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Belle of African Nations (BOAN) 2015 Team Arrives The Gambia (Photos)
The Founder/CEO Olayinka Fatima Edu and her Director of Projects, Mr. Peter Akpobasah of The Belle of African Nations (BOAN) arrives the smiling coast of Africa to facilitate publicity on BOAN 2015.
The Gambia, is one of the participating countries at BOAN 2015 which holds in the first week of December, 2015 at Lagos, Nigeria.
Speaking with Afrinity Productions Crew and Victor Nwankpa’s Blog at the Banjul International Airport, The CEO said they are here to meet the people of The Gambia as part of their contestant will be coming from The Gambia in the upcoming BOAN 2015 event in Lagos, Nigeria around first and second week in December.
They are also scheduled to meet the Minister of Culture and Tourism. She said, they wrote to the Vice President of The Gambia before coming whom they said accepted their request of visit.
More photos below:
Pageantry: Platinum Nigeria sets stage for ‘Belle of African Nations (Photos)
The founder and chief executive officer of Platinum Entertainment Nigeria Limited has said that her organisation was poised to unifying Africa through pageantry.
Olyinka Fatima Edu gave the assurance on Tuesday as she introduced a soon-to-hold maiden pan-African beauty pageant christened, ‘Belle of African Nations (BOAN),’ during a press conference held at the Joint Officers’ Mess in Kotu, Kanifing Municipality.
She said: “Africa in her own beauty is exclusively recognised for her fairness in dealings, solidarity, and co-ordination amongst her nations. Various organisations have been established to propel and unify all African countries. Few of these organisations include the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) and the African Union (AU). For example, the CAF Nations’ Cup is believed to come up so as to create continuity in the trend of unity and progress of the continent through sport. BOAN, in this respect, aligns with the goal of unifying Africa.
“However, BOAN also intends to add the missing link – carrying African women along in the affairs of the continent. Hence, Belle of African Nations can be seen as a unique medium for the socio-cultural unification of Africa. Belle of African Nations (BOAN) is the first of its kind as a socio-cultural Pan-African Beauty Pageant that aims to identify with the unforgettable legacies of African historical heroines, publicising their lives, times; struggles, challenges and victories to the world through entertainment, in such a way that beauty and brains are modelled to birth the heroines of our time.
“The exploits of African Heroines must not lay buried forever. Heroines like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the Woman Activist whose feminism and democratic socialism led to the creation of The Abeokuta Women’s Union (AWU); Queen Ahmose-Nefertari (Co-founder of the glorious 18th century dynasty of KMT- called ”The greatest royal family that ever mounted a throne); Empress Candace of Meroe (Formidable and famous military leader); Nana Yaa Asantewa, Queen Amina of Zazzau (Zaria),Margaret Ekpo, Miriam Makeba, Queen Nzinga, Queen Makeda of Sheba, and countless unrecognised others must be remembered and celebrated.”
Belle of African Nations will be a glamorous pageant event that focuses on the unification of Africa through pageantry. The maiden edition of BOAN to be held in Lagos, Nigeria, is tagged ‘Heroine In The Midst Of Heroes’ in a bid to celebrate the uniqueness and heroism of a woman (Madame Efunroye Tinubu) who soared and dominated socio-political territories that were the reserves of men. The Gambia has been chosen as a take-off base and participants from all the African countries at the 2015 edition of BOAN will congregate in Banjul, from where they will take-off to Lagos, Nigeria.
Platinum Nigeria eyes unification of Africa through pageantry
The founder and chief executive officer of Platinum Entertainment Nigeria Limited has said that her organisation was poised to unifying Africa through pageantry.
Olyinka Fatima Edu gave the assurance yesterday as she introduced a soon-to-hold maiden pan-African beauty pageant christened, ‘Belle of African Nations (BOAN),’ during a press conference held at the Joint Officers’ Mess in Kotu, Kanifing Municipality.
She said: “Africa in her own beauty is exclusively recognised for her fairness in dealings, solidarity, and co-ordination amongst her nations. Various organisations have been established to propel and unify all African countries. Few of these organisations include the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) and the African Union (AU). For example, the CAF Nations’ Cup is believed to come up so as to create continuity in the trend of unity and progress of the continent through sport. BOAN, in this respect, aligns with the goal of unifying Africa.
