Features

Features, News

Port Harcourt named World Book Capital 2014

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria has become the first African city South of the Sahara to be chosen as World Book Capital 2014. The city edged out other ten cities like Oxford in England and Moscow in Russia via public voting. The erstwhile World Book Capital- Bangkok formally handed over to Port Harcourt on April 23rd, a day set aside to mark the 2014 UN World Book and Copyright Day.
 
The handover ceremony was witnessed by Governor Amaechi; former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar; Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; UNESCO Director General, Ms. Irina Bokova; former World Bank Vice President, Africa, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili; wife of the Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi; Enger Tele Ikuru, Deputy Governor of Rivers State to mention a few dignitaries.
According to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, “Port Harcourt was chosen because UNESCO could see the great investment Rivers State has made in the education of our youths, and they could see the advancement we have recorded. Out feats in the area of education that assisted in making Port Harcourt the World Book Capital City is unequalled by any African leader, either in the past or present, churning out over 500 model Primary Schools and 24 Model Secondary Schools that are termed to be better than some universities in Africa, and employing about 13,000 teachers, offering free education with free books and computer-based schools within six years. We are ready to collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure that Port Harcourt is adjudged the best World Book Capital ever in the history.”
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Features, News

Time's 100 Most Influential People in the world 2014: 2 Nigerians make the cut

Business mogul, Aliko Dangote and Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala are the two Nigerians who made Times 100 Most Influential People in the world 2014 list. Topping the list is multiple award-winning American singer/songwriter, Beyonce. Other big names include Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, Serena Williams, Hilary Clinton, Pope Francis, Cristiano Ronaldo to mention a few.
A piece on Aliko Dangote written by the richest man in the world, Bill Gates states, “Aliko is Africa’s richest man, and his business activities drive economic growth across the continent. That’s impressive, but I know him best as a leader constantly in search of ways to bridge the gap between private business and public health.”
Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s profile was written by Bono, lead singer of U2 rock band. “I first met economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala when she was campaigning for Nigerian debt relief. We’d been fighting our way through capitals around the world trying to get Cold War–era debts canceled for the poorest, most heavily indebted countries. During her first term as Finance Minister of Nigeria, Ngozi arrived at her desk to find a weighty $30 billion owed. With oil prices on the rise, she stopped having to plead with her creditors and bought a massive chunk of her own debt so she could cancel it herself. As if to make a point. She became a legend in that moment”.
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Features, News

Top 100 most influential black people on Social Media: 6 Nigerians make the cut

Yipeeee! We are getting there! 6 hardworking and social savvy Nigerians have made Eelanmedia’s list of the top 100 most influential black people on digital/social media. Top ten on the list include; Barack Obama, Beyonce Knowles, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Oprah Winfrey, Will.i.am, Serena and Venus Williams, Michelle Obama, Usain Bolt, Farrah Gray and Pete Dalton.
According to them these are people who “are using blogging, tweeting, Facebook, videos on YouTube and vine, posting on Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ and answering questions on Quora etc to build their profile, promote their business interests and most importantly, engage and build their communities.” Click here to see full list
Nigerians on the list:
(1) Japheth Omojuwa (29th position)- Cyberpreneur, Speaker and Political Commentator
(2) Ezeani Kingsley (50th position) – Social Media Strategy Consultant
(3) Blossom Nnodim (57th position)- Author, Blogger, Compere
(4) Jason Njoku (74th position) – Internet Entrepreneur
(5) Luvvie Ajayi (77th position) – Writer, Digital Strategist
(6) Ikenna Azuike (93rd position) – Vlogger, Speaker, Voice-Over Artiste.
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Entertainment, Features, Music

