Acclaimed Nigerian-American author, Nnedi Okorafor is set to take Hollywood by storm! According to Brittle Paper, Okorafor announced via Facebook that she is starting her own TV Production company, Africanfuturism Productions, Inc.
(Photo: TED.com)
According to Nnedi, the company will focus exclusively on television series because of the relative freedom TV affords:
“Film is too restrictive.”
Not much else is known about the company for now, but we can be expecting some high quality work from them because Nnedi’s novels are pretty incredible. She is is one of science fiction’s smartest and most successful voices.
Asisat Oshoala has helped her club FC Barcelona Women, beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in yesterday’s UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final game and, in the process, became the first Nigerian to qualify for the competition’s final.
According to Goal, the match led to a lot of firsts for FC Barcelona Women. Not only did the club witness a record number of spectators for a women’s home game, but they also became the first Spanish club to reach the final in the history of the tournament.
For the past three months now, Oshoala has helped the club dominate. The 24-year-old has played six league goals so far this season, and she has sealed them all with seven goals. Oshoala’s magic will certainly come in handy on May 18, when the club faces Lyon in the final.
Aniebiet Francis is a dynamic and rising Nollywood actor,
script writer and a producer from Ikot Obong in Ikot Ekpene Local
Government of Akwa Ibom State. She is a
graduate of Genetics and Biotechnology
from the prestigious University of Calabar. Her passion includes entertainment,
humanitarian services, community building and youth empowerment.
She has featured in blockbuster Nollywood flicks like Hush,
Hotel Majestic, Daddies Girls, Newman Street, Iquo’s journal etc. She also has
also produced two movies: One Bright Morning and The List.
She is the founder of Conscience Alive Foundation and Orange
Film Boot Camp. She is currently working on her next PET project U40
Eveprenuers, a platform that sets out to harvest under forty female
entrepreneurs, unite and groom them into successful CEOs.
Her other projects include; #EverySecondCountsNigeria ian awareness campaign for a rapid and effective response for accident victims and other hazards, #BrideNotCommodity a campaign to save the girl child from the claws of exploitative traditions that encourages exorbitant marriage lists from bride’s family. Orange Film Boot camp is a capacity building and empowerment platform that offers free trainings for aspiring and budding nollywood practitioners in Akwa Ibom. She shares her journey and some of the challenges of being a Nollywood actress in this interview.
Growing up
I was raised by mum as a single parent, this experience opened me up to the
challenges of life, womanhood etc, hence I grew up wanting to be a voice of the
voiceless.
Meet Me
I am an actor by default but a circumstantial graduate of
Genetics And Biotechnology. I veered
into science because of lack of academic/ carrier counseling in Nigeria, but no
matter how hard you try, passion will always have its way. Producing is a craft
I dabbled into because I want to use movies as a tool fo buildin a better
society by telling stories that matter, stories that addresses issues that
plagues our society, like THE FINAL LIST, ONE BRIGHT MORNING.
Being an Actor &
Entrepreneur
It is a smooth
sail…Acting gives me the face and voice to speak and be heard, the fame to champion humanitarian causes, Entrepreneurship
gives me funds to counter fund my humanitarian projects, while soliciting for
sponsors and partners.
Reception
For someone that relocated to Lagos in 2014 and was able to
feature in two MNet series and a few major series like NEW MAN STREET, DADDIES
GIRLS, AKPOS AND FRIENDS etc, I would
say the reception has been encouraging.
My Inspiraton
Mo Abdu, Emem Isong
and Genevieve Nnaji. I am Inspired by My love for my mum, my passion to
save/serve humanity, Hatred from people.
Challenges
As an actor, my location is a challenge, we have less movie/Tv productions in Akwa Ibom, but that is self inflicted challenge. I prefer to stay here and build my state into the next nollywood location like Lagos, Asaba, Enugu etc. As an entrepreneur, capital and competiting with several big brands.
Reception of the society
Though there is still that erroneous perception that every
female slept her way into the industry,a good percentage of the society is very
receptive.
