NAIJAFEED

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Nwankwo Kanu to release biopic and book after World Cup

Africa 's most decorated football player, Nwankwo Kanu has joined the ranks of global figures whose compelling stories_have been immortalized on the silver screen (i.e. Pele, Muhammed Ali,_Maradona and Mike Tyson). But Kanu takes it a notch further as his feature_is to be released simultaneously with his biography, after the World Cup_in South Africa. Kanu considers this movie and book to be his heartfelt gift to Nigeria on her fiftieth anniversary, to Africa and indeed the world.

Titled Lion Heart: The Kanu Story, the movie is a documentary feature,_directed by BBC London-trained Nigerian director, Bayo Awolaja, and_produced by Neil Oyenekan (Dragons Den Nigeria, Taking Sides, 2002, UK ).

The Executive Producers include Kanu Nwankwo, Lighthouse, IBST Media, Worldwide Management Ltd. and Connect Marketing. The movie is currently being filmed in Nigeria, London, Amsterdam, the USA, South Africa and_India, and has a plot that chronicles Kanu's inspiring rags to riches_story from a unique perspective that delves into his journey into the world of soccer from his humble beginnings in Owerri, to his struggle with a near fatal heart condition at the peak of his football career, to his heart surgery in Cleveland, Ohio, and back to his tribulations and triumph at Arsenal, Ajax, Portsmouth etc.

In addition to his exploits on the football pitch, the movie also unveils one of the most recognisable UNICEF ambassadors as a mentor, businessman, husband, and friend. According to the Lighthouse Productions CCO, " this film isn't just about Kanu the footballer, we intend to reveal the Kanu story through interviews with all the world renowned players, coaches, administrators, including his wife, his child-hood friends, his doctors and those people that played very important roles in his life.

"It's going to be a three dimensional documentation of Kanu's story according to Kanu, his fans, and his critics too - it's definitely going to be compelling and well-balanced because we intend to highlight the challenges he's encountered and how he overcame_them, in order to inspire many young Africans with his exceptional story of hope, determination and success"

Explaining the plot a step further, the film director, who used to work with BBC Wales, added that "it's not just about Kanu and his story, but Lion Heart: The Kanu Story is a film with a strong message that will greatly touch audiences across the globe, because despite the fact that his role as a great sportsman is emphasised, yet the salient themes in the movie revolve around determination, overcoming tribulations, triumphing over life-threatening obstacles and circumstances to soar to heights of iconic greatness."

Kanu expressed his excitement when he spoke about the project, saying: "I'm a very private person, but it has been a very interesting experience to watch my colleagues, team mates, coaches, doctors, fans, friends and family telling my story in a very passionate manner. This movie humbles me - I can see the aspects of my life that the world identifies with, and it's not easy to open up your life to the world, but then it is very noble to do so in order to inspire those who wish to do the things you have done - at least so that they can see how you did it."

But why do we have to wait until after the World Cup to see this movie? And to this Kanu replied: "The producers have been working tirelessly for a very long time now, but I believe this World Cup should be part of the film. Whether I play or not, I definitely want the experience to be part of the film "

Lion Heart: The Kanu Story is scheduled for a global premiere in_September, but so far the film parades an excellent cast of renowned footballers from some of the teams Kanu has played for, alongside coaches, and revered FIFA officials, all passionately telling the story of a true African icon in more than four languages.

An official movie trailer, posters, and snippets from the projects will be leaked to the media soon. Also, an interactive website is also in the works, and fans can participate in fun trivia for a chance to win a front-row seat at the London premiere of the movie.

This Day

Football legend Pele predicts Africa has a great chance of making it to the World Cup Final

Video - World Cup comes to Nigeria

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Naija Child Abuse explained

Having lived most of his childhood on the gritty streets of Ikeja, Lagos and spent some of his adulthood in The States. The gentleman in the video up top has come to the conclusion that himself and the majority of people who grew up in Nigeria were abused as children.

Hitler defends Nigeria

Prank call to Nigerian televangelist

Animated short 'Planes Immigrations Nigerians'

Acting President sacks National Security Adviser over Jos crisis

The Jos crisis which led to the death of about 400 people on Sunday, has led to the sacking of the National Security Adviser, Sarki Mukhtar, by the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

To replace him is Aliyu Gusau, a one time National Security Adviser to former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Meantime, about 400 corpses of the victims of Sunday's massacre were, yesterday, given a mass burial at Dogon Na Hauwa village in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State amid tears and wailings.

This emerged as, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, said there was no alternative to dialogue in resolution of conflicts. He spoke at a peace conference on the recurring crisis in Jos.

Vanguard

Video - Residents worry about their future in Jos, Nigeria

Resurgence of religious riots in Nigeria

Video - Tension in Borno over Al-Jazeera Boko Haram video

Monday, March 8, 2010

Footballer Endurance Idahor dies of heart attack during match

During Saturday’s Sudanese Premier League match-up between El-Merriekh and Al-Amal, Nigerian-born forward Endurance Idahor was rushed to hospital after a challenge from a fellow player left him on his back, unable to breathe.

