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Actress / Director /Producer Stephanie Okereke Linus premiered her new movie – “DRY” on Saturday 29th November 2014, at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Wales, UK. The Premier attracted 150 guests and it was a great event for her. Looking forward to do well in the box office.
Emerging from the catwalks of the Houston, Texas fashion scene is a soft-spoken entrepreneur of fashion, with bold statements on style and culture. Kimma Wreh is the creative mind behind TeKay Designs. As the Head Designer of the couture fashion label, Kimma specializes in creating non-traditional and multi-cultural bridal and formal wear for men, women and children. The fashions are a mix of ethnic and contemporary designs. Wreh is from the country of Liberia and is a naturalized US citizen. As a first generation immigrant, Kimma Wreh is an example of the type of persons the United States has always welcomed to it’s borders. Recent comments by President Obama explain the policy our nation has taken towards immigrants. “For more than 200 years, our tradition of welcoming immigrants from around the world has given us a tremendous advantage over other nations. It’s kept us youthful, dynamic, and entrepreneurial. It has shaped our character as a people with limitless possibilities.” —President Barack Obama (Nov, 2014 Statement on Immigration Policy).
On the heels of New York Fashion Week 2014 where Wreh’s gowns were previewed, the fashion label showcased two new collections during the Houston Fashion Week 2014 events that led to Kimma Wreh of TeKay Designs being awarded “Best Couture Designer” for the “Crown Collection” of formal gowns and “Best Bridal Designer” title for the “Queen of the Brides” gown collection. Wreh also won “Fashion Designer of the Year Award” from the Ward Educational Foundation; (A non-profit organization with a school for girls in Liberia). The Houston Fashion awards acknowleged Wreh’s consistent contributions to philanthropic causes. Moreover, Kimma was awarded “2014 Top Designer of the Year” award by D-Mars Black Lifestyle Magazine. As an added recognition. Wreh received the Rising Star nomination from Fashion Group International, New York in the Accessories Category title. In 2014, R&B singer-songwriter Angie Stone, Chante Moore, and TV news anchor Deborah Duncan of “Great Day Houston” have worn TeKay Design’s statement necklaces. These celebrities joined the ranks of tennis superstar Serena Williams, actress Ashley Rickards and Busy Phillips by wearing TeKay Designs
Earning many accolades and celebrity endorsements throughout 2014, it appears Kimma Wreh is on easy street. “2014 has certainly been a breakout year for me. It’s been very busy and exciting. It appears my hard work is beginning to pay off.” explains Kimma. “It has certainly been a life of struggle for me. My humble beginnings started in my home country of Liberia where I lived a normal life until a series of military coups during the 1980’s. My father was a government offical and my family had to flee our home in 1986 because the militants were causing atrocities throughout the country. These were the darkest days of my life. My family lived in fear for months. My parents were able to help me flee the country for a better life in the United States. When I arrived in the US, all I had was $100 and a small suitcase. It was a blessing to enroll in college at Howard University, however it was challenging. I successfully completed a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Howard University. I later earned my master’s degree in Business Administration from LeTourneau University. During my tenure at Howard, I began creating stylish African fashions for my personal wardrobe. After receiving numerous complements and request for custom dresses, I decided to start my business with my sister. Although my sister and I began working separate businesses, we occasionally collaborate on projects. TeKay Designs has been in operation for over 16 years now, and it’s truly been a love of labor. The challenges with being a single mother and startup business gets to be hectic and exhausting. I must divide my attention between my kids, the computer, calls and meetings with customers, suppliers, event promoters, seamstresses and fit models in the same moments. Dispite the challenges, I feel blessed to have achieved what I have.”
Kimma Wreh’s fashion ideas exemplifies the entrepreneurial drive that is all-American. TeKay introduces new cultural designs, fabrics and embroidery into it’s gown collection and brings forth advanced sewing techniques, beading, ornamentations and cultural education. With each season the gowns spark dynamic thought and dialogue about culture and design that is always interesting. Culture and style is TeKay Design’s aesthetic signature and philanthropy is always an agenda for Kimma.
TeKay Designs has participated in various charitable causes and social endeavors aimed at uplifting the lives of women who are disabled or disadvantaged. Wreh’s recent initiative is making gowns for wheelchair bound women. Her recent encounter with Mrs. Deborah Grayson Carpenter, former contestant for Ms. Wheelchair Texas Pageant and Ambassador for the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, is an example of Kimma’s generosity. “I was touched by Deborah’s story and positive outlook on life. I created a couture gown, veil and headpiece for Deborah because I wanted her to feel glamourous during the fashion show, despite her spinal cord injury. It was amazing to see her on the runway. Deborah is the first person in a wheelchair to wear a TeKay Designs gown”.
