Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Nigeria: News Update

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MTN Nigeria and Nova-Lumos Partner to Bring Affordable Alternative Mobile Electricity to Nigeria for the First Time


LAGOS, Nigeria, April 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
MTN, the leading ICT company in Nigeria and Nova-Lumos, the world's first distributed utility provider, announced their collaboration today on a next-generation alternative "mobile electricity" service. The Nova-Lumos service will provide alternative electricity to MTN customers who are living in rural areas across Nigeria and are not connected to the electricity grid.

The Nova-Lumos service is provided using a solar panel and an indoor unit that allows MTN customers to subscribe to alternative electricity on demand using their mobile phone. With Nova-Lumos, MTN customers can replace kerosene, candles and flashlights with modern electricity that can power significant lights, cellphones, fans, PCs or laptops, radios, TVs and other small electronic devices, all at once, every day. "By paying for usage only in small payments, the same way our customers purchase airtime and other mobile services, MTN and Nova-Lumos will offer an innovative and widely-accessible service for all MTN customers," said Michael Ikpoki, MTN Nigeria CEO. "MTN is committed to investing in the future of mobile electricity to our customers across Nigeria," he added.

The first Nova-Lumos systems will be publicly available on the MTN service points for the general public soon. A future announcement about the systems' availability will be made by MTN.
"We are very excited about our partnership with MTN which will enable us to distribute the Nova-Lumos power systems across Nigeria and touch millions of lives," said David Vortman, CEO and Co-Founder at Nova-Lumos. "One of our guiding principles is that the Nova-Lumos service must be affordable and accessible to anyone in Nigeria in order to have a meaningful impact on the Nigerian electricity market," he emphasized.

Nova Lumos in partnership with MTN Nigeria received funding from the GSMA's Mobile Enabled Community Services (MECS) Innovation Grant Fund with the support of the UK Government. This grant is awarded to organizations developing innovations that improve access to energy and water among undeserved communities by leveraging mobile technology and infrastructure. The MECS Innovation Fund has helped to highlight the demand for mobile-enabled services and the role that mobile can play in supporting access to basic utility services across rural and urban markets.

About MTN Nigeria Communications Limited  
MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, is the leading ICT company in Nigeria providing digital global system for mobile telecommunication and other value added services for customers in Nigeria and West Africa. Its products and services include various packages, value added services, Internet services, international roaming, phones and devices. For more information go to http://www.mtnonline.com

About Nova-Lumos
Nova-Lumos is the world's first distributed utility provider, bringing affordable, modern and clean electricity to communities that have been living off the grid. By providing clean and affordable solar power and an innovative financing plan, Nova-Lumos removes old barriers and brings modern energy into off-grid homes and small businesses. For more information go to http://www.nova-lumos.com

About GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators with 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in industry sectors such as financial services, healthcare, media, transport and utilities. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Expo. For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at http://www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

Media Contacts  
Funmi Onajide
GM, Corporate Affairs
MTN Nigeria
funmilom@mtnnigeria.net
+234-08032006859
http://www.mtnonline.com
Davidi Vortman
CEO and Co-Founder
Nova-Lumos
davidi@nova-lumos.com
+972-52-8544654
http://www.nova-lumos.com

Christian Prior (Brussels)
GSMA
CPrior@webershandwick.com
+32(0)2-894-90-13
http://www.gsma.com

GSMA Press Office
pressoffice@gsma.com

Apr 09, 2014

Apr 08, 2014


submit to reddit SOURCE Nova Lumos

Nollywood Made Nigeria Overtake South Africa To Become Africa's Largest Economy

Majid Michel on Nollywood’s success Nollywood actor Majid Michel talks about the African film industry’s success.

