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TWO NIGERIANS, NJIDEKA AKUNYILI CROSBY, OLUWASEUN OSOWOBI NAMED IN 2019 ‘TIME 100 NEXT’ LIST

Two Nigerian women, Njideka Akunyili Crosby and Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi have been named in the first-ever ‘TIME 100 Next’ list.

TIME 100 Next — an offshoot of TIME 100 franchise — brings to spotlight 100 rising stars around the world who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, science, health and more.

The initiative, according to the organiser, is to provide a breakaway from the traditional definition of world changers, which are mostly dominated by politicians and the rich.

Crosby, Nigerian-born visual artist, based in Los Angeles, California, who was named in the ‘Artist’ category, made the list for her works, which focus on the cultural differences between Nigeria and the US.

Born in 1983 and raised in Enugu, Njideka is one of the daughters of late Dora Akunyili, a professor and former director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control of Nigeria (NAFDAC).

According to TIME, her works have sold for millions at auctions.

“But in 2018, it was possible to see one at Los Angeles’ Museum of Contemporary Art free of charge—you didn’t even have to go inside,” it wrote.

“The visual artist was only the second person to be chosen to create a mural on the walls of the museum itself, which was visible from Grand Avenue’s sidewalk. It featured brightly colored scenes of domestic life: in one section, a woman rests her elbow on a table, seemingly deep in thought. Akunyili Crosby—who moved to the U.S. from Nigeria in her teens—is known for such scenes, some of which are autobiographical and incorporate references to both countries.”

In 2017, she won the Genius Grant award from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Owosobi, on the other hand, made the ‘Advocates’ category for her campaigns against sexual assault in Nigeria.


Image result for oluwaseun osowobi

Through her organisation, Stand to End Rape (STER), she has reached about 200,000 in Nigeria providing training for health workers and counseling for survivors, according to TIME.

“Telling my story as a survivor, that comes with a lot of stigma,” said Owosobi, who was once honoured by Obama Foundation.

She was named 2019 Commonwealth Young Person of the year.

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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION PREQUALIFIES FIRST EBOLA VACCINE

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said it had prequalified an Ebola vaccine for the first time, hailing a “critical step” towards its licensing, access and roll-out in countries most at risk of outbreaks.

WHO said Ervebo has been shown to be effective in protecting people from the Ebola Zaire virus
“This is the fastest vaccine prequalification process ever conducted by WHO,” it said in a statement, explaining that “prequalification means that the vaccine meets WHO standards for quality, safety and efficacy.”

 

The announcement comes hot on the heels of a decision last Monday by the European Commission to allow the release to market of the injectable vaccine, Ervebo, made by US laboratory Merck Sharpe and Dohme (MSD) after the European Medicines Agency gave the product its green light on October 18.

“This is a historic step towards ensuring the people who most need it are able to access this life-saving vaccine,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“Five years ago, we had no vaccine and no therapeutics for Ebola. With a prequalified vaccine and experimental therapeutics, Ebola is now preventable and treatable,” he added.

WHO said Ervebo has been shown to be effective in protecting people from the Ebola Zaire virus and added it is recommended by the organisation’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) for vaccines as part of a broader set of Ebola response tools.

The WHO said licensed doses will only be available from the middle of next year.

WHO said it had “accelerated prequalification by reviewing safety and efficacy data as the information became available” and said it was engaged in facilitating licensing for use in countries at risk of Ebola outbreaks.

“WHO, with the support of EMA, has worked closely with many African regulators who have indicated they will quickly license the vaccine following the WHO recommendation,” the world body said.

Since the current epidemic, which has cost some 2,190 lives out of 3,290 declared cases since it began in DR Congo, more than 236,000 people have been treated, according to the WHO, including 60,000 health professionals, with the vaccine, known in the lab as rVSV-ZEBOV-GP.

Merck’s vaccine was administered to them under an exceptional procedure, granting permission to use non-licensed drugs in emergency cases.

A second vaccine still at the experimental stage and developed by Johnson & Johnson for administration  in two doses at 56-day intervals, is due to be introduced in the coming days in zones where the virus is as yet absent.

The current epidemic in DR Congo is the tenth in the country since the first in 1976. It is the second most deadly to date after a 2014-2016 outbreak which cost some 11,000 lives and underscored the urgency to bring a vaccine to market.

 

 

 

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UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN 2019 BEST GRADUATING STUDENT, MARY EBHOMIELEN IS ALSO THE FIRST FEMALE EVER TO GRADUATE WITH A PERFECT CPGA OF 7.0 FROM THE SCHOOL

Ofure Mary Ebhomielen of the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science was the cynosure of all eyes on Tuesday as she was presented as the best graduating student at the 2019 Convocation ceremony of the University of Ibadan, UI.

Ebhomielen, who graduated with the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average, CGPA of 7.0 received a thunderous ovation when she was presented to parents and well-wishers at the ceremony.

She was given the opportunity to have a special handshake with the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, who could not hide his admiration for the star of the moment.

