Soyinka, Orimoogunje, others advocate cultural renaissance at Yoruba Lakotun

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Soyinka, Orimoogunje, others advocate cultural renaissance at Yoruba Lakotun
The Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and Professor Oladele Orimoogunje have also lent their voices to the advocacy of cultural renaissance championed by Yoruba Lakotun in the last four years. This was reiterated during the special edition of Yorùbá Lakotun dedicated to the late author, Oladejo Okediji held at the Lagos Books and Arts Festival.
(L-R) Olutayo Irantiola, Atokun, Yorùbá Lakotun; Professor Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate and Professor Oladele Orimoogunje, Keynote speaker and Professor of African Studies, University of Lagos at the Yoruba Lakotun Colloquium held during the Lagos Books and Arts Festival, Lagos over the weekend.
According to Professor Wole Soyinka, “We were raised in our indigenous culture and we should not give up on it. We need to keep encouraging speaking and writing in our indigenous languages.”
In his keynote presentation, Professor Oladele Orimoogunje said that current writers need to continually expand the frontiers of Yoruba literature after the death of Oladejo Okediji because there are opportunities for writers interested in oral and fictive literature.
Orimoogunje gave glowing tributes about the detective works written by Oladejo Okediji which include Aja lo leru (1969), Agbalagba Akan (1971), Oga Ni Bukola (1972), Rere Run (1973), Imura Idanwo Yoruba (1978), Atoto Arere (1981), Sango (1987), Opa Agbeleka (1989), Binu ti ri (1989), Aajo Aje (1997), Running After Riches (1999), Karin Kapo (2007), Aaro Olomoge (2014) and Ohun Enu Agba (2018).
There was also a panel discussion moderated by Damilare Igbayiloye of Akonilede Yoruba, while the panellists are Dr Clement Odoje of the University of Ibadan; Dr Ayodele Oyewale of the University of Lagos; Mrs Folake Benson of Scholars Runnel and Mr Ayobami Oyedele of Yoruba Di Wura. They agreed that Yoruba scholars and enthusiasts need to be more strategic in order to gain more global relevance.
According to Dr Odoje, “The Nigerian government needs to support the teaching, learning and research on our languages because various countries of the world are deliberate about learning our languages and engaging those who are vast in the knowledge of Nigerian languages. The value of Nigerian languages is currently being appreciated by the international community and as a nation, we need to latch onto this as well.”
Other segments of the colloquium include the extensive teaching on Greetings by Chief Gbemisoye Ayano, book reading from the last anthology of poetry by Oladejo Okediji, 2018 titled, “Ohun Enu Agba.” There were performances by JojoBody Beat and Amulegbajo. There were award presentations to Prof Oladele Orimoogunje; Mama Iyabode Aboaba; Chief Gbemisoye Ayano and Mr. Yemi Shodimu.
The first colloquium of Yoruba Lakotun curated by Olutayo Irantiola in partnership with Committee for Relevant Arts, the organizers of LABAF.
Guests were drawn from corporate and social Nigeria.

Nigeria ranks 30th in 2019 Africa Visa Openness index – Report

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Nigeria ranks 30th in 2019 Africa Visa Openness index – Report

This fourth edition of the Index shows that 47 countries improved or maintained their visa openness scores in 2019

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 11, 2019,/ — For the first time, on average, Africans can travel to approximately 27 countries visa-free or with a visa on arrival; Ethiopia moves up a record 32 places on the Index, entering the top 20 most visa-open countries in Africa.

Download report: 2019 Africa Visa Openness Index

For the first time, African travellers have liberal access to over half the continent, the 2019 Africa Visa Openness Index published by the African Union Commission and African Development Bank, reveals. The report was launched on Monday on the sidelines of the Africa Investment Forum, which opened in Johannesburg, South Africa.

However, Nigeria Ranked 30th amongst African nations on the index. In addition, the report showed that Nigeria was not among the 32 countries to have signed the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons (PFMP)  and also not among the 26 countries to have ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Ranked among the top 20 countries on visa, openness is Mauritania in North Africa ranked first place, in West Africa, was Benin, Cabon Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Togo.

In East Africa, Comoro, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Ethiopia (moving from 32nd position in the previous year) and Uganda made the list while Madagascar, Mauritius, and Mozambique were among the only three South African countries to have also made the top 20’s.

Seychelles and Benin are the top-performing countries, offering visa-free access to all Africans.