“However, BOAN also intends to add the missing link – carrying African women along in the affairs of the continent. Hence, Belle of African Nations can be seen as a unique medium for the socio-cultural unification of Africa. Belle of African Nations (BOAN) is the first of its kind as a socio-cultural Pan-African Beauty Pageant that aims to identify with the unforgettable legacies of African historical heroines, publicising their lives, times; struggles, challenges and victories to the world through entertainment, in such a way that beauty and brains are modelled to birth the heroines of our time.
“The exploits of African Heroines must not lay buried forever. Heroines like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the Woman Activist whose feminism and democratic socialism led to the creation of The Abeokuta Women’s Union (AWU); Queen Ahmose-Nefertari (Co-founder of the glorious 18th century dynasty of KMT- called ”The greatest royal family that ever mounted a throne); Empress Candace of Meroe (Formidable and famous military leader); Nana Yaa Asantewa, Queen Amina of Zazzau (Zaria),Margaret Ekpo, Miriam Makeba, Queen Nzinga, Queen Makeda of Sheba, and countless unrecognised others must be remembered and celebrated.”
Belle of African Nations will be a glamorous pageant event that focuses on the unification of Africa through pageantry. The maiden edition of BOAN to be held in Lagos, Nigeria, is tagged ‘Heroine In The Midst Of Heroes’ in a bid to celebrate the uniqueness and heroism of a woman (Madame Efunroye Tinubu) who soared and dominated socio-political territories that were the reserves of men. The Gambia has been chosen as a take-off base and participants from all the African countries at the 2015 edition of BOAN will congregate in Banjul, from where they will take-off to Lagos, Nigeria.
Belle of African Nations (BOAN) 2015 Team Due In Banjul, The Gambia Today
Belle of African Nations (BOAN) is the first of its kind Pan-African beauty pageant that celebrates female heroism through the lenses of arts and culture in a bid to enlighten and empower the female gender. The 2015 (maiden) edition celebrates the life and times of Madame Efunroye Tinubu, the first Iyalode of Egbaland (Nigeria) with the theme: Madame Tinubu: Heroine in the midst of Heroes.
BOAN does not just celebrate the past heroines of Africa; it also recognizes and awards the efforts of present day women, who are making conscious efforts to affect their world, from all walks of life. Being the backbone of Arts and Culture in the Gambia, our organisation deems it fit to associate with your person and office and intimate you on the activities of BOAN.
Gambia, being one of the participating countries at BOAN 2015, will be hosting the organisers of BOAN from the 18th through the 23rd of September to facilitate publicity.
Meet the team:
Olayinka Fatima Edu is the Founder/CEO of Platinum entertainment Nigeria limited, a Lagos based company, which started years ago, with the aim of giving quality and precise information / services, combining ideas to match international standards anywhere in the world and becoming the biggest entertainment house in Africa.
She was in New York recently to discuss international partnership on BOAN 2015. See more photos below:
Mr. Peter Akpobasah is a graduate of the University of Ibadan and a holds an MBA. He started his career at Multichoice Nigeria Limited as a member of the pioneer sales Team of the Sales and marketing Department, in 1994. His outstanding performance was phenomenal as he won all the monthly Sales awards for the best Sales person, back to back, until the awards were discontinued after the thirteenth month. In 1995, he was sent to South Africa for a Sales Conference in recognition of his enormous contribution to the growth of the company.
His leadership qualities were spotted early at Multichoice Nigeria Limited, when he was allowed to operate the first Direct Sales Outlet in Africa. This novel initiative as well as many of his ideas were institutionalised and still remain the bedrock of Sales policy execution at Multichoice Nigeria today.
Over the years he has trained, influenced, assisted and positioned over 200 business persons nationwide. He has served in different capacities as Sales Manager, Head of Sales, Operations manager in several organisations, notable among which are: Multichoice Nigeria Limited as Direct Sales Head and trainer; Entertainment Highway Limited, as National Sales Manager, Infinity TV as Head of Sales.
He is the Director of Projects at Belle of Africa Nations (BOAN).
