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MICHELLE OBAMA VISITS AWARD WINNING NIGERIAN ARTIST, NJIDEKA AKUNYILI-CROSBY AT HER STUDIO

Ex-First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama paid a visit to Njideka Akunyili Crosby at her studio.

US-based, Njideka, one of the daughters of the late NAFDAC boss, Dora Akunyili made headlines when her 2017 botanical painting, titled “Bush Babies”, sold for $3.4 million USD.

Her sister, Chidiogo shared the photo with the caption: So this just happened! Casual Saturday in the Akunyili Crosby family. When Michelle Obama pays a visit to your studio! 🌞 Me to my sister, “if it could come up, make sure to tell her about the book.” 🙈


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“AFTER MY MARRIAGE CRASHED I COULDN’T BATH FOR DAYS- MAUREEN

Nigerian actor, Blossom Chukwujekwu’s estranged wife has spoken about how coped in the wake of her marital crisis.

It is no longer news that the young marriage of Nollywood actor, Blossom Chukwujekwu and fashion designer, Maureen Esisi has packed up, irreconcilably.However, his pretty wife, who was left heartbroken by the marital crisis has revealed the difficulties she had faced during her trying times.

The Anambra State talented Fashion designer spilled that when she was hit with the hard reality of life that her marriage which she cherished so much had met with brick walls, she couldn’t bath for couple of days.

Y’all know it’s been a shitty last couple of months for me… there were times I could go days without showering and wouldn’t even care. Life was a Blur and taking care of me wasn’t even on my mind…. about a month or so ago, I looked in the mirror and I was so mad at myself for getting to this Point…. I said to myself “RED YOU GOTTA STOP THIS SHIT”…

I picked up a Revive Red Box for myself and resumed my Life back… and Viola!!!!!! A month after.. FILTER-LESS!!!!! I am not completely back to flawless yet but I am certainly close but one thing is sure… I know that I am NEVER EVER living that Careless/Carefree life Ever again.

Whew! Welcome Back mamaRED, I have missed you, ” she wrote.Blossom Chukwujekwu reportedly moved out of their matrimonial home and the reason behind the crash is far not from their inability to have a child.

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10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NIGERIA

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a West African country bordering Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west. Here are 10 interesting facts about the country.

1. Largest population in Africa

Due to its large population and economy, Nigeria is referred to as ‘the giant of Africa’.  As of 2019, the population of Nigeria is over 200.96 million, making it the largest in Africa and the seventh-largest in the world behind China, India, the United States, Indonesia, Brazil and Pakistan, in order.

2. Largest economy in Africa

Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa. According to the World Bank, Nigeria’s GDP was worth 397.30 billion US dollars in 2018. From 1960 to 2018, Nigeria’s GDP averaged 125.26 billion US dollars, with an all-time high of 568.50 billion US dollars in 2014 and an all-time low of 4.20 billion US dollars in 1960. It is expected to trend around 650 billion US dollars in 2020. 2019 International Monetary Funds estimates by GDP place it as the 23rd largest economy in the world.

3. Multinational state

The country is viewed as a multinational state as it is inhabited by more than 250 ethnic groups, the largest being the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. The 250 ethnic groups speak over 500 different native languages amongst them and are identified with a wide variety of cultures.

4. Official language

The official language of Nigeria is Nigerian Standard English, a dialect of English based on British English. It is used in politics, formal education, media, and other official outlets. Nigerian pidgin is used for informal communication.

5. Niger River

Like Niger, Nigeria is named after the Niger River. This is the longest and largest river in West Africa.

6. Major Religions

Christianity and Islam are the major religions in Nigeria. Many Nigerians also practice traditional beliefs.

7. Early civilisations

Nigeria was the birthplace of several early civilisations. The Nok civilisation (1500BC – 200AD) produced life-sized earthenware terracotta figures that are some of the earliest known sculptures in Sub-Saharan Africa. They also smolt iron by 550BC, possibly earlier. Nigeria also had prosperous kingdoms and empires such as the Hausa kingdom, Fulani empire, the Kanem–Bornu Empire and the kingdom of Nri, amongst others.

8. Nollywood

Nollywood, Nigeria’s massive film industry, is second in terms of output to India’s Bollywood and bigger than the US’s Hollywood. Nollywood is said to produce at least 50 films per week. The country has an Oscars selection committee which this year selected Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart as Nigeria’s first film to the Oscar’s.

9. Capital city

Lagos used to be the capital city of Nigeria until December 1991 when Abuja became the new capital city of Nigeria. Lagos, a port city, was developing while other parts of the country were not. The regime thus moved the capital to Abuja in a bid to expand the economy towards the inner part of the country.

10. Crude oil

Nigeria is one of the largest producers of crude oil in the world. It is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world, the 8th largest exporter, and has the 10th largest proven reserves. Petroleum accounts for 40% of Nigeria’s GDP and 80% of their government earnings.

