Friday, November 27, 2020

#TikTok's Parent ByteDance is Worth More Than the Top 10 Nigerian Banks Combined

#TikTok's Parent ByteDance is Worth More Than the Top 10 Nigerian Banks Combined

ByteDance, the parent company of short-video app TikTok, generated $5.6 billion in revenue for the first-quarter of 2020, Reuters reports. This figure represents 130% growth in revenue year-over-year for the China-based company, which is now reportedly worth more than $100 billion.


Top 10 Banks in Nigeria by Profit After Tax in 9-months (Jan – September, 2020)

Zenith – N159.3bn GTB – N142.3bn Access Bank– N102.3bn UBA – N77.1bn First Bank– N68.2bn Stanbic– N66.2bn Fidelity – N20.4bn Union Bank– N15.1bn FCMB – N13.9bn Sterling– N7.4bn


WeREAD


WeREAD is for book lovers and everyone who loves to read books.


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#BlackFriday Offers From Bookshop





#WeREAD for Those Who Love To Read

 

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Thursday, November 26, 2020

Port Harcourt Belongs To Igbos

Dear Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON; Port Harcourt Belongs To Igbos

The West African Court of Appeal (WACA) judgement in the case between IKWERRE VS. OKRIKA in 1958 bordering on the status of Port Harcourt settled it.


WACA decided that Port Harcourt belongs to the Igbos. There was no appeal till date.


When the famous Nigerian author, retired Captain Elechi Amadi (12 May 1934 – 29 June 2016) was confronted with the WACA judgement by Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Counsel, he affirmed it and it was admitted in evidence.

His only remark was that "the Ikwerre people involved their wealthy Igbo brothers in litigation, fought for Port Harcourt under the shadow of their rich brothers against Okrika people and consequently, the court so ruled.

When asked whether he appealed against that judgement, he said NO.

That Port Harcourt is an Igbo city was a judgement of a superior court that has not been vacated.

The original inhabitants of Obigbo were mostly from Ngwa, Arochukwu and Owerri. 

WIKE can never change History!!!

And it is my duty to bring history before those of you that try to put it down.


Rumuobiakani or Umuobiakani? You can change the story but not the truth."

- By Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

14-Year Old Wins UBA 2020 Essay Competition, Gets N2.5 Million




14-Year Old Wins UBA 2020 Essay Competition, Gets N2.5 Million

*Ten of the twelve winners are girls.

The UBA Foundation, the CSR arm of the United Bank for Africa, today, held its tenth annual National Essay Competition(NEC) in a virtual ceremony that was attended by high school students from across the nation. The UBA Foundation’s Education initiative has been changing lives for a decade as the tertiary education scholarship programme continues to impact the lives of many students and their communities.

For the fourth consecutive year, the females have led this competition with 14-year-old Eshiet Abasiekeme of Bright Stars Model Secondary School from Akwa-Ibom state taking home this year’s winning prize. Eshiet received an educational grant of N2.5 million to study in any African university of her choice. She will also be supported throughout her educational career and beyond with constant mentoring by the UBA Foundation.

Abasiekeme who had joined the virtual event from her base in Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria, could not contain her excitement as she heard the announcement that she had won the first prize of the NEC 2020. “I feel honoured to be the winner of this year’s NEC, and I want to appreciate UBA and UBA Foundation as this will help towards my dream of becoming a lawyer,” she said proudly, expressing that she would like to go to university in Uyo in her home state.


The second prize was awarded to 14-year-old Mofuluwake Adesanya of Spring Forte-Lead College Lagos State, who won a N2,000,000 educational grant, whilst the third prize of N1,500,000 went to Abdulganiyy Habeeba, 16 years old. Abdulganiyy attends the International School, University of Lagos.

Eshiet and the 11 other finalists, took home their brand new laptop computers to enable them continue to work competitively in a world that is rapidly becoming fully digitalised.

Congratulating all the winners at the final event of the competition, the Managing Director/CEO of UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, applauded all the participants for their exceptional brilliance. She explained that the Foundation had taken into consideration the effect that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on lives and incomes across board and had increased the prize money by 33 per cent this year to help cushion any negative or inflationary effects.


Emphasising the driving force behind the annual competition, she said, “We are passionate about the annual NEC because it changes lives and helps to improve the quality of lives of students and their families. The NEC helps to improve the quality of writing and competitiveness amongst students. We have launched in more African countries this year and would have launched the initiative in 20 countries by the end of 2021. It is not just about writing essays, the ripple effect is really quite enormous, and we are glad that it is cascading to other countries where we operate.’ she said.

