It is being held in Ghana (as most of you know) and we lost today's match to Cote d'Ivoire. But we are playing against Mali on Friday this week and against Benin Republic next Tuesday so all hope is not lost. The official website is http://www.ghanacan2008.com/
You can also watch matches and highlights at http://www.ghana2008.tv/. Also check out All Soccer Africa for African soccer lovers, fixtures, team analysis and fantasy soccer.
The Niger Delta
Everybody has heard or read about the conflicts and issues in the Niger Delta region including militants, gunmen and kidnappings. It is so bad that now Nigerians even joke about how much the ransom could be for their Non-Nigerian friends if they were kidnapped! Of course this is meant to be light hearted humour but from a serious point of view, we have never been a terrorist country per se and that is what Nigeria is becoming. Such stories put expats off Nigeria.
The following video (watch here) shows residents of Port Harcourt walking on the streets with their arms raised as ordered by the Security Forces - this was back in August.
Let me know your thoughts and opinions on this. For anyone who lives in PH or is aware of the situation, what is the update there these days?
Anyway, I really wanted to focus on George Clooney in The Niger Delta. Read story here
Videobytes
i) Aries Spears - Very talented. If you ain't heard of him, you are a slacker! See video below. Also visit his website and myspace.
ii) Enough with the African/Naija Remixes Already! African Rendition of Kiss Kiss - see below
(NEW!)Self Help Section - Getting over jealousy
I'm sure everyone has had the feeling of jealousy at some point or the other, some more than others, some very frequently. I don't think anyone is immune to jealousy i.e. not able to get jealous but there are people who choose not to be. I think any emotion we feel is a choice we make in our minds and psyche and as it is a new year, I urge you to read the following article on getting over jealousy.
Bride To Be?
I always like my blog to have something for everyone. The Brides Noir magazine is quite nice and I thought I'd better feature it. Brides Noir (meaning Black Brides) features useful websites, pictures, ideas, information and advice for prospective brides hehe :o) You can also flick through the e-magazine - http://www.bridesnoir.com/
A lot of you have heard about the goings on at EFCC i.e. Ribadu being sent on "study-leave"....in other words, ejected.
I have a diary/account of the happenings from before his ejection to date in the form of stories from different newspapers (see below). What are your thoughts of Ribadu's "study-leave" and what does the future hold for corruption in Nigeria?
I started writing this on the 1st of January but could not complete it that day couldn't find the time to sit for an hour to blog so saved it. Bloggers and their excuses - anyway I'm back! I'm sure you all agree I deserved that holiday. Exactly a month - wow!
Happy New Year to all - may this be your year of good things/your calling and purposefulness and unmerited favour. May you all find what you are looking for as long as it in line with God's will - AMEN.
As usual, the festive season is always packed with loads of events in Naija. I mentioned a few before I went on my blogger sabbatical. Nigeria saw the likes of Lil Kim, Kanye, Akon (for the millionth time) and many more. There were several other events I did not have time to mention and I will talk about them briefly - as per usual. Once again - a happy new year to all and hope you enjoyed your holidays.
Round-up of Events:
i) Starville concert (15th Dec)
The Starville concert @ the ThisDay Center rocked! It featured Lil Kim, Amerie, D'Banj, Naeto C, Weird MC, Banky Wellington, Brick and Lace (with their single "Love is Wicked" - Naija hit) and a few others. Some pics below (click to enlarge):
LIL' WAYNE UNFORTUNATELY COULDN'T MAKE IT :(
ii) Star Mega Jam (14th Dec)
The star mega jam apparently went down well on the 14th of December. Didn't hear much about that other than that they made T-Pain and Kanye say Shine Shine Bobo! That would have been a laugh and a half.
iii) Rhythm Unplugged (21st Dec)
This was held at Federal Palace and apparently did not start early - So, What's New?
