INTERNET TV GAINS POPULARITY IN NIGERIA

I am in love with Gidi Up series, I just like the storyline, the cast. It feels fresh and new. I must say I watched season one within hours. My favourite actor? O.C Ukeje. In the series and beyond the web series. This is not the first series I have seen. I watched almost all the episodes of "Shuga" online. I got tired when they started filming in Nigeria. It just grew dry on me. I loved seeing Lupita and all the others but when the cast gradually changed so did my liking for the series. The fact that many Nigerians now watch certain content online shows the emergence of online television is gaining ground in the West African country. I have seen a couple of interviews on "The Juice" Many Nigerians are warming up to the fact that they can now watch programmes online. With internet enabled devices which has flooded the market, Nigerians can access online television anywhere. One such company enticing audience to its digital platform is Ndani TV. Launched in 2012, they currently have features that project Africa to the world. But with the current internet situation in the country, one would be forced to ask if Nigeria is ready for internet TV.  Pretty sure if you are reading this, then you might have caught the social media bug and probably have seen one or two online content as well? Well, what was your experience like? Was it hitch free? Hopefully in the near future, this will be a boom. I'm not the only one who thinks so. Ndani TV does too.

HOPE AGAINST HOPE - NIGERIA EBOLA SURVIVOR SPEAKS OUT

I had read his survival story on various websites and it reached out to me. I was deeply moved. I cried once while trying to make sense of it all. Here was a young man who in a matter of days, his picture perfect life of new jobs for himself and fiancee, baby on the way had dramatically changed. Same with so many others who had been forced into this traumatic Ebola situation. Dennis Akagha's story was just one the world had to hear. I got in touch with him and he was so friendly during our phone calls. Finally got to meet him and it is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. And yes, I shook hands with him. He even made a joke about it. At that moment what was important was reaching out in my own way to him. How many of us has lost someone so dear? You feel hollow and empty. The pain is so hard to bear and you feel like your world should end. The heartache is so painful, you cry for nights unending asking God why. A question that sometimes has no satisfactory answer. I remember when I lost Kome. Such an innocent soul; and Oreva, a lively spirit and my Dad, the best in the world. I am yet to recover from any of these. For Dennis, he lost his fiancee and unborn child but yet he is hopeful that there's a meaning to all this. Life instantly becomes meaningless when dealing with a situation like this. The love he expressed for this special woman is so touching that begs the question how many of us would have willingly done same? Wow, God bless his dear heart. And what awesome faith he had that he stayed only five days in isolation. Despite the test results reading positive twice, he held unto God, he spoke and acted in faith. His story is so inspiring.
Please let us stop the stigmatization against those who have been certified free of the virus. They need our love. God saved his life and many others. Unfortunately, we lost seven people. People who have families. It could have been any of us. My heart goes out to him and all others who are grieving. For times like this, there are no consoling words to offer. We can only hope. And keep living for memorable moments, making an impact. Ensure you make your life count, you never know when death will come knocking. At the end of the day, die empty. Do not take away any of those gifts and potentials God has given to you.
Cheers.

Click on this link to read the story:  Ebola "not a death sentence" says hopeful Nigerian survivor
And click on this video link to watch the story: Nigeria Ebola Survivor Speaks Out

NIGERIAN BRIDE PRICE APP, JOKE TAKEN TOO FAR?

A new app designed by a Nigerian firm, Anakle enables women to calculate their value as brides using criteria such as beauty and education to judge a bride's worth. Once users have completed a detailed questionnaire the phrase: 'the elders are consulting' appears and the final price is given. But the creators of the app, who say it is meant to be humorous have been criticised for taking lightly deeply-rooted cultural practices and objectifying women. I tried it few months ago and found it quite amusing. I tried it again few weeks ago while working on the story and I got a different result. I doubt if some share same sentiments as I do towards it. If you have tried it, what were your thoughts? Do share : )

Click on link below to watch the story.

Bride Price App

More pics: 

Editi Effiong - CEO, Anakle - Pic courtesy Seun Sanni

Editi Effiong - CEO, Anakle - Pic courtesy Seun Sanni

TOURISTS SHY AWAY FROM NIGERIA'S OSUN FESTIVAL OVER EBOLA FEARS

Picture courtesy Seun Sanni

Over one thousand Nigerians gathered at the sacred forest in the south-western part of the country for the annual celebration of the Osun river goddess.
The yearly event which attracts thousands of tourists from all walks of life is held in honour of Osho-Igbo, the river goddess who it is believed came to the rescue of people faced with infertility, hunger and poverty.
Unlike previous years which is usually marked by large influx of tourists from all over the world, this year's peace and fertility festival has seen none owing to fear of the Ebola virus.
Nigeria has now recorded 17 cases of Ebola virus disease since the Liberian man brought it into the country on July 20.
The number of deaths remain at six.
The Osun state government had announced days before the festivities kicked off that a low key celebration with no foreigners allowed is necessary in order to avoid the outbreak of the virus in the state.
Despite the fear of the Ebola virus spreading, locals turned up in colourful attires for the special occasion.
The mood was joyous although everyone tried to avoid unnecessary contact with the next person.
Hundreds of devotees besieged the Osun river to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and pray for their different needs to be met while traditional rites were carried out in a shrine close to the river bank.
Businesses also suffered as a result of the poor turnout.
Hotels in the town experienced a setback owing to the restriction placed on foreigners.
Many are hopeful that next year's festival will see a return of the event to its former self of attracting visitors in a bid to boost the tourism industry.

Ebola Fears Deter Tourists From Visiting Nigeria's Osun Festival