Love Naija Music? Win N10k cash in the Flip-a-celeb Promo 2


Are are you an ardent lover of naija music? Find yourself glued to the radio always? NIGERIAN RADIO STATIONS is a must have
for you. Imagine having over 80 radio stations, from ONE
mobile app? The Nigerian Radio Station App is FREE to download on every major mobile platform. That is, iOS (iPhones/iPad/iPod), Blackberry,
Android and Windows 8 devices.
N10k is also up for grabs this week. It’s the
second edition of their FLIP-a-CELEB promo. Promo started yesterday 6th
April and runs until the 11th of April 2014.
To participate, visit their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nigerianradiostations
Instagram: @Nigerian_Radio_Stations
Twitter: @Nigerian_Radio
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Features, News

Meet the 5 winners of the Google Africa Connected Competition

Winners of Google’s Africa Connected competition have been unveiled. They include Sitawa Wafula (Kenya), Esieoghene Odiete (Nigeria), Christopher Panford (Ghana), Eric Obuh (Nigeria) and Eunice Namirembe.  Google in an effort to invest in the future success of all the finalists also surprised the remaining five success stories by awarding them $10,000 each to help grow their ventures and initiatives for greater social and economic impact. Recipients include; Tim McGuire (South Africa), Nqobizitha Mlilo (Zimbabwe), Mayowa Adegbile (Nigeria), Lamine Mbengue (Senegal) and Steve Kyenze (Kenya).
The competition was launched in August 2013, calling entrepreneurs, creatives, innovators and web-lovers to share stories of how the web has transformed their lives and work. The 5 winners were selected from over 2,200 entries from 35 countries, by a panel of judges as well as public voters. The winners will bag $25,000 [ZAR 260,000] each, and will also have the opportunity to work with a Google sponsor over a six-month period to further their online success.
According to Affiong Osuchukwu, Google Lead for the Africa Connected initiative, “There are over 1 billion people living in Sub-Saharan Africa and currently 16% of them are online. With Africa Connected, we wanted to celebrate how the web is changing lives in Africa, and show how it is contributing to the socio-economic development of the continent. Selecting the shortlist was no easy task: each winner shares a unique perspective of how they have used the internet to solve a problem, earn a living, or create opportunities, not just for themselves, but also for others around them.” He continued, “Even though there are only five winners of the contest, there are many more powerful and inspiring stories out there. To start, there are 21 other inspiring success stories already hosted on the Africa Connected website; www.africaconnected.com. We encourage you to watch and learn from them”.
MEET THE WINNERS
SITAWA WAFULA (Kenya):
 
Sitawa used Google Blogger to establish an award winning blog on mental health in East Africa. Sitawa wants to build a physical resource centre where people can access information online and get much-needed help to manage their conditions.
ESEOGHENE ODIETE (Nigeria):
 
After graduating from the university, Eseoghene learned how to create handbags using Google Search and YouTube. With the help of contacts found via Search, over 100 blogs have featured her vibrant designs. She dreams of building an international brand that promotes African designs. Eseoghene also runs training classes for other women who want to start businesses.
CHRISTOPHER PANFORD (Ghana):
 
Christopher runs a transport company helping Ghanaian drivers access vehicle loans, which they use to earn a living. He uses Google Maps to constantly monitor the location of vehicles under bank loans. This assures banks that their loans are protected, while Christopher empowers more drivers.
ERIC OBUH (Nigeria):
 
Eric (aka Vocal Slender) used to be a dump site scavenger, in order to pay for studio time to record his music. After being discovered by the BBC in ‘Welcome to Lagos’, he became known around the world. Since then, Eric has recorded songs which he shares with new audiences on YouTube. He also uses Google+ and YouTube to raise awareness about underprivileged youngsters in the slums of Lagos, helping to raise scholarship money, and encouraging kids to stay in school.
EUNICE NAMIREMBE (Uganda):
 
Eunice runs The Medical Concierge Group which helps Ugandan communities access quality healthcare and information. Physician Eunice has built a 24-hour ambulance call centre by using the Google Cloud console and Google Maps to record patient information and track patient locations. With these tools, Eunice and her team are able to help connect more Ugandans to medical services, thus saving lives in the process.
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Features, News

