AfricaWorld Newspaper - July

www.africaworldnewspaper.com

Africa Prepares for London olympics ...Created to serve and inform

July 2012

VOL 001 Nº015

eu €1.00

US $1.00

By Paul Kelly

Prepares to Shatter the Economic Logic of the Olympics

she beat fellow Olympic competitor Allyson Felix by 0.03 seconds. Now tipped to be one of the most likely gold medallists this year, there are hopes she could win Botswana’s first Olympic gold. Amantle’s uncanny speed and ability comes despite a 2006 Australian study which estimated that the most important indicator for Olympic victories was GDP, with increased funds in state coffers allowing for improved training grounds and coaches.

Money, it seems, cannot substitute for ability.

Amantle, however, is not alone in her ability to smash this crude economic logic. The same pattern can be seen across Africa: Kenya, for example, with a GDP of $41 billion, has won 75 Olympic medalsover three times greater than Portugal or India with GDPs of $246.9 billion and $4.463 trillion respectively.

“Make no bones about it,” announced the President of South Africa’s Olympic Committee, Gideon Sam, on June 6th. “We could have done better if we had more funding, but that’s always the case.

The time for excuses is over and I believe that we have done the very best that we could have done under the circumstances”. The President’s remark was a subtle reflection of how, despite the fact that an ostensibly amateur sports event has become increasingly monetised, African countries with comparatively low GDPs consistently leave richer states in the shade.

Nowhere was this clearer than in Amantle Montsho’s recent 400m world championship victory in South Korea, where

Continued on Page 3

A NEW HELL MEETS ERITREANS WHO ESCAPE TO SINAI

By Paul Kelly

An Exclusive Interview with Peter Kifle Peter Kifle stared at me from across the table. I had just asked him if “a giant prison” was a fair description of Eritrea today. “I don’t feel I’m explaining myself to you very well.” he answers slowly, his gaze intense. “It is completely hell. If the border was left open for one day, all the people would leave like

a storm.” Peter knows Eritrea well, he escaped from the authoritarian regime ten years ago.

Today he has numerous inside sources in Eritrea and communicates with them weekly.

This is a rarity as Eritrea is the only country in Africa to have completely banned all independent news sources and is listed last in the world for press freedom by Reporters Without Borders. The government operates a shoot to kill policy for those who try to

cross the border and government propaganda is the only official news to leave the country. In 2009, 16 children were shot trying to cross the border, but only one survived to become a witness to an event which went unreported by Eritrean media.

The country is totalitarian in every sense.

“There is no freedom of movement, there is no freedom of worship, there is no freedom of the press, there is no multiparty system.

There is no private business.”

Peter told AfricaWorld. “Everything is controlled.”

Peter left Eritrea in 2002 and since then the situation has deteriorated even further.

I ask him how he managed to leave. “At that time it was easy to escape to Ethiopia.” he explains to me, describing how he and three friends managed their narrow escape across the border.

Continued on Page 4

WHAT CAN WE DO FOR IRELAND ?

MALAWI IRELAND 2012

WHY BUSH FOOTBALL FOR WENT TO LIFE: MEET THE ETUHU BROTHERS AFRICA

More on page 2

More on page 5

More on page 6

pride of africa Evelyn Suwedi invites you to a summer in Ireland.

More on page 9

TINA LAWRENCE MAUNDE IS MISS

THE FIRST AFRICAN FASHION BLOGGER IN IRELAND

More on page 6

WWW.SIMPLYGLAMOROUS.BIZ

More on page 15

For your chance to win exclusive tickets to some of this Year’s hottest Concerts connect with us on

WWW. PARTS4CAR.EU AFRICAN SALES COORDINATOR 0894683620 ABDOULYUSUF@YAHOO.IE

ABDUL@PARTS4CAR.EU

USED PARTS FOR SALE

2

JULY 2012

opinion

The return of the native

Editorial WHAT CAN WE DO FOR IRELAND ?

The chicken does not forget who feathered it during the rainy season, so says an African adage.

This question comes to focus in the light of Ireland’s new policy of accelerating citizenship applications of immigrants especially Africans.

In an online publication on February 15, 2012, Metro Éireann asserted that Irish Government is to generate an income of nearly €30 million in 2012 from various fees payable by immigrants.

