AFRIMA reveals nominees for 2015

The President of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Mr Mike Dada, on Friday in Lagos revealed some of the nominees for this year’s edition of the awards.
Dada who was flanked by some jury members of AFRIMA, announced the nominees at a forum with entertainment reporters.
Among the nominees for the Best Female Artist in Central Africa were Betty Akna (Equatorial Guinea), Laurette La Perle (DRC Congo) and a trio of Cameroonians—Charlotte Dipanda, Mani Bella and Missy BK.
Contesting for the Best Female Artist in Eastern Africa were Alsarah and the Nubatones (Sudan), Helen Berhe (Ethiopia), Lilian Mbabazi (Uganda), Linah (Tanzania, Suzanna Owiyo (Kenya) and Tsedenia (Ethiopia).
In the Best Male Artist in Eastern Africa category were Alikiba and Diamond Platnumz both from Tanzania, Jaguar (Kenya), Jose
Chameleone (Uganda), Kidum and Boda Boda Band (Burundi) and Teddy Afro (Ethiopia).
For the Best Female Artist in Northern Africa category were Cheba Sabrine and Souad Massi, who are both from Algeria with Egyptians Jannat and Samira Said alongside Manal of Morocco.
The nominees for the Best Male Artist in Northern Africa were Ahmed Soultan and Wiyaala, Aziz Sahmaoui, Don Bigg, Monsif Jilali and Simo Lagnawi, all from Morocco, with Amr Diab from Egypt.
Nominated for the Best Female Artist in Southern Africa catgory were three South Africans—Bucie, Busiswa, DJ Buckz and Uhuru, and Kelly Khumalo; Kutsvaga Mari (Zimbabwe) and two Angolans Anna Joyce and Celma Ribas.
Among the Best Male Artist in Southern Africa nominees were four South Africans—Beatenberg, Cassper Nyovest, DJ Drama and Anatii; Jeremy Loops and Motheo Moleko; and KO together with two Angolans—Djeff Afrozila, Yuri da Cunha and Bzb and Explosao.
Nominated for the Best Female Artist in West Africa were Ghanaians—Efya and Wiyaala along with four Nigerians—Niyola, Ruby Gyang, Sheyi Shay and Yemi Alade.
The nominees for Best Male Artist in West Africa were five Nigerians Brymo, Davido and Meek Mill, Flavour, Olamide and Wizkid alongside Sarkodie and Castro of Ghana.
For the Album of the Year were Wizkid, P-Square, Yemi Alade, Brymo and Flavour of Nigeria; two Cameroonians—Charlotte Dipanda and Mami Bella; Alikiba of Tanzania; Alsarah and the Nubatones from Sudan and Wiyaala from Ghana.
Nominated for the Song of the Year were Davido and Meek Mill, Yemi Alade, Wizkid and P-Square from Nigeria; Sakordie and Castro from Ghana; Charlotte Dipanda from Cameroon; DJ Jose Chameleone from Uganda and two Tanzanians—Alikiba and Diamond Platnumz.
The Artist of the Year nominees were Yemi Alade, Wizkid, Olamide, Flavour and Davido from Nigeria; Alikiba and Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania; Charlotte Dipanda from Cameroon; Dr Jose Chameleone from Uganda and Sarkodie from Ghana.
Dada announced that the other nominees would be announced in due course while the awards ceremony would hold on Nov. 15 in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that this is the second edition of AFRIMA.
This year’s edition of the awards is in partnership with the African Union Commission, ONE Campaign and Africa 2.0.

Ebola outbreak could end in 2015, but fight isn’t over – UN

Margaret Chan, Director General of WHO

A senior official of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Margaret Chan, said on Friday that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa could be stopped at the end of 2015.
Chan, who stated this in New York while briefing the UN Security Council, said that in spite of the projection, the international community needed to continue the fight against the epidemic.
She remarked that the strong international response to the outbreak of the disease in 2014 put Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone – countries worst hit by it – on a path to ending the epidemic.
“If the current intensity of case detection and contact tracing is sustained, the virus can be soundly defeated by the end of this year, that means going to zero and staying at zero,’’ she said.
Chan cautioned against easing the vigilance on eradicating Ebola.
“All it takes is a single undetected case in a health facility, one infected contact fleeing the monitoring system, or one unsafe burial to ignite a flare-up of cases,’’ she added.
The outbreak, which began in March, 2014 and has been the largest since the Ebola virus was discovered in 1976, has infected no fewer than 28,000 people, killing more than 11,000.

