Thursday, June 13, 2013

Quintessentially and Angel Champagne Wows Abuja with Glitz and Razzmatazz

Queen Ahneva and some guests.  

QUINTESSENTIALLY AND ANGEL CHAMPAGNE WOWS ABUJA WITH EYE POPPING EXHIBITIONS

Wednesday 29th May and Thursday 30th May, 2013, were two days that witnessed the highest display of luxury and class ever to be seen in Nigeria. These were the two days that Angel Champagne and Quintessentially (an internationally renowned concierge company) held the crowds spell bound with a super high profile display of their top international brands at an event that incorporated the style of a super-high class cocktail party and the presentation format of an exhibition. It was a night that wowed a vast collection of guests, made of individuals in the top echelon of the Nigerian success ladder. It was an event designed for the celebration of pomp, pageantry, luxury, Quality and class distinction in the utmost superlative.


Former Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Chief Tom Omoghegbe Ikimi and a guest.

 
Annie Inyang and Aderemi. 

 Deliberately put together by Zakaa Luxury concepts, with the co-hosting auspices of Quintessentially, it was a debut night for some of the world’s top brands, who purposed to make a grand entrance into Nigeria’s luxury market by creating a stir in the system; and they indeed succeeded through the event, in achieving just that objective. Never has so much opulence been in display in a single event under one roof in Nigeria before; indeed, the ante and definition of glitterati were raised and redefined on the occasion.


Masade and a guest admiring the classy Angel Champagne.

Venue was the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Situated in the heart of the FCT and easily the only six star hotel on the West African Coast, and a perfect venue for an event that sought to beat the highest standards and records in Luxury. Wednesday 29th May saw the start of the event with a cocktail party which commenced by 6pm. So vast was the list of guests that people were still stringing in by as late as 9pm at night. The apparels on display on the guests were enough in value, and the individuals themselves were a roll call of who is who among those with nine figure incomes in the country. It was not an event for individuals who take orders from others; it was rather an event for those who give orders, in whose hands lay the economic destinies of themselves as that of others. Apart from providing them with a forum in which to mingle and network, it was also an excellent opportunity for them to relax, unwind and enjoy themselves. Food and classy drink was available in quantities and varieties that gave the event the ambiance of a royal banquet.

Abayomi, Queen Ahneva and Adams Yakubu.
Abayomi and Thelma.
Adams and Fatima.
Andy James.
Belen and Laura.
Debbie Oghene.
Dennis Ifidon Ojeonu, Stanley O.
Dr. and Dr. (Mrs) Ndukwe.
Farrah Onoja.
Francisca Sambo and Bertine.
Lilian Okafor and Stephanie.
Hon. Wale Ogunbanjo.

30th May was the second part of the event which was the Luxury and lifestyles Salon presentation. It started by 3pm. The auditorium was furnished with a tasteful design of exhibition platforms with some of the worlds highest luxury brands in display. Chief among the brands on show was Angel Champagne, by far one the most beautifully and exquisitely made champagnes in the world today and with price tags befitting royal treasure. Angel Champagne was inspired by British entrepreneur Stefano Zagni. Angel has limited annual production so its exclusivity is assured. Thus it is only available for purchase at very select venues around the world. In the entire West coast of Africa, Angel Champagne is solely distributed by Palatially Wines and Spirits, another new enterprise riding the top of the crests of the luxury market in Nigeria.


Kunle Odeyemi.
Mr. and Mrs. Jolly Cole.
Morrilyn Ogor, Aderemi, Adijohn.
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew.
Mr. and Mrs. Somze.

Another exhibitor at the event that held attention of the elitist crowd was “Quintessentially”. This company was established in 2000 as a private member’s club and concierge Service Company. Quintessentially stand today as the world’s leading concierge and lifestyle management group.


Other exhibitors were Zakaa, a Nigerian brand with over 20 years experience in distribution and retailing of luxury brands, presently having franchise of more than thirty luxury brands including, Ulysses Nardin Watch, which was manufactured by Swiss Watchmakers, and founded in 1846. They have been dedicated to excellence for over 165 years in manufacturing mechanical watches. Also at the exhibition is Serapian, which was established in early 1940, the Serapian brand has always been synonymous with quality, dedication, creativity and refinement. Montagrappa , which was the first Italian Pen and was founded in 1912, they has carved a niche for themselves with their unique masterpieces and beautiful work of art, Pesavento was also at the exhibition and they specializes in precious material, gold, silver and gemstones, crafting them into original shapes and extraordinary volume.


Queen Ahneva, Abayomi and Lilian.
Prince Jeff, Eloka Anene, Hon. Phil A.