Nollywood, Nigeria's booming film industry has been noted as one of the key contributors that helped in boosting Nigeria to overtake South Africa as Africa's largest economy.
"Nigeria has moved to be the largest economy by GDP size in Africa and has moved to be the 26th largest economy in the world," finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said. "On a per capita basis, Nigeria is number 121 in the world. So, we have a total GDP size where we have moved up to 26th," the former World Bank managing director added. The widely expected results are based on calculations taking into account a range of new sectors and industries that were negligible or non-existent in 1990. They include the mobile telephones market - Africa's largest - music and the hugely popular local film industry, Nollywood. ~ The Telegraph of UK
The Telegraph noted that Nollywood, now estimated to be N853.9 billion (£3.1bn) has boosted the GDP by contributing "1.2pc of GDP". And Nollywood is actually the biggest and largest African film industry with the Nigerian government investing over $200 million in grants and loans to expand the industry.


The Wall Street Journal and CNBC also credited Nollywood for boosting the Nigerian economy in the last 20 years.
After a half-decade effort aimed at better capturing economic activity, Nigeria has announced that gross domestic product in 2013 was $510 billion – some 89% larger than previously estimated. In its new guise, service industries now make up more than half the Nigerian economy, versus less than a third previously. The Nollywood film industry alone has emerged to contribute 1.2% of GDP, Renaissance Capital says. Wall Street Journal: Nigeria’s Nollywood Boost.
 Nollywood helps Nigeria double its GDP
Monday, 7 Apr 2014 | 4:18 AM ET
 "If you're not in Nigeria, you're not in Africa. And you're kidding yourself." Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said at a press conference on Sunday.

 
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Sunday, April 6, 2014

Jide Omokore Debunks Sahara Reporters' False Alarm

Mr. Bashorun Jide Omokore.

Chairman of Energy Resources Group of Companies, Chief Jide Omokore has denied speculations that he suffered a stroke after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan. The Sahara Reporters website reported on Friday April 4, that Mr. Omokore suffered heart attack earlier in the week shortly after a meeting with Mr. Jonathan. But it was another false report by Sahara Reporters known for reporting rumours and unverified information.

Speaking to newsmen, Omokore said he had been in Lagos all through the week and wondered where the rumour mill manufactured the stroke story from.
“I have been in Lagos all week and you people can see for yourself if I look like someone who suffered a stroke,” he said.

He would however not respond to further questions from journalists on his private jets and his businesses in the upstream sector of oil and gas. Pressed further on the issue, he replied, “Speculations like that have been made in the past and have been found to be untrue.”
He however said he owed it a duty to the country to increase their volume of business, create jobs for the teeming youths as well as make meaningful contributions to the economy. Energy Resources Group of Companies, an indigenous company, has advanced plans to increase its footprints on the business and economic landscape of the country.

The Group, which comprises investment in many key sectors of the economy, including downstream oil industry, steel and iron rods, infrastructure and property, seeks to promote economic growth and generate employment while holding dear our social responsibilities. The companies in the Group include Spog Petrochemicals, Energy Resources Management Limited and Energy Property Nigeria Limited. “We have always shown our commitment to the economic development of the country and the empowerment of the people”, he said.


-THISDAY

 
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Saturday, April 5, 2014

Police Investigate Several Killings in Southwest Nigeria

Police investigate several killings in southwest Nigeria

Human skeletons and body parts are discovered in and around abandoned building. Jennifer Davis reports.


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Dr. Doyin Okupe To Host World Press Conference on Nigeria in Washington, DC on April 7

Dr. Doyin Okupe

Full Transparency on the Boko Haram Terrorism, the Campaign to End Political Corruption, Efforts on Socio-Economic Development and the Constitutional Review

African Communications Agency Press Briefing in the Lisagor Room at The National Press Club, Monday, April 7, 2014, from 8:30 AM to 11:00AM, featuring Dr. Doyin Okupe, Special Advisor to President Jonathan Ebele Goodluck.