The progress on visa openness in Africa follows growing momentum for greater integration between countries and signals that policymakers across the continent are pushing reforms, making it easier for African businessmen and women, investors, students and tourists to travel.

This fourth edition of the Index shows that 47 countries improved or maintained their visa openness scores in 2019. African visitors no longer need a visa to travel to a quarter of other African countries, whereas visa-free travel was only possible to a fifth of the continent in 2016. Currently, 21 African countries also offer eVisas to make travel more accessible, up from 16 in 2018, 13 in 2017, and 9 in 2016).

The 2019 top performers on visa openness rank among the top countries for foreign direct investment in Africa and benefit from strong levels of growth, including in tourism. The Index shows that Seychelles and Benin remain the top two countries on visa openness in Africa, with their visa-free policy for all African visitors. Ethiopia moved up a record 32 places on the Index and entered the top 20 most visa-open countries in Africa.

African Development Bank President Akinwumi A. Adesina said, “Our work on the Africa Visa Openness Index continues to monitor how Africa is doing on the free movement of people. Progress is being made but much still needs to be done. To integrate Africa, we should bring down the walls. The free movement of people, and especially labour mobility, are crucial for promoting investments.”

The Visa Openness Index has inspired reforms in more than 10 African countries including Ghana, Benin, Tunisia, Ethiopia and Kenya, unlocking tremendous potential for the promotion of intra-regional tourism, trade and investments.

Despite the gains shown in the report, there is a need to move further. In 2019, only 26% of Africans are able to get visas on arrival in other African countries, up by only 1% compared to 2016.

Countries need to make more progress on visa regimes, including introducing visas-on-arrival. By breaking down borders, Africa will be able to capitalize on gains from regional integration initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, the Single African Air Transport Market, and the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons.

“It cannot be stressed enough how crucial integration is for the development of the continent and the fulfilment of its people’s aspiration to well-being. I congratulate those member states that have taken measures to ease the procedures for the entry of African nationals into their territories, and urge those that have not yet done so to join this growing momentum,” said Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

Download the 2019 Africa Visa Openness Index and find out more here (www.VisaOpenness.org).

Spectranet and Nokia to provide 100+ Mbps ultra broadband services with FTTH to home and business users in Nigeria

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Spectranet and Nokia to provide 100+ Mbps ultra broadband services with FTTH to home and business users in Nigeria
  • Nokia GPON solution helps Spectranet better serve its customers by adding FTTH services to its current portfolio of LTE  wireless broadband access services
  • Spectranet’s customers in Lagos and Abuja will be able to enjoy new ultra-broadband services that demand greater speed and higher bandwidth 

Abuja, Nigeria – Nokia today announced that Spectranet, Nigeria’s largest Internet Service Provider, will bring high-speed access to customers in Lagos and Abuja by deploying its GPON solution as part of an extensive Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) rollout. The solution will enable Spectranet to provide new ultra-broadband services such as 4K HD video streaming and online gaming to residential and enterprise subscribers in the region.

One of the first Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to launch 4G LTE services in Nigeria, Spectranet has been providing wireless broadband services in Nigeria since 2013. With Nokia’s FTTH technology, Spectranet will be able to address the evolving demands of its subscribers by providing high speed and stable internet connectivity at affordable tariffs. The deployment supports the Nigerian Government’s Vision 20: 2020 to use technology for the economic growth of the country.

Ajay Awasthi, Chief Executive Officer at Spectranet, said: “In today’s digital economy, our customers increasingly seek high-speed internet access to use applications like streaming ultra HD videos and online gaming. With Nokia’s GPON solution, we will be able to offer customers new ultra-broadband services that create a superior customer experience in the home and office.”

Daniel Jaeger, Head of CEWA Market Unit at Nokia, said: “We are committed to enabling Spectranet to provide superior broadband services to its customers. With our technology, Spectranet’s subscribers will be able to connect to gigabit services and enjoy differentiated services that enhance their overall broadband access experience.”

Overview of the solution used for deployment:

  • Nokia 7362 ISAM DF-16GW will help in the easy deployment of gigabit ultra-broadband to more users.
  • Nokia 7368 ISAM ONTs will allow Spectranet to deliver high bandwidth capacity to the end-users. It will also help in providing different options with different types of user interfaces depending on the requirement of the end consumer.

