I’m not going to lie, I researched her to find out if she was actually Igbo and found out that she is (she came to the States when she was six).

Very nice to see Nigerians making boss moves…

Here’s NBC’s press release:

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – Veteran program executive Pearlena Igbokwe has been named Executive Vice President, Drama Development for NBC Entertainment, it was announced today by Jennifer Salke, President of NBC Entertainment, to whom Igbokwe will report. She is replacing Laura Lancaster who will segue into a consultancy role to help with the transition through drama development season.

In her new role Igbokwe will oversee the development of all NBC dramas.

“Pearlena has forged an impressive track record over her successful career that has earned her the admiration of the creative community,” said Salke. “She will bring a unique perspective to development that will help us reach our goal of once again making NBC the home of some of the best and most respected dramas on television.”

Igbokwe comes to NBC from Showtime, where she worked closely with Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, for seven years.

“Pearlena is hands-down one of the best creative executives I’ve ever worked with and I’m thrilled she is coming to NBC,” said Greenblatt. “She will be instrumental in reinvigorating our drama slate and making the network a haven for the top creative people in our business.”

During her 20-year tenure at Showtime, Igbokwe was involved in developing the pilot and overseeing every season of “Dexter,” Showtime’s most popular hit ever. She also developed the pilot to the upcoming new Showtime series “Masters of Sex” starring Michael Sheen. She also supervised the Emmy Award-winning and critically-acclaimed original series “Nurse Jackie” and “The Big C,” as well as shepherded “Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union,” “Damon Wayans’ Underground,” Kirstie Alley’s “Fat Actress,” and the television adaptation of the hit feature film “Barbershop.” She was additionally instrumental in the five-season run of the hit Showtime series “Soul Food,” a two-time NAACP Image Award winner for Best Drama Series.

Igbokwe also has mined success from a number of original movies she developed for Showtime, including the Humanitas Award-nominated “Jasper, Texas,” starring Academy Award winners Jon Voight and Louis Gossett Jr.; the Emmy Award-nominated “Bojangles,” starring the late Gregory Hines; and the Peabody Award-winning “Strange Justice,” to name just a few.

She began her career at Showtime as Manager of Direct Response, Television Marketing, where she was responsible for all media planning and spending, agency creative development, video production and telemarketing for a $13 million general and Hispanic market acquisition campaign.

Igbokwe most recently was featured in industry trade magazine Multichannel News’ 2010 “Wonder Women” issue and previously in Hollywood Reporter’s “Top 35 under 35,” as well as in Ebony and Black Enterprise’s “Top 50 Showbiz Players.”

Abia governor, Theodore Orji

Governor T.A. Orji was in Abuja recently where he discussed minimum wage in Abia state and addressed allegations of a gang rape at Abia State University (ABSU):

On  N18000 ($112.43 USD) minimum wage:

Today in our service, you have all types of people from the whole of Nigeria that we have allowed into our system to even occupy the most sensitive positions in our service. And we have not bothered all along. If not for this N18ooo minimum wage, we would not contemplate that. But because of the [economic] situation of things in Nigeria, Abia State didn’t initiate N18000 minimum wage.

After all, when I won election I promised my people that I would promote them to the next level and I did that. That is more than minimum wage. I did that long time [ago] in 2008 and since then I have maintained that. I have a very cordial and intimate relationship with my civil servants that remains my primary constituency.

Therefore, once I make a promise to them, I have to fulfill the promise. Other states cannot pay N18000 minimum wage and Abia State will not pay it. If these people that are now castigating the states, castigating Abia, they should take them back and reintegrate them back into the service.

On Alleged Gang Rape at ABSU:

No, it is not correct to say that our government has not spoken about the rape saga. You don’t just rush and start talking when you’re not sure of what you’re going to say. This thing emerged from the internet, it started [circulating online] in March. And it was only last month that one newspaper wrote it and didn’t make news. That particular newspaper wrote it again and linked it to Abia before every person started talking, castigating Abia State.

