Thursday, 23 May 2013

President Mahama’s Tribute To Chinua Achebe

President Mahama’s Tribute To Chinua Achebe


Ghana’s President John Mahama, in his tribute to the late literary icon, recognizes the impact of Prof Chinua Achebe’s literary works on writers as well as political leaders. Talking about Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the President wrote “This literature empowered me and others to believe in our ability to create change”

Here is the full text

In the same way that Chinua Achebe’s books helped foster the talent of countless writers in Africa’s post-colonial era, they also inspired a number of africa’s current political leaders.
Achebe had such influence on the african political landscape that three years ago he started convening an annual colloquium at brown University, where he was a professor, that brought together leaders, scholars and artists to discuss “strengthening democracy and peace on the african continent”.
When I was introduced to Mr. Achebe’s writing in the 1970s, during secondary school, there seemed to be no discernable separation in Africa between politics and the arts. We attended demonstrations almost as frequently as we attended discos. The music that we listened to, from Fela Kuti to James Brown, was filled with racial pride and political protest.

Cossy Orjiakor Covers Maiden Edition of Chizy’s Spyware Free Magazine


Yes it is Cossy! Guess you never knew she could be this professional in her dress sense. Let’s hope she sustain this pace.

Ogoni Activist Takes Environmental Pollution Protest to Shell Stakeholders Meeting in London

Ogoni Activist Takes Environmental Pollution Protest to Shell Stakeholders Meeting in London
Celestine AkpoBari Nkabari, an environmental activist and human rights defender from Ogoniland in the Niger Delta presented Peter Voser, the soon to retire CEO of Shell, with a champagne bottle containing polluted water from his home and invite him to attend a retirement party in the Niger Delta, in recognition of the massive pollution that Shell has caused during its decades of operation in Ogoniland.
The protest comes almost two years after a damning report by the UN concluded that a succession of oil spills by Shell in Ogoniland over half a century will require $1bn start-up finance and take 35 years to clean up. One of the report’s findings was that communities’ drinking water was contaminated with dangerous concentrations of benzene and other pollutants. Celestine, who is from Ogoniland and works directly with impacted communities, had planned to travel to The Hague to attend Shell’s AGM but was denied a visa after stating his intention to attend the AGM.
Celestine said: “I have travelled all the way from the Niger Delta to ask Shell what it has been doing in the past two years since the UN report established their responsibility for the devastating pollution in my homeland. We see no evidence of Shell starting the clean-up. The only evidence that we see is the oil in our water, the smoke in our air, the crops that die and our livelihoods and culture that are destroyed. All the things that Ken Saro-Wiwa was fighting for, we are still fighting for them. While Peter Voser is retiring to spend more time with his family, in Ogoniland we are still fighting for a livable environment for our families.”
Meanwhile, two climate activist groups, Platform London and UK Tar Sands Network have also joined the solidarity campaign at the Shell’s Stakeholders Meeting.

Source: Ogoninews
Ogoni Activist Takes Environmental Pollution Protest to Shell Stakeholders Meeting in London

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UPDATE On Ghana's Conjoined Twins: Swedish couple to adopt conjoined twins



The Social Welfare Department has finally settled on a Swedish couple to adopt the conjoined twins born at the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital a fortnight ago.
This follows a formal agreement signed by the family of the conjoined twins on Wednesday to leave the children in the sole custody of government.
The mother of the babies, 16, and her family rejected them upon upon birth. The babies who share the same heart have two stomachs, two hands and legs.
Joy News’ Richard Kojo Nyarko, reporting from the Central region indicated that the Swedish couple will be in Ghana soon to conclude the adoption processes and take full responsibility for the babies.
According to the Central regional head of the Social Welfare, Kate Abban, the mother of the twins has surrendered every right to the children to government.
“…Fortunately, we’ve got somebody from Sweden who has shown interest in the children, she will come to Ghana for the necessary documents to be done and then she will send the children outside [Ghana],” Kate added.