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JACK MA FOUNDATION AWARDS 1 MILLION DOLLARS TO AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURS

The Jack Ma Foundation awarded $1 million to 10 African entrepreneurs during its first annual Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI) grand finale pitch competition.

The ANPI, created by Alibaba founder Jack Ma after his first trip to Africa in 2017, is a flagship entrepreneur initiative of the Jack Ma Foundation. The entrepreneurs who make it to the grand finale get the chance to pitch to Jack Ma, Founder and Executive Chairman of Econet Group, Strive Masiyiwa; Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria and Founder/Chief Executive of The Chair Centre Group, Ibukun Awosika; and Executive Vice Chairman of Alibaba, Joe Tsai.

The first-place winner was Temie Giwa-Tubosun, founder and Chief Executive of LifeBank from Nigeria who won $250,000. The second-place winner was Dr Omar Sakr, founder and Chief Executive of Nawah-Scientific from Egypt who won $150,000. The third-place winner was Christelle Kwizera, founder of Water Access Rwanda from Rwanda who won $100,000. The remaining finalists each received $65,000. They are listed below:

1. Waleed Abd El Rahman, Chief Executive, Mumm (Egypt)

2. Ayodeji Arikawe, co-founder, Thrive Agric (Nigeria)

3. Mahmud Johnson, founder and Chief Executive, J-Palm (Liberia)

4. Kevin Kagirimpundu, co-founder and Chief Executive, UZURI K&Y (Rwanda)

5. Dr Tosan J. Mogbeyiteren, founder, Black Swan (Nigeria)

6. Chibuzo Opara, co-founder, DrugStoc (Nigeria)

7. Moulaye Taboure, co-founder and Chief Executive, Afrikrea (Côte D’Ivoire)

The grand finale competition was held in Accra, Ghana. Ghana’s president, Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, said in his keynote speech, “It is time to take entrepreneurship seriously. We need to push vigorously in Africa the culture of entrepreneurship.”

The initiative will provide 10 million U.S. dollars to 100 African entrepreneurs over a ten-year period, and encourage grassroots innovation, economic empowerment of women and small business.

Jack Ma said, “If Africa wants sustainable growth, the most important thing is that you should create innovative ways. We need entrepreneurs to join forces together to develop Africa. Let us start to help and inspire; let us start to support the start-up and entrepreneurial spirit, because if society respects entrepreneurship, that society will make progress.”

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NINA DOBREV NAMED THE NEWEST BRAND PARTNER FOR DIOR BEAUTY

Nina Dobrev has been named the newest Brand Partner for Dior Beauty.

The 30-year-old actress chatted with Harper’s Bazaar about the partnership and dished on her favorite items in the brand.

“I always looked up to Dior. It felt so timeless and classy and elegant in every way,”

Nina says. “I think the Miss Dior scent is what I always associated with that grace and timelessness. That was probably the first product I recognized, purchased, and aspired to as a little girl.”

Some of her favorite items include the “999” Rouge Dior Ultra Care Lipstick, and Forever Foundation.

Nina also revealed what she’s looking forward to in the coming year.

“2019 was a whirlwind it had a lot of great moments and some tough moments and that’s all part of being a human,” she says. “I am looking forward to a fresh start and fresh slate, new year. I set some new intentions and start this partnership that I am super excited about with Dior and see what the future has in store.”

 

 

Credit: justjared.com

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SUSPECTED PORT HARCOURT SERIAL KILLER CHANGES PLEA TO ‘NOT GUILTY’

Suspected Port Harcourt ‘serial killer’, Gracious David West has changed his plea to ‘not guilty’ after confessing to luring his victims to hotels in Port Harcourt, drugging and murdering them.

In spite of the video released by the police in which he was seen confessing to the crimes, David West reversed the admission.

“The defendant had earlier pleaded guilty to the 9 count charge of murder but has decided to change his plea today,” prosecutor Chidi Ekeh said.

The suspected serial killer’s laywer, Vincent Chukwu backed his client on ‘change of plea’ while dismissing his confessions earlier as having “no legal effect”.

“The basis of this matter is the evidence. Let them (the prosecution) put their evidence before the court”, he told AFP.

It was further gathered that the second suspect arrested in connection to the killings, Nimi Thankgod also pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

 

 

Credit: LIB

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QUEEN’S COLLEGE STUDENT WHO FIXED FAKE EYELASHES TO SCHOOL TO FACE PANEL

The Queen’s College student who was sent back home for wearing fake eyelashes and painting her nails on Tuesday November 19th, will be made to face a panel.

A source in the school who spoke with the Nation, said the school authorities would ensure the student faces a disciplinary panel for her inappropriate act. The student returned to school after their midterm break with painted nails and had fake lashes on which is against the school’s rule. She came to school accompanied by her mother.