Halima Aliko Dangote Takes charge of Dangote Group Commercial Operations

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Halima Aliko Dangote Takes charge of Dangote Group Commercial Operations

Dangote Industries Appoints Halima Aliko Dangote as GED Commercial Operations

LAGOS, Nigeria, November 11, 2019,/ — Halima Aliko Dangote has been appointed as the Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), one of Africa’s largest and most diversified business conglomerates.

Halima Aliko Dangote (Source: Dangote Group)

According to a release by the company, Halima Aliko Dangote is returning to the Group after serving on secondment in several capacities across two of its Business Units over the last five years. She is also a Trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the conglomerate.

In her most recent role, Halima served as Executive Director of Dangote Flour Mills. Remarkably, she led the turnaround of the business from loss in turnover to a profitable status; a feat derived from consistent high performance over time.

Previously, she served as Executive Director of NASCON, a manufacturer of salt, seasonings and related consumer products, which are enjoying huge patronage among consumers. She continues to serve as a Non-Executive Director of NASCON.

Halima is the president of the Board of The Africa Center in New York, a uniquely focused centre providing a forward-looking gateway for engagement with Africa while encompassing policy, business and culture. She is a Board member of Endeavour Nigeria and is also a member of the Women Corporate Directors (WCD).

She has over 12 years of professional experience and has held several executive management roles. In her new role, Halima will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Dangote Group’s customer strategy to drive customer growth, improve customer relationship management, enhance customer experience and increase long term customer value, according to the release.

She will also be responsible for the implementation of the Group’s shared services strategy with specific oversight for the following functions; Commercial, Strategic procurement, Administration and Branding & Communications.

Halima, who has a strong passion for women empowerment, holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Marketing from the American Intercontinental University, London, United Kingdom and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Webster Business School, United Kingdom.

She has attended a number of high profile leadership development programmes including the Programme for Leadership Development (PLD) at Harvard Business School; Executive Development Programme at Kellogg School of Management; Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Executives at Columbia Business School.

The Dangote Group, which recently emerged as the Most Admired African Brand and the Most Valuable Brand in Nigeria for the second consecutive year (2018 – 2019) is actively involved in manufacturing cement, sugar, salt, flour, poly-products as well as logistics, oil & gas and real estate.

Swiss Fintech Delegation Seek More Robust Collaboration in Singapore @ Singapore Festival

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Swiss Fintech Delegation Seek More Robust Collaboration in Singapore @ Singapore Festival

SINGAPORE – Media
OutReach – 12 November 2019 – The
Switzerland finance regulatory agencies and organisations already collaborate closely
with their Singapore counterparts and will continue to foster closer
relationships, especially with fintech
enterprises charting the future, Secretary of State for International
Finance Ms Daniela Stoffel said yesterday.

Fostering collaboration at the Swiss Pavilion networking session. From L-to-R: Mr Patrik Wermelinger, Head of Investment Promotion, S-GE; Ms Daniela Stoffel, Secretary of State for International Finance; and H.E. Fabrice Filliez, Ambassador of Switzerland to Singapore. 

 

Present
at the Swiss Pavilion amid a 70-member delegation with participation from 25 Swiss
fintech enterprises, she said: “Fintechs are the future and they will bring the
future to the Swiss banking system. You (fintechs) are the torch bearers” for
the financial system and the government and regulators will provide support.

 

Switzerland is “always working on the
next support system so that companies can deliver more international
solutions,” added Ms Stoffel. She is on a short visit to Singapore in
conjunction with the Singapore FinTech Festival 2019 (11 — 13 November).

 

Ms Stoffel was a key panel speaker on
the opening day of the event and shared her insights on the track titled “2020:
Policy Choices for the Digital Economy“. Ms Stoffel spoke about the
continued globalisation of the digital economy and the need to create greater
access for all stakeholders to the financial system.

 

“Some of the key traits of Switzerland’s
economic success are its openness and its quest for continuous innovation” said
Ms Stoffel. “Hence, digitalisation is a necessary strategy as it facilitates
new, innovative business models. Switzerland aims to bring this message to the
world and seek win-win collaborations.”

 

For example, she highlighted that Switzerland
already has a good legal framework for blockchain and it is currently adopting
it. The government hopes to pass it through Parliament in 2020.

 

The Swiss delegation is keen to forge
greater ties in Asia through co-innovation, collaborations, partnerships and
deal making. Swiss financial institutions already have a head start through
republic’s fintech cooperation framework and agreements with Asean, China,
India, Japan and South Korea.