Apparently Basketmouth's jokes were so dry and out-dated that he got Boo'd. OUCH! A Champ is humbled. More info about this at Chakam's Corner
I hope his event at Fantasyland (The Good, The Bad, The Ugly) on Christmas day turned out to be a lot better than what he went through at Rhythm Unplugged. Generally, I think the show turned out okay - from what I heard.
iv) Akon in Lagos
Akon returned to Naija (for the millionth time) for yet another concert performing alongside the likes of Tuface, Olu Maintain and D'banj. That guy needs to go and perform in Senegal jare - we've had too much of him here (hehe). No review on that but if anyone went for it, give us a shout.
v) Sasha - Album Release
The first lady has finally released her album and even had an album release party on Thursday the 20th of December at Bacchus (which I heard was packed). She has a hit single on the album "Adara"
If you are nice and leave a comment, I will feature two singles for grabs in my next post - (Love is wicked and Adara). So I want to see how many comments I will get on this post (hehehe)
I'll update you more later. For now, those in Lagos can now enjoy live stage drama every Sunday at Terra Kulture (see Laspapi's blog). I think that is fantastic! See below:
Tis the season to be jolly - that is why my VideoBytes this month will come in threes - as per Christmas pressies now. Call it "Celebrating Big Things outside Nig" LOL.
First Video - Nwantiti (U Drive Me Crazy) by Komo
Interesting Video.... (love the beat)
Second Video - Blak J*sus is Back with a PREMIUM RENDITION titled Omo Alata.
Featuring Iceberg Slim (Naija's own)
Third Video - Naughty Girl by Zaina (feat. Zara)
Funny enough this her flyer was in my blog folder for months, I didn't find any reason to blog about her (see myspace). Now I do - check out her Naija Party Scene and Naughty Girl Video. I love the Zara rap bit.
Okay so what do you think about these 3 artistes? Give me your feedback xx
Farafina are going to have my head because I put this up too late! I meant to put it up yesterday but hey, thankfully the tour is on for 3 different dates from tomorrow. :o)
Farafina is pleased to announce the release of its latest bookThe Phoenix by Chika Unigwe.
(click to enlarge)
Chika Unigwe is an Afro-Belgian writer of Nigerian origin. She is the author of fiction, poetry, articles and educational material. The Phoenix is her first full length novel. It was originally published in Dutch.Chika Unigwe was born in Enugu, Nigeria, and now lives in Turnhout, Belgium, with her husband and four children.She holds a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and an MA from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. She also holds a PhD from the University of Leiden, The Netherlands, having completed a thesis entitled "In the shadow of Ala. Igbo women writing as an act of righting" in 2004.
The Phoenix Book Reading Tour will be at the following venues on the following dates:
Jazzhole (8th December)
Quintessence (14th December)
Bookworm (15th December)
See Flyer (above) for more details.
Secondly, I've got a videobyte for you - Guess Who is in the new iPod Video?
Her New Album (which has apparently leaked all over the internet) will be out on the 18th of December titled - Growing Pains. My gurl Mary has done it again! :o)
FREEBIE - The Julie Video is finally here! As soon as I can upload it, I will do so but you can watch it on facebook -here [just scroll down]
For those who don't know, Julie is a new popular club-banger (well okay maybe in Bacchus sha) by Shank (Nigerian R&B-Reggae/Dance Hall Rapper).
For a little tease/sneak peek, here are some pics from the video shoot. Click to Enlarge - I suppose the vid was shot at Piccolomondo:
Dear Readers, do not be puzzled by the title - it is not what it seems.
As we are in the month of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, this calls for celebration. Every post I will put up this month will be celebrating one thing or the other and it is worth participating and joining me to do this.
December 1st was World Aids Day but due to the hustle and bustle in the life of Mona, I was unable to blog that day. This however does not stop me from blogging about it and reaching out. Celebrating World Aids/HIV means celebrating the increased awareness, increase in treatment and prevention of HIV and Aids. Please read this post and be more aware. Thanks xx
Looking closely at HIV in Africa - Nigeria in particular:
Among approximately 130 million citizens, at least four million adults live with HIV/AIDS. Recent studies reveal an alarming rate of increase in cases of HIV infection among children, 90 percent of which is due to mother-to-child transmission. Because so many people carry the virus, Nigeria stands at a vulnerable intersection, facing a much larger AIDS epidemic: recent studies indicate that as many as 15 million Nigerians will be HIV positive by 2010 unless urgent action takes place now.