Nollywood Actor Ime Bishop Popularly Called Okon Recounts Near Death Experience
Popular comic Nigeria Bollywood actor Ime Bishop Umoh Popularly known as Okon Just took to social media to recount his very chilling near death experience on an Arik Flight see what he posted below:
@imebishop: I was aboard an Arik flight from Lagos to Uyo scheduled originally for 7am and rescheduled for 11am today. We we told over 35 mins mid air that the engines are over heated and we were left with no choice but to return to Lagos. I was scared, livid, frustrated yet grateful to God for a safe landing even though it was a near crash experience. Till now no arik staff has come to us to enquire as to what the case was and to proffer a possible way forward. Now that really sucks! A fragment of thought that could point to my crashing and leaving behind my sweet wife and beautiful daughter will for a long time make me say #thunderfirearik
Emeka Ike Accuses Pastor Chris Okotie Of Being The Devil Behind Plot To Destroy His Marriage
The Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike, has accused the founder and head pastor of Household of God Church, Pastor Chris Okotie, of being behind the plot to destroy his marriage at all cost. Emeka Ike, in a statement, said he was crying out because of the “desperate desperation” of Okotie to destroy his home.
The feud between the actor and his wife, Suzanne, had degenerated almost beyond resolution, with the wife filing a divorce suit before a Customary Court in Lagos.
Emeka Ike said he was compelled to alert the whole world of the “devil” behind the plot to destroy his home, after all efforts to beg his wife to drop the divorce bid failed.
The actor accused Okotie of hiring a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for his wife just for the purpose of destroying his home.
He alleged that Okotie gave his wife about N500, 000 for her mother’s burial and also bought her a blackberry passport phone.
Emeke Ike further said every Sunday, Okotie would call his wife out in church with other single women and ask that gifts should be given to them.
He further alleged that Okotie with another man in the church helped his wife to secure a job without his consent.
The man in question, Emeka Ike alleged, recently had issues in his marriage over a love message which Suzanne sent to him.
According to the statement, Emeka Ike said:
“I want people to look into this issue critically. I’ve never beaten this woman in my life. When she ran out of home, I called my pastor and they took us for counselling. For one week, I was begging her every day; I would go home alone and she would go home alone as well.
“At a point, pastor asked us to write five things we like and dislike about each other. The pastor said that maybe we could work it out. I wrote mine, she wrote hers and she never said there that I used to beat her. I still have that document with me. She gave me what she wrote and I gave her what I wrote. If I used to beat her, she could not have left it out from that then. Any man that beats a woman is a coward. I know that someone somewhere must have done something to her. How can I beat a woman I adore so much? I love my family and this is very unfortunate. Her children have been begging her to come home, and she has refused.
“I am pretty sure my wife is acting confused; she is acting as if she is under a spell, which is psychological and then she is acting under blackmail.
“There was a time I accused her of bringing men to my house. I mean, which woman will wake her husband up in the middle of the night and said to him, share your property I want to get my share now from what you have? Tell me, which woman will do that if not acting under a spell?
“There was a time I travelled and she closed down my school and sent all the students away. So, there is a lot to it, other than the allegation of battery against me and I want the whole world to know. My name is precious to me and I don’t want anything to drag it in the mud.
“Pastor Chris Okotie just absolved my wife into his church without making any effort to get in touch with me. If as a pastor, your church member is having issue with her husband, and you failed to do anything to resolve it, what kind of pastor are you? When I called him, he refused to pick my call. He also failed to react to a text message I sent to him. Is that a man of God? Even, if you have a police case, they will make effort to hear from you before taking a position, not to talk of the church.
“When we went to court, I told my wife that I’m interested in amicable settlement of the matter, and that I still want her back. But she refused. Even, if you don’t want me, what of your children, I asked her and she still would not listen to me. I want the whole world to know because there is a lot of misinformation out there. The lawyer which Okotie hired for my wife is also frustrating every attempt I make to resolve the matter peacefully,” he narrated.
Popular Nollywood Actor, Emeka Ike’s Wife, Emma Ike Reveals The Most Shocking Secret About The Actor
Nollywood actor Emeka Ike on Tuesday, 26th August 2015, prayed the Lagos Island Customary Court not to dissolved his marriage, saying he still loves his wife,Emma.Emma had gone to court, seeking dissolution of their 12-year-old marriage. Emeka, represented by hiscounsel, Abdul’Hakeem Labi-Lawal, said his client has not appeared in court because he is ill.