According to the report which quoted the Justice Minister, Alan Shatter TD,“the pilot visa waiver scheme, which runs until 31 October 2012, is based on his conviction that “the immigration system can significantly aid economic activity”.

Having said that, what do we want and what is expected from us?

Simply, we want to be involved in all sphere of things especially projects that can energise Ireland. We need a level playing ground to operate. Policies aimed at integrating Africans should be put to practice not just for the ears.

Government should lead in changing stereotypical views of many through studies in schools and encouraging practical integration of the New Irish.

Recently, Minister of State in the Foreign Affairs, Joe Costello launched initiative on the involvement of Diasporans, it has to be marched with action. The Irish government has to be bold to move beyond“Waiting for EU and the US” in their quest to rekindle an extinguished Celtic Tiger torch. The greatest love for anyone is to care about himself. There are great opportunities to trade in the continent of Africa and beyond if parish-pump politics can be overlooked. On this issue, African professionals incubating and on service are ready to come to work. Stereotypes and Irish media executives have pursued misplaced priorities, thus avoiding panacea that can help Ireland, of which trade takes centre stage. On the other hand, big countries who are at the forefront on media war against Africa are all in the continent milking its natural resources. Can’t you imagine that they paint gory pictures of Africa, yet thousands of their best business brains and groups are there? They keep lending money to African countries and organisations with outrageous interest. Who lends money to a poor and jobless man? Why is Ireland afraid to engage in return for expertise at least to revive its economy?This is where African professionals among the new Irish can help.

The just concluded European Championship in Ukraine and Poland should serve as a mirror. Very poor team and magnificent supporters club. Be that as it may, Africans among the new Irish especially those who have been held up by citizenship huddles: now is time to show what you can do. Kick - start your initiative and let us break the jinx.

AfricaWorld will go biweekly from next month. We are poised to serve and inform better. In the light of the message above, let us use our tongue to count our teeth. Come inside.

Uka

By Ukachukwu Okorie

KENNETH KAUNDA

KENNETH KAUNDA Kenneth David Kaunda, the youngest of eight children, became first president of Zambia in 1964. He was born on April 28, 1924, at Lubwa Mission near Chinsali in Northern Rhodesia. His father, Reverend David Kaunda, a minister of Church of Scotland teacher was born in Malawi and had moved to Chinsali to work at Lubwa Mission in 1904. His mother was the first African woman to teach in colonial Zambia.

Kenneth Kounda attended Munali Training Centre in Lusaka before becoming a teacher at the Upper Primary School and Boarding Master at Lubwa and then Headteacher at Lubwa from 1943 to 1945.

In early 1948, he became a teacher in Mufulira for the United Missions to the Copperbelt (UMCB). He was then assistant at an African Welfare Centre and Boarding Master of a Mine School in Mufulira. During this time, Kaunda was leading a Pathfinder Scout Group and a Choir at a Church of Central Africa Congregation. At some time,

AfricaWorld & Millenium Development Goals Editor Ukachukwu Okorie Chief Reporter Paul Kelly Graphic Design Celine Fang Bruno Chaves

“The power which establishes a state is violence; the power which maintains it is violence; the power which eventually overthrows it is violence.”

Photography Stephen Boyle

he was also Vice-Secretary of the Nchanga Branch of Congress.

The developed copper area which was a natural setting for African nationalism soon became a galvanizing point.

Resenting the racial discrimination that prevailed in central Africa, Kaunda helped form the Northern Rhodesian ANC in 1951.

This organisation became the first major anti-colonial platform in Northern Rhodesia. He later rose to become its secretary general from 1953 to 1958 under ANC president Harr y Nkumbula.

Ideologically, Kaunda believed in nonviolent principles of India’s Mohandas Gandhi, a position strengthened by his visit to India in 1957. He, however, parted ways with Nkumbula and emerged president of the Zambia African National Union from 1958 through 1959. When civil disorder led to banning of this party, Kaunda was jailed for a period of nine months. On his release he became

The Editorial team at AfricaWorld would like to point out that it is aware of the Millennium Development Goals

president of the new United National Independence party in 1960. On Oct. 30, 1962, he was elected to the Legislative Council after rejecting a constitution proposed by Great Britain for Northern Rhodesia, charging that it would perpetuate white supremac y. .

Furthermore, he formed a coalition government with Nkumbula’s ANC and served as minister of local government and social welfare in 1962.

