NIGERIA WINS NINE AT THE ALL AFRICA MUSIC AWARD LAST WEEKEND

It was a phenomenal night for all music lovers across Africa as the International Committee of All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, in partnership with African Union Commission, AUC, held the 2015 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria.

Nine Nigerians went home with the 23.9 karat gold-plated trophy this year. They were; Praiz Adejo (Best Artist in Africa - R n B & Soul), Darey Alade (Best Male Artist - Inspirational), Kunle Ayo (Best Artist in African Jazz), Olamide (Best Male Artist in West Africa), Yemi Alade (Best Female Artist in West Africa), Flavor (Best Artist in African Electro), Burna Boy -Nigeria & AKA - South Africa (Best African Collaboration), Adekunle Gold (Revelation of the year in Africa) and Kiss Daniel (Most Promising Artist in Africa).

Nigeria's APC chieftain and former Lagos State Governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu was honoured as the Pillar of African Culture.

AFRIMA's aim is to create a night of glamour, glitz and grandeur for Africa in its crowning glory through a world-class live production event broadcast to over 80 countries around the world.

Credit:  Olisa.tv, afrima.org

ABRAAJ GROUP ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN MOUKA

The Abraaj Group, a leading investor in global growth markets, has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Mouka Limited. Mouka Foam is Nigeria’s a leading mattress manufacturer. The private equity company acquired its stake from previous majority shareholders, Actis and the founding family, although the latter still retains a minority stake in Mouka.

Actis, the pan-emerging markets investor, invested in 2007 and since then it has expanded the company and its operations across Nigeria; built best-in-class manufacturing facilities‎; expanded production and distribution; brought in a first-rate board and helped Mouka evolve from a well-respected, family-owned business into a sustainable, successful corporation.

Established in Kano in 1959 as Moukarim Metalwood Factory Limited, today, Mouka is a household brand name in Nigeria and a leading manufacturer in the Nigerian foam and bedding space, producing a wide range of mattresses and bedding products.

Speaking on the exit, John Opubor, Director in Actis’s Nigerian office, said: “Favourable demographics are driving growth and a positive consumer environment in Nigeria — the country boasts a large and fast-growing population, high GDP per capita growth, rising urbanization levels, and an expanding middle class. We saw an opportunity to help Mouka capitalize on this trend and have been pleased with the growth we’ve been able to help the company achieve.”

Abraaj and the Moukarim family will focus on enhancing Mouka’s product offering, customer service, as well as its sales and distribution strategy by increasing its market penetration across the region. Abraaj, which invests with a rigorous approach to sustainability, plans to further strengthen the corporate governance structures already in place within the Company, and optimize the health and safety standards at Mouka’s production facilities, including key areas pertaining to fire safety and chemical storage, amongst others.

Abraaj has over a decade of investing experience, and its portfolio in Nigeria includes Fan Milk Nigeria, AOS Orwell, C&I Leasing, Custodian & Allied Insurance, Computer Warehouse Group, The Bridge Clinic & PathCare, and Lily Hospitals.

Non-executive Director of Mouka, Hasib Moukarim, said: “The Moukarim family recognized the Abraaj team’s deep local experience and the Group’s successful track record of developing businesses in growth markets globally. We are confident that Abraaj is the ideal investor to carry Mouka into its next phase of growth and look forward to our partnership.”

KPMG acted as financial and tax advisor, while Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Olaniwun Ajayi acted as legal advisors to The Abraaj Group on the transaction.

Credit:  financialnigeria.com

2500 TEMPORARY HOMES IS BEEN BUILT FOR REFUGEES IN MAIDUGURI

source: UNHCR

A new refugee camp with 2,500 temporary homes is being built in Nigeria's northeastern city of Maiduguri for a few of the hundreds of thousands of refugees who fled the Boko Haram uprising.

Experts believe the new camp is another sign that the conflict is expected to end soon. The camp will have in it, houses and public schools.

Hundreds of thousands of children have not been to school for more than 18 months in Maiduguri and elsewhere in northeast Nigeria, where authorities closed all schools as they were targeted by the Islamic insurgents.