Briefing Topics Include:
- The resurgence of Boko Haram terrorism in N.E. Nigeria
- Susan Rice meeting with Nigerian Governors at the White House
- Money alleged to be missing from NNPC Accounts
- CBN Governor Sanusi Issue
- The Nigeria Constitutional Review Committee
 

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a two-and-a-half hour press briefing scheduled for Monday morning, April 7th in the Lisagor Room at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Special Advisor on Public Information to Nigerian President Jonathan Ebele Goodluck, will provide specific details related to Nigeria's and the US government's discussions and plan of action to quell a renewed outbreak of terrorism by Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria, which has indiscriminately cost the lives of hundreds of innocent Nigerians.

Dr. Okupe will also provide details regarding a heated meeting on Boko Haram convened at the White House by President Barack Obama's National Security Advisor Susan Rice, with 12 Nigerian Governors whose regions have been hardest hit by the resurgent Boko Haram terror campaign.

In addition, Dr. Okupe will provide insights into the government's pledge to order a forensic audit of alleged missing oil receipts, which Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi put at $20 billion before his suspension by President Goodluck Jonathan in February 2014, as well as an earlier corruption case, wherein the U.S. Department of Justice froze some $458 million of state assets embezzled by former dictator Gen. Sani Abacha and his colleagues between 1993 and 1998.

Dr. Doyin Okupe was born a prince of the Agbonmagbe ruling family of Iperu-Remo, in Ogun State, Nigeria. He attended the University of Ibadan where he qualified as a Medical Doctor in 1976. In 1982, he founded the Royal Cross Medical Centre in Lagos with colleagues. Dr. Okupe became fully engaged in Nigerian politics in 1992, and held several posts, including Deputy National Publicity Secretary for former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida. He also served as campaign communications director for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Bashir Tofa (of NRC), and the current President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. In 1999, Dr. Okupe was a White House understudy to Joseph Lockhart, Spokesman for President Bill Clinton.

Dr. Okupe will answer all questions posed by Washington and international news media in the Lisagor Room press briefing at the National Press Club, set for Monday, April 7th from 8:30 to 11:00 AM). For clearance to attend, contact Tony Regusters at (202) 365-1115, or by email at: tony_regusters@msn.com.

Media Contact: Tony Regusters
Phone: (202) 365-1115
Email: tony_regusters@msn.com
SOURCE African Communications Agency




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Curbing Violence in Nigeria (II): The Boko Haram Insurgency


Curbing Violence in Nigeria (II): The Boko Haram Insurgency

Africa Report N°216, 3 April 2014

In an environment of poverty, injustice and lack of political will for reform, Boko Haram’s growing strength and dissemination is increasingly putting local and regional stability at risk.
Brussels, 3 April 2014 / PRNewswire Africa / - In an environment of poverty, injustice and lack of political will for reform, Boko Haram's growing strength and dissemination is increasingly putting local and regional stability at risk.

In its latest report, Curbing Violence in Nigeria (II): The Boko Haram Insurgency, the International Crisis Group examines the emergence, rise and evolution of a movement whose four-year insurgency has killed thousands, displaced close to a million, destroyed public infrastructure and weakened the country's already poor economy, particularly in the North East. The government's failure to provide security and basic services makes poor youth, in particular, an easy recruitment target for anti-state militias. As Boko Haram's network expands into Cameroon and Niger, a military response is not enough. Only deep political and socio-economic reform can ease the injustices that fuel the insurgency.

The report's major findings and recommendations are:
Boko Haram's evolution since 2002 is strongly linked to failed governance, economic hardship, rising social inequality, corruption and impunity. Most Nigerians are poorer today than at independence in 1960. Poverty is most dire in the north, where Boko Haram, the latest of many northern fundamentalist movements, has tapped into Muslim revivalism and hopes to establish an Islamic state.

Since 2010, the group's campaign has grown, targeting not only security forces and politicians, but also civilians, traditional and religious leaders, public institutions, the UN presence and schools. It is more dispersed than ever, with many leaders in Cameroon and Niger, both of which are poorly equipped to address an armed Islamist threat. Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, seems to have little control over its factions, including Ansaru, which focuses on foreign targets.

Insecurity in much of the north may also worsen political violence and undermine the credibility of the 2015 elections, further damaging government legitimacy.