 

The key goal of the Swiss Pavilion is to
demonstrate the pioneering work of Swiss companies, which already have a global
reputation for creating trustworthy, reliable and innovative financial
institutions, to Singapore and International audiences.  For innovative and growing tech companies,
Switzerland can be the ideal location to centre their European business.

 

Under the umbrella of
the Swiss Pavilion, Swiss companies are participating for the third consecutive
year and will showcase cutting edge expertise in crypto finance, blockchain
technologies, AI and cybersecurity, will continue to present some of the best
of what Switzerland has to offer.

Olymp Trade’s 5th Anniversary Tournament – A Trading Experience Like No Other

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Olymp Trade’s 5th Anniversary Tournament – A Trading Experience Like No Other

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA / BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media
OutReach – 12 November 2019 – In September the Olymp Trade team celebrated five
years of service as one of the most sought after online brokers in the world.
To extend the festivities beyond the halls of the OT offices, the biggest
trading tournament was created.

 

Founded in 2014, this platform quickly rose to international
acclaim as people around the world turned to the platform to better their
lives. Focused on making trading accessible to all the Olymp Trade team created
an exceptional educational suite and demo platform for traders to learn,
practice, and hone their skills.

 

With over 25,000 clients trading daily and nearly 250,000 a
month, the innovative broker is all set to attract more traders by introducing
a simpler and better way to trade.

 

The Olymp Trade platform is extremely user-friendly where a
client can set up an account and start trading on the go in a matter of
minutes. Known for its low fees and commissions, as well as free education and
training services for their clients.

 

The 5th Anniversary Tournament was created as
a Thank you to the platform’s traders. Giving traders the opportunity to earn
more money, win different prizes, and share in a $100,000 prize pot.

 

Beginning on November 5th and ending on December 12th this is
one of the largest, longest, and reward-rich trading tournaments in the world.
Traders around the world will compete against each other to climb the Leader
Board in an attempt to claim a portion of the prize pot. There are also daily
tasks that net traders different prizes like VIP trial periods, risk-free
trades, and much more.

 

This event is chocked full of ways for investors to win.
Created with new traders in mind all daily achievements can be completed by
traders of any skill level.

 

Olymp Traders earn points to move up the Leader Board by
making trades, with successful trades resulting in more points than those that
are unsuccessful. Different daily tasks can also add more points and bonuses to
a trader’s score.  

 

Do not miss the largest global trading tournament of 2019.
Join the thousands of traders spread out around the planet for your chance to
claim a portion of the $100,000 pot and the other prizes along the way.

TideBit Rules HK Bitcoin to Fiat Market

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TideBit Rules HK Bitcoin to Fiat Market

HONG KONG,
CHINA – Media OutReach –
12 November 2019 – Cash is king, Gold is better. There is more than one reason
bitcoin is dubbed as “digital gold” in time of turbulence. TideBit, as the largest and safest
bitcoin to fiat exchange in Hong Kong and frequently quoted for its signature
pair BTC/HKD and ETH/HKD, is grasping a golden opportunity presented by HK
Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). 

During the Hong Kong Fintech Week, the HK SFC issued regulatory
policies for digital currency exchanges. Two major take-away points:

1. The new rules will apply to security tokens and digital assets
only, but not to mainstream cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or
Ethereum as regarded as commodity, not securities.

2. SFC warned investors about the risks associated with the trading
of futures contracts, which are highly leveraged, largely unregulated and
exposed to tremendous risk. 

TideBit
exchange platform token TBT rose nearly 30% after the announcement, and the
volume of transactions also surged more than three times within one day. A
TideBit speaks person commented: “TideBit welcome the new SFC
framework to proactively protect the investors. In the long run, only the
self-disciplined, self-regulated exchanges with vision could reap the long-term
benefits of blockchain technology and decentralized community. I am extremely
excited by the opportunities presented by the SFC framework. TideBit has been
operating under compliance and welcomes the SFC policies.”

The Hong Kong Fintech Week, presented by InvestHK and organized by FINNOVASIA is one of
Asia’s biggest fintech events. Themes of this year’s event include the latest
Fintech developments in Hong Kong and the new entrants to the city’s financial
services industry. These include virtual banks, digital insurers and those
driving the development of new technologies, including artificial intelligence,
big data and blockchain. TideiSun Group’s TideBit is the
Asia’s largest and safest bitcoin to fiat exchange. Users can sign up, deposit
fund and trade within 10 minutes. 

