Claus Stäcker's Misleading Report on President Goodluck Jonathan's Legacy and War on Terror in Nigeria

                       Claus Stäcker:, Deutsche Welle (DW)’s head of Programs for Africa.

 Re: Nigeria: Abducted Girls Place Dark Spot On Nigeria's Leader Legacy

Claus Stäcker, Deutsche Welle (DW)’s head of Programs for Africa wrote a misleading report on "Nigeria: Abducted Girls Place Dark Spot On Nigeria's Leader Legacy" published by AllAfrica online news website on http://allafrica.com/stories/201405080883.html. The report is full of ambiguous and erroneous statements on the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria based on his handling of the abduction of approximately 276 female pupils, kidnapped from their hostel by the Boko Haram Islamic Jihadist and Takfiri terrorist sect at the Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno state on April 15, 2014.

 

President Goodluck Jonathan on one of his state visits for national security.

Apparently Mr. Stäcker is ignorant of the facts and realities in Nigeria and simply jotted down unverified stories from hearsay and unreliable sources.

What are the failures of the most challenged and yet the most successful democratically elected administration in the history of Africa's most populous nation? The administration that has attracted the largest Foreign Direct Investments in Africa  

 The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has ranked Nigeria as Africa’s number one destination for Foreign Direct Investment in Africa, for the second time in two years.

The latest UNCTAD report entitled, “Global Value Chains: Investment and Trade for Development”, puts Nigeria’s FDI inflows at $7.03billion  while South Africa recorded $4.572bn, Ghana, $3.295bn; Egypt, $2.798bn; and Angola -6.898bn; among others.
    http://www.nigeria.gov.ng/2012-10-29-11-09-25/news/430-nigeria-still-no-1-fdi-destination-in-africa-unctad

The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has achieved so much economically that made Nigeria one of the MINT countries overtaking the BRICs as the best destinations for investors and then surpassed South Africa as the biggest economy in Africa now worth over $510 billion after the reassessment of the gross domestic product data for the first time in two decades. Thanks to the pragmatism of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan whose outstanding economic policies caused the quantum leap for the paradigm shift

Nigeria also surpassed the United Kingdom (UK) in the latest ranking of global information technology access recording a 200% growth in internet users between 2009 and 2013 with about 62.4 million internet users above UK that added only two million to 57 million users in 2013.

Over 130, 000 new jobs have been created for jobless Nigerians under two years of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) in the Transformation Agenda of President Jonathan.
See full report on http://www.sure-p.gov.ng/main/index.php/achievement/journey-so-far-jan-2012-jan-2013

The Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWIN) programme created over 26, 000 new jobs in two years and over 1, 000, 000 jobs have been created in Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry since the President launched the Entertainment Intervention Fund with US$200 million and another $20 million for the Project Nollywood grant and has made Nollywood the largest film industry in Africa.

These and other outstanding achievements such as building new airports and seaports have been done in spite of the incessant terror attacks of the Boko Haram in the northern eastern region where over 500 viewing centers are showing movies daily in Kannywood, the Hausa sector of Nollywood and none of the viewing centers has been attacked. And Shoprite, the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States opened a new shopping mall in Kano, the largest city in northern Nigeria and main commercial hub in the new $110-million (80-million-euro) Ado Bayero Mall, the biggest Shoprite in West Africa. And at the moment, Nigeria is hosting the 2014 regional World Economic Forum in Abuja in peace and harmony.

It is totally false as Stäcker wrote that President Jonathan is counting on the army to secure his re-election in 2015 and a libelous report that: "he has deposed even well-intentioned critics. Some of them have been sent behind bars. A state of emergency Jonathan declared has cut off roads and communication in several states for months."

President Goodluck Jonathan has not sent any critic to jail and the press is enjoying the freest era since he became President and I can testify for him, because I am one of his most unapologetic critics and his government has not touched me and none of the over 100 citizen journalists in Nigeria has been harassed or arrested. So, Stäcker's report is a fabrication of lies.

The report is full of unverified stories that makes Stäcker a lazy journalist who cannot investigate before rushing to publish rumours posted as news.

President Goodluck Jonathan has called for dialogue with all aggrieved persons and groups in Nigeria, including the Boko Haram and their sponsors among northern political and Islamic leaders and convened the on going National Conference as a open democratic forum for discussing and resolving Nigeria’s constitutional challenges. But the Boko Haram sect is yet to come or send representatives to the conference.
And the Nigerian government once engaged in peace negotiations with Boko Haram since 2012 after the sect kidnapped and executed their British hostage Chris McManus.