Remarkably, a great number of the guests came out to pick up these products for themselves, confirming the fact that they are those for whom money works, and not those who work for money. The most attention was curiously focussed on the super-packaged Angel Champagne. Indications showed that from the appreciation of the guests, exquisite wines, such as Angel Champagne, may soon become the next line of alternative investment in Nigeria as new collectors and connoisseurs will soon emerge. With the champagne’s great quality, being made out of the best vines, from the best vineyards in the world and brewed by the best wine makers, using the highest standards, its long cellar life and is perfectly assured and prices are bound to rise with age of the wine, thus making it an item of elitist value storage and financial speculation, apart from a great item of luxury. Quintessentially also proved to be a novel entrepreneurial adventure with a lot of attraction for the guests at the event.



Quintessentially is the world’s leading concierge/lifestyle management group. It was founded in the UK in 2000 as a private members’ club and concierge service. Their services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Quintessentially group encompasses 39 sister companies with physical offices in 72 cities world wide. It is the only truly localized concierge service in the world. Services include informational services, hotel/restaurant reservations, arranging of spa services, recommending nightlife hot spots, booking transportations (Limousines, airplanes, boats) procurement of tickets to special events and assisting with various travel arrangements and tons of local attractions. Quintessentially is crafted to enhance the output of long hour working super executives and high achievers who need special assistance in providing a work-life balance. The exhibition ended by 11 pm on Thursday night and left a feel that will forever remain a source of deep nostalgia in the mind of guests as such event will be very difficult to replicate; except if Quintessentially and its associate companies chooses to titillate Nigeria’s rich folk with a repetition, any moment soon.

  Media Contact 
  Mr. Ingram Adichie Osigwe
MD/CEO Fullpage International Communications Limited.



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Akokwa Christian Elites Holds 2013 Eminent Persons’ Dinner

2012 Guest Speaker,Bar. James Ocholi (SAN) with Mr Cliff Onyeje, Lagos branch President.

AKOKWA CHRISTIAN ELITES HOLDS 2013 EMINENT PERSONS’ DINNER
~ By Ingram Osigwe
An independent and politically neutral group of highly accomplished indigenes of the Akokwa Community in Imo State of Nigeria, known as Akokwa Christian Elites, will host its annual dinner on Saturday June 15th 2013 at the main banquet hall of the Lagos Sheraton and Towers Hotel.


 Bishop Charles Ubatu.
Akokwa Christian Elites is made up of businessmen and women, professionals, intellectuals and other categories of peace loving and socially constructive men and women who believe in the supremacy of God and who live a life guided by Him through the Christian faith. The group in its entirety believes that God is the source of all providence and is committed to efforts towards the provision of good living conditions for everyone, as right of all Akokwa indigenes. Astute in their nation building efforts, their primary focus is Akokwa community where they foster positive changes in the lives of the indigenes but their activities inspire community efforts in the surrounding environs where they are viewed as excellent examples. The group desires to see truth, honesty, love, integrity and fear of God prevail above all other things in Akokwa.
They aim to increase positive aspirations among all, especially the young and developing generations by inviting distinguished citizens of Nigeria with Godly charisma as Guest Speakers and role models at the annual dinner party.


 ENGR Greg Obioha of Mantrac Nigeria Ltd, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and Mr. Cliff Onyeje.
Previous editions have hosted distinguished Nigerians like Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa of Neimeth International Pharmaceutical Plc., and former Chairman Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Tony Ewelike, CEO, A. G Homes, Arc. Azike Diribe, a First class Architect of the Integrated Consortium, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Administration, Professor Pat Utomi of the Lagos Business School, His Excellency Rt Honourable Senator Anyim Pius Anyim (GCON) Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),  Bar. James Ocholi (SAN), the Pro-Chancellor of Salem University, Kogi State. The 2013 dinner will host as guest speaker, Arc Ifeanyi Odedo, Managing Director, Sharon Ultimate and Sharon Regency Hotels, Abuja.

The Guest Speaker, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
It will be recalled that Akokwa Christian Elites, in its quest to add values to the lives of Akokwa citizens have evolved several welfare programmes ranging from financial grants and empowerments for Widows every Christmas season to Banquets for the Royal fathers encouraging them to keep their thrones Godly. The group also organizes mass Christian Evangelical programmes (crusades), University Scholarship Schemes for indigent students. The essence of the University Scholarship Scheme is to fund the education of high performing students from indigent backgrounds as the group believes that the best form of empowerment and the highest legacy any generation can receive is sound education. Their scholarship scheme has stirred up academic competition in Akokwa clan leading to some of the recipients graduating with first class degrees from higher institutions. They have also sponsored for two consecutive years willing traditional rulers to the “ANNUAL SOUTH EASTERN CONFERENCE OF TRADITIONAL RULERS” which  holds at the House of Assembly Enugu. This is a forum where the traditional rulers were taught how to administer from their thrones with a sense of equity, fairness and justice, tempered with the fear of God, in the belief that their changed lives will cascade down to their subjects and bring peace to their various communities.