About TideiSun Group

TideiSun Group is a global
FinTech and media group known for its business model innovation. We operate
both public and private subsidiaries, embrace venture capital and private
equity with the creative token economy, accelerate enterprise adoption of
blockchain and AI technology, bridge the gap between digital assets and fiat
currencies, and promote the exchange and management of digital assets.

8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana Raised HKD3.56 Million For Mother’s Choice

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8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana Raised HKD3.56 Million For Mother’s Choice

HONG KONG, CHINA – Media OutReach – November 11, 2019 – A significant event on Hong
Kong’s culinary calendar – the 20th edition of the Italian Alba
White Truffle World Auction, was successfully held last night at the
acclaimed 3-star-Michelin Italian restaurant 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana. The
auction of the finest Alba white truffle species together with the charity
dinner raised HKD3.56 million for the beneficiary Mother’s Choice.

 

The
10-hand charity dinner was curated by Umberto Bombana (centre), Executive Chef
of 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana Hong Kong, Antimo Maria Merone (2nd from
the left), Executive Chef of 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana Macau, Riccardo La Perna
(3rd from the right), Executive Chef of 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana
Shanghai, Albert Au (2nd from the right) from China Club, and Keith
Yam (1st from the right) from 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana Hong Kong.

High-res
images: http://bit.ly/36ScykA

 

The highlight of the
evening was the winning bid of the biggest single white truffle weighting 1kg
and 5 grams, sold at HKD1.035 million to a guest from Hong Kong who triumphed
over 19 rounds of intense bidding, marking the highest bid in the past 12
years. This year’s splendid white
truffle harvest has been rich and bountiful, courtesy of a warmer climate, and
more hydrated soils.

 

The now 89-year-old
International Alba White Truffle Fair in Alba, Piedmont is an annual
international gastronomic celebration of the region’s white truffle harvest.
During the festival, the Alba White Truffle World Auction is held on the second
Sunday of November at Castello di Grinzane Cavour, a historic 13th century
castle located amidst a UNESCO heritage site. This year as usual, 8½ Otto e
Mezzo Bombana – the only three Michelin-starred ristorante Italiano outside of
Italy, also livestreamed the auction during the ristorante’s charity dinner
gala, and donated 100% of the proceeds to Mother’s Choice for the people in
need. The white truffle auction this year was also conducted live in Alba,
Moscow, Singapore and Hong Kong.

 

To show appreciation
to guests supporting the charity event, Executive Chef Umberto Bombana joined
forces with 4 award-winning chefs to curate a 10-hand 5-course dinner pairing menu
this year for the gala. Other celebrated chefs include Keith Yam (8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana Hong Kong), Antimo Maria Merone (8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana
Macau),
Riccardo La Perna (8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana Shanghai), and Albert Au (China
Club).

 

Originated from Alba,
Piedmont, Tuber Magnatum Pico is the most fragrant fungus among all varieties. Due
to its unique, piquant and stimulating scents, Alba white truffle is often
considered as a supreme and delectable ingredient internationally, and is
famously crowned as “white diamond of the table”. The rare white truffle cannot be
cultivated, and can only be foraged in the wild from October to December. The
precious ingredient’s scarce and ephemeral qualities make it a rare luxury
commodity, and a precious treasure for chefs to appeal epicureans all around
the world.

 

The charity dinner
menu is as follows:

ALBA WHITE TRUFFLE AUCTION DINNER

SUNDAY, 10TH NOVEMBER 2019

 

WELCOME DRINK

Cocchi, Totocorde Alta Langa Brut

 

SLICE OF PIZZA

Porcini Salad

Fontanafredda, Contessa Rosa Alta
Langa Brut

 

FISH TRIPE AND CRAB

Sautéed with Egg

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco

 

SEA CUCUMBER AND LOBSTER

In Mushroom Jus

2014 Bruno Rocca, Barbaresco Rabaja

 

FAGOTTELLI OF CASTELMAGNO

Cooked in Winter Garden Broth,
Mushroom Coulis

2015 Paolo Scavino, Barolo Cannubi

 

SPECIAL RANDOM

2013 Vietti, Barolo Lazzarito
Castiglone Falletto

 

POULARDE FROM BRESSE

Spinach and Brioche Filling, Winter
Mushroom Ragout, Confit Egg Yolk

2013 Oddero, Barolo Brunate La Morra

 