President Goodluck Jonathan has been doing his best to rescue the abducted school girls and set up a Joint Task Force of the Nigerian Armed Forces and Nigerian Police Force to tackle the insurgencies in the Middle Belt and northern region of Nigeria and the military commanders who failed in their duties have been disciplined and President Jonathan sacked several service chiefs and appointed new ones with a new Minister of Defence to improve the state of national security.

Claus Stäcker should do good research and investigate all sources of information on the current affairs in Nigeria before publishing future reports.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, Publisher/Editor, Nigerians Report Online.

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Angelina Jolie Condemns Abduction of School Girls in Northern Nigeia

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie is on the Tunisian-Libyan border asking for humanitarian access in Libya.

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SkyPower Global and FAS Energy to Build 3,000 MW of Solar Power in Nigeria at US$5 Billion

 Nigeria High Commissioner, Chief Ojo Uma Maduekwe (left), Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Ambassador (Doctor) Godknows Boladei Igali (centre), and SkyPower Global's Vice President of Development for Africa, Benoit Fortin (right) following the signing of the agreements in Abuja, Nigeria. (PRNewsFoto/SkyPower FAS Energy).

ABUJA, Nigeria, May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
- SkyPower FAS Energy, a joint venture between SkyPower Global and FAS Energy, signs agreements with both the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Delta State Government for the development, construction and operation of 3,000 MW of solar PV projects at an estimated cost of US$5 billion.
SkyPower FAS Energy signed agreements with both the Federal Republic of Nigeria Government and the Delta State of Nigeria Government for the development of 3,000 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects within Nigeria and the Delta State of Nigeria to be built over the next five years.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140507/85489 )

These foundational agreements represent a monumental renewable energy milestone, which entails a multi-phase development and build schedule that will result in production of clean, sustainable, cost-effective energy to support the growing energy needs of Nigeria. SkyPower FAS Energy is committed to work closely with both governments for the planning, financing, and construction of 3,000 MW of utility-scale solar PV energy projects for the Nigerian power grid, which are expected to reach commercial operation in phases starting in 2015.

The agreements were signed at the World Economic Forum on Africa during a historic ceremony for a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) between the Canadian and Nigerian governments. Representing the nations at the forum were the Honourable Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development for Canada.

"This is truly a proud moment for SkyPower FAS Energy. Global partnerships such as these are key to bringing together extensive expertise from around the world," said proud Canadian Kerry Adler, President and Chief Executive Officer of SkyPower Global. "The signing of these landmark agreements demonstrates the shared vision of a partnership that will further stimulate the vibrant, fast-growing Nigerian economy and substantially impact the state and country's GDPs, resulting in increased employment and skills training. We applaud the leadership of the Delta State and Federal Nigerian governments for embracing this initiative and demonstrating their continued commitment to reduce carbon emissions and harness the proven power of solar PV."

"The signing of the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement marks a significant milestone. It sends a clear signal to Canadian businesses that they can work in Nigeria with confidence, and to Nigerians that they can do the same in Canada," said the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development for Canada. "Our government is looking to new approaches that deliver real results. The private sector has a crucial role to play in creating shared prosperity."

"The total capital requirement for these projects is an estimated US$5 billion, which will be financed through a combination of bank debt, development bank financing, and equity partners. Over the life of the projects, it is estimated that more than 30,000 jobs will be created in Nigeria," said Stephen Bordes, Chief Financial Officer of SkyPower Global.

"It is with great pride that we announce the signing of these agreements," commented Sabri Asfour, the General Manager of SkyPower FAS Energy. "This is a historic day, as the signing of these agreements and commencement of these groundbreaking projects in Nigeria clearly demonstrate Nigeria's commitment to clean, renewable energy. SkyPower FAS Energy's combined expertise in infrastructure development and construction will generate a large number of new jobs, support skills development, and increase prosperity in the regions of the country where these solar projects will be built."

"The Nigerian Government is pleased to partner with SkyPower FAS Energy and we look forward to creating more power and more jobs for the people of Nigeria," commented Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Ambassador (Doctor) Godknows Boladei Igali. "Foreign investment in Nigeria helps build the economy and strengthen international ties with a well-respected and viable partner such as SkyPower FAS Energy."