“My client is ill but I will try my best possible he comes on the next adjourned date. We indulge the court to give us six months from this day to see if there is possibility of settlement between the couple,” he said.
But Mrs Ike said six months was too long adding that the respondent had two years to reconcile with her but he didn’t.
She said: “The last time I wanted to speak with our children, it was my mother-in-law who
picked the call and asked if I had read Exodus 21 which says that if I go, I shouldn’t return.”
The court’s President, Chief Awos Awosola, said the court could only grant two weeks.
He said: “I am expecting Emeka Ike in this court if he really wants settlement.”
Awosola adjourned the matter till August 12 for further hearing.
After the court rose, Mrs Ike told The Nation that she wasn’t ready to return to her husband. “Over two years since I left the house, he never taught of reconciliation. He had every opportunity to ask me to return but he didn’t. So why now?”she asked.
Mrs Ike said her husband took her last two children from her when she was going for her mother’s burial in February.
“He promised to bring them to me immediately I returned from my mother’s burial but he didn’t. Even when he didn’t allow me access to see our children, I spoke with them on several occasions but now, he doesn’t allow me anymore. My children are now against me, she said.
Mrs Ike said she left her matrimonial home because she could no longer bear being tortured anymore.
“If I was still with him, I may not survive. I was 19-year old when I met him and he was the one who deflowered me. I see no reason I shouldn’t be treated with utmost respect.
“Due to physical torture, my health has been affected. There was even a time I thought I had breast cancer because I felt a lump on one part of my breast.” Mrs Ike said.
She said things became worse last Sunday when she called her husband to speak with their children.
In tears, Mrs Ike said:”I almost went mad when my first son told me on phone that if I truly loved them, I wouldn’t have abandoned them. Even my seven-year-old son whose day wouldn’t be complete without seeing me said he doesn’t love me. I love my children. I miss my children. I never abandoned them. I am in pain. They don’t have any other mother. I really need my children. I am a good woman; I endured so many things as his wife.”
The union produced four children between ages 4 and 13.
The Gambian VP Receives Outgoing Egyptian ambassador
The vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy yesterday receives in audience the outgoing Egyptian ambassador to The Gambia in Senegal.
His Excellency Hecham Maher, who met the VP at State House as he bade farewell to the leadership of the country, described his diplomatic mission in the Senegambia region as fundamental to the broadening of relations with The Gambia.
He said he came to make farewell audience with the country’s leadership after completing his international duties, and to equally convey the message of his president, Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi, to The Gambian leader His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh Babili Mansa.
In an interview with reporters after a closed door audience with the vice president, Ambassador Maher said one of the reasons of making this farewell audience was to reaffirm once more that his country is always willing to strengthen its brotherly relations with The Gambia.
“We are trying to expand the field of cooperation to include new fields and enhance our economic cooperation and to invite investors from Egypt to come and invest in The Gambia,” he informed.
He described The Gambia-Egypt relations as perfect and specific and that it has gotten better within the four years of his duty. During his time as ambassador, he further indicated, the relationship has improved significantly with new cooperation in areas such as agriculture, public administration, security and communication.
On tourism, the outgoing ambassador said The Gambia is also doing very fine in that area, noting that it’s a field that the two countries can cooperate. He described the area as a very important sector, acknowledging that Egypt is significantly benefiting from tourism. “We consider tourism as very important not only to the economy, but also in giving people the opportunity to know each other through cultures and traditions,” he said.
On the international scene, His Excellency Maher said the two countries are harmonising their positions with diverse issues but with the same position. He said that the countries do support the candidature of each other at the international platform and are building very good coordination at the international forum as well. He therefore paid tribute to The Gambia for its support to Egypt in that regard.
The outgoing ambassador told reporters that he had fond memories in the country, saying whenever he came to The Gambia, he met a lot of people who he said are very kind and very receptive. He pointed out that Gambians feel very close to Egyptian people because of the longstanding relations the countries shared, and he added made him feel at home always.
