Nigerian Times

Jeta Amata Nick Vivarelli of the Variety reported that the ambitious Nigerian filmmaker Jeta Amata is already working on a new international film after making “Black Gold”. The director who is also well known for his daring film “The Amazing Grace” is going to focus on the corrupt practices of pharmaceutical multinationals in Africa in his new film "Journeys of One," with Donald Ranvaud of "The Constant Gardner" fame as an executive producer. Amata’s “Black Gold” had a market premiere at the 64th Cannes Film Festival . The film on the Niger Delta crisis featured top Hollywood actors like Tom Sizemore, William George "Billy" Zane, and Hakeem Kae-Kazim. "Journeys of One" will be a way to provide a more genuine take on the Big Pharma in Africa theme tackled by Hollywood in Fernando Meirelles' "The Constant Gardner". We like Hollywood coming to tell our story; but they miss some of the essence of the African point of view," Amata...

FOR RELEASE: Immediately May 25, 2011 DiNAPOLI TO CHEVRON: RESOLVE AMAZON LAWSUIT Standoff on Poor Ecological Record Bad for Business New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and a coalition of investors today released a letter to oil giant Chevron urging the company to settle its 20-year legal battle with indigenous populations in the Amazon rainforest. The long-running court case alleges that Texaco, which merged with Chevron 10 years ago, destroyed huge tracts of the rainforest by dumping billions of gallons of oil waste products over several decades. Citing the “grave reputational damage” Chevron has suffered due to the lawsuit, DiNapoli and other investors called on the company to promptly negotiate a reasonable settlement to prevent further shareholder damage. “It’s time for Chevron to face reality,” said DiNapoli, trustee of the $140.6 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund), which owns 7.5 million Chevron shares worth an estimated $7...

There are three different levels of guys for Nigerian girls 1. Big Men. The big men are mostly older men who are rich and can afford the vanities of the high life desired by majority of Nigerian girls who will date them or even be their other "wives". They are the Sugar Daddies and they are happy to buy a fancy car for their most favourite mistress. 2. Big Boys are younger than the older Sugar Daddies and often rich guys with high paying top flight jobs or successfully self employed and those who are still single are the most eligible bachelors in town. They can have their pick of the Nigerian girls who want to escape from poverty and enjoy a comfortable life. They pamper and spoil the girls with expensive smart phones, shopping, fun trips and parties. But they may never buy their sweetest babe a fancy car. They would prefer to impress and oppress her with their own fancy cars or jeeps. 3. The last, but not the least are the struggling "one day, e go better" guys ...

Culture of Resistance coming to Nigeria In Nigeria, oil companies have destroyed farmland leaving behind dirty water and no food. When the people began protesting by making flyers and giving speeches the Nigerian government started killing the peaceful protesters, so the next generation has resorted to violence in order to get clean water and food. ~ Lara Lee, of Culture of Resistance speaking on her sensational documentary. Iara Lee is the director of the harrowing documentary "Cultures of Resistance," produced by George Gunn, and it is going to be shown at the second Eko International Film Festival this summer. The production of "Cultures of Resistance" began in 2003 before the Iraq war and it was judged the Best Documentary at the Tiburon 2011 Film Festival. "People were being killed and nobody cared. I started looking for small gestures-ordinary people that were relatable," Lee said. She said that the documentary covered 25 countries, with interview...

20 World-Class Leaders Judge South Asia's Finest as the 2nd Annual Asian Awards 2011 Gets Underway LONDON, May 25 /PRNewswire/ — The Asian Awards 2011, in partnership with Lebara, has launched into its second year of celebrating the best in South Asian achievement. The House of Lords recently played host to 20 world-class leaders from the worlds of politics, business, sport, media, arts and technology - who gathered to choose winners from a short-list of inspirational luminaries and pioneers who have carved out their own places in history. "With so many exceptional people from the South Asian community short-listed for only 12 honours, it's vitally important that they are not only judged by a panel of their peers but that the process is robust, transparent and intellectually rigorous," said Chair of Judges Baroness Verma. "It's exciting to have 20 esteemed judges from such a variety of fields in one room, and to see such lively debate." The Asian Awards ...

25 May 2011 11:00 Africa/Lagos One-in-Four Workers Can't Afford to Take a Vacation, CareerBuilder Survey Finds --30 Percent Work While on Vacation-- PR Newswire CHICAGO, May 25, 2011 CHICAGO, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As we approach the official kick-off to summer getaways with Memorial Day weekend, a recent study from CareerBuilder shows financial constraints and demanding work schedules have some workers foregoing vacation plans this year. Twenty-four percent of full-time workers reported they can't afford to take a vacation in 2011, up from 21 percent last year. Another 12 percent reported they can afford a vacation, but don't have plans to take one this year. More than 5,600 workers participated in the nationwide study, which was conducted from February 21 to March 10, 2011. INFOGRAPHIC: http://bit.ly/k0hS3X. While the majority of workers are planning some time away from work, three-in-ten plan to take the office with them on vacation. Thirty percent reported t...

24 May 2011 15:00 Africa/Lagos Microsoft Previews Next Release of Windows Phone "Mango" to deliver smarter and easier communications, apps and Internet experiences and bring Windows Phone to more customers around the world. PR Newswire REDMOND, Wash., May 24, 2011 REDMOND, Wash., May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. today previewed the next major release of Windows Phone, code-named "Mango," through a series of media events around the world. "Mango" will deliver more than 500 new features to push the boundaries of the smartphone experience around communications, apps and the Internet. The "Mango" release will be available for free to Windows Phone 7 customers and is scheduled to ship on new phones beginning this fall. More details on device update timing will be provided closer to availability. Windows Phone will also add support for additional languages, expand access to apps by launching Windows Phone Marketplace in new countries, and...

