Oguta Beckons Nigeria To Njiko Carnival 2015

Oguta Beckons Nigeria To Njiko Carnival 2015 Uzo Chikere From December 28 to 30, 2015 a convivial crowd will converge on Oguta the lake side town of Imo State to savour the splendor of the first ever Njiko Carnival holding there. Themed” Uniting The People Through Arts and Culture”, the carnival which had in the past years been staged in low key, according to its chairman/national co-ordinator, Charles Oputa aka Charly Boy, was borne out of a strong desire to showcase the very rich cultural heritage of Nigeria which overtime undoubtedly, is being eroded and lost.

Interestingly, the venue of the event which is making its debut as an elaborate affair in the nation’s cultural Calender this year, said Charly Boy, “is the beautiful environment of the Blue Lake of Oguta…the second largest of its kind in Nigeria and chosen for its potential as a perfect tourist location.” He explains further: “It is the only carnival site in Nigeria with this feature which could mark the beginning of a major tourist destination able to become one of the biggest carnivals in West Africa.”

Featuring such component as boat regatta, cultural display from member neighbouring states from the South-East geo-political zone, musical concerts from notable Igbo artistes, traditional wrestling, cultural dances; Atilogwu, Nkpokiti Ohafia war dance as well as popular faces of Nollywood, comedians and sports personalities, Njiko Carnival has as its objectives, to use the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria to foster peace and unity amongst Nigeran by building bridges across the different ethnic regions in the nation. Others include, to give the youth a new narrative that preaches self-reliance and economic empowerment by using the carnival as a machinery for replacing apathy with vision, focus and determination to excel in their endeavours, to imbibe the traditional arts and culture of regions into contemporary Nigeria, to pop culture in reaching the youth whose cultural values are almost lost, and offer the opportunity to lay the foundation for commercial and industrial development in the South-East as well as attract business located outside the zone. Parading 14 events spread across three days, some of them are Igwurube Dance, Mgbakota Ndi Egwu, Igbos Must Laugh, Ndi Igbo Nwere Talent, Fireworks, sky writing and sky lanterns and Christmass Tree Lighting among others, Njiko Carnival has so far been endorsed by two South-Eastern states governors. Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano who recently hosted the Njiko Carnival team led by Charly Boy in Awka described the project as the first South Eastern Nigeria carnival for the lovers of arts and culture, urging the organisers to ensure the sustainability of the Igbo Cultural project, which will serve as an plank to restoring the Igbo cultural pride that is gradually giving in to the adopted western culture. For Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, the Njiko Carnival is a unique way of unifying and promoting the Igbo identity through culture. According to him, Abia will participate and Aba entrepreneurial assets will be showcased alongside the Abia culture and heritage. Says he: “Culture is the unique thing among people. For us in Igboland, it’s time for us to rediscover us; we cannot wait for externals to showcase our culture for us. It’s time to make strong statement about our values and identity. We will like to drive enterprise through culture, therefore we support Njiko Carnival”. With all the thrills and frills lined up for the Njiko Carnival this December in Oguta and being looked forward to by would-be participants and revelers alike, what must not be lost on the entire populace of Nigerians is the essence of promoting business and income revenue through culture and art as typified in the theme of the 2015 edition which is the flood gate to future editions.

Frank Edwards "Overtake X" Ft. Joe Praise Earns Crowd Acclaim

Frank Edward’s 'Overtake X' ft Joe Praize Earns Crowd Acclaim The song, Overtake by Frank Edwards and Joe Praize is becoming a major crowd favorite in a short while, as it has been served a “step-up” treatment, making it a more infectious

tune than it was before. Overtake: The X-Factor Edition is the rehash of the previously released tune and was performed at the just concluded International Music Concert (IMC 2015) with Pastor Chris (Ph.D). Know something? The whole crowd was elated as they confessed their victory in Christ Jesus.

Falz Trying tTo Show How Artistic He Can Be In New Album

Falz Trying To Show How Artistic He Can Be In New Album Enigmatic rapper, Falz ThaBadtguy, has revealed that he is working towards showing of his many talents, when it comes to his music. "With this album, what I was trying to prove was that there is a lot more to Falz the Bahd Guy ... people have seen the funny guy" Falz explained, as opposed to the heavy Yoruba accented English he uses in his music.. The rapper went on to explain that the song ‘Soldier’, which features Simi was a ‘viguratif espreshun’ and had nothing to do with him being raised in the barracks like had been suggested.

Talking about the number of tracks, Falz owned up to recording 25 tracks even though only 17 tracks made the album which was largely produced by Sess. 'Lifestyle is shine but still intellectually Einstein’ was one of the many punch lines that made his album, ‘Stories that touch’ very well loved and appreciated by one of the show hosts. While talking about one of the exceptional songs on the album, ‘Workaholic’, Falz revealed that he had grown to be one because of his crazy schedules, but he advised like he did on the song, that everyone should take time out to relax.