HAZELNUT PARFAIT

Roasted Apple

2019 Saracco, Moscato d’Asti

 

Reservations

info@ottoemezzobombana.com

events@ottoemezzobombana.com

 

Social
Media

Facebook: @OttoeMezzoBOMBANA

Instagram:
@ottoemezzobombana_hongkong

 

Address

 

Shop 202, Landmark Alexandra, 18
Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong

 

Contact
Number

+852 2537 8859

 

Opening
Hours

Monday to Saturday

 

Lunch 12:00 — 14:30;  Dinner 18:30 — 22:30

Bar opened from 12:00 noon until
late

 

Closed on Sunday

About Mother’s Choice

Mother’s
Choice is a local non-profit organization in Hong Kong with a mission to join
hands with the community to transform lives and give hope. Since 1987, it has
pursued a vision of no girl or baby left alone by providing loving and
non-judgmental support to young girls facing crisis pregnancy, caring for
children in need of a permanent home, and fighting for each to have a loving,
stable, and permanent family to call his/her own. Today, Mother’s Choice
continues to impact the lives of thousands in Hong Kong through five services —
all united by the goal of building stronger families in our community.

About 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA

8½
Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA is the first and only three Michelin-starred Italian
restaurant outside of Italy, and for eight consecutive years it has retained
this prestigious accolade. Last year, it topped Gamero Rosso’s list of the
“Top Intalian Restaurants in Hong Kong” and made the list among the
top 50 Restaurants in the world. Its Chef BOMBANA Umberto is known as the
“King of White Truffle” and is regularly ranked among “Asia’s Best Chef”.
Currently, Bombana’s name is attached to fine dining restaurants in Hong Kong,
Macau, Beijing and Shanghai. He also opened Hong Kong’s first refined Italian
trattoria franchise, CIAK, as well as a boutique private kitchen Octavium in
Central. He was honored with the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Diner’s Club®
Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. Last September, Chef Bombana was also
bestowed the Order of Merit from the Italian Republic (OMRI, Ordine al Merito
della Repubblica Italiana). It is the country’s highest ranking award.

About Umberto Bombana

Hailed
as “The King of White Truffles”, Chef BOMBANA Umberto’s food is rooted in
respect for honest cooking, great produce and attention to customers. At the
same time, he is committed to push traditional Italian cuisine forward with innovative
and boundless creativity. His success is reflected in his three
Michelin-starred Italian fine dining restaurant 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA, which
is now recognized as a must-go dining institution for Epicurean connoisseurs
the world over.

 

A
native of Bergamo in Northern Italy, Chef BOMBANA trained at Centro di
Formazione Alberghiera and apprenticed under acclaimed Chef Ezio Santin at
Antica Osteria del Ponte, a Michelin-starred restaurant outside Milan. Chef
BOMBANA’s talent and skills soon took him around the world. In 1983, he joined
the famous Rex II Ristorante in Los Angeles, where he was lauded for his simple
yet refined regional cooking.

 

Chef
BOMBANA arrived in Hong Kong in 1993 to manage Toscana at The Ritz-Carlton
Hotel, which became an iconic fine dining destination. He was awarded “Best
Italian Chef in Asia” by the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners (ICIF)
in 2002. He was declared a “Worldwide Ambassador of the White Truffle” in 2006
by the Piedmontese Regional Enoteca Cavour in Italy.

 

He
opened 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA in 2010. After only 11 months the restaurant was
awarded two Michelin stars. The following year, it was elevated to 3 Michelin
stars, the first and only Italian restaurant outside Italy to receive such high
recognition. Since then, it has managed to maintain the honour.

 

Expanding
into China, Chef BOMBANA opened 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA Shanghai in 2012 and
Opera BOMBANA in Beijing in 2013. In December 2013, he opened Hong Kong’s first
refined Italian trattoria, CIAK — In The Kitchen in the Landmark Atrium,
Central. In June 2015, a branch of Chef BOMBANA’s flagship 8½ Otto e Mezzo
BOMBANA Galaxy Macau opened serving seasonal ingredients and refined Italian
fare. In June 2016, CIAK — All Day Italian, a second branch of his Michelin
star trattoria reached Taikoo Shing. An even more personal boutique restaurant
and kitchen laboratory Octavium ­was launched in Hong Kong in 2018. It already
owns one Michelin star.