My Movie
The final list is can
campaign to save the girl child from the claws of greedy family members. It
tells the story of outrageous marriage list, the effect on the girl child, the
family and the society at large.
Giving up
If I say no, I would be a blatant liar….yes I do feel like
giving up sometimes, but I have more reasons to succeed outnumbers reasons to
give up.
Being a woman of
rubies
Because I have
mastered the art of making things that came break me to bless me.
Advice to women
Hone your skills, don’t be desperate, have patience, be
passionate and serve God.
Sara Hinesley, a 10-year-old girl who was born without hands has just won the 2019 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest.
She said she found writing in cursive to be easy and practiced it a lot. “She can do just about anything often times better than me or my husband,” said her mom, Cathryn Hinesley.
Besides writing, Sara likes to create art, ride her bike, read and swim.
As public schools prepare to resume for a new term, Edo state government has warned parents that they would be dealt with if their children are found loitering around during school hours.
The state government gave the warning on Saturday, April 27, 2019, while announcing that public and private schools in the state would resume on Monday, April 29, 2019, for the third term of the 2018/2019 academic session.
A statement signed by Dr. Ruth Obahiagbon, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education states that Public and Private schools in Edo State will resume for the third term on April 29.
She added due to the ongoing Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) training for teachers in public primary schools. that public primary schools , public primary schools will resume on May 6.
However, Obahiagbon advised parents and guardians in the state to send their wards to school saying failure to do so would amount to a breach of Child Right Law.
Adefunke Anurukem is the Managing Director of Auto Dome Limited, one of the very few female entrepreneurs operating in the male-dominated Nigerian automotive industry. She talks about the challenges and motivation in a business majorly run by menA
Let’s meet you please My name is Adefunke Anurukem, an alumnus of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) and Fate Foundation and Education Development Centre (EDC). I am the Managing Director of Auto Dome Limited. Auto Dome is a one-stop shop for all automotive needs. Our services include automobile sales, provision of after sales services, fleet management, logistics and sale of car care products. I am also the current president of the Women in Automotive Sector Association (WASA), our aim is to bring together all women in the automotive business and discuss our challenges, fears, future aspirations, and proffer solutions. We provide assistance and empowerment to new women entrepreneurs in the automotive business.
How many years have you been into this business? I have over 17 years experience working in the automotive industry in Nigeria. I worked with several Nigerian automotive franchises before branching out and starting Auto Dome in 2010.
How has the exchange rate affected the automobile business? Our business is solely dependent on foreign exchange, since most of the cars are produced and assembled outside the country, as a result, exchange rate fluctuations over the past few years have significantly affected the Automobile industry, with the 2015 devaluation of the Naira being the worst hit. Another challenge faced by the automotive industry is the increase in Custom duties, which has significantly increased the cost of doing business. In the face of these challenges, we at Auto Dome have had to re-strategise and optimise our business processes in order to stay afloat.
How has your experience been like in relation to the number of years you’ve been in the industry? The business climate in Nigeria is ever evolving. When we started Auto Dome in 2010, we had our own fair share of challenges. We made some mistakes, because we were naïve in some areas of our operations. Initially, our focus was solely on car sales, but after careful analysis of clients’ demands over the years, we have added a range of services and products.
Now that we are over eight years in the business, we are looking at opening more branches nationwide and signing a franchise deal to represent a reputable international brand here in Nigeria. One key factor in setting up a business in any industry is to have first-hand industry knowledge, product knowledge, and understanding of government policies and how it affects your industry. In my experience, business has been challenging, interesting, tasking, but very fulfilling, in spite of all the odds against business owners in Nigeria. Everyday comes with its own unique challenges that you must device a unique ways to solve. However, solving tasking problems in business expands your capacity to face more and get good results
How did you grow the business and what were the challenges? Growing the business has been solely by the grace of God and passion for what I do. Whether it’s car sales, servicing, leasing, fleet management or selling care products, were solving problems and adding value. As an ambassador of my brand, the most important thing has been to identify customer needs and provide solutions that best suit them. By doing these we have been able to grow the business over the years. Challenges growing up were majorly pressure from the society seeing you as a woman and setting limits on how far you can reach. Moreover, I have always loved to challenge myself and tread where others are afraid to tread. I try to not see any limit to what I can achieve, and that has continued to give me the energy to conquer challenges.