In 1964, Zambia gained self rule with Kenneth Kaunda as president. In 1969, he followed up with the nationalization of Zambia’s copper mines. Confronted with increasing ethnic dissension like most post independent African countries, Kaunda instituted a one-party state in 1972.

Most importantly, Kenneth Kaunda will be remembered for his foreign affairs policies. As leader of Zambia which stood as buffer zone between apartheid and independent African states, Kaunda played a key role in opposing whitesupremacist governments in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), South Africa, and SouthWest Africa (now Namibia) despite the attacks and troubles it caused Zambia.

and seeks to synergise its work in accordance with those aims wherever possible. Those goals are to improve

Published by Uyokanjo Media Services Ltd. 46 Parnel Square West

3rd Floor +353 87 637 3210 Dublin 1, Dublin City

Republic of Ireland Skype: africaworld1 E-mail: africaworldnews@gmail.com

issues of Education, Health, HIV/AIDS, Gender Equality, Environmental Sustainability and Global Partnerships.

www.africaworldnewspaper.com

JULY 2012

3

NEWs (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

Africa Prepares to Shatter the Economic Logic of the Olympics

By Paul Kelly

Amantle Montsho of Botswana celebrates with her gold medal after winning the women's 400 metres final of the 13th IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Daegu Stadium on August 29, 2011 in Daegu, South Korea.

Based on the financial costs alone, Mr Hickey laughed at the idea, claiming “we couldn’t even build the jacks”.

The absence in Africa is more conspicuous, however. Many African countries have both the ability and the physical space to host an Olympics. This has not gone unnoticed and, in 2005, the President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, called on African countries to enter the bidding process for the 2016 Olympics. In response, a number of countries began to express an interest in bidding, including South Africa and Kenya.

But none made it to the final shortlist, each voluntarily dropping out. The reason for this was simple, according to Tom Omuombo, secretary-general of Kenya’s National Olympic Committee, "We're not ready to host the Olympics.”

This answer is surprising as both Kenya and South Africa have a proud record of hosting international sporting events.

Kenya hosted the fourth All-Africa Games in 1987 and, more recently, the 2007 World Cross Country Championships. South Africa’s list is even more prestigious, including the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the 2003 Cricket World Cup and the 1995 Rugby World Cup, to name a few. Indeed, although Mr Omuombo’s argument may seem reasonable when applied to a small country such as Ireland, it seems preposterous when considered next to the ability countries such as Kenya and South Africa have shown in hosting international sporting events. Rather, it seems it is the economic curse which so often dogs the Olympics that is putting off African Olympic chiefs.

The Olympics have long been seen as a mixed blessing for a country. The most obvious example of this is this year’s Olympics, with the costs of hosting it having now spiralled to £24 billion (ten times its predicted cost) and UK economists forecasting huge negative

South Africa’s Caster Semenya qualifies for 800m race

repercussions for their already crippled economy. The UK is not alone in this matter: Montreal hosted the Olympics in 1976 and was left with $2.7 billion of debt. Likewise, Sydney’s Olympic Organising Committee, despite reporting breaking even, actually left Australia with a long term cost of $2.2 billion.

Despite these figures, however, many countries are still drawn to the idea of hosting the Olympics. This is because hosting the Olympics can play the same role as supporting world-class athletes: it rises the host country above all others and unmistakably marks it out as a world class destination, both for investors and for tourists. It was this idea that led the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Commission, Otunba Runsewe, to call for Nigeria to bid for the 2020 Olympics earlier this year. Noting Nigeria’s past success in hosting such international sporting events, he claimed that it would boost the Nigerian economy and hugely assist the ailing tourist industry there.

Based on past years, this is a questionable assertion at best.

TINA LAWRENCE MAUNDE IS MISS MALAWI IRELAND 2012 The maiden miss Malawi beauty pageant has come and gone but the memories still linger. The packed audience was thrilled as they feasted on shows ranging from cultural dances and more. The competition held in Clarion hotel, liffey valley, Dublin 22 had nine competitors that gave the judges puzzles to solve.

However, Tina Lawrence Maunde emerged the new queen.

Speaking to AfricaWorld in our office, the new queen was full of excitement about her new position and dreams. The IBET student has big plans for Malawians at home and in Ireland. As a role model for many girls, ‘i am driven by the desire to uplift my people and all those who look up to me’, the Business management student told AfricaWorld. To all who made this possible for her, the new queen says, THANK YOU.