Mr. Cliff Onyeje reading his welcoming address. Left is SGF Senator Anyim Pius Anyim with Mr. Jackson Ebasa.


Akokwa Christian Elites shuns all divisive tendencies and recognizes only the leadership of God in its decisions. The group is not inclined towards any factionary camps political or otherwise. Their vision is reconciliation, truth, fairness, progress, sacrifice and unity. The group is preoccupied with putting smiles on the faces of the people with no conditions attached. Members are not levied to fund projects rather all budgets are voluntarily sponsored by members.


Mr. Iyke Simeon Ebelebe and Mr. Charles Anusionwu. 
The general public are hereby invited to unwind, socialize, reintegrate and refocus for a life of purpose in an evening of Godly fellowship that will engender positive transformations in the lives of all guests.


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Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Frequent Soccer Ball 'Heading' May Lead to Brain Injury




BRONX, N.Y., June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (http://www.einstein.yu.edu/) of Yeshiva University have shown that soccer players who frequently head the ball have brain abnormalities resembling those found in patients with concussion (mild traumatic brain injury). The study, which used advanced imaging techniques and cognitive tests that assessed memory, was published online today in the journal Radiology.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120531/DC16559LOGO )
"We studied soccer players because soccer is the world's most popular sport," said Michael L. Lipton, (http://www.einstein.yu.edu/faculty/148/michael-lipton/) M.D., Ph.D., associate director of Einstein's Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center (http://www.einstein.yu.edu/centers/gruss-magnetic-resonance-research/) and medical director of MRI services at Montefiore, the University Hospital and academic medical center for Einstein. "Soccer is widely played by people of all ages and there is concern that heading the ball—a key component of the sport—might damage the brain."  Dr. Lipton is also associate professor of radiology, of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and in the Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience at Einstein.

On average, soccer players head the ball six to 12 times during games, where balls can travel at speeds of more than 50 miles per hour. During practice drills, players commonly head the ball 30 or more times. The impact from a single heading is unlikely to cause traumatic brain damage such as laceration of nerve fibers. But scientists have worried that cumulative damage from heading's repeated subconcussive impacts might be clinically significant. "Repetitive heading could set off a cascade of responses that leads to degeneration of brain cells over time," noted Dr. Lipton.

To study possible brain injury from heading, the researchers used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), an advanced MRI-based imaging technique, on 37 amateur adult soccer players (median age 31 years) who had all played the sport since childhood. Participants reported playing soccer for an average of 22 years and had played an average of 10 months over the previous year. Researchers ranked the players based on heading frequency and then compared the DTI brain images of the most frequent headers with those of the remaining players. All participants also underwent cognitive testing.

DTI "sees" the movement of water molecules within and along axons, the nerve fibers that constitute the brain's white matter. This imaging technique allows researchers to measure the uniformity of water movement (called fractional anisotropy, or FA) throughout the brain. Abnormally low FA within white matter indicates axon damage and has previously been associated with cognitive impairment in patients with traumatic brain injury.

"The DTI findings pertaining to the most frequent headers in our study showed white-matter abnormalities similar to what we've seen in patients with concussion," said Dr. Lipton. "Soccer players who headed the ball above a threshold between 885 to 1,550 times a year had significantly lower FA in three areas of the temporal-occipital white matter." Dr. Lipton noted that players with more than 1,800 headings per year were also more likely to demonstrate poorer memory scores compared to participants with fewer yearly headings.
"Our study provides compelling preliminary evidence that brain changes resembling mild traumatic brain injury are associated with frequently heading a soccer ball over many years," said Dr. Lipton. "While further research is clearly needed, our findings suggest that controlling the amount of heading that people do may help prevent brain injury that frequent heading appears to cause."

The study is titled "Soccer heading is associated with white matter microstructural and cognitive abnormalities." Other Einstein scientists involved in the research were Namhee Kim, Ph.D., Molly E. Zimmerman, Ph.D., Mimi Kim, Sc.D., Craig A. Branch, Ph.D., and Richard B. Lipton, M.D. The authors declare no relevant conflicts of interest.

The research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/) and the Dana Foundation.

About Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
Albert Einstein College of Medicine (http://www.einstein.yu.edu/) of Yeshiva University is one of the nation's premier centers for research, medical education and clinical investigation. During the 2012-2013 academic year, Einstein is home to 742 M.D. (http://www.einstein.yu.edu/education/md-program/md-program.aspx?id=11144) students, 245 Ph.D. (http://www.einstein.yu.edu/education/phd/) students, 116 students in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program (http://mstp.einstein.yu.edu/), and 360 postdoctoral research fellows (http://www.einstein.yu.edu/research/belfer-institute/default.aspx?id=28561&ekmensel=15074e5e_4074_4116_btnlink). The College of Medicine has more than 2,000 full-time faculty members located on the main campus and at its clinical affiliates (http://www.einstein.yu.edu/health/affiliates.asp). In 2012, Einstein received over $160 million in awards from the NIH. This includes the funding of major research centers (http://www.einstein.yu.edu/centers/) at Einstein in diabetes, cancer, liver disease, and AIDS. Other areas where the College of Medicine is concentrating its efforts include developmental brain research, neuroscience, cardiac disease, and initiatives to reduce and eliminate ethnic and racial health disparities. Its partnership with Montefiore Medical Center (http://www.montefiore.org/), the University Hospital and academic medical center for Einstein, advances clinical and translational research to accelerate the pace at which new discoveries become the treatments and therapies that benefit patients. Through its extensive affiliation network involving Montefiore, Jacobi Medical Center (http://www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/jacobi/html/home/home.shtml) –Einstein's founding hospital, and five other hospital systems in the Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island and Brooklyn,  Einstein runs one of the largest residency and fellowship training programs in the medical and dental professions in the United States. For more information, please visit www.einstein.yu.edu (http://www.einstein.yu.edu/) and follow us on Twitter @EinsteinMed (https://twitter.com/EinsteinMed).

SOURCE Albert Einstein College of Medicine
CONTACT: Kim Newman, 718-430-3101 Web Site: http://www.aecom.yu.edu




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Jackie Appiah and Peace Anyiam-Osigwe To Be Honoured in New York

 
Jackie Appiah.

The black and beautiful popular Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah and Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, CEO of the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) are among the six distinguished Honorees of the 2013 F.A.C.E List Awards coming up on Saturday June 15, 2013, in New York, U.S.A.

 
Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.



The other honorees are the following notable achievers.

 

Aziz Gueye Adetimirin is founder, president and publisher of The Network Journal Communication Inc. Adetimirin emigrated to the United States in 1974 from West Africa. A fervent believer in education, he attended the Academy of Aeronautics in Queens, New York. More details.

 
Korto Momolu.
Born In Liberia, Momolu immigrated to Canada due to a civil war and became devoted to using the opportunity she has to empower young Africans who dare to dream. She was the first African designer to be featured on Project Runway, where she stood out as an extraordinary talent and was awarded the fan favorite prize, and ended the season as first runner up. Today, Momolu has formed a partnership with Dillard’s Incorporated to design an eye-catching collection of handbags and jewelry that is currently in more than 70 stores nationwide. Additionally, she teamed up with Madera Exotic Woods to design “The Saba Collection”, an exclusive line of fashionable eco-friendly wood jewelry. Devoted to serving the community at large, Mormolu was appointed as a “Goodwill Ambassador” for the Tigerlily Foundation, a breast cancer organization providing full lifecycle, service-oriented assistance to young women. Highlighted as the designer to watch by New York Magazine, Momolu’s collections have been featured nationally and internationally, including at the famed New York Fashion Week.
 
 

Dr. Carlos Lopes is a visionary and exemplary leader who has played an integral role in Africa’s development and progress over the last decade. He was appointed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as the eighth Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), at the level of UN More ....

   

Mr. George Ntim is a big believer in the ability of sports to uplift africa’s image. Serving our community is what he does best. The only African to climb up the difficult ladder to become the Director of VIP Guest Relations and Community Services at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in NYC, Mr. Ntim has used his position as a tool for change. He founded the African Development Foundation (ADF) to promote goodwill and strengthen relationships between America and Africa through youth-oriented initiatives, with an outreach that includes providing African youths with computer training, health-related resources, and recreational outlets. One of the many initiatives of the foundation is to promote baseball in Africa. The foundation has taken many major league baseball players to Africa to teach kids how to play and to encourage them to always use positive outlets. The foundation is currently building the first ever baseball field in Africa.  


About the F.A.C.E List Awards The Fascinating Africans Committed to Excellence, also the ( F.A.C.E.) list Awards was established by Face2face Africa in 2011 to acknowledge, celebrate, and honor the outstanding achievements of Africans and friends of Africa who are contributing towards a more dynamic and advanced global community. The future of Africa is directly linked to the endless efforts of individuals who commit themselves to being key players in the realization of Africa’s potential. These trendsetters, trailblazers, and role models will stop at nothing to be the flag bearers of Africa. Serving as our icons, they are the educators, freedom fighters, leaders, executives, athletes, philanthropists, artists and entertainers who are at the forefront of the New African Image. The F.A.C.E. List Awards seeks to magnify the success stories and acknowledge the contribution and impact of such individuals. With the F.A.C.E. Award, we honor and salute their immense contribution and say THANK YOU!





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