “The World Bank estimates that for every legitimate copy sold, nine others are pirated.” Read the full report of Rebecca Moudio on http://allafrica.com/stories/201304121124.html?viewall=1



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Top News Headlines From Nigeria


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Friday, April 12, 2013

6 Nigerian Writers Make Long List For 2013 KWANI? Prize


 Date: 12/04/2012, Nigerians Report Online News, Lagos, Nigeria. Six Nigerian writers have made the long list for the 2013 KWANI? Prize The Kwani? Manuscript Project a new one-off literary prize for unpublished fiction from African writers is delighted to announce a long list of 30 titles:  

1. A Night Without Darkness (Nigeria) 
 2. Across the Mongolo (Cameroon) 
3. Azanian Bridges (South Africa / UK) 
4. Becoming God (Nigeria) 
5. Born Different (South Africa) 
6. Carnivorous City (Nigeria) 
7. Diary of a Criminal (Botswana) 
8. Dining with the Dictators (Kenya) 
9. Ghettoboy (Kenya) 
10. Homebrew (Botswana) 
11. Invincible Nubia (Kenya / Norway) 
12. Monsoon and Miracle (Kenya / UK) 
13. My Mother’s bosoms (Zimbabwe) 
14. One Day I Will Write About This War (Liberia) 
15. Penny for an Orphan (Nigeria) 
16. Pilgrims from Hell (Tanzania) 
17. Ramseyer’s Ghost (Ghana) 
18. Saturday’s People (Ghana / US) 
19. Stay with Me (Nigeria) 
20. Taty Went West (South Africa) 
21. The Blacks of Cape Town (South Africa) 
22. The Colour of Oil (Nigeria) 
23. The Haggard Masturbator (Kenya) 
24. The Inheritors (Cameroon) 
25. The Kintu Saga (Uganda / United Kingdom) 
26. The Mad Brigadier (Ghana) 
27. The Water Spirits (Kenya) 
28. They are Coming (Zimbabwe / US) 
29. Useful Knowledge for the World Class Detective (Zimbabwe) 
30. Zephyrion (Kenya)

 


The Kwani? Manuscript Project was launched in April 2012 and called for the submission of unpublished novel manuscripts from African writers across the continent and in the diaspora. The prize received over 280 qualifying submissions from 19 African countries.
The long list of 30 has been selected, without the author’s name attached, by a panel of 9 readers, made up of writers, editors and critics from East, West and Southern Africa, as well as the UK and the US. The long list represents 10 African countries and showcases literary fiction across and between a range genres from fantasy to crime to historical fiction. Kwani Trust’s Managing Editor, Billy Kahora said:
“This long list begins the actualization of a long-held Kwani ambition - to build a significant novel series of new original voices across the continent. To replicate the work we’ve been doing for the last 10 years with the short fiction form, creative non-fiction, spoken word and poetry in East Africa when it comes to the novel form.”

The long list has now been passed to our panel of judges, chaired by Sudanese novelist Jamal Mahjoub. Working with him will be deputy editor of Granta magazine Ellah Wakatama Allfrey, leading scholar of African literature Professor Simon Gikandi, Chairman of Kenyatta University’s Literature Department Dr. Mbugua wa Mungai, editor of Zimbabwe’s Weaver Press Irene Staunton and internationally renowned Nigerian writer Helon Habila. The manuscripts will be read and debated anonymously by this high profile panel, as the judges look for new voices that explore and challenge the possibilities of the ‘African novel.’ A shortlist will be announced at the beginning of June 2013 and the three winners announced at the end of June 2013.

 The top three manuscripts will be awarded cash prizes totaling Ksh 525,000 (c. $6000). Kwani Trust’s Executive Director, Angela Wachuka said:
“This prize speaks to a core pillar of our institution; the identification, development and production of literary talent. Our short story competition in 2010 introduced 15 new voices from Kenya, and this prize aims to increase opportunities for contemporary writers on the continent and elsewhere when it comes to the novel.”

In addition, Kwani Trust plans to publish 3-5 of the long listed manuscripts by April 2014, and will be appointing an in-house editor to work with authors through this process. The Trust will also be partnering with regional and global agents and publishing houses to secure high profile international co-publication opportunities.
"We wish to thank the following organizations for their support, advice and help launching this new literary prize: Africa Book Club, African Books Collective, African Writers Trust, Arterial Network, Association of Nigerian Authors, Bakwa Magazine, Black Book News, Book Slam, British Council, Caine Prize, Cassava Republic, Chimurenga, Commonwealth Foundation, Femrite, Ghana Association of Writers, Ghana Book Publishers Association, Goethe Institut, Granta, Jungle Jim, Malawi Writers Union, Mazwi, Pambazuka, PEN Sierra Leone, Royal Africa Society, Samandari, Saraba Magazine, Sea Breeze Journal, Spoken Word Rwanda, Storymoja, Uganda Modern Literary Digest, Wamathai, Wasafari, Writers Association of Botswana, Writers International Network Zimbabwe, Writers’ Project for Ghana, Zambia Women Writers Association, Zimbabwe Women Writers and other supporters.

