Monthly Archives: April 2011

Press Release -The Nigerian Promoters Association prepares for the 2nd Annual Summit & Awards Gala in Atlanta,Georgia

The Nigerian Promoters Association prepares for the 2nd Annual Summit & Awards Gala in Atlanta,GA by Ovacom Consulting on Friday, January 21, 2011 at 3:10am.

The Nigerian Promoters Association (USA), is set to polish the Nigerian Arts and Entertainment Business in the United States of America and in the diaspora. You will recall that undoubtedly, a message of hope for change had already been established upon a successful NPA Launch and it’s 1st Annual Summit held in Houston TX on October 9th, 2010.

NPA 2ND ANNUAL SUMMIT

The Annual summit is an annual meeting of Entertainment Administrators such as; promoters, music producers, event planners, record label companies, Artiste managers, DEEJAYS, Entertainment media personalities, film producers, fashion designers, Arts, sports est. coming together to meet and deliberate thoroughly on how to better improve the standard of the Nigerian Arts and Entertainment industry as a one point agenda by the year 2015. In addition, it should be categorically noted therefore, that the Nigerian promoters Association is not politically oriented and will not give room to be politically influenced by any Nigerian politician or political party as the case may be.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS AWARDS

The NPA 2011 Awards is planned to be bigger and better holding in Atlanta Georgia on SEPTEMBER 3RD respectively. The Arts and Entertainment Business Awards is to recognize, to celebrate and to further promote the Nigerian entertainment practitioners based in the United States of America. This way more talents will be discovered because of the competition it will definitely create. While the already discovered talents will also have reasons to do better and remain relevant in the industry.

This award ceremony will award thirty-two (32) winners with thirty-two (32) awards each under thirty-two (32) competitive categories including three(3) international awards, the progressive image Award of Nigerian public office and eight (8) Honorary awards. Bringing the total number of awards to recipients to forty (40).

NOMINEES:

Nominations are based on the available active entertainment person(s) with current material works, such as; Music and Film on; CD, DVD, including Media. Categories consists of two (2) to ten (10) nominees that are selected for each category respectively.

VOTING:

For transparency, an online voting is embed on the NPA website where fans can cast their votes for their various nominees under various categories of the award and also view the entire result of the voting and who the winner is right away. Voting commences April 20-July 20,2011.

US Court Upholds Facebook Settlement

The Winklevosses say Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg stole their idea for a social network site

BBC

A US appeals court has ruled that twin brothers who say the idea for Facebook was stolen from them by Mark Zuckerberg cannot back out of a settlement deal they made with the website, reports the BBC.

Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss had asked in January to re-open a $65m (£42m) legal settlement signed in 2008.

The twins say Zuckerberg stole their idea after he was hired by them to code their ConnectU site in 2003.

The court said it saw no reason to re-open their case against Facebook.

Facebook has rejected the brothers’ claims.

“The Winklevosses are not the first parties bested by a competitor who then seek to gain through litigation what they were unable to achieve in the marketplace,” three Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals judges said in the ruling.

“At some point, litigation must come to an end. That point has now been reached,” the judges said.

The Winklevosses have argued that Zuckerberg, who attended Harvard with them, took the code for their social networking website and launched Facebook with it in 2004.

Facebook agreed to a 2008 settlement to end “rancorous litigation” but did not admit Zuckerberg had taken the twins’ idea.

The Winklevosses received $20m in cash and $45m worth of stock valued at $36 per share in the deal.

“For whatever reason, they now want to back out… Like the district court, we see no basis for allowing them to do so,” the judges said, referring to the settlement deal.

The legal team representing the Winklevosses has not yet commented on Monday’s ruling.

Zuckerberg has always maintained that Facebook was his creation.

The lawsuit over Facebook was dramatised in the film The Social Network, which was nominated for best picture at the Oscars.

Today Facebook is the world’s biggest social network with more than 500m users, and Zuckerberg is one of the world’s youngest billionaires.

Dangote to invest $3.9 bln on cement plants in Africa

On April 12, 2011 In Vanguard Headlines

Lagos – The Dangote Group says it will invest 3.9 billion dollars (N585 billion) in the expansion of its cement plants in some Africa countries.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the company, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos while signing an agreement between his company and a Chinese firm, Sinoma International Engineering Co. Ltd.

He said that the expansion project, expected to be completed in 2013, would produce additional 16.5 million tonnes of cement to achieve a target of 50 million tonnes in the next two years.

Dangote, represented by Mr Devakumar Edwin, the company’s Group Executive Director ( Business Development), said that the projects included installation of equipment, mining, quarry and power facilities, among others.