Federal and state governments must end impunity by prosecuting crimes by security services, government officials and Boko Haram members alike, and urgently develop and implement a socio-economic intervention program for the North East region.

Civic education to halt politicisation of religions, effective development and anti-corruption efforts, and police who are seen as partners to citizens are all vital.

“Boko Haram's insurgency is tapping into governance, corruption, impunity and underdevelopment grievances shared by most people in the region”, says EJ Hogendoorn, Deputy Africa Program Director. “It's a serious challenge and a manifestation of more profound threats to Nigeria's security. Yet, the government's response is largely military”.

“Radical reform of governance and political culture is a big agenda, one some Nigerian elites have not yet demonstrated they have the will to address”, says Comfort Ero, Africa Program Director. “But if they do not, Boko Haram, or groups like it, will continue to destabilise large parts of the country”.

SOURCE International Crisis Group


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Thursday, April 3, 2014

Families Of Criminals, Delinquents, Ritual Cultists And Terrorists In Nigeria

If we don't get rid of evils 
Evils will get rid of us.
~ Orikinla Osinachi
Shocking reports of disgusting and violent crimes and acts of delinquency make headlines on the pages of newspapers and social network sites on the web and many of us are left with nightmares of these horrors and terrors. But how many of us have tried to analyze the causes of these horrifying and terrifying incidents?

The perpetrators of these crimes and evils live and work among us and come from different families in our communities. But they have gone astray, because of the failures of their parents and guardians to bring them up as well bred and disciplined humans.
Many parents have failed in parenting, because many of them are in fact not well bred themselves and so cannot be good examples to their children and wards.

The members of the Boko Haram Islamic terrorists sect, kidnappers, armed robbers and ritual cultists are actually children from dysfunctional families where parents are either divorced, separated or unfaithful to themselves and are engaged in various crimes and evils.
Like fathers who have to sleep with their daughters for their rituals. No wonder their sons later become the cultists who molest girls and murder others for rituals.
Of course, only equally evil girls and women date and marry these cultists on and off campus and still go to church pretending to be "Christians" and deceiving pastors who cannot see, because of their blurred visions since they are actually victims of these witches and wizards are have become regular church goers in Nigeria.
The cultists on campuses are children from homes where there is no fear of God, but hypocrisy.

20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
~ John 3:20-21, Holy Bible (New International Version)


But they sooner or later show the true colours of their evil characters. Just watch them and they will manifest what they are truly made of.
Mutants of their evil rituals.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

~ Matthew 7:16-20, Holy Bible (King James Version).


I have had the opportunities to assist in parenting and watching over children in different homes and I have seen that many of the children were left to be influenced by bad psychedelic music and pornographic videos and going to parties with boys and girls their parents don't know where they are coming from and these strangers end up misleading their children into bad companies.
Good parents must find out who their children are associating with 24/7.

I have met ignorant students who are cult members and have seen that they are victims of liars and agents of darkness who actually were frightened into these cults by those seeking powers that are eventually found to be useless. I can tell you the truth, because I come from a family with a father who was an Ifa and Ogun high priest and also a chieftain of the Ogboni fraternity. But I found out that all these were lies of the devil and eventually I proved to him the supremacy of the power of the Almighty God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. He swore and threatened me, but he failed and at the end broke down in tears. But his foolish step-daughter is practicing what our late father practiced and till date is afraid to use a canoe or boat to cross a river or the sea, because she claims that the marine spirits will seize her. She is living in bondage.

The fastest and safest way to stop all these ill bred children from being initiated into evil cults and turning to evil monsters attacking and destroying innocent lives in Nigeria is for the police to visit and interrogate all native doctors, traditional rulers (the chiefs and obas), members of the Ogboni fraternities, so called Islamic clerics known as "Alfas" in Western Nigeria and spiritualists posing as "Christian" ministers located in every nook and cranny of Nigeria, because they are the ones who are either the ritual cultists kidnapping and slaughtering humans for their demonic masters or are complicit in these diabolical practices and have also initiated their children and wards into their evil cults to continue their demonic religions.
Most "Alfas" in particular are cultists and should be interrogated and their homes searched in investigations. They have families and their evil clients also have families.
These evil families are not aliens and they live among us.
Monitor their lifestyles indoors and outdoors and report all suspicious movements and practices to the appropriate authorities. If you cannot trust the local police, then report them on social network sites as soon as as notice these strange characters in the communities.
We must expose and get rid of these evils and the evil doers in every community in Nigeria and save ourselves from these demonic humans among us.