Also speaking at the opening of the event, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Plc, Kennedy Uzoka, commended all 12 finalists, expressing that UBA was happy to be touching lives and making a solid impact through its National Essay Competition, which is now in its 10th edition. He was very pleased about the fact that more females again came out tops this year, adding that notwithstanding the constraints and challenges of 2020, the Foundation received the highest number of entries ever, at over 12,000 digital submissions’.

Mr Uzoka, who is also the Chairman, UBA Foundation, said, “The NEC has been changing lives positively for 10 years, and we have awarded scholarships to students not just in Nigeria but in other parts of Africa like Ghana, Sierra Leone and Senegal. Some of these students are already graduates and contributing meaningfully to their communities’.

“To all 12 of you that have emerged finalists, I would like to congratulate you. If out of 12,000 entries you were able to make it to the top 12, that represents about 0.12% of the entries. You are no doubt, already a winner,” he continued.

UBA Foundation’s National Essay Competition is an initiative under the Education pillar of the Foundation. Now in its tenth year, the aim of the NEC is to ensure that more African youths have access to education. The programme also highlights the good quality of education that exists on the continent as it stresses that the grant must be used in any university of the winners’ choice on the African continent.

2020 UBAF TOP 12 FINALISTS
S/N NAME POSITION
1 Eshiet Abasiekeme Eshiet 1st

2 Mofuluwake Adesanya 2nd

3 Abdulganiyu Habeeba 3rd

4 Emenugha Hannah Amarachi 4th

5 Ibem Marylyn Anya 5th

6 Ehibor Favour 6th

7 Nwabueze Regina Ugochi 6th

8 Dimaro Tamarapreye 7th

9 Ozoke Melvin Damian Uchenna 8th

10 Enobong Flourish David 9th

11 Chukwuma Light E. C. 10th

12 Stephen God's Grant 11th

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Video: #EndSARS - #Lekki Killings

 

Saturday, November 21, 2020

Video: Niger Delta Message To President Muhammadu Buhari - #EndSARS is Child's Play

 


Niger Delta Message To President Muhammadu Buhari - #EndSARS is child's play.


What caused the violent #EndSARS protests was breakdown of communication between those in the corridors of power and the majority of the citizens of the nation. 

Friday, November 20, 2020

Amazon Studios Acquires Coming 2 America


AMAZON STUDIOS ACQUIRES COMING 2 AMERICA 

FROM PARAMOUNT PICTURES

The Highly-Anticipated Eddie Murphy-Starring Sequel to the Classic Comedy will Launch Globally on Amazon Prime Video on March 5, 2021

 

Culver City, CA – November 20, 2020 – Amazon Studios has acquired worldwide rights to Coming 2 America from Paramount Pictures. This long-awaited sequel to the iconic comedy Coming to Americawill launch worldwide in over 240 countries and territories on Prime Video on March 5, 2021.

 

Set in the lush and royal country of Zamunda, newly-crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall) embark on an all-new hilarious adventure that has them traversing the globe from their great African nation to the borough of Queens, New York – where it all began. Original cast favorites from Coming to America return including King Jaffe Joffer (James Earl Jones), Queen Lisa (Shari Headley), Cleo McDowell (John Amos), Maurice (Louie Anderson) and the motley barbershop crew. Joining this star-studded ensemble are Wesley Snipes, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Jermaine Fowler, Bella Murphy, Rotimi, KiKi Layne, Nomzamo Mbatha and Teyana Taylor, making Coming 2 America the most anticipated comedy film of the year.

 

Coming to America was a cultural phenomenon that is one of the most loved and celebrated comedies of all time,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “Thanks to Eddie Murphy’s comedic genius along with the brilliant filmmakers, writers and fabulous cast, we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this new adventure. We know audiences around the world will fall in love with this hilarious, joyful movie that will surely become a timeless favorite.”

 

“What could be better than a return to Zamunda? We are so excited for Amazon Studios to bring Eddie Murphy and Coming 2 America to a worldwide audience where they can laugh again with characters they have loved for 30 years, and meet new ones that they will love for years to come,” said producer Kevin Misher.

 

Coming 2 America is directed by Craig Brewer, from Paramount Pictures in association with New Republic Pictures, and produced by Eddie Murphy Productions and Misher Films. The screenplay is written by Kenya Barris, Barry W. Blaustein and David Sheffield, with story by Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield and Justin Kanew, based on characters created by Eddie Murphy. The producers are Kevin Misher and Eddie Murphy, executive producers are Brian Oliver, Bradley Fischer, Valerii An, Kenya Barris, Charisse Hewitt-Webster, Michele Imperato Stabile and Andy Berman.