The Crown Collection is a line of pageant gowns that positions the TeKay brand within a network of pageant queens who are ambassadors to philanthropic causes. Kimma believes in giving back. Some of the African inspired gowns produced by TeKay are created in Ghana, Africa. Skilled seamstresses and embroiderers work to produce dresses and men’s attire for an entire bridal party. TeKay outsources work opportunities for women to create elaborate couture gowns for brides who want culturally themed ceremonies. “ It’s important to give back!” explains Kimma, “I feel good about creating jobs for women in Africa. However, the current Ebola epidemic appears to be a distraction for many West African countries. Africans have been stigmatized by this deadly virus and it has effected doing business in West Africa. Although I’ve not returned to Liberia in over a decade, I’m stigmatized because I’m Liberian… I am Liberian, not a virus! Ebola hysteria and stigmatization has inspired me to begin plans to work on a fundraising event to help provide medical supplies to help combat the Ebola virus —while celebrating African culture. Fashion events are an excellent way to promote the creativity and culture of Africa.” states Kimma.
African fashions are still on the rise across the world. Consultancy Africa Intelligence (www.consultancyafrica.com), is a South African based research firm that has recorded 16 major fashion shows in Africa during 2011. There are several international fashion events which serve African-based designers as a platform to showcase their work. Moreover, new trends and labels are promoted on websites, in fashion magazines like the Nigeria based Arise Magazine. African inspired dresses are being created in every city by cosmopolitan designers like Kimma Wreh who are reshaping the image of Africa one garment at a time.
MEDIA RELATIONS:
Macintosh Smith
TEKAY DESIGNS
P.O. Box 692454
Houston, TX 77269
832-969-5961
www.tk-designs.com
feedback@tk-designs.com
facebook.com/tekaydesigns
The nominees for the third Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) brought to viewers by AfricaMagic in association with MultiChoice Africa and the headline sponsor, Amstel Malta, have been revealed. The much-anticipated announcement was made by popular TV personalities, Nick Mutuma ofMashariki Mix and Sika Osei of 53 Extra on Wednesday, the 10th of December 2014 at 20:30 CAT during a special live broadcast on all Africa Magic and Maisha Magic channels.
Leading the nominees with an impressive eight nods was the Nigerian psychological thriller, October 1, followed by the critically acclaimed action crime thriller, A Place in the Stars, nipping at its heels with seven nominations. Both movies will go head-to-head in the coveted Best Movie (Drama) and Best Movie of 2014 categories.
Popular Nigerian actress, Rita Dominic, whose film The Meeting also received a noteworthy number of nominations, is in the running for Best Actress in two categories – the Comedy category for her role in The Meetingwhile her drama film Iyore, put her in the running for Best Actress in a Drama.
Other actors and actress who received nominations include Gideon Okeke, Richard Mofe Damijo, Frank Donga, Mercy Johnson, IK Ogbonna, Kunle Afolayan, Ireti Doyle, Wale Ojo, Mike Ezuruonye, OC Ukeje, Ivie Okujaye, Joselyn Dumas, Linda Ejiofor and more.
It’s game, set, match for the nominees who are scheduled to celebrate each other at the 2015 AMVCAs ceremony on 7 March 2015. go to the website http://amvca2015-awards.dstv.com and vote for your favorite actors or movies.
The nominees for the 2015 AMVCAs are:
Best Actor in a Comedy
The Interview (Frank Donga) – Kunle Idowu
The Meeting – Femi Jacobs
Meet the Adebanjos – Wale Ojo
Horn Free Day– Kelechi Udegbe
Fundi-Mentals – Gerald Langiri
The Last 3 Digits -Nonso Diobi
Best Actress in a Comedy
Folly – Joke Silva
When Love Happens – Weruche Opia
The Meeting – Rita Dominic
A Letter from Adam – Lydia Forson
I Come Lagos – Nse Ikpe Etim
Best Actor in a Drama
A Place in the Stars – Gideon Eche-Okeke
Honeymoon Hotel – IK Ogbonna
Unforgivable – Mike Ezuruonye
Devil In The Detail – Adjetey Anang
Brave – Wole Ojo
Confusion Na Wa – OC Ukeje
Secret Room – O.C Ukeje
Best Actress in a Drama
Make.A.Move – Ivie Okujaye
Iyore – Rita Dominic
A Place in the Stars – Amaka Mgbo
Love or Something like That – Joselyn Dumas
October 1 – Kehinde Bankole
Reflections – Aisha Kamara
Best Art Director (Movie/ TV)
October 1 – Pat Nebo
Secret Room – Crey Ahanonu/Simon Peacemaker
Veve – Ayako Bertoll