CNN’s African Start-Up features founder of first online Nigerian Grocery store, Olumide Olusanya

Retired doctor and founder of the first online Nigerian grocery store, Gloo.ng, Olumide Olusanya, was featured on CNN’s ‘African Start-Up’ series, which highlights Africa’s SME entrepreneurs.
The programme profiles entrepreneurs in Africa on their effort in making their dreams a reality. In the interview on CNN’s African Start-up programme, Olumide Olusanya said the idea of starting an online grocery store came to him when he saw his wife juggling the tasks of raising three small kids while managing a full time job. He was motivated to make grocery shopping easier for all especially working mothers.
Olusanya says, “I saw the stress she was going through, to have a happy home and family, the pressure of a busy job and having to care for the home, so this for me was a way to relieve her of that stress and make shopping generally easier for busy Nigerians”.
This start-up whose operation is just a little over a year is aimed at becoming Nigeria’s largest supermarket with a focus of relieving people of the stress of everyday visits to the supermarket and the bottleneck of long queues and hassles encountered during such visits.
“Gloo.ng will change the standard of shopping in Nigeria, whereby customer can visit our site from the comfort of their offices and homes and place their orders by just clicking on products they need and have it delivered to them”.
The site was formally known has BuyCommonThings.com, but later had its name change to Gloo.ng with the objective of offering the best delivery services to customers at every point in time.
For more information, viewers visit http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/AFRICA/african-start-up
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Features, News

Centenary Celebrations: FG to honour Sani Abacha, Queen Elizabeth, Patience Ozokwor, Aliko Dangote and 96 others. (See Full List)

