Friday, January 29, 2016

Beautiful love story - an inspiration for everyone!



There are some stories you hear and instantly have a teary eye because it is soo beautiful, so full of love. Charles and Louise's Evans story is such. "My wife and I were sweethearts in high school. You can say it was love at first sight. We actually had 59 years and 11 months,” Charles "Lala" Evans says. “Every Sunday, before or after church, she’d have me take her picture. And that’s how the collection grew — so much memorabilia and pictures and everything.” When Louise passed away, Charles wanted to do something to honor her memory, so he turned his house, their house, into a museum about her.




 The American alternative rock band Mutemath was looking for inspiration for their new song "Monument" when they heard about the beautiful love story of Charles and Louise. They decided to focus solely on Charles "Monument" for Louise. Everything you see in the video is all about Charles keeping the memory of Louise alive. Inside their house you see thousands of photographs of them and outside the house you see umbrellas that remind Charles of his lady. “On any given day I look out at any umbrella and see her smiling at me,” Charles said.

 As for the outcome of the video, LaLa says he’s “so grateful to be a little part of it.”LaLa also told BuzzFeed he believes Louise would have loved the final product.“Oh she would have loved it. She’s loving it now. Yeah, she would’ve been a little bashful about it because she’s a bashful kinda lady, but she would have loved it.” And LaLa’s reaction to the video was nothing but genuine. “I was sitting here crying. All the memories came back to me.” Charles' advice for couples is: “I tell people, ‘put that lady first!’” LaLa laughs. “They’ll be some ups and downs, but work hard at it.”“People come to me saying they have their problems and want to know how we do it. I tell them, ‘It’s all about love, that’s the key.”


"


"Monument"

There's a daylight going under
There's a new spark to discover
And you know we're not getting any young
So remember, this is our time

I wanna drive an open road
Can we go out tonight
Anything goes
Let's make a monument for our love, our love
Our love, our love
Let's make a monument for our love, our love
Our love, our love

There's a memory around the corner
There's an angel on our shoulders
To remind us life is far from over
So remember, this is our time

I wanna drive an open road
Can we go out tonight
Anything goes
Let's make a monument for our love, our love
Our love, our love
Let's make a monument for our love, our love
Our love, our love

Every night is ours to own
Everywhere is ours to roam
Every sun is sunshine gold
Everywhere
Let's make a monument for our love, our love
Another monument for our love, our love

Our love, our love
Let's make a monument for our love, our love
Make a monument for our love, our love

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Music: Black - Wonderful Life

I love this song so much. Brings me back to the time I was a teenager. British singer Black (Black Vearncombe) died on Sunday at the age of 53 years. The singer had a severe car accident some months ago and was since on life support. May his soul rest in Peace and thank you for this beautiful song that liveth on. Here I go out to sea again The sunshine fills my hair And dreams hang in the air Gulls in the sky and in my blue eye You know it feels unfair There's magic everywhere Look at me standing Here on my own again Up straight in the sunshine No need to run and hide It's a wonderful, wonderful life No need to laugh and cry It's a wonderful, wonderful life The sun's in your eyes the heat is in your hair They seem to hate you because you're there And I need a friend oh I need a friend to make me happy Not stand here on my own Look at me standing Here on my own again Up straight in the sunshine No need to run and hide It's a wonderful, wonderful life No need to laugh and cry It's a wonderful, wonderful life I need a friend, oh I need a friend To make me happy, not so alone Look at me here Here on my own again Up straight in the sunshine No need to run and hide It's a wonderful, wonderful life No need to laugh and cry It's a wonderful, wonderful life No need to run and hide It's a wonderful, wonderful life No need to laugh and cry It's a wonderful, wonderful life Wonderful life Wonderful life Read more: Black - Wonderful Life Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Friday, January 22, 2016

Video: Emotional wedding 'dance' video

I can't point out why I'm moved by this, but I love the beautiful feeling after watching this video. It is raw, wild and kind of crazy but still so emotional! I love it!




Quick introduction: Haka is an ancient war cry of the Maori that was used before battles as an intimidation tactic. Today it's used as a battle cry before games or as a victory chant after a win, to show a sign of respect to someone, or to acknowledge, bless or honor a special occasion or funeral.

The video was filmed at Benjamin and Aaliyah's wedding reception in Auckland last week. In it, they watch with emotion as the groomsmen and guests surprise them with a heartfelt performance of the traditional haka dance, before joining in themselves.

 "I wasn't planning on jumping in until one bridesmaid did. I felt the need to show love and respect back," said Ms Armstrong. "I was really blown away." Women do not normally perform the haka in Maori culture, but she said they can do at weddings. The nearly three-minute video ends with the couple emotionally embracing the performers.

The haka was organised by the 23-year-old groom's best man and was led by his older brother. It was filmed by her cousin's production company. Benjamin Armstrong thanks the groomsmen with a Maori greeting at the end of the dance "Ben is a Maori, he is probably more Maori than I am," Ms Armstrong said. "Because he has fair skin, some people have been saying on social media that 'he'd better not hurt the bride', but they're actually his family."

 

No more child marriage in Simbabwe



 Wow great move from the Simbawian government, this is the way to go Africa! Girls need to go to school so they have the chance to be independent. No great society can succeed without educated men and women!

 Zimbabwe’s highest court outlawed marriage for any person under the age of 18 on Wednesday. The decision is a victory for gender equality and anti-poverty efforts. The nation’s Constitutional Court made this ruling in a case brought by two women who were forced into child marriages. Both claim the early marriage restricted their access to education and sentenced them to a life of poverty.

Zimbabwe currently has a high rate of child marriage, with some estimates saying 21% of children are married before their 18th birthday. The majority of those children are girls. Across the African continent there are an estimated 14 million under-age girls married each year. Child marriage is a major obstacle to the development of girls and eventually communities. These early marriages often keep girls out of school and the workforce and, therefore, reliant on their husbands.

The scourge of child and early forced marriages (known by policy makers as CEFM) has kept millions and millions of people in poverty. The victory in Zimbabwe is a big step towards creating gender equality and ending extreme poverty, and is hopefully a sign that African nations are taking this issue more seriously. The African Union held its first major summit on the issue last year, calling for nations to enact and enforce laws protecting children. This is an especially important call in the wake of UNICEF predicting that without a change in laws and enforcement, child marriages on the continent will double by 2050. Source: Global Citizen

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Music: Almok - Molo molo

yeah Togo's own music Queen has dropped another gorgeous dance hit. ALMOK released the music video of her latest song "Molo Molo". ALMOK is has been around for awhile but the last year has advanced her to the Top of Togo and beyond. Enjoy the video!

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Tax avoidance costing Africa billions report of Oxfam

*headshaking* this is alot of money in the hands of few! A recent global inequality report released by Oxfam confirms new findings on the growing gap between the rich and poor. Around 16 African billionaires live amongst 350 million people in poverty in the sub-Saharan region of the continent. The report also confirmed that the 62 richest people in the world have more money combined than the poorest 3.6 billion people.
“Power and privilege are being used to rig the system to increase the gap between the richest and the rest of us to levels we have not seen before,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America. “Far from trickling down, income and wealth are instead being pulled upwards at an alarming rate.” Hardworking people at the bottom of the income curve don’t make enough to put food on the table or buy medicine when their kids get sick, much less money to buy a home, start a business or save for the future. And so the engine of economic growth breaks down. A year ago, Oxfam predicted that the 1% would soon own more than the rest of us, a prediction that came true even before 2015 ended. BBC Africa's host Akwasi Sarpong interviewed Oxfam's executive director, Winnie Byanyima. Very interesting! Tax havens are at the core of the global system that allows large corporations and wealthy individuals to avoid paying their fair share, depriving governments, rich and poor, of the resources they need to provide vital public services and tackle rising inequality.
Globally, it is estimated that a total of $7.6 trillion of personal wealth sits offshore. If tax would be paid on the income that this wealth generates, an extra $190 billion would be available to governments every year. Such tax revenues could pay for public services, infrastructure, regulatory bodies, welfare systems and other goods and services that keep countries running. In developing countries in particular, where there is an even bigger need for strengthening health and education services for the hundreds of millions of people who still live in extreme poverty, revenues from taxes could make such a difference. But when money is hidden in tax havens instead, this can work in reverse, shifting the burden on the poorest people.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Video: Jada Pinkett Smith on Oscarssowhite- She nailed it!

Jada Pinkett Smith
  I normally decided not to post anything about #Oscarssowhite because I didn't like the way blacks were presenting themselves in this matter. Till I found this video of Jada Pinkett Smith, saying it the way I was feeling about it! I really respect this woman for this video! 



We black people both in Africa and America need to carry ourselves with pride and we need to start investing in ourselves and mostly let's start creating ourselves so that our children will have a platform to be honored like the whites honor their people on the Oscars and so on. 

We have to start now so that in maybe 50 years our academy will be huge like the Oscars even, if possible, bigger than the Oscars. If we are begging them like the hashtag #Oscarssowhite is insinuating then we will lose and our children and grandchildren will lose to. This hashtag makes me feel like the black race is asking whites to acknowledge them and if they don't do then we fall back in the time of the slavery. This is the wrong way to handle this matter!

I don't know why blacks do not see the opportunities that stand before them. If Afro-Americans and African film industry collaborate and establish an annual movie award that celebrate black people. With a lot of handworks and the will to succeed, we will be taken seriously in no time. Black American filmmakers need to start seeing the potential that is in Africa (Nollywood & Ghollywood) and start to collaborate with this industry. 

Africa is the fastest growing continent and the people in Africa love watching films! This is a great opportunity and time for us to create something of our own. It doesn't have to stop at the movie industries we can expand it to the fashion industry then we can use our black models and present the beauty that lies in the black race. The future generation will have something to be inspired by and to build on. 

This is just my own view on that matter.


Miss Ivory Coast 2012 married her boo



Former Miss Ivory Coast, Valerie Helene Djouka married her heartthrob Medak Doubia on the 2nd of January this year in the capital City Abidjan.

The couple is united for life in a simple wedding ceremony, sober; but elegant with families and close friends.

Hélène Djouka Valerie, a beautiful young lady rather discreet was elected the most beautiful girl from the Ivory Coast in 2012. She is one of  few Misses, whose mandate has not been tainted by any scandal.

More photos after the cut:

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Sunday Spirit: Soweto Gospel Choir - Amazing Grace

How beautiful is this gospel group. I get goose bumps anytime I listen to it! I hope your day was filled with the holy spirit. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Saturday, January 16, 2016

First African female president - Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

 Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf 
10 years ago today, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was sworn in as Liberia’s new president, becoming Africa’s first female elected head of state. The election of Africa’s “Iron Lady” marked the beginning of the nation’s success story, in the wake of fourteen years of brutal civil conflict. (2006) Sirleaf was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with two other African women recognized “for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.”

 Her autobiography, This Child Will Be Great: Memoir of a Remarkable Life by Africa’s First Woman President, tells the tale of her childhood, her experiences with abuse, imprisonment, and exile, and later, her rise to power. She studied in the United States and worked as an international bank executive, but became a social reformer in her homeland who fought the oppression of
dictators.

Source: GoodNewsNetwork After 10 years of being a president what is the feedback? Listen to an BBC evaluation.

Music: Reekado Banks - Oluwa Ni

I kinda like this song of Mavin Artist Reekado Banks!

From India to Europe with the bycicle for the love of the life!

Girls take out your tissues out Its getting emotional right here! An Indian man cycled from India to Europe just to be unite with the love of his life! He drove everyday about 70km (44 miles).

Indian artist PK Mahanandia met Charlotte Von Schedvin on a winter evening in Delhi in 1975 when she asked him to draw her portrait.
What eventually followed was an epic bicycle journey from India to Europe - all for love.

Ms Von Schedvin was visiting India as a tourist when she spotted Mr Mahanandia in Delhi's Connaught Place district.
He had made a name for himself as a sketch artist and enjoyed a good reputation in the local press.
Intrigued by his claim of "making a portrait in 10 minutes", she decided to give it a try.
But she wasn't impressed with the result and decided to come back the next day.
The next day sadly, proved no better.

Read the rest of the story


Thursday, January 14, 2016

Music: Tiwa Savage ft. Olamide - Standing Ovation

Egypt to host first Africa Summit

Egypt is set to host Africa 2016 forum, the first international business and investment forum of its kind, from February 20-21, 2016, organizers said.
This is an Africa to Africa investment forum aimed at strengthening business ties within Africa, both at a business and presidential level. The Forum will be opened by the President of Egypt, Abdel Fateh El-Sisi, and a number of African Heads of State are also expected at the forum. Last June, in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, three African regional economic communities, COMESA, SADC and the EAC signed a tripartite agreement creating the biggest free trade area on the continent. The Africa 2016 Forum aims to reflect on the African opportunity, as well as putting to practice the African integration story.