Kwani Trust is also indebted to Lambent Foundation for financial support towards the administration of this project, as well as the Prince Claus Fund for a Euros 25,000 prize in recognition of the Trust’s work that acted as seed money for this project.

Source: http://www.kwani.org/  



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Can You Help Us Make the Impossible, Possible?



Dear Friends and Readers,

I've seen Girl Rising and have joined the movement to help girls across the world gain access to a fundamental human right: an education. All actions, big and small, help contribute to this burgeoning movement to help girls across the globe -- policymakers are taking notice, people are becoming aware, and girls are becoming empowered. You can get involved, too.

See the film. From April 19-25th, Girl Rising is coming to 196 Regal theatres nationwide. See the film and become a Girl Rising Ambassador. Buy your tickets here: 
http://bit.ly/103BkGn

And don't forget: Spread the word so we can do our part in educating girls across the world. Spreading the word will take less than a minute of your time and can help make an insurmountable difference.

Twitter: Do you want to become part of the #GirlRising movement? See the film. Educate girls worldwide: http://bit.ly/103BkGn

Facebook: Do you want to become part of the movement? From April 19-25th, Girl Rising is coming to 196 Regal theatres nationwide. See the film & join the movement to educate girls worldwide. It's that simple. Buy tickets now: http://bit.ly/103BkGn

Email:
newsletter@10x10act.org
 
Best Regards,,
Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
For The 10x10 Team
Educate Girls. Change the World.
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PR Newswire of America Partners With Nigerians Report Online for Special Focus on Africa


America’s leading news and information agency PR Newswire is supporting Nigerians Report Online, Nigeria’s premier news and information blog with daily reports of news releases on Nigeria and the rest of Africa with an exclusive news feed on PR Newswire 24/7 on Nigerians Report Online News blog.


 Headquartered in New York, PR Newswire has offices in 16 countries and sends news to outlets in 135 countries. The company has several brands and services that include ProfNet, eWatch, MEDIAtlas, MultiVu, U.S. Newswire, Vintage Filings, MediaRoom and MediaSense. It also has agreements with global news agencies such as Bloomberg, the Associated Press, Dow Jones and Thomson Reuters to send information directly to newsrooms worldwide. PR Newswire is a subsidiary of UBM plc of London.  


With PR Newswire, you can:

  •  Deliver your news straight to credentialed journalists, bloggers and key influencers all over the world and online • Reach domestic as well as international trade magazines and reporters, and distribute in their native languages  
  • Get the attention of multicultural audiences and take advantage of our Hispanic newslines • Establish your own news and industry credibility by using a trusted newswire 
  • Engage your audiences with your message through the inclusion of photos, logos, video and more
  • Archive your multimedia assets for use by journalists and members of the media 


PR Newswire started in 1954 hired by companies to send text press releases to the media.
 Today, PR Newswire is hired by corporations, public relations firms and non-governmental organizations to deliver news and multimedia content. Recipients include media, consumers and investors who access the content via the Web, RSS, e-mail, satellite, equities terminals (e.g., Bloomberg and Reuters), and direct feeds into newsroom editorial systems.

PR Newswire's headquarters are in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Public corporations in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other nations, use PR Newswire to reach the investment and financial news community with important announcements, thus achieving the standard of "simultaneous disclosure" required by financial markets and regulatory agencies.


 



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Thursday, April 11, 2013

Blacks Are Suffering More Discrimination Than Gays in America


 President Barack Obama is black, but that has not really reduced racism in the United States of America, because even gays are more loved and better treated than blacks in America. Realities don't lie and the following are facts even in Obama's America.
A must read for all is A Field Guide to the Racists of America by Elspeth Reeve.



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Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Calling All Women Scientists in Developing Countries for 2014 Chemistry Award Nominations


The winners of the 2013 Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early Career Women Scientists in the Developing World are (left to right) Dr. Nasima Akhter (Medical Sciences — Bangladesh), Dr. Huda Omer Basaleem (Community and Public Health — Yemen), Dr. Adediwura Fred-Jaiyesimi (Pharmacology and Medicinal Plants — Nigeria), Dr. Namjil Erdenechimeg (Biochemistry — Mongolia) and Dr. Dionicia Gamboa (Molecular Biology/parasitology — Peru). They are surrounded by Dr. Shirley Malcom, Head of Education and Human Resources for AAAS (back left); David Ruth, Executive Director of the Elsevier Foundation; Professor Maya de la Torre, VP, Latin America, OWSD; and Dr. Romain Murenzi, Executive Director of TWAS. (Photos by Alison Bert).

