386 investors scramble for Nigeria power plants

 Nigeria's National Council on Privatization (NCP) on Tuesday said 386 consortia have been short- listed for the purchase of 10 major power plants in the west African country.

Governor of central north Benue State Gabriel Suswam disclosed this after a meeting with Vice President Namadi Sambo and the joint committee of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company and the NCP at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, saying the sales had attracted 110 submissions from local and international investors after recent road shows organized locally and internationally.

He said the joint evaluation committee, working to improve the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) through privatization, had evaluated the interests in which 82 submissions amounting to 386 expression of interests on various power plants were passed.

"We have about 46 consortia short-listed for Bariam Power Plant, 44 consortia were considered for Benin, 42 consortia were short- listed for Omotosho, 41 for Egbema, 41 for Omoku, 39 for Geregu, 37 for Calabar, 36 for Ogwurode, 30 for Olaoje, 30 for Olorunshogo - all amounting to 386," the governor said.

Suswam said the next stage of the privatization process was for the committee to send requests for proposal to the 386 consortia, after which they would be invited for physical inspection.

He gave the assurance that the process of the privatization of the plants would be transparent.

Apply for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar 2013 Essay competition/Scholarship

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is offering one undergraduate/ postgraduate scholarship to Nigerian students.

The scholarship is tenable in Nigeria and overseas, and will reasonably cover tuition and board.

Entrants must be Nigerian citizens who are currently undergoing, or have been admitted into, a course of study at undergraduate or postgraduate level at a government-approved institution of learning within or outside Nigeria.

To qualify for consideration for the scholarship applicants should submit an essay on the topic:

More Learning to More People: How can Nigeria be more innovative in bridging its literacy and skills gap? 

Entries must be in English, and be between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

All essays should be submitted on or before August 31, 2013.

It will be the responsibility of applicants to reasonably prove that they possess valid letters or offers of admission, or other evidence of studentship. Successful candidates who are unable to prove this will have their scholarship offers revoked.

Entrants must avoid plagiarism and should be prepared to present themselves for an oral defence of their work (should the need arise). Plagiarism will result in instant disqualification of the affected entry.

Essays will be judged for grammar, clarity, coherence and a focus on solutions. (While it is important to highlight the problems and challenges of education in Nigeria, the essay should primarily focus on innovative problem-solving)

Only one scholarship will be awarded. There will however be consolation prizes for up to two other entrants.

The Judges’ decision is final and will not be subject to appeal or litigation.

ESSAY FORMAT GUIDELINES
Essays, containing between 2,000 and 5,000 words, should be emailed as Microsoft Word documents to scholarship@atiku.org

The first page of the essay document should include the following:

Entrants Name & Date of Birth

Entrants Contact Details (Valid email address and phone number)

Entrants Institution (with full institution address included), Course of Study, Year of Entry, and Student Number (Also specifying whether Undergraduate or Postgraduate)

Essays should be in a legible font (font size 12); 1.5-spaced or double-spaced

All pages should be properly numbered.

Omotola, Genevieve, Monalisa, others make African Oscars list

The nominees for the third annual African ‘Oscars’ organised by Nollywood and African Film Critics, USA Washington DC has been released with Omotola Jolade Ekeinde, Genevieve Nnaji, Monilsa Chinda and Uche Jumbo Rodriguez among A-rated Nigerian actresses nominated in various categories of the awards.

Organisers say the ceremony which holds on the 14th of September 2013 at Warner Theatre, will air worldwide with over 500 Million viewers expected to tune in to the glitz and glamour of NAFC Awards Night.