I really don't need to say much or give a long lecture. A lot of us know the facts, are aware and know how to prevent, test or treat other people who are victims thanks to lack of ignorance. However, there are millions more who are totally unaware of the causes, prevention, etc. Take England for instance, still 1 in 5 youths between 15 and 49 do not know that it can be contacted through sexual contact. This is a country where the population is a lot more literate than many African countries (no offence) so I imagine there are hundreds of thousands who are still very ignorant about HIV/Aids.
Worse, still there are so many Africans/Nigerians who treat HIV positive and/or Aids victims inappropriately. These are human beings living with a sickness (not necessarily minor) but it is due to our lack of education that makes us treat people as such and for others, it is a general fear, uncertainty and lack of accurate information.
(To read articles, click to enlarge)
Betty Irabor, for instance, publicly apologised after writing an article in Genevieve Magazine that made her appear extremely ignorant about HIV positive mother - Yinka Jegede Ekpe. A lot of readers were offended. See her apology on Bella's blog.
World Aids Day encourages awareness and support from everyone to fight the war against Aids and HIV.
Companies such as Shell Nigeria and Total ensure their employees are made aware and have made commitments to enforce this in the workplace.
JoinRed -By supporting joinred.com provides an HIV/Aids victim with 2 pills a day: you are providing an HIV patient in Africa with the medicine they need to return to health. This transformation occutrs after about the first 60 days of a 2-pill a day treatment regimen.
Supporters include -Gap Clothing [www.gap.com/red];Converse Footwear[www.makeminered.com];Apple iPod[www.apple.com/ipod/red];Hallmark Cards[www.hallmark.com/red];Motorola[www.motorola.com/red];American Express (UK Only [www.americanexpressred.co.uk];Emporio Armani[www.emporioarmaniproductred.com]
By buying any of the products listed in the above websites, you are providing 2 pills a day. However, more can still be done:
Support HIV/Aids organisations in Nigeria - visit NigeriaHivInfo.com
(ii) Educate others - if you are AIDS aware, find a way to pass the message on, even to younger ones.
(iii) Practise safe sex - abstinence is the best option but if you are going to do it, use a condom to prevent HIV/Aids through sexual contact. HIV/Aids can be contacted in many other forms but this is the most prevalent mode of contact.
(iv) Get Tested - many people risk the chance of spreading this disease if they refuse to get tested out of fear or ignorance
(v) Do not discriminate against anyone you are aware of who has the virus
Celebrities like Fela Kuti and Julia Roberts are also supporting the cause, not to talk of Bono, etc.
See Femi Kuti article on Fela, the shrine, HIV/Aids and being a UNICEF Ambassador - link
Excerpt:
In July of 1997, one of Fela’s dancers-turned-wife, Alero Obutu-Kuti also lost her life to the disease. In a report of Inter Press Service filed by Remi Oyo, January 18 , 2000, Alero was admitted at the general hospital in Lagos for AIDS-related complications. “Kuti, 43, with two children, says her illness, for which there is no known cure, is worsening”. “I am afraid I am going to die.” Alero Kuti disclosed her status in November of 1999. Femi was soon to inherit the legion of Fela’s fans that continue to miss their hero dearly, and was daily proving that he is capable of continuing where daddy stopped. With his band, the Positive Force, he had established a distinct identity for himself, while still drawing largely from his father’s goodwill. He once declared to patrons “I can’t do what my father did, I can’t act like my father to support the way you are ruining your lives.” A visit to the Shrine will confirm if Femi is able to keep his words.
Please let us join the fight against HIV/Aids so we can CELEBRATE LIFE INSTEAD :o) See videos below:
After not having blogged in 6 years, even I myself am shocked and nervous about this....but hey you do as you are told. I have been led to start blogging again (on this page, strangely enough rather than on a separate 'ministry' type blog so here goes). The truth is once a blogger, always a blogger. Cheers to new directions!
A Christian Blog. Formerly Nigeria: What's On?! and Naija To The Core. All Rights Reserved for header collage. Publishing by Aramide and Tos Oshinowo
