Obama Certified Fit; undergoes first official Medical Exam as President

Washington DC – The first official medical exam of President Barack Obama performed at the Bethesda Naval Medical center has been officially released. The physical examination was performed by Dr. Jeff Kuhlman, a navy captain and physician to the President, chief white house physician and director of the white house medical unit.

With this report, there will be no need for a temporary transfer of presidential authority under section 3 of the 25th amendment. Dr Kuhlman has recommended that President Obama’s next physical exam will be when he turns 50 in August 2011.

Source – the white house

a trendy africa USA exclusive @ 2010

Baker Hughes CEO tours $50M facility at Onne, Port Harcourt

PORT HARCOURT – The Chairman and CEO of Baker Hughes, Chad Deaton recently visited the newly built Baker Hughes C&P facility at Onne in Port Harcourt. The CEO who was hosted by Tayo Akinokun, MD Baker Hughes Nigeria was accompanied by other top executives including COO Martin Craighead, President African region Tom Thissen and MD Sub Saharan Afric Erik Renlie.

For nearly 100 years, Baker Hughes has been a technology leader in providing services for the oil and natural gas industry. The executives also used the opportunity of the Nigerian visit to interact with employees as they were conducted round various facilities. They also paid courtesy calls to some key clients. Baker Hughes investment in Nigeria is worth about $200M.

Reports from Port Harcourt and Lagos by Tosan Aduayi for Trendy Africa @ 2010

NOLLYWOOD and the unending search for a lifeline

NOLLYWOOD, Nigeria’s film industry, is certainly going through a trying time. For some industry insiders, this present lull had been predicted based on inadequacies in the system.

Prime among the glaring laxities were the gaping flaws in a non-exerted effort to set the fundamental structures in local and international distribution and an abject disregard for new internet technologies which stood to undermine our simplistic forms of distribution.

Today, the realities of Nollywood are as follows: An average producer spends between $15,000 and $25,000 to produce a Nollywood film. Some people may find this level of investment commitment ridiculous, accounting for the apparent low quality of the film products, but indigenous film producers in Nollywood argue that based on the present available distribution opportunities any increase in the production budget renders the project non-viable.

Fortunately, Silverbird and Genesis cinemas in Nigeria have both opened up an African theatrical release lifeline for more qualitative Nollywood films with bigger budgets of $50,000 or more. New breed filmmakers such as Stephanie Okereke, Kunle Afolayan and a few others are challenging earlier held opinions. They are taking bigger risks and taking advantage of the theatrical release opportunities offered by these two companies in Nigeria and generating some respectable numbers.

The critical question though is that can Nollywood films be viable within the scope of present local and international distribution? Here are the numbers: Theatrical release revenue for a “good” film released through the present theatre route in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya combined is approximately N10 million. Less cost of advertising and other distributor’s incidentals, a producer can expect about N6 million ($40,000) from the distributor. Local DVD (Video CD) distribution in Nigeria and Ghana revenue is an additional $15,000. United States distribution rights are bought for a maximum of $15,000 by the “Big Three”: Sanga Entertainment, Executive Image and Franco films.

European rights usually go for a maximum $5,000. Therefore a “good” Nollywood film can net $75,000 (Seventy Five Thousand Dollars).

To boost these sales numbers, Nollywood producers have pleaded with the Nigerian government to curb piracy of their films when they are released on Video CD or DVD so that they can increase sales to at least 100,000 copies at a dollar each in Nigeria alone. These are very attainable numbers. Nollywood movie titles have been known to sell between 250,000 and 400,000 copies during the hey days prior to the so-called “20 in 1,” where pirated copies of their films enter Nigeria from China in packages of twenty films recorded on one DVD and sold in the mainstream Nigerian market for One Dollar.

This singular act remains the albatross of Nollywood and the only institution capable of putting an end to it is the Nigerian government. Unfortunately and for unknown reasons, the government has not been able to curb the piracy. Recent moves by the Nigerian Copyright Commission may hopefully reduce the copyright infringement menace.

But until then, Nollywood may remain in its present lull, unable to save itself, heading speedily to the eventual demise of Nigeria’s only indigenous industry.

Interestingly, some Nigerians residing in the United States of America may hold the key to Nollywood’s sustenance in the future. The Filmmakers Association of Nigeria, USA (FAN) has initiated a comprehensive program and if well executed stands to benefit Nollywood tremendously. All new Nollywood film titles starting from January 2010 are now being copyrighted in the US.