The Forum was initiated - and is spearheaded by the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD), the development arm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Dr. Hazem Fahmy, the Secretary General of the EAPD, is confident that the Forum will help drive the business agenda: "We are launching what we feel will become an important event to help drive more intra-African investment and trade. Egypt is an important partner. We have a number of established groups that have already successfully invested in East and Southern Africa.
A number of Egyptian companies in the pharmaceutical and ICT industries can offer expertise and solutions that can be replicated throughout our beloved continent. We also have the needed infrastructure to support them. Lastly, our strategic relationship with a number of countries in the Gulf can help other African countries access international capital.
The Africa 2016 Forum will help us better understand the African opportunity and will help ensure that policymakers start putting the mechanics in place to make it easier for investors to access our markets.

"This was a sentiment that was also expressed by Heba Salama, who heads COMESA's Regional Investment Agency: "The aim of the Forum, as well as discussing some of the most pressing issues in Africa today, is to encourage as much B2B interaction. We know that Africa offers the highest rate of return of any region in the world. However, too often, the African private sector is not taking advantage of this opportunity outside of their borders. We aim to change this."

The programme will have a big focus on boosting intra-Africa trade and investment by developing new and strategic public and private sector alliances. The organizers expect 1,000 delegates to attend the Forum.

Egypt is becoming an attractive regional gateway for international businesses wanting to access large African markets and for the private sector looking for growth partners. A number of Egyptian conglomerates have already invested in a number of African countries in infrastructure, mining, telecoms, manufacturing, finance, and other important economic sectors. And some Egyptian investment banks have in the past year facilitated investments from the Middle East into the region.

Sitting at the crossroads of Europe, the Gulf, Asia, and Africa, Egypt is not only focusing on building on its existing relationships with its traditional neighbors but also strengthening its engagement with partners within Africa.

"Last year, following our Egypt the Future conference, we managed to secure billions of dollars of commitments and investment. Recently, another investor from the Gulf also announced a multi-billion dollar real estate investment project in the country. The opportunity is very much alive, as much in Egypt as in the rest of Africa, and the time is now," according to Ashraf Salman, Minister of Investment for Egypt.

The Bretton Woods institutions have forecast economic growth figures for Egypt of around 4 percent over the next two years. This growth, characterised by renewed investments by several multinational companies across various sectors- from oil (BP has invested in $12-billion in a new project) to beverages (Coca-Cola has made a commitment to spend $500m in Egypt within the next three years) and agribusiness, infrastructure materials and pharmaceuticals, coupled with the new political dispensation, clearly demonstrate that Egypt is on the road of transformational change.

The new Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) will lead to the creation of a "borderless economy" that would rank 13th in the world in terms of GDP. It presents an important opportunity not only to harmonise regulations but also to enable deep integration amongst African economies, with a focus on boosting intra-African trade and implementing a number of action plans that relate to investment, trade, infrastructure, industrialisation, productive capacity and trade facilitation.

The structure and format of the forum has been specifically designed to provide opportunities to meet face-to-face with high-profile government and business decision-makers. There will also be unrivalled access to high-level Egyptian policy makers who will be able to provide first-hand insights into opportunities and projects in the country.

Investment promotion agencies from all over Africa will also be showcasing both public and private investment opportunities and projects that are seeking partners. Africa 2016 will bring such partners to the table.

"Europe was united through economic collaboration," added Ambassador Fahmy, "and by creating a competitive edge in strategic sectors, primarily in steel and coal. We as Africans need to get together and collaborate strategically, taking advantage of the huge wealth we have beneath the earth and with our young population and dynamic economies."

Source: NBE

Pics: Republic of Benin you never see on the TV (Cotonou)

The Western World like to portrait Africa with the Ugly sides only but I want to broadcast the beautiful side they never show, yes those still exist. Just that the medias are not interested in it, but we African should be proud of our Continent because it is gradually progressing! Here are some awesome pictures of Cotonou in  Benin that you must see!

La Direction Générale de la Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale à Cotonou Bénin


ECOBank

Palais des congrès
Marina Hotel in Cotonou


International Cotonou Bénin


Marina Hotel


Seaport in Cotonou


La place de l'étoile rouge




La Cathédrale Catholique Notre Dame de Miséricorde de Cotonou Bénin










pont d'Akpakpa




Marina Hotel


Marina Hotel




Marina Hotel

Marina Hotel


Atlantic Ocean



Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Man sent 'better' mugshot photo to police

I laughed so hard when I read this story!



