₦airaland Forum

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Award winning Nigerian singer, Omawumi recently released a new single, “If you ask me” a touching song that tells the story of an abused child and takes a musical journey through the experience. The track was produced by Cobhams Asuquo. Happy new week!

http://www.cp-africa.com/2011/01/10/music-omawumi-releases/

Tim would like Sandy to donate her old shirts to the starving people in the country of Africa.

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Saharareporters just learnt minutes ago that the SSS at MMIA in Lagos arrested Okey Ndibe and detained, a columnist and US professor.


Mr. Ndibe arrived on Turkish airlines at 9:31 PM (Nigerian Time). An Immigration officer handed his passport to an State Security Service (SSS) who instructed him to get his luggage and come with them. One SSS officer named "Mr. George" told Mr. Ndibe his supervisor needed to see him on the first floor at room 1062.

http://www.nigerianpaperstoday.com/2011/01/08/jonathan-government-arrests-us-based-newspaper-columnist-okey-ndibe-at-murtala-mohammed-airport-in-lagos/

Barcamp Nigeria 2011 is scheduled to hold this year in four different Nigerian cities namely Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos and Port Harcourt. The organization brings together people, institutions and enterprises interested in the power of technology – as a topic, an opportunity, or a place of action – together in one location to exchange ideas, build connections, re-frame perceptions and catalyze action of realizing the potentials of technology in Nigeria. Find the schedule of events below and help spread the word!

Full details here: http://www.cp-africa.com/2011/01/08/announcing-barcamp-nigeria-2011/

By Dan Ikpoyi

The national U-20 men’s team, Flying Eagles have been grouped into what is perhaps the toughest group at the 2011 African Youth Championship taking place in Libya.

At the Draw Ceremony held in the Radisson Blue Hotel, Tripoli by noon on Tuesday, Nigeria fell into Group B alongside Ghana, Cameroon and Gambia.

The four countries competing in this pool have all won the competition at one time or the other since it became a tournament in 1991, though Nigeria won four times consecutively between 1983 and 1989 when the two teams representing Africa at the World Youth Championship clashed on home-and-away basis to determine the champion.

Cameroon’s Lionceux, Ghana’s Black Satellites and Gambia’s Young Scorpions are among the most feared youth national teams on the continent.

More here: http://www.cp-africa.com/2011/01/05/flying-eagles-draw-ghana-cameroon-gambia/

FELA! may soon be headed for Lagos, Nigeria the New York Times reports. “We’re in the process of trying to make arrangements to do so,” the show’s lead producer Mr. Hendel said recently. “No Broadway show has ever been to Nigeria in this fashion. It’s premature to announce anything, but it’s our hope to bring the show there soon.”

He added that he was also working to arrange a Lagos broadcast of an upcoming taping of the “Fela!” production now underway at the National Theater in London.

More here: http://www.cp-africa.com/2011/01/04/fela-coming-lagos-musicals-lead-producer-2/

Ever thought of how cumbersome it is to manage your social network accounts? Say you have 4000 friends on Facebook, you are following 1000 on twitter and you want to track updates from key people in your network, how do you do it?

Social media on it’s own could be a fulltime work for some! For now and many more years to come, the web will only integrate more with social media. So how do you manage it? How do you stay in tune with key influencers in your industry?

According to Mysifty…

“We created Mysifty to allow you sift through your social media feeds without getting swamped. Our mission is to let you prioritize the best of the best of your friends. We hope MySifty helps you get the most out of your social media life!”

More here: http://www.cp-africa.com/2011/01/03/mysiftycom-social-media-signal-tracking-site-100-built-nigerians-2/

South Africa has been invited by China to join the group of four of the fastest growing emerging economies in the world, Brazil, Russia, India and China,  the BRICs, Reuters reports. The country which is Africa’s top economy was invited officially today by China’s foreign minister according to a statement released by South Africa’s minister of international relations and cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

More: http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/12/24/breaking-south-africa-invited-join-bric-bric-henceforth-called-brics/

Nigerian artiste, Lynxx recently signed an endorsement deal with Pepsi. The Change your Parade crooner will become the soft drink manufacturer’s official face in cities across Nigeria.

