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

Video my brother took in Nigeria at a burial

Even though the video is not very long, it still shows a lot about the culture in Nigeria.

Counterfeit drugs on rise, pose global threat: WHO

Increasingly more counterfeit drugs are being produced and sold in both rich and poor countries. Often times people buy these drugs over the internet. The counterfeit medications are usually hidden in cargo on their way to their destinations, so it is hard to track them.

People who take these fake drugs are at risk. For example, the drugs may contain too much of an active ingredient, too much or too little of what the person needs, or may contain toxic or poisonous ingredients, which could be fatal.

This problem is becoming more complex. In wealthier countries, counterfeiting usually involves expensive hormones and/or steroids, anti-cancer medicines, and pharmaceuticals. In poor countries like Africa, however, counterfeit drugs are mostly made to treat life-threatening diseases, such as malaria, TB, or HIV/AIDS. Any medication that compromises safety or quality is extremely dangerous. Last year because of fraudulent medications, 84 children in Nigeria died.

MY REACTIONS: Earlier this semester, I did a report about counterfeit drugs in Nigeria. Reading this article reminded me of the research I did for that report. I think that, in the long run, this trend of increasing counterfeit drugs will end up severely hurting people, because they are not getting what they need.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64I6G120100519

Shell pledges 2 billion dollars to cut gas flaring in Nigeria

May 19, 2010

Gas flaring is the burning of crude oil to either get rid of excess oil or to relieve well pressure as a safety precaution. This practice of burning oil is a major environmental problem, as it currently contributes to more than %1 of global emissions of CO2.

Shell, an oil company, decided that their project to cut down on gas flaring will have 26 flow stations in the Niger Delta. Shell says it has already spent more than 3 billion dollars in 32 flow stations in this region.

MY REACTIONS: I think gas flaring all over should stop because it has extremely negative effects on our environment. I would like to learn more about flow stations.

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iMb71bl8nV0UTYzjjIxSjhbmlWXAD9FPT56O0

Human rights groups slam Nigerian Police

May 19, 2010

Nigerian citizens have had enough of police brutality. In Nigeria these days, police officers are "more likely to commit crimes than prevent them." Police are known to carry out executions of people accused or suspected of crimes. They also rely on torture to investigate; most major police stations have "torture chambers." Rape of arrested females has become more common for police officers working night shifts. Hundreds of Nigerians are murdered each year by police forces. Some methods used by Nigerian police are beatings, clubbings of soles of feet, burning suspects with hot irons or cigarettes, smashing the victims' heads against the wall, and tearing off fingernails; these are just some of the methods used. International rights watchdogs have accused Nigerian police of murder and abuse; the police have repeatedly denied the statements. President Goodluck Jonathan wants to lower police brutality.

MY REACTIONS: I think what is going on is terrible and overwhelming. It's not fair what is going on, and the government should do something about it quickly.

Source: http://www.africasia.com/services/news_africa/article.php?ID=CNG.beb8d54cebbe4239ef452bf2c3e0b7fd.441

Nigeria swears in Acting President

May 6, 2010

Nigeria's president, Yar'Adua, recently died from heart complications. However, he had been having heart problems for several years previous to his death. Therefore, there had been another official acting as president, Goodluck Jonathan, since November.

This acting president was sworn into presidency after Yar'Adua's death.

MY REACTIONS: I think that it's sad that a president has died, but I also think that it is helpful to have Jonathan sworn in as president. Now, Nigeria's official president is actually the one who is functioning as president and has the power over the government.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/05/06/nigeria.president/index.html?iref=allsearch

Rebel group bombs Nigerian government building

March 15, 2010

In Lagos Nigeria, a Nigerian government office was intentionally bombed. Government officials were holding a meeting to discuss steps forward to amnesty for militants who agree to lay down their arms. Three state governors and the minister for the Niger Delta were at this meeting.

Thankfully, no officials were hurt in this explosion. The MEND, a rebel group, claimed full responsibility for this bombing. The bombs were mounted on vehicles about 656 feet away from the building.

MY RESPONSE: I think that the rebels are trying to prove a point, but that they are going about it in the wrong way. The meeting being held while the building was bombed was to create peace; instead, these bombings were meant to stop/complicate these peace talks.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/03/15/nigeria.mend.attack/index.html?iref=allsearch

Plane crashes in mock rescue exercises

March 13, 2010

In Niger Delta city of Port Harcourt, what was supposed to be a mock rescue exercise turned into a real plane crash.

The crash occurred just off the runway after landing at 12:13 p.m. The plane, an Air Force G22, was carrying more than 30 NEMA workers when it crashed, leaving only two injured.

The aircraft was definitely severely damaged. No other details were given about this plane crash.

MY REACTION: This was scary; it must have been terrifying for the people on the plane. If I was in their shoes, I would have been extremely in shock. Also, there is some irony in this article- what was supposed to be a mock rescue exercise actually turned into a plane crash.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/03/13/nigeria.crash.mock.exercise/index.html?iref=allsearch

Rebels claim pipeline attack in Nigeria

March 19, 2010

Lagos Nigeria- In oil-rich Nigeria, a group of rebels say they have set off an explosion at an oil pipeline in the southern region of the country.

However, Shell did not confirm or deny this claim, although they said they were aware that the explosion had taken place.

Other rebel groups in the past have succeeded in blowing up pipelines.

These poverty-stricken areas that produce the oil do not economically benefit themselves from this oil production.