As a government, no person would like what has happened. It’s a crime that should be condemned, it’s a crime that if the perpetrators are caught, they should be punished. I will stand by that…. that we condemn that act and we’re still looking for the people who did that.

But what we are saying is that this did not happen in Abia State University. Never happened there. And people have already started saying, “Gang rape in Abia! Gang rape at Abia State University!” while it is still an allegation. You see, this goes back to what I’ve been telling you. This thing never happened in Abia State.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university has investigated and the result is nill. The student union government has investigated and the result is nill. The Dean of Student Affairs of the university has investigated and the result is nill. The Commissioner of Police has investigated and the result is nill. The Director of SSS has investigated and the result is nill.

And Abia State government has investigated… It is the government that has apparatus of investigation and we have used that… and the result is nill. And we’re challenging every person, including you the pressman, to come and give us evidence that this happened in Abia. Because it is now above our capacity of investigation.

Those who have superior investigative machinery should come and prove to us that this happened in Abia. No person is coming forth as I’m speaking with you today. And since no person has come forth, it remains an allegation that it happens at Abia State University.

WATCH: ABIA STATE GOVERNOR T.A. ORJI DISCUSSING MINIMUM WAGE AND GANG RAPE ALLEGATIONS AT ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY:

Actress/singer Brandy was in Nigeria recently at the MTN Project Fame West Africa 4 opening gala (Project Fame West Africa is a talent competition that allows viewers a unique opportunity to follow day by day, the behind the scenes progress of the contestants in their quest for fame!)

The concert was held on Sunday at the Expo Centre of The Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos and from what I’m hearing, it was a great show!!!

Check out her interview with Flytime:

Former Abia state governor, Orji Kalu, has listed his home in Maryland, U.S. for $2.9 million (USD).

The seven bedroom, seven and a half bath, 5,803 square foot home sits on five acres in Potomac, Maryland and has been on the market for over 135 days. Originally listed for $4.5 million, Kalu reduced the price to $2.9 million in an effort to move the house quicker. He purchased the home in June 2003 shortly after beginning his second term as governor.

The embattled politician’s second term as governor ended in 2007 amid allegations of money laundering and he is currently facing investigation on those charges. He lost his bid for presidential office in 2007.

Pictures of the home:

Today, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State took to the state’s official website to list his administration’s accomplishments since he was sworn into office on May 29.

Here’s a look at Gov. Okorocha’s first 100 days in office:

PUBLIC UTILITIES

Rehabilitation of Water Schemes in Imo State, namely:

1. Otamiri Head –Works

2. Egbu Water Scheme

3. Orji Water Scheme

4. Umuoba Water Scheme

5. Ubachima Water Scheme

6. Mgbidi Water Scheme

7. Umuowa Water Scheme

8. Osuama Water Scheme

9. Nsu Water Scheme

COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

Adoption of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the execution of some projects, namely:

10. International Electrical, Electronics and Auto-Parts Market, Naze

11. Central Market for general goods, New Owerri

12. Imo Free Trade Zone, Ngor Okpala

13. Development of Industrial Clusters, Phase 2-4, Naze

14. International Trade Fair Complex/Exhibition Center, New Owerri

15. Transformation of Okigwe Regional Cattle market into Okigwe International Market

[The projects mentioned above are starting points, as the present government in Imo State has entered into agreements with their developers who are expected to commence work on the sites between September and October 2011, while Phase 1 of the Industrial Cluster has been completed.]

Adoption of Private Public Partnership in the re-activation of some moribund industries, namely:

16. Owerri Shoe Industry

17. Nsu Tiles and Ceramics Industry, Mbano

18. Ezinnachi Clay Products Industry

EDUCATION

19. Establishment of the Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies

20. Secured approval of 922 million(Nine hundred and twenty two million) naira from the Education Trust Fund (ETF) to be used for projects in Educational Institutions in Imo State

21. Commissioning of a well equipped Information Communication Technology (ICT) Laboratory at Girls Secondary School, Ikenegbu, Owerri

22. Secured approval for the establishment of National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Study Center in Imo State

23. Release of 138 (one hundred and thirty-eight) million naira for payment of arrears of CONTISS/CONUAS (Academic & Non-academic) staff entitlements in Imo State University, Owerri

24. Provision of 100 (one hundred) million naira for the accreditation of courses in the Faculty of Engineering and Nursing Science in Imo State University

25. Reversal of the proposed 150,000(one hundred and fifty thousand ) naira school fees for students of Imo State University by the past administration

26. Increased subvention to the Imo State University from 57.56 million(fifty-seven million, five hundred and sixty thousand naira) to 100million(one hundred million) naira monthly

27. Commencement of the building of the Young Scientists’ College in Owerri

28. Declaration of free and compulsory primary and secondary school education in Imo State

HEALTH

29. Upgrading of General Hospital Owerri to a Specialist Hospital.

30. Connection of the Owerri Specialist Hospital to the National electricity grid

31. Provision of Solar energy as well as Solar-Powered borehole in the Owerri Specialist Hospital

32. Constitution of a Task-Force group on counterfeit and fake drugs and unwholesome food items

33. Purchase and distribution of medical equipments worth 90,000,000(ninety million) naira to health institutions in Imo State.

34. Approval of the payment of 100% CONMESS/CONHESS (salary structure) for all doctors and health workers in Imo State University Teaching Hospital.

35. Facilitating the return of some specialist doctors who left Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) before May 29th 2011

36. Reviving the Academic Curriculum of the Imo State University Medical School by ensuring the graduation of the 3rd set of medical doctors from the school in August 2011. It will be recalled that IMSU/IMSUTH have not graduated medical doctors in the last 2 (two) years owing to protracted industrial strikes by staffs of the institution

37. Purchase of 2 new ECG machines as well as 2 new Anaesthetic machines for use by IMSUTH

38. Successful implementation of 89%DPT3, 107%OPV3, 80%BCG,77%HBV and 96% anti-measles vaccination coverage of targeted children during the first round of the 2011 Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week held from 28th June2011 to 3rd July 2011

FINANCE

39. Payment of 12 years arrears of pension owed retired staffs of Imo State government

40. Release of 2.7 billion (two billion, seven hundred thousand) naira into the State and Local Government Joint Revenue Mission Bank Account for the development of Imo State rural schools and infrastructure

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

41. Implementation of the outstanding 2008 Local Government Staff conversion exercise in the various cadres

42. Actualizing the 2008 Local Government Junior staff promotion exercise

URBAN PLANNING

43. Commencement of negotiations with Messrs Roche Group from Ireland with a view to creating a demonstration layout which will pilot the provision of modular mass houses in Imo State

44. Commencement of negotiations with Hewlett- Packard Corporation, USA with a view to actualizing the computerization of the Imo State Land Registry

45. Commencement of negotiations with a Brazillian firm who is willing to partner with the Imo State government in providing power supply using natural gas

46. Commencement of discussions with Tummy Tummy Foods Industries Limited to facilitate their building a factory in Imo State, which upon completion, will provide employment for over 3000 youths

47. Commencement of discussions with TTI with a view to re-invigorating the IGIS Project

SPORTS

48. Imo State representatives at the just concluded Hockey Premier League championship held between 14th and 21st August 2011, came 3rd, thereby qualifying to represent Nigeria in India for the next World Hockey Championship

49. Renovation of the Indoor Sports Hall at Dan Anyiam Stadium.

50. Revisiting the contract for the construction of the Orlu Township Stadium

51. Imo State Weight lifting Team participated in the competition for junior and senior categories at Lagos State and won 3 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze

52. Imo State Amateur Wrestlers won 1 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals at the Continental Championship which ended on 30th May 2011

53. Imo contingents in the Karate Championship held in Ghana in August 2011 won a total of 3 gold and 1 bronze medals

54. Imo contingent that took part in the 17th National Sports Festival held in Rivers State in July 2011 came 14th on the medals table, having won a total of 61 medals, including 8 gold, 16 silver and 37 bronze.