Certainly, the main benefits would be intangible, rather than the clear economic boost Runsewe expects, the main advantage of a Nigerian Olympics would be to unquestionably improve its standing worldwide, just as the Beijing Olympics improved China’s. This, however, can also be done within Olympics which are hosted elsewhere. Recognising this, Runsewe emphasised how Nigeria will run various cultural activities whilst in London. "Nigerians are great people and we want to use the Olympics as another window to correct Nigeria's image.” He said in a statement. “We want to use the Olympics to tell our story and sell ourselves".

This is the reason why so many African countries are still investing in areas such as the Olympics, with Nigeria spending over €9 million on potential medal winners and South Africa over €7 million. The Olympics are an important arena in which African countries can highlight the culture and people of their respective states. They are an arena where the stereotypical image of Africa as a

barren land can be swept aside.

This is done not through the Olympics themselves, nor through bland political statements, but through the individual athletes representing their respective countries. These athletes are seen across the world and send an unmistakable message that they come from a country which cannot be ignored on the world stage, be that Nigeria, Kenya or Botswana.

The reasoning for these statements are, of course, political. Politicians provide almost all the money required to train these athletes and it is they who dictate what statement they provide. For Ireland, the 1924 Olympics can be seen as a key example of this thinking. They were the first held as a Free State and were essential to solidify Ireland’s international image as a sovereign, independent state. Today the message of many African political leaders is one of triumph as their economies develop faster and faster to keep pace with the rapid globalisation that the Olympics embodies.

Olympic gold medals will display clearly both this rising tide and the outstanding ability of African athletes to shatter the crude economic logic which too often seems to prevail in international sporting events. As Botswana and Amantle move once again to smash this logic, she is walking in the footsteps of many African Olympiads before her. A gold medal will not only assist Botswana’s image abroad but also that of many other African states.

In the words of her coach, Anthony Koffi, “If Amantle wins in London it’s not just a win for Botswana, it’s a win for Africa.”

High Court Ruling‘Paves Way for Challenge to Undue Delay in Immigration and Citizenship Cases’– ICI The High Court has granted two clients of the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) leave to apply for judicial review of the Minister’s failure to decide on their applications in a timely manner.

In one of the cases, the Minister for Justice and Equality has delayed for more than four years deciding on an application for citizenship by an Iraqi refugee.

In the other, the Minister has failed to decide within the six months stipulated under EU law whether to grant a residence permit to a Pakistani woman who fled from her EU national husband in Ireland due to domestic violence and is now seekingtoremainhereonanindependent basis. in the High Court, Mr. Justice Cooke granted leave to apply for judicial review in the case brought by Mr. Al Ansary who fled Iraq in 2003 and was granted refugee status in Ireland in 2004. He also granted

leave to apply for judicial review in the case brought by Ms. Iftikhar, who has been resident here since 2007, following her marriage to a Belgian national working in the State.

Commenting on the High Court proceedings, Hilkka Becker, Senior Solicitor with the Immigrant Council of Ireland, said: “In bringing these cases before the High Court, we were looking for orders of mandamus – court orders compelling the Minister for Justice and Equality to make a decision on the applicants’cases.

We are pleased the High Court has granted us leave to apply for judicial review of both cases. This paves the way for us to challenge these undue delays.

We are aware of many other cases before theHighCourtchallengingadministrative delay in these types of immigration and citizenship cases.

“The case of the Pakistani woman again highlights the need to grant independent residence permits to victims of domestic violence and to make decisions on their applications within the timeframe specified under EU law.

“In relation to the delayed citizenship decision, the Immigrant Council has long highlighted how delays in processing applications negatively affect many migrants seeking to reside in the State.

Indeed, in December 2011, the High Court ruled that a delay of three years and nine months in processing a naturalisation application was excessive.

So this Iraqi man – who has been waiting for over four years for a decision on his case – has been left with no alternative but to issue legal proceedings in order to attempt to force the Minister to make a decision on his application.”

4

JULY 2012

NEWS

By Paul Kelly

A NEW HELL MEETS ERITREANS WHO ESCAPE TO SINAI

“We were one of the first people to cross.” Peter’s journey is remarkable. When he left there was a ceasefire between Eritrea and neighbouring Ethiopia and it was only this which enabled him to escape unscathed. Eritrea and Ethiopia have fought constant wars, beginning in 1998 and continuing sporadically up to the present, but Peter harbours no resentment towards the Ethiopian government: “It is a personal problem between the president and Ethiopia.” he explains angrily. “There is no national problem. When I got out of Eritrea some of the Ethiopians were weeping when they saw us.