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Africa Movie Academy Awards 2014 Nominees

Les enfants de Troumaron (The Children of Troumaron) in French with English subtitles from Mauritius is a leading contender for AMAA 2014 Award for Best Film film. The film is an adaptation from the award winning screenwriter Ananda Devi's novel "Ève de ses décombres" and directed by Harrikrisna Anenden and Sharvan Anenden. My favourites are these ones I have highlighted.
 ~ Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima.
 

The following is the complete list of the nominees for this year’s Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) announced at Emperor Palace Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday April 2, 2014.

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

 Uche Jombo

Uche Nnadili – B for Boy
Linda Sokhulu – Felix
Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha – Accident
Clarion Chukwura – Apaye
Uche Jombo Rodriquez, Monalisa Chinda and Daniella Okeke – Lagos Cougars
Joselyn Dumas – Northern Affair

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Zenzo Ngqobe is a South African actor best known for his starring role as Stone Khuse on the television soapie Rhythm City. He is also well known for a supporting role in the 2005 Academy Award-winning Tsotsi. Zenzo has also appeared in the TV hospital dramas Jozi-H and Hillside, and has performed in the stage productions Township Stories and Cards. In 2013 he took over the role of Cyril in the SABC2 sitcom Ga Re Dumele and he is the main actor in The Forgotten Kingdom (dir. Andrew Mudge, 2013).

Zengo Ngqobe – Forgotten Kingdom
Kanayo Kanayo – Apaye
Mothusi Magano – Of Good Report
Joseph Benjamin – Murder At Prime Suites
Adjatey Annan – Potomanto
Majid Michel – Brother’s Keeper

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST FILM


Children of Troumaron – Mauritius
Potomanto – Ghana
The Forgotten Kingdom – South Africa
Of Good Report – South Africa
Accident – Nigeria

EFERE OZAKO AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM
Haunted Soul – Kenya
Siriya Mtungi – Tanzania
Dialemi – Gabon
New Horizon – Nigeria
Nandy l’orpheline – Mali
Living Funeral – Nigeria
Phindile’s Heart – South Africa

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY
Hamu Beya- The Sand Fishers – Mali
Portraits of a Lone Farmer – Nigeria/Denmark
Kushaya Ingagasi – South Africa
Daughters of the Niger Delta – Nigeria
Sincerely Ethiopia – Ethiopia

AMAA 2014- BAYELSA STATE GOVERNMENT ENDOWED AWARD FOR BEST NIGERIAN FILM
Apaye
B For Boy
Accident
Murder at Prime Suites
Omo Elemosho

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Desmond Elliot – Finding Mercy
Thapelo Mofekeng – Felix
Yomi Fash-Lanso – Omo Elemosho
Aniekan Iyoho – Potomanto
Tshamano Sebe – Of Good Report

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR
Harrikrishna & Sharvan Anenden – Children of Troumaron (Mauritius)
Shirley Frimpong Manso – Potomanto (Ghana)
Andrew Mudge – The Forgotten Kingdom (South Africa)
Jamil X.T Quebeka – Of Good Report (South Africa)
Teco Benson – Accident (Nigeria)

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST ANIMATION
The Hare and the Lion – Burkina Faso
Thank God its Friday – Morocco
Leila – Nigeria
Khumba – South Africa
The Brats and Toy Thief – Mozambique

OUSMANE SEMBENE AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST FILM IN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE
The forgotten Kingdom – South Africa
B for Boy – Nigeria
Omo Elemosho – Nigeria
Onye Ozi – Nigeria
Ni Sisi – Kenya