The main reason why the Nollywood film distributors in the US offer relatively low distribution fees is that immediately the films are legitimately released by them in the US, internet criminals buy a copy and stream it for free on the World Wide Web to over 100,000 free viewers per title. Over 20 illegal internet sites have been identified by FAN, owned and operated mostly by Nigerians, Ghanaians and some Caribbean nationals living in the US and the United Kingdom.

Some of the website owners falsely claim that the Nollywood films are free of any copyright because they are not represented by any authorised distributors in the US.

By registering the copyrights of the films in the US, FAN can now officially litigate all infringers. FAN has entered joint agreements with African Artists Collaborative (AAC), a non-profit institution in the US, which has gained the full support of Public Interest Intellectual Property Advisors (PIIPA). The joint initiative between FAN, AAC and PIIPA provides unprecedented support for Nollywood by supplying top US attorneys to help register and litigate copyright infringement of Nollywood films in the US Pro Bono Publico.

Immediately Nollywood films are copyrighted in the US, Cease and Desist letters are issued to infringing websites and store locations from these reputable US law firms, demanding immediate removal of the copyrighted works. It is disheartening to note that the main infringer of Nollywood film content in America has been identified as onlinenigeria.com. The website, owned and operated by Mr. Chuks Nnaemeka, a Nigerian, is a notorious, willful infringer of Nollywood films. Mr. Nnaemeka falsely claims that the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board issued his company Devace Inc. a license to distribute ALL Nollywood films worldwide. When contacted by FAN, Mr. Emeka Mba, Director General of NFVCB, vehemently denied ever issuing such a license. He declared that the copy of the license provided by Mr. Nnaemeka was a forged document, and the NFVCB proceeded immediately thereafter to state clearly on their website that onlinenigeria.com was in clear violation of Nigeria’s copyright laws and consequently reported the case to the appropriate Nigerian security authorities. To date, onlinenigeria.com continues to willfully infringe on the rights of all Nollywood producers with impunity, deceiving US advertisers who place advertising banners worth millions of dollars on their website because of the unprecedented global traffic generated. Presently, the US department of Justice has been notified and a lawsuit is being prepared against Mr. Nnaemeka, Devace Inc. and three other websites owned by him.

As soon as the US market is swept clean of these criminals who have no regard for the hard work and sacrifice of their fellow Africans, DVD sales of Nollywood movies will increase exponentially, easily selling an average of 100,000 to 200,000 copies at Five Dollars per copy. Nollywood producers will in turn be offered commensurate fees for their film distribution rights in the US territory. Then producers can embark on presenting worthy authentic stories with quality technical formats for their teeming audience worldwide.

On another level, FAN, USA has also signed mainstream American distribution rights deals with three American distributors for United States theatrical and DVD release. All films geared for that mega market must be shot on a minimum Hi Definition format advisably with some relatively known American actors or entertainment personalities injected in the cast to facilitate American mainstream interest.

A few Nigerian producers have taken advantage of that opportunity. Producers such as the writer of this article and Pascal Atuma (Hurricane in the Rose Garden), both based in America, have their films distributed in both the Nollywood niche market as well as mainstream American mega stores such as Walmart, Blockbuster, Redbox and Amazon selling for $20 per DVD copy.

Other prolific Nigerian filmmakers such as legendary Ola Balogun, Eddie Ugbomah, Tunde Kelani, Kingsley Ogoro, Tade Ogidan, Zeb Ejiro, Don Okolo, Ngozi Onwurah, Mahmoud Ali Balogun, Peace Anyiam Osigwe, Andy Amenechi, Paul Obazele, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, Don Pedro Obaseki, Ebbe Bassey, Vigil Chime, Chris Ekejimbe, Fidelis Duker and many others have the potential of making mega movies if given access to the right budget.

Young, talented filmmakers such as Stephanie Okereke and new-comer Chineze Anyaene, both graduates of the New York Film Academy, are set to explore a global niche market with their new genre of Nollywood cross-over films. The same positive results can be achieved by the next generation of Nollywood producers who embrace quality over quantity and have access to relatively modest budgets of at least $100,000.

These uniquely crafted films if distributed through a global niche market have the potential of grossing a minimum of $500,000 each. Hence the clarion call to the Nigerian government for a national film fund to jump-start the process.