Pope Honours Ugandan Martrys On African Tour

Pope honours Ugandan martyrs on Africa tour Vast crowds of Ugandans greeted Pope Francis on Saturday as he honoured Christians martyred for the faith on the second leg of a landmark trip to Africa, which he dubbed "the continent of hope". The 78-year-old pontiff received a rapturous welcome as he arrived at a shrine to the martyrs at Namugongo, just outside the capital Kampala, where some 45 Christians were executed in 1886 for refusing to recant their faith.

Wild cheers and singing broke out as Francis arrived at the open air shrine. Over 100,000 people had waited from before dawn to attend the mass, a key highlight of his visit to Uganda. Later, he will meet with young Ugandans at a huge ceremonial ground in the capital's Kololo district. Catholic faithful from neighbouring war-torn South Sudan also came for the mass, travelling for 12 hours by bus to catch a glimpse of the Argentine pope, who has made humility and help for the poor a hallmark of his tenure. Despite the hot and muggy weather, Jonathon Ssali said he had managed to sell about 55 souvenir scarves during the morning, each one emblazoned with the pope's image alongside the red, black and yellow of the Ugandan flag. See also: Pope Francis calls for servant leadership, end to graft "This is helping me make a little money," said the 21-year-old, who came up with the idea of selling the souvenirs, each costing 10,000 Ugandan shillings (Ksh303), in June. "I'm excited, it's my first time to see a pope. When Pope John Paul II visited in 1993, I was just about to be born," said Ssali, who is Protestant. "I want to hear his powerful words of unity and compassion," said 37-year-old Anthony Beda from South Sudan, wearing a pope badge and waving a flag with the pontiff's face on it. "If there's one country he should visit, it's South Sudan," Beda told AFP, saying it could help stop the civil war there. "There's a lot of corruption and conflict there. I would love him to go... It would be a blessing." 'Continent of hope' Francis, who railed against corruption and wealthy minorities who hoard resources at the expense of the poor during his three days in Kenya, struck a more optimistic tone in Uganda since arriving in the neighbouring east African nation late Friday.

Pope Slams Rich Elite Over "Dreadful Injustice" To Poor

Pope Slams Rich Elite Over 'Dreadful Injustice' To Poor Pope Francis lashed out at wealthy minorities who hoard resources at the expense of the poor as he visited Kangemi in Kenya’s capital Nairobi. "These are wounds inflicted by minorities who cling to power and wealth, who selfishly squander while a growing majority is forced to flee to abandoned, filthy and run-down peripheries," the 78-year-old pontiff told crowds in the Nairobi shanty town of Kangemi.

Francis, whose visit to the slum is a highlight of his three-nation Africa tour, condemned the "dreadful injustice of urban exclusion." Wild singing and ululating broke out as he arrived early on Friday, his popemobile weaving through streets in a sea of tin-roofed homes. "I am here because I want you to know that I am not indifferent to your joys and hopes, your troubles and your sorrows," Francis told the packed congregation in the church of St Joseph the Worker in Kangemi. "I realise the difficulties which you experience daily. How can I not denounce the injustices which you suffer?" See also: The day Esther Gathoni the cleaner from Kangemi went to see the Pope People arrived long hours before dawn in the hope of catching a glimpse of the pope, who has made efforts for social justice a hallmark of his tenure. Francis criticised the lack of "infrastructures and basic services", including sewerage, electricity, good roads, school and hospitals. "They are a consequence of new forms of colonialism... countries are frequently pressured to adopt policies typical of the culture of waste," he added. "This situation of indifference and hostility experienced by poor neighbourhoods is aggravated when violence spreads and criminal organisations, serving economic or political interests, use children and young people as 'cannon fodder' for their ruthless business affairs," he added, singling out the role women play in binding such societies together. "I also appreciate the struggles of those women who fight heroically to protect their sons and daughters from these dangers."

Here Comes Bishop Who Married A Nun

Here Comes Bishop Who Married A Nun A break-away faction of the Catholic Church has complained of being sidelined during the Papal visit, reports The Nairobian. The Economical Catholic Church of Christ (Reformed Catholic Church) through its African point man Bishop Godfrey Silvester Shiundu told The Nairobian that they had prepared a memorandum for the Pope that could bring monumental changes in the world’s oldest church had been given a hearing.

