Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Dr. Chioma Blaise Chikere of University of Port Harcourt Wins International Prize


Dr.  Chioma Blaise Chikere of the University of Port Harcourt has won the second prize in the 2017 Elsevier Foundation Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge.

Chioma Blaise Chikere, PhD:
The Niger Delta has been devastated by crude oil spills for decades and bioremediation of this land is a major priority for Nigeria. This project proposes to add organic nutrients such as animal excreta to the soil, using the microorganisms’ own capacities to degrade hydrocarbons, to clean up contaminated soil.

Dr.Chikere’s area of specialization is environmental biotechnology and petroleum microbiology with focus on bioremediation. She is principal investigator in two research groups: one focusing on the use of molecular microbiology techniques to evaluate microbial population in bioremediation of oil-polluted environments; and the second exploring the therapeutic potentials of underutilized indigenous medicinal plants.

The news was announced today in a press release.


Winners Announced for the 2017 Elsevier Foundation Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge
   
BERLIN, May 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Winning projects use bioresources to combat mosquito borne diseases in Brazil and oil-polluted land in Nigeria

Chemistry solutions that tap native plants, such as cashew nuts, to tackle mosquito borne diseases through environmentally friendly insecticides and a focus on eco-remediation of land devastated by crude oil spills in Nigeria, won the Elsevier Foundation Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge. The 2017 first prize winner is Dr. Dênis Pires de Lima  from the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, in Brazil, and the second prize winner is Dr. Chioma Blaise Chikere from the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria.

Click here to read more.

Monday, May 15, 2017

The Most Expensive Countries in the World


World's Most Expensive Countries
In the latest study, GOBankingRates looks at New York City's average cost of living compared to that of the top 50 most expensive countries in the world.

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Tunisia is the Only African Country Competing at 2017 Cannes Film Festival


Tunisia is the Only African Country Competing at 2017 annual Cannes Film Festival.


Kaouther Ben Hania of Tunisia is the only African filmmaker with her French Tunisian drama, "Beauty and the Dogs" competing among the 18 films in the Un Certain Regard category.

See the Official Selection of Films for the 70th Anniversary of Cannes Film Festival on TALK OF THE TOWN By Orikinla.

Friday, May 12, 2017

Media Chronology in France


Media Chronology in France

Media chronology (also referred to as statutory windows) is an issue that is considered crucial by the French film and television industry.

The sequence of releasing was initially determined by a Decree until 2000, when a modification was introduced, providing the possibility for the different stakeholders to agree on the terms. After several attempts, an agreement was reached in 2009 by the associations representing the different stakeholders: producers, distributors, theaters, and the broadcasters. As it represented a consensus at that time, this agreement was extended by Ministerial order and made compulsory for any French company. In substance, it provides that a film exploited in theaters cannot be exploited through physical videos and pay VoD before 4 months, pay TV before 10 months, free TV before 22 months and SVOD before 36 months from said initial theatrical release. This agreement has been complied with even by the services established in foreign countries (UK, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland, etc.) addressing a French audience.
The development of VoD and SVoD and the difficulty to finance films that are not pre-bought by pay TV have led certain stakeholders to look for a modification of the regulation. The new EU Portability regulation and potential changes to Country of Origin principle for broadcasters being discussed in Brussels also lead to consideration of how the French window system should be reviewed.
There are discussions going on and propositions made by pay TV and independent film producers associations, as well as by the public agency, Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée (CNC).

Lai Mohammed Makes History With Nigeria's Debut at the 57th Venice Biennale


Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Honourable Minister for the Ministry of Information and Culture is making history as Nigeria makes her debut at the 57th Venice Biennale; the first time for Africa's most populous nation. This is an unprecedented achievement, because none of Alhaji Lai Mohammed's predecessors achieved this historic feat, due to their ignorance of the importance and significance of the great Venice Biennale to the global appreciation of Contemporary Art and human development in the advancement of modern civilization.

It is still unbelievable that Nigeria known as the cradle of African Art with the greatest cultural heritage of the classic Arts of Igbo Ukwu, Ife, Nok, Benin and Owo has never participated in the previous editions of the Art Biennale since it started in 1895.

The three artists selected to represent Nigeria have now achieved what the greatest Nigerian masters of Contemporary Art did not achieve. But it would have been great if the greatest African printmaker, Bruce Onobraekpeya and Nike Davies joined Victor Ehikhamenor, Peju Alatise and Qudus Onikeku for Nigeria's presentation, "How About NOW?", curated by Adenrele Sonariwo and Emmanuel Iduma, and commissioned by Godwin Obaseki (Edo State Governor), with the support of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.


"The aim of the Nigerian Pavilion is to reflect on the question of now, and of narratives firmly rooted in the present. The presentation by the artistsexpands an understanding of Nigerian contemporary life through installations, painting, and performance…. Their work seeks to use the narrative of the present to interrogate the minefield of societal consciousness in addressing aspects of identity and belonging as it relates to and confronts our past and future”.
~ Adenrele Sonariwo, Curator of “How About Now?".