No one knows how many refugees there are because most live with friends, family and strangers who have taken pity on them. Public grounds and the compounds of mosques and churches also provide refuge.

Some Nigerian officials have said there are about 200,000 refugees in Maiduguri, but Doctors Without Borders put the number at 1 million in August with hundreds arriving each week.

The U.N. agencies for refugees and children are building the camp along with Borno state government to house about 20,000 people. Mohammed Tejan-Cole of the U.N. refugee agency told attendees at the ground-breaking ceremony that the camp will include wells, toilets, a clinic and classrooms.

Credit: hosted.ap.org

US SUPERSTAR, TREY SONGZ TO GRACE 2015 RHYTHM UNPLUGGED CONCERT

Grammy award nominee and R&B Superstar, Trey Songz has been announced as the headline act for this year's Rhythm unplugged, sponsored by Verve and Quickteller.

The event which holds on Friday the 18th December 2015 at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, promises to be one of the most exciting yet with American singer/song writer Trey Songz headlining the show.

The annual Music concert which has a tradition of showcasing some of Nigeria's biggest music and comedy artistes has previously featured an array of huge international acts.

Produced by Flytime Promotions, Rhythm Unplugged is Nigeria's No. 1 concert. It features the very best Nigerian artists. This year marks the 11th edition of the concert bringing together top musicians, comedians and dancers on one stage. The surprise performances have also helped to solidify Rhythm Unplugged as the ONE entertainment concert to attend every December.

Credit: vanguardngr.com

A $100 MILLION SOLAR PROJECT INVESTMENT IN KADUNA STATE

Access Infra Africa on Tuesday signed a joint development agreement with Quaint Global Energy Solutions to invest in the $100-million ABIBA Solar Project, a 50 MW solar power plant being developed on 150 hectares of the Manchok Ranch in Kaduna State, around 2.5 hours from the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Access, a Pan-African developer, owner and operator of power assets, said once the project was completed, the plant would generate 82 500 MWh of clean electricity, enough to satisfy the daytime requirement of more than 600 000 Nigerian households.

Speaking at a signing ceremony in Nigeria’s Ministry of Power headquarters in Abuja, Reda El Chaar, executive chairman of Access, said: “We see this project as a gateway to the widespread adoption of renewable energy in Africa’s largest economy, whilst cementing the role of ACF as an innovative platform for turning good concepts into bankable projects.”

The investment was originated by Access through its ‘Access Co-Development Facility’ (ACF) competition, an Africa-focused platform designed to bridge the gap between early-stage renewable energy projects and the resources they require to become operational.

Also speaking at the event was the Permanent Secretary, (Power), Amb. Godknows Igali, who was represented by a Director, Engineer Abayomi Adebisi, said that the Buhari led Administration is determined to guarantee greater access to electricity to Nigerians through solar sources.

Credit:  thewhistlers.ng, pv-tech.org, engineeringnews.co.za

US PRESIDENTIAL BOARD HOSTS GOODLUCK JONATHAN FOR PROMOTING DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA

The United States Presidential Precinct, Charlottesville, Virginia, has hosted former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria for promoting democracy and ensuring smooth transition in Nigeria and Africa.

President Jonathan who was received by Mr. Francois Baird, Chairman of the Presidential Precinct Board, was accompanied by a delegation from the Nigerian Embassy in Washington.

Speaking at the event, the former president assured the international community that African leaders are displaying more commitment to democracy and good governance, as a means of engendering sustainable development and improving the lives of their people.

He further harped on the readiness of Nigeria and Africa for the sustenance of democratic principles, peace and people-oriented governance.

At a Presidential Precinct breakfast, Jonathan was received by former Governor Jerry Baliles of Virginia and Francois Baird Chairman of the Presidential Precint Board.

During the visit in the United States, Jonathan is billed to be hosted by other strategic US pro-democracy institutions where he would be sharing his experience on peaceful and transparent elections as well as the future of Africa’s democracy.

