His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan – The Man With A Mandate

Goodluck Jonathan’s Acceptance Speech

Who is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan?

To many he is a man of great honor and outstanding integrity. A man many believe his humble beginning, selfless services and exemplary leadership qualities prepared him for his political success. His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, would be the first a Democratically Elected Nigerian President to holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Honors, University of Port Harcourt, Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy.

An academic, a democrat, and an accomplished technocrat Dr.Jonathan holds an Honorary Fellowship of the Nigeria Environmental Society (NES), Fellow of the Public Administrators of Nigeria (PAN). Fellow of the International Association of Impact Assessment (IAIA), Bona Fide Member Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON). awarded “Best Performing Deputy Governor“, and conferred “Exemplary Leadership Quality and Good Governance Award”. And recently, he was given an Honorary Award for Democracy and Good Governance. A native of Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State – Nigeria, Goodluck

Ebele Jonathan was born November 20th, 1957, to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ebele Jonathan. He was amply endowed with intelligence, strength and tact right from childhood, even though his parents were of a humble social background. Young Goodluck started his primary education at St. Stephen Primary School (now State School – Otuoke) and later proceeded to St Michael Primary School – Oloibiri where he passed his First School Leaving Certificate honorably. In 1971, the young lad furthered his studies at Mater Dei High School – Imiringi and by 1975, he sat for the West African School Certificate and passed with flying colors.

Goodluck Jonathan was identified to be a great child right from his tender age because of his attributes and rare disposition. His paternal grand mother “nicknamed” him “Azikiwe” as a striking simile to the great Zik to connote another great Nigerian to come in the nearest future. Goodluck was appointed Class Prefect in class three in 1973, he was further appointed Secretary to the School Food Committee, because of his brilliant disposition. And in his class four and five, he was again appointed Masterson House Prefect while his fellow prefects unanimously elected him as Chairman of the Committee of Prefects.

With his sparkling performance and enduring milieu, young Goodluck soon secured a job as a Preventive Officer in the Department of Customs and Excise from 1975 to 1977.  He pursued his studies with impregnable zeal and by 1981 he graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons.) Second Class (Upper Division). As a Corper, he served Nigeria devotedly between 1981 and 1982 as a classroom teacher in Community Secondary School Iresi – Oyo State (now Osun State). After the mandatory service, Goodluck Jonathan was invited for a teaching appointment by the old Rivers State Civil Service Commission in 1982, he was however, appointed a Science Inspector of Education in the Ministry of Education because of his brilliant and intimidating performance at the interview.

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan always knew that he had a bond with the academia that he cannot dispute. Hence, he soon left the mainstream Civil Service for the College of Education where he took up an appointment as an academic in the Department of Biology in November 1983. Again, because of his disciplined nature and dedication to duty, he was elected as the Representative of Congress in the Senior Staff Appointments and Promotions Committee. A position he held till he voluntarily left the College in 1993. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan later picked an appointment as an Assistant Director in the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), in March 1993. He was deployed to the Directorate of Environmental Protection and Pollution Control where he was directing the affairs of the Environmental Protection Sub-Department.

Dr. Jonathan is a member of various professional bodies, including the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), he is a Fellow of the International Association of Impact Assessment (IAIA), a Fellow of the Public Administrators of Nigeria (PAN), and he was also awarded the prestigious Honorary Fellowship of the Nigerian Environmental Society, following his stride’s contributions towards Environmental Management, and indeed the former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.

Also, his dedication to service, eventful life devoted entirely to humanity and monumental achievements as an accomplished leader earned him the “Best Performing Deputy Governor Award in the Federation in 2002, by the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria (IPAN). Similarly, the National Association of Women in Education Development further honoured him with the Award of “Exemplary Leadership Quality and Good Governance” in July 2003. In further recognition of his dedication to service, the NUJ Abuja Council conferred on him a prestigious Honorary Award for Democracy and Good Governance.

A humane administrator, amazingly simple minded and loved by his people, friends and colleagues, nobody ever expected he will venture into the dicey and precarious nature of Nigerian politics. Nevertheless, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan saw the need to boost the socio-economic with political interest of the common man as well as bridge the lacuna of ruralurban dichotomy of his people through the provisions of social infrastructure. Hence, he took to politics in the Fourth Republic and pitched tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He was picked as the running mate to the Party’s flag bearer Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha. The duo emerged victorious at the polls in the 1999 gubernatorial election, and so, Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan became the first Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State. After a successful tenure, Dr. Jonathan repeated the feat where he led Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha Campaign machinery popularly called ALAMCO. By the grace of God and the desire for Bayelsans to have a good government, the duo won the gubernatorial elections again, in 2003. And Goodluck Jonathan is thus, serving as a Deputy Governor for a second tenure.

All in all, one significant feat that has endeared Goodluck Jonathan to the Ogbia people is the peace he has brought to politics. At the inception of this Fourth Republic, the political activities were characterized with extreme violence and chaos. But he doggedly advocated for politics without rancor or violence and in his usual peaceful disposition without bitterness, Ogbia political silhouette is not only stable and homogeneous but one of the most violent free clan in Nigeria today. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is happily married to Mrs. Patience Faka Jonathan. The nuptial union is blessed with two children.

Dr. Jonathan is a man well recognized for his cluster of achievements  and immense contributions to the polity, communal liberalism, growth, and general welfare of the people. Beyond these, he is a humble man, dearly loved and respected. He has remained in the consciousness of his friends and contemporaries, as a builder of human social bridges. He is a teacher, technocrat, a democrat, a man of transparent honesty and humility; a perfect gentleman, a tender loving husband and an unshakable believer in the unity, not only of Ogbia clan but also of Nigeria.

Nigerian Monalisa Okojie Jewelery Brand Nehita Makes Wave

Nigerian Monalisa Okojie, CEO of Nehita Jewelry line embraces worldwide. Creating masterpieces out of diamonds, exotic stones, gold is the signature style and timeless masterpieces that are sought after by celebrities and those who can afford the best. Monalisa Okojie, once again showcased her luxurious collection of some of the finest handpicked exotic stones, golds and conflict free diamonds on the “I Wear African” Runway”  African Vibes Magazine 5th Anniversary held in Avalon Hollywood, CA.  05/01/2011

Monalisa’s passion for beauty has been the ultimate drive for her success as a designer. She had always had a passion for fashion and design although the business side of her intelligence lead her to pursue a degree in law. Now she has combined her business savvy with her creative energy to launch a successful company called Nehita. Her jewelry, designed from exotic stones, has been worn by Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Alan Cumming, Melora Hardin, Michael Henderson, Sally Pressman, CCH Pounder, Katherine Joosten, Meagan Good, Brandy, Hosea Chanchez, Carrie Ann Inaba, Quinton Aaron, Malina Moye, Jackie Long, Gramma Funk, Lisa Raye.  They all love her jewelry because it is timeless, unique and it becomes a part of the personality of the person wearing it. Her jewelry is recognized by the quality of her gems, as well as the artistry she puts into every piece.

Already established within Africa and the US Nehita is set to go global with plans to launch in fine boutiques and specialist stores worldwide. Monalisa has a strong commitment to support ethical causes through donating a generous portion of Nehita profits to charities such as the International Center of Education and Youth Development. She also personally ensures the ethical sources of materials and conflict free diamonds.

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)