Nollywood has amazing potential. For the industry to be truly viable, it will require a deft understanding of a specifically targeted niche market in the United States. It will take an aggressive approach towards copyright enforcement, creative budgeting, an astute application of new Hi Definition digital technology and a mastery of specifically tailored storylines targeted towards an Afrocentric niche market of at least fifty million people in the United States of America alone, with an estimated active consumer spending power of $900 billion per annum. Nollywood is in a very good position to access that market. The ultimate benefit ato the Nigerian economy is unimaginable.

Abulu is the President/ CEO of Filmmakers Association of Nigeria, USA. He is also President and CEO of Black Ivory Communications, a multi-faceted media and film production company based in New York City. (Abulu2000@yahoo.com.)

Bush, Blair, Rice, Kuffour grace THISDAY Nigeria at 50 Awards in ABUJA

Abuja – The THISDAY Nigeria-at-50 Awards was characterized by the Who-is-Who in Nigeria including past Government officials, business moguls and International delegates. The immediate past United States President, George W. Bush; the Secretary of State to his government, Prof. Condoleezza Rice, both joined former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, in Abuja for the event.

Bush and Rice arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport amid heavy security provided by both Nigerian and American personnel. Blair arrived quietly on Friday and had visited Action President Goodluck Jonathan in Aso Rock and participated in other public service engagements. Former President of Ghana John Kuffour presented a series of awards at the event.

The awards ceremony recognized and honored 50 distinguished Nigerians who have played critical roles in the country’s developmental efforts since 1960.
The THISDAY Nigeria-at-50 Awards serves as a formal kick-off for the celebration of Nigeria’s golden jubilee anniversary as an independent nation.

Agency report by Trendy Africa Nigeria @ 2010

Remarks by Michelle Obama at the Governors National Association at the JW Marriot in DC

Washington, DC – Now, I know that the focus of this year’s meeting is the issue of health care.  And over the next few days, you’re going to be talking about spiraling costs that are straining your budgets and running up all of our deficits — costs like the nearly $150 billion a year that we spend on obesity-related conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.  You’re going to talk about the staggering Medicaid burdens — and how premiums have risen three times faster than wages, often bankrupting families in your states, sinking businesses in states all across this country.  

 But we all know that there’s another set of statistics that have to be a part of this discussion — like how nearly one in three of our children in this country is now overweight or obese.  Like how one in three kids today will eventually develop diabetes — and in the African American and Hispanic communities, the number is nearly half.  Because if we think our health care costs are high now, just wait until 10 years from now.  Think about the many billions we’re going to be spending then.  Think about how high those premiums are going to be when our kids are old enough to have families of their own and businesses of their own. 

 So we all know that we can’t solve our health care problems unless we address our childhood obesity problem, too.  And that’s really why I’m here today:  to talk about the issue of childhood obesity that is so important to me and what our states and our nations can do to solve it.

 But we have to begin by understanding how we got here, what’s caused this crisis in the first place.  And I have my theories, but when you all think about it, this is a relatively new phenomenon.  This wasn’t something that we were dealing with when I was growing up.  Back when we were all growing up, most of us led lives that naturally kept us at a healthy weight.  We walked to school and we walked home, because we usually lived in communities where our schools were close.  All of us ran around all day at school, doing recess and gym because everybody had to do it.  And then when we got home, we’d be sent right back outside and told not to come back home until dinner was served.  (Laughter.)  You know your parents didn’t let you in the house. 

 And back then we ate sensibly.  We had many more home-cooked meals.  That was the norm.  And much to our dismay at the time, there was always something green on the plate.  (Laughter.)  Fast food and dessert was a special treat.  You had it but you didn’t have it every day, and the portion sizes were reasonable.  In my family I remember a couple of pints of ice cream — this was a big treat — we’d get three pints of ice cream for a family of four and that would last us a week, because you wouldn’t eat a pint, you’d get a scoop, and that would be it.  You’d savor that a spoonful at a time.

 And these weren’t arbitrary rules that our parents just made up.  As we know now, it was a way of life they imposed to help keep us active and healthy.  They knew back then that kids couldn’t and shouldn’t sit still for hours.  They knew that kids needed to run around and play.  They knew that keeping us healthy wasn’t about saying no to everything, but it was about balance and moderation.  We all had our share of burgers and fries and ice cream growing up.  We just didn’t have it every day, and not at every meal. 

 But somewhere along the line, we kind of lost that sense of perspective and moderation.  And we all want the very best for our kids just like our parents wanted for us.  But with the pressures of today’s economy, and the breakneck pace of modern life, many parents feel like the deck is stacked against them. 