The Presidential Precinct is a consortium uniting six American landmark institutions – four of America’s most important historic sites and two of the country’s most outstanding public universities.

The Presidential Precinct, a foremost global institution designed to empower the next generation of leaders, is currently hosting Jonathan for his role in Nigeria’s smooth democratic transition, especially with the seamless handover of power from the ruling party to the opposition.

Only recently, Jonathan was the leader of the Commonwealth Observer Group to Tanzania election and has been mandated by the body to lead negotiations for the resolution of the political stalemate in Zanzibar poll outcome.

Credit: thewhistler.ng

COMMONWEALTH GOODLUCK JONATHAN TO BROKER TRUCE IN ZANZIBAR'S POLL IMPASSE

A former president of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan,has been delegated by the Commonwealth to broker truce in the political dispute that broke out in the Zanzibar region of Tanzania after the country’s general election.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, called on Jonathan, who led a 33-nation observer mission to Tanzania in October, to lead a delegation that will hold talks with the key political figures in the region.

In a letter personally signed by Sharma, he appealed to Jonathan to help restore peace to troubled parts of the East African nation.

“As you are aware, the Zanzibar electoral situation remains unsolved, although recent reports indicating willingness by the main political parties to engage in talking is encouraging,” the letter read.

“In view of the Commonwealth’s historical role as the moral generator of the Muafaka Accords, it is important that we remain engaged to continue to encourage all concerned to resolve the situation in a peaceful and sustainable manner.

“I am therefore delighted and honoured that you have kindly agreed to be my special representative over the coming weeks, in order to remain in contact with key political leaders and to encourage them towards an expeditious resolution of the impasse.”

Zanzibar was thrown into crisis after chairman of the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC), Mr. Jecha Salim Jecha,annulled the presidential election of October 25 contrary to what the people wanted.

According to the electoral chairman, there were irregularities in the poll; therefore he called for a re-run at an unannounced date.

He declared, “I, Jecha Salim Jecha, exercising the powers bestowed in me, declare all election results null and void… a fresh election will be conducted on a date to be announced later."

The announcement pitched Zanzibar’s ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi party and Civic United Front (CUF), the main opposition party in the region, against each other.

The cancellation of the poll has drawn widespread condemnation from international observer missions and key development partners of the election who condemned said the voting and counting processes were peaceful.

Jonathan became an African icon when he conceded defeat in the 2015 general election in Nigeria.

Credit: whistlers.ng

IBRAHIM MAGU: THE NEW EFCC BOSS

Assistant Commissioner, Ibrahim Magu replaces Ibrahim Lamorde of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) as the new boss.

Though removed by Farida Waziri in 2008 with other key officials, Ibrahim Magu is remembered as a no nonsense investigator of the commission at its inception. Magu was brought back to EFCC by his predecessor.

He spearheaded investigation into the collapse of Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria, and was instrumental to the conviction of Mr. James Ibori, former Governor of Delta State, over issues of money laundering and corrupt enrichment in the United Kingdom.

Credit: vanguardngr.com, thewhistler.ng,

FIRST AFRICAN TO WIN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE WORLD SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP

Wellington Jighere, 32, from Benin City, painted Nigeria in gold when he won four straight games in the best-of-seven final round against Lewis MacKay, 30, from Cambridge, who is ranked 19th by the body’s players’ association.

For the first time, an African won the English-Language World Scrabble Championships.

Jighere, who was sponsored by the Nigerian government, used words like “dacoit”, meaning a member of a class of robbers in India and Burma; “yow”, Australian slang for keeping a look-out, and “katti”, an alternative spelling for a weight used in China as he beat his opponent.

Jighere started playing Scrabble in 1996 after an older brother introduced him to the game, according to enthusiasts’ website Scrabble TV Live.

He only recently completed his national service and university degree and had taken time out of finding work to train for the tournament, which he said would be his last after coming third in Mumbai in 2007 and 11th in Malaysia in 2009.

In African Scrabble circles, he was already a household name, having won the Africa Scrabble Championship in Nairobi in 2008 and defended his title in 2010 in Accra, Ghana. But he is little-known outside the continent.

