The Fela Durotoye-led Gemstone Group will on Saturday November 24, 2012, launch their first-ever simultaneous global reading of a book – "17 Secrets of High Flying Students" in 17 cities in Nigeria and 17 countries across the world at the same moment in time (via live streaming). The event promises to be an epoch-making one as the reading would be done simultaneously, taking into account, the different time zones of each reading centre. Therefore, while the reading takes place in Nigeria by 12 noon, other locations like Ghana would be 11am, South Africa at 1pm, Malaysia at 7pm, Maryland (USA) at 7am, etcThe organisers of the festival, the Gemstone Leadership Institute is a social enterprise that focuses on raising exemplary leaders of excellence, at all stages who will be committed to building desirable societies. The organisation is focused on building people into super-achievers and responsible leaders, build corporate organizations into global market leaders and responsible corporate citizens, as well as assist governments in developing blue prints and programs to create an environment for their people to do great things.The Gemstone Global Reading Festival is aimed at highlighting our employee volunteering scheme (EVS) project.The EVS is a mentoring platform that connects exemplary professionals from all works of life with secondary school students, to enable these professionals share their life's stories and success secrets and most importantly inspire the students to appreciate the importance of academic excellence to living their dreams and attaining success in life.
The volunteer professionals will use the book "17 Secrets of High Flying Students" as the tool for connecting with the students and sharing their success principles. Over a period of the reading festival each volunteer will go to one or more schools between 7:30am-8:30am and read a chapter of the "17 Secrets of High Flying Students" to the students and then proceed to share how the nuggets and principles in each chapter has helped them to achieve academic success and ultimately career success.The I7 Secrets of High Flying Students has received a wide acceptance and commendations. Some of the significant endorsements received have been from the Federal Ministry of Education under the leadership of Dr. (Mrs.) Oby Ezekwesili, (Former Minister of Education and now retired Vice President of the World Bank) as well as the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation under the leadership of Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Akunyili, Former Minister of Information. The book has also received endorsements from many renowned leaders including; Pastor E.A Adeboye (General Overseer, Redeem Christian Church of God Worldwide) who was named one of the "World's Fifty Most Powerful People" by Newsweek Magazine, USA (January 5, 2009). The author of the book, Mr. Fela Durotoye is a renowned expert in the areas of leadership development and national transformation. He is the Chief Executive Officer of the Gemstone Group comprising the Gemstone Nation Builders Foundation and the Gemstone Development and Management Company. He is a renowned and internationally acclaimed Transformational Speaker, often referred to as Nigeria's Foremost Motivational Speaker. In 2011, Fela Durotoye was recognized and awarded by the World Youth Federation for Peace as a UNITED NATIONS YOUNG AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE. For the Reading Festival, each reading centre will host a celebrated or renowned personality as a Lead Reader. Confirmed Lead Readers include; the First Lady of the Lagos State – H.E. Dame Emanuella Abimbola Fashola, The First Lady of Kwara State – H.E. Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed and a host of others. There's also a strong expression of interest from the office of the First Lady of Cross River State even as we expect to receive positive confirmations from the offices of the First Ladies of Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers and Imo states.They also aim to set new world records in the following categories; The Most Number of Children Being Read to by an Adult (Currently 4,222 People); The Largest Book Reading Event By An Author (Currently 5,406 People); The Largest Global Reading Lesson In Different Countries Simultaneously (New Category).The Global Significance of the Event
After setting the world record attempt, intend to use this historic platform as an opportunity for a call for World Peace. This would culminate in the ringing of the "Peace Bell" at 12:00noon GMT simultaneously across all our reading centres. Furthermore, they intend to mobilize and inspire 1million people across the world to join us from their homes, offices, etc in ringing the "Peace Bell".For more info, contact The Project Manager,
Rotimi Eyitayo
GEMSTONE GLOBAL READING FESTIVAL 2012
Block 113, Plot 12, Afomata Street. Lekki Phase-1
Along Lekki-Epe Expressway
telephone : 0708 863 4447; 0805 561 7348; 0809 939 2281
e:[email protected]
[email protected]

Few days after he got one of his legs amputated, veteran actor, Pete Eneh has passed on. The actor who's mostly known for his "gentle father" roles in Nollywood movies reportedly died today in Park Lane hospital, Enugu.

May his soul find repose!

32 year-old actor, Channing Tatum has been named the 2012 sexiest man alive by People's Magazine. The Magic man star said he though they were 'messing' with him when he first got the news.

Other men who made the list include Bradley Cooper, Liam Hemsworth, Idris Elba, Ryan Gostling, Chris Evans and many more.

Fast-rising singer and Effyzzie Records recording artiste, Yemi Alade has shot the video of her hit single 'Ghen Ghen Love'. Directed by GAMBIT, the video promises to be captivating. Here are the behind-the-scene pictures from the video shoot.

These are pictures from the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards held in Lagos on Sunday November 11.