"Delta State is pleased to sign this agreement with the world's largest solar developer, SkyPower FAS Energy," said Doctor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, Governor, Delta State of Nigeria. "It represents a continued effort to provide even more clean and renewable energy that can be sustained for decades to come. Delta State: Beyond oil into solar."

SkyPower FAS Energy believes in being strongly rooted in the local business community and plans to work closely with local Nigerian businesses and other local partners.

About SkyPower FAS Energy

In August 2013, SkyPower entered into a joint venture agreement with FAS Energy, a subsidiary of Fawaz Alhokair Group. SkyPower brings 11 years of experience developing utility-scale renewable projects around the world. FAS Energy brings an unprecedented amount of knowledge in real estate and construction from its extensive experience and presence in the MENA region. The joint venture's sole strategic focus is to develop and build Utility-Scale Solar PV parks across the MENA region.

About SkyPower (http://www.skypower.com)
SkyPower is the largest and one of the most successful developers and owners of solar energy projects in the world. SkyPower's international team of experienced professionals, power project specialists, and partners have built, assembled and acquired an extensive pipeline of over 25,000 megawatts worldwide. This development portfolio of large utility-scale solar PV projects makes SkyPower the world's largest solar development company.

With over 300 MW of awarded power purchase contracts, SkyPower has built strategic global partnerships with local developers, international leaders, financiers, suppliers, local communities, and indigenous peoples to produce over 219 million kilowatt hours of clean electricity to date.

Established in 2003, SkyPower has grown to over 135 employees, consultants, and advisors in 35 global offices, supporting development activities in more than 60 countries.

SkyPower sources, develops, finances, owns, and operates all of its solar energy projects, from the initial discovery stages through to commercial operation. SkyPower's finance team brings a long track record of raising funds for investment in utility-scale solar power generation, closing on over US$2.5 billion in renewable energy transactions since 2003. SkyPower has successfully raised US$250 million in project financings, and has arranged for corporate debt facilities totaling US$100 million. SkyPower has secured contracts representing over US$4 billion worth of energy sales to utilities around the world.

SkyPower is majority owned by CIM, a transformational urban real estate and infrastructure investment firm founded in 1994 with over US$14.7 billion in assets under management. (http://www.cimgroup.com)

About FAS Energy (http://www.fawazalhokair.com)
FAS Energy is committed to providing renewable energy solutions for the Middle East with a focus on developing alternative energy capacity. In affiliation with one of the leading construction companies in the Middle East, FAS Energy advises government associations on how to build industry-leading solar parks. With branches in the MENA region, namely Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco, as well as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and sister companies in Africa, FAS Energy's projects include approximately 2,400 MW of pipeline in development.

FAS Energy is a subsidiary of Fawaz Alhokair Group, one of the leading groups of companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia focusing on retail and real estate business sectors. The Group expanded its business operations beyond the borders of the Kingdom and invested in retail and real estate sectors across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, USA and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region. FawazAlhokair Group had a turnover in excess of SAR6 billion (US$1.6 billion) for 2012-2013. With more than 12,000 employees, Fawaz Alhokair Group is the single largest owner and operator of shopping malls in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.


For further information:
For more information about SkyPower FAS Energy:
Li Koo
Senior Director, International Affairs and Communications, SkyPower
lkoo@skypower.com
+1-647-478-1146
Hando Kang
Vice President of International Affairs and Communication, SkyPower
handok@skypower.com
+1-647-478-2812
Stephen Bordes
Chief Financial Officer, SkyPower
stephen.bordes@skypower.com
+1-647-479-4166
SOURCE SkyPower FAS Energy

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Britain Joins America To Help Nigeria Rescue Abducted Chibok School Girls

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We Must Conquer Our Fears, Lest Our Fears Will Conquer Us

We must conquer our fears, lest our fears will conquer us.
 ~ Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

If you want to excel, succeed and rock and rule your world, the following three great books are a must read for you.

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South Africa Expresses Concern Regarding the Abducted School Girls in Nigeria

PRETORIA, South Africa, 2 May 2014 / PRNewswire Africa / - The South African Government would like to express its concern about the fate of 230 school girls kidnapped from a school in the town of Chibok, in northern Nigeria. The kidnapping of children in particular is condemned in the strongest terms and the South African Government calls on the perpetrators of this heinous act to release the persons immediately and refrain from harming the kidnapped persons.