It is such an interesting list. Some names would almost make your jaw drop! The Federal Government yesterday, February 23, 2014 released a list of 100 persons that have been named as winners of Nigeria’s Centenary Honours Award. The Centenary Award Ceremony will hold on Friday, 28th February, 2014 at 7.00 p.m. at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.
RECIPIENTS
A. CONTRIBUTORS TO THE MAKING OF NIGERIA
1. Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
2. Frederick John Dealtry Lugard
3. Dame Flora Louise Shaw, Lady Lugard
B. HEROES OF THE STRUGGLE FOR NIGERIA’S INDEPENDENCE/PIONEER POLITICAL LEADERS
4. Herbert Samuel Heelas Macaulay
5. Rt. Hon. Dr. Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, GCFR
6. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE
7. Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, GCFR
8. Sir Ahmadu Bello, KBE
9. Professor Eyo Ita
10. Jaja Anucha Wachuku
11. Pa Michael Imoudu
12. Chief Anthony Enahoro
13. Chief Joseph Sarwan Tarka
14. Mallam Aminu Kano
15. Margaret Udo Ekpo
16. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
17. Hajiya Gambo Sawaba
C. PIONEERS IN PROFESSIONAL CALLINGS/CAREERS
18. Christopher Sapara Williams
19. Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams, SAN
20. Chief Akintola Williams
21. Major-General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi
22. Vice Admiral Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey
23. Brigadier General George Tamunoiyowunam Kurubo
24. Louis Orok Edet
25. Major-General Abdullahi Mohammed
26. Professor Thomas Adeoye Lambo
27. Professor Kenneth Onwuka Dike
28. Capt. Chinyere Kalu
29. Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Oviemo Ovadje
30. Professor Grace Alele-Williams
D. PIONEERS IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
31. Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu
32. Alhaji Alhassan Dantata
33. Chief Adeola Odutola
E. PROMOTERS OF DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION IN NIGERIA
34. Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, GCFR
35. Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola
36. General Shehu Musa Yar’adua, GCON
37. General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar, GCFR
F. HEROES IN GLOBAL SPORTS COMPETITIONS
38. Madam Chioma Ajunwa
39. Nwankwo Kanu
40. Richard Ihetu (Dick Tiger)
41. Chief Michael Okpala (Power Mike), MON
42. Monday Ochuko Emoghawve
G. ACCOMPLISHED PIONEER PUBLIC SERVANTS
43. Chief Stanley Olabode Wey
44. Justice Egbert Udo Udoma
45. Chief Emeka Anyaoku
46. Sir Adetokunbo Adegboyega Ademola
47. Dr. Taslim Oluwale Elias
48. Dr. Rilwan Lukman
49. Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki
50. Alhaji Aliyu Mai Bornu
H. ACCOMPLISHED CONTEMPORARY ENTREPRENEURS
51. Alhaji Aliko Mohammed Dangote
52. Chief Mike Adenuga
53. Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma
I. DISTINGUISHED ACADEMICS
54. Professor Benjamin Oluwakayode Osuntokun
55. Professor Kelsey Harrison
56. Professor Chike Obi
57. Professor Dagogo Fubara
58. Professor Jacob Festus Ade Ajayi
59. Professor Claude Ake
60. Professor Aliu Babatunde Fafunwa
61. Professor Godwin Olu Patrick Obasi
62. Professor Umaru Shehu
J. INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS, LITERARY ICONS AND JOURNALISTS
63. Michael Taiwo Akinkumi
64. Professor Wole Soyinka
65. Professor Chinua Achebe
66. Prof John Pepper Clark
67. Cyprian Odiatu Duaka Ekwensi
68. Alhaji Abubakar Imam
69. Daniel O. Fagunwa
70. Ernest Sesei Ikoli
71. Alhaji Ismail Babatunde Jose
72. Kenneth Nnebue
73. Patience Ozokwor
74. Alhaji (Dr) Mamman Shata Katsina
75. Hubert Adedeji Ogunde
76. Fela Anikulapo Kuti
77. Stephen Osita Osadebe
78. (Dr.) Ladi Dosei Kwali
79. Ben Enwonwu
80. Oludotun Jacobs
K. OUTSTANDING CONTEMPORARY PUBLIC SERVANTS
81. Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule
82. Professor Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje, NNOM
83. Dr. Barnabas Sanyaolu Oloruntoba, OFR
84. Honourable Justice Maryam Aloma Mukhtar, GCON
L. OUTSTANDING BRAVERY AND PUBLIC SPIRITEDNESS
85. Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN
86. Michael Chukwugekwu Ihuka
M. OUTSTANDING PROMOTERS OF UNITY, PATRIOTISM AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
87. General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR
88. General Murtala Ramat Mohammed
89. General Olusegun Mathew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo, GCFR
90. General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR
91. General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR
92. Chief Ernest Shonekan, GCFR
93. General Sani Abacha, GCFR
94. Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua, GCFR
95. General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, GCON, fss
N. EXEMPLARY SERVICE IN THE PROMOTION OF PEACE AND MORAL EXCELLENCE
96. Sir Abubakar Sadiq III
97. Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi
98. Blessed Cyprian Michael Tansi
99. Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye
100. Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi
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Entertainment, Features

YOUTUBE UNVEILS THE MOST-WATCHED VIDEOS IN NIGERIA IN 2013

 
 