Verdict – Stanlee Ohikhuare
Prince of Barmah – Frank Rajah Arase
Best Cinematographer (Movie/ TV)
October 1 – Yinka Edward
A Place in the Stars – John Demps/ Harald Beeker/ Manuel Lapiere
The Antique – Dj Tee
Verdict – Stanlee Ohikhuare
Secret Room – Lukman Abdulraman/Simon Peacemaker
Best Comedy Writer (Movie/ TV)
The Meeting – Tunde Babalola
Clinic Matters Episode 203 – Adekunle Salawu
When Love Comes Around – Zynnell Zuh and David Amah
When Love Happens – Seyi Babatope/Diche Enuwa/Temitope Bolade
A Letter from Adam – Lydia Forson
Best Costume Designer (Movie/ TV)
October 1 – Deola Sagoe/Obijei Oru
Dazzling Mirage – Adebimpe Adebambo
Rush TV Series – Tiona Wangechi
Love or Something like That – Nana Akua Manso
Under Your Skin – Ngozi Jombo
Best Documentary
The Gift of the Nile – Yvonne Bassey
These Past Times – Katman
Shashamane Southern Ethiopia – Yvonne Bassey
Paradox Of Life – Katman Dayil
The Masai Mara Adventure – Yvonne Bassey
Best Drama Writer (Movie/ TV)
A Place in the Stars – Ita Hozaife And J.K. Amalou
Devil in the Detail – Shirley Frimpong-Manso
Iyore – Frank Rajah Arase
Yellow Cassava – Damijo Efe Young
October 1 – Tunde Babalola
Best Lighting Designer
October 1 – Lanre Omofaye
The Antique – Dj Tee
Verdict – Stanlee Ohikhuare
Fundi-Mentals – John Wambugu
Tales of Eve – Caged Tajudeen Abdulazeez
Best Local Language Hausa
Bincike – Hafizu Bello/Abubakar Bashir
Maja – Abba Miko Yakassai
Shagun Doka – Andrew Ohio Ohiorenoya
Mai Farin Jini – Uzee Concept
Ni Da Matata – Abba Miko Yakassai
Best Local Language Igbo
B For Boy -Uche Nwa dili
Onye Ozi (The Messenger) -Obi Emelonye
Har Da Mijina – Uzee Concept
Olanma – Onyekachukwu Okeke
Saint Ossai – Collins Ezenwa
Best Local Language SWAHILI
Network – John Kallage
Veve – Sarika Hemi Lakhani
Mama Duka – Njoki Muhoho
Almasi – Almasi
Mdundiko – Timothy Conrad
Best Local Language YORUBA
Olosa – Temitayo Adeniyi
Dagbere – Oluwole Cole
Dada Oni Paki – Fidelis Duker
Alakada 2 – Alakada2
Iya Alalake – Faithia Balogun
Best Make-Up Artist
October 1 – Sacred
Verdict – Stanlee Ohikhuare
Iyore – Matthew Alechenu Hyacient
A Place In The Stars – Chinwem Elevoh / Sandra Udoewah
The Meeting – Juliette Okoli
Best Movie (Comedy)
The Meeting – Rita Dominic
A Letter from Adam – A Letter From Adam
The Meeting – Mildred Okwo
30 Days in Atlanta – 30 Days In Atlanta
Jand Hustle – Ehizojie Ojesebholo
Best Movie (Drama)
Devil in the Detail – Devil in the Detail
Invasion 1897 – Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen
Secret Room – Simon Peacemaker/ Crey Ahanonu
A Place in the Stars – A Place In The Stars
October 1 – Kunle Afolayan
Make.A.Move – Make.A.Move
Best Movie Director
Invasion 1897 – Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen
A Place in the Stars – Steve Gukas
Secret Room – Eneaji Chris
Verdict – Stanlee Ohikhuare
Potomanto – Potomanto
Best New Media-Online
Verdict – Stanlee Ohikhuare
Ogas at the Top – Marie Lora-Mungai
Leeway – Eric Aghimien
Hard Times – Imoh Umoren
Between The Lines – Likarion Wainaina
Best Movie Of 2014
Invasion 1897 – Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen
Yellow Cassava – Zeb Ejiro
October 1 – Kunle Afolayan
A Place in the Stars – A Place In The Stars
Iyore – Frank Rajah Arase
Best Short Film
Verdict – Stanlee Ohikhuare
Not Right – Not Right
Brave – Lowladee (Adeleke Dolapo)
Oblivious – Kiki Omeili
The Throne – Jibril Mailafia
Best Sound Editing
A Place in the Stars – Susan Penington
October 1 – Kulanen Ikyo
Render To Caesar – Michael Ogunlade
Gidi Up – Muhammed Atta & Jadesola Osiberu
Love or Something like That – Kofi Boachie-Ansah
The Antique – Flo
Best Video Editor
A Place in the Stars – Antonio Ribeiro
Veve – Roselidah Taabu Obala
October 1 – Mike Steve-Adeleye
Devil in the Detail – Nana Akua Manso
Reflections – Victoria Akujobi
Best Supporting Actress
30 Days in Atlanta – Ada Ameh
The Meeting – Linda Ejiofor
30 Days in Atlanta – Ese
Gidi Up – Iretiola Doyle
Confusion Na Wa – Tunde Aladese
Best Supporting Actor
A Place in the Stars – Segun Arinze
30 Days in Atlanta – Richard Mofe Damijo
Iyore – Yemi Blaq
Knocking On Heaven’s Door – Blossom Chukwujekwu
When Love Happens – O. C. Ukeje
Best Television Series
The Xyz Show – Godfrey Mwampembwa
Jack Okell – Georgia Arnold
Rush TV Series – Rush Series
Gidi Up – Jadesola Osiberu
Maliposa – Mingeli Palata
OSITA
Teco Benson MFR
The story of the Nigerian film industry popularly known as Nollywood without the name of Teco Benson, MFR will not be complete. He is an accomplished award winner film director by all standards.
Considering his contribution to the growth of Nigerian Film Industry the The President of Federal Republic of Nigeria bestored him with a national honour Member Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR)
Born in 28th February 1971 after his early education he earned his Master degree, in Communication Studies, obtained in 2009 from the Lagos State University School of Communication and several professional courses in Script Writing, Film Production, Directing, cinematography and Editing. He is married
He is the Managing Director /CEO of his company TFP GLOBAL NETWORK.
He started his career in the beginning era of Nollywood and has been able to evolve making great impact in the process and building a brand “Teco Benson” that has become a household name not just in Nigeria but world over.
He has spent the past 20 years of active film making in Nigeria with history of consistency, quality and attention to details.
He is affiliated to Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) as a Member, and Association of Movie Producers (AMP) as a Member.
Pioneered Action film making in Nigeria with movies that helped in shaping public opinions and fore warned Nigeria of what is happening today and how to handle them, e.g. State of Emergency, Executive Crime, Terror, War Front etc.
Produced and directed several big budget productions and has been able to manage and coordinate lots of human and material resources even under extreme pressure.
Established budgets/Schedules and monitored their progress and expenditure.
Trained and mentored several young film practitioners that are actively involved today in the film production process earning a descent living.
His main Objective going into film making is to use film as a conscious medium of communication with a view to effecting behavior change, especially restoring/upholding values, upholding issues of morality, upholding the sanctity of life and above all restoring the belief in our Nation, Nigeria as one indivisible entity.
Teco Benson has great directing skill with a deep interpretation and special style that is now identifiable by the viewing audience
His Film Producing skill date back from the early 90’s with special interest in topical issues.
Writing skill with ability to create relevant informative, educative, corrective and entertaining stories spiced with suspense, intrigue and positive resolution embedded with overall message of the story and cutting edge skill in film and Sound Editing
He also has good managerial skills acquired throughout my 20 years of leadership in the film production process and through my 3-year engagement with civil service as head of health department and PA to the Sole Administrator of Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency.
As a film Director/Producer, he has many films to his credit like
Film Credits as Producer
Scores to Settle, Suicide Mission, Cursed from Beyond, Compromise, Abandon, Atrocity, Narrow Escape 1, and Confusion.
Film Credit as Director/Producer
Accident
Blood in the Lagoon
Mission to Nowhere
Centrifugal Force
State of Emergency
Two Brides and a baby
High Blood Pressure
Explosion
The Senator
Six Demons
Executive crime
Broaddaylight
The Price
Wasted years
End of the wicked
Red Hot
War Front
Formidable Force
Blood Diamonds
False Alarm
Terror
The Bastard
Highway to the Grave
Day of Reckoning
Day of Atonement
Danger Signal
Silence of the Gods
The Fake Prophet
Dirty Game
Elastic Limit
Eye for Eye
Grace to Grass
Accidental Discharge
Felony
Magic Money
Indigenous Language Film Credits as Director
Mfana Ibagha (Ibibio)
Iku Doro (Yoruba)
Short Film Credits as producer/Director
The Premonition (BBC ENR Project)
The Mirror (BBC ENR Project)
Dr Cruel (CREATIVE TIME New York)
Too Far (CFC Nigeria)
Too Late (CFC Nigeria)
Television Credit
Directed the HEIR APPARENT reality show (A TV Reality show that aired on NTA Network in the last quarter of 2010) HEIR APPARENT Brand is a federal government project sponsored by the NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY.
Awards and Recognitions
Member of the order of the Federal Republic (MFR) -2012
Best Nollywood Director, Universal Achievement Awards, Columbus, Ohio, USA, 2014
Winner, Best Nigerian Film (AMAA) 2014
Best Director Nominee, AMAA, 2014
Best Director Nominee, (GIAMA) USA, 2014
Best Director, (Best of Nollywood Awards) BON, 2011
Best Director in English films FNEI, London 2004
Director of the year, City People Awards, 2002
Best Director in English films, VCOAN, 2005
Best action film director, Unizik, 2000
Best Xtian film director, Xtian Film Academy Awards, 1999
Best Producer in Nigeria, Zuma Film Festival, 2008
Nollywood Personality of the year, ASHAE, 2006
Special recognition awards, fan U.S.A. 2004
Excellency merit award, Nigerian Red Cross, 2004
Beyond Nigerian borders Teco Benson MFR received from California Legislature Assembly a Certificate of Recognition by the 5th Annual Silicon Valley African Film Festival for fostering a rich and positive impact to strengthen the culture of their community.
Teco Benson has taken part in much Industrial Engagement:
He has served as a member of the federal government delegation to Ghana in 2005, that mediated in the crisis between Nollywood and Ghana film Industry.