Source: myjoyonline

Ogun state government uncovers N200m WAEC fees fraud



Following the fraudulent diversion of about N200 million, meant to pay the examination fees of secondary school students, into personal accounts, four officials of the Ogun State government are now assisting the Police at the Police headquarters, Eleweeran, Abeokuta to explain their various roles in the fraud.
A statement from the office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Taiwo Adeoluwa last night revealed that the diversion covered about three academic sessions.
The statement further stated that, “Four officials, two males and two females, are already in the police net and are helping the police in its investigation. Other suspects are also being investigated for their roles in the fraud.”
The government said preliminary investigation suggested that the fraud was perpetrated through inflation of the list of candidates in public schools.

PHOTOS: Eva Longoria Graduates with a Master's Degree

Eva Longoria Graduates with Master's Degree


Yesterday was a special day for American television and film actress, Eva Longoria!
The actress announced on Twitter that she's graduating with her master's degree in Chicano studies from California State University, Northridge.
Eva also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M University.
 According to the California State University website, Chicano Studies is described as a 'field that advances a critical understanding of the Chicana/o and Latina/o experience in the United States.
Meanwhile, here is a food for thought from Eva, "You're never too old or too busy to continue your education!"
Congratulations!

Eva Longoria Graduates with Master's Degree

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We Have Arrested Killers of Slain Kwara CP, Says IG

We Have Arrested Killers of Slain Kwara CP, Says IG


Almost three months after the dastardly murder of the former Kwara State Police Commissioner Chinwike Asadu in Enugu, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Wednesday declared that seven persons suspected to have been involved in the murder have been arrested, while efforts were being made to track down others still on the run.
The late Asadu, who was until his death the CP of Kwara State command of the police force, was murdered on March 2, 2013 at his Amorji Nike residence, Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The IG spoke in Enugu when he received a total of 100 sedans and Hilux vans fully equipped with security and communication gadgets from the Enugu State Governor S He said following the confessions made by the seven suspects, the police are on the trail of other collaborators in the murder, disclosing that the seven persons had already been arraigned in court.

VIDEO: Human Parts Seller Confesses




The Police force command in Lagos on Tuesday paraded four suspected men who specialised in selling human parts to herbalists and ritualists. The suspects confessed that human heads were sold for N8000, hands goes for N4000 and private parts are sold at N10,000.
More on K'n'F 

Wednesday, 22 May 2013

A new friend for Chris Brown

A new friend for Chris Brown
The controversial pop star got himself a new furry friend and took to his website to introduce his adorable pup to all his loyal fans.

"I'm excited to introduce you to the latest member of the fam!" The "Run It" singer writes in a post on the Chris Brown Channel. "Check out the pic of my new English bulldog puppy that I got last night."

At least he has someone to play with; let’s hope he won’t miss Rihanna that much. 

NEW MUSIC: Niyola Drops Two Singles CRAZY and TOH BAD


































Filo: Few minutes ago, EME’s first lady, Niyola released two new singles, “Crazy” & “Toh Bad”.
Here are the joints!


Crazy



Toh Bad

PHOTOS from Damilola Adegbite’s Private Beach Party


Filo: The actress, who recently turned 28, celebrated her birthday with friends in a private beach party.

She is definitely cute; does her hairdo remind you of Rihanna?



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NEW VIDEO: BRACKET - Temperature



Filo: Yori yori crooner, bracket returns with the video of a song they dropped last year titled “Temperature”; the video was directed by Clarence Peters.
Enjoy!

Starcomms Staff Are Not Smiling – Almost 3 months without Salary

Starcomms Staffs Are Not Smiling – Almost 3 months without Salary


Staffs of telecommunications company, Starcomms, have threatened to file a legal action against the company’s over its refusal to pay their outstanding two months’ salary.
The workers had last month in a protest letter published by DailyPost, accused the management of unjust treatment in the handling of their welfare.
According to them, days after the report on their plight, the management called a meeting to avail members of staff the opportunity to ask questions about the state of the organization.
But in a new statement, they allege that “Instead of the Chief Executive Officer and his team to bow their heads in shame and appeal to the disgruntled, loyal and dedicated staffs, he simply displayed his incompetence in running the affairs of the organization by either avoiding or redirecting questions put to him to other top notch collaborators.”
The workers also said that the CEO further displayed inconsideration by saying he owes no one an apology.