Nigerian exposes Africans in UK on Soundcity Documentary

Labi Odebunmi, a young British-Nigerian filmmaker, is set to premiere in Nigeria a breezy documentary that will educate Nigerians back home about the rise and dominance of Nigerian culture in the United kingdom.
Premiering on Soundcity, an urban lifestyle channel, at 3pm on Saturday, 15 August, the special documentary will debut with a focus on Moelogo, a British-Nigeria music star and first Afrobeat artiste to sign a recording deal with Island Records, one of the world’s most legendary record labels.
Island Records is part of the Universal Music Group, the world’s largest record label group and the home of greats such as Bob Marley and Amy Winehouse.
The documentary will cover Moelogo’s moment in June 2014 at the Island Records’ headquarters in London when he signed the recording deal. It will also include an interview segment with emphasis on his background, his music career, his day-to-day itinerary with the production crew, his video shoot and personal experience on the rise of African culture in terms of music in the UK.

Labi

According to the London-based director, the documentary will expose some of the cultural realities about Nigerians abroad through the personalities he will feature on the programme.
“I want to give average Nigerians who may not have the opportunity to fly to London to have the feel of the society and appreciate the cultural realities being imbibed by most Nigerians in the Diaspora,” Labi explained.
He noted that while a lot of Nigerians at home are looking at UK and America for inspiration, many of their peers abroad are having a reawakening and looking at home for cultural education and copy the cultural values.
“We have got to that stage in the UK where white folks including those at West End now dance to Nigerian music at their clubs and even play our Afrobeat songs on their radio stations. The other day, Wizkid’s ‘Ojuelegba’ was played on the influential Capital FM and everybody could feel the vibe. This is because of the Nigerian culture which gives originality to the genre of music they play,” he added.
The young upcoming filmmaker disclosed that he has listed a number of African achievers that will also be featured very soon on the programme to tell their stories.
Labi is the son of ace broadcaster and owner of popular Obalende Suya London, Tokunbo Odebunmi. A first class graduate of Film and Television from the University of Hartfordshire, he has been creating visuals in film, music video and other productions.

Buhari gives us hope for rescue of Chibok girls – BringBackOurGirls group

Oby Ezekwesili addressing the audience during a meeting between BringBackOurGirls campaigners and President Muhammadu Buhari

The #BringBackOurGirls group, a movement which has been campaigning for the release of hundreds of girls kidnapped from Chibok, Borno state by Islamist sect, Boko Haram, said on Tuesday that its confidence has been boosted on the eventual release of the abducted girls by some pragmatic steps being taken by the Muhammadu Buhari administration recently.
The group which said this during the unveiling of series of activities it intended to carry out to mark 500 days in captivity of the Chibok girls said the hopes and confidence of its members have been rekindled and they are assured that sooner than later the girls shall return, especially with the president’s December 2015 deadline to the military to defeat Boko Haram and so on.
The group however said even though it is ever hopeful and expectant of the rescue of the girls, it will organize a Global Week of Action to commemorate the tragedy of their abduction.
“This week of events is to remind the world that our 219 #ChibokGirls are still in captivity and not yet back 500 days on, and for everyone to call on their governments to do something to help bring them back. Not only governments, everyone can do something however little, to keep their tragedy of their abduction alive and to keep the hope that we can have them back.

Kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls

“During this special Global Week of Action, in Abuja there will be a diversity of activities and events like, Asr Prayers this Friday at the Unity Fountain our usual meeting venue, as well as a special prayer service at the same venue on Sunday. Tree planting, an engagement with the UN secretary general at the Unity Fountain, march by #ChibokGirls Ambassadors, and so forth,” the group said in a statement signed by its two coordinators, Oby Ezekwesili and Hadiza Bala Usman read out to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
The group said the Friday, 21 August 2015 will mark the beginning of our Global Week of Action #GWA, themed, “500 Days On, Chibok Girls — Crying To Be Rescued, Never To Be Forgotten.” The group encouraged Nigerians on social media to use the hashtags #GWA #500DaysOn #ChibokGirls #CryingToBeRescued #NeverToBeForgotten #BringBackOurGirls to commemorate the Global Week of Action.
The group enjoined everyone on Thursday, 27 August 2015 which is Day 500 of the abducted of the girls, wear red, or at least a touch of red in the memory and honour of our #ChibokGirls.
“We also solicit that you carry out any activity or activities that suit your convenience, for this purpose. It could be a march, candle light vigil, tying a red ribbon, delivering letters to elected representatives, etc. Also, be kind to remember sharing images of the events using the hashtags.
“We must all continue to lend our voices to call for their rescue. We find their continued captivity extremely disturbing.
“Wherever you may be around the world, we urge you to join us in voicing out that our innocent #ChibokGirls (who are global citizens) are Crying to be Rescued, that the world must ensure that they are Never to be Forgotten. We cannot afford to move on without a positive closure on this monumental tragedy that befell young women who went to school to be educated, and us all,” the group said.