In Perth, he won the final game with 448 points to Mackay’s 426. The Nigerian team accompanying him also emerged as the best of the championship, with five of its six players finished in the top 50 of the tournament.

Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian president, was among the first to offer his congratulations on the surprise win, saying Jighere had “done the country proud”.

Sulaiman Gora, president of Nigeria's Scrabble federation told the BBC that Jighere and his teammates had trained for a year in a succession of “Scrabble camps”, and that the new world champion was a quiet person whose "greatest strength is humility".

His win was, he added in an interview with the Nigerian Vanguard newspaper, “testimony of the potential of Nigeria as a country”.

Credit:  telegraph.co.uk, vanguardngr.com

NEW WELFARE PACKAGE FOR NIGERIA POLICE FORCE

According to AIG Bala Hassan who took over in September from AIG Matthew Mbu, , the Police High Command had introduced better welfare package for its officers and men. These initiatives are morale boosters to the officers and men.

“As directed by the IG, when we send our men out on patrol on the highways, we give them rations and water to satisfy their hunger as they cannot get such things to buy in the bush.

“We also send officers to go and monitor their welfare and such officers do not go there empty-handed.

“This is happening for the first time as part of the welfare package,’’ Hassan said.

AIG Hassan, who oversees Zone 2 that comprises of Lagos and Ogun States, said the police authorities are building houses across the country, using their personnel in the various engineering fields. The initiative is part of efforts aimed at ensuring that officers have their own houses before retirement.

“The IG has also commenced police housing scheme and this is different from what others have done.

 “The IG has made our housing and works department vibrant because we have graduates in the force that read architecture and other related engineering courses.

“He has assembled them to construct the houses and since they are paid salaries, they are not going to be paid any workmanship.’’

Hassan disclosed that the project had commenced in three states and would extend to other state soon.

He said: “They have started constructing houses for officers in Kastina, Edo and one other state.

“The idea is to ensure that officers get houses at very cheap rates.

“Once you are sure that after retirement you have a place of your own, the officer will not molest people here and there.

“These are some of the things the I-G has packaged as welfare for our men so that they can perform better.’’

Hassan also disclosed that the police had unveiled a health programme for officers and men.

“The IG has directed that every police officer whose father, mother, wife, children or any relation has any terminal disease should be treated here in Nigeria free instead of going to India.

“The treatment covers diseases such as cancer and others.

On scholarships, Hassan said the police had begun doling out of scholarships to children of policemen who excel in public examinations.

 “The scholarship will cover their education from secondary school to the university level.’’

Credit: NAN

TAI-LO, READY FOR A REVAMPED NOLLYWOOD

I first got a glimpse of her in 2003, and this was due to the dragon pant and heavy lip gloss she had on. In my mind, I was like what is worng with this bae and love for attention. I was closer to her sister, Mummy Nikky - another creative genius whose theatre skills is sit-gluing.

When in 2010, I learnt she was opening her make-up studio, it came as no surprise. Titi Gbenjo formerly Titi Ogundipe is an Alumnus of London school of beauty and make up. She had her degree certificate from Covenant University. Once worked with Banke Meshida of BMPro.

Titi or Tai-lo as she is fondly called, is a creative make -up artist and a master of cosmetology based in Atlanta Georgia where she is lives with her hubby.

Tai-lo came to spot light in 2009 as a make up artist for Celebrity Takes Two Season 2, and has in her clientele celebrities like Funke Akindele (Jenifa), Yinka Davis, Genevieve magazine, Malta Guiness Street Dance Africa (2010) and many others.

Her recent work on herself for the last halloween is awesome as it draws my attention to Nollywood. Now, for the likes of this kind, Nollywood need a revamp. It is high-time we stepped up our content, production and delivery to meet up with international standard. We can't afford brain drain in this gold mine industry, and moreover Nollywood has the capacity to create thousands of jobs for the many unemployed youths.

