PRESIDENT JONATHAN TO MEET WITH INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS’ COUNCIL IN LONDON

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who marks his birthday today is in London where he is scheduled to preside over a three-day meeting of Nigeria’s Honourary International Investors’ Council. Issues on the agenda of the meeting include generating long-term affordable finance for Nigeria’s real sector, developing Nigeria’s private equity and venture capital sectors to attract more foreign investments as well as  Nigeria’s information and communications technology master-plan.

The meeting of the council which is coordinated by Baroness Lynda Chalker will also feature a review of Nigeria’s existing investment policies by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Paris-based international organization dedicated to the promotion of policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.

Members of the council include the CEO of the Investment Corporation of Dubai, Mr. Mohammed al Shaibani, a former South African Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr. Alec Erwin, the Vice President of Hewlett-Packard’s Enterprise Group in Europe, Middle-East and Africa, Mr. Olivier Suinat, a former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shaukat Aziz and the Director of Shell’s International Upstream Business, Mr. Andrew Brown. 

President Jonathan will be accompanied by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, Senator Nenadi Usman, Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga, Hon. Isiaka Bawa, the Coordinating of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and the Governor of the Central Bank, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi.

Others on the President’s entourage include the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, the Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Prof. Viola Onwuliri and heads of relevant government agencies.

The accompanying Ministers and heads of agencies will brief the gathering on developments in their areas of responsibility, and also lead discussions on proposals for overcoming identified challenges.

The President is due back in Abuja at the weekend. 

By: Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)

November 19, 2013

Happy Birthday, Mr President, Nigeria Union of Journalists Europe Chapter welcome you and the entourage to London.

Follow NUJE on Twitter for more updates.

Handler: Lashley Oladigbolu

Nov. 18th, Nigeria vs Italy international friendly match tickets sold from £25 !

Have you bought your ticket to watch the international biggest friendly match in Fulham, London on Monday 18th November 2013?  Buy your tickets here ! Click : Nigeria vs Italy


Nigeria is playing Italy in a friendly at Fulham's Craven Cottage stadium in London on 18 November.

The match against four-time World Champions Italy will take place only two days after Nigeria's World Cup play-off second leg against Ethiopia.

A flurry of familiar names are included for four-time World Cup winners Italy, with the likes of team captain and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, AS Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, and playmaker Claudio Marchisio all selected. Not short of quality in depth, the Azzurri will also travel to Craven Cottage – following their international friendly with Germany this Friday – armed with their talisman Andrea Pirlo, who was recently shortlisted for the FIFA Ballon d’Or, and former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.

Nigeria have also selected a strong pool of players for their international games, as they look to confirm their qualification for next year’s World Cup with victory over Ethiopia ahead of their trip to South-West London.

Familiar faces to the Premier League John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi each take a place in the squad for the current Africa Cup of Nations Champions, while goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who is enjoying a fruitful period in France with Lille, will leapfrog Nwankwo Kanu into second place in the appearance standings for Nigeria, should he play against both Ethiopia and Italy. The match against Italy will be Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi's first friendly against European opposition since he took charge of the side in November 2011.

Nigeria won the first leg 2-1 on Sunday and are now fancied to complete the job at home in Calabar on 16 November.

The Super Eagles hope the match against Italy will be preparation for next year's tournament in Brazil.

The match, which will kick-off at 1945 BST, will be Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi's first friendly game against European opposition since he took charge of the the side in November 2011.
Jairo Pachon of Eurodata, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)'s official match agent, told BBC Sport: "The aim is to play one of the top five or 10 teams in the world before the end of the year.
"I'm glad we could secure an important friendly and big opponent for Nigeria. Italy are number four in the world and that says a lot.

"It's also an important opportunity for the Nigerian community in the UK to see the African champions in action."

Meanwhile, the NFF also confirmed another friendly for their locally-based team who have qualified for the 2014 CHAN tournament in South Africa.

"We are also happy to confirm a match for our Super Eagles locally-based team against Jordan in Omman on the 28 October," NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire told BBC Sport.
"This match that will serve Jordan to prepare for their World Cup play off match against Uruguay will also help Nigeria to prepare for next year's African Nations Championship."

