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5th AFRIMA submission of songs to end … Artistes advised to submit before Aug. 1 closing date … 2018 entries expected to beat previous records

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The countdown has begun to the August 1, 2018 deadline for submission of
songs and videos to be nominated for the 5th annual All Africa Music
Awards (AFRIMA), the biggest music event in Africa that celebrates and
rewards the music talents of the continent while showcasing the African
cultural heritage to a global audience for a positive narrative.

Organised by the African Union Commission in partnership with the
International Committee of AFRIMA, announced its call for entries for the
2018 edition of the awards on May 25 and thereby opened its online portal-
www.afrima.org to receive songs and videos recorded or produced by African
music professionals either living on the continent or in the diaspora
within the eligibility period of August 1, 2017 to August 1, 2018.

Established and emerging African music stars have been sending in their
songs and videos to compete in the 36 regional and continental award
categories to participate in the process, with the expectation of emerging
nominees that will feature at the culturally resplendent 5th AFRIMA main
awards ceremony scheduled for November 2018. The high level of
participation in the submission by Africa’s music industry is an
indication that the 2018 nomination entries are set to surpass those
received in previous years.

Furthermore, AFRIMA recently saw the introduction of four new award
categories to enable more creative professionals in the music and
entertainment industry participate in the process, giving room for
expansion and inclusiveness. The newly introduced categories are Best
African DJ; Best African Dance/Choreography; Best African Lyricist/Rapper
of the Year and Best African Act in Diaspora.

Speaking on the countdown, AFRIMA Country Director, South Africa, Mr.
Lekunutu Sekobo, advised African artistes yet to enter their works to take
advantage of the few days remaining.

“I would like to urge all musicians, record labels, music producers, music
managers and the recording industry of Africa at large to take full
advantage of the few days remaining before submissions closes on the 1st
of August. I encourage you to submit your crafts or submit on behalf of
your clients in any of the suitable award categories. Africans should
embrace this initiative by AFRIMA and show full cooperation and support.
AFRIMA is the biggest platform where Africans are showing immense
enthusiasm through music and art”.

He further added: “I would also like to call on the Department of Arts and
Culture under Minister Nathi Mthethwa and the Department of Tourism under
Minister Derek Hanekom not excluding corporate South Africans to embrace
and give full support to AFRIMA’s vision for Africa’s Cultures Renaissance
so we can overcome the challenges confronting our continent as former
President Thabo Mbeki championed in his term of office”.

Once the AFRIMA submission portal closes on August 1, the screening and
adjudication process commences on August 7 by the 13-man AFRIMA
International Jury who are experienced and expert African music
professionals charged with the responsibility of painstakingly and
carefully screening, categorising and assessing the works submitted and
determining those entries possessing the merit to be named on the highly
contested AFRIMA Nominees List.

Immediately after the week-long adjudication process, the 2018 AFRIMA
Nominees List will be unveiled and nominated artistes, songs and videos
will then have to slug it out with other regional and continental music
contemporaries and legends to emerge winners of the AFRIMA 23.9 carat gold
plated trophy.

Meanwhile, the Director, Brand Communication, AFRIMA, Ms. Matlou Tsotetsi
has challenged African governments and corporate bodies to throw their
weight behind the advocacy initiative of AFRIMA.
“AFRIMA Main Awards has been held for four years spearheaded by a
coalition of music, production, culture and media professionals. We’ve had
amazing support across the continent, especially from the government of
Nigeria which hosted in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. We are immensely
appreciative of the government of Lagos State in Nigeria and some
corporate organisations from Nigeria and other countries. In our fifth
edition, this is the perfect opportunity for other African governments to
also align themselves with this Pan African project, because it really
does say that they are part of the Pan African community.

I am calling on the government of South Africa, my home country, to throw
her weight behind AFRIMA. South Africa will be sending a very positive
message to the rest of the world, and also eradicate the perception that
South Africans are not warm enough or welcoming enough to other Africans
across the continent”, she concluded.

In its efforts to reward music creativity and talent in Africa, AFRIMA
also stimulates conversations among Africans and between Africa and the
rest of the globe about the great potentials and values of the African
musical and artistic heritage for the purpose of creating jobs, reducing
poverty, calling the attention of world leaders to Africa and promoting
the positive image of Africa to the world for global competitiveness.

AFRIMA is scheduled to hold in November, with live broadcast to over 80
countries around the world.

News and Report

JUST IN: President Tinubu Orders Yahaya Bello To Submit Himself For EFCC Probe

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The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called on the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to follow the path of decency and submit himself for probe.

Bello is being wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt practices while in office as governor of Kogi State

 

LEADERSHIP reports that in the last 24 hours, there have been dramas and hide and seek game between both parties over the move to arrest the former governor for arraignment this Thursday.

 

According to the AGF, in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, EFCC is empowered by law to invite any Nigerian for interrogation.

He also described the action of the incumbent governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, who used his immunity to prevent Bello’s arrest on Wednesday as ‘disquieting’, adding that embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put Nigeria in bad light before the rest of the world is not the way to go.

According to him, he stands for the rule of law and will ensure no right of any Nigerian is trampled upon.

 

 

The AGF said in the terse statement: “The bizarre drama confronting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice (Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) as a matter of very grave concern.

“It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status. Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation.

“A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting. A flight

from the law does not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbates it.

 

“I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies but I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of State should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently. Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.

 

“I therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world.