They want to prepare healthy foods for their kids, but a lot of times they’re tight on money and they just can’t afford these meals.  Or oftentimes they’re tight on time because they’re juggling longer hours at work and many of them juggling multiple jobs.  So they just can’t swing coming home and making a home-cooked meal around the dinner table.  It’s hard. 

They want their kids to be active, but sometimes they live in communities where either it’s not practical to walk to school or, worse yet, it’s not safe.  Or they live in communities where gym classes and school sports are considered luxuries and not necessities — the first things to go in a budget crunch.  And those afternoons playing outside, they’ve been replaced by afternoons sitting inside in front of the TV or video games or the Internet.  And as a result, many parents feel like they’ve lost that sense of being in charge that their parents had.

But we have to be honest with ourselves:  Our kids didn’t do this to themselves.  Our kids didn’t decide whether there’s time for recess or gym class, or our kids don’t decide what’s served to them in the school cafeteria.  Our kids don’t decide whether to build playgrounds and parks in their neighborhoods or whether to bring supermarkets and farmer’s markets to their communities.  We set those priorities.  We make those decisions.  And even if it doesn’t feel like we’re in charge, we are. 

But that’s the good news because if we make these decisions here, then we can decide to solve this problem.  And that’s precisely what so many of you are doing right now in your states.  You’re experimenting and innovating.  Many of you are ignoring the naysayers and the old partisan divides, and focusing solely on what works. 

Extracts from remarks at the Governors event

Valentine Treat at HOF Dallas

Dallas – Love was surely in the air as observed through the ambience of the immaculately decorated hall. It was the perfect setting for a group of young adult members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, HOF parish in Dallas as they got together to celebrate valentines day.

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photos by Chibuzor Okonta, executive editor Trendy Africa USA @ 2010

10 Items for Acting President Dr. Jonathan to Implement and ensure more Good luck for the Nation

As Deputy Governor, his transition to head the affairs of the state was timely, unquestionable and fully backed by law. As Acting President, all quoted relevant sections of the constitution seem to be in his favor either by omission of adoption or adoption by omission.  The conclusion to all these events is that one can never underestimate having all the “Patience” and “Goodluck” the world can offer.

However, as an educated leader, one who can be classified as having earned his degree through proper written papers, thesis and adoption of research, the general populace expects an analytic and constructive tenure devoid of partisanship and favoritism. He had earlier been a victim to the volatile nature of a suppressed generation when his father’s home was bombed in the heat of the Niger delta crisis.

I have listed 10 items which in my view would show some aggressive show of actualizing the agenda targeted towards the masses.

1.       1. UNSCHEDULED VISITS TO COMATOSE INFRASTRUCTURE; the president should not hang around his comfort zone but must make immediate plans to visit ailing infrastructure that are obviously affecting the economic growth of the Nation. Such would include FEDERAL HIGHWAYS ACROSS the nation; Lagos-Abuja via Ibadan and Ilorin, Benin-Shagamu, Apapa-Oshodi, Murtala Mohammed Airport-Oshodi, Warri-Port Harcourt…

2.       UNSHEDULED VISIT TO STATE GOVERNORS; Mr. President must hold State Governors accountable to its citizens and should be able to explain how excess crude oil revenue is being spent. It’s not enough to show commissioned projects such as bore holes or classrooms on the pages of newspapers.

3.       EMBARK ON A MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF THE OPERATIONS OF DPR AND NNPC; there have been reported cases of ineptitude, misappropriation of federal resources and abuse of office by some elements within the institution and all to the detriment of citizens of the Nation.

4.       ACTIVATE THE RED PHONE-SPEAK TO OTHER WORLD LEADERS; there must be effective diplomatic resolutions and communication between nations that have us in there black books especially the recent inclusion in the TW 14. Mr. President should use his office to create a renewed awareness of the good of the Nation as well as re establish our rightful position on the diplomatic world map as a peaceful and law abiding loving nation.  This may also include properly planned and scheduled State Visits to some Nations.

5.       HEALTH SECTOR; There is no harm in following up on the positive policies of the previous leadership. The health sector is extremely key to economic growth and stability of the Nation. Malaria has assumed a frightening epidemic level. Mosquito’s have been allowed to breed unabated despite all the efforts and studies. Child mortality is high.  Conditions at the general hospitals are embarrassing. HEALTH!!! This can no longer be a playground for professional opportunists and schemers.