55. Through sponsorship by the Imo State Government, the Heartland Football Club, Owerri recently qualified for the Finals of the 2011 Federation Cup.

HOUSING

56. Conversion of the Parliamentarian quarters to Concord Hotel Annex

57. Conversion of Banquet Hall to Government House Chapel

58. Design and construction of Heroes Square

59. Design and construction of Ikemba Ojukwu Convention Center, Owerri

60. Renovation of Commissioners’ Quarters

61. Reconstruction of Multi-Purpose Hall and V.I.P Lounge, Government House

62. Reconstruction of Imo State House of Assembly

63. Reconstruction of the Exco Chambers Building

64. Renovation of the Imo Concorde Hotel

65. Reconstruction of the Abuja Laison Office of the Imo State Government

66. Reconstruction of the Brigade Commander’s Guest House

67. Renovation of the Imo State Police Commissioner’s Guest House

68. Renovation of the abandoned Governor’s Lounge, near Concorde Hotel

69. Design and construction of Multi-purpose Hall at Oguta Motel

70. Reconstruction of the Customary Court, Owerri

Completion of some Housing Estates, namely:

71. Nekede Exclusive Garden Phase 11, Area ‘H’ New Owerri

72. Okporo Housing Estate , Okporo, Orlu

73. Obinze-Avu Lay out

74. Egbu Market, (Somachi)Lay- out

75. Acquisition of Iwuanyanwu Holdings Landed Property at Naze

76. Acquisition of land for Mass Housing at Azara Obiato

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

77. Seventy-five matrimonial cases have been treated and the couples re-united

78. On August 23rd 2011, Operators of “Hope House Child Center, Ngugo”,received one million naira, while Green Health Care Services received four million naira as their subvention from the Imo State Government

79. Installation of twenty-seven 40KVA Generator sets in the 27 Special Health Centers

80. Commencement of the procurement of customized Identity cards for all the Traditional Rulers in Imo State

SECURITY

81. Procurement of one hundred Hilux Vans manned by a combined team of Police, Army and State Security Service for the effective policing of the Local Government Areas

82. Empowerment of Local Vigilante groups to complement the efforts of the Police in combating crime in Imo State

83. Patrol of the newly acquired Security vehicles within and around the 27 Local Governments for sensitization

AGRICULTURE

Restructuring and revitalizing of the Assets of the Imo State Government-owned Companies that have been moribund or performing at a very low capacity, namely:

84. Imo Palm Plantation limited ( a.k.a Adapalm Ltd, Ohaji)

85. Imo Modern Poultry, Avutu, Obowo Local Government Area

86. Imo Rubber Estate limited, Obiti, Emeabiam and Umuekwunne

87. Development of cassava farms in all the 27 local Government Areas in Imo State

88. Commencement of the replication of Imo Palm Plantation project in the 3 zones that make up Imo State

89. Commencement of the replication of Imo Modern Poultry in the 3 geo-political zones that make up Imo State

90. Empowerment of over 100 FUGs & FCAs under the FADAMA 111 projects to increase food production in Imo State

91. Increasing the volume of fish production in Imo State through the Agro-Nova project of the Imo State Ministry of Agriculture

92. Improvement of the Oguta Fish Hatchery to produce about 50,000 fingerlings per year

93. Stocking of the Nekede Poultry section of the Agronova with birds

94. Delivering Agricultural Extension Services to the farmers in the Local Government Areas

95. Distribution of sufficient quantity of fertilizer to the farmers in Imo State during the last planting season

CAPITAL PROJECTS

96. Release of 180 million naira for development projects in Orlu and Okigwe zones in Imo State

Asphalting of some major roads within Owerri Municipal, including:

97. Assumpta Road,

98. Bank Road,

99. MCC Road through School Road

100. Restoring peace and confidence in the entire people of Imo State to the nation’s democratic process.

Hip hop artist and entrepreneur 50 Cent has launched a new product called ‘Street King’ to feed one billion children in Africa…

Street King is an energy shot drink produced from a joint venture between 50 and Pure Growth Partners, an investment firm dedicated to advocating positive change. The drink will be available in two flavors, orange mango and grape, and will retail for between $2.49 to $2.99.

