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Entertainment, News

We Broke Your Hearts: Nelson Mandela's glasses sculpture defaced in South Africa.

A group called Tokolos Stencil Collective have defaced the  Ray-Ban sun glasseps sculpture erected in the memory of the late former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela in Cape Town. Titled, ‘Perceiving Freedom’, the brilliant piece of art was done by Michael Elion. ‎
The vandals who stencilled ‘We broke your hearts’ and ‘Myopic Arts’ on the lenses of the glasses believe that it is not only commercially exploitative but is disrespectful to Mandela, because his eyes were severely damaged by the blinding whiteness of the limestone quarry he was forced to work on the island
Shortly after defacing the statue, the  radical activism group  sent out this statement.
 “As requested, Tokolos has heeded the call. You’re welcome to have someone check out the new and improved Ray-Ban Madiba glasses this morning before the authorities arrive… Aluta continua… Tokolos.”
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fashion, News

Fashion University to be named after President Goodluck Jonathan

If I were to read your minds, the first question that would probably pop out of your minds is , Is President Goodluck Jonathan a fashion icon? Or what’s the correlation. In recognition of his achievements, The World Fashion Organisation (WFO) has named the proposed World Fashion University which is to be situated in Bayelsa State after Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan. It will now be called Goodluck Jonathan World Fashion University.
According to Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the Chief Press Secretary to Bayelsa state Governor Seriake Dickson, the University will boast of facilities like a research centre, amphitheatre, faculty of social sciences, conference centre, textile plant building and sports complex, to mention a few.
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Arts, News

Author and poet, Maya Angelou dies at age 86

Renowned poet and author of best-seller “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, Maya Angelou has passed on. The award-winning writer was found dead by her caretaker in her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina this morning, May 28, 2014. She was aged 86. The Civil rights activist who had been struggling with health problems in recent weeks was the first African American woman to be honoured with a Pulitzer Prize.

Asides writing a couple of inspirational quotes, her acting career has included roles in numerous plays, films, and television programs. Angelou has over 30 honorary degrees from universities around the world. She has written published 7 autobiographies, 3 books of essays, and several poetry books.

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Features, News

#BringBackOurGirls: List of foreign celebs who have lent voices (Photos)

As the Bring Back Our Girls campaign towards the release of over 200 abducted school girls in Chibok Borno by terrorist organization, Boko Haram intensifies, here are some of the high-profile figures in foreign countries who have shown their support/solidarity to our ailing country Nigeria.

From actors, singers to news men all over the world, these are celebrities who have carried placards with the #BringBackOurGirls caption, tweeted, posted instagram and facebook posts, some even held rallies. The list is longer than this, would update it as time goes on.

Michelle Obama, Chris Brown, Keri Hilson, Ellen DeGenres, Piers Morgan, Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, Russel Simmons, Shona Rhimes, Keke Palmer, Alicia Keys, Leona Lewis, Janelle Monae, Aisha Sesay, Justin Timberlake, Trey Songz, Kardashian sisters, Drake, P-Diddy, Kevin Hart, Wendy Williams, Naomi Campbell, Anthony Hamilton, Forest Whitaker, Malal Yousafzai, Karrueche Tran Mafikizolo, Mel Bala and other concerned members of the world.

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News

#BringBackOurGirls: Photos from London protest

It’s not yet over until it is finally over!
The #BringBackOurGirls London, protest for the release of the over 200 girls abducted by Islamic sect, Boko Haram, took place in front of Nigeria High Commission in London few days back.
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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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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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