He was also part of the five-man delegation that represented Nigeria at the 32nd Cairo international film festival, held in Cairo, in Egypt.
In 2006, he represented Nigeria film industry with his movie titled Explosion in Israel, during a cultural festival tagged fresh face of Nigeria held at the famous Givatayim theatron in Telaviv, where it premiered to a full international audience.
In 2007 his blockbuster 35mm film, Mission to Nowhere launched Nollywood to international cinemas, securing general release in all the chains of elite cinemas in U.K, Dublin, Scotland, and Nigeria.
In 2011, he represented Nigeria and delivered position paper in Copenhagen, Denmark during the cultural festival organized by the Danish film Institute.
Also in 2011, he represented Nigeria at the International Documentary film festivals held in Johannesburg, South Africa where he presented his perspective on the effects of piracy.
In 2003, he was given a special recognition by Alhaji Teejan Kabbah, the then President of Sierra Leone for his efforts in the movie Blood Diamonds, the first Sierra Leonian made movie.
A founding member of defunct FCON, Filmmakers cooperative of Nigeria
His Previous work experiences are
Environmental Health Officer
Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency 1994-1995
Personal Assistant to the Sole Administrator
Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency 1995-1997
Resigned in 1997 to devote more time for professional film production, which he combined on part-time since 1994.
His movie “ACCIDENT” Winner of the 2014 Best Nigerian Film (AMAA) Award.
Synopsis:
Chy, a successful Nigerian female attorney takes on a case that may well be the last case of her career. A client wants to divorce his wife after 15 months of marriage, but when the woman turns up dead, Chy finds herself entangled in a web of deceit, scandal and jealousy. Accident is a fascinating courtroom drama with twists and turns that will keep the audience guessing.
Below is Teco Benson Official contact :
TFP GLOBAL NETWORK: House 1, Road 2, Greenland Estate, Off Phillip Odeavbara Street, Lekki Scheme 2, Lekki Peninsula, Lagos,Cell 08033329711, 08086160547, E-mail tecobenson2@yahoo.com
“Jesus and the Vanished Women” Closes 2014 Eko International Film Festival
The expository documentary film “Jesus and the Vanished Women” (Jesus und die verschwundenen Frauen) closed the 5th annual Eko International Film Festival Sunday night at the Silverbird Cinemas, Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos. It was one of the three special films from makido Film of Vienna in German and dubbed in English for English audiences. The other two makido films included “Diplomatic Liaisons – Mistresses of the Vienna Congress – Sex, Lies and Diplomacy”
(Der Wiener Kongress und die Macht der Frauen) by Monika Czernin, Melissa Müller and The Righteous Among the Nations: Rescuers and Volunteers During National Socialism” (Die Gerechten unter den Völkern. Retter und Helfer im Nationalsozialismus), a very powerful documentary by Andrea Morgenthaler. A timeless memorial tribute to “honor those who stood by the Jews in their darkest hour” during the Holocaust. It followed the 1963 Yad Vashem worldwide program to find and pay tribute to those who had rescued Jews, calling them the “Righteous Among the Nations”.
The exceptional biographies of Dorothea Neff, Franz Leitner, Jaroslawa Lewicki, Esther Grinberg-Boissevain, and the Helmrich couple demonstrate how it was possible even under the most adverse circumstances to show humanity and sympathy.
Maria Blumencron
“Jesus and the Vanished Women “(Jesus und die verschwundenen Frauen) is written and directed by famous award winning Austrian actress, filmmaker and author Maria Blumencron, whose film endorses Feminist theology.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene are possibly the names that spring to one’s mind first when thinking of Jesus of Nazareth. In the gospels and epistles of the New Testament, the women around Jesus play a very special role, which, over the course of Church history has been repressed. It was the women, Jesus’ female disciples,
according to the gospels, who remained true to Jesus in his most difficult hours on the cross and who were the first to bear witness to his resurrection. Women such as the deaconess and abbess, Phoebe of Cenchreae, or the apostle, Junia, were the equals of the other (male) disciples, led communities, were apostles just like the Twelve.
Who were the women with whom Jesus of Nazareth surrounded himself? What were his relationships with them? And what role did they play in the imitation of Christ, in the first Christian communities?
The closing ceremony ended with closing remarks and cocktail reception.
The special guests who graced the event included accomplished Nigerian filmmakers Lancelot Imasuen, Ralp Nwadike, Francis Onwoche, Chike Ibekwe, Victor Okhai, Amaka Anioji and others. They all met with Nicole Polsterer of makido Film and Nella Hengstler, Commercial Counsellor at the Austrian Embassy in Nigeria who represented the ambassador. makido Film is working on co-productions with Nigerian film filmmakers for the “Time for Africa” projects and international film distribution for Nigerian films in Europe.
Photographs from the 2014 annual Eko International Film Festival from November 20-23, at the Silverbird Cinemas, Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos.