In her brief speech, which was intermittently interrupted by applause, Ebhomielen, who congratulated her fellow graduands, noted that they were being celebrated because they had burnt the midnight candles.

She noted that success did not come easy, adding that apart from making a good grade in the university, one still needed to prove oneself in the outside world.

 

Ebhomielen called on those who did not make upper-division to go out there and prove their worth.

Commenting, Olayinka said, “Ofure Mary Ebhomielen is the fourth person ever to have obtained perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (7.0 out of 7.0) in the 71-year history of the University of Ibadan and the first female. This is worth celebrating and we are indeed very proud of her. The world is now under your feet, Mary, aim for the skies while we keep celebrating you.”

It could be recalled, such fest was also achieved by Mr Daniel Nkemelu from same department (Computer science), who also emerged as the best graduating student in 2016 with overall CGPA of 7.0.

 

 

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UGANDAN JOURNALIST, NILA YASMIN HAS WON THE 2019 AFRICAN WOMEN IN MEDIA AWARD

Ugandan Journalist, Nila Yasmin has won the 2019 APO GROUP, African Women in Media Awards, which recognises, celebrates and empowers African women journalists who support female entrepreneurship in Africa.

The actress and journalist who co-founded GLIM and currently works with Media 256, (producers of CNN African Voices and Inside Africa) is a passionate advocate for women empowerment.

In 2018, she co-directed and featured in ‘Me Myself and You’ a short film that tackles personal insecurities, image and identity among young females and was nominated in the 2019 CineChico Awards in Spain. And in 2019, she was among Uganda’s first all-female cast and crew that was behind the groundbreaking film ‘Bed of Thorns’ that tackles Gender Based Violence and urges women to speak up.

As promised, the winning African female journalist was bestowed with a USD 2,500 cash prize, an all-expenses paid trip to a prestigious International Women’s Forum, and online courses from one of the most respected international universities.

Way to Go Nila!

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RUTH BADER GINSBURG WINS $1 MILLION FOR CHAMPIONING HUMAN RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY

US Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been awarded a $1 million prize given annually to a thinker whose ideas “have profoundly shaped human understanding and advancement.”⁣⁣
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The 2019 Berggruen Prize for Philosophy & Culture was announced on Wednesday. The prize, first awarded in 2016, is given by the Berggruen Institute, a Los Angeles-based research organization dedicated to improving governance and cross-cultural understanding. Recipients direct the prize money to the nonprofit organization of their choice.⁣⁣
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The three previous winners have all been philosophers. They are Charles Taylor of Canada, Onora O’Neil of Britain and Martha Nussbaum of the United States. Five hundred people were nominated for this year’s prize.⁣⁣
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The prize committee called Ginsburg “a lifelong trailblazer for human rights and gender equality,” and “a constant voice in favor of equality, the rights of workers and the separation of church and state,” according to the New York Times.⁣⁣
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Ginsburg will receive the award during a private ceremony at the New York Public Library in December.⁣⁣
Source: Times of Israel⁣⁣

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CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE, CHINUA ACHEBE, OTHERS, NAMED IN BBC’S LIST OF ‘100 NOVELS THAT SHAPED OUR WORLD’

 

Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun” and Gyasi’s “Homegoing” were named under the “Identity” section, with Ben Okri‘s “Astonishing the Gods” also on the list, under the “Life, Death & other Worlds” section.

Books by James Baldwin, Zadie Smith, Ernest Hemingway, and Arundhati Roy also make the list, as well as crowd favourites like “The Twilight Saga” by Stephanie Meyer and the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling.

Check out the full list on BBC.

 

 

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WOMAN BECOMES ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT SCHOOL SHE ONCE WORKED AS CLEANER

Pam Talbert who once worked as a school janitor mixed hard work and perseverance to give rise to a booming career as an assistant principal.

According to WBRZ, the mother of three had a learning disability that had not been diagnosed but this did not stop her from achieving her dreams. For someone who could not read or write, becoming an educator was nothing short of a miracle.

“Miracles happen and you are looking at a miracle. I am a miracle. I could not read and write. I was on a third-grade level,” she said.

Pam admitted her kids pushed her to greatness and forced her out of her comfort zone. The dedicated assistant principal learned and read what her kids were learning and started to pick up a few things from their books.

Pam admitted her kids pushed her to greatness and forced her out of her comfort zone.Most times, when the kids returned from school they would tutor their mum. Eventually, she managed to go back to school and earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Southern University.

‘‘It was very hard, but I persevered because I knew that it was important that I did that,” Pam added. Even more inspiring, Pam and her son are headed to school to earn their PhDs from Southern University.

“Despite where you are coming from, or your background, your history or where you live… It is going to be alright if you persevere. If you try,” Talbert said.

 

 

 

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‘NEW MASQUERADE’ STAR, CHIEF ZEBRUDAYA DEBUNKS RUMOUR OF CO-ACTOR OVULARIA’S DEATH

Chief Zebrudaya of ‘The New Masquerade’ has debunked the news of his onscreen wife’s death saying she’s not dead.