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News and Report

SHALINA CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF TRUST, REITERATES COMMITMENT TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN AFRICA

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In celebration of its 40 years in Africa, a leading Afro-focused multinational company, Shalina Healthcare has reiterated its commitment to the delivery of quality healthcare in Africa. Declaring this in Lagos on Friday at the event to wrap up the company’s 2023/24 financial year and celebrate its 40 years of its existence, the Chief Commercial Officer, West Africa of the company, Arun Raj said the company “is determined to continually fulfill its corporate mission of making quality products available to every African at affordable prices.

 

According to him; ” It has been 40 years of trust in Africa and these 40 years, the people of the continent have also reciprocated the trust in our quality products and healthcare delivery.”

 

Also, in his corporate presentation as well as new financial year projection, the Head, Corporate Marketing of the Company, Folorunso Alaran said; “the Company is building on the trust Africans have in its products and services over the year and is committed to healthy Africa. It has been forty years of available, affordable and quality products for Africans.”

In the words of Mr. Nirmal Jain CEO Shalina consumer Global,

 

“At Shalina, we believe that every African must have access to good products. And for the last forty years, we have been trusted for our quality products. And more so, through our many initiatives and healthcare interventions, Shalina has continually raised the bar in healthcare delivery.”

 

Speaking further, Mr. Debajeet Mukherjee CEO Shalina Pharma Global, posited that; “despite the prevailing economic challenges, we do not waver in delivering our corporate purposes of available, affordable and quality health products. It is our belief that economic challenges should not hinder people’s access to quality healthcare. Either the economy is good or bad, it shouldn’t affect the lives of the people in an adverse way. Despite the fact that some companies are leaving Nigeria, we are expanding our team in the country. This is because we have trust and believe in Nigeria.”

 

In her own presentation at the event, the Company’s Managing Director, Nigeria , Opeyemi Akinyele said the company “is focused to become number one brand in Nigeria and continually promote the best of healthcare delivery in the country. ”

 

“Through our products, activities and interventions we have been doing greatly to ensure that quality healthcare is available and affordable for every citizen. And this is a promise that will remain unbroken ” She said.

 

Appreciating the members of staff of the company for their commitment and supporting roles in the company, Akinleye said “without you, your roles and efforts, we won’t be here and the successes recorded in the out gone year won’t be possible. We also rely on your continuous support and commitment in the new year. ”

 

Meanwhile as part of the company’s end of year activities, many staff members were given awards of excellence in different categories for 2023/24 financial year. Amongst them were Lasisi Abiodun, Best Pharma Delegate, Lawal Abubskar, Best Medical Delegate, Ruth Adesua Adewoye, Best Regional Manager Pharma, Ganiyu Lateef, Best CVD Delegate, Mercy Omoji, Best Regional Manager, Consumer, Uzuma Pascal, Best Zonal Manager, (Global) and Juliet Ngozi Edward, Best Consumer Delegate Global . Winners in other categories included Sandeep Sahu, Folorunso Alaran, Emeka Adimoha, Chiuba Nwaosu among others.

 

Shalina Healthcare which began its business in Africa in DR Congo in 1984 made entry to Nigeria 25years ago. It currently has about 2500 staffs globally out of whom 2000 are in Africa.

 

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News and Report

Kano court affirms Ganduje’s suspension

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The Kano State High Court has granted an ex parte order restraining the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, from parading himself as a member of the party.

Subsequently, the court ordered that henceforth, Ganduje should desist from presiding over all affairs of the National Working Committee of the APC.

The application granted by Justice Usman Na’abba on Tuesday followed an ex parte motion filed by Dr. Ibrahim Sa’ad on behalf of two executive members of Ganduje’s ward, Dawakin-Tofa Local Government Area, the Assistant Secretary, Laminu Sani and Legal Adviser, Haladu Gwanjo (plaintiffs), who were part of the nine ward executives who suspended Ganduje on Monday.

The court directed the four parties (respondents) joined in the matter, including the APC, NWC, APC Kano State Working Committee, and Ganduje, to henceforth, maintain status quo ante belum as of April 15, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit on April 30, 2024.

Justice Na’abba, also held as prayed, stopped State Working Committee APC Kano from interfering with the legally and validly considered decision of executives of Ganduje ward, essentially on action endorsed by a two-thirds majority of the executives as provided by the party constitution.

The ex parte order read,, “An order is hereby granted directing all parties in the suit APC (first), APC National Working Committee (second), Kano State Working Committee APC (third), Dr. Abdullah Umar Ganduje (fourth), to maintain status quo ante belum as of April 15, 2024.

”The order thereby restraining the first respondent (APC) from recognising the fourth respondent (Ganduje) as a member of APC and prohibiting the fourth respondent (Ganduje) from presiding over any affairs of the NWC and restraining the state Working Committee from interfering with the legally and validly decision of the ward executives of Ganduje ward.

“That the fourth respondent (Ganduje) is prohibited from parading himself as a member of APC or doing any act that may portray him or seem to be a member of APC pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

Nine members of the Ganduje ward proclaimed the suspension of the National Chairman of the APC over the allegation of corruption slammed on him by the Kano State Government.

The nine APC executives said they were prompted to act following a petition written by one Ja’afaru Adamu, a member of the APC from the National Chairman’s polling unit.

In the petition, Adamu complained over allegations of corruption charges against the former governor just as he urged the ward leaders to investigate the matter to redeem the dented image of the party and the implication on President Bola Tinubu’s fight against corruption.

Although the chairman and secretary of the ward failed to act on the petition filed on April 8, 2024, nine members of the executives, led by the legal adviser, acted upon the petition, a decision that led to Ganduje’s suspension.

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