Watch the promo video shot in Australia:

September’s NTV Spotlight belongs to Mrs. Phebe Bettye Uzoma and here is our interview:

NTV: Hello, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Mrs. Uzoma: I am from Nkwerre, Imo State. I obtained my first and second degrees at the University of Houston in Texas, USA. where I spent most of my time before returning to Nigeria. I have 3 excellent children, 2 sons and 1 daughter.

I held a management position at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja before I was appointed as Special Assistant to the Minister of Mines and Steel Development under Honorable Leslie Obiora for a short time.

For the past seven years, I’ve been an ordained minister and I’m actively involved at my church, Spirit & Life Bible Church. I’ve also been a counselor with Godhead Prayer Ministry, International and National Coordinator Women Gospel Ministers and Gospel Ministers Wives Organization for the past eighteen years.

I have traveled throughout Nigeria and visited many different countries: Australia, South Africa, Israel, China, Philipines, Canada, UK and India.

I am also actively volunteering my services as Director of Media in an organization, Women In The New Nigeria (WINN), founded by Apostle Mrs. Eunice Gordon Osagiede. WINN is a volunteer led, interfaith, nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women for positive change in Nigeria and seeks to achieve a corruption free Nigeria.

Mrs. Betty Phebe Uzoma (l) with Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (center), former Minister of Abuja Federal Capital Territory, at a WINN event.

NTV: How does WINN help empower women for positive change in Nigeria?

Mrs. Uzoma: Our belief is that through maternal affection, a new Nigeria will emerge. Women are wives, mothers, sisters etc. We can positively influence our environment through wise counsel to our husbands and children. We have Muslim and Christian women working together to improve our homes, communities and ultimately, Nigeria.

A branch of WINN is the Tabitha Empowerment Program (TEP) is focused on repairing lives of widows and youth through a three-fold approach: counseling, skill development and finance. TEP has spent over N15m in empowerment programs and setting up a production industry in Benin City, Edo with a proposed site in Jikwoi, Abuja, FCT. Funding is graciously provided through our founder, Apostle Mrs. Eunice Gordon Osagiede.

God has restored 800 widows in FCT and Edo state through TEP.

We welcome others who are passionate about salvaging and encouraging the ‘rejects’, downtrodden or less privileged members of our society to join us.

NTV: Are you helping to develop WINN in your home state?

Mrs. Uzoma: Yes, I am. The organization is currently working on collaborating with governors in various states throughout the nation to assist with spreading the word and our mission.

I traveled to Imo recently – to the marketplaces, the schools, and other such places – to mobilize people in different ways. In the marketplace, I used the WINN platform to educate others about keeping the environment clean by putting trash in the proper places. It may sound like a basic message to those abroad because of the environmental programs in place there but here, things are different. We try to change the mindset for people to live right.

Also, I helped to mobilize people to vote in Imo. The message was, ‘Vote the right person in office. Vote along your conscience. Don’t allow anyone to buy your vote.’

I’m also petitioning Governor Rochas Okorocha to assist with WINN’s mission in meaningful ways.

Mrs. Bettye Phebe Uzoma (r) at a WINN Meeting

NTV: It sounds like WINN tackles a variety of issues.

Mrs. Uzoma: Yes, we do. We address a range of issues concerning women, widows and youth. We also focus on girl child education, marriages, abuse, human trafficking and nutrition among women. A lot of us are working silently to improve Nigeria.

