The Nigerian Entertainment Industry to Get 100,000 Jobs

May 27, 2010

The World Bank and other agencies are working together to increase the number of jobs and to decrease poverty in Nigeria. Six industries that are being helped are construction, meat and leather, wholesale and retail, ICT, hospitality, and entertainment. Twenty million dollars is being given to hire Nigerians, including unemployed youth, for the film industry.

The Nigerian film industry makes more movies than Hollywood and closer to the same number as Bollywood (India's film industry). The film industry in Nigeria makes the third greatest amount of money in the world; United States and India lead the world.

Nigerian movies are watched all over Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean. Most of the movies watched are pirated copies, and the Nigerian film industry doesn't get any money for them. This is going to be worked on, maybe by using a "source identification code" and distributing the movies digitally.

MY REACTION: I think it is good to give money to Nigeria to help hire people. When people have jobs and make money, there are fewer problems.

Link:http://allafrica.com/stories/201005271336.html

Welcome to Nollywood - Trailer from IndiePix on Vimeo.

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia Tie in Soccer

May 25, 2010

The Nigerian soccer team went 0 to 0 with Saudi Arabia. It was a warm-up match for the World Cup. The Nigerian team was coached by their new coach from Sweden, Lars Lagerback. Two of the Nigerian players were out on injuries.

Nigeria, Argentina, Greece, and South Korea are in the same pool for the World Cup.

MY REACTION: I'm looking forward to the World Cup. Out of the group, I would like Nigeria to win; Argentina is really good, though.

Link:http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=10719557

Investigation into Police Shooting Demanded

May 24, 2010

Nigerian authorities are demanding an investigation into a shooting at a market in Warsaw, Poland. Polish police said they were doing routine checks of market vendors. There was a scuffle and a Nigerian man was shot in the leg. The man bled, and the police couldn't help him since they were being attacked.

Others said that the police have harassed Nigerians in the past and want to find out more. A group was angry when the Nigerian man was arrested at the market. Answers are wanted.

MY REACTION: Police brutality makes me mad. It sounds like this might have been police brutality. You should be able to trust police officers to do the right thing.

Link:http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=10719557

Three Killed in Religious Violence

May 22, 2010

Three herdsmen were murdered in central Nigeria. The herdsmen were looking for lost cattle and were accompanied by military soldiers. Armed youth came out and killed and burned the herdsmen. The herdsmen were Muslim, and the youth were Christian.

This area in Central Nigeria has been filled with violence for a decade. Muslims from the north and Christians from the south are wanting power and same land.

MY REACTION: The violence in this area isn't making it better for anyone. The government and authorities need to get involved. The two sides need to talk and not fight.

Link:http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=10719557

6 dead in Nigerian Religion fued

May 23, 2010

Jos, Nigeria- Eye witnesses have said that six people at the minimum have died in another one of Nigeria's religious massacres between Christians and Muslims. It was told that three people died on Sunday when a mob of young people aroused violence and anger in Jos.

MY REACTION: I think it's unreasonable that they keep fighting back and forth.

Link: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=10721910

Interview with Chinua Achebe

March 22, 2010
Chinua Achebe, the author of Things Fall Apart, was interviewed by Deborah Solomon. Things Fall Apart is about a Nigerian yam farmer who can't take the changes brought by British colonialism. The book sold over 8 million copies, is used in American English classes, and is considered to be the best selling novel written by an African.

Achebe commented on the current situation in Jos, Nigeria where people are being killed for their religion. Muslims killed six Christians. Achebe thought that the authorities weren't doing their job and that people are feeling angry for being left out.

Achebe also commented on acting President Goodluck Jonathan. He thinks he is weak, powerless, and not a good leader.

MY REACTION: I think it's nice Achebe was interviewed. I think that it's nice to interview older people for their wisdom and input.

Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/magazine/28FOB-Q4-t.html

$100 Million Loan to First Bank of Nigeria

May 27, 2010
First Bank of Nigeria, which is the largest lender in Nigeria, received a $100 million loan from International Finance Corp, which is based in the United States. Shareholders voted to get the loan at a meeting in Abuja. The seven-year loan is $100 million, chief executive officer said at the meeting. Half of the money will be convertible to bank shares in two years; the rest will be non-convertible.

MY REACTION: I think getting money is cool if you need it. I can imagine how Nigeria feels. It is the most populous country in Africa and can use the money.

link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-05-27/first-bank-of-nigeria-accepts-100-million-ifc-loan-update1-.html