Google celebrates Africa Day, the annual commemoration on May 25 of the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), when leaders of 30 of the 32 independent African states signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia . In 1991, the OAU established the African Economic Community , and in 2002 the OAU established its own successor, the African Union . However, the name and date of Africa Day has been retained as a celebration of African unity. 25 May 2011 20:44 Africa/Lagos Address by Dr Jean Ping, African Union Commission Chairperson on the occasion of the commemoration of Africa Day / Wednesday 25 May 2011 ADDIS ABABA, May 25, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Address by Dr Jean Ping, African Union Commission Chairperson on the occasion of the commemoration of Africa Day Your Excellency the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Chairperson of the African Union; Your Excellency the Prime Minister of the Republic of India; Your Majesty; Y...

Nigerians in UK inspire British Author’s new book for Children A new book Tópé Arrives is about a Nigerian orphan who was forced against his will to continue his life in England. It is a Nigerian story written by a new British author Wendy Hue who told me why she wrote this emotionally compelling children’s book that has been endorsed by Richard Damilola , the father of Damilola Taylor , the 10-year-old Nigerian child murdered on his way from Peckham Library on November 27, 2000, in south London in 2000. The book was on the long list of the The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition . Tópé is suddenly orphaned and against his will he has to leave Nigeria. Worried about starting a new life in England, he feels he is an outsider in his new school. It is a time of tears and tussles. Will his nimble football skills and precious wooden boat somehow help him to carve out a new beginning? Will he ever again be able to believe in himself and drum in with the dundun drums his rene...

23 May 2011 13:00 Africa/Lagos Microsoft Announces Finalists for Global Student Technology Competition More than 400 students invited to showcase their technology to solve the world's toughest problems at Microsoft Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York. PR Newswire NEW YORK, May 23, 2011 NEW YORK, May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In July, more than 400 of the brightest young minds from around the world will travel to New York to showcase their innovative ideas for using technology to solve the world's toughest problems. As the winners of regional, national and online Imagine Cup competitions, these high school and university students represent the pinnacle of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurialism from 73 countries and regions around the globe. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO) This year, more than 350,000 students from 183 countries registered for Microsoft Corp.'s Imagine Cup, the world's premier student technology competition. ...

Justin Bieber and his girlfriend Selena Gomez looked ravishing in a little black cut out dress The glitz and razzmatazz of the 64th Cannes Film Festival took all my attention away from the 2011 Billboard Music Awards with Justin Bieber smooching his darling Selena Gomez in full glare of all the lights and excited audience. Well since she removed her Purity Ring last year your guess is as good as mine on her virginity . Her lover boy Bieber dazzled her with six awards he won last night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. He won the Digital Artist of the Year, Fan Favourite of the Year, Top Social Artist, Top Streaming Artist, Top Pop Album and Top Pop Album. Eminem also won six awards for the Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Albums, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Song and Top Rap Album. Fergie Katy Perry, Rihanna and Shakira won two gongs each and the Pop Diva Beyonce Knowles was given a Millennium Award to honour her for her career achievements so far. 46 award ca...

Jury President Robert de Niro (L) shakes hands with producer Bill Pohlad (R) who receives the Palme d'Or award for the film ''The Tree of Life'', by director Terrence Malick, as they pose with Camera d'Or award winner director Pablo Giorgelli (2nd L) during the closing ceremony of the 64th Cannes Film Festival, May 22, 2011. Credit: Reuters/Eric Gaillard. Sunday evening, American director Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life won the prestigious Palme d’Or of the 64th Cannes Film Festival . Provocative Danish director Lars Von Trier who was banned from the Cannes for his controversial comments that portrayed him as an apologist of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi proved that he could not be ignored as his apocalyptic film "Melancholia" got the Best Actress award for American actress Kirsten Dunst . CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 22: Actress Kirsten Dunst accepts her award for Best Actress at the Closing Ceremony at the Palais des Festivals during the 64th Cannes Film Festival ...

Press release: Nigerian Photographer Adolphus Opara Competes in Spain for Photoafrica Award May 20th, Tarifa, Spain – Award-winning Nigerian photographer Adolphus Opara competes with his work “Urban Insomnia” in finale of 4th Photoafrica contest, which takes place within the 8th African Film Festival of Tarifa (FCAT) in Spain, from June 6th to 19th. Adolphus Opara thematizes in his work, among other themes, also modern African cities and their dwellers. Opara won or was nominated for several domestic and international awards for his work including World Press Photo Joop Swart Masterclass 2010. He regularly exhibits his work in Nigeria as well as in Europe. The 4th Photoafrica contest offers €3,000 in prize money through 3 awards. The topic of this year Photoafrica is “Urban Space” of African cities seen through the photographers eyes. The exhibiton of altogether 27 large format photographs will be inaugurated and installed outdoors in Tarifa before and through the festival and after i...

If your sweetheart is naturally black and beautiful, Black and beautiful like Yonta Yonta the naive Yonta the suave Yonta the brave Please give thanks to the Almighty God who made her so. She is hot chocolate and good for the heart. Tell her not to bleach, tone or skin wash her natural endowment given to her by our maker and owner of our life. I love my own black and beautiful woman. I thank God for the black woman after my heart. Photo Credit: From the film THE BLUE EYES OF YONTA /UDJU AZUL DI YONTA by Flora Gomes, Guinea-Bissau, 1992; 90m Yonta is a beautiful young woman growing up in the city of Bissau a generation after her nation has gained independence. She develops a secret crush on Vicente, a good friend of her parents and a hero of their country's struggle. Meanwhile, Yonta herself has a secret admirer, a shy young man name Zé who sends her love letters copied from a Scandinavian book (hence, her "beautiful blue eyes"). Gomes' film is a lovely, delicate work ...