Hope Obioma Opara, President of the annual Eko International Film Festival, Bola Saliu, Nicole Polsterer of makido Film, Amaka Anioji, Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, Nella Hengstler, Commercial Counsellor of the Austrian Embassy in Nigeria who represented the ambassador and a guest at the closing day of the event, Sunday evening of November 23, 2014.
Top Nigerian filmmakers Francis Onwochei (board member of the Audio-Visual Rights of Nigeria, AVRS)and Ralph Nwadike with Hope Obioma Opara.
Polsterer of makido Film of Vienna and Omiko Awa of The Guardian newspaper.
Victor Okhai, multilingual filmmaker and scholar who has sat on several international film festival juries, including FESPACO, Abuja International Film Festival, Schnitt, Cairo International Film Festival and Founder/Director of the International Film and Broadcast Academy, Lagos. The academy is acclaimed Nigeria’s first private film school. He is also the organizer of In-Short International Film Festival in Lagos.
Hope Obioma Opara with famous award winning filmmaker and photographer Femi Odugbemi and Co-Founder of iRepresent International Documentary Forum and CEO of DVWORX Studios, Lagos.
Francis Onwochei, award winning filmmaker Chike Ibekwe and Victor Okhai.
Actress and Model Chinenye Okechukwu
Stanlee ,Grace Edwin-Okon, Chinenye and Associates.
Representatives from Nollywood Radio Paris France
Welcome Address by Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, MD/CEO, Nigerian Breweries Plc, at the 1st Nigerian Beer and Health Symposium at Eko Hotels Lagos, on 4 November, 2014
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
I am very delighted to welcome you to this very important symposium. Let me also quickly thank you for finding the time to honour our
invitation, especially at this very busy end of year. I can assure you upfront that the time will be well spent and the knowledge from today’s symposium will be very rewarding.
As you already know, we are here today to discuss an interesting
subject of beer and health. I am not the subject expert and very shortly, the experts will take the floor. However, I do know a few things about beer, which I thought I should share with you this morning.
While technology and innovation have changed the way we brew beer and enjoy it today, the many beers in the world, which number over 40,000 are still made from the same four basic natural ingredients – hops, barley, water, yeast. Beer is by far, the world’s oldest 
recorded alcoholic beverage. It has a very rich and fascinating history. Beer, as you will see later in the various presentations, has so many positive qualities and benefits.
With such rich history and apparent popularity of beer in Nigeria, why you may ask, are we sponsoring this symposium? The reason is quite simple.
Firstly, Nigerian Breweries has a huge stake in the industry as market leaders. Through the increase of shareholder value, generation of employment, creation of business opportunities, attracting foreign direct investments, sustained CSR investments, generation of revenue for government at all levels as well as other linkage effects, Nigerian Breweries has been making enormous contributions to economic development. Nigerian Breweries has remained one of the main drivers of manufacturing growth in the country.As at 2013, Nigerian Breweries supported close to 300,000 jobs in the value chain and contributed billions of Naira in taxes to various tiers of government. It is therefore in the interest of all to support the industry through proper understanding of its social and economic benefits.
Secondly, with all its rich history and associated positives and benefits, its role in the social, cultural and economic development of Nigeria, is often under-stated and the story is little appreciated by audiences that are daily overwhelmed by negative images, mostly wrongly attributed to beer.
Many adults in this beautiful planet like to enjoy a well-chilled glass of beer now and then. Certainly, I do myself. But daily, we get confronted with the negative images of wrongful use of beer. The prevalence of these images and the subsequent discussions around them and the negative perception impact on beer, have the capacity for serious impact on this beautiful product. The negative images are reinforced daily, with many unsubstantiated misconceptions over the years.
Nigerian Breweries, as leaders in the industry, has a responsibility to improve the reputation of our category by sharing and celebrating all that’s wonderful about beer. Moderate consumption of beer, can be a source of immense pleasure. As you will see later in this symposium, it can also be part of a positive healthy lifestyle.
Of course, we do recognize that there is a clear distinction between moderate consumption and possible abuse of beer. Alcohol abuse whether from beer or from any other alcoholic beverage, is a problem. It has always been in existence. It is not to our advantage to promote it as it makes our business unsustainable. Promoting moderation and responsible consumption is in our long term interest of sustainability. Nigerian Breweries is already doing a lot in the direction of promoting responsible consumption. A few examples will suffice here:
– NB has partnered with FRSC to run “Don’t drink and drive” campaign
– All NB beer brands carry a drink responsibly message
– The Heineken brand has run the “Sunrise belongs to moderate drinkers” campaign.
– The Heineken brand is currently running the “Dance more, drink slow” campaign.
In the end, it is all about responsibility and moderation.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, my job is done in welcoming you. I wish you a pleasant experience during this symposium.
BEYOND ALCOHOL, ON TO THE BENEFITS OF DRINKING BEER
Professor Bankole Omotoso.
Let me commence this contribution to this historical conference on Beer and the Healthy Lifestyle by expressing my gratitude to organisers of this symposium, for the invitation to chair and speak at this occasion. I am particularly gratified that that at last the Nigerian beer drinkard (as the Nigerian writer would have put it) is being served by a Nigerian conference. Beer has been an important component of a healthy life style in human history for over four thousand years. It continues to be.