They miss us. They say to us: ‘we are brothers and sisters, why do we fight?’”

In Ethiopia, Peter stayed in a refugee camp close to the border.

But he and his friends did not feel safe, fearing Eritrea may send soldiers to force them back, and they quickly crossed the border to Sudan. From Sudan they crossed the Sahara desert to Libya. “Hundreds of Eritreans cross the Sahara desert.” he explained matter-of-factly. “Many of them have died. If you lose your direction once you lose your life. Many Eritreans have lost their direction and lost their lives.”

From Libya they crossed the Mediterranean to Italy in a small boat- an equally treacherous journey. Relatively safe in Italy, Peter then travelled towards the UK, going from Italy to France and then smuggling himself in the back of a lorry which arrived in Dover. There he was discovered.

But the British police didn’t know what to do with him. He had left Eritrea with nothing and he had nothing to identify himself with.

After four months, however, he was deported back to Italy after

An Exclusive Interview with Peter Kifle

they discovered his fingerprints matched those that been taken from him there. He then did the whole journey again- and this time he succeeded, going from France to the UK again, up to Belfast and from there to Dublin.

He has now lived in Ireland for six years. “From Eritrea I didn’t use any plane.” he told AfricaWorld. “I didn’t use any passport.”

Peter escaped. But Peter was very, very lucky. NGO Church in Chains has recently launched a campaign entitled ‘Ten Years is too Long’ calling on the Eritrean government to allow for freedom of belief. They are correct, ten years is too long and Eritrean President I s a i a s Afewerki has been able to do a lot in ten years. Since Peter left, the shoot to kill border policy has b e e n initiated, but that is simply the tip of the iceberg. Today, a similar journey to Peter’s is an impossibility, as an Egyptian Bedouin gang prey on Eritrean refugees across Ethiopia, Sudan and even in Eritrea itself. Sometimes they are kidnapped directly, other times there is a more sinister element at work. Lúc Verling, who has written for the Irish Times on Eritrea and researched the Bedouin trafficking business extensively, told AfricaWorld that often Eritreans are offered help by fellow countrymen in getting to Israel, but are then betrayed and turned over to the Bedouin gangs. Peter shed further light

on this sinister aspect: “They have links with Eritrea and we believe 100% that the Er itrean government is involved in this.” he argued. “It is only Eritrean citizens who are abducted.”

After being taken, the refugees are brought to Sinai, Egypt, where they are imprisoned and tortured. There they are held ransom for $35,000. If they have friends or family they call them periodically to force them to listen as they torture their victim.

“I cannot tell you with words what happens.” Peter says. “It is horrific. They torture them, even children.” If nobody can pay their ransom, the Bedouin still get their money. They rip the organs

they are not safe even there. On June 3rd, Israel published legislation criminalising refugees and placing heavy sentences of five to fifteen years on all Israelis who seek to assist them. Worse still, on June 15th, asmarino.com, a website run by Eritreans who have escaped abroad, reported that there are secret meetings taking place between the Israeli Minister of the Interior, Eli Yishai, and the Eritrean government in an attempt to deport escaped Eritreans back to Eritrea. I asked Peter what it would mean if such a thing happened to him: “I would be shot, definitely.” he answered.

D espite this suffer ing, thousands of Eritreans still attempt to cross t h e border every y e a r, seeking a better life. On t h e

Discovery of Mass Grave in Sinai

from their victim’s bodies, process them in a clinic in Sinai and sell them on. The bodies are dumped in a mass grave. “This has been going on for five years,” Peter says, horrified. “But the last 2 years have been the worst. I don’t know why the world ignores this.”

The money itself goes to the Bedouin, but some undoubtedly also lines the pockets of the Eritrean government who gain handsomely as their people are tortured.

Today, however, the situation is continuing to worsen. The rare few that are able to raise the ransom escape to Israel but now

Ethiopian border, there is a refugee camp of 80,000 Eritreans, most of them Christians, fleeing the religious persecution the regime imposes on them. Many of them have faced imprisonment where they are often kept in metal shipping containers and left in the middle of the desert in 45 degree heat. Torture is daily and they are fed only a small piece of bread. “If they are politicians they don’t beat them.

They just leave them in prison.

Some have been in prison since 2001.” Peter explains. “But those who are arrested for their faith are tortured and beaten and they

try to force them to recount their faith.”

Given such horrific conditions, an Arab Spring- style uprising seems certain, but Peter just laughs darkly at the possibility.

Peter is the Secretary of the Eritrean Youth Global Movement for Change.

“ There is no freedom of movement.” he explains.

“Everything is controlled. The only possible change must come from outside Eritrea. If even one quarter of the refugees in Ethiopia rose up against the government we could overthrow them, but the problem is the government is always trying to put fear inside people. They repress people in all areas of their lives. Wherever you go they try to oppress you. They shoot people normally, on a daily basis.”

Despite this oppression, however, Peter remains hopeful.

He describes how Eritrea has survived Turkish, Ethiopian, British and Italian rule. “We still remain as a people and as a nation.” he tells me, conviction in his voice. “And one day we will be free.”

AkiDwA Launch Annual Brain Gain Programme

Paul Kelly and Salome Mbugua

On the 15th of June, AkiDwA held its annual Brain Gain Programme at the Grisham Hotel, Dublin. According to AkiDwA CEO, Salome Mbugua, the event aimed “to look into how migrants can develop themselves more within Irish society by networking and exchanging ideas with each other”. AkiDwA specialise in assisting migrant

women living in Ireland, especially in vital areas such as employment, gender based violence and gender based discrimination- to put it simply, Salome told AfricaWorld, “we translate ideas into action”. The event saw dozens of professionals and business owners coming together to exchange information. According to Salome, however, the event was not simply about possible partnerships within the immigrant community, but was also to help professional migrants in “navigating the (Irish) system”.

Educating immigrant women on how to navigate this treacherous system is a key part of AkiDwA’s work. Usually qualifications obtained abroad are not recognised and this can hugely block migrants from reaching their full potential. However, Salome was keen to stress that this was not insurmountable.

“Take a social worker for example,” she told AfricaWorld.

“The process to register as a social worker is not that bad. You can still go to college for a few years

and upgrade yourself but people don’t know how to go about these things. This network is very good in helping people to break these barriers.”

Despite this good work however, Salome told AfricaWorld, there remains huge problems even within AkiDwA. “We’ve lost most of our funding and have had to reduce staff time in our organisation,” Salome explained.

“And by the end of the year we will also lose some staff so it’s very, very challenging. During this time of recession people actually need more support but because of these capacity problems we are not able to do that.” Salome remained hopeful, however.

“When we started the organisation we didn’t have a penny but we were able to break through in a very difficult situation. So we are hopeful that we might get some support from other organisations, such as the National Women’s Council of Ireland, which I am vice-chair of. Together, we can work in solidarity to cater for the needs of migrant women.”

JULY 2012

5

news

NIGERIA: President Jonathan urges population control

By Nonye Atuche

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan recently swore in the newly appointed Chairman and members of the National Population Commission (NPC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He decried the rapid population growth in the country and also asked Nigerians to brace up for legislation on birth control to check population explosion.“For us to plan properly we must manage our population, we must begin to think about how well to manage it,’’ he said. The new helmsman of NPC, Mr Festus Odimegwu got presidential marching orders to complete the issuance of national identity card to all Nigerians before 2015.

This is hoped by most Nigerians to be the best way to check insecurity posed by Boko Haram.

The muslim extremist group has claimed responsibility for violent attacks in parts of northern Nigeria. Boko Haram

By Paul Kelly

group has also staged several more audacious attacks in different parts of northern Nigeria, showing that it is establishing a presence across the region and fuelling tension between Muslims and Christians.

The U.S has recently placed 3 members of the group on its global terrorist list.

The government knows that a situation whereby one could not identify who was a true Nigerian as a result of its porous borders should be urgently dealt with.

A legislation that would check indiscriminate procreation may be in the offing as President Goodluck Jonathan, gave indication that government was considering the option of checking population explosion.

The President, who spoke at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-appointed Chairman and Commissioners of the National

Population Commission at the Presidential Villa, however,admitted that though regulating the countr y ’s population through legislation is a very contentious matter, government cannot afford to remain aloof while the country’s population grew unchecked.