Edo will give priority to Girl-child education – Iara Oshiomhole

Mrs Iara Oshiomhole, (middle) carries a baby (Girls Guide member) and with them is Hon Elizabeth Ativie, member Edo State House of Assembly at the National Camp of the Nigerian Girls Guide Association

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Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Mrs Iara Oshiomhole, (middle) carries a baby (Girls Guide member) and with them is Hon Elizabeth Ativie, member Edo State House of Assembly at the National Camp of the Nigerian Girls Guide Association

Wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, has assured that the state government would always give priority to the girl-child education as educating the girl child is akin to educating the nation.
Mrs. Oshiomhole gave the assurance on Tuesday in Benin during her first public function as First Lady of the State at the 2015 edition of the Nigerian Girls Guide Association National Camp Meeting.
“Edo State is a strong believer in the training of the youth, especially the girl child and we believe strongly that whenever you educate a girl, you educate the family and you have educated the nation.
“I want to thank you for what you are doing here and I urge you to keep it up. I am very happy to be here in your midst today. I have heard a lot about the Girls Guide Association and I came here today to see what you have been doing and I am pleased with what I have seen here today,” Mrs. Oshiomhole said.

Iara Oshiomhole decorated as Patron of the Nigerian Girls Guide Association, Edo State Chapter by Mrs Maria Gorretti-Sule, Chief Commissioner of the Association at the National Camp of the Nigerian Girls Guide Association

Earlier in her address of welcome, the Chief Commissioner, Nigerian Girls Guide Association, Mrs. Maria Goretti-Sule, thanked Mrs. Oshiomhole for her presence at the camp, adding that her presence in their midst would greatly boost the association. She appealed to her to carry the wives of the local government chairmen along in ensuring that rural dwellers benefit from the activities and training of the Girls Guide in their various localities.
Mrs. Goretti-Sule also used the opportunity to appreciate the state government for its support and assistance to the Girls Guide over the years. She however requesting for government’s assistance in introducing Girls Guide into the schools so as to help ‘catch them young’ and inculcate the lofty tenets of the association in the girl child.
Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole was later invested as the Patron, Nigerian Girls Guide Association, Edo State Chapter.

Buhari will get weekly report on NNPC, says Kachikwu

Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, NNPC GMD

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has stated his resolve to usher in a new dawn of transparency through the periodic publications of the Corporation’s financial transaction insisting that transparency must be the watchword of every staff in the new NNPC.
Dr. Kachikwu who stated this at his maiden Town Hall meeting with the staff of the Corporation at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, said the new NNPC of his dream is a Corporation anchored on the foundation of transparency.
“I want transparency. Beginning from next month, I want to be able to publish what the company makes. I have told the President that as from next week I will be sending him weekly reports,” he said.
Charging the staff to break away from the old culture and bring creative solutions to the numerous challenges facing the Corporation, the GMD said with the kind of change he has in mind workers cannot afford to continue with business as usual.
He challenged workers disobey any directive from him or any superior officer that runs contrary to the rules, adding that, President Muhammadu Buhari will not ask him to do anything shady just as he himself would not ask any staff to carry out any unlawful duty.
Speaking further on the culture of transparency, he said it should begin by establishing the current financial status of the Corporation and that he would sign up auditors “to do a proper forensic audit to tell us where we are.”

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria

He promised to revisit old processes that used to make for efficient operations, adding that staff should see themselves the drivers of the changes required to bring about the new NNPC.
“You are the best consultants there are. While there may be need to refer certain issues to consultants, ultimately you are the ones who will implement whatever recommendations they come up with; you are the ones who have been around and who understand the system and so you are the ones who should drive the change,” he charged the staff.
He said the change would be anchored on three key issues of people, processes, and profit, adding that the people element was key to the success of the other two elements which was the reason personnel motivation was dear to his heart.
He dismissed reports that he was out to sack 1000 staff and that nothing could be farther from the truth as he needed quality staff to drive the processes and business in the new NNPC.
Speaking on behalf of members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, PENGASSAN Comrade Francis Johnson pledged the readiness of NNPC staff with the GMD to achieve the Federal Government’s reform agenda for the Corporation and the oil and gas industry at large.
Echoing the position of the PENGASSAN President, Comrade Igwe Achese, President of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, said that as a group, the union has implicit confidence in the ability of the new GMD to deliver on President Buhari’s reform agenda in the oil and gas industry.