“We tried to be involved in the papal visit arrangements but our brothers from the Roman Catholic Church frustrated our efforts,” says Bishop Shiundu who is currently the number two to American Archbishop Karly Raymond Rodig. “We have not given up though. Together with other churches we have written to the pope through the office of Apostolic Nuncio’s. In fact, we are optimistic he will listen to us because he has been friendly other religions,” he said on phone interview from South Africa where he is on a mission to open more branches. “I had initially wrote to John Cardinal Njue seeking to be involved. I’m still waiting for a reply,” added Shiundu who runs St Lawrence RCC just 900 metres from Kitale Catholic diocese. “We have cautioned our members who are over 30,000 and 54 priests in Kenya to be wary of our brothers whose main issue with us is celibacy.” Asked on why he stopped being celibate Shiundu minced no words. “When you on a journey and encounter a problem, you change tact. Life is not static. It’s dynamic,” he enthused. The bishop is however optimistic that Pope Francis will accommodate his views and possibly reinstate the ‘prodigal priests’ back to the flock. He added that he was ‘well known’ to the Pope. On marrying a nun he explained that he would tell Pope Francis that ‘his children have been thrown away and need to be brought back to the fold. “That will be our message to the Pope,” said Shiundu pointing a finger at some Catholic clerics for not being mercificy like the Pope. “Many priests who defected live in abject poverty yet their mother church stares in disgust at them,” complained Shiundu. He added that their agenda will include child baptism, partaking on Holy Communion and marriage, which are controversial and needed sober debate. Will the former Catholic priest who had served for two decades take a lesser office should the Pope reinstate him “Once consecrated a Bishop that is all, should the Pope offer us an olive branch, I think he will put me to work with another Bishop before giving me a dioceses to run,” said Shiundu who has already established and consecrated 12 priests to lead revival in South Africa. Other countries in Africa with RCC are Tanzania and Nigeria. Kenya will open a new branch in Kericho. Shiundu’s deputy, Father Felix Malo who left the Roman Catholic Church in 2005 after serving for eight years as a seminarian claiming that he could not continue “lying to himself” about celibacy has two children, a daughter aged 6 and a son aged 3. He ministers at Ikonyero RCC-Kakamega.

Buhari Cautioned To Uphold Integrity

Buhari Cautioned To Uphold Integrity Chief Host, 2015 Igbo cultural Day in Lagos, Eze John Nwosu has asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to lose focus on governance and avoid being deceived by political jobbers. Also, he urged Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode to borrow the good example of his predecessor Babatunde Fashola and consider Ndigbo for appointments in his cabinet. He gave the advice at a press briefing to announce the fourth edition of Igbo Cultural Day slated for Saturday, 5th December in Lagos with the venue at Arch Bishop Aggrey Memorial Secondary School, Ilasamaja Mushin. All the five Eastern State governors: Willie Obiano (Anambra), Owelle Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu(Abia), Engr Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) including t6he governors of Delta and Rivers, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and Barr. Nyesom Wike respectively are expected at the occasion, including Ambode as distinguished guests. Head, Department of Theatre and Film Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Tracie Utoh-Ezeajugh will deliver the guest lecture. Also renowned royal fathers from the South East: HRH Eze M.A.Ohia(KSC) (Dike Na Ogbogu, Ezeudo VI of Uzii kingdom) Igwe Martin Eze(Idu of Igboukwu), Igwe Christopher Umeaniba( Eze Chukwukwadolu 1, Igwe of Azigbo as well as Oba Fatai Ayinla Aileru 11(Olu of Mushin) among others are royal fathers of the day. Chairman\ Chief Executive Officer, Orient Global Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Chief Ifeanyi Odii is the distinguished chairman of the occasion. Nwosu said after taking a critical look at political development in the land in recent times felt it was wise to advise Buhari to tread cautiously and introspectively before taking certain critical decision. ‘’President Muhammadu Buhari is known for his integrity trademark, he should remain focused and not be deceived by some political marauders that seem to love him greatly now. If he shifts from what Nigerians know him of, that is, integrity, he is finished. He should avoid being used and resist the danger of ‘’I know it all’’. ‘’If you ask me, it is early to criticize Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. I still think he meant well for Ndigbo in Lagos state. He has not been known to have a discriminatory record I will still urge him to integrate Ndigbo in his cabinet as his predecessor did. It will pay him better politically”. Nwosu said his commitment despite the challenges that abound is to continue to replicate undiluted Igbo culture outside Igbo land. He said Ndigbo will use the occasion to honor Under 17 Eaglets Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke for all his contributions to sports development and encouragements to youth. Nwosu said different masquerades from Igbo land will perform, just as students of Theatre Arts Dept. Nnamdi Azikiwe University will be on ground to display their skill. There will be Igbo delicacies exhibition, Igbo Beauty parade and a novelty march between Obieziokwu Ndigbo of Mushin and Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos.