NAIJAFEED

Monday, April 25, 2011

Time Magazine Lists Lamido Sanusi on World's 100 Most Influential People

Yet another reward for hard work has come the way of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), with the inclusion by the New York based Time Magazine in its 2011 TIME 100, the magazine's annual list of the most influential people in the world.

The Time 100 list, now in its eighth year, recognizing innovation, activism and achievement of the world's most influential individuals, listed Sanusi who was appointed CBN Governor in 2009, as number 11.

Also on the list were world renowned Nobel Laurel in Economics, Prof. Joseph Stiglitz; the German Chancellor Angela Merkel; U.S. President, Barack Obama; British Prime Minister, David Cameron; U.S. Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton; and Lionel Messi, FIFA Footballer of the year, among others.

According to Richard Stengel, TIME Managing Editor, "the TIME 100 is not a list of the most powerful people in the world, it's not a list of the smartest people in the world, it is a list of the most influential people in the world. They're scientists, thinkers, philosophers, leaders, icons, artists and visionaries; people who are using their ideas, their visions and their actions to transform the world and have an effect on a multitude of people."

A statement by Mohammed Abdullahi, Head, Corporate Communications and spokesman of the CBN, recalled that this is the second time in the history of the TIME 100 that a Nigerian is being listed by TIME, just as Sanusi is one of the only two Africans who made the current list.

The award, just like in the past, it is believed, rewards the CBN Governor's courageous leadership, at a time when the sector required tough and decisive intervention.

Soon after assuming office as CBN Governor, Sanusi, former executive director, Risk Management and chief executive of First Bank, dissatisfied with the perceived rot in the nation's banking industry embarked on a stress test of Nigeria's 24 banks in June 2009 to ascertain their health status.

Addressing a media parley last year, he expressed shock that the outcome of the test jointly conducted by the CBN and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) need confirmed much more than in thought. While nine of the banks- Afribank, Bank PHB, Finbank, Intercontinental, Oceanic International, Spring, Union and Wema, failed the test on all-three counts of capital adequacy, liquidity and corporate governance. Unity Bank was found wanting in capital adequacy, and was subsequently directed to recapitalize within one year along with Wema Bank.

In an unprecedented move that jolted the entire industry and economy, Sanusi, invoking his powers under the enabling laws, removed on August 14 and October 2, 2009 respectively, the executive management teams of eight banks, sparing Wema, whose new owners and management took over also in June 2009.

A managing director and four executives were appointed for each of the eight rescued banks to run the institutions under CBN supervision for two years, with an immediate task of ascertaining the true position of the banks.

Sanusi soon followed with a publication of the list of recalcitrant big bank debtors particularly to the rescued banks, as a result of which many scampered to pay off to avoid crime watchdog- the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

His vision and actions earned him the reputation as one of the most respected and authoritative voices on financial and economic matters on the continent, including a special invitation in November 2010 by the US Congressional Sub-Committee on International Monetary Policy and Trade, to give testimony at a congressional hearing titled "The Global Financial Crisis and Financial Reforms in Nigeria."

In January this year, Sanusi was named African and Global Central Bank Governor of the Year 2011 by the Banker Magazine, a publication of the Financial Times.

Daily Independent

Fela On Broadway Premieres in Lagos

The hit Broadway musical about the life and music of Nigerian legendary performer and political activist, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, which has witnessed sold out shows and won awards and international accolades, premieres tonight in Lagos, making it the first Broadway show to be performed in sub-Saharan Africa

The screening was held exclusively for journalists last night to a resounding ovation at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Fela, the Landmark Broadway musical, which won three Awards (Broadway' highest honour), including Best Choreography (Bill T. Jones), arrived with its crew and cast a fortnight ago in readiness for the debut performance which began yesterday through April 21 at the prestigious Eko Hotel's New Expo Centre Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

MTV Base is to put its musical muscle and dedicated fan base behind Fela, the award-winning tale of courage, passion and love that pays tribute to inspirational Nigerian music legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

The triumphant story, featuring Fela Kuti's captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones, comes to Lagos' New Expo Centre from April 20-25, 2011.

Fela had been a huge Broadway and West End hit. Produced by Jay Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Fela tells the true story of the star whose soulful Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation. Inspired by his mother, a civil rights champion, Fela devoted his life and music to the struggle for freedom and human dignity.

Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa: "Fela was a true legend of African music who was also recognised in the Legend category at the 2008 MTV Africa Music Awards. MTV Base is very proud to be associated with the home-coming of Fela "

MTV Base will be promoting Fela extensively on its broadcast and social media platforms, encouraging fans to go and witness the musical spectacle, which features the original Broadway cast, including Sahr Ngaujah as Fela and Lillias White as his mother, Funmilayo.

Vanguard

Video - FELA! on Broadway

Hollywood making Fela movie

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Video - President Goodluck Jonathan says riots reminds him of civil war

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday warned perpetrators of postelection violence that "enough is enough," saying the unrest brings back memories of events leading up to a 1960s civil war in the nation.

CNN

Video - Goodluck Jonathan - One year to change Nigeria

Video - Goodluck for Jonathan

UK Govt Deports 52 Nigerians

Fifty-two Nigerians will be deported, today, by the UK government, a Nigerian official at the High Commission in London has said.

Mr Mohammed Isa, the Head of the Immigration Section in the Nigerian High Commission in the UK, speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, said that the would-be deportees would arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in a chartered flight.

He said that they included those who had either completed their prison terms, failed-asylum seekers or those who overstayed their authorised permit.

Mohammed further also said that those to be deported would be accompanied by British law enforcement agents and two Nigerian officials.

"This is the first time a chartered flight conveying Nigerian deportees would be accompanied by Nigerian officials," Isa said.

He added: "Though, it is also in line with the global best practices, it is our responsibility to ensure that the deportees are treated in the most humane and dignified manner."

He pointed out that the mission had never recorded any 'ugly incidents' on the UK route since the exercise began following the conclusion in 2005, of a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) on migration returns between the two countries.

Vanguard

U.S. Congratulates Nigerians on Conduct of Presidential Election

The Obama administration says the conduct of Nigeria’s April 16 presidential election was historic and shows a significant improvement over the country’s flawed 2007 presidential contest.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner congratulated the declared winner, President Goodluck Jonathan, and said the United States sees the vote as “a positive new beginning for Nigeria.”

Speaking in Washington April 19, Toner said Nigerians had been given a real opportunity to select their senior leadership, and the election “sets Nigeria on a course toward solidifying and improving its democracy through strong governance and transparent institutions.”

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, headed by Attahiru Jega, announced April 18 that Jonathan received 22.5 million votes, or approximately 57 percent of the total, which was high enough to avoid a runoff election with his nearest rival, General Muhammadu Buhari, who received 12.2 million votes.

According to press reports, news of Jonathan’s victory prompted riots in the north of the country, with charges of ballot rigging. The riots have reportedly displaced around 16,000 people and destroyed several churches.

Toner condemned the violence and called upon “all candidates, political parties and supporters to respect the results of the election” and to “channel any grievances or challenges peacefully” for redress by legal and administrative personnel in the country.

Observer teams from the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reported that the presidential vote had met their criteria to be considered fair and transparent.

ECOWAS observer mission head and former Liberian President Amos Sawyer told reporters April 17 that his 300-member team “found no major incidents or irregularities” and described the vote as “a historic step for the strengthening of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.”

Former Ghanaian President John Kufuor headed the AU observer team. He said the election had been fair and credible, and that any questions of fraud would be misplaced, according to press reports.

Speaking on April 17, Kufuor said Nigerians all over the country had “shown determination to exercise [their] franchise and give themselves the leader they want, and it’s refreshing.”

“Nigeria hasn’t been served too well for decades electorally, but to our pleasant surprise we found the people of Nigeria generally are the security against this,” Kufuor said.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson praised the conduct of Nigeria’s National Assembly elections, which were held April 9, and wrote in an April 15 commentary that he and other U.S. officials “were heartened by what we saw” when observing the vote for the legislature.

“In sharp contrast to its elections of 2007, Nigeria was demonstrating that it can hold credible elections that allow the Nigerian people a meaningful opportunity to elect their leaders,” he wrote.

Carson said all Africans “deserve smooth, peaceful, transparent and credible elections” and that Nigeria’s presidential and National Assembly contests, as well as the April 26 vote for the country’s state governorships and state assemblies, “provide an historic opportunity for Nigeria to become a model for the rest of Africa and the world, especially for those citizens demanding democracy in their countries.”

U.S. Department of State

Barack to Obama - You can't afford to fail

Video - Goodluck Jonathan - One year to change Nigeria