Watch the video to his single, Change your Parade

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http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/12/20/nigerian-artiste-lynxxx-signs-pepsi-endorsement-deal/

Some of the country's best-loved artists - D'banj, Onyeka Onwenu, Zaaki Azzay, 2Shots- are all singing their support for President Goodluck Jonathan.


Sean Kuti feels that his father's legacy is being betrayed

"Traitor," he says, angrily.

"Anybody using their music to support Nigerian politicians is a traitor - first to music, and secondly to the country."

"Music is one of the foremost weapons that is supposed to emancipate this continent," says Kuti. "When I now see it being used for oppression, used against the people, it is totally wrong."

http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/12/20/seun-kuti-music-support-nigerian-politicians-traitor-music-country/

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How una see am?

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On Dec 27, 2010 all roads will lead to the Eko Hotel, Lagos, where Kilimanajro Entertainment in association with Storm 360 are organising the “Lagos Shut Down Concert” with Rick Ross in Nigeria.

Kilimanjaro Entertainment, the outfit responsible for a number of top level concerts in the earlier part of the decade, with Boys 2 Men, Joe, Sean Paul being just some of the major talents they successfully delivered in major concerts return to the game with this show which is destined to be one of the best shows this season in Nigeria.

This concert is headlined by the Teflon Don himself – Rick Ross – ably supported by some of Naija’s finest.

Full details: http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/12/16/lagos-shutdown-concert-rick-ross-mi-naeto-hold-december-27th/

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John Abraham Godson, a member of the Civic Platform party, has been sworn in as the first black member of Poland's parliament.

According to the BBC news report, “Godson had served as a councilor in the city of Lodz before taking up a parliamentary seat, vacated by a party colleague, Hanna Zdanowskaafter, after local elections.” Thus, creating a media stir in the mainly white country. "It is still quite rare to see black people even in the Polish capital Warsaw, Poland's most cosmopolitan city," the BBC's Adam Easton reports. “It is not uncommon for well-educated people to make racist jokes.”

During an interview on Polish radio, he  stated that he felt honored and believes it is "historic moment" for Poland. As a lawmaker he plans to support technological innovation in Poland and bolster ties with Africa.

http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/12/14/john-abraham-godson-polish-citizen-born-raised-nigeria-sworn-black-member-polands-parliament/

Video from the MAMAs 2010 in Lagos

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Nigeria's P-Square won in the Best Group category and Nigeria's 2Face Idibia won in the Best Male and Artist of the year categories! American rapper, Eve hosted this year's awards with performances from international acts such as Rick Ross and T-Pain.

Pictures and Full story here: http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/12/12/mocheddah-psquare-2face-fally-ipupa-emerge-big-winners-2010-mtv-africa-music-awards-winners-mtv-mamas-2010/

2Face
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Nneka
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Rick Ross
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Eve
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Wikileaks is the new travesty that international diplomacy has to deal with; Nigeria is no exception.

The point to be made is that the accounts of meetings between President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and US diplomats are essentially third party narratives, and are largely inaccurate.

The President, in those tempestuous days during which the nation tottered on the brink, held meetings, and then more meetings, with
different groups, the diplomatic community inclusive.

The President met with different diplomats and special envoys who offered different suggestions on a way out of the impasse that our
late leader's health had imposed on the nation. We note that this account is largely silent on these suggestions.

Instead, what is served up is an unfair account severely impacted by selective perception and individual expectations. For instance, how can it be said that a man who had been a Deputy Governor, an Acting Governor, a governor, a Vice President, and then Acting President could have described himself as “lacking in administrative experience”. That the President holds a Ph.D, was a lecturer for 10
years, and was an Assistant Director at the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, do not make the statement less rankling.

This only goes to show that the report itself is a souped up version of the standard conversation that takes place in such meetings. We find this account as wholly unfortunate, and we are only employing the best of diplomatic finesse in that statement!

Ima Niboro
Special Adviser to the President,
Media and Publicity
9th December, 2010


http://www.spotlightnigeria.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=216:wikileaks-release-is-inaccurate&catid=34:politics&Itemid=55

https://www.cp-africa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/100_1083-225x300.jpgLoyola Jesuit College (LJC) recently launched “The Sosoliso Plane Crash- Our story,” a book written in memory of the 60 students who died during the December 10th 2005 Sosoliso plane crash in Port Harcourt.