Pastors describe Jammeh king of victory, wisdom
The Pastors Intercessory Forum of The Gambia has described His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh Babili Mansa as a king of victory and wisdom.
The Gambian leader received the pastors in Kanilai on the sidelines of a mega wrestling contest and cultural jamboree organised as part of activities marking the celebrations of the 21st edition of the July 22nd Revolution.
The people of God said they were in Foni Kansala settlement of the West Coast Region to return thanks and appreciation to the Gambian leader for showing compassion by offering general amnesty to prisoners, who were condemned by law on various offences; ranging from treason, murder, rape and drug trafficking.
Professor Bishop Augustyn Bernards, chairman of Pastors in The Gambia, in his introductory remarks said: “We have to appreciate and thank His Excellency the President for surprising the whole world, again His Excellency has shocked the world, all the oppositions around the world by showing compassion to release prisoners who trespassed the law of such a magnitude.”
President Jammeh in 2012 received the Pastors Intercessory Fellowship International award for the Best African Serving President, thus, according to Bishop Augustyn this has shown that the award was ordained by God.
“Truly I am proud of you, this has shown that God has ordained the award and this night I came with some of the pastors in The Gambia. We are the people that are praying for The Gambia, the President, his family, his cabinet and the whole country. We have been praying for this country and the people of this country since 2003, for peace, security, stability, development and health of the whole nation. This has truly shown that God is answering our prayers,” he told the President.
You have given us the courage to continue to pray for the nation and you made us proud, Your Excellency, the pastors in The Gambia are proud of you. We gathered and pray from the 17 to the 19 of July and the theme for our prayers for this year to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the July 22nd Revolution was forgiveness and reconciliation and we were surprised to hear on the news and also read from the newspapers that His Excellency has forgiven those that have trespassed the law. We want to tell you that God said when you forgive people that trespass, you also would be forgiven. We declared the word of God that His Excellency is a clean person. We have come to thank you, to appreciate you.
Rev. Momodou Daffeh for his part said: “You are really a king in the Bible; you have demonstrated two things; you are a king of victory and you will continue to conquer and nobody will conquer you, and two you are a king of wisdom. You are the only king of the 21st century who has with this magnitude forgiven people as what you have done this year. You are a blessing not only to Gambia but a blessing to West Africa, you are a king for Africa and you are a world leader and God will never give you to your enemies, you will rein until when you are tired.”
Pastor Desmond Conteh added: “I was going to say that with this demonstration of your love and kindness for this nation and the world is a sign that this wisdom is granted on to you by the Almighty God. It is only God that can give such wisdom to any leader that can forgive those who trespass him. May the lord continue to grant you more of His wisdom to rule The Gambia, Africa and the world.”
According to him, this year is a year of jubilee for The Gambia. “In the Bible a year of jubilee is a year of liberation, a year where prisoners are set free, your kind gesture is divine,” he told the President.
“I was pleased when I heard you said you read both the Quran and the Bible and since 2003 I and other pastors established the Pastors Intercessory Forum that is prayers for the nation. We have been praying and today we are here to thank you for all the good gestures and for all that you have done for this country and the people living in this country. I have lived here 18 years now and I have taken Gambia as my home and I will continue to be a Gambian and I am proud to be a Gambian. So we want to present to you this book which contains the Acts of Leadership; when you read this book you get more wisdom and I pray that God will bless you. May He guide you, protect you and live you where your enemies never expected. We are happy to be your children and God bless you.”
Reacting to their words of prayers and wisdom, the President said: “I am surprised but not completely surprised by your actions; as religious leaders this is what is expected of you towards leaders, where a leader is going against the will of God, no matter who he is that is your responsibility as religious leaders to tell him. No matter how powerful he is he is not as powerful as God. You have demonstrated today that you are true religious leader when you see some action being taken that is in line with the teachings of Bible or Quran this is what is expected of you. If I do anything that is not expected of me in the Quran come and tell me and so also with the Bible too. Tell me this is not godly act. I would always listen to you. You have shown that you are very genuine. I can assure you that, as from today, I will give you hundred percent support because you stand for the good of humanity. May the Almighty God bless you for being honest, don’t stop at this, if you see me do anything that is not correct is your responsibility to come forward and say you are a man of God but you leave the way please come back.”