What are your inspiring feedbacks? Oh! I’ve had some interesting feedbacks in my time. You hear things like, “Wow! A woman selling cars? “You behave like a man!’ At first I used to feel offended but as I grew in the business I began to see it as a compliment. Also some clients have come back and said “I find you very professional in your dealings.” Some of the most important customer feedbacks, however, are expressions of satisfaction with products and services, repeat purchases from clients and good referrals. These are key for us and we get loads of such.
Where do you see your business in the next five years? In five years, we would have opened more branches, in at least three more Nigerian cities and have become a franchise holder for Nigerian-assembled automobiles with specifications cutting across the board, thereby adding to economy growth in the country.
What’s your advice to younger ones? Keep your eyes on the ball. There are a lot of distractions out there, but remain focused and have a plan. Don’t go into business because you want to outdo the other person. Develop a passion for what you do, because when the tough times come that’s what will sustain you. Lastly, always have a CAN DO spirit and believe in yourself because the sky is just the starting point.
What is your motivation? Firstly, God, because without him I am nothing. I also have a solid family support, without their constant love and affection, I would have been much more affected by the highs and lows of business life. Thirdly, myself, I am a self-starter, you are the only one who can pull yourself from your inner strength genuinely. Finally, I have other mentors, accountability partners and colleagues in the industry that I look up to. I also read articles, books and reviews of selected role to stay motivated.
To what extent have you leveraged on technology in growing your business: I cannot over emphasize how much technology has helped in growing our business. In the early years sales were made mostly by personal contact. In that regard, a lot of staff were required to go out and look for prospective clients, which in itself proved quite difficult, because information was not readily available. However, with the improvements in digital technology, business can be done faster and at lower operational costs. The advent of interconnectivity and globalization (the early days of the fourth industrial revolution) has been phenomenal! We have been able to transact business successfully with numerous customers all around the world, thereby growing our clientele base. It is so amazing that we have even made major sales off of WhatsApp Status updates!
I am sure there are still a lot of positive technological advancements to come and we at AutoDome will continue to strategically position ourselves in order to harness its power to achieve our aims and objectives in this business.
The students were informed that sexual harassment is both a civil wrong and a criminal offense. The students were also reminded that rape and sexual assault by penetration carry life imprisonment, while sexual harassment is three years imprisonment.
In a bid to ensure continuous sensitization of students on sexual harassment and safety on campus, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team recently engaged students of both the University of Lagos and Lagos State University. The sensitization was done during orientation program for fresh students who have recently been enrolled into the two higher institutions.
The team spoke on the topic “Prevention of Rape and Sexual Assault on Campus.”
The focus on fresher students is key, as statistics have shown that they are at a greater risk of being sexually abused on campus, due to perceived naivety and an initial lack of safety awareness within campus or red flags they should be wary of.
They were also informed of what consent entails and understanding that consent is freely given, reversible and specific. The team also used this opportunity to address the criminality of sexual harassment, making it clear that students should report lecturers and people in authority in the respective institutions who solicit for sexual favors, or make unwelcome sexual advances that affect the students’ educational opportunity, or create intimidating, hostile or offensive learning environment. The students were informed that sexual harassment is both a civil wrong and a criminal offense.
The students were also enlightened on the appropriate channels through which reports of such acts can be made. Conversely, students were advised to report immediately to their course adviser, counselor or the Dean of Students Affairs. The orientation expatiated on the legal provision on sexual abuse in Lagos State. The students were also reminded that rape and sexual assault by penetration carry life imprisonment, while sexual harassment is three years imprisonment. The presentation also elaborated on the safety measures to take on campus, in social settings, and the steps to be taken if a student unfortunately falls victim to the vices. The students also received information, education, and communication materials with relevant contact details and quick steps to take in case of an emergency.
