NAIJAFEED

Friday, March 23, 2012

Nigeria's finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in the running for chief of World Bank

Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is to run for the position of the next World Bank chief, it emerged on Friday.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan made the announcement in Pretoria on Friday - the day nominations close in Washington for the top post of the international body.

"We are very proud as Africa and certainly this constituency to confirm that the Minister of Finance of Nigeria is going to be a candidate for the president of the World Bank," said Gordhan, ahead of a constituency meeting of the World Bank between South Africa, Angola and Nigeria.

Okonjo-Iweala is serving a second term as finance minister and has worked in a senior post at the World Bank for several years.

Gordhan described her as being "very experienced" and that she holds eminent academic qualifications.

"She would be a candidate of choice not just on the African continent but well beyond as well," said Gordhan.

The constituency meeting between South Africa, Nigeria and Angola forms part of the world body's three sub-Saharan constituencies out of a total of 25 constituencies. Gordhan's meeting with Okonjo-Iweala and Angolan Planning Minister Ana Dias Lourenco began yesterday.

Gordhan added that the G20 had made a decision that future processes for the selection of heads of international finance institutions like the World Bank need to be open, transparent, democratic and merit based.

"We believe that the candidature of Minister Okonjo-Iweala enables those that are going to make this decision in Washington to have before them an eminently qualified individual, who can balance the needs of both developed and importantly, developing countries; [and] also provide a new vision and sense of mission to the World Bank and its relevance, particularly to developing countries across the globe," he said.

South Africa and Angola have committed themselves to mobilise support for the Nigerian minister through the various bodies to which they belong on the continent. The countries will garner support for her candidature at next week's meeting of the continent's finance ministers in Addis Ababa, as well as at the BRICS summit where South Africa will encourage members to support her candidacy.

The World Bank is expected to choose its next leader before the Spring meeting in late April.

Asked about other nominated candidates, Gordhan said the US was expected to field a candidate later today.

"We've heard the name of a Columbian academic and former Finance Minister Jose Antonio Ocampo and Prof Jeffrey Sachs has made himself available. There could well be last minute surprises that we are unaware of," noted Gordhan.

Okonjo-Iweala said she hoped the contest she faces will be merit based and that those nominated apply their best minds in the interviewing processes.

"I hope that the best candidates come forward. I consider the World Bank [as] a very important institution for the world, particularly developing countries deserving of the best leadership. I look forward to a contest of very strong candidates. Am I confident? Absolutely," she said.

She further noted that it would be premature for her to lay out her vision for the World Bank.

Current president of the institution, Robert Zoellick, announced in February that he will step down at the end of June.

Among some of the issues discussed by the constituency is the World Bank itself, the kinds of programmes with which it is involved and the extent of the programmes that relate to food and fuel crises, as well as the issue of sustainable development and the modernisation of the World Bank.

"We've been reflecting on how some of these programmes relate to our countries and the continent more broadly and how we could encourage the World Bank to find ways of becoming more relevant to promoting development on the African continent," said Gordhan.

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Nigeria lead in the 2012 Africa Movie Academy Awards nominations

Nigeria received 52 nominations on 17 March 2012 in Banjul, Gambia for the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Africa’s most prestigious awards for filmmakers.

South Africa was a close second with 45 nominations, followed by Ghana with 17, Kenya with 14, Uganda with 5, Tanzania with 3, and Algeria, Cameroon, Guinea, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.

There were also nominations for films linked to the Diaspora in America, Canada, France, Germany, Guadalupe, Italy, Jamaica, and the UK.

AMAA received 328 entries from across Africa, up from 220 in 2011. This includes 134 feature films, 88 short films, 57 documentaries and six animations. 43 entries came from Africans in the Diaspora, with the other entries coming from 23 countries across the continent.

South African surfing film Otelo Burning scooped the most nominees (13), followed closely by South African film noir How 2 Steal 2 Million (11) and Nigeria’s Benin-set historical epic Adesuwa (10). Ghana’s civil war film Somewhere in Africa has seven nominations, as does the Nigerian-South African xenophobia-themedcoproduction Man on Ground, whileKenya’s Rugged Priest has six.

Dr. Asantewa Olantunji, director of programming of The Pan African Film Festival, headed this year’s jury, which included June Giavanni, programmer for Planet Africa at The Toronto International Film Festival; Keith Shiri, founder and film curator at the London festival, Africa at The Pictures; Dorothee Wenner, a curator at The Berlin Film Festival; Shaibu Husseini, an actor, dancer and The Nigerian Guardian arts journalist; Steve Ayorinde, editor-in-chiefof The Daily Mirror; Ayoko Babu, executive director of The Pan African Film Festival; Dr. Hyginus Ekwuazi, a film scholar and critic; and directors Berni Goldblat and John Akomfrah, OBE.

Only films produced and released between December 2010 and December 2011 were eligible.

The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony on 22 April 2012, hosted byHeroes star Jimmy Jean-Louis. For the first time, the awards will be held in Lagos rather than Bayelsa in Nigeria.