Despite the teams’ best efforts to see that the striker was given treatment as quickly as possible, the 23-year-old is said to have passed away inside the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

Players, coaching staff and the 30,000 supporters stood in disbelief as the referee whistled the end of the match.

Sources close to El-Merreikh Club said that the player will undergo an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Meanwhile, early medical reports state that a heart attack is the most likely cause of death.

The club released a brief announcement describing the player as “an example of a professional and committed individual and a symbol of loyalty” and added, “We will assure that justice takes place”.

Endurance Idahor joined El-Merreikh from Nigerian outfits Dolphin in 2006, loaned to Al-Nasser of UAE for one season and since his return he became a key figure in the first team squad scoring over 67 goals, leading the club to their first CAF Confederation Cup final since 1989.It remains to be seen whether the rest of week 3 matches scheduled for yesterday would be postponed or not.

Vanguard

Related stories: Bayelsa United captain shot dead

Football player gets 40 lashes for drinking alcohol in Sudan

Hundreds dead in religious violence in Nigeria

The government has since called for the arrest of Alhaji Saleh Bayeri, former executive secretary, Muslim Welfare Board and State Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers Association, accusing him of "issuing threats and inciting Fulani people against the Berom People which is unfortunate."The attack is coming at a time the Christian community in the state raised alarm over reports of renewed suicide attacks being planned for some selected churches in the state, as contained in a widely circulated documents yesterday.

A reliable government source told Daily Champion yesterday on phone that the attackers invaded the villages in the wee hours of the morning.

The source said that rumour of the attack filtered in at about 11pm and Jang took steps to nip it in the bud by informing the sectoral commander of the military joint patrol team in the area.

He said leader of the patrol team, an army captain identified as Goke, was reached on telephone and informed of the impending attack.

He however said that when the attack actually started, the joint patrol team could no longer be reached on telephone as every effort made by the state governor to speak to him failed.

He said Goke who led the team allegedly switched off his telephone forcing the governor to make alternative arrangement.

He said: "Rumours of the impending attack started coming in at about 11pm. When the governor heard it, he called the joint patrol team that is in the area. The team comprising the army and air force was being led by Goke who is the sectoral commander. He was briefed about the security situation and asked to mobilize from his location to the village.

"But some time after midnight, about 1am, people started calling from there that their village had been attacked and when the governor called the army captain to know where they were, his telephone was switched of. He could not be reached.

"The governor had to make an alternative arrangement and called another team from another location.

"But because this was happening in a village on the border with Bauchi State, before the team could actually find the place it was too late. We kept on calling and giving them direction until they got there. And when they got there they could only see burnt houses and dead people," the source told Daily Champion.

Asked about the casualty figures, the source said more than 400 were massacred in the attack. He said the attackers invaded the village from Bauchi State.

As at the time of filling this report, the morgue of the state specialist hospital where some of the corpses were deposited was filled to the brim. Chief Medical Director, Dr. Pam Dantong, who conducted journalists round the place, said the injured are receiving treatment in the institution.

Meanwhile, a document was circulated in churches during yesterday's service warning the congregation of planned suicide attacks on selected churches by 15 almajiris, who were said to have agreed to volunteer on suicide missions to benefit after being promised N20m gift each.

The document, entitled, "unanimous decision of Muslim Ummah in Northern Nigeria towards the crisis in Plateau State," was not signed or dated, but has as one Alhaji Sanusi Ibrahim Das as conveyor.

Those who saw the contents of the document which told our correspondent that the Islamic Bank and the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), would bank role the mission, even as part payment was said to have been made to the volunteers.

Commenting on the attack, the state Commissioner of Information and Communication, Hon. Gregory Yenlong, regretted that it was a serious security challenge to the government and that government was reviewing its security machinery.

He said: "it is unfortunate that a whole family has been wiped out even when there is curfew in place in the area and appealed for calm on the part of the people, assuring that the government would do everything possible to get to the roots of the attacks."

On his part, the Paramount Ruler of Jos, the Gbong Gwom Jos said the attack was a crime against humanity and the traditional rulers in the state would make an official representation to the federal government.

He wondered why the attack could come at a time relative peace was being restored in the state and efforts are made to receive notable leaders who are billed to appear and discuss on peace building in the state.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Bayeri has expressed surprise over the state government's claims that he was inciting his Fulani kinsmen.

Speaking in a phone interview, he said since the January crisis, he has been going round appealing to his people against reprisal attacks, saying the government was not fair to him, adding that in any case, this was not the time to join issues with anyone.

Daily Champion

Tension in Borno over Al-Jazeera Boko Haram video

Resurgence of religious riots in Nigeria