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST DIASPORA SHORT
Passage – Bahamas
Heaven – USA
Tickle Me Rich – Trinidad and Tobago
Red – USA

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST DIASPORA DOCUMENTARY
Finding Samuel Lowe: From Harlem to China – USA/CANADA
Freedom Summer – USA
No Bois Man, No Frad – Trinidad and Tobago
Through the Lens Darkly : Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People – USA

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST DIASPORA FEATURE
Tula The Revolt – Curacao
AZU – Venezuela
Kingston Paradise – Jamaica
Retrieval – USA

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
Northern Affair – Ghana
Of Good Report – South Africa
Ni Sisi – Kenya
Good Old Days: Love of AA – Ghana
Apaye – Nigeria

AMAA 2014 ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
Good Old Days: Love of AA – Ghana
Apaye – Nigeria
Omo Elemosho – Nigeria
Ni Sisi – Kenya
The Forgotten Kingdom – South Africa

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP
A Mile From Home – Nigeria
Apaye – Nigeria
Once Upon A Road Trip – South Africa
Felista Fable – Uganda
Potomanto -Ghana

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUNDTRACK
Once Upon A Road Trip
Onye Ozi- Nigeria
Felix
Of Good Report- South Africa
Potomanto- Ghana

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECT
A Mile From Home
Omo Elemosho- Nigeria
Secret Room -
Ni Sisi- Kenya
Of Good Report- South Africa

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND
Felix-
Northern Affair -
Nothing For Mahala-
Of Good Report- South Africa
The Forgotten Kingdom -

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
Once Upon A Road Trip
Good Old Days: Love of AA
Of Good Report
The Forgotten Kingdom
The Children of Troumaron

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING
Of Good Report
Accident
Once Upon A Road Trip
Potomanto
Felix

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREEN PLAY
B For Boy
Of Good Report
Accident
Potomanto
Felix

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST CHILD ACTOR
Tobe Oboli – Brothers Keeper
Lebohang Ntsane – Forgotten Kingdom
Hlayani Junior Mabasa – Felix

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST YOUNG/ PROMISING ACTOR
Evelyn Galle Ansah – Good Old Days: For the Love of AA
Petronella Tshuma – Of Good Report
Tope Tedela – A Mile From Home
Kitty Phillips – The Children of Troumatron
Shawn Faqua – Lagos Cougar

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Vinaya Sungkur – The Children of Troumaron
Patience Ozokwo – After the Proposal
Marie Humbert – Potomanto
Barbara Soky – Brothers Keeper
Lee-Ann van Rooi – Of Good Report

AMAA 2014 AWARD FOR BEST FIRST FEATURE FILM BY A DIRECTOR
Roberta Durrant – Felix
Chika Anadu – B for Boy
Andrew Mudge – Forgotten Kingdom
Harrikrishna & Sharvan Anenden – The Children of Troumaron
Dilman Dila – Felista’s Fable
Joyce Mhango Chavula – No More Tears

PS:
The jury headed by Mr. Steve Ayorinde decided that there will be no nomination this year for the AMAA 2014 Award For Best Film By An African Living Abroad category.


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Marriott International Completes Acquisition Of Protea Hospitality Group; Becomes The Largest Hotel Company In Africa



BETHESDA, Md. and CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today became the largest hotel company in Africa according to published information, and nearly doubled its presence in its Middle East and Africa region to more than 160 hotels and 23,000 rooms as it completed its acquisition of the 116-hotel Protea Hospitality Group (PHG), based in South Africa.  Marriott now operates or franchises more than 4,000 hotels in 79 countries.  [For additional images and b-roll visit: http://postspots.com/d/j/39d6ba852b.]