The memorial mass/book launch, which took place on December 5th, 2010 at the school campus in Abuja, featured a Mass, Orchestra and Choir renditions directed by Mr. Jude Nnam, a respected musicologist.

Fr. Ubong Attai S.J, LJC’s Chaplain, described the book launch as a very successful event. “…I think it went very well.  Lots of emotions still at play…for me it was a success. It has actually achieved something we have always wanted- to celebrate them, no longer to mourn them but to celebrate the life they led for having touched our own lives and for the fact that they are now our angels in heaven,” he said.

“The old cliché says once there is life, there is always hope. Although things have not changed that much, there was a bold step made by the President then, Olusegun Obasajo, after the plane crash, to begin to sanitize the aviation system. So far we have not had any plane crash, which meant something was done. …We hope that we the people of this generation and the children growing up will learn from the mistake of the past, the mistake of our parents so that they (we) could take a bold steps towards doing something better than what our parents have done," he added.

Mr. Frank Nwokocha, the Convener and Co-coordinator of the Loyola Union, who organized the event, said “this book is the product of a painstaking effort to couch our deep feelings and to tell a story, albeit a sad one, with a view to reminding Nigerians, especially stakeholders in the aviation sector, that there is an urgent need to cleanse the system of whatever flaws led to the tragic end of our dear Angels and in turn establish efficiency and trust, not only in the aviation, but also in all spheres of our life as a people…to the bereaved, we counsel: consolation comes from the Almighty God who knows all things, look up to him.”

Honorable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who reviewed the book, described it as “ a must-read with lots of lesson to learn from.”

Full details here: http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/12/08/sosoliso-plane-crash-story-loyola-jesuit-college/

https://www.cp-africa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/images.jpgREDSTRAT communications, organizers of the Future Nigeria project has just unveiled its full list of nominees for the 2010 Future Awards after releasing its nominee list for young person of the year last week. The awards includes a 4 stage judging process that includes a public voting stage as well as judging by a Board of Judges and an Independent audit committee which is headed by respected Nigerian journalist and Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Guardian Newspapers, Dr. Reuben Abati. The public voting numbers are as follows: 33120 for Nigeria, 99199 for Canada, 80079 for UK: and 97605 USA.

“We are confident that young Nigerians will find this list highly inspiring and be incredibly proud of the nominees we have,” said Ohimai Atafo, head of the the organization's Central Working Committee.

All of this year's nominees will be celebrated at an invitation-only media and VIP Nominees Reception on Sunday 19 December 2010.

For more information about the 2010 awards, visit www.thefuturenigeria.com

Full list of Nominees for the Future Awards

ACTOR/ACTRESS OF THE YEAR

Ufuoma Ejenobor 29

Uche Jumbo 31

Ini Edo 28

Gideon Okeke 27

Matilda Obaseki 24

Mercy Johnson 27

Tonto Dike 25

Gbenro Ajibade 26

BEST USE OF ADVOCACY

Nmachi Jidenma (Celebrating Progress Africa (CP-Africa.com)/Civic Participation) 22

Orode Uduaghan (Pink Pearl Cancer Foundation/Cancer) 21

Tola Sunmonu (Harambe Nigeria/Agriculture) 22

Ohimai Amaize (B.L.I.N.G. Cybercrime/Civic Participation) 26

Full list of nominees here: http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/12/08/full-list-nominees-future-awards/

Analysis brought to you courtesy of  WebTrends Nigeria

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The top four spots are maintained by October’s sites as nigerianbestforum.com enters the top five sites first time ever. Nairaland.com remains unshakable on the top spot followed by punchng.com, vanguardngr.com, sunnewsonline.com and nigerianbestforum.com. With this, 60% of the top five sites are still news site showing a continuous thirst for news in the country.

Chams.net moved an unprecedented 85 places to enter the top fifty for the first time in its history. All can be attributed to renewed interest in web by the company, Chams Plc.

Nigeria's top 20 sites are holding their ground as just one site (nairalist.com) was able to crack into the elite club .