Buhari calls for comprehensive report on sale of NITEL print

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has demanded for a comprehensive report on sale of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), and Nigerian Mobile Telecommunication (Mtel), from the Ministry of Communications Technology.
The President made the request after briefing by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Tunji Olaopa in Abuja on Tuesday.
NAN recalls that the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), at its meeting of February 27, 2012, approved the privatisation of NITEL and Mtel through “guided liquidation”.
The meeting was presided over by former Vice-President Namadi Sambo.
The preferred bidder of NITEL/Mtel, NATCOM Consortium, on April 2, 2015, completed the payment of the telecommunications assets for 252 million dollars.
Buhari, however, said he was concerned by the continuing protests by former NITEL/Mtel employees and other Nigerians over the manner in which assets of the company were sold.
The president challenged the ministry to work harder to fully develop the revenue-generation potential of Nigeria’s information technology sector.
He also directed the ministry to bring forward for his consideration and approval, all pending proposals for the development of the country’s IT sector which required the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“Where you don’t need EXCO approval and you are not in breach of the law and will not lose money, you can go ahead.
“Now that oil costs less and we are contending with its theft, we have to move to areas where we can realize revenue quickly,” he said.
Buhari welcomed the plan by the ministry to use post offices across the country for IT and financial transactions especially in the rural communities, saying that he was happy to hear that “we are recovering the post offices from rats and rodents.”
The ministry’s presentation dwelled heavily on the potential of the IT sector in boosting the nation’s economy.
According to the permanent secretary, the sector contributes 10 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, but could grow to 20 per cent if some proposals by the ministry are approved and implemented.

Over 60 Die in Yobe as Boko Haram Launches Fresh Attacks

Over 60 people have been killed by Boko Haram in Yobe State in fresh attacks.

The terrorists attacked Kukuwa – Gari in Gulani Local Government Area of the state, Punch reports.

Spokesman for the Yobe State Police Command, Toyin Gbadegesin, confirmed the attack. However, he was unable to confirm the casualty figure.

“I can confirm that there was an attack at Kukuwa village and the police and other security operatives were able to repel the Boko Haram attackers. We are not aware of the high death toll,” he said.

Abubakar Aliyu, a member of a local vigilance group in the area told newsmen that over 60 people died.

“Most of the villagers were drowned in the river which was flooded by the downpour while others were shot dead by the terrorists. The terrorists invaded Kukuwa-Gari village and its environs on motorcycles and trucks and started shooting at every possible target.

Some of us in the local vigilance group and some security officials could not withstand the Boko Haram terrorists’ firepower as they were over 50 and were heavily armed.

I was able to hide in the bush for two days, when I came out, many dead bodies which is far more than 60 were seen close to the river bank. Most of us could not communicate with people in Damaturu, the state capital, because telecommunication masks have been blown off by the insurgents,” he said.

Manchester United 3-1 Club Bruges PLAYER RATINGS: Memphis Depay proves his worth but Wayne Rooney still well short of his best

Memphis Depay's double and a late bonus goal from Marouane Fellaini put Manchester United in the driver's seat ahead of their Champions League's qualifying return leg against Club Bruges.

After Michael Carrick inadvertently turned a Club Bruges' free-kick past Sergio Romero and into their own net, Dutchman Depay showed why United shelled out £31million for his services. 

First he brought down a sharp Carrick pass on his chest with a classy piece of skill before dancing through the penalty area for his first and then cut in from the left and onto his right for a sublime second.

Fellaini, on for Wayne Rooney, then delivered a trademark header at the far post to give United a two-goal buffer before they head to Belgium next week. 

Sportsmail's Chris Wheeler was at Old Trafford to rate all the players' performances.  

+11

Memphis Depay delivered a double and proved his credentials as Manchester United's new star 

Louis van Gaal wants to kiss Memphis after two-goal performance

 

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1-)

Sergio Romero 6 

No fault of his that he couldn’t keep a third clean sheet in a row, but was fortunate to escape with a free kick when he dithered over a clearance 

+11

Sergio Romero is helpless as Michael Carrick turns a Club Bruges' free-kick into the back of the net

Matteo Darmian 6 

The Italian continues to impress after his arrival from Torino. Only blot was being booked for obstruction

Chris Smalling 7 

Another commanding performance, sensing any danger and snuffing it out. Never gave his opponents a moment to settle on the ball 

