The election saw the president of Benin Republic, Mr Thomas Yayi Boni emerging chairman for the next year, as he took over from the president of Equatorial Guinea, Mr Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, who graced the occassion was among the first speakers at the new AU headquarters.

The new AU headquarters was financed and built by China, an African trade partner.

Two car bombs exploded near the new complex of the federal high court in Abuja about two hours ago, the bombs exploded on Shehu Shagari way killing 8 and injuring several people. The explosions caused major panic and confusion at the Eagle Square venue of the 50th anniversary event in Nigeria. The events continued as at the time of fling this report. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, (MEND) ,had earlier issued a statement alerting participants of its intention to bomb the event. See statement below: With due respect to all invited guests, dignitaries and attendees of the 50th independence anniversary of Nigeria being held today, Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Eagle Square Abuja, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is asking everyone to begin immediate evacuation of the entire area within the next 30 minutes. This warning expires after 10.30Hrs Several explosive devices have been successfully planted in and around the venue by our operatives working inside the government security services.

In evacuating the area, keep a safe distance from vehicles and trash bins.

There is nothing worth celebrating after 50 years of failure. For 50 years, the people of the Niger Delta have had their land and resources stolen from them. The constitution before independence which offered resource control was mutilated by illegal military governments and this injustice is yet to be addressed.

Jomo Gbomo, culled from Sahara news

Many years ago it would have been a joke to think of an African country hosting the games but the South Africans not only dreamt but worked towards achieving the goal. Thankfully, once the idea was sold, the necessary bodies worked towards bringing it to life.  I must say I am jealous of South Africa right now at the same time proud to be African. Jealous, because I wonder when Nigeria will wake up to the endless possibilities available if they can dream and plan, I wonder if the Nigerian factor will not derail every good thing that may promote the country, I wonder if corruption will not be uppermost in the minds of many if a program of this magnitude was planned to take place in the country, I wonder how long pessimism will continue to influence our ideas, I wonder if electricity willnot fail. It is sad when you put all these together and realise that Nigeria conveniently sets goals and conveniently fails. South Africa believed and focused on a dream.  For the next couple of weeks from today, South Africa will be on the world map because the world cup is a big deal.

As fans gathered at the largest stadium in Africa, and watched South Africa proudly lift the continent, the giant of Africa has to get to work and start making a mark. That said, South Africa put together the mother of all opening games; and I cannot but wish the Nigerian team, the Super Eagles in South Africa Good Luck.

For every one the death of Nelson Mandela’s great grand daughter,  Zenani Mandela, 13 who died early Friday morning while returning from the world cup tournament’s kick-off concert was not only sad but a tragic loss for Mandela who played a key role in bringing the tournament to South Africa.

At the workshop, Nike Okundaye emphasized the importance of the art of Adire making, particularly its relevance in the Nigerian cultural landscape.

Only, Last week the senate was still undecided on what to do, despite the current Minister for information, Dora Akunyili, submitting a memo urging the President to transmit a letter to the National Assembly to facilitate a smooth hand over and the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) giving the Vice President Good luck Jonathan seven days to take advantage of Section146 (1) of the constitution and assume the responsibility of President.

Hopefully, the Nigerian constitution will be implemented and a smooth hand over will be ensured and the Niger Delta youths and the political class in the South- South will remain silent and dialogue will persist leading Nigeria on to a path of continued stability and democracy.

Finally, the question on if Jonathan would be able to act should be put aside. He has been very cautious which has played to his advantage but he should take the bull by the horn and prepare to be president. The necessary support must be given by Nigerians and they in turn insist that he provides the needed leadership to stir the country in the right direction.

One question remains unanswered, did Mr President not know the enormity of his position as the President of Nigeria, when he assumed office? Why the privacy? Besides the sensitivity of the issue, he needs to talk to the Nigerian people… well our fingers are crossed.

She travels from Mogadishu to London where she works illegally as a cleaner until she is “discovered” by a fashion photographer, and propelled into a life of international fame and fortune.

So reads the true story of Waris Dirie, a former supermodel and face of Revlon who also appeared in the James Bond movie, The Living Daylights.

Dirie was at the Venice Film Festival last week to unveil Desert Flower, a film about her life, named after her internationally bestselling biography. The film, which has already received critical acclaim, stars some of Britain’s best character actors including Sally Hawkins, Timothy Spall, Juliet Stevenson and the comedy writer, Meera Syal.

Dirie is played by Liya Kebede, an Ethiopian model who was in Robert De Niro’s The Good Shepherd.

Speaking about the making of Desert Flower, Dirie, who now lives in Austria, said she wanted the film to focus on the secret which she revealed at the height of her modelling career in 1997, that she had suffered genital mutilation at the age of five.

The revelation transformed her into the “face of female genital mutilation”, she said.

“Before I did, no one talked about female genital mutilation. I felt divided. There was half of me that said ‘go ahead, I can handle it’, and the other half said ‘no’. I never thought I would get this far.”

But it sparked an astonishing global response. She became a human rights campaigner, a UN special ambassador and received numerous humanitarian awards, including the French Chevalier de la legion d’honneur in 2007.

The film’s director, Sherry Hormann, said she made a promise to Dirie that “the mutilation scene would be in the script” and that the film “would entertain as well as move people”.

Hormann decided to make the film in Djibouti, which borders Somalia and Ethiopia. Desert Flower’s subject matter upset some of the local people there. Genital mutilation is still a custom in some communities.

“Hundreds of police had blocked the (marketplace) area for the shoot but then, all of a sudden, they all disappeared. Chaos broke out, members of the crew were being attacked with stones,” she said

However, Dirie said it was vital that the mutilation scene was shot close to where it had happened to her; although seeing it re-enacted was painful.

“That moment brought me back my whole life,” she said.

As the crew finished filming the scene, two women ran to them screaming that they had just passed a bloodied rock where girls had been mutilated.

“As we were filming it, it was happening,” said Dirie.

Hormann was determined to film Dirie’s life story as authentically as possible.

“In Djibouti, I realised that Desert Flower would become the first film to focus on Somali culture and its Islamic roots.

“We filmed nomads who had never seen a camera before. We took the risk to get a real circumciser who was willing to allow herself to be filmed.”

The director also shot scenes in London with a hidden camera, in which Kebede roamed among the homeless people in Soho. Kebede, who in 2007 was the 11th highest-paid model in the world, according to Forbes, said she was mistaken for a homeless person.

“We filmed at three or four in the morning. I was in a pink jilbad (traditional Somali dress), and Sherry was hiding. I had a microphone in my ear and the camera was hidden … A couple of Somali guys came up to me and said ‘are you OK?’”

She said prior to being cast in the film, she had read about Dirie’s “extraordinary life story” and sought to portray her courageous, campaigning spirit as faithfully as possible.

Dirie said seeing the film was emotionally difficult – “I don’t think I could see it again, it hurt me”. However, she hopes it will expose and help stop the brutal practice of female genital mutilation.

“I want the movie to make a change. I know the world knows it’s wrong … I have to think of the children of tomorrow. I want to say ‘don’t touch them … I’m coming’.” – The Independent

Arifa Akbar Culled from Cape  Argus