Channelstv.com is the first Nigerian TV station’s site to enter our top 50 list.

Full analsysis here: http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/12/06/visited-nigerian-sites-trends-november-2010-analyst-review-webtrends-nigeria/

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Nigeria is set to launch a new set of National I.D. cards as early as January 2011, NEXT recently reported.  According to the Nigerian National Identity Card Management Commission (NIMC), the new I.D. cards will be different from those issued in 2001 and 2006. “The National Identity Management System is a quantum leap from the SAGEM project which was initiated in 2001 to provide an integrated card production facility" the commission added.
Full story here: http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/12/06/nigerians-id-cards/

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Casey has been announced as the winner of the second season of Glo Naija Sings at the grand finale which took place at the MNET Studios in Lagos! Casey went home with a $100,000 cash prize and a Toyota Rav 4. He was also made a Glo Ambassador.

Full story here: http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/12/05/casey-wins-glo-naija-sings/

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Video here: http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/11/24/video-watch-genevieve-nnaji-cnn-connect-world-cnn-transcript-includednollywood/

CNN Transcript


Transcript : CNN Connect the World – Genevieve Nnaji (Syndicated)
(14:22:29) MF: tell us about ‘Bursting Out’ for people who don’t the movie and are thinking about going to see it – what is it about?

(14:22:34) GN: Bursting Out is a romantic comedy. It’s a story about a very upp-ity, uptight, elitist woman who falls in love with the wrong guy in the wrong class of life and then her discovery about – and then she falls in love hard so…it’s pretty funny. I found it funny.

(14:22:56) MF: Fun to film? Or was it hard work?

(14:23:00) GN: It was fun. It’s always fun. Cast were amazing and they were also funny and everyone had their own little contributions, which made it all was fun. I don’t feel like I work when I’m on set to be honest.

(14:23:12) MF: What was your favourite moment from the filming? There’s always a favourite moment.

(14:23:16) GN: Oooooo….I think the scenes with the other two girls, because I had two friends.

(14:23:25) MF: And you’re here in London because it’s being premiered in London. It’s already had a premiere in Lagos. Why London? Is there a big market here?

(14:23:33) GN: There is a big market here. Everyone is a descendent of Nigeria or Ghana or where ever and movies are really, really big here. Just walking down the streets, the amount of people who stop me on the road, and really appreciate what we’ve done. So…it’s amazing and you know they ask for it. They’ve been asking for it for a very long time. So, yeah. It’s not the first time I’ve been here to premiere.

(14:23:56) MF: It seems that Nigerian film is becoming more and more popular abroad, but who’s watching those films? Is it people of Nigerian descent or is it people who have nothing to do with Nigeria?

(14: 24:06) GN: All sorts of people. All sorts of people. Umm… I have been recognised by Indians, I think a Chinese woman once and that’s so funny. I think all sorts of people, but that’s because Africans are all over the country – all over the world – and you know, all it takes is you having a friend and telling a friend “you need to see this this”. It’s all by association, so it’s all really getting its awareness somehow.

(14:24:28) MF: It’s called ‘Nollywood’ which is a term I don’t think all actors like in Nigeria, but it’s sort of been coined. How would you say Nigerian cinema differs from Hollywood cinema?

(14:24:41) GN: Do we really have cinema? [laugh] Cinema is pretty new in Nigeria – I mean it used to be back in the day, but that sort of faded off. But it’s new, it’s coming back and hopefully it comes to stay. But for now all we do are home videos, movies for your tv. But there we’ve had success stories like EJ and a few other movies that have been shot on film and had to be premiered and shown in the cinemas and it’s amazing how people have received this so….

(14:25:13) MF: As you say, the growth is explosive. Why are people so fascinated by film now when film has been around for so long?

(14:25:21) GN: Umm… are you talking about Nollywood being interested or people being interested in films

(14: 25:24) MF: I guess it’s Nigerians watching films as much as Nigerian films doing well.

(14:25:30) GN: Movies have been there for not long, but say relatively, for about 20 years – pretty recent. But you see we started out making films for the people by the people. We are only allowed to tell our stories and it’s amazing how people can relate to these stories – you know what I mean? And obviously because of the awareness we create in terms of what happens in every individual’s life at some point – we all have story in common and I think that’s really why people have taken an interest in our films to be honest, because they can relate to our stories.