Thursday, May 11, 2017

The Economist Speaks With US President Donald Trump About His "TRUMPONOMICS"


The Economist Speaks With US President Donald Trump About His Economic Policy And More
TRUMPONOMICS: "IT REALLY HAS TO DO WITH SELF-RESPECT AS A NATION"
   
LONDON, May 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- US President Donald Trump, along with Steve Mnuchin, the treasury secretary and Gary Cohn, the director of the National Economic Council, sat down with editors from The Economist on May 4th 2017 to discuss the Trump administration's economic policy.

Mr Trump says he is for fairer US trade deals, tax reform, a move to merit-based immigration and deregulation. At its core, Mr Trump says of "Trumponomics": "It really has to do with self-respect as a nation."

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Institutionalisation and Ritualization of Corruption in Nigeria


What President Buhari is facing is not just political corruption, but the institutionalization of corruption in Corporate Nigeria.


The incorruptible citizens are the most endangered species in Nigeria.
If you are not corrupt, majority of Nigerians think you are odd or you are arrogant.
Majority of Nigerians from the bottom to the top are corrupt. In fact, there is now ritualization of corruption in the daily lives of Nigerians. And they pass it on to their children who inherit their characteristics of corruption.

For a detailed analysis of the Nigerian crisis of corruption, read In the House of Dogs published by King of Kings Books International and distributed by Amazon and other booksellers worldwide.

"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
~ Psalm 11:3.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima.

Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima'' Books on Amazon


 

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Nollywood is Not Among the Top 10 Biggest Film Industries


How can a state government official and other stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry say Nollywood is among the top five biggest film industries in revenues in the world?
We have to stop telling ourselves embarrassing lies.
Nollywood is not even among the top ten biggest film industries on planet earth.
Click here to see the Top 10 Highest Grossing Film Industries in the World.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

New Jobs at 100 Resilient Cities


Work with 100 Resilient Cities

Team members at 100 Resilient Cities work in a fast-paced and international environment, collaborating closely with cities, co-workers, and resilience experts all over the world to build the global practice of resilience among governments, NGOs, the private sector, and individual citizens. Working at 100 RC requires a rare mix: a strong commitment to the mission of building urban resilience, the ability to thrive under dynamic conditions, appropriate international sensitivity, and the capacity to drive progress while managing multiple responsibilities.

To apply for a position with 100RC, please follow the instructions detailed in the following job postings. Please note that 100RC may only contact successful applicants regarding their candidacies.


City and Practice Management

Regional Director - Europe, Middle East & Africa (London)
Regional Director - Africa (London)
Manager of Data and Operations (New York)
Program Manager - Africa (London)
City Solutions

Director of Resilience Finance (New York or London)
Associate Director, Innovation for Urban Water Solutions (New York or London)
Senior Manager, Global Delivery - Africa (London)
Delivery Manager, Global Delivery Team – North America (Contract in New York)
Communications

Digital Design Associate (New York)
100RC General Interest Application

If you're interested in working at 100 Resilient Cities, please set up a profile here so we can contact you regarding relevant opportunities in the future.

Click on http://www.100resilientcities.org/pages/jobs-2015/#/-_/.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Orkin Releases Top 50 Mosquito Cities in the United States of America


Orkin's Top 50 Mosquito Cities list ranks metro areas by the number of mosquito customers served from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017. The list includes both residential and commercial treatments.

Atlanta                                                        
Washington, D.C. (+1)                              
Chicago (-1)                                  
New York (+1)                                              
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.  (+8)                    
Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas                
Houston (+5)                                
Detroit (-4)                          
Charlotte, N.C. (-1)                          
Nashville, Tenn. (-3)
Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla. (+11)
Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne, Fla.  (+11)
Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, Va.  (+1)
Memphis, Tenn. (-3)
Mobile-Pensacola, Fla. (+11)
West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce, Fla. (+15)
Raleigh-Durham, N.C. (-8)
Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Mich. (-3)
Boston (-9)
Phoenix, Ariz.
Philadelphia (+9)
Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C., Asheville, N.C (-6)
Richmond-Petersburg, Va. (-2)
Kansas City, Mo. (+25)
Cleveland-Akron-Canton, Ohio (-7)
St. Louis, Mo.
New Orleans, La. (+16)
Baltimore, Md. (+9)
Los Angeles
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. (-11)
Hartford-New Haven, Conn. (-8)
Lafayette, La. (+12)
Knoxville, Tenn. (+1)
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, N.Y. (-17)
Indianapolis, Ind. (-8)
Birmingham, Ala. (+11)
Austin, Texas (+11)
Cincinnati, Ohio (+7)
San Antonio, Texas
Baton Rouge, La.
Charleston, S.C. (-16)
Shreveport, La.
Columbia, S.C.
Columbus, Ohio (-12)
Bangor, Maine (-16)
Flint-Saginaw-Bay City, Mich. (-18)
Greensboro-High Pt.-Winston-Salem, N.C. (-9)
Myrtle Beach-Florence, S.C. (-2)
Tulsa, Okla. (-13)
Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark.

Source http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/orkin-releases-top-50-mosquito-cities-list-300448410.html.