+11

Matteo Darmian beats Claudemir as the Italian delivers another impressive performance for Louis van Gaal

+11

Chris Smalling, here brushing off Abdoulay Diaby, was commanding at the back for United 

Daley Blind 6.5 

Still looking like he’s played centre-back all his career. Another assured, unruffled showing from the adaptable Dutchman

Luke Shaw 7 

Kept Vormer in check easily enough but had more of a challenge against Dierckx when he dropped into a wider role 

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Luke Shaw (right) has more of a challenge when Tuur Dierckx (left) moved wider but dealt with Ruud Vormer

Michael Carrick 5.5

Unfortunate with the own-goal after he reacted to a slight nick of Januzaj by sticking out a leg. Replaced by Schweinsteiger at half-time

Morgan Schneiderlin 6.5

Another dominant display from the Frenchman who has integrated seamlessly into Van Gaal’s team 

Juan Mata 6.5  

Drifted in from the right whenever possible to good effect. Clearly prefers a more influential central role

+11

Juan Mata sought out central positions, which he clearly prefers, and when he did so he made inroads

Memphis Depay 8 

Great skill and finish for United’s first goal, wonderful execution for the second. Now that’s why they paid £31m. 

Adnan Januzaj 6 

Had a lively start following his match-winning display at Villa but faded after half-time and was replaced by Hernandez

Wayne Rooney 5.5 

Slight improvement. Offered more of a threat and good link-up play but still well short of the Rooney of old 

+11

Wayne Rooney still wasn't at his lethal finest but showed improvement and linked up well with fellow forwards

Subs: Johnstone, Hernandez (for Januzaj 72, 6), Young, Herrera, Valencia, Fellaini, Schweinsteiger (for Carrick 46, 6)

Scorer: Depay 13, 43

Booked: Darmian 

 

CLUB BRUGES (4-1-3-2)

Sebastien Bruzzese 6 

Had little chance with either of Depay’s goals but produced a fine save early in the second half to deny him a hat-trick

Dion Cools 4.5 

Lost his duel with Depay hands down as the United match-winner easily tricked his way past him for both his goals

+11

Dion Cools was the unlucky one to have had to deal with Memphis and lost the battle hands down

Brandon Mechele 5 

Dominant in the air and marshalled defence well but silly challenge on Hernandez brought him a second yellow card

Oscar Duarte 6.5 

Perhaps a little fortunate to get away with a nudge on Januzaj in the first half, but got in great block on Schweinsteiger in the second

+11

Bruges' Oscar Duarte (left) struggles to keep Adnan Januzaj during his side's defeat at Old Trafford

Laurens De Bock 6 

Had a happier night than Cools on the right, holding United at bay down his flank

Timmy Simons 6 

Bruges’ 38-year-old skipper battled manfully to shield his back-four but his right hamstring gave out on him five minutes before the break

+11

Brandon Mechele marshalled the Bruges defence but was sent off after a silly challenge for his second yellow

Ruud Vormer 5.5 

Struggled against Shaw in a wide role and made little more impression when he moved inside

Victor Vazquez 7 

The Bruges danger man was involved in the majority of their best moments, including taking the freekick that led to Carrick’s own-goal

Boli Bolingoli Mbombo 6.5 

The cousin of Everton’s Romelu Lukaku was a real handful for Darmian down the United right

+11

Boli Bolingoli Mbombo, Romelu Lukaku's cousin, caused problems for United down the right all night

Abdoulay Diaby 5.5 

Found himself isolated against the United defence for long periods and struggled to make an impression

Tuur Dierckx 6.5 

Brought a greater threat to Bruges on the right flank but still found it hard to get any change out of Shaw

Subs: Sinan Bolat, De Fauw, Castelletto, Claudemir (for Simons 40, 6), De Sutter, Vanaken (for Vazquez 78, 6), Oulare (for Diaby 56, 6)

Scorer: Carrick og 8

Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) 7

STAR MAN: Memphis Depay

Louis van Gaal: Danger ahead as Brugge are difficult to beat

Kylie Jenner is Launching a Lip Kit!

It was only a matter of time, and now the beauty gods are smiling down on its industry with some fab news. Kylie Jenner is launching her own Lip Kit.

After she admitted to using lip injections to get a fuller pout, the reality TV star is however still buying the idea that lip products can give you a larger and more luxe lip. She shared the news with over 33 million people via Instagram with a photo which shows her rocking a chocolate brown lip. She captioned the photo – “Brown Lips #KylieLipKit stay tuned“. Okay Kylie.

Keep it locked on BellaNaija beauty news on the Kit.