(14:26:10) MF: But they want the fun films don’t they? They want the romantic comedies. It’s not necessarily the really gritty, traumatic movies that sometimes come out of Hollywood.

(14:26:17) GN: We have a healthy mix. We do. If you look hard, you would find it. I do quite a number of romantic comedies.

(14:26:24) MF: We’ve got lots viewer questions of course – from all over the world actually. Robin from Cameroon asks, “What’s your biggest challenge as an actress in Africa?”

(14:26:35) GN: Well, in the beginning it was pretty challenging because first of all you had to – it’s not a culture that Africans have, well back in the day, took to very readily so it was hard having to go through that and at the same time convince people that you know what you’re doing and they should give you a chance to prove yourself. And it’s possible, you know, to do something – to actually be in the public eye, and be an actor and still be normal. You know so it was challenging.

(14:27:03) MF: But you’re not normal. You can’t go down the streets of Lagos can you?

(14:27:06) GN: Chhee….eee…,  no.

(14:27:10) MF: What’s it like living that life? It’s crazy, isn’t it? You know, you get mobbed?

(14:27:15) GN: I know – I don’t walk! I drive! So, I’m safe.

(14:27:18) MF: You’ve made your name obviously in Nigeria and but also abroad. I think it was Oprah who called you the ‘Julia Roberts of Africa’. What do you think about that label? I mean it’s great – this is from Oprah!

(14:27:30) GN: Yes, it is from Oprah. So it’s fine.

(14: 27:32) MF: Are you an actress in your right?

(14:27:34) GN: Yes, I am an actress in my own right. I don’t think I have anything in common with Julia Roberts to be honest. But it’s really complementary. It’s for me it’s a honour either way. It’s just recognition – that’s good.

(14: 27:45) MF: Nancy Samara from America says, “Who is the one actor from Hollywood that you would want to work with, and why?”

(14:27:51) GN: Angelina Jolie. I’m a hug fan. Love her, love her, love her. Um… Johnny Depp, amazing actor. I think he’s so intriguing. I think there is something so mysterious about him. These two people, I don’t know I think I would definitely get along with.

(14: 28:06) MF: And Stachelle from Trinidad says, “Are there any times that you regret being famous, especially in a country like Nigeria where everyone knows you, and they really do.

(14:28:16) GN: Um…nnoo

(14: 28:18) MF: Do you just want to break away from it sometimes and be yourself?

(14:28:21) GN: When I want to do that I basically just stay in. I just stay in and hang around with people who know me for me and appreciate me whether or not I’m an actor. You have to just get up and go and just you know grab that privacy that you want so much.

(14: 28:36) MF: When you can get it. Pat from our Facebook page asks, “How do you discover other talented Nigerian actors and what do you do to give back to your country?”

(14:28:47) GN: We have quite a number of young ones back home who are trying to be actors and actresses and they are really working hard. But all you have to do is audition and prove yourself and believe in yourself and hope [MF – UP SOT: hope you break through] you break through at some point and what do I do to give back? I basically look out for talents in the industry. I basically look out for talents and encourage a lot of producers to try out new people and for the society the little I can do to be honest.

(14: 29:17) MF: But you support orphanages, don’t you?

(14:29:20) GN: Yes, I do.

(14:29:22) MF: And that’s because – I presume – you feel for these young kids that don’t have families and you can give something that can help.

(14:29:28) GN: Definitely. I’m very passionate about you know, orphans because – for me – there are so many other diseases out there but you see a lot of people don’t even have the experience of what love is about and these kids don’t even have that. So for me, times like Christmas, you know you just want to do something and actually buy them presents and I just think they are too young and too innocent and we need to actually show them that people out there do love them. So I do my bit.

(14:29:55) MF: Assan Cyril wonders where you get your motivation when so much of the country is in poverty, which you’ve just referred to I guess – lots of orphanages aren’t there?

(14:30:04) GN: Yes. Well, country being in poverty. Well then our job is to put a smile on people’s faces. You know, we do the bits we can and we’re pretty generous when we come across people as well. And then we do a lot of talking to people that we feel can help. You know like,,

(14:30:23) MF: Lobbying governments to try to do things.