Did Pope Francis Perform An Exorcism?


The case is about a 43-year-old husband and father who travelled to Rome from Mexico to attend Francis' Mass on Sunday in St. Peter's Square. At the end of the Mass, Francis blessed several wheelchair-bound faithful as he always does, including a man possessed by the devil, according to the priest who brought him, the Rev. Juan Rivas.
Pope Francis laid his hands on the man's head and recited a prayer. The man heaved deeply a half-dozen times, shook, and then slumped in his wheelchair.
The images, broadcast worldwide, prompted the television station of the Italian bishops' conference to declare that according to several exorcists, there was "no doubt" that Francis either performed an exorcism or a simpler prayer to free the man from the devil.
The Vatican, in a statement Tuesday, said Francis "didn't intend to perform any exorcism. But as he often does for the sick or suffering, he simply intended to pray for someone who was suffering who was presented to him."
Having watched the video, what do you think?

JTF rescues ex-Chevron staff from kidnappers’ den



A retired staff of oil giant, Chevron, Mr Austine Eyen, who was abducted by kidnappers in Sapele, Delta State, was on Tuesday, rescued by men of the Nigeria Army, Koko Barracks, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, in conjunction with the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, Sector 1.
Three suspects were arrested in Sapele, while on May 13, soldiers attached to Adeje community in Okpe Local Government Area of the state also arrested six other suspects in connection with the kidnap.
The suspects were paraded in Sapele before journalists at the Koko barracks.
The Commanding Officer of Nigeria Army, Koko Barracks, who led the operations, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Etim, said prior to the arrest, the suspects were tracked in a forest in Oviri-Court, where the hoodlums exchanged fire with the troops leading to their arrest and the recovery of a weapon, and that the arrested persons thereafter provided the lead for the arrest of others.
The three suspects arrested in Sapele, Pius Festus, Great Obiebi and Macus Gold, who confessed to committing the crime, however, blamed the devil.
They also confessed of having two bosses, whose names they simply gave as Bright and Peace.

Jenni 'JWoww' Farley Shares Behind-The-Scenes Shots From Her New Bikini Shoot

Jenni 'JWoww' Farley Shares Behind-The-Scenes Shots From Her New Bikini Shoot

Hot! Hot!! Hot!!!

Former Jersey Shore star Jenni 'J-Woww' Farley showed off her sexy curves on her Instagram page as she shared some behind the scenes photos from her shoot to promote her new line of bikinis.
The reality star is the face of the Perfect Tan Bikini, a strapless swimsuit that eliminates tan lines, and Jenni showed off some of her favourite designs, while flaunting her own bikini bod.


Jenni 'JWoww' Farley Shares Behind-The-Scenes Shots From Her New Bikini Shoot
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Hawkers, Beggars Banned From Checkpoints By Yobe JTF



The Military Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe State has banned hawking and begging around security check points across the state.
The JTF spokesman in the state, Lieutenant Eli Lazarus, in statement advised hawkers and beggars to use approved places for their various activities as violators would be prosecuted.
“Hawkers are advised to use designated markets and other approved places for trading activities. Henceforth any body found hawking around security check points will be arrested and prosecuted. Beggars are equally advised to stay away from the checkpoints,” the statement adds.
Before now, both beggars and hawkers had been using various checkpoints in the state as places of brisk business.

Five ritualists arrested for exhuming corpses, selling human parts



Emotions ran high, Tuesday, at Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, following startling revelations by suspected members of three syndicates, who specialised in selling human parts to herbalists and persons suspected to be clerics.
The suspects told a bewildered crowd that human heads were sold for N8,000; hands, N4,000 and private parts N10,000.
One of them, Agboola Kolawole, who blamed his indulgence on poverty and inability to pay his children’s school fees, disclosed that he had so far sold four heads of his deceased siblings to a herbalist, who in turn sold to some persons they identified simply as Alhajis.