“Cement plants with installed capacity of 1.5 million tonnes each per year will be constructed in countries like Tanzania, Gabon and Republic of Congo.

“South Africa, Ibese and Obajana cement plants will each produce additional new lines of three million tonnes while the grinding plant in Cameroon is targeted at producing 1.5 million tonnes annually.

“The agreement signed today is for production of additional three million tonnes each from the existing plants in Obajana, Ibese and other plants,” he said.

Dangote said that the group was targeting the production of 20 million tonnes of cement before the end of 2011 from the plants.

He said that the new projects would provide over 40,000 additional jobs to truck drivers that would have multiplier effects on the nation’s economy and wealth creation.

Dangote said that the group was exploring many other power sources to save cost.

“In Senegal, we use coal to power the plant and we import the coal from South Africa. We use gas and hydro-power plant where they are available,” he said..

Mr Wu Shoufu, President of the Chinese firm, said that the agreement would strengthen business growth in the two countries.

Shoufu said that the expansion of cement plants in Africa by Dangote Group would make the region to achieve self sufficiency in cement production soon. (NAN)

Nigeria Speaks – Election 2011

Nigeria Speaks ” The Road To Recovery” Special Edition was presented by AfriQtalk Show to help Nigerian Youths make informed choices and to engage them in the political process. Nigerians set out to vote on April 9, 2011. Although, reports of ongoing incidents during the election are with mix reviews, it hasn’t deterred people from casting their vote and activist around the country to ensure transparency, free and fair election.

Election is not about who wins or losses. The question is whether the hard work and patience of the Nigerian people is rewarded. It’s whether we can be about the much needed change that will put the country back not just a place on a map, but to once again be the Pride of Africa. With that being said, I dedicate this poem to the ordinary men and women of Nigeria and friends of Nigeria, who sacrifice selflessly, everyday for the good of country.

I HAVE A DREAM NIGERIA

I have a dream Nigeria that there was a rebirth of conscience in our leaders, both the young and old alike came out of the wilderness in solidarity and became the new face of nation building.

I have a dream Nigeria that we were no longer defined by ethnicity, corruption, radicalism or religion but by heroism and patriotism.

I have a dream Nigeria that the tears and pains of our motherland gave birth to a new nation, our land flourished once again with resources, innovation and technology to heal, feed and provide for the poor, and destitute.

I have a dream Nigeria that the conscience of Nigeria returned back to Nigerians and that the oppressed and forgotten danced to the sound of freedom, equality and justice for all.

I have a dream Nigeria that change may not come easy, and will come at a cost or perhaps, may not happen in our life time, but because the young and old dare to dream dreams of a better tomorrow, Nigeria will wake up from its sleeping slumber by kiss of destiny, and that history is waiting on you to be written.

I believe like many Nigerians and friends of Nigeria that we must continue to move forward. Our dream of a better Nigeria is bigger than party, and bigger than politics. October 1, 2010, Nigeria celebrated 50 years of Independence from British colonial rule. I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Mike Okeke, Publishing Editor, Ebony Pages magazine, TV Executive, host of African Treasures TV Show in Atlanta and Legendary singer, Mike Okri from Nigeria. Take a listen!

Nigerian Top Designer -Princess Latifat Momodu

Princess Latifat is a popular Nigerian and international fashion designer and owner of the Ravissant the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ravissant International Limited. Princess Latifat Momodu-Lamoliatte came all the way from Nigeria to showcase her designs on the “I Wear African” Runway” African Vibes Magazine 5th Anniversary held in Avalon Hollywood, CA. 05/01/2011. Fluent in French and English the Nigerian born designer brings a unique blend of culture to her design.

Her adventure into the fashion world began during her stay in Paris as a student. Influenced by French culture, her label Ravissant mode, which means unique fashion, comprise of sophisticated, ultra feminine pieces, with a unique line for men and children, all made with a blend of African fabrics. She is a gifted designer who is adept at combining both Nigeria and Foreign Fabric into a unique blend of designs. A degree holder and master holder in International law and Diplomacy.

The Auchi born designer always had a flair for fashion, since her adolescent days, when she used to sketch fashion illustration for friends and tailors to sew for her. Though she studied Foreign Languages at the University of Lagos, her passion for fashion came to the fore at the University Standard Grenoble, France where she studied French literature and did Masters in International Law.

Her designs are simple, unique, very attractive and fashionable. Her designs are distinctive with superb finishing, well tailored, neat and of the finest and well groomed fabrics. With the advantage of her vast exposure and experience in Paris, the Home of fashion. She has cut the image of classy designers who is able to marry both continental and intercontinental designs within the framework of mainly African fabrics to produce quality and flexible designs of taste.

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