The South African Government reiterates its condemnation of all forms and manner of terrorism. South Africa believes that terrorism, in any form and from whichever quarter, cannot be condoned. The South African Government also calls upon the African Union member states and the international community to support Nigeria in their fight against terrorism.

South Africa and Nigeria enjoy cordial bilateral relations, structured under the Bi-National Commission (BNC) that was officially inaugurated in 1999. Our bilateral partnership with Nigeria spans across a wide spectrum covering political, economic and social cooperation.

Enquiries: Mr. Clayson Monyela spokesperson for DIRCO, at 082 884 5974.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084

SOURCE Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Republic of South Africa

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The Boko Haram Jihad and the Sharia States in Northern Nigeria

Islamic terrorism is not new in Nigeria since the period of the Fulani Jihad or Jihad of Usman dan Fodio (1804–1808) and the Sokoto Caliphate is the legacy of the first case of Islamic terrorism in Nigeria and became one of the largest states in Africa in the 1800s and inspired similar jihads in Western Africa according to historical documents.
The jihad resulted in a federal theocratic state in northern Nigeria and this is exactly the present mission of the Congregation of the People of Tradition for Proselytism and Jihad (Arabic: جماعة اهل السنة للدعوة والجهاد‎ Jamāʻat Ahl as-Sunnah lid-daʻwa wal-Jihād) called Boko Haram by Nigerians and others.

Whether you accept it or not, what we are calling Islamic terrorism is jihad to every member of Boko Haram and every supporter of Sharia as instituted in 9 Muslim-majority and in some parts of 3 Muslim-plurality states in Nigeria since 1999 is an unapologetic follower of Usman dan Fodio and their dream is the full restoration and expansion of their Islamic nation by peace or by force regardless of the Hausa Fulanis and other natives who are non-Muslims in these states. They are going to be forced to obey their Sharia Laws in total violation of Article 2 of the United Nations Charter on Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Therefore, Sharia itself is a violation that the secular Sovereign state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a member of the United Nations should not have allowed. In fact the institutionalization of Sharia is a total violation of Fundamental Rights of the citizens as stated in Chapter IV of the Federal Constitution.
The Boko Haram has been most active in these Sharia states and fighting for the complete Islamization of this region.

The Federal Government must follow the order of a secular state or it is no longer a federation as long as the following Sharia states continue to exist in Nigeria.

1.Zamfara State
2.Kano State
3.Sokoto State
4.Katsina State
5.Bauchi State
6.Borno State
7.Jigawa State
8.Kebbi State
9.Yobe State
10.Kaduna State
11.Niger State
12.Gombe State

If we want to remain as a true federation, the Federal Government of Nigeria must protect the constitutional rights of every citizen no matter the location of the citizen and we must stop the imposition of any religion on any citizen and stop the nonsense and stupidity of sponsoring Islamic pilgrimages to Mecca and Jerusalem with state funds, because it is a total violation of the Federal Constitution of Nigeria. But if the Federal Government cannot guaranty the safety and security of every citizen, then it is useless and no longer worthy of being a sovereign secular state.
Moreover, the Federal Government must pay compensation for the loss of life and property of every citizen killed by Islamic terrorists and also pay for the damages and injuries suffered by others who survived the attacks of Islamic terrorists in Nigeria.

The Muslims and their Islamic terrorists who refuse to accept the rule of law and order of a secular state according to the Federal Constitution of Nigeria should be classified as enemies of the state and treated as rebels and expelled from Nigeria as a persona non grata.

The Federal Government cannot permit Sharia states and condemn Boko Haram, because the institution of these Sharia states is a rebellion against the Sovereign nation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.


 ~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, author of Children of Heaven, Scarlet Tears of London, In the House of Dogs and other books.

 Bestselling Books By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima.

 

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Like Prophet Muhammad, like Boko Haram: The Abduction of Over 200 School Girls in Nigeria

 Boko Haram's leader and his soldiers.

Like Prophet Muhammad, like Boko Haram: The Abduction of Over 200 School Girls

No true believer and follower of the founder of Islam, Prophet Muhammad will oppose the Congregation of the People of Tradition for Proselytism and Jihad (Arabic: جماعة اهل السنة للدعوة والجهاد‎ Jamāʻat Ahl as-Sunnah lid-daʻwa wal-Jihād) Boko Haram Islamic terrorist sect in Nigeria who have attacked and murdered thousands of people in the northern regions and also abducting and raping both women and girls, including the widows and daughters of the men they killed in their guerrilla attacks on villages, schools, churches and their fellow Muslims who opposed their terrorism.