Below are pictures of some of Tai-lo's works:

 

Credit: tai-lo.net, gidilounge.com, gistus.com

PRESIDENT BUHARI BACKS EXPANSION OF NIGERIA MARITIME BOUNDARY

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday approved the continuation of efforts by the National Boundary Commission to achieve a significant expansion of Nigeria’s maritime boundaries. The approval came after the President was briefed by the Director-General of the Commission, Dr. M.B. Ahmad, on the preparations for a submission by Nigeria to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).

Buhari, according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also approved the constitution of a Presidential Committee to oversee the conclusion of work on the submission, which could lead to the expansion of Nigeria’s maritime boundaries from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles, if approved by the CLCS.

He also directed the Ministry of Finance to provide the funds required to conduct the geographical surveys which are essential for the submission.

According to Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the continental shelf of a coastal state comprises the sea-bed and the sub-soil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breath of the territorial sea is measured.

The statement reads: “A sovereign coastal state like Nigeria can extend its maritime territory beyond 200 nautical miles, up to a maximum of 350 nautical miles, if it can prove scientifically that the natural prolongation of its land territory under the sea extends beyond 200 nautical miles.

“The objective of the submission being prepared by the National Boundary Commission is to claim for the country a potentially rich maritime territory of up to 104,000 square miles without any war or litigation.

“There is a strong likelihood of the presence of large deposits of hydrocarbons, gas and other mineral deposits in the extended maritime territory.”

Credit: thenationonlineng.net

D'BANJ, SOUND SULTAN AND DOTUN AT THE SPRITE TRIPPLE SLAM TODAY

It all goes down today Friday 6th November at the University of Lagos Indoor Sports hall.

D'Banj who has been off the Nigeria scene  would be making it happen alongside Sound Sultan and DOTUN of Cool FM.

The event is a combination of basketball, music and dance.

NIGERIA, MALI FOR FIFA U-17 FINALS

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have successfully defeated the El Tri of Mexico 4-2 to set up an all African FIFA U17 world cup final on Friday.

Nigeria started the game on a low as Mexico took  charge of the game in the early minutes of the game with a brilliant opening goal by Kevin Magana as he dribbles from his defense to put the ball in the Nigerian's net but, the defending champions did not allow Magana's 8th minute goal depress them, after fighting back to nick this victory home.

Nigeria will now face Mali in the finals at the Estadio Sausalito Vino Del Mar, a repeat of the 1993 edition, where Nigeria beat Ghana to win the championship.

RMD, UTI, BASKETMOUTH AND KEMI ADETIBA TO SHARE STAGE WITH JAMES BOND HEROES

Nigerian celebrities, Richard Mofe Damijo, BasketMouth, Uti Nwachukwu and Kemi Adetiba  have been selected by international beer brand Heineken to share spotlight with stars of the next installment of James Bond series, SPECTRE.

The four celebs are expected to join international top shots in Las Vegas, the party capital of the United States (U.S.), for what has been described as the first-ever selfie from space as part of Heineken’s new campaign, Spyfie.

RMD and colleagues will be captured alongside big names, including popular Bond Villain, Dave Bautista, in the campaign, scheduled to take place this November, in Nevada, Los Angeles.

Promoters say Heineken will create the selfie experience from space using a camera on the Deimos satellite, currently in orbit 600km above the Earth’s surface to take ultra HD imagery of the lucky celebrities, including the Nigerian quartet assembled at the Hoover Dam in Las Vegas.

This is not the first time RMD will be enlisted for international project. The former Commissioner of Culture and Tourism in Delta State was a star attraction in the Guinness 2004 film, Critical Assignment, playing alongside South African Cleveland Mitchell, aka Michael Power, in the flick that featured another Nigerian actor, Bukky Ajayi.

“We are very proud of our long-standing association with the James Bond franchise and we are especially proud to partner with ‘Spectre’ on this adventure as we bring the experience to Nigeria with four of the country’s most loved entertainment personalities. Their fans will be able to share the experience with them through their social media pages and it promises to be a lot of fun,” said Senior Brand Manager, Heineken, Ngozi Nkwoji.

Credit: thenationonlineng.net