Here’s the full list of the nominees for various categories…

DIASPORA CATEGORIES

Best film in Diaspora

1. Le Silence Pure

2. Page 36

3. One Night in Vegas

4. Boys Cry

5. Unguarded

Best Drama Diaspora Film

1. Turning Point

2. Page 36

3. Boys Cry

4. Unguarded

5. One Night in Vegas

Best Screenplay Diaspora Film

1. Turning Point

2. Page 36

3. One Night in Vegas

4. Boys Cry

5. Unguarded

Best Cinematography Diaspora Film

1. Turning Point

2. Page 36

3. One Night in Vegas

4. Black Money

5. Le Silence Pure

Best Actor in leading role Diaspora Film

1. Igoni Archibong-Turning Point

2. Pascal Atuma- Secret Past

3. Egbi Perez-Page 36

4. Montel Swaray-Temperamental

5. John Dumelo – One Night in Vegas

Best Actress in leading role Diaspora

1. Yvonne Nelson –One Night in Vegas

2. Jackie Appiah-Turning Point

3. Uche Jombo- Unguarded

4. Marie Solo Peters– Le Silence Pure

5. Fatima Koroma – Nurses from Hell

Best Actor in Supporting role Diaspora Film

1. Ernie Hudson- Turning Point

2. Jimmy Jean Louis-One Night in Vegas

3. Ash Da Vito-African Connection

4. Van Vicker – One Night in Vegas

5. Michael Blackson- One Night in Vegas

Best Actress in supporting role Diaspora Film

1. Merlisa Langellier -Page 36

2. KD Hubert-Turning Point

3. Sarodj Bertin–One Night in Vegas

4. Gloria Washington- Nurses From Hell

5. Chisom Oz Lee – Unguarded

Best Director in Diaspora Film

1. Mitchel A Jones–Boys Cry

2. John Uche-One Night In Vegas

3. Robert Peters– Le Silence Pure

4. Don Okolo-Page 36

5. Bethels Aguomoh-Ungurded

NOLLYWOOD & AFRICAN PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

Favorite Actor

Benedict Johnson

·2. Joseph Benjamin

·3.  Majid Michel

·4. Emmanuel Mensah

· 5. Chamberlyne Okoro

Favorite Actress

·1.  Ify Hollywood

· 2. Omotola Ekehinde

· 3. Fatima Jabbe

· 4. Monalisa Chinda

· 5. Queen Amina

Favorite Director

·1.  Kunle Afolayan

· 2. Prinze Whyee

· 3. Ibrahim Ceesay

· 4. Pascal Amanfo

· 5. Kathryn Fasegha

Favorite Screenwriter

·1.  Emem Isong

· 2. Andrew Campbell

· 3. Pascal Amanfo

Best Actor in leading Role

1. Majid Michel – The Price

2. Ramsey Nouah-Weekend Getaway

3. Adjetey Anang – The Hunters

4. Jim Iyke-Blood or Wine

5. Anurin Nwunembom-Ninah’s Diary

Best Actress in leading role

1. Beverly Naya-Alan Poza

2. Jackie Appiah-The Hunters

3. Iretiola Doyle– Torn

4. Mbufung Seikeh-Ninah’s Diary

5. Genevieve Nnaji-Weekend Getaway

Best Actor in Supporting role

1. Adjetey Annang-Letters to My Mother

2. Eddie Watson-Letters to My Mother

3. John Ijie-The Hands of Fate

4. Kofi Adjorlolo-The Price

5. Uti Nwachkwu-Weekend Getaway

Best Actress in supporting role

1. Kalsume Sinare-The Price

2. Patience Ozokwor – American Mama

3. Ini Edo-Weekend Getaway

4. Beverly Naya-Weekend Getaway

5. Monalisa Chinda-Weekend Getaway

Best Child Actor in a Film

1. Oley Saidykhan -The Hands of Fate

2. Elijah Kondeh-Boys Cry

3. Boakai Kimbo-Boys Cry

4. Ceareh Hamilton–Boys Cry

5. Marisha Nayee-Angel & the Mailman

Best Director in a Film

1. Charles Novia-Alan Poza

2. Pascal Amanfo- Letters to My Mother

3. Tom Robson-Mrs. Somebody

4. Desmond Elliot –Weekend Getaway

5. Victor Viyuoh-Ninah’s Dowry

Favorite Male Artiste Diaspora

· 1. Koby Maxwell

· 2. Sky J

· 3. Dacapo

Favorite Female Artiste Diaspora

· 1. Katumbella

· 2. Twissa

· 3. Soleil Diva

·4.  Uba Unwudiwe

Favorite Artiste of the Year

1.      Yemi Sax

· 2. 2Face Idibia

· 3. P Square

Favorite Song of the Year

·1.  Flavour

·2. 2 Face Idibia

Favorite Video of the Year

·1.  Timaya

·2.  P Square

·3.  Flavour

GENERAL CATEGORIES

Best Film

1. Alan Poza

2. Ninah’s Dowry

3. Weekend Getaway

4. One Night in Vegas

5. Le Silence Pure

Best Indigenous Film

1. The Blessed Curse