In the last 30 days, they have killed more than 200 people in their terrorist bomb attacks at the Nyanya bus garage in Abuja capital city of Nigeria on April 14 and also yesterday on May Day at another motor park opposite their first target. And they have been raping the over 234 secondary school girls they abducted at midnight from their hostel at the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. They forced them into Islamic marriage with their abductors and many of these girls would have become pregnant now.


What the Boko Haram is doing is nothing new and actually what Prophet Muhammad did in his jihads as recorded in history and the following is an account that confirms it all by Ali Sina in the true tragic story of one of the captives of the prophet.

Safiyah, the Jewish Wife of Muhammad

By Ali Sina

The following is the story of Safiyah Bint Huyeiy Ibn Akhtab, the Jewish woman who was captured when Muhammad’s troops attacked Kheibar and brought her to the Prophet as part of his share of the booty. Muhammad ordered Kinana, the young husband of Safia to be tortured to death to make him reveal the whereabouts of the treasure of the town. On the very night of that murder, he took Safia to his bed and claimed that young girl as his trophy. This story is reported by Tabari in detail. It can also be found in Sira of Ibn Ishaq. The following is reported in the Book of Tabaqat compiled by Ibn Sa'd and is published in the Islamic site. http://www.muslimunited.org/topics/prophet/wives.html Two years earlier, Muhammad had beheaded Huyeiy, the father of Safia along with 900 men of Bani Quraiza.

Safiyah was seventeen and very beautiful when Muslims killed her father, husband and many of her relatives. In the same day the Prophet of Allah wanted to sleep with her. Here is the exact text of the story.

“Safiyah was born in Medinah. She belonged to the Jewish tribe of Banu 'I-Nadir. When this tribe was expelled from Medinah in the year 4 A.H, Huyaiy was one of those who settled in the fertile colony of Khaibar together with Kinana ibn al-Rabi' to whom Safiyah was married a little before the Muslims attacked Khaibar. She was then seventeen. She had formerly been the wife of Sallam ibn Mishkam, who divorced her. One mile from Khaibar. Here the Prophet married Safiyah. She was groomed and made-up for the Prophet by Umm Sulaim, the mother of Anas ibn Malik. They spent the night there. Abu Ayyub al-Ansari guarded the tent of the Prophet the whole night. When, in the early dawn, the Prophet saw Abu Ayyub strolling up and down, he asked him what he meant by this sentry-go; he replied: "I was afraid for you with this young lady. You had killed her father, her husband and many of her relatives, and till recently she was an unbeliever. I was really afraid for you on her account". The Prophet prayed for Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Ibn Hisham, p. 766) Safiyah had requested the Prophet to wait till he had gone a stage away from Khaibar. "Why?" asked the Prophet. "I was afraid for you on account of the Jews who still happened to be near at Khaibar!"

The reason Safiyah rejected the intimate advances of the 57-year-old Muhammad should be obvious to any objective person. I believe most women prefer to mourn than jump into bed with the killer of their father, husband and many relatives on the same day of their death. But the fact that the prophet of Allah could not contain his intimate urges for one day to let this young girl grieve, says a lot of his thinking and moral character. However as for the rest of the story we are not sure whether it is true or was fabricated by Muslim historians to wipe the impression of molest. But this is all we have and to find the truth we have to rely on these biased documents written by Muslim historians. The story goes on to say that Abu Ayyub was concerned for the safety of the prophet because he (Muhammad) had killed Safiyah's father, husband and many of her relatives. This is logical. It is foolish to sleep with a woman after killing her loved ones. But Safiyah’s excuse for rejecting Muhammad’s advances towards her seems unreasonable. When Muhammad took this young girl into his tent, he had already killed many Jews and was winning the war. If there were any Jews left, they probably were more worried for their own lives than Safiyah’s chastity. Also she was already in the tent alone with Muhammad, how the Jews would have known if they were engaged in sex or not? I wonder what other excuse could she make to a man who was the murderer of her father, husband and many of her relatives to let her alone at least that night?