My particular interest in beer and other beverages such as palm wine and grape wine began long ago, as a boy sent by my grandfather to harvest the juice of the palm tree which had been cut down and laid horizontal for easy collection. Later travels and further immersion in lifestyles led to particular passion for the ultimate relationship between alcohol and beer.
Each area of human manipulation and invention contains an abiding puzzle. With car making it is always to invent a car that would, like the horse that inspired the automobile, move itself without a rider. The invention of automatic transmission brought that day forward. Today self-driving cars are being tested and we might have soon self-driving cars competing with life horses on the race course!
In the field of aeroplanes, it would be the one that would fly without a pilot. Today, drones fly past birds to do what they need to do. What then is the abiding puzzle in the case of beer brewing? Before I go into this I want to quote some of the major ways that Beer and Beer Brewing has enriched the languages and cultures of the world.
“It was the accepted practice in ancient Babylonia 4000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride’s father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer, and because their calendar was lunar based, the period was called the ‘honey moon’ – or what we know today as the honey moon.”
“Before thermometers were invented, brewers would dip a thump or finger into the mix to find the right temperature for adding yeast. Too cold, and the yeast would not grow. Too hot, and the yeast would die. This thumb in the beer is where we get the phrase ‘rule of thumb’.”
“In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. So, in Old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them to mind their own pints and quarts and settled down. It’s where we get the phrase mind your p’s and q’s!”
“Beer, we are told, was the reason the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. It’s clear from the Mayflower’s log that the crew did not want to waste beer looking for a better site. The log goes on to state that the passengers were hasted ashore and made to drink water so that the seamen might have the more beer.”
“After consuming a bucket or even two of a vibrant brew they called ‘aul’ or ‘ale’, the Vikings would head fearlessly into battle often without armour or even shirts. In fact, the term ‘berserk’ means ‘bare shirt’ in Norse, and eventually took on the meaning of their wild battles.”
“In 1740 Admiral Vernon of the British fleet decided to water-down the navy’s rum. Needless to say, the sailors were not too pleased and called Admiral Vernon Old Grog, after the stiff wool grogram coats he wore. The term ‘grog’ soon began to mean watered down drink itself. When you were drunk on this grog, you were ‘groggy’, a word still in use today.”
I remember that one particular brand of beer Becks had been so domesticated that when my Uncle called for his Abeke I knew where to go and bring her!
Now to go back to that abiding puzzle mentioned in the case of the automobile and aeroplane industries, which is still to be solved resolved in the industry of brewing of beer. What is the correct alcoholic content to make beer the best beer can be?
Whoever can discover that formula would have done in beer brewing what the automobile and aeroplane industries have done for the pleasure car and the aircraft? Brewers have reduced the alcohol content drastically to create Beer Lite. At other times brewers have increased the alcohol content to hasten intake and effective inebriation! And there has been non-alcoholic beer as well.
In the rest of this presentation I wish to look at the health benefits of each one of these versions of beer: the non-alcoholic, the lite and the high alcoholic content. But let me sound a note of warning. All cultures preach one particular central virtue over and above every other virtue. In the Yoruba culture it is possible to state categorically that moderation, iwotunwosi, the washing of the left hand and of the right hand, is the singular pillar of existence as contained in the Ifa Divination poems “highly valued by the Yoruba as the guardian of Yoruba culture, the wisdom of the ages and the teachings of the ancestors and the divinities.”
In terms of drink, “to drink moderately is to drink within the limits set by your health, the society in which you live and your obligations towards your family and friends: this means 1 – 3 drinks a day for most men. Women are more sensitive to alcohols, so they are advised to drink less than men: 1 – 2 drinks a day.” This amounts to a quarter litre glass having between 4 and 5 per cent alcohol 10g by volume. This approximates to beer lite.
Alcohol and the natural raw materials from which beer is brewed are good to drink and are also good for the health. They are not health risks when taken moderately. Foods and drinks consumed by human beings contain both bad fat and good fat. When alcohol is consumed there is an increase of good fat. This is the fat that the body can easily convert to energy. Bad fat has a habit of sitting at the neck or at the guts or anywhere else that would give it space. Alcohol does not contain this bad type of fat.
There is also medical evidence that alcohol consumption has a blood thinning effect and this leads to the reduction of the tendency of blood to form clots. As we know now blood clots prevent the flow of blood to the heart and the brain thus causing massive heart attacks. It is also true that moderate alcohol consumption reduces the inflammation of the inner linings of the nerves as well as a lower level of insulin resistance. Any alcohol, whether sourced from beer or wine or any other beverage, protects the heart. How much and how often must be governed by the ruled of moderation spelt out earlier. The consumption of beer with a meal is considered a better way rather than drinking on an empty stomach.