Lizzy Evoeme aka Ovularia was rumoured to have passed away after making a name for herself in the 80s sitcom, ‘New Masquerade’ but her onscreen husband, Zebrudaya has denied the claims.

Chika Okpala aka Chief Zebrudaya of the now rested sitcom, ‘The New Masquerade, has dismissed claims that Lizzy Eveome aka Ovuleria is dead.

According to several reports, Zebrudaya debunked the death rumour when he was contacted on the telephone.

He reportedly said Ovuleria is hale and hearty, not dead.

“Who’s wishing her dead? I am telling you now that Ovuleria is not dead. You can call on the telephone and she will speak to you. Wishing death means that she will live longer,” Zebrudaya said.

Two member of cast of the 80s sitcom, 'New Masquerade', Chief Zebrudaya and Zaccheus have debunked Lizzy Evoeme aka Ovularia's death rumour.

However, Ovularia’s onscreen husband, Zebrudaya said the actress is currently suffering from arthritis as well as eyesight problem. “It does not mean that she’s dead,” he added.

Also, debunking the rumour, Tony Akposheri, who played the role of Zaccheus, Chief Zebrudaya’s house-help, told Vanguard that he just finished speaking with the thespian now, adding that she’s not dead.

On Tuesday, November 5, 2019, Twitter user, Churchill Ebhodaghe tweeted  about Evoeme’s death. The Twitter user had no details to back his claims.

In March 2017, Veronica Njoku, who is popular for her role as Ramota in ‘The New Masquerade,’ passed away. The late Njoku played the role of Chief Jegede’s (played by Claude Eke) wife and a close ally of Ovularia.

Her death was confirmed by Tony Akposheri, who played the role of Zaccheus, Chief Zebrudaya’s househelp.

‘The New Masquerade’ was a Nigerian sitcom that aired on the Nigerian Television Network during the 1980s until the mid 1990s. It was created and written by James Iroha who also acted in the sitcom as Giringori Akabogu.

 

 

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FUNMI IYANDA’S DEBUT FILM, ‘WALKING WITH SHADOWS,’ TO PREMIERE AT 2019 AFRIFF

Walking with Shadows’, Funmi Iyanda’s debut film will premiere at AFRIFF on November 14.

‘Walking with Shadows’ first premiered at the BFI London Film Festival on October 9, 2019.

Directed by British filmmaker, Aoife O’Kelly, Walking with Shadows, stars Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Ozzy Agu, Zainab Balogun, and Funsho Adeolu. The film is produced by Iyanda’s production company, OYA Media, in collaboration with The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs).

‘Walking in Shadows’ is a screen adaptation of a Jude Dibia novel published in 2005.

It follows the story of Adrian Ebele Njoko, a married executive whose sexuality is exposed by a disgruntled colleague causing an impact on his family.

Speaking about the premiere at BFI London Film Festival, Iyanda said: “Through the unique way the plot unfolds, the film fully explores many pressing societal issues and promotes the importance of self-discovery and acceptance in cultural society.

“It is an honour to premiere this movie at one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. We are thrilled by the opportunity to share this with the international community and hope they are inspired by it as much as we are.”

Funmi Iyanda is a multi-media personality who is popular for her TV show, New Dawn with Funmi Iyanda that ran for a decade on the national television station, NTA.

 

 

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NIGERIA’S OSCAR SELECTION COMMITTEE RELEASES ‘EXPLANATORY’ STATEMENT ON THE DISQUALIFICATION OF THE MOVIE ‘LIONHEART’ FROM THE 92ND ACADEMY AWARDS

According to the Academy, nominees in the Best International Feature Film Category must have a predominantly non-English dialogue track, and ‘Lionheart,’ despite being an unmistakably Nigerian film, fails to tick this box.

The announcement has attracted concerns from movie producers, with major voices like American filmmaker,Ava DuVernay speaking up against the disqualification on social media.

Responding to this recent development, the NOSC Chairperson Chineze Anyaenesaid:

The budding Nigerian film industry is often faced with producing films with wide reach which often makes the recording dialogue predominantly English with non-English infusions in some cases.

Going forward, the committee intends to submit films which are predominantly foreign language – non-English recording dialogue. We are therefore urging filmmakers to shoot with intention of non-English recording dialogue as a key qualifying parameter to represent the country in the most prestigious award.

The committee is working tirelessly in organizing workshops, seminars and using other available media to create robust awareness on the guidelines and requirements for an International Feature Film Entry.

Lionheart passed on other technical requirements from story, to sound and picture except for language as adjudged by the Academy screening matrix, which was a challenge for the committee at a time. This is an eye opener and step forward into growing a better industry.”

The Best International Feature Film category is stated to carry certain requirements, which must be fulfilled before a film can be submitted.

Some of them are:

1. The film must have been first released in the country submitting it, after which it must have been exhibited for a minimum of 7 consecutive days in a movie theatre.

2. The movie must be predominantly non-English which means that movies with predominant English dialogue will not qualify for the award.

3. The film must not be transmitted electronically or otherwise, before its official release in the theatre.

 

 

 

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