2. The Hands of Fate

3. Le Silence Pure

4. Deceit of the gods

Best Drama

1. Alan Poza

2. The Hunters

3. Le Silence Pure

4. Weekend Getaway

5. Ninah’s Dowry

Best Comedy

1. Alan Poza

2. Mrs. Somebody

3. American Mama

4. Wife for Ozobia

5. Unguarded

Best Docu-Drama

1. A Wish-Brest Cancer

2. The Hand of Fate- HIV

3. Boys Cry-Bullying

4. Ninah’s Dowry-Dowry

5. Le Silence Pure

BestTV/Online Series

1. Wife for Ozobio

2. African Connection

3. Adams Apples

Best Short Film / Trailer

1. Fetus

2. Unspoken

3. Hungry For You Honey

4. Five

Best Cinematography

1. A Wish

2. Alan Poza

3. Ninah’s Dowry

4. Weekend Getaway

5. One Night in Vegas

Best Screenplay

1. Letters to My Mother

2. Boys Cry

3. Alan Poza

4. Ninah’s Dowry

5. One Night in Vegas

Best Editing

1. Weekend Getaway

2. Alan Poza

3. Ninah’s Dowry

4. One Night in Vegas

5. Boys Cry

Best Sound

1. Page 36

2. Ninah’s Dowry

3. Turning Point

4. One Night in Vegas

5. Boys Cry

Best Original Score

1. America the True Dream-The Fetus

2. Crazy World-Somewhere in Baltimore

3. Zahara Loliwe-Pink Poison

4. False Engagement-False Engagement

5. Pariwo-Mind of the Enemy

Best Visual Effects

1. The Blessed Curse

2. One Night in Vegas

3. The Hunters

4. Temperamental

5. The Fetus

Best Costume

1. The Price

2. Unguarded

3. Page 36

4. African Connection

5. Le Silence Pure

Best Makeup

1. The Blessed Curse

2. The Fetus

3. Temperamental

4. Ninah’s Dowry

5. The Price

Africa’s youngest billionaire says Nigeria conducive for investments

Africa’s youngest billionaire, Ashish Thakkar, said on Monday in Abuja that Nigeria remained a land of opportunities for investors despite negative stories about it.

Thakkar, President of Mara Group, stated this in an interview with State House Correspondents after holding a closed door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa.

The Uganda-born billionaire said that the reality and the potentials in Nigeria were quite different from the negative report of the country in the international media.

“There is a huge difference between perception and reality.

“I think the perception happened to be negative today but it is a very unfortunate case because when we come here, what we see and what we experience show that Nigeria is a very different place.

“Nigeria is going through transformation and I think Africa as a whole, we are going through transformation and I think one thing as African is that we are 54 countries and we generalise in our assessments.

“In Nigeria, we may see some few pockets of challenges, but, overall this is a country full of opportunities with people with a lot of energy.

“You can feel the energy when you land here. I have travelled to so many different countries every month, but when I land in Nigeria I feel the energy which is the amazing point,’’ he said.

Thakkar stressed that Nigeria remained his best investment destination in Africa.

“We have offices in 22 African countries but when the CNN recently asked me my favourite country in Africa, I said Nigeria.

“This is something that we are very serious about and we are very confident of,’’ he said.

He said his conglomerate had investments in a few of States in the country and already had about 200 employees.

“We have glass manufacturing plant in Rivers State

“We have done ground breaking on glass manufacturing plant, phase one is over 110 million dollars while the phase two is about 100 million dollars.

“We are also looking at investments in the agriculture sector, we have ICT investments. We are very confident of the Nigerian market and the future of Nigeria’’, he said.

The 32-yearold billionaire advised the youths to be focused, work hard, be honest and persevere to attain their dreams.