Specifically, there are some illnesses and diseases which can be prevented, minimized or completely prevented by the consumption of alcohol. Some of these are Diabetes Mellitus, weakening of the bones (osteoporosis) as a result of the increase in blood of oestrogen associated with alcohol consumption in women. Others are Dementias which is the decline of cognitive ability with the advance of age. Parkinson’s disease, Gallstones and Kidney stones are other illnesses.
These illnesses and diseases are helped by the presence of flaveroid and silicon, minerals present in beer. Moderate consumption of alcohol creates a feeling of well-being, reducing stress and tension.
Moderate consumption of beer for general health effects:
Beer drinking can make a positive contribution to a healthy diet because of its wholesome raw materials used in brewing beer. These natural raw materials are cereals, hops, yeast and water. There are soluble fibres derivable from the cell walls of barley which are good for human health. All these natural materials contain antioxidants, vitamins especially of the B variation, silicon and fibre. Beer is generally on the average is 93% water. As a result beer is a thirst quencher of the first order with low alcohol. Research on alcohol-free beer has shown that these benefits are also present as well. This would mean that it is not only beer that has alcohol content that gives these benefits. So, beyond alcohol, the potential beneficial effects of the natural ingredients of beer are likely to apply to non-alcoholic beer.
Going further on barley’s soluble fibre, two glasses of beer contains in average 10% of the recommended daily intake of soluble fibre. Some beers can provide up to 30% of this food item. Fibre slows down digestion and absorption of food and reduces cholesterol levels. Cholesterol as we all know or should know helps the risks of heart disease.
People who drink beer have protection from bacterium helicobacter pylori, a bacterium known to cause the majority of stomach ulcers and may be a risk of stomach cancer.
Depending on style and process of brewing antioxidants present in beer from malt (barley) and hops as ingredients can be high or low. It is generally believed that antioxidants may play a role in the protection against cancer through their action against free radicals. Antioxidants also inhibit blood clotting.
Vitamins and Minerals:
Present in beer and various forms of vitamin B: macin, riboflavin (vitamin B2) pyroduxine (vitamin B6) folate (vitamin B9) and cabolamin (vitamin B12).
Some of the minerals present in beer are high potassium, low sodium, low calsium and rich magnesium which protects against gall stones and kidney stones formation. Silicon intake is associated with healthy bones.
Hops:
Small quantities of the flower from hops are used to preserve beer as well as to flavour it. Beer is the only dietary source of hops and flavonoids found in hops helps to fight cancer.
Beer does not contain fat or cholesterol and it is low in free sugar. Any calories which beer contain, comes from the alcohol content. And as mentioned earlier research into non-alcoholic beer shows that the benefits derivable from beer with alcohol are also found in beer without alcohol.
I would like to bring these comments to a close by quoting a poem that should be familiar to all of us. It is the sum total of what I have been saying in the last so many minutes:
“I am not scared of goblins or ghouls and things that go bump in the night
Werewolves and bats and witches and such do not give me much of a fright.
But there is this one thing that scares me to death and only this one thing I fear
And that’s to open my fridge at night and find that I’m all out of beer!”
Professor Bankole Omotoso.
Thursday 30.10.2014
Stellenbosch, Cape Town,
Western Cape,
South Africa.
Synopsis of “UNBROKEN”
Academy Award® winner Angelina Jolie directs and produces Unbroken, an epic drama that follows the incredible life of Olympian and war hero Louis “Louie” Zamperini (Jack O’Connell) who, along with two other crewmen, survived in a raft for 47 days after a near-fatal plane crash in WWII—only to be caught by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.
Adapted from Laura Hillenbrand’s (“Seabiscuit: An American Legend”) enormously popular book, Unbroken brings to the big screen Zamperini’s unbelievable and inspiring true story about the resilient power of the human spirit.
Starring alongside O’Connell are Domhnall Gleeson and Finn Wittrock as Phil and Mac—the airmen with whom Zamperini endured perilous weeks adrift in the open Pacific—Garrett Hedlund and John Magaro as fellow POWs who find an unexpected camaraderie during their internment, Alex Russell as Zamperini’s brother, Pete, and in his English-language feature debut, Japanese actor Miyavi as the brutal camp guard known only to the men as “The Bird.”
The film is produced by Jolie, as well as Matthew Baer (City by the Sea), Erwin Stoff (The Day the Earth Stood Still) and Clayton Townsend (This Is 40). Leading the accomplished behind-the-scenes crew is 10-time Oscar®-nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins (Skyfall).
Academy Award® winners Joel and Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men) rewrote the screenplay from earlier drafts by William Nicholson (Les Misérables) and Richard LaGravenese (HBO’s Behind the Candelabra).
Nigerian Breweries Plc and African Artists’ Foundation (AAF)
Presented the Grand Finale of the Seventh Annual National Art Competition
The art that won by Erasmus Onyishi N2 million Price
Powered by Nigerian Breweries Plc
Third from left is Mr Nicholaas A. Verveide MD/CEO Nigerian Breweries Plc, First from Left Mr Kufre Ekanem Corporate Affairs Adviser with the Winner Erasmus, Paul and Modupe