6.       ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION; We live in a world where there is so much research into alternative sources of power. Green energy is the way to go. The irony however is that Nigeria has the resources to generate power through traditional means such as water and gas but, but…Mr. President, you have a chance to leave your name in the good sands of time. The Nation is suffering. The Generator companies are smiling to the banks and indirectly killing the Nation through pollution. It is sad to note that Government parastatals patronize such companies. What prevents us from tapping the sun’s energy by producing our own solar panels locally; what about geo thermal energy sources that abound throughout the southern coast line?

7.       PORTABLE WATER; should this be left in the hands of the State Government? It’s not enough to sink boreholes. What about purification systems? Treatment plants? What happened to the World Bank assisted projects some years ago?

8.       MEET WITH THE MASSES; travel to villages, seek the citizen’s views on national issues, listen to them, call for productive dialogues. You must be very mobile. You should be able to visit a locality in every state every week. This is about visibly analyzing the living conditions of the masses.

9.       JOB CREATION; this can be achieved through implementation of policies that would allow for production of goods and services within the nation. Agriculture is a key element. Manufacturing of consumables, assembling of machinery; it is unimaginable that Nigeria once had two vehicle manufacturing plants, had five functional refineries; calculate how many individuals can be gainfully employed if all the mentioned industries were functional?

10.   PRIVATE SECTOR INITIATIVES; Nigeria is a Nation of brilliant individuals with brilliant ideas that are poised at exploiting the private sector giving favorable operating conditions. This is not the time for suppressive reforms. The Federal Government should encourage and build upon its capacity by partnering with the private sector on projects such as housing, transportation, power generation and Agriculture.

 

President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Kindly permit me to congratulate you and hoping that you are already working on the listed agenda to ensure the support of the citizens of Nigeria. You must have realized by now that Nigerians are not easy to please but the provision of certain key needs would go a long way towards actualizing a stronger and potentially viable super power.

 

Pidgin conclusion: Bros Presido, Abeg make u never forget your door mot o! Dem don say you be minority person. Our creator don talk say na the meek go inherit dis earth. Na strong head you suppose use handle we peoples.  Check am well o! From deputy Gov. to Commander-in- Chief. No be clear eye. Handle am well well. We dey pray for you.

 

Tosan Aduayi is the Publisher of Trendy Africa USA and Nigeria and writes from Lagos. He can be reached on; info@trendyafrica.com 

 

 

Titilayo Ogunfunwa Celebrates 50th Birthday in Dallas

DALLAS – She is always committed to attending celebrations of friends. It was therefore no surprise at the turnout of well-wishers at the thanksgiving and reception celebration of Mrs. Titilayo Ogunfunwa.

A Pharmacisit by profession, Titi was her usual smiley self as she ensured that guests were well catered for. Her husband and children played respectful and supporting roles throughout the occasion.

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photos by Chibuzor Okonta, Executive Editor, Trendy Africa USA @ 2010

ECOWAS Commission partners with the MEDIA on Implementation of Free Movement Protocol

ABUJA – The ECOWAS commission has partnered with the media to further actualize its vision of the protocol on the free movement of persons, goods and services and the elimination of all forms of barriers and impediments to the actualization of the ECOWAS project of transforming into the community of people by 2020 and beyond.

The President of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas had earlier called on West African Media practitioners to use their medium to proactively engage member states and citizens for the domestication of the free movement protocol in member states to enhance its accelerated implementation along with other protocols of the commission.

Media practitioners in the region are also expected to undertake pragmatic evaluation of the impact of culture on the socio-economic life of citizens. The Media should also be more research focused while keeping abreast with literatures that will help them have a quality reportorial input to policy harmonization and development as it affects integration process in the region.

The editorial team at Trendy Africa USA is poised at sensitizing the Diaspora on the key objectives of the implementation of free movement protocol using its powerful web tool and other relevant social networking tools to create a more enhanced medium of information decimation.

Report by Trendy Africa Nigeria @ 2010

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Record Breaking Blizzard Hits the USA

WASHINGTON – The second blizzard in less than a week buried the most populous stretch of the East Coast under nearly a foot of snow Wednesday, breaking records for the snowiest winter and demoralizing millions of people still trying to dig out from the previous storm.

Conditions in the nation’s capital were so bad that even plows were advised to get off the roads, and forecasters were eyeing a third storm that could be brewing for next week.

Photo by Deji Onasanya in Maryland USA for Trendy Africa USA @ 2010