“The next day a Walima (we dding-feast) was arranged on behalf of the Prophet…

Note that the historian is saying that the wedding took place one day after the prophet got private with Safiyah and made his moves to have sex with her. This presented no problem for the prophet as he had his Allah reveal a verse saying it is okay to sleep with women captured in war without marrying them even if they are married.

“And all married women (are forbidden unto you) save those (captives) whom your right hands possess…” (Q. 4:24 )

The above verse shows that the Holy prophet did not believe that slaves have any right. You could be a happily married woman living your own life, but if Muhammad and his devout followers attacked your town and captured you, you would lose all your rights, and while your husband was being killed or enslaved you would be given to a Muslim Mujahid who would molest you all with Allah’s blessings.

This is confirmed in another place.

(Q. 23: 1-7) 

 http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/sina/safiyah.htm

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The CNN Multichoice African Journalist Competition 2014 Now Open

 Dear journalist,

We are delighted to announce that the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Competition is now OPEN for entries.

It’s now even easier to enter as this year ALL submissions* can be made via the entry form website (http://www.cnnmcaja.cnn.com).

To find out more about this year’s categories and for full details on how to enter, please visit the Awards’ website: http://www.cnn.com/africanawards/submit.html.

Closing date for entries is May 30th. As the entry website is open for a limited period only be sure to submit your entry now and be part of the most prestigious journalist awards on the continent.

Kind regards and good luck,

CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Team


* Print & photographic entries submit PDF of stories; Digital entrants will include the relevant web links; Video entrants will include links to YouTube; Radio entrants links to SoundCloud.


Remember to follow us on:
facebook.com/CNNMultichoiceAfricanJournalistOfTheYearAwards
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From Chineze Anyaene's "Ijé - The Journey" To Biyi Bandele's "Half Of A Yellow Sun"

 From Chineze Anyaene's Ijé - The Journey To Biyi Bandele's Half Of A Yellow Sun

Chineze Anyaene's 2010 "Ijé - The Journey" cost $2.5 million and even though the film is still the highest grossing Nigerian film till date, both the returns from the local distributors in Nigeria and others abroad have not been enough to make the director smile to the bank, because the critically acclaimed and multiple award winning student film was not really a financial success.

The much talked about 2013 "Half of A Yellow Sun" by Biyi Bandele is the most expensive and expected Nigerian film, because of the international cast of celebrated Hollywood stars and the prominent local stars even though the most popular Nollywood star in the cast Genevieve Nnaji only appeared in one scene and her cameo is not spectacular enough to attract her legions of fans to the local movie theaters or to even buy copies of the DVD later like "Ijé" that gave her an unforgettable supporting actress role as "Chioma Opara" sister of "Anya Opara Michino" played by the leading actress and current Queen of Nollywood, Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde who gave a stellar performance and the fantastic combination of these two most popular actresses in Nollywood pulled crowds to the cinemas. But I doubt if the celebrated Hollywood stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton can do the same for "Half of A Yellow Sun" in Nigeria where only the middle class and upper class elites know their A-list star power status.

The director, producers and executive producers pinned all their hopes on them, but they forgot that using A-List actors do not always guarantee box office success as we have seen in many Hollywood big budget movies that bombed (flopped) at the box office.
Getting A-List actors cost a lot and betting on them to make a hit movie is a gamble. A hit or miss shot at the bull's eye.
Having A-List actors may attract major distributors for the film, but cannot guarantee puling crowds to the cinemas and that was what happened to "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" by Justin Chadwick. The film with famous Hollywood stars Idris Elba as "Nelson Mandela", Naomie Harris as "Winnie Madikizela-Mandela" cost $35 million, but has not made up to $28 million at the box office, even though it was a hit in South Africa released at the momentous time when the great hero of the biopic Madiba Nelson Mandela passed away.

The local distributors of "Half of A Yellow Sun" in Nigeria have dysfunctional marketing and public relations management and you cannot even see any promo on "Half of A Yellow Sun" on the websites of their few cinemas and I am yet to see the adverts in the press, except for the cheap radio jingles and the poorly promoted trailers on TV. So, Biyi Bandele and his executive producers need prayers for miracles to make their "Half of A Yellow Sun" a commercial success at home and abroad.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, Publisher/Editor of Nigerians Report Online and Nigerian Times, the highest ranked Nigerian blog on film and entertainment in the world.
https://plus.google.com/+MichaelChimaEkenyerengozi/posts.

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