I’m sure we can’t forget the “Oga at the Top” video in a hurry or the #GirlNotBride conversation between Stella Damasus and Senator Yerima on Al-Jazeera Network THE STREAM. These are some of the videos that trended in 2013. As we draw the curtains on 2013, Youtube has compiled a list of videos and channels that made the year an interesting and remarkable one.
Top 10 Videos watched in Nigeria in 2013 excluding Music
(1) Last Flight To Abuja The full movie (Nollywood Movies 2013)
(2) Oga at the top (Civil Defence Commandant’s interview on Channels TV)
(3) EDIDI-(The Bond) Latest Yoruba Movie 2013 Starring Iyabo Ojo
(4) Stella Damasus and Senator Yerima on Al-Jazeera Network THE STREAM
(5) The Leaked Video Of Gen. Diya Oladipo Pleading With Gen. Sanni Abacha Oputa Panel
(6) The Lagos Big Girls Game ( Reanne Opia)
(7) Bling!
(8) How to get married; Naija style by Toke Makinwa
(9) The Interview : A tale of Frank Donga
(10) Nigeria Burkina Faso | CAN Orange 2013 | 21.01.2013
Top 10 Channels in Nigeria in 2013
(1) AYTVAYTV
(2) Channelsweb
(3) Yorubamagic
(4) Mynaijalove
(5) TVNolly
(6) Nollywood5star
(7) NdaniTV
(8) DavidoHKNTV
(9) Nollywood5ive
(10) Officialiyanya
Top 10 Music Videos watched by Nigerians
(1) Ada Ada [Official Video]  by Flavour
(2) PULL OVER (OFFICIAL VIDEO) by KCEE Ft. Wizkid
(3) Personally by P-Square
(4) CARO (Official Video) by Starboy Ft. L.A.X & Wizkid
(5) Jaiye Jaiye (Official Video) by WizKid Ft. Femi Kuti
(6) Sexy Mama [Official Video] by Iyanya Ft. Wizkid
(7) Eminado [Official Video] by Tiwa Savage Ft. Don Jazzy
(8) Stupid love by Olamide
(9) Skelewu (Official Video) by Davido
(10) Emi ni baller (Official Video) by Chidinma Ft. Tha Suspect & IllBliss
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Features, News

FORBES' 20 YOUNG POWER WOMEN IN AFRICA 2013: 3 NIGERIANS MAKE THE LIST

Tara Fela-Durotoye
3 distinguished Nigerian female entrepreneurs (Tara Fela-Durotoye, Folake Folarin Coker and Ola Orekunrin) have made Forbes’ 2013 list of 20 young power women in Africa. These 20 female game changers have been described as “the most innovative, courageous, daring and successful young women aged 45 and under, the continent’s emerging power brokers, the Amazons to watch, and the custodians of tomorrow.”
20 YOUNG POWER WOMEN IN AFRICA 2013
(1) Folake Folarin Coker, Fashion Designer, Founder and CEO, Tiffany Amber Beauty (Nigeria)
(2) Tara Fela Durotoye, Beauty Entrepreneur, Founder and CEO, House of Tara International (Nigeria)
(3) Ola Orekunrin, Medical Doctor, Founder, The Flying Doctors. (Nigeria)
Others
(4) Isabel Dos Santos, Investor. (Angola)
(5) Mimi Alemayehou, Executive Vice
President, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) (Ethiopia)
(6) Vera Songwe, Country Director,
World Bank, Senegal (Cameroon)
(7) Rapelang Rabana, Entrepreneur, CEO and Founder, Yeigo Communications (South Africa)
(8) Claire Akamanzi, Chief Operating Officer, Rwanda Development Board (Rwanda)
(9) Valentina da Luz Guebuza, Investor (Mozambique)
(10) Hadeel Ibrahim, Executive Director, Mo Ibrahim Foundation (Sudan)
(11) Alengot Oromait, Member Of Parliament (Uganda)
(12) Monica Musonda, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Java Foods (Zambia)
(13) Lindiwe Mazibuko, Politician &
Parliamentary Leader, Democratic Alliance (DA) (South Africa)
(14) Minoush Abdel-Meguid, Private Equity Investor, Entrepreneur, Investment Banker (Egypt)
(15) Sibongile Sambo, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of SRS Aviation (South Africa)
(16) Lupita Nyong’o, Actress and Filmmaker (Kenya)
(17) Amini Kajunju, President & CEO, Africa-America Institute, (Democratic Republic of Congo)
(18) NoViolet Bulawayo, Author (Zimbabwe)
(19) Wangechi Mutu, Artist and Sculptor (Kenya)
(20) Angellah Kariuki, Politician (Tanzania)
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