Etisalat Nigeria unveils Metro Fiber Network

Etisalat telecommunications company has launched its ground breaking metro fiber in Abuja. The deployment of the Abuja Metro Fiber marks another major milestone in Etisalat’s commitment to provide world class and quality internet services in Nigeria.
This has greatly increased Etisalat’s network quality, capacity and capability to support more users – both customers and SMEs and Enterprises. With the deployment of this high capacity fiber backbone, residents and users in the Abuja area can now get superior internet service with unmatched quality in the market.
“We realize our customer’s needs for fast and efficient data services and we have put forward the investment and resources necessary to provide them with the best broadband service in the country. This is a clear indication of our constant effort to care for our customers and continuously provide them with a superior experience”. Chief Commercial Officer at Etisalat Nigeria, Wael Ammar said,
“Easy blaze from Etisalat is already the leading and preferred mobile broadband service in the country and so the launch of our Abuja metro fiber means that existing customers and potential ones will be able to do more- High Definition Streaming video and audio, faster file downloads of any size, a vastly improved blackberry service and an enhanced experience on any data capable device; Smartphone, PC/Laptop or tablet. Individuals and businesses can also take advantage of this robust fiber backbone to deploy all their connectivity and productivity solutions”. Ammar continued,
Etisalat’s commitment to providing best in class mobile broadband services in Nigeria is the reason for the Abuja Metro Fiber launch, the first of many Metro City Fiber launches that will take place in 2013.
Credit: Africa Telecom and IT

Britain legalises gay marriage as Queen Elizabeth gives assent

Britain legalised gay marriage on Wednesday after Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal assent to a bill approved by lawmakers, the culture ministry said.

Same-sex couples will be able to marry from next year after Prime Minister David Cameron pushed the legislation through against the will of dozens of his own Conservative lawmakers.

Members of parliament cheered as they were told the historic bill, pushed through by Prime Minister David Cameron despite opposition within his own party, had passed into law.

The first gay weddings are expected in the middle of next year as the government is sorting out issues such as the impact on pensions.

Elizabeth II and Cameron

“This is a historic moment that will resonate in many people’s lives,” said Culture Minister Maria Miller, whose department was responsible for the bill.

“I am proud that we have made it happen, and I look forward to the first same sex wedding by next summer.”

Lawmakers in parliament’s lower House of Commons formally approved the bill on Tuesday night, a day after the upper House of Lords gave it the nod.

The queen’s assent, given in her capacity as head of state, was then announced in both chambers of parliament on Wednesday, at which point it became law.

“I have to notify the House in accordance with the Royal Assent 1967 that Her Majesty has signified her Royal Assent to the following acts… Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill,” John Bercow, the speaker of the House of Commons, told MPs.

The cheers that greeted the news belied the stormy passage that the bill had through parliament, during which many of Cameron’s Conservative lawmakers opposed it.

DIM Hosts Second Edition of Social Entrepreneurs Breakfast Session in Lagos

The Second Edition of the Breakfast session with Social Entrepreneur held at Troy Lounge hosted by Digital Interactive Media on Saturday, June 9th 2013. The breakfast session was aim at exchanging experiences and points of view how to improve bottom line result by engaging in collaborative activities based on social engagement. It is meant to be an open forum between social entrepreneurs and a content company like Digital Interactive Media. Participants from the world of branding, media, fashion and general entertainment shared their challenges and how the tools of better partnership can enhance economic growth.

The Session Headliner, Sola Fajobi, the CEO of Digital Interactive Media was represented by his Group Head, Business Development, Omoniyi Fawale who took the delegates on a Journey of the various content the brand represents from the award winning Supermom Reality TV Show, Next Movie Star, the new flagship TV Channel on StarTimes Network: V-Channel and OODUA Channel and a brand new concept that would envelop Nigerian audience on a daily television experience called Mama-BomBoy.

A representative of the yet to be launched Akugbe Social Entrepreneurs Foundation for Africa (ASEFA) Akugbe (A Benin word when translated means collaboration)  is a collation of Social Entrepreneurs who drive social innovation and transformation in various fields including education, health, environment and enterprise development. We pursue poverty alleviation goals with entrepreneurial zeal, business methods and the courage to innovate and overcome traditional practices.

Tricia Ikponmwonba in her introductory remarks gave a brief highlight of the first edition hosted by the Prince of Anthony Hotel in Anthony, where she shared the great works of social entrepreneurs in the network which includes the Charity Lounge, Stay in School NG, Youth Development Participatory Initiative, Passion House (Clean Nigeria Project), Gemstone Nation Builders Foundation, Junior Chambers International (National Representative) and the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations were the founding members of the maiden edition. She also commended DIM for hosting the 2nd edition and her quest for seeking collaboration with social entrepreneurs on their contents.  Tricia concluded her remarks on the foundation proposition to attend some major international events and to partake in a collaborative effort of owning their own version of Silicon Valley with the debut of an Innovation Apartment: A solution space for social enterprises a solution showcase of the Charity Lounge.