(14:30:28) GN: Yes, exactly. Encouraging them to do more.

(14:30:27) MF: Ok, and Catyatoo asks what advice would you give to young Nigerian girls that may want to follow in your footsteps?

(14:30:35) GN: I would tell them to definitely be sure, first of all [MF UP SOT: Would you advise them to go into the industry?]. Yes, of course, it’s a wonderful place to be, especially if you love, what you, if you’re sure you can do it. It’s a wonderful place to be. I would definitely advise them to believe in themselves, be true to themselves and be sure that it’s something they are willing to do and they’re ready for the consequences because every good thing comes with consequences.

(14:31:00) MF: What are they? Lack of privacy

(14:31:00) GN: Ohh… you lose your privacy for starters.

(14:31:05) MF: Philip Peter from Lagos asks, “What has been your biggest regret in Nigerian film?”

(14:31:13) GN: Umm…. Biggest regrets? Oh boy, regrets – I don’t know – I hardly regret anything. I just learn from mistakes. I don’t regret anything. It’s too hard. I mean you do the best you can at that point in time and you know everything is about growth and progress and I’ve gotten older so obviously you learn more. You learn on the job. I love my job – don’t worry about anything at all.

(14:31:36) MF: And finally Joped from our Facebook page asks, “When do you think that African movies will be able to compete with big budget Hollywood films?” Or do think they already are?

(14:31:46) GN: I think a few people have given them a run for their money [laugh]. We have to claim that, but we are getting there. Maybe not the Nollywood you know, but definitely we have a few people out there – a few Nigerian students who have schooled abroad and have gone to film school and are coming back home now to put to practice what they’ve learnt. So we do have a few people who are coming into the country right now and doing big things.

(14:32:11) MF: And the reality is it’s a very expensive business, so you need the finance as well. Is that coming more and more to Lagos now, do you think? You’re getting the funding that you want on your movies?

(14:32:20) GN: We have gotten support every – we do get support every now and then. But not as much as we would love to – not as much as we should. Because the movie industry is like the biggest export right now in Nigeria and we have in some way re-invented the country, you know. And we would appreciate some more encouragement from the banking sector.

(14:32:42) MF: Because people would be surprised by how much a Nollywood film actually costs. How much is it in dollars?

(14:32:46) GN: [laugh] My god! [MF UP SOT: Roughly] Roughly? Let’s see…

(14:32:49) MF: A Hollywood movie would be a 100 million dollars, say. And a particularly big one.

(14:32:53) GN: Oh well, I have no idea. I think it depends. But the truth is – the unique about Nollywood is we make the best use out of the little resources we have. You know, some how we get by. I don’t know. Sorry. [laugh]

Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu recently won the $50,000 Rolex Young Laureate Award. Now incase you are wondering what he will do with the money, read more as he speaks about his work and plans for the awoof money! http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/11/17/cpa-interviews-nnaemeka-ikegwuonu-who-recently-won-the-50000-rolex-young-laureate-award/

So what do you think? Is feminism un-African? Check out this slightly controversial piece.

Feminism  Versus African Women's Rights
Written by Owen Alik Shahadah

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Feminism and other concepts rotate in the west, infect, and attach themselves to the broader woman’s struggle for justice and equality in a male dominated world. However as a paradigm, it is a diabolically anti-African anti-human neologism emerging out of the Eurocentric reactionary women’s movement in the 50’s. To collapse feminism  and women’s rights is a fundamental linguistic flaw as the two concepts articulate completely different social realities. It is therefore inadequate to use the term feminism and apply this loaded word to the gender issues of Africa. The one commonality in all African cultures is the de-emphasis on individuality and the emphasis on community, the priority of family and creating new life. The feminist is in agreement with everything that breaks the family unit and inhibits procreation.  Therefore, the African woman should never seek to locate her liberation within the Eurocentric boundaries of feminism.<!--more--> Within the broader African philosophy, the higher focus is balance over “tick for tack” equality. The feminist equality implies “what men can do; women can do to” as distinct from the African question of “right and wrong.” This shows the flawed paradigm which is found in many aspects of Eurocentrism, where objectives are disconnected from spiritual and biological harmony.

The forms of African women’s rights emerging in various parts of the continent do not grow out of individualism within the context of industrial societies, as did Western feminism. In the West, economic and social trends historically pushed women into more active roles in the economy, and Western feminism has focused on women’s struggle for control over reproduction and sexuality. However, African women have had a different experience. African debates do not focus on theoretical questions, the female body, or sexual identity. African feminism is distinctly heterosexual, supportive of motherhood, and focused on issues of “bread, butter, culture, and power.” –

At all places in human culture we can reflect on the biological design and see the role biology plays in influencing the broader human culture. The female is a complement for the male of the species and being a compliment there are sexual dimorphic characteristics, which define gender roles.[i] However, because of the millennium of exploitation of these roles by men, it has caused a great taboo around the topic of gender roles. This does not invalidate the biological or spiritual imperative because no volume of new theory or study will make the male and female biologically capable of the same task. The denial of divinity also plays a heavy role in these dialectics as Eurocentrism seeks to reinvent man as free from a creator.

More here,  http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/04/30/opinion-feminism-verses-african-womens-rights-owen-alik-shahadah/

Have you heard about the Nigerian dude who won the Rolex Awards?

The five Young Laureates- Bruktawit Tigabu, Ethiopia; Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu, Nigeria; Piyush Tewari, India; Reese Fernandez, Philippines; and Jacob Colker, United States; for the first time, explained their projects to the public- a diverse international participants and students who converged at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) during Venture Ideas at EPFL: Entrepreneurs’ Journey with Impact session. Ventures Ideas is an initiative for promoting innovation at EPFL and stimulating entrepreneurship among students. Read more: http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/11/11/day-1-venture-ideas-epfl-entrepreneurs-journey-impact-rolex-awards-enterprise/

Nigeria, e go better!

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LEAP Africa would like to warmly invite the Nairaland community to its 7th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards.

Since 2004, LEAP has celebrated 55 Nigerian youth who are positively transforming lives in their local communities through change initiatives. This year, in keeping with tradition, LEAP will recognize the amazing efforts of five young Nigerians who have distinguished themselves by contributing to the development of their communities at the 7th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards.

In addition, LEAP would continue to recognize efforts of the beneficiaries of its Leadership Ethics and Civics (LEC) Programme in public schools, LEAP will celebrate outstanding secondary schools, teachers and social change projects from Anambra, Lagos and Ogun States at the event.

Theme: 'Our Time is Now: Positioning Nigerian Youth for Change'


Details of the event are as follows:

Date: Thursday, November 11, 2010

Time: 4:00 p.m -6.00 p.m.

Venue: Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos Island


Keynote speakers:

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Pioneer Chairman of EFCC

Governor Batunde Raji Fashola, Executive Governor, Lagos State.


If you have any questions or concerns about the Awards, please contact Asuquo Asuquo via email at aasuquo@leapafrica.org or telephone at 01-2706541-2.

Abeg watch this video. It will make your day, I promise you!


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The Institute for Venture Design (IVD) is a new organization that seeks to increase entrepreneurship and wealth creation in Nigeria by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. In collaboration with the Center for Design Research at Stanford University, the Institute will offer programs geared towards encouraging a culture of risk taking and a mindset of creativity.

The Institute is launching a fellowship program which would help position Nigerian entrepreneurs to improve their entrepreneurial skill sets through world class training.

The IVD Fellowship is a minimum two year fellowship program that offers a path to step into the world of product and business creation for those who are passionate about creating viable solutions for the problems they see around them.

Apply now. Spots are limited.

All details here: http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/11/02/call-applications-institute-venture-design-seeks-train-nigerian-entrepreneurs-innovators/

https://www.cp-africa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/nigeria.art_.gi_.jpgCNN recently announced that it will be featuring Nollywood star, Genevieve Nnaji on its show, CNN Connect the World as "Connector of the Day." Other past "connectors" on the show include Matt Damon, Condoleezza Rice, Roberto Cavalli, Jose Carreras, Sheryl Crow and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs!
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All here including pictures! http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/10/30/cnn-connect-world-backstage-genevieve-nnaji/

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