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Bolanle Austen-Peters Selected For MIT’s Prestigious Foundry Fellowship

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Lawyer turned film and theatre director, Bolanle Austen-Peters, has been selected for a prestigious fellowship programme of the Legatum Centre for Development and Entrepreneurship of the Massachussetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, USA.

Mrs Austen-Peters who is also the Founder & CEO of educational and recreational organisation, Terra Kulture, will join 11 other fellows for the Legatum Foundry Fellowship, which is a transformative experience for accomplished entrepreneurs.

She is one of the four women selected for this highly-competititive fellowship, a hybrid training that will take Fellows across select African cities for study tours and coursework in Boston.

In its announcement on Thursday, the Legatum Centre said “the 2022-2023 Foundry Fellows are here. Join us as we welcome our incoming cohorts. From Egypt to South Africa to Botswana and Nigeria, our incoming fellows are working on enterprises to improve their communities in various sectors,” adding that they will “highlight each #foundryfellow over the next week as they get ready to begin an incredible year of networking, innovation and building community here at Legatum.”

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The Foundry Fellowship is a transformative experience for accomplished entrepreneurs “who are at an inflection point between scalling an innovation-driven company and transitioning into a role as an entrepreneurial leader catalysing systems change and inclusive economic growth across the African continent.”

The statement from the Legatum Centre said that during the fellowship journey, Fellows will learn new frameworks in leadership development and acolytes building with expert faculty and practitioners, be exposed to ecosystems through visits with key stakeholders, and explore new ways to accelerate innovation-driven Entrepreneurship in Africa.”

In her response, Austen-Peters said: “I’m honoured to be selected as a fellow of the Legatum Centre for Development & Entrepreneurship at MIT. The recognition comes through over 20 years of creating pathways to global prosperity through innovation and entrepreneurship.
“It demonstrates that you should just keep at what you do without allowing distractions. It affirms that inspite of all, hardworking and diligence are recompensed. It encourages one to want to do more.”

Austen-Peters, 53, graduated with a BA in Law from the University of Lagos and earned a Masters from the London School of Economics.

After working as a lawyer in the 1990s, first in her father’s chambers, Afe Babalola & Co and later at the United Nations High Commissions for Refugees in Switzerland, she founded Terra Kulture.

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According to her, since 2003, Terra Kulture has been at the forefront of promoting Nigeria’s art and culture through exhibitions, indigenous restaurant and storytelling through its award-winning plays and movies.

“Over these years, we have developed an in-depth understanding of arts, culture and languages to impact the next generation most effectively,” she added.

In recent times, the organisation, through the Terra Academy for the Arts, received funding support from both Mastercard Foundation’s Africa Works Initiative and Netflix.

Through Bolanle Austen-Peters (BAP) Productions, she has produced stage musicals like Saro, Waka, Fela & The Kalakuta Queens and Death and the King’s Horseman, among others.

She has also directed feature films such as The Bling Lagosians, Man Of God, Collision Course and Funmilayo: The lioness of Lisabi.

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New Respiratory Disease Breaks Out In China

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New mystery virus leaves hospitals in China overwhelmed as experts panic

Hospitals in China are overwhelmed by an unidentified respiratory.

The disease has taken hold so fast that it has already been declared an epidemic by ProMED, the International Society for Infectious Diseases.

The undiagnosed form of pneumonia has taken hold in Beijing and Liaoning, causing experts to panic.

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A source told ProMED: “Many, many are hospitalized. They don’t cough and have no symptoms. They just have a high temperature (fever) and many develop pulmonary nodules.”

Infectious disease specialist Dr Neil Stone took to social media to warn of the outbreak.

He wrote on Twitter/X: “The last time I saw reports of an outbreak of undiagnosed pneumonia in China thought, naa…no big deal. Won’t amount to much. That was in December 2019. Not making that same mistake again.”

Not much is known about the virus, or what the symptoms are beyond what the source previously said.

However, the World Health Organisation appears sufficiently worried enough to have commented but admits that it needs more information from China as soon as possible.

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A spokesman said: “WHO requested additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results from these reported clusters among children, through the International Health Regulations mechanism.

“We have also requested further information about recent trends in the circulation of known pathogens including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and mycoplasma pneumonia, and the current burden on health care systems. WHO is also in contact with clinicians and scientists through our existing technical partnerships and networks in China.

“While WHO seeks this additional information, we recommend that people in China follow measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illness, which include recommended vaccination; keeping distance from people who are ill; staying home when ill; getting tested and medical care as needed; wearing masks as appropriate; ensuring good ventilation; and regular hand-washing.”

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Jasmine’s Ex-Husband confirms sleeping with Mr Ibu’s son

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The estranged American husband of the adopted daughter of Nollywood actor, John Okafor, better known as Mr Ibu, Jasmine has admitted to the leaked audio of her sleeping with the ailing actor’s son.

Speaking on the leaked audio recording, Jasmine’s alleged ex-husband said he caught her sleeping with Mr Ibu’s son, as he expressed fear for his life.

Freelanews had earlier reported that an audio recording surfaced online which captured Mr Ibu allegedly admitting to having slept with his adopted daughter, Jasmine and to have allegedly caught his son also sleeping with her.

Another fresh clip shared by the blogger, Tosinsilverdam, via his Instagram page, shows Jasmine’s ex-American husband allegedly disclosing that he caught her and the son in the same room.

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He also revealed that when he confronted her for her actions, she tried to make up excuses for being in the same room with Mr Ibu’s son, but he made a point that he knew that they were sleeping together.

Here are reactions trailing her supposed ex-husband revelations:

poshest_wrote: “Just imagine!! Someone that couldn’t even manage her home wants to manag£ another woman’s own.”

bukkie_martinez remarked: “Jasmine if na another woman dey do all these things to you inside your marriage how you go feel???”

dokitorsavageexlusive said: “And I remember m, it was mentioned then that she was married to someone before this American. About this Americana, I also remember their videos trending the, she went to pick from the airport then weeks later they married fiam…..9 months later they separated before he could even process her papers. Now I am wondering if she is woman enough to take care of Mr. Ibu’s home….Well truth will prevail soon”

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Mhizrukky wrote: “Married men still won’t learn. Una never sees Anytin. Quick recovery to Mr. Ibu”

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Evangelist Ebuka Obi Breaks Silence On Fake Miracle With Mr Ibu

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Speaking about the purportedly staged miracle, Ebuka Obi declared that the actor did not testify on the altar of Zion Ministry and that Ibu never even asked for his prayers for healing.

Founder and Spiritual Director of Zion Prayer Movement Outreach, Evangelist Ebuka Obi has responded after he was accused of staging a fake miracle with ailing veteran actor, John Okafor, better known as Mr Ibu.

Recall that a traditionalist had come out to claim that Mr. Ibu had fooled the public by staging a phoney miraculous act at Ebuka Obi’s church.

He continued to express his happiness over Mr. Ibu’s leg amputation, attributing it to the fallout from the dishonest act he had committed.

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In response to this, Obi addressed his congregation and refuted the untrue assertion. He asserts that, in contrast to reports that he invited Mr. Ibu to his church, the actor came to his church his own.

Since he doesn’t even watch films, Ebuka Obi asserted that he doesn’t know Mr Ibu.

He said that he was unaware of Ibu’s celebrity status until someone pointed out to him the actor’s attendance at the church.

Speaking about the purportedly staged miracle, Ebuka Obi declared that the actor did not testify on the altar of Zion Ministry and that Ibu never even asked for his prayers for healing.

He continued by saying that Mr. Ibu’s only grievance was one of financial inadequacy, and that in response, he showed kindness by offering him some cash.

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