Olawunmi Heavens, a National Executive of the Junior Chambers International spoke about the Inaugural Launch of the Foundation and Induction of some community trendsetters into the Elite Hall of Humanitarian Fame, a quarterly benefit event hosted by the Charity Lounge and she is seeking for sponsorship as one of the Team to host a Private soiree for the newly formed group.

By this, the Akugbe Social Entrepreneurs Foundation for Africa (in view) is telling Africans to be proactive in building social enterprises and that the existence for sustainable solution showcase for Innovations is not trapped in unhealthy competitions.

GULDER INTRODUCES CLUB ULTIMATE IN PORT HARCOURT

GULDER INTRODUCES CLUB ULTIMATE IN PORT HARCOURT

 Gulder, the ultimate premium beer brand is set to thrill and reward loyal consumers across the nation with an experience of a lifetime.

The brand has concluded arrangements to introduce ‘Club Ultimate’ a flagship event in a series of new, exciting and innovative experiential campaigns to excite consumers and celebrate loyalty and friendship.

According to Onyeka Okoli, the senior brand manager, Gulder at Nigerian Breweries “The Gulder Club Ultimate idea is a virtual club idea. A ‘never been seen before’ experience to engage and excite consumers, transforming a simple strategic venue into a spectacular location for the most exciting clubbing event ever experienced in the region. Club Ultimate promises to be a special night with Gulder; a night of enchantment and memories.”

The first Club Ultimate event is scheduled for July 26, 2013 in Port Harcourt at the Aztech Arcum. The two thousand seater-capacity hall which is located at Stadium Road, Port Harcourt will be transformed into an elegant night club featuring some of the most amazing displays from entertainers around the world who will bring to life the surprise package that Gulder has in-store for guests at the event.

Gulder is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that loyal consumers in Port Harcourt are rewarded with a life changing experience at Club Ultimate. The event will also feature guest appearance from popular celebrities and music from some of the trendiest disc jockeys in the entertainment industry.

Access to the event will be through a special IV card that allows Radio Frequency Identification check-in and can automatically update the Facebook profiles of the guests.

Consumers of Gulder nationwide can be rest assured that the ‘Club Ultimate’ experience would be coming to a location near them in the coming months. The show is constantly on the move, and can appear at any Nigerian city at any given time.

More information on ‘Club Ultimate’ and how to receive special invitation to the event in Port Harcourt will be made available on the official Gulder Nigeria website: www.gulder-nigeria.com and other official digital platforms in the coming weeks.

Lagos Photo Festival Announces The Fourth Edition Of The Lagos Photo Festival

Jul 8, 2013 Posted By OSG Admin In Features, Photos Tagged EKO HOTEL AND SUITES, ETISALAT, Lagos Photo Festival, LAGOS PHOTO FOUNDATION, LAGOSPHOTO FESTIVAL, THE MEGA CITY, WORDPRESS PHOTO Comments 0

Launched in 2010, LagosPhoto is the first and only international arts festival of photography in Nigeria. 
In a month long programme, events include exhibitions, workshops, artist presentations, discussions,  screenings, and large scale outdoor prints displayed throughout the city with the aim of reclaiming  public spaces and engaging the general public with multifaceted stories of Africa. LagosPhoto aims to  establish a community for contemporary photography which will unite local and international artists  through images that encapsulate individual experiences and identities from across all of Africa.

Genevieve Aken, LagosPhoto 2012 Participant talks about the LagosPhoto Summer School at the LP 2013 Press Conference

The  festival presents and educates about photography as it is embodied in the exploration of historical  and contemporary issues, the sharing of cultural practices, and the promotion of social programmes.  LagosPhoto presents a contemporary and historical visual essay of the continent to both a local and  global audience.

Azu Nwagbogu, Director Lagosphoto Foundation officially welcoming guests and Press tot the LP 2013 Press Conference4

LagosPhoto 2013 will represent two dominant modes of photographic expression under the theme The  Megacity and the Non-City, that of the documentary tradition and the expanded realm of image-based  practices incorporating conceptual and new media strategies. The Megacity and the Non-City looks at  both the development of urban centres in Africa and the influences of technology, the Internet, and  the digital revolution, and examines how they have transformed photography and our sense of place  in a globally connected world. While these two domains of photography are at once complementary,  they also speak to very different readings and functions of photography. As “The Megacity” presents a  photojournalistic perspective that documents the fast pace of change occurring in Africa today, “The  Non-City” extends LagosPhoto’s focus to account for artistic practices that examine the mass circulation  of images and the politics of representation.

L-R Ebi Atawodi_ Head High Value Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nig_ Steve Evans_ CEO Etisalat Nig, Azu Nwagbogu_ Director, LagosPhoto Foundation and Guest at the LP 2013 Press Conference

A new partnership with World Press Photo, a preeminent international competition and exhibition  that features the best of photojournalism worldwide, will bring its annual exhibition to Lagos to be  showcased alongside the festival. LagosPhoto Foundation has signed a three-year contract to bring the  World Press Photo exhibition to Lagos, expanding the conceptual scope of the festival to include the  global discourse of photojournalism and current events worldwide. The World Press Photo exhibition
will open on October 18, 2013 at the Eko Hotel & Suites.