At the same time, Marriott said that its pipeline of new hotels in the Middle East and Africa, including Protea's pipeline, is now more than 65 hotels and 14,300 rooms, including more than  20 hotels and 3,000 rooms in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Marriott's new Protea portfolio consists of 10,148 rooms in seven African countries including South Africa.  The company now manages, franchises and leases hotels across the Protea Hotels brand (103 hotels), comprising a full and diverse range of outstanding hotels and resorts; the award-winning lifestyle boutique Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! (2 hotels); and the superior deluxe African Pride Hotels collection (11 hotels).  In addition to its industry-leading 79 hotels in South Africa, Marriott's Protea portfolio also has 37 hotels in Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Arne Sorenson, Marriott International's president and chief executive officer, said, "Today marks a new beginning.  We can now officially say 'molweni!' (Xhosa), 'sawubona!' (Zulu) and 'hello!'  to South Africa and 'welcome!' to our approximately 15,000 new associates at both managed and franchised hotels across Protea's portfolio.  We look forward to integrating the superb Protea team into the Marriott International family, and together, to work toward new opportunities for growth and advancement throughout  South Africa and the continent."

Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director of Marriott International's Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, said, "Today is the culmination of months of highly productive collaboration between Protea and Marriott International teams.  We are delighted that such a tremendously dedicated, talented and effective team, which has been so well-led by Protea Chief Executive Officer Arthur Gillis, is now joining the Marriott International family.  With the addition of Protea's regional knowledge, expertise and infrastructure, we are incredibly well-positioned to continue growing in one of the fastest expanding economic markets in the world."
According to the World Bank, Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to grow at a more than 5 percent pace through 2015.

Mr. Kyriakidis said that Mr. Gillis will become Non-Executive Chairman, Africa Development for Marriott International, focusing on exploring opportunities for new African hotel growth for all of Marriott International's brands.  In addition, Mark Satterfield, currently chief operations officer for Marriott International's MEA region, will relocate to Cape Town, Protea's headquarters, to act as business leader overseeing the integration of the two companies.  He will continue to report to Mr. Kyriakidis.
As previously disclosed, Marriott paid approximately 2.02 billion rand, or approximately US $200 million at current exchange rates, which represents roughly 10 times anticipated pro forma 2014 calendar year EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) excluding transaction costs.
As part of the transaction, the previous owners of Protea Hospitality Group created an independent property ownership company that retained ownership of the hotels PHG formerly owned, and entered into long-term management and lease agreements with Marriott for those hotels.  The property ownership company also retained a number of minority interests in other Protea hotels.  Marriott now manages approximately 45 percent of Protea's rooms, franchises approximately 39 percent, and leases approximately 16 percent.
Marriott expects that the Protea portfolio will be available for booking on Marriott.com or via Marriott International's Global Reservations Centers toward the end of May, and the hotels will join the Marriott Rewards guest loyalty program at a later point, to be announced.  Until then, please go to www.Proteahotels.com for reservations.
Marriott does not expect the Protea acquisition to have a material impact on 2014 earnings.


Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR)  is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with reported revenues of nearly $13 billion in fiscal year 2013.  Marriott International operates and manages hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts, which, in total, comprise more than 4,000 properties in 79 countries.  There are approximately 330,000 employees at headquarters, and at managed and franchised properties.  Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.
Note on forward-looking statements: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws, including our expectations for opening new hotels in Sub-Saharan Africa, Protea's anticipated proforma 2014 EBITDA and EBITDA multiple; and the dates we anticipate that PHG's hotels will be available for booking on Marriott.com and begin participating in Marriott Rewards, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including supply and demand changes for hotel rooms; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with franchisees and property owners; the availability of capital to finance hotel growth; the time needed to implement new technology systems; and other risk factors that we identify in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K.  Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

IRPR#1
Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/FX-MM94853-Protea-Fire-Ice-Broll.mp4
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140401/MM94853-INFO-a
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140401/MM94853-b
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130531/PH23900LOGO
 
SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.
CONTACT: Felicia McLemore, (301) 380-2702, felicia.mclemore@marriott.com; Tom Marder, (301) 380-2553, Thomas.marder@marriott.com

Apr 01, 2014




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