FUNNY VIDEO: X Factor Contestant, Ramat redefines Singing




Filo: From the word go, it was very clear Ramat would leave a lasting impression – whether positive or otherwise. Too bad the judges were not soft-soaped by her emotional outburst.

Somali writer, Nuruddin Farah remembers Chinua Achebe




The life of the Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe (1930-2013) was celebrated on May 6 at Bard College, New York, where Achebe taught for many years. There were spoken tributes from Nigerian author and art historian Teju Cole, from historian Myra Armstead, and from anthropologists Yuka Suzuki and John Ryle. The Somali writer Nuruddin Farah participated via video, as did Binyavanga Wainaina, formerly Director of the Chinua Achebe Center for Writers and Artists at Bard. The tributes were followed by Igbo songs and other West Africa musical performances by Beatrice Ajaero and the Senegalese band, Jamrek. The event was arranged by the Rift Valley Institute and Bard Africana Studies.

Former Beauty Queen, Kenya Moore denies dating Jay-Z

Former Beauty Queen, Kenya Moore denies dating Jay-Z

Kenya Moore, who was in one of Jay-Z’s music videos with Jermaine Dupri, shared a screenshot from the video last week; thereafter, people were quick to assume that she had dated one of the two rappers. Expectedly, the news went viral; however, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star has denied she ever dated Jay-Z.
“Sorry... but NO I never dated Jay-Z.Only worked on the video. He and Jermaine Dupri were true gentlemen,” Kenya tweeted.
It may interest you to note that as at the time the video was filmed, Jay-Z wasn’t hanging out with Beyoncé yet.


Tuesday, 21 May 2013

PHOTOS: Achebe's Body Arrives in Abuja


The remains of celebrated writer, Chinua Achebe arrived Abuja, the federal capital territory, Tuesday morning and was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport by government officials, writers, cultural organisations and other associates.
Dignitaries present at the local wing of the airport include, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Governor Peter Obi and many others, as Achebe's casket, draped in national colours of green and white was ushered into the local wing, with pall bearers in full igbo attire as blaring trumpets, songs and dancing pervaded the hall.


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VIDEO: Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2013


Filo: Here is a highlight of what went down at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2013.
Enjoy!

Ghana Police Bans TB Joshua's Church after Death Of 4 People In Holy Water Stampede

Ghana Police Bans TB Joshua's Church after Death Of 4 People In Holy Water Stampede


The Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Christian Tettey Yehonu has directed authorities of the Synagogue Church of all Nations to quit hosting revivals at their Spintex auditorium in Accra.
Speaking to Citi News, DCOP Yehonu noted that the stampede that occured at the weekend could have been avoided if the church had chosen a bigger venue to hold its events.
Four people died on Sunday as a result of a stampede at the Synagogue Church of all Nations. The stampede occurred as people struggled to secure poll position to receive holy water blessed by the Presiding Prophet, T.B Joshua.

19-Foot Python Captured & Killed Near Miami, Sets Florida State Record

19-Foot Python Captured & Killed Near Miami, Sets Florida State Record

Hard to believe a Python this large still exist; anyway here is the gist!
Earlier this month, a man caught and killed a nearly 19-foot, 128-pound Burmese python near Miami. The snake is believed to be the largest ever captured in the state of Florida.
On May 11, Jason Leon spotted roughly three feet of python protruding from some bushes in a rural area of Miami-Dade County. He pulled the 18-foot, 8-inch python to the road, only to lose control of the giant female snake, which quickly wrapped itself around his arms and legs. After calling for help, Leon killed the python with a knife.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released a statement thanking Leon.
“Jason Leon’s night time sighting and capture of a Burmese python of more than 18 feet in length is a notable accomplishment that set a Florida record. The FWC is grateful to him both for safely removing such a large Burmese python and for reporting its capture,” said Kristen Sommers, with FWC, in a release.


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