L-R Wunika Mukan_ LagosPhoto Foundation Brand Director, Steve Evans_ CEO Etisalat Nigeria, Azu Nwagbogu_ Director LagosPhoto Foundation, Joseph Gergel_ Curator LPF at the LP 2013 Press Conference

LagosPhoto 2013 Planned Activities:

LagosPhoto Foundation Fundraiser
July 13, 2013 at 8 PM
Lantana Hall, Eko Hotel & Suites, Ademola Adetokunbo, Victoria Island, Lagos.
For information on purchasing tickets, please contact:
Evelyn Aluede at ealuede@lagosphotofestival.com
Sijuade Sanni at ssanni@lagosphotofestival.com

World Press Photo Opening Exhibition
October 18 – November 7, 2013
Escalator Entrance, Eko Hotel & Suites, Ademola Adetokunbo, Victoria Island, Lagos.

LagosPhoto Festival Grand Opening Exhibition
October 26 – November 16, 2013
Art21, Eko Hotel & Suites, Ademola Adetokunbo, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Additional select venues throughout the city with receptions during the Opening Week.
Etisalat Photography Competition
In its bid to nurture and develop emerging photographic talent in Nigeria, Etisalat and LagosPhoto  2013 present the Etisalat Photography Competition themed The Megacity, where interested emerging  photographers are required to capture the city of Lagos in their own unique visual language. Entries are  now being received at etisalat@lagosphotofestival.com.
Submission Dates
Call for Entries Open – July 5, 2013

Call for Entries Deadline – August 31, 2013LagosPhoto Mobile App

Man With Bashed-in Skull Awarded £38m Payout

A man left with half a bashed-in skull and permanent brain damage after a bar room beating has been awarded $58 million (£38 million) by a Californian jury. Antonio Lopez Chaj, a 43-year-old house painter, can no longer speak and requires 24-hour nursing after the attack three years ago. His lawyers said a security guard beat Mr Chaj unconscious with a baton, repeatedly kicked him in the head and smashed his skull against a pavement four times. Part of his skull was missing when he reached the hospital. Mr Chaj had been attempting to intervene after the guard, who was unlicensed and untrained, and a bartender attacked two of his relatives in April 2010. Both attackers have gone to ground but the huge payout - one of the largest in the state's history - was made against the security company, DGSP Security and Patrol Services, on Friday. Mr Chaj's lawyers announced the payout on Monday at a press conference alongside their client and predicted the company will appeal. They expect him to receive a smaller sum after likely settlement negotiations.

Transforming Nigeria With Women in Key Positions

THE MARCHING!!! BLAZING A TRAIL FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOw

“if one wishes to change the world, the women must be efficiently mobilised”....indira ghandi(former indian prime minister)

The revolutionary women empowerment march has witnessed a symbolic boost with the launch of a new book titled “Goodluck Ebele Jonathan: Champion for Women” in one swoop the book whose forward was written by the honorable minister for petroleum resource Mrs. Deziani Madueke sheds light on the role played by outstanding nigerian women, capturing their significant contribution to national development. Thesewomen’s act of dedication and servitude to their nation has earned them the respect of many a men. This book brings to fore, their monumental achievments. Noteworthy also is the percentage of the international average of women in elected office, it stands at a meagre 20% in other words, politics is still percieved to be overhelmingly a mans work space, nigeria is a positive exception, president goodluck ebele jonathan’s appointments at executive level have historically increased the percentage of women in office from 10% to above 30%, well above the international average”...(excerpts from the book). The misconception that the female gender was the  weaker of the genders has been crushed with the new crop of women leaders and the amazing followership they have earned, overtime leaving in their trail scores of achievements.. Here are some excerpts from the book

“the world bank’s 2012 world development report agrees that female leaders accelerate positive development outcomes” this feat is not unconnected with their natural disposition to leadership,organisation and the ability to emphatise and carry along their following..,.

” women represent about 50% of the population, so if you appoint women into cabinet you’re carrying women along with you.it is the wisest thing any leader can do”.....Mrs.hadiza ibrahim mailafa(minister of enviroment).........

“women are better organised, to keep a home and a husband and raise children whileworking, reuires a lot of organisation. So i think that any misperception is more a question of morality than competence”Mrs hadiza ibrahim mailafiya(min of enviroment)..........|

” when young girls meet female ministers it encourages them to work harder and aspire!|” lady Amal pepple cfr(min of lands,housing and urban development)..........

”the message he is sending is that he trusts the judgement of women. He believes women can deliver  and he is putting very important positions that matter for his economic transformation agenda into the hands of these women. I dont think you could have  a more powerfull message than that”.Dr.(Mrs)ngozi okonjo-iweala,CFR(cordinating minister for the economy and minister of finance).........

”you just need to work hard and dont be retiring. women tend to think that your workwill speak for us-sometimes it does and sometimes it doesnt, speak out, talk about yourself and dont be afraid”Mrs omobola johnson.(min of communication technology)

” president jonathan has taught me, that true strenght lies in the capacity to excercise great restraint, under pressure and it is clear that only the most disciplined of men can achieve these heights” ..........Mrs. Deziani Madueke (minister for petroleum resource)