It would be recalled that there had once been an attempt by government to control birth in the country. It was during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, when it was decreed that the maximum birth per woman is four children. The policy, however, was largely unsuccessful because of widespread opposition against it from different spectrum of the society.

Jonathan was quoted as saying: “Both Christians and Muslims, and even traditionalist and all the other religions, believe that children are God’s gifts to man.”So it is difficult for you to tell any Nigerian to number their children because... it is not expected to reject God’s gifts.”

However, reiterating his commitment to the new policy, President Jonathan noted that Nigeria would not be the first country to make laws controlling population and religious belief should not be a tool to frustrate good policy. He acknowledged that in his remark “it is extremely sensitive; we are extremely religious” .According to some estimates from the UN, Nigeria’s population could reach a whopping 730 million by the year 2100. This would put Nigeria in third place worldwide

Child, 8, shot in Gang War

Zunaid McKenzie has become the latest victim of gang violence in the Cape Flats, South Africa. Zunaid was shot in the head and rushed to a Red Cross centre where he died three hours later. A twenty four year old woman was also shot during the crossfire but is now known to be recovering safely in Groote Schuur Hospital. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Since February, seven children have been killed in the escalating warfare in the Cape Flats area while six have been injured. “We thought 2010 was the worst period (for gang violence), but this year is worse.” said Clive Jacobs, head of the Lavender Hill Youth Outreach Project. “We lose about 20 people a month to gang violence in the whole Retreat area. There is shooting during the day and more shooting during the night.” The violence had subsided earlier over Christmas and New Years as the army was brought in to contain the

gangs, but, since the army left the area, gang warfare has escalated rapidly. Kevin Southgate of the Lavender Hill Community Policing Forum condemned the withdrawal of the army, saying the government had failed the people of Lavender Hill. “You hear government say that these areas do not need specialised units because the situation is ‘under control’.” he said. “God help us if what we see is ‘under control’”.

Others have emphasised the need to tackle the root problems at the cause of the gang warfare. Irvin Kinnes, a PhD candidate from the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cape Town claims that part of the problem is the attractiveness of gang violence to youths in the area. “We need to turn our attention to those who are doing well or who not affiliated to gangs,” he said. “we have to find alternative poles in our communities so that those kids can gravitate towards the more positive things and turn around the seduction of gang violence.”

MALI: TIMBUKTU

IN ISLAMIST HANDS

By Nonye Atuche

The ancient city of Timbuktu, is currently under the control of Ansar dine (defender of faith) who have enforced sharia law in the city for the past 3 months. The interim government of Mali is appealing for help from the international community to save World Heritage sites from destruction at the hands the Islamist radicals. Mali’s foreign minister ,Sadio Lamine Sow who spoke to journalists at the end of a two day official visit to Algeria

said “We will do everything to recover our territory”.

West African leaders will meet in Burkina Faso to discuss how Mali can form a stronger unity government. UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency has on Tuesday, July 3 called for an end to the “repugnant acts” of destruction and called for the creation of an emergency fund for securing the cultural treasures in Timbuktu.

DO YOU NEED A CINEMATOGRAPHER?

Regina Hamaguti regina.hamaguti@facebook.com / + 353 87 700 6498

UGANDAN DEPARTMENTS AND MINISTRIES UNDER PROBE

By Nonye Atuche

The Ugandan police are currently investigating at least 15 ministries and government departments following reports of widespread fraud and corruption.The Criminal investigation Directorate (CID) has been asked to investigate corruption allegations in public expenditure, awarding of tenders, procurement and appointments.

According to the CID boss, Grace Akullo“We want accountability documents for the last 3 years from

2009 – 2012 of all these ministries. We are going to tackle all the ministries for misuse of public funds” Sources indicate that some of the investigations have been prompted by the Auditor General’s annual report through which unanswered queries are often referred to the police. Bank of Uganda is one of the institutions to be probed. Uganda Management Institute is been asked to explain its unaccounted expenses, while the central bank is under investigation over irregular payments of allowances

MOZAMBIQUE: POLICE ARREST OVER 70 ILLEGAL MINERS: Namanhumbir, district of Montepuez in northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado was recently raided by the police when they arrested 70 illegal miners. According to the police, most of those arrested are illegal immigrants from Thailand, Mali, Somalia and Tanzania. Police were also able to seize more than 100 kilogrammes of precious stones, mobile phones, foreign currency, mining equipments and motor cycles. Geological studies indicate the region of Namnhumbir is potentiallyrich with huge ruby

deposits that can support mining for 50 years. It is actually thought that this may be the largest deposit of rubies ever discovered in the world.

