Thursday, November 10, 2016
Van
5:45 AM
Night of media, glamour as Ekweremadu. Ikpeazu, Momoh, light up Nigerian Breweries' Golden Pen Award
The award which is the 8th in the series is aimed at promoting professionalism and objective reportage of events in Nigeria.
It is also meant to reward such journalists who abide by the fine ethics of the journalism profession.
The event attracted dignitaries from the nation’s media, political and social circles including the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Chairman, Channels Television, John Momoh among others, who came to celebrate journalists that submitted outstanding reports on Education, Youth Empowerment and Talent Development in 2015.
The night of glitz and glamour saw Tobi Aworinde of The Punch Newspaper emerged as the NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year. The first runner-up was Gbenga Salau of The Guardian Newspaper, while Charles Abah, also of The Punch emerged as the second runner-up.
The Photo Journalist of the Year award went to Sodiq Adelakun of The Punch Newspaper. Odutayo Odusanya also of The Punch emerged as the first runner-up, while Ayodele Ojo of The Sun Newspaper was the second runner-up. Gabriel Dike, an education reporter with The Sun Newspaper won the ‘NB Report of the Year’.
All the winning journalists also got cash prizes and high-end mobile devices as part of the reward package.
While welcoming guests at the event, the Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde disclosed that the award was launched eight years ago to promote professionalism and objectivity of media reports. He explained that the choice of Education, Youth Empowerment and Talent Development as the focus of this year’s edition, like in the last two years, is hinged on the fact that no country can lay claim to development and prosperity without adequate attention to the education and empowerment of the youth.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who was present at the event, praised Nigerian Breweries for sustaining the award over eight years and saluted the courage of journalists for their contribution to the nation’s development. He appealed to the media to continue to be the watchdog and gatekeeper of the nation’s democracy.
John Momoh, Chairman/CEO, Channels Television, guest speaker at the event, called for soul-searching by the media and extolled them to bridge the gap between training and practice.
Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Managing Director of Tanus Communications and Chairman of the Panel of Judges commended Nigerian Breweries for the initiative and enjoined journalists to aspire to the highest standards.
Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, disclosed that a total of 267 entries were received when submission closed for the award. He explained that the award criteria of quality, professionalism and objectivity remain the filters upon which entries were shortlisted for the award, as decided by the independent judging panel.
More photos below...
Nicolaas Vervelde , Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries and Okezie Ipeazu, Governor of Abia State at the 8th Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Award in Lagos.
This happened as Tania who was struggling to attach a mic pack to the back of her dress, failed doing so.
While desperately trying to fix the situation, she asked one of the show's female contestants for help, and while they were at it, the presenter who was not wearing a bra at the moment mistakenly had her dress skid off her chest exposing everything live.
According to reports, despite the humiliating incident, producers of the Spanish game show did not cut the scene out, but allowed it on broadcast.
However, Tania who didn’t know what to do at that moment, was forced to turn her back away from the cameras to protect her modesty as she worked off set.
More pictures below...
Van
5:43 AM
'Russia is ready to restore relations with U.S'- Putin says as he 'reaches out' to Donald Trump
Now that Donald Trump has won the U.S. presidential election, Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated him saying he hopes there'll be a fresh start in U.S.-Russia relations.
In a telegram, the Russian leader said he was confident he and Trump could start "a constructive dialogue based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and genuine consideration for each other's positions."
He also hoped that Trump would help resolve "the current crisis" in U.S.-Russian relations.
Trump during his election campaign has been a vocal admirer of Putin, saying the world will be a better place if Russia and America got along, even saying he could visit the Russian leader during his first 100 days in office.
"(Trump) spoke about resuming and restoring relations with Russia. We understand the way to that will be difficult, taking into account the current state of degradation of relations between the US and Russia," Putin told Russian state television.
"As I have repeatedly said, that is not our fault that Russia-US relations are in that state. Russia is ready and wants to restore the fully fledged relations with the US. I repeat we understand this will be difficult, but we are ready to play our part in it."
According to multiple reports, Russia watched the U.S elections closely, they even had a 24 hour election watch on State TV and even had actors play out the roles of Trump and Clinton on election day.
Van
5:42 AM
Popular Abuja club owners, Uyi Ogbebor, Ayokunle Akinbode partner to open billionaire nightclub in Abuja
Finally, Abuja is about to enjoy a moscow-like spot where crème de la crème will calm their nerves. Moscow, a tastefully and impeccably designed club located at 35, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2, is set to open any moment from now.
According to the club owners, Moscow is basically royalty. It’s a meeting point for those who seek peace, serenity and elegance.
Uyi who is also the partner owner of the Bank Club further affirmed that the establishment of different clubs in Abuja was for different purposes, saying "one of the major reasons is to serve patrons maximally and quench their unending taste for the best."
Also speaking on why it became expedient to launch Moscow, Mr Ayo Akinbode, AKA Wizzywaa, another partner owner said the quest to quench the continuous high taste of patrons in Abuja motivated the idea. He said, " We have come with a bang. We have come to teach them how to run this business and how to satisfy Abuja residents whose interests in nightlife have now been reawaken. Moscow is world-class. Like the name implies, its architectural design is royalty-like and we treat patrons as though they are kings.
"Moscow is a statement that a new era has come. It's a solution to the continuous old way of doing things. After all, who says the old way is the right way?," he avowed.
Ayo, a former General Manager in Deuces Nite Club and Aramis Nite Club, had launched Olympus lounge at Silverbird in Abuja before proceeding to launch Moscow.
Van
5:42 AM
"I command every demon to flee" - gay activist Bisi Alimi shares message Nigerian lady sent to him
Bisi Alimi-Davis, the popular UK based gay activist who wed his man in London over the weekend, shared this message that was sent to him via Instagram.
Rapper, Snoop Dog who is no stranger to weed shared a television image of the results along with the caption "I'll smoke to that".
California is one of eight states that have voted to legalise the use of marijuana for medical or recreational uses. California's vote is one of the most important moves in health and politics, it is America's most populous state with a population of 39million and has an economy bigger than that of France. Marijuana still remains prohibited under federal law.
In her memoir, we meet the real Toke Makinwa, going from bubbly child to lonely teenager after the devastating loss of both her parents and now one of Nigeria’s most successful media personalities. She also breaks her silence on the marriage scandal and how it changed her life, finding forgiveness and strengthening her faith in God. On Becoming is Toke’s journey through pain to victory.
The book goes on release on the 28th of November 2016 in bookstores across Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, United Kingdom and United States. E-Books will be available on Kindle, Amazon, OkadaBooks and others.
However in an interview with The Newsweek yesterday, Soyinka who lectures in some Universities in the US, said Nigerians should wait until when Trump assumes office to see him take a decision.
"Why don’t we wait until Trump actually takes office? I am just going about my normal commitments, but definitely not getting into any more commitments. Let’s put it that way for now,” he said. He expressed fears that Trumps victory will affect the US government's support to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram “One should expect that level of collaboration to diminish. Trump’s mentality is one of, ‘What are we doing there? What business do we have over there? I foresee Trump dismissing that kind of expectation offhand and closing in, shrinking, becoming smaller in terms of [the U.S.’s] presence in other parts of the world,” he said.
Presiding over the case in court today, Justice James Tsoho, ruled that the offence Fani-Kayode was being arraigned for was a bailable one and he granted the bail application tendered by FFK's counsel, Afedayo Adedipe.
Justice Tsoho ordered that the former Minister be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfillment of his bail condition. Justice Tsoho ruled that commencement of trial holds on December 14th.