A man wanted by Ohio police sent authorities a selfie because he was unhappy with the mugshot being circulated on his arrest warant. Donald Pugh says the unflattering mugshot made him look "like I was a Thundercat" 
Donald "Chip" Pugh was wanted for a failure to appear in several cases including arson and vandalism, according to Lima Police Department. In a post on its Facebook page, Lima Police urged people to contact them if they spotted Pugh - along with an 'unflattering' mugshot of the 45-year-old

Pugh then sent an image of himself sitting in a car wearing sunglasses, with the comment:
"Here is a better photo that one is terrible."
 
The fugitive even carried out an interview with Ohio radio station The Eagle, in which he claimed Lima Police "just did me wrong".
 
He said: "They put a picture out that made me look like I was a Thundercat... or James Brown on the run. I can't do that."
 
Lima Police responded to the photo, adding: "We thank (Pugh) for being helpful, but now we would appreciate it if he would come speak to us at the (police station) about his charges". So far Pugh has not been caught.

Donald Pugh has been arrested.

Source: Sky News

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Beninese Christian Song: Marx Sedegan - Azan Didin

Another beautiful song by Beninese artist Marx Sedegan with the encouragious song Azan Didin. The song has two parts in it. The starting the singer describes his struggle in life and he ask God not to forget him. In the second part God really shows him his mercy and he is praising Lord for blessing him. Enjoy the song!

Christian song: Bruno Kpossou - Abassi (you have done it)

A beautiful Beninese song to praise our Lord and Savior! Abassi means "you have done it" God has done it!

Have a wonderful Sunday every one!

Love Y'all


     

Friday, January 8, 2016

Introducing: Republic of Benin

There is so much we don't know about the different African Nations, thats why I'm very thankful about the videos from Youtuber Paul BarbatoGeography Now! attemps to cover profiles on every single country of the world. They do it in a alphabetically order. There last video was about Chad.
   I learned so much about many african countrys such as Botswana, Burkina Faso and Chad. In this series he describes the national flag, the location, the landscape the demographics and the relation to other country. I really appreciate his efforts.
As I introduced Beninese singer Sessime I fell the urge to find out more about the country of Benin so I came across the videos of Paul Barbato.

 Here is the video he made about Benin Watch and learn as I did :)

I will be posting more of his videos mainly about African Countries but I plan to combine it with an indigenous famous person mostly music artist.


           

Video: Stop searching for your passion - Terri Trespicio

What is your passion, a question that I used to ask myself alot especially when it comes to my career path. But the answer is never easy for me because if there is something constant in my life then the things Im passionate about. That's why I get frustrated when I think of that question. Terri Trespicio summed in one phrase will be: Don't wait for passion to show up because you'll be waiting a long time. Passion will come when you take action! Take apportunities that shows up and be passionate about them and you shall succeed! This is such a beautiful and inspiring message for me!

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Beninese music: Sessime feat Rico Amaj - Fana Fana

Sessime is my musical oppsession from the last year. Once I listened to her song "Yayaye" that was featured with Togolese singer Almok. I enjoyed that song to bites, especially during the summertime. Born as Bidossessi Christelle Guédou her stage name Sessime derives from her first name Bidossessi that means "Everything depends on destiny" or "Everything is in the hands of God". The Beninese singer describes her music as AfroRockPop. She mixes different languages like French, English, Fon and Yoruba. Her first album Wazakoua won many important national awards. Sessime discovered her passion for music with the tender age of 13 years through her parents. Great stars like Michael Jackson, Angelique Kidjo, Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys inspired her. Sessime released a new song called "Fana Fana" with Ivoirian singer Rico Amaj.

Sessime feat. Almok - Yayaye"


Sessime feat. Rico Amaj - Fana Fana



 For those who can't see the video above this is the same song just in audio!
 

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Video: Parents Tell Stepparents What They Really Think

There are some stories that can make you cry for their positive way, yes we all know that life is not all that great sometimes but these beautiful stories still happens so why not enjoy it! This video is about appreciation of good step parenting, some stepparents are a blessing for their stepchildren, but for the biological parents to acknowledge that is a huge step and this is what happens in this video! Watch the video and share your opinion!