 

Over
his career, BOMBANA has been bestowed with many awards. He is the recipient of
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Diner’s Club® Lifetime Achievement Award 2017. In
2017, he also received the Order of Merit from the Italian Republic (OMRI,
Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the country’s highest-ranking award. 

 

In
2018, BOMBANA was given the Award Italia a Tavola. 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA
received three forks while Octavium gained two forks from the Gambero Rosso
guide.

New Heritage & Art Trail @ Katong Joo Chiat

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New Heritage & Art Trail @ Katong Joo Chiat

SINGAPORE
– Media OutReach – 11 November 2019 – As part of the Singapore
Tourism Board’s initiative on celebrating Art and Heritage in Singapore,
several art related activities will be launched on 16 November 2019.

 

Over
at Katong Joo Chiat, a new arts & heritage trail will be launched in
mid-November 2019. This self-guided trail organized by Colorinc Pte Ltd with
the support of Singapore Tourism Board, will feature new wall murals that shows
the history of this precinct from extinct turtles to kiddies playing in floods
as well as architecture unique to this area in Singapore, all in an effort to
tell the story in a more engaging way.

 

There
will be art workshops and offers from the various restaurants, retail shops and
cafes. Simply flash the trail map and enjoy the offers available. To check out
the list of workshops and offers available or to download the map, please visit
https://www.theadmin.sg/katong-joochiat-art-circuit

 

This
initiative is also supported by Singtel Dash, an all-in-one mobile wallet to
make safe and easy payments wherever you go — be it in-store or online, locally
or globally. Download Dash from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to shop,
dine, commute and send money with your mobile phone.

 

For
more information on Dash, please visit www.dash.com.sg

 

Visitor
Information:

Katong
Joo Chiat, Singpore. Suggested start point at the junction of East Coast Road
and Joo Chiat Road.

For
list of workshops + retail and restaurant offers or simply to download the map,
please visit visit https://www.theadmin.sg/katong-joochiat-art-circuit

2019 Taiwan Open of Surfing kicks off on November 23rd at Taitung Jinzun

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2019 Taiwan Open of Surfing kicks off on November 23rd at Taitung Jinzun

TAITUNG,
TAIWAN – Media OutReach –
11 November 2019 – Entering the 9th consecutive year, the 2019 Taiwan Open
Of Surfing kicks off for 15 days on November 23 at Jinzun, Donghe Township.
More than 300 athletes hailing from 28 countries will attend the competition.
Dual championships will be held featuring the Longboarding and Junior
Championships. Everyone is cordially invited to attend this phenomenal event
and enjoy the rural feeling that makes Taitung so special and renowned
throughout Taiwan. 

2019 Taiwan Open of Surfing kicks off on November 23rd at
Taitung Jinzun

Taitung County Government is continuing in another year of
cooperation with the World Surfing League (WSL) to host two of the four major
events. The events consist of the World Longboard Championship, and Junior
Championship. The QS3000 Men’s Shortboard Competition has also been added,
which continues to increase the scope of competitions that are held in Jinzun.
The number of athletes who will come to Taitung to compete has reached an
all-time high and has transformed the Taiwan Open of Surfing into the largest
international surfing event in Taiwan. In order to encourage most participation
from Taiwanese athletes, the grand prize has been nearly doubled — increasing
from NT$250,000 to NT$400,000. The grand prize this year breaks the record for
the largest cash prize of any surfing-related event ever held in Taiwan.  

Taitung County Government has also
pointed out that in addition to hosting the competitions, other events have
been added to increase the exchange between foreign and domestic surfers. For
the first time, in coordination with WSL PURE, the event “Marine Resources
Education Experience” will let the public enjoy the exciting surfing
competition and learn about environmental awareness related to marine
resources. In cooperation with local industries, a “surfing market”
and “surfing fun” activities will also be featured. Those attending
can enjoy some local cuisine and make an appointment to try SUP.

Taitung
County Government has emphasized that this event will feature some of the top
surfers from around the world. These include global CT competition champions,
wildcard surfers, some of the top 100 globally ranked surfers, and other top
performers preparing
for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics. The 2019
Taiwan Open of Surfing will be the most exciting event yet. Come and enjoy the
athletes battling it out on the water, DIY activities, and a lot more while at
the same time enjoying the relaxed style of Taitung.

Official
Website

https://www.taiwanopenofsurfing.org

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