NTV: Is there anything else that you would like audience to know about you or WINN?

Mrs. Uzoma: I’m a very disciplined and upright woman of integrity who believes that these qualities will move you forward in life. I would like to tell the audience to keep striving and pushing for what you want. Stand upon what you believe and you will make it. What I believe in will move.

I enjoy seeing and making people happy. I also have been through issues of life and my joy is in seeing others overcome their challenges.

Also, I would like to let the audience know that WINN is also an organization that is sealed by the Attorney General of Nigeria [Signed by him] and that we’re also on Facebook. We encourage all interested parties to join us in the movement to create a new Nigeria.

NTV: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today and we wish you the best in all of your endeavors.

Mrs. Uzoma: Thank you for having me and God bless.

To learn more about WINN, please visit their official Facebook page.

Well, not yet but it could happen soon…

Rumors are circulating that comedian Kevin Hart has inked a deal that will see his upcoming stand up comedy feature film, ‘Laugh At My Pain’, landing in theaters in Africa.

U.S. based Codeblack Entertainment has sealed a multi-year deal with Nigeria based Silverbird Group to distribute the film to its markets in East and West Africa (Silverbird is the exlusive theater chain with locations in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia).

Silverbird is also the exclusive distributor for Sony Entertainment (Columbia Tristar Pictures) in Nigeria and Ghana with nearly 60 screens across both countries.

If the deal goes through, another part of the it would include bringing Black comedians in the US abroad to Africa to perform live comedy shows with Codeblack as the exclusive supplier and promoter.

And word is talks are underway for similar deals in South Africa and United Kingdom for ‘Laugh At My Pain’….

I think this is great news because the gap between between Black entertainment in the US and Africa needs to close already… You wouldn’t believe the number of fans many Black U.S. artists have throughout the continent of Africa. Its a HUGE untapped market with incredible potential for growth in film, music, arts and so much more!

Check out the official ‘Laugh At My Pain’ trailer in U.S. theaters Sept. 9 nationwide…

Dr. Andrew Uzoigwe

Oza Joint Ventures Oil Field Limited will begin refinement of crude oil in Umuokwo, Ukwa West of Abia State that will cost $100 million.

The company, led by Dr. Andrew Uzoigwe, is a collective venture by indigenous companies Millennium Oil and Gas Limited, Emerald Oil and Gas and Hardy Oil Nigeria Limited which have already spent $1 billion in pre-production costs.

According to Uzoigwe, the environment was not investor-friendly during the pre-production phase due to the activities of kidnappers. However, he noted that the situation has since improved and things are back to normal.

Uzoigwe also stated that the group is close to obtaining its flow station, adding that it has already signed a memorandum of understanding with the host communities:

“Now that we have finished the testing, we would like to go into commercial production so that the first product will be brought to you for us to showcase that indigenous companies can do better”

Uzoigwe has also solicited the help of Abia state Governor Theodore Orji to assist with challenges stemming from encounters with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and Mobile Police (NSCDC) and the governor has pledged his assistance.

Dr. Andrew Uzoigwe is also a director with EHRC Energy, Inc. and you can read about him here.

This is good news for Abia and hopefully this will generate benefits for the state and local economy.

The eldest son of late Nollywood actor, Sam Loco Efe, announced yesterday that his father will be buried in Benin on Oct. 21.

The popular actor who died on August 7 in Owerri, Imo State was held for several weeks in a mortuary before being transferred to Benin City. His son, Bismarck Efe, also announced he is the chairman of the Sam Loco Efe Burial/Foundation Committee had been created at No. 3 Cooke Road, Benin. The first meeting of the burial/foundation committee is scheduled for September 2, 2011 at the national secretariat.

He expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan, the governors of Imo, Lagos, Enugu and Edo states as well as the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark for their messages of condolences to his family and appealed for support to give his father a befitting burial.

Inquiries about the burial can be accessed from any of the following numbers: 08023011842, 08098368849 or 08034030437.