By Oluwashina Okeleji

 NB: Buy your ticket now online, by phone on 0843 208 1234 or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office. Buy your tickets here ! Click : Nigeria vs Italy

ZAFAA 2013: Fatima Jabbe-Bio Named Host as African Film Celebs Arrive London

ZAFAA Global Awards

The Organisers of the African Film Festival and Academy Awards ( ZAFAA ) have named the African film producer and Nollywood actress, Fatima Jabbe-Bio as the new host of the 2013 ZAFAA Global Award event taking place at Hilton Metropole Hotel, Edgaware Road, London on Saturday, 16th November 2013. This was revealed in a statement made available to the NUJE News by the ZAFAA's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Chinedu Onyekuru.
Ibu's producer, Collins Archie-Pearce, Desmond Finney are among other notable African film celebrities who are presently in London for the celebration of their achievements for the prestigious ZAFAA Awards nite.
 ZAFAA Global Award is the biggest African entertainment event outside of Africa is being organised in honour of African filmmakers who have contributed to the development and progress of the African film industry over the years in diverse ways.

According to  Mr Onyekuru ''The stage is fully set to welcome African film celebrities again in London  as ZAFAA organisers in conjunction with Nigerian Television Authority, NTA and other co-partners have finally put finese touch to the prestigious award nite this weekend to reward those who have been outstanding in their roles in films during the year 2012/2013, either on the continent or in the Diaspora. The host for the ZAFAA GLOBAL AWARDS 2013 will be Mrs Fatima Jabbe Maada Bio, an international Nollywood actress, script writer and executive producer.''

The African Film Festival and Academy Awards (also known as ZAFAA) is a highly regarded and anticipated film event within the African communities and has already become a part of the UK’s annual cultural calendar. Performers at the events are Mary7even, Inkra Da Belle, Bol Rozzi, Blaco Blaze, Koko, Joy Ibisa, Joe Ocea among others. Expected at the events cream of African film celebs including Akin Arinze, Aki & Pawpaw, Yvonne Nelson, Bimbo Oshin, Micheal Majid among other Nollywood artistes.


The choice of Mrs Fatima Jabbe Maada Bio of this year as the host is notably perhaps due to her enormous contributions she has made towards re-branding the African movie industry and her efforts in serving as a role model to many young talented actresses in the African movie industry. In fact, in the 2011 ZAFAA GLOBAL Awards, it could be recalled that Mrs Fatima Jabbe Maada Bio won an award for “Best Supporting Actress” for the movie “Mirror Boy”.

Fatima Jabbe Maada Bio

This will be another major event since Fatima Jabbe-Bio got married to the Sierra Leonean SLPP's  2012 presidential candidate, rtd. Brig.Julius Maada Bio and  she will be playing host to a first time ever nominated popular Sierra Leonean actor, Desmond Finney whose top charted Ibu in Sierra Leone film is currently dominating the season. This year ZAFAA Global Awards will be witnessing Desmond Finney who has been nominated for “best new comer” award for the internationally acclaimed Sierra Leonean movie “Ibu in Sierra Leone”. Desmond Finney is being nominated in this same category with other actors and actresses like Itz Tiffany for the movie “Married and Single” (Ghana); Henry Ado Asieudo for the movie “House of Gold” (Ghana); Mercy Chinwo for the movie "House of Gold” (Ghana); Kathrine Obiang for the movie “Journey to Self” (Nigeria); and Marie Gomez for the movie “Shameful Deceit”.

The ZAFAA Global Award 2013 is being organised in honour of African filmmakers who have contributed to the development and progress of the African film industry over the years in diverse ways, as well as to reward those who have been outstanding in their roles in films during the year 2012/2013, either on the continent or in the Diaspora.

Equally, at this year’s ZAFAA Global Awards, the producer of the Sierra Leonean movie “Ibu in Sierra Leone”, Collins Archie-Pearce will be given an award in recognition for his contributions to the African Film Industry in London. This is a clear indication that a remarkable success has been recoreded this year for the Sierra Leone film industry for such international recognition.

Last week, in a separate engagement, Mrs Fatima Jabbe Maada Bio was a guest speaker at a seminar event organised by the African Diasporas in the Film and Media Industry in London. In her presentation Mrs Fatima Jabbe-Bio spoke extensiely about the importance of the films she produces and acts as a way of raising public awareness on issues such as Child Abuse, Drug Misuse, Domestic Violence and Corruption in public offices. At the seminar, Mrs Fatima Jabbe Maada Bio advised African film makers that they should use their movies to rebrand Africa by promoting their culture and uniqueness.


Written by Elizabeth Conteh, London
Edited by Lashley Oladigbolu