A source in the school said;

“The girl was returning to school two weeks after the mid-term had ended. When the teachers saw her with eyelashes and painted nails, they asked her to kneel down. Her mother came in with her, sat down and listened but did not say anything. Someone heard her telling her daughter in Igbo that she should run away. But the girl refused. After the third time, the mother grabbed the girl’s bag and made to leave. The girl then called out, ‘Mummy where are you going?’

“When people realised that she was the girl’s mother, she quickly dragged the girl out. The security man did not did not know it was the girl’s mother dragging her out. In an attempt to ask why she was taking one of our students out, that was when she attacked the security man.

“The girl was even remorseful. She was asking the mother why she was disgracing her.

The woman came to drop the girl around 5am in the morning urging her to sneak into her class. But the girl did not sneak. She stood by the security gate till morning and presented herself to the school management. A man who claimed to be her father came to the school to apologise on her behalf but we found out that he is not her father.

She will face the disciplinary committee. Many people – including the state, are now interested in the case. So we are investigating”.

In a statement, the Caretaker Committee of the College’s PTA noted that the association was in support of the school management’s position on discipline.

The statement reads

“We condemn in totality the action of the parent. We stand by the management in enforcing discipline in the school. However, the Committee will invite both the parent and the student with a view to ameliorating the situation and preventing a repeat of similar occurrence. The lesson we need to take home on this is simply that Queen’s College will not tolerate violation of its well settled rules and regulations.”

 

 

Credit: LIB

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VICTORIA’S SECRET CANCELS ITS 2019 FASHION SHOW

The 2019 edition of Victoria’s Secret has been canceled for better branding and marketing strategies.

Victoria's Secret canceled its 2019 fashion show [Insider]

On Thursday, November 21, The parent company executives, L Brands decided not to go forward with the show.

The fashion show, which was launched in 1995 was once a major pop culture event, drawing millions of viewers each year. It had its lowest ratings ever last year, and also drew criticism on the gender focus, outdated style and its lack of diversity.

Victoria's Secret canceled its 2019 fashion show [CBS News]

The Chief Financial Officer, Stuart Burgdoerfer said in an interview,

“We think it’s important to evolve the marketing of Victoria’s Secret. It was a very important part of the brand-building of this business and was an important aspect of the brand and a remarkable marketing achievement.”

It was first speculated in May that Victoria’s Secret could be canceling its famous runway extravaganza.

In 2018, Victoria’s Secret made an effort to expand diversity on the runway by casting 19 models of color, including Winnie Harlow, the first model with vitiligo, to walk in the show.

 

 

Credit: pulse.ng

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OMOTOLA JALADE-EKEINDE’S ENTERTAINMENT FAIR GETS YOUTUBE AND AGN SUPPORT

The Entertainment Fair and Festival, TEFFEST, which has Omotola as its convener is scheduled to hold on Friday, November 29, 2019.

The AGN President, Ejezie Emeka Rollas will join Ali Baba, Bisola Aiyeola and Craig Fenton of Google as speakers at the event.

Speaking on the event, the ‘Alter Ego’ star said,

“Our Vision is to show how all other industries service, improve, relate to, and can do business in/with entertainment eventually, creating one of the biggest business chains in the economy. We hope to help bring structure to the entertainment industry while collaborating with international partners to provide training, advice, network, and opportunities,” said the 2018 AMVCA Best Actress.

Omotola said further that the ulterior aim is to promote and showcase the businesses around African entertainment to the world as it creates a platform for world-class innovations around entertainment to come into Africa.

On why AGN is backing the fair and festival, Rollas says it is a welcome development that should be encouraged for the growth and sustainability of the industry. The AGN president said it’s more laudable that the fair and festival is the brainchild of one of Nollywod’s pride.

TEFFEST is coming on the heels of the African International Film Festival, AFRIFF, which held between November 10 and November 17, 2019.

 

 

Credit: pulse.ng

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UKONWA OJO BECOMES THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF MAC COSMETICS!

After three years, Ojo will be leaving her role as Chief Marketing Officer for Coty Consumer Beauty where she had to oversee brands like Cover Girl and Sally Hansen.

She made the announcement on Instagram saying that she has always wanted to work with MAC Cosmetics.

When I was in business school (circa 2003), I wanted to switch from a 6-year career in Finance to Marketing/Brand Management. A very common question many companies asked in brand management interviews was… Interviewers: Can you give me an example of a brand you think is marketed well? Me: M.A.C Cosmetics

Ojo has previously worked with high-end brands including Clairol, Rimmel, Katy Perry Parfums, and Nautica.

In her post on Instagram, she expresses her gratitude to Cover Girl and Coty Consumer Beauty for “an amazing career a girl could dream of.”

She also thanks MAC for bringing her on board.

To my M.A.C family, thank you for welcoming me so warmly. ME LOVE YOU LONG TIME!!!

See her Instagram post below:

Photo credit: @ukonwaojo

 

Credit: Bella Naija

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