Jordan Nixon hasn’t decided on where she’ll go to college yet, but she already has quite a few options to choose from.
The Douglas County High School senior was accepted into 39 colleges and universities, plus received over $1.6 million in scholarship offers, reports FOX 5. Receiving her first acceptance from Grambling State University, the honor student is a member of the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy and is the co-captain of her school’s cheerleading team.
After a school trip to Greece and Italy, Nixon, who is also involved in a club for young business leaders, was even more inspired to pursue a major in international business. While she applied to over 50 schools, here are the colleges and universities that she’s been accepted to so far:
1. Alabama State University 2. Berry College 3. Central State University 4. Clark University – Massachusetts 5. Coppin State University 6. Edward Waters College 7. Emmanuel College – Massachusetts 8. Florida International University 9. Florida Southern College 10. Georgetown College – Kentucky 11. Georgia State University 12. Grambling State University 13. Hampton University 14. Harris-Stowe State University 15. High Point University 16. Howard University 17. Johnson & Wales University – Rhode Island 18. LeMoyne-Owen College 19. Lincoln University – Missouri 20. Livingstone College 21. Loyola University – New Orleans 22. Mississippi Valley State University 23. Nova Southeastern University 24. Oglethorpe University 25. Queens University of Charlotte 26. Rollins College 27. Simmons University 28. St. Edwards University – Texas 29. Stetson University 30. Tuskegee University 31. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 32. University of Maryland Eastern Shore 33. University of Tampa 34. University of Virgin Islands 35. Valparaiso University 36. Virginia Union University 37. West Virginia State University 38. Wofford College 39. Xavier University – Ohio
“I wanted to challenge myself,” said Nixon. “That was the most important thing for me, just to show others anything is possible and that anyone can accomplish it, too.”
Congratulations, Jordan! No matter what college you choose attend, we know your excellence will continue to shine.
Democrat Movita Johnson-Harrell made history by becoming the first Muslim woman to be elected as a state representative in Pennsylvania, reports Philly Mag.
Serving as a former interim supervisor of Victim Services for Philadelphia’s District Attorney’s Office, Johnson-Harrell won 66 percent of the votes in a special election Tuesday night for the 190th District seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Her platform focused on several key issues including socioeconomic opportunity, education reform and gun violence prevention, which is an issue she was personally impacted by when she lost her son to gun violence a few years ago. That tragedy led her to create a nonprofit organization in her son’s name called the CHARLES Foundation, which pushes for more gun violence prevention in local Philadelphia communities.
n January, when she announced her bid to run, the West Philly native told Philly Mag, “I’m running because I care about my community – I don’t need a job. Many people enter politics looking for a career, money, power, fame – I’ll be personally taking a $20,000 pay cut if I become the next state representative.”
After coming away with the victory Tuesday night, Johnson-Harrell wrote on Facebook that she is “honored to be the first Muslim woman elected to the Pennsylvania legislature.”
“We ran a race of integrity and class even with the slander and politics,” she added. “This win is bittersweet. My seat rests on the grave of my son Charles Johnson. I will fight to protect our communities and tackle this multilayered problem.”
With her win, Johnson-Harrell will replace former Rep. Vanessa Lowery-Brown, who won the seat this past November but resigned following her conviction on bribery and other charges. In her race, Johnson-Harrell defeated community advocate Amen Brown, activist and clergywoman Pamela K. Williams and Republican candidate Michael Harvey.
Nigerian model, Daberechi has recently featured in the latest Versace Spring Edit.
Daberechi is an incredibly stunning model, with an amazing ability to fit into several moods, according to the style of the shoot. In the past two years, she has worked with renowned Nigerian labels, Maki Oh, Deola Sagoe and more.
Now, she has taken her skill across the globe, landing a feature in a campaign for one of the most prestigious fashion brands in the world. Donning a red and blue patterned power suit, with her hair in cornrows, Daberechi looks right at home in the Versace shoot.
Daberechi is signed to IMG — one of the most respected modelling agencies around.