10 Apr 2013 12:27 Africa/Lagos

The Elsevier Foundation, OWSD and TWAS Call for 2014 Chemistry Award Nominations for Early Career Women Scientists in Developing Countries

AMSTERDAM, April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Research excellence nominations accepted through September 15 to support research, build capacity and inspire a new generation of women scientists in the developing world

The Elsevier Foundation, the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world announced today their call for award nominations for the 2014 Elsevier Foundation Awards recognizing talented early career women scientists from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. This year's awards program will focus on chemistry. The five winning scientists will be celebrated for their research excellence, and receive a cash prize of US$5,000 in addition to a year's complementary access to ScienceDirect and all-expenses paid attendance at the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference in February 2014. Nominations will be accepted from April 10th through September 15, 2013. The award winners will be announced in February 2014 at the AAAS annual conference.

Each year, the Elsevier Foundation Award Program, in collaboration with OWSD and TWAS rotates between disciplines (medical/life sciences, chemistry and physics/math) to ensure optimal exposure and networking synergies. The 2013 awards issued in Boston in February, awarded five medical and life sciences researchers from Bangladesh, Yemen, Peru, Nigeria and Mongolia for their research excellence.

Nominations for the awards will be accepted from early career scientists (within ten years of graduating with a PhD degree) from the 81 scientifically-lagging countries as defined by TWAS. All nominations will be reviewed by a committee of eminent scientists representing the five regions in the discipline selected, including members of TWAS and OWSD, and chaired by OWSD president, Prof. Fang Xin.

"Since this prize was initiated, we at OWSD have been deeply impressed by the important and inspiring research that is being done by early-career women scientists in the developing world," said Fang Xin, president of OWSD. "The 2013 competition was a great success, and we look forward to a strong new round of nominations for some of the world's most promising young scientists."

"TWAS sees these awards for early-career women scientists as extremely important," said Romain Murenzi, the Academy's executive director. "Not only do they recognize life-enhancing and life-saving research, but they send a message to younger generations of girls and women: We need you, and we need your best work, to address the great challenges that confront all people and all societies. We're honored to work with the Elsevier Foundation and OWSD to recognize this excellence in research."

"Partnering with TWAS and OWSD to pay tribute to women scientists in the developing world is an honor given their unique insights into conducting science in the Global South," said David Ruth, Executive Director of the Elsevier Foundation, "These awards have taught us a great deal about the challenges and dynamics faced by women scientists as they navigate their academic disciplines within their countries."

Notes for Editors

Award Nomination forms may be downloaded from the OWSD website and submitted by September 15, 2013 to info@owsd.org

About TWAS

TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world, is an autonomous international organization, based in Trieste, Italy, that promotes scientific excellence for sustainable development in the South. Originally named "Third World Academy of Sciences", it was founded in 1983 by a distinguished group of scientists from the South under the leadership of the late Nobel laureate Abdus Salam of Pakistan. The Academy's strength resides in the quality and diversity of its membership - internationally renowned scientists elected by their peers. TWAS currently has more than 1,000 members from 90 countries, 73 of which are developing countries. It is administered by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and financially supported by the Italian government. http://www.twas.org

About OWSD

The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) is an international organization affiliated to TWAS. Headed by eminent women scientists from the South, OWSD has more than 4,000 members. The central role is to promote women's access to science and technology, enhancing their greater involvement in decision-making processes for the development of their countries and in the international scientific community. Created in 1989, OWSD's overall goal is to work towards bridging the gender gap in science and technology. OWSD uses its forum to promote leadership, exchanges and networking for women scientists as well as for discussions to assist in the development of national capabilities to evolve, explore and improve strategies for increasing female participation in science. http://www.owsdw.org

About The Elsevier Foundation

The Elsevier Foundation is a corporate charity funded by Elsevier, a global provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The Elsevier Foundation provides grants to knowledge centered institutions around the world, with a focus on developing world libraries, nurse faculty and scholars in the early stages of their careers. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than 60 grants worth millions of dollars to non-profit organizations working in these fields. Through gift-matching, the Foundation also supports the efforts of Elsevier employees to play a positive role in their local and global communities. http://www.elsevierfoundation.org

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The company works in partnership with the global science and health communities to publish more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet and Cell , and close to 20,000 book titles, including major reference works from Mosby and Saunders. Elsevier's online solutions include ScienceDirect, Scopus, Reaxys, ClinicalKey and Mosby's Suite, which enhance the productivity of science and health professionals, and the SciVal suite and MEDai's Pinpoint Review, which help research and health care institutions deliver better outcomes more cost-effectively.

A global business headquartered in Amsterdam, Elsevier employs 7,000 people worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC, a world leading provider of professional information solutions in the Science, Medical, Legal and Risk and Business sectors, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

Media contacts:

Edward Lempinen
TWAS/OWSD
Public Information Office
+39-040-2240-512
elempinen@twas.org


Ylann Schemm
Elsevier Foundation
Senior Corporate Responsibility Manager, Elsevier
+31-6-23982359
newsroom@elsevier.com







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