WHAT THE QUEEN, KATE MIDDLETON AND ABIKE DABIRI HAVE IN COMMON

De Montfort University is a public research and teaching university situated in the medieval Old Town of Leicester, England, adjacent to the River Soar and the Leicester Castle Gardens. 40% of the university's research was deemed 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent' in the United Kingdom Research Assessment Exercise, highlighting particular strength in English literature, where it equalled the University of Cambridge. The university has the second highest number of National Teaching Fellows of all UK universities. The school was established in 1870 as Leicester School of Arts but gained University status in 1992.The School seems to be enjoying a bit of spotlight lately as Honourable Abike of the Nigerian House Of Representatives visited recently and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton will be joining the Queen to visit De Montfort come the 8th of March, 2012.
Nigerian students of De Montfort University, Leicester and a few others from neighbouring cities played host to Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman, House Committee on diaspora affairs penultimate Friday in a Lecture organised by the Nigerian Students Society of the school. Abike, who just a day before was one of the Speakers at the BEN TV security conference in London spoke on the theme, Nigeria, a country of paradox: antecedent, apposition and way forward. The event which had the school's Pro Vice Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), notable personalities such as Professor Andy Downton in attendance and the representative of Student Services/International Student Support Office, Andy Gale was well attended. The Nigerian High Commissioner, Dr Dalhatu Tarfida who was unavoidably absent due to another function was represented by Mr Simon Ogah, Minister and Head Information in the Nigerian High Commission, UK.

As for the Royals, as earlier stated, The Duchess of Cambridge will join the Queen on the start of her Diamond jubilee tour in Leicester, accompanied by the duke of Edinburgh. The royals will watch a play presented by students of the school among other duties.It is the first stop of a country –wide tour that will finish on July 25.

Meanwhile, some Nigerian Students have been commenting on the visits:
Damilare Akintade:I believe the visit of Hon.Abike Dabiri is an honour to DMU Nigerian Students and Students in the UK. Also, the Queen’s visit will be a memorable event here, which will help the University in many ways.

Grace Ogunejimite:I think the visit of Abike Dabiri is good for Students which gives them opportunity to interact with her but I hope she goes further by Facebook or Twitter accounts where the relationship can continue. The Queen’s visit will give us a life term opportunity to see her.
Rasheedat: First, I am glad that she honoured the invite and she was attentive to people’s questions, in my overall opinion,she responded well which contributed to the success of the event. I am excited that the Queen will be here as well as Princess Kate.

Wahabu: Honourable Abike’s visit has improved the image of DMNUNSS In the school as one of the most vibrant groups in the UK. It is a good thing for the community and the University to have the Queen here as we have one of the most diverse ethnic societies in the UK.

The De Montfort University Nigeria Students Society(DMUNSS) was launched in 2010 and has about 200 Nigerian Students.The executives include,Damilare Akintade(President),Biomedical Science,Wahabu Amidu(Secretary),MBA,Grace Ogunejimite(PRO),Advertising and Public Relation Mnagement,Rasheedah Mustapha(Health and Safety Officer),Account and Finance, and Chidi Anyanwu(Sport Director),Buisness Administration



pix credit:dammydiary.blogspot.com,google,DMUNSS

FOUNDATION LAUNCHED IN HONOUR OF LATE MAYOR SITTU

It is almost a year that the illustrious son of Nigeria, Mayor of London Borough of Southwark, Councillor Tayo Sittu departed this world leaving a yawning gap in the political landscape of the Nigeria UK community. It is a bit of cheering news though that his son, Councillor Michael is representing his race well as a Councillor for Livesey ward in Walworth, hugely encouraged by his mum and siblings. It was however not too surprising and a welcome development when distinguished crowd of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria attended the launch of a foundation in his honour a few weeks back.

The event tagged the Tayo Sittu Foundation (TSF) was attended by community leaders including the Mayors of Southwark and Lambeth, other Council leaders and religious leaders across the borough. It aims to champion young people in the community. The highlight of the event includes the unveiling of the logo, brief remarks and revealing the future projects of the foundation. Late Mayor Sittu who succumbed to Cancer after a brave but dignified battle was eulogised by his Successor Councillor Lorraine Lauder thus,'I am happy to be a Patron of the Sittu Foundation. Tayo was a caring person who wanted more support for young people. It is good to see TSF carrying on his work'.
Southwark's Councillor Tayo Sittu passed away on the 9th of May, 2011 after being ill for a number of weeks. A Peckham councillor since 2002, he came to South London from Nigeria in 1985 and studied accountancy before running his own business. He was made Mayor in May 2010. He survived by his wife Abike, five children and grandchildren. He was given a full British state funeral with the service held at Southwark Cathedral on the 23rd of MAY, 2011.

HOUSEMATES MOVIE TO SET LONDON AGLOW THIS FRIDAY,23RD OF MARCH,2012

Can the Pretenders please move away please?
Thank you,the playground is no more just for playing,it is getting more versatile and professional.In fact,the Pundits who continually call for bigger players in Nollywood will love this,a medical doctor has thrown his weight ,financial and talent wise behind a Nollywood movie.Dr Oladimeji Kareem with Michael Hamilton and Anthony Okereke are the Executive Producers of 'Housemates',a thriller movie that is sure to keep viewers at the edge of their seats.Dr Kareem,an Oxford trained doctor is a founding member of L'Chaim Entertainment outfit aimed to promote African music,arts and culture in the UK.

Housemates boasts of the Hollywood expertise of the Director,Sunny Ache,who developed television programs and films in the USA and the UK a few years back.As well as a successful writer of books like Messenger of Darkness,Ghost Tenant,Watching The Watchman ,Three Wise Women,Tough Women and Amina,he studied creative writing in England as well as Film Lighting/Directing at the Hollywood Film Institute between 2004 and 2008.

Housemates,a supernatural movie inspired by real life events as narrated by original Housemates who shared their experiences in a house they once occupied has about 65 percent white cast.Still well loved,Emeka Ike and comeback Queen Victoria Inyama-Okri are the easily identified faces but many people will be thrilled with the performance of Jazmine Hammoudeh,Chelsea Fitzpatrick,Sophie Fonteyn,Angie-Niccals Pistou and Eva Beleiver.The movie shows Patrick Bolaji(Emeka Ike),a qualified research Scientist falling on bad times and having to seek accommodation in a haunted flat by a deceased former tenant,Maya(Jazmine Hammoudeh).Though he was warned many fled the apartment,he decided to dismiss the fears.As things got scarier by the day,he sought help from Bimbo(Victoria Inyama-Okri) who had some wierd spiritual cleansing remedies.

The movie is sure to keep viewers glued to the screen from the beginning to the end as it is quite original in presentation and does not seem like business as usual compared to some productions.Kudos should also go to Yinka Idowu of Rex Vision Productions while the duo (Joe and Jules)of J2 Konsults who are fast stamping their authority as Princes of Premieres and entertainment are ensuring the Premiere which comes up on friday,the 23rd of March,2012 at the Odeon Cinema,Greenwich,London is a huge success.They revealed plans for a superlative hosting in a Press Parley held recently at the Eurotraveller Premier Hotel,Old Kent Road London.The event saw an impressive representation of people from showbiz,media and business sectors in the UK.

J2 Konsults,many still recall made all roads lead to the Odeon Cinema Greenwich last year for the Premiere of Lancelot Imaseun's movie,Adesuwa.

ROAD WATCH: Memo to IGP

ROAD WATCH: Memo to IGP
The new police head in Nigeria recently disbanded the notorious several road blocks mounted by the police on the roads .This has raised some questions on the alternative sheme or style for policing the highways . Wale ojo - Lanre writes the Inspector- General of Police.

‘Your performance earned you Tribune’s Most Enterprising Director-General Award’. I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life - Runsewe

Otunba Olusegun Runsewe ,the ebullient Director - General , Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation ,is a diligent public servant who has demonstrated that he is an asset to Nigeria as a nation.
He is one of the only four Nigerians which the Nigerian Tribune newspaper , the oldest surviving newspapers Nigeria deemed fit to deserve its awards.

The management of the newspaper paid him a visit in his Abuja office recently to intimate what qualified Otunba Runsewe and ,Senator David Mark ,the Senate President , Alhaji Aliko Dangote , and Governor Segun Mimiko for the Tribune Award Schedule for Abuja Sheration on Thursday 22 march 2012.

‘Your performance earned you Tribune’s Most Enterprising Director-General Award’I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life - Runsewe

‘Your performance earned you Tribune’s Most Enterprising Director-General Award’I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life - Runsewe

Opulence of 805 Restaurant, Abuja

There is 805 Restaurant in Old Kent Street,London which is reputed to be one of the best African eat out posts run by a Nigerian. Due to pressure on the operator of 805 Restaurant , from visiting Nigerians to UK ,who had opportunity of tasting the delicious cuisines of 805 in London, another 805 Restaurant has been opened in Abuja , nigeria . Our contributor Wale Ojo - Lanre has the story .

We protect Nigerians in diasp - CEO, Richard Sodiya and Associates

We protect Nigerians in diasp - CEO, Richard Sodiya and Associates

ROAD WATCH: Memo to IGP

ROAD WATCH: Memo to IGP

HOW I SLEPT ON NIGERIAN ,LAGOS BEACH FOR TWO WEEKS-KEN LIVINGSTONE,FORMER LONDON MAYOR

The elections are here.Okay,that's no news.The race for the office of the Mayor of London many believe is mainly between the incumbent,Boris Johnson and his Predecessor,Ken Livingstone whom many still root for not just because he is the first ever Mayor of London but because a lot of ethnic minorities still speak with nostalgia about his tenure in office.Ken was hosted in a fundaraising dinner at Stoke Newington,London on the 25th of February,2012 by Africans for labour,a large gathering of people of African descent from diverse background but a common goal-The British Labour Party and ensuring Ken returns to the Lodon Myoral post.
Enjoying the African funfair and food,Ken revealed his interest in Africa which dates back to the '60s.Excerpts.
'Back in 1966,when I was a very young naughty English boy,I went with my friend to Africa and my life was tranformed for ever.We travelled different countries,we learnt to dance to Hi-life,when we got to Nigeria,we camped at the Lagos beach,sleeping and waking,going to town for two weeks.Leaving our stuffs at the Beach,and it was completely safe'.


(BELOW IS INFORMATION FROM KEN CAMPAIGN WEBISTE)

I want to be Mayor for one overriding reason: if I am elected my focus will be to do everything I can to protect Londoners from the recession and the effects of the Government's policies.”

Ken is standing to be Mayor of London in 2012 to put London first and use his experience of office to get the most from what will be a difficult economic and political time for Britain and for London.
Ken’s running mate, standing to be London’s Deputy Mayor, is Val Shawcross AM.

Ken Livingstone was London’s first elected mayor from May 2000. An elected Mayor for the capital saw devolved government restored after fourteen years without a strategic authority and voice for London.

Born in Lambeth and now living in Cricklewood Ken Livingstone is a Londoner first and foremost.

From better transport and lower fares to climate change and addressing inequality, Ken has always been on the cutting edge of politics.



Find out more about Ken’s record as Mayor here and his record at the GLC here and view documents from his selection as Labour's candidate for Mayor here.

Background



Ken Livingstone was born in Streatham in 1945, attending Tulse Hill Comprehensive and working as a lab technician at Chester Beatty cancer research unit.

Since becoming the MP for Brent East he has lived in Cricklewood.

Click here for ten things you may not know about Ken.

Elected Office:

2000-2008, Mayor of London
1987-2001, Member of Parliament for Brent East

1981-1986, Leader of the Greater London Council, GLC member for Paddington

Ken has also been a borough councillor in Lambeth and Camden, and served as a GLC councillor in Hackney before Paddington. He stood as a parliamentary candidate in 1979 in Hampstead.