 

Coming to America opened in theaters in 1988 to become a box office sensation achieving over $288 million in total worldwide box office gross. The comedy was translated to over 25 languages around the globe, known in other countries as Un Prince à New York in France, Der Prinz aus Zamunda in Germany, Un Príncipe en Nueva York throughout Latin America, Il Principe Cerca Moglie in Italy and many more – to become the iconic movie we all know and love today. Beyond its financial success, the film was a cultural zeitgeist that was not only timeless but also a proudly celebrated American comedy, making the film a go-to classic across generations. The memorable characters and relatable story of a fish-out-of-water connected audiences around the world, which is why fans have made it a repeat-viewing over the years.

 

About Amazon Studios
Amazon Studios is the home for talent, creating and producing original films and television series for a global audience. Original series all premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, which is available in over 200 countries and territories. Recent hit Amazon Original series include the Emmy Award-winning comedies Fleabag, created by and starring Emmy Award-winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel from Emmy Award-winners Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, as well as the action thriller drama Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan starring John Krasinski, the irreverent superhero series The Boys, and fantasy drama Carnival Row starring Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne; Amazon Originals also include culturally relevant and buzzed about content such as Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty music and fashion event, Donald Glover’s Guava Island and Chasing Happiness, a documentary about pop superstars the Jonas Brothers.

 

In film, Amazon Studios produces and acquires original movies for theatrical release and exclusively for Amazon Prime Video. In 2017, Amazon Studios became the first streaming service to win Oscars for Manchester by the Sea and The Salesman. Recent Amazon original movies include the subversive comedy Borat Subsequent Moviefilm with Sacha Baron Cohen, Troop Zero starring Viola Davis and Allison Janney, Tom Harper’s The Aeronauts starring Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne, Scott Z. Burns’ The Report, Alma Har’el’s Honey Boy and the Academy Award nominated Les Misérables directed by Ladj Ly. The 2020 slate include the family comedy My Spy starring Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman, Chemical Hearts starring Lili Reinhart, Sound of Metal starring Riz Ahmed, Sylvie’s Love with Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha, Alan Ball’s Uncle Frank with Paul Bettany and Sophia Lillis, I’m Your Woman starring and produced by Rachel Brosnahan and more. In addition, the originals film slate includes a number of diverse first-time feature filmmakers – Blow the Man Down directed by Danielle Krudy and Bridget Savage Cole, Selah and The Spades from director Tayarisha Poe, The Vast of Nightdirected by Andrew Patterson and 7500 directed by Patrick Vollrath. 

 

Adam Keen

Publicity Principal

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JOY SAPIEKA &ASSOCIATES
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Thursday, November 19, 2020

World Première of BEKEDEREMO! Tribute To Prof. J. P. Clark

From the producer and director of "SLEEPLESS NIGHT" comes another gripping stage drama, "BEKEDEREMO!"

The World Première Première Of"Bekederemo!" Tribute To Prof. J. P. Clark coming soon.


Extract from the first movement-

Bekederemo! 
Bekederemo!! 
Bekederemo!!! 

Why have you left us in The Boat. 
In the turbulent storm? 
Without even A Reed in the Tide. 
Behold the bloodshed of the Casualties.
Shot by the demons in uniform. 
See the bloodshed of the martyrs of the revolt
Our revolution against the State of the Union. 
Our nation is like The Raft adrift down the River Niger. 
Even the gods of Ozidi have taken to their heels.
Bekederemo!


©EKENYERENGOZI MICHAEL CHIMA. All Rights Reserved.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Jen Brister To Host makers & shakers Awards Inaugural Ceremony


Jen Brister To Host makers & shakers Awards Inaugural Ceremony 

"We are excited to announce that comedian Jen Brister will be hosting the makers & shakers Awards inaugural ceremony on December 14th 2020.

The makers & shakers Awards supported by EQUALS, a brand new event to celebrate excellence in global production.

The makers & shakers Awards – which were officially launched at a special event at BAFTA in December – honour ground-breaking ideas and initiatives from the world’s commercial, TV, film, animation and gaming sectors.

makers & shakers  Virtual Awards Ceremony 

###

I was recommended for the inaugural makers & shakers Awards, but the heartbreaking catastrophe of the COVID-19 pandemic left me  totally distracted and disinterested in celebrations and events in the entertainment industry. I retreated into self-isolation even before the compulsory lockdown started and till date I have not been to any physical event or had a physical appointment. 

Without making noise about it, I have been promoting film locations in Nigeria for international TV and film productions and film tourism which attracted the global film industry since 2016 to date.  Film tourism can generate more revenues for Nigeria than the revenues from Nigerian movies. Movie merchandising makes more money than the box office and subscriptions to OTT platforms combined.

The #Nollywood box office hit comedy, "The Wedding Party" would have made more money from movie merchandising than the box office.