MY REACTION: Even though these communities do not get a fair amount of money from this oil production, I still think it is wrong for people to blow up oil pipelines. This article made me want to learn more about oil that is produced in areas of poverty and the effect on the people there.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/03/15/nigeria.mend.attack/index.html

In search of world's rarest and most endangered gorilla

February 25, 2010

Two countries, 300 gorillas, and very little time.

There are thought to be only 300 Cross River gorillas total in Cameroon and Nigeria, making this specific type of gorilla the most rare and most endangered of its kind. In Nigeria's last rain forest, in the Mbe mountains, there are thought to be only 30 Cross River gorillas left. This article focuses on issues surrounding these remaining gorillas in the Mbe Mountains.

The gorillas are endangered because of poachers, who will kill the gorillas and sell the meat at local bush markets. Because the population of people in Nigeria is increasing, so is the need for food. Nigeria's government has shown bitter apathy towards this particular issue, and have not been giving local communities the conservation support they promised.

Nine local communities close to the Mbe mountains have been conducting meetings on how to protect the endangered gorillas and stop the poachers.

MY REACTION: I think that it is sad that these animals are being killed. I also think that it is sad that people are hungry and need to eat endangered animals. I personally think that the government needs to step up and get wildlife people to help stop the poachers and also get food to people that need it.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/02/25/cross.river.gorrilla/index.html

Nigeria announces 2010 World Cup squad

Monday,
May 10, 2010

The Super Eagles squad was named by coach Lars Lagerback in the capital, Abuja on monday. Victor Anichebe has been recalled along with with John Utaka, who is the Portsmouth forward who was left out of the Nations cup. Lukman Haruna, the under-17 World Cup-winning captain in 2007 also made the cut.

This is Lagerback's first Nigerian squad since taking over from Shaibu Amodu, who was defeated after leading to third place at the Nations Cup in Angola in January.

Nigeria plays Argentina, Greece, and South Korea in group B of the World Cup. Goal keeper Akpan Bassey and defender Terna Suswan are named in the squad, which will delight fans who had called for the inclusion of some players from the 2010 West African Cup team. The two players are locally-based.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8672850.stm

The squad includes...

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba, Austin Ejide, Bassey Akpan.

Defenders: Taye Taiwo, Elderson Echiejile, Chidi Odiah, Onyekachi Apam, Joseph Yobo, Daniel Shittu, Ayodele Adeleye, Rabiu Afolabi, Terna Suswan.

Midfielders: Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi, John Utaka, Brown Ideye, Peter Utaka, Kalu Uche, Dickson Etuhu, John Mikel Obi, Sani Kaita, Haruna Lukman, Yusuf Ayila, Osaze Odemwingie.

Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Victor Anichebe, Nwankwo Kanu, Obafemi Martins, Ikechukwu Uche, Victor Obinna Nsofor.

MY REACTION: Cool. I dont play soccer but i like watching it, thus my reason picking this article.

Nigerian Presidant Yar'Adua has died

May 6, 2010







Lagos, Nigeria- Nigeria's ailing president Umaru Yar'Adua Died Wednesday at the age of 58. Yar'Adua had not been seen by public since November after hewent to Saudi Arabia for treatment of an inflammation of tissue around his heart. He was diagnosed with a condition called acute pericarditis last fall, when he complained of chest pains.

Vice President Goodluck Jonathan has served as the country's acting leader since Yar'Adua fell ill. Yar'Adua took office in 2007 in an election mired in controversy and accusations of vote-rigging. The president softspoken and unassuming figure who did not bask in the media spotlight like past leaders of the West African nation, pledged to fight to improve the country of 150 million people dispite the accusations.

President Barack Obama issued a statement late Wdnesday expressing his condolences to Yar'Adua's family and the Nigerian people.

Yar'Adua was a former chemistry teacher and was married twice, he has nine children.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/05/05/nigeria.president.dead/index.html

163 arrested in Nigerian massacre

April 14, 2010

Lagos, Nigeria- More than 160 people have been arrested in connection with the massacre that happen last month. Of the 163 people arrested, 41 will be charged with homicide, spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu said. The other 122 will be charged with rioting, arson and possesion of firearms, he added. More than 200 people died in the March 7th massacre, according an estimate.

They took place in predominately Christian towns near the city of Jos, where about 150 people, mostly Muslim, were reported killed in January. The religion is on a faith-based fault line between the Muslim-dominated north and the mainly Christian south.

Human Rights Watch said the violent attacks by Muslims with guns, machetes and knives were related to the previous attacks against Islamic communities and theft of cattle from herdsmen. The violence has put much of Africa's oil-rich and most popullous nation, Nigeria, on edge. Authorities took an unusual step of assurance, by sending text messages to residatns earlier in the month to try to put them at ease. The violence often shifts Chritians and Muslims against each other. But John Onaiyekan, a Roman Catholic archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria, and former Nigerian Presidant Olusegun Obasanjo have both said that the violence is fuled more by other factors such as ethnic, social. and economic problems.

MY REACTION: My reaction to this is that im glad that the Law over there is taking action and making some sort of dent in the situation. My only worry is if they have all the people responsible and that they made no false accusations when arresting people. The day that the massacre happened, is the day that my brother returned home (U.S.) from Lagos Nigeria after working on a water project. It was a little scary for me knowing he was just there 24 hours ago.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/03/22/nigeria.violence.arrests/index.html?iref=allsearch