“Our theme this year is Africa Rising,” says founder Peace Anyiam-Osigwe. “Africa’s economies are consistently growing faster than those of almost any other region of the world and our film industries are following suit. With the success of last year’s AMAA winner, Viva Riva!, all of a sudden there’s this great excitement about the potential of the African film industry, which isclearly demonstrated in this year’s diverse nominees.”

For more information, keep an eye on http://www.ama-awards.com/.

AMAA founder Peace Anyiam-Osigwe is available to discuss the nominations, the upcoming awards, and the power and potential of African cinema.

The Following are Key Trailers:

Otelo Burning

How 2 Steal 2 Million

Adesuwa

Somewhere in Africa

Man on Ground

Rugged Priest

AMAA 2012 NOMINATION LIST

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST SHORT FILM

Jamaa – Uganda

Look Again – Kenya

Maffe Tiga – Guinea

Braids On Bald Head – Nigeria

Hidden Life – South Africa

Mwansa The Great – Zimbabwe

Chumo – Tanzania

The Young Smoker – Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY

African Election – Nigeria/Germany

Beyond The Deadly Pit – Rwanda

Awa Ogbe: An African Adventure – Algeria

Dear Mandela – South Africa

White& Black; Crime And Colour – Tanzania

The Niger Delta Struggle – Ghana

There Is Nothing Wrong With My Uncle –Nigeria

How Much Is Too Much – Kenya

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DIASPORA FEATURE

Toussanat Louverture -France

Ghetta Life -Jamaica

High Chicago – Canada

Elza – Guadalupe

Better Must Come – Jamaica

Kinyanrwanda – USA

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DIASPORA DOCUMENTARY

The Education Of Auma Obama – Germany

White Wash – USA

Almendron Mi Corazon – Guadalupe

All Me: The Life And Times Of Winfred Hubert -USA

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DIASPORA (SHORT FILM)

John Doe – USA

White Sugar In A Black Pot -USA

The Lost One -USA

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ANIMATION

The Legend on Ngog Hills – Kenya

Oba – Nigeria

Climate Change is Real – Kenya

Egu – South Africa

Chomoka - Kenya

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST FILM BY AN AFRICAN LIVING ABROAD

Mystery Of Birds – USA/Nigeria

Housemates – UK/Nigeria

Ben Kross – Italy/Nigeria

Paparazzi Eye In The Dark – USA/Nigeria/Ghana

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN

Somewhere in Africa – Ghana

Phone Swap – Nigeria

Otelo Burning – South Africa

Adesuwa - Nigeria

How 2 Steal 2 Million – South Africa

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN

The Captain Of Nakara - Kenya

Adesuwa – Nigeria

Rugged Priest -Kenya

Somewhere In Africa - Ghana

Queens Desire – Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP

Rugged Priest – Kenya

State Research Bureau – Uganda

Adesuwa - Nigeria

Somewhere In Africa – Ghana

Shattered - Kenya

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUNDTRACK

Otelo Burning – South Africa

Alero’s Symphony – Nigeria

Adesuwa - Nigeria

How To Steal 2 Million - South Africa

Somewhere In Africa – Ghana

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS

Behind The Mask - Nigeria

Somewhere In Africa – Ghana

Adesuwa - Nigeria

State Research Bureau - Uganda

Otelo Burning – South Africa

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND

State Of Violence – South Africa

Otelo Burning – South Africa

How To Steal 2 Million - South Africa

Man On Ground - South Africa

Algiers Murder - South Africa

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY

1. How To Steal 2 Million - South Africa

2. Otelo Burning – South Africa

3. Rugged Priest – Kenya

4. Masquerades - Ghana

5. Man On Ground –South Africa/Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING

1. Algiers Murder – South Africa

2. Man On Ground – South Africa/Nigeria

3. Unwanted Guest – Nigeria

4. How To Steal 2 Million- South Africa

5. Otelo Burning – South Africa

6. Alero’s Symphony - Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENPLAY

1. Ties That Bind – Ghana

2. Mr & Mrs – Nigeria

3. How To Steal 2 Million – South Africa

4. Otelo Burning –South Africa

5. Unwanted Guest -Nigeria

6. Two Brides And A Baby – Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST NIGERIAN FILM

1. Unwanted Guest -Nigeria

2. Family On Fire – Nigeria

3. Alero’s Symphony – Nigeria

4. Adesuwa – Nigeria

5. Phone Swap – Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST FILM IN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE

1. Chumo - Tanzania

2. State Of Violence – South Africa

3. Family On Fire – Nigeria

4. Otelo Burning – South Africa

5. Asoni - Cameroon

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST CHILD ACTOR

1. Rahman Junior Bande (Behind The Mask) - Nigeria

2. Tsepang Mohlomi (Otelo Burning) – South Africa

3. Reginna Danies (Bank Job) – Nigeria

4. Benjamin Abemigisha (Jamaa) – Uganda

5. Racheal Nduhukire (Jamaa) – Uganda

6. Ayinla O. Abdulaheem (ZR-7) – Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST YOUNG/PROMISING ACTOR

1. Neo Ntatleno (State Of Violence) – South Africa

2. Ivie Okujaye (Alero’s Symphony) – Nigeria

3. Iyobosa Olaye (Adesuwa) – Nigeria

4. Martha Ankomah (Somewhere In Africa) – Ghana

5. Thomas Gumede (Otelo Burning) – South Africa

6. Sihle Xaba (Otelo Burning) – South Africa

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

1. Rapulana Seiphemo (How To Steal 2 Million) – South Africa

2. Fana Mokoena (Man On Ground) – South Africa

3. Hafiz Oyetoro (Phone Swap) – Nigeria

4. Okechukwu Uzoesi (Two Brides And A Baby) – Nigeria

5. Godfrey Theobejane (48) – Nigeria

6. Lwanda Jawar (Rugged Priest) – Kenya

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

1. Terry Pheto (How 2 Steal 2 Million) – South Africa

2. Ebbe Bassey (Ties That Bind) – Ghana

3. Empress Njamah (Bank Job) – Nigeria

4. Ngozi Ezeonu (Adesuwa) – Nigeria

5. Thelma Okoduwa (Mr & Mrs) – Nigeria

6. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (Ties That Bind) -Ghana

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

1. Menzi Ngubane (How 2 Steal 2 Million) – South Africa

2. Majid Micheal (Somewhere In Africa) – Ghana

3. Chet Anekwe (Unwanted Guest) – Nigeria

4. Jafta Mamabolo (Otelo Burning) – South Africa

5. Karabo Lance (48) – Nigeria

6. Wale Ojo (Phone Swap) – Nigeria

7. Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Man On Ground) –Nigeria/South Africa

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

1. Nse Ikpe Etim (Mr & Mrs) – Nigeria

2. Yvonne Okoro (Single Six) – Ghana

3. Ama K. Abebrese (Ties That Bind) – Ghana

4. Rita Dominic (Shattered) – Kenya

5. Uche Jombo (Damage) – Nigeria

6. Millicent Makheido (48) – South Africa

7. Kudzai Sevenzo-Nyarai (Playing Warriors) – Zimbabwe

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DIRECTOR

1. Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun (Adesuwa) – Nigeria

2. Leila Djansi (Ties That Bind) – Ghana

3. Bob Nyanja (Rugged Priest) – Kenya

4. Charlie Vundla (How 2 Steal 2 Million) – South Africa

5. Khalo Matabane (State Of Violence) – South Africa

6. Akin Omotoso (Man On Ground) – South Africa/Nigeria

7. Sara Bletcher (Otelo Burning) – South Africa

AMAA 2011 PRIZE FOR BEST FILM

1. State Of Violence – South Africa

2. Adesuwa – Nigeria

3. Otelo Burning – South Africa

4. Rugged Priest – Kenya

5. How 2 Steal 2 Million – South Africa

6. Ties That Bind – Ghana

7. Man On Ground – South Africa/Nigeria

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Nigerian immigrants have highest level of education in the U.S.

Nigerian immigrants have the highest levels of education in Houston and the nation, surpassing whites and Asians, according to a Census data bolstered by an analysis of 13 annual Houston-area surveys, Leslie Casimir of the Houston Chronicle reports.

David Olowokere, originally from Nigeria and the chairman of Texas Southern University’s department of engineering technologies, told Casimir that holding a master’s degree just wasn’t good enough for his people back home. So he got a doctorate. His wife, Shalewa Olowokere is a civil engineer and hold a master’s degree.

According to a 2006 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, 17 percent of all Nigerians in the U.S. hold a master’s degree, 4 percent hold a doctorate and 37 percent have a bachelor’s degree. In comparison, 8 percent of the white population in the U.S. hold a master’s degrees, 1 percent hold a doctorate and 19 percent have a bachelor’s degrees.

The Nigerian numbers are strikingly high, Roderick Harrison told Casimir. He is a demographer at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a Washington D.C. think-thank that specializes in researching black issues.

However, Stephen Klineberg, a Sociologist at Rice University who conducts the annual Houston Area Survey, suspects the percentage of Nigerian immigrants with post-graduate degrees is higher than the Census data shows.

According to the latest Census data there are more than 12,000 Nigerians in Houston. This is a figure sociologists and Nigerian community leaders say is a gross undercount, as they believe the number is closer to 100,000.

Out of all the Nigerian immigrants Kleinberg reached in his random phone surveys in 1994 through 2007—a total of 45 households—40 percent of them told him they had post-graduate degrees.

The reasons Nigerians have more post-graduate degrees than any other racial or ethnic group is largely due to the Nigerian society’s emphasis on mandatory and free education, Casimir reports. After immigrating to the U.S., practical matters of immigrations laws get in the way. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 made it easier for Africans to enter the U.S., but mostly as students or highly skilled professionals—not through family sponsorships, Kleinberg said.

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