The Mozambican government granted license to Montepuez Mining covering an area of about 34,000 hectares. The company is 75 percent owned by the British company Gemfields, with the remaining stake belonging to Mozambican company Mwiri Limitada. The company hopes to create hundreds of jobs, although its operation is being hindered by the activities of illegal immigrants.

6

JULY 2012

news/column

BUSH in ZAMBIA for voluntary work.

Cartoon by Sara Sinclair

Former U.S president George W. Bush and his wife Laura are currently in Zambia. The couple arrived in country from the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Lusaka on June 30. Bush is travelling to Zambia and Botswana this week to promote his foundation’s health initiative to improve cervical cancer prevention and treatment programs in Africa.

According to the U.S Ambassador to Zambia, Mark C. Storella in his address to journalists in Zambia after their arrival “…it is important to recognise that this is part of the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon alliance which includes the United States government, the Bush Institute, UNAIDS as well as s e ve r a l d i f fe re n t p r i v a t e o r g a n i s a t i o n s , includingdifferent

joe moore column

By Joe Moore

October 16th 1968. XIXth Olympiad Mexico City. The final of the men's 200 meters. Taking part in this event were some of the greatest track and field athletes in sports history. Included was Tommie Smith (USA), the only man in track and field history to hold 11 world records simultaneously and the first man in Olympic Games history to win a gold medal in record breaking time in the 200 meters, under 20 seconds. His team mate John Carlos, held 7 world records. Also running was Peter Norman (Australia) who broke the Olympic record for the 200 meters during the heats. The race finished with gold going to Smith, silver to Norman and bronze to Carlos.

The athletes were given their medals on the winner's podium, after which their countries national anthems were played. Instead of facing the flag with heads erect both Smith and Carlos lowered their heads and raised black gloved fists. They had also removed their shoes. This remains on the most iconic scenes, not just in Olympic history, but in the struggle for racial equality and civil rights.

I nt e rvi e w e d b y A B C immediately after event, Smith gave the following explanation, " my raised right hand stood for the power in black America, Carlos's left hand stood for the unity of black America. Together they formed an arch of unity and power.

The black scarf around my neck stood for black pride. The black socks with no shoes stood for black poverty in racist America. The totality of our effort was the regaining of black dignity." Peter

pharmaceuticals. The total money that is being put in is certainly in millions of dollars and on this particular visit, president Bush and Mrs Bush are providing $50,000 themselves to upgrade a specific facility technologically at the University Teaching Hospital,” “President Bush, with Zambia’s First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba, would also launch an African Centre of Excellence for cancer prevention in women.

This will complement efforts put during their last December visit.”

Ambassador Storella said while in the country Bush would also engage in some voluntary work.

“He will be here for just about less than a week and he is gonna be doing some volunteer work which he will do with his own hands. He just said to the Vice -President Guy Scott ‘I wanna demonstrate that no matter what your station in life is, the goal should be to serve people’ and that’s what he’s gonna be tr ying to do,” Ambassador Storella said.

He said the voluntary work that the Americans would be doing in collaboration with Zambians was at a “ver y personal level” as the Bush couple through the previous visit, had formed friendships with local people. This is the couple’s second visit to Zambia in within 6 months.

Norman demonstrated his solidarity with his colleagues by wearing the badge of the Olympic Project for Human Rights.

The 1968 Olympic games took place at the height of the African American struggle for civil rights.

Martin Luther King had been assassinated only a few months earlier on April 4th. Malcolm X and Medgar Evers had also been assassinated. White supremacists had murdered civil rights activists and bombed the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, killing 4 young girls. 10s of thousands of African Americans had been imprisoned. It was in this atmosphere that the Olympic Project for Human Rights was set up by African American athletes.

One of the proposals discussed was a boycott of the Olympics. As this did not get support from a majority of athletes, it was decided to go to Mexico and use any opportunity to raise the issue of black civil rights.

Another African American track and field athlete won 4 gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

These games were intended by the

glamour & fashion

Feyisola Adeyemi is an intern radio presenter/producer for 92.5 phoenix FM, a youth mentor for Foroige youth club, a wife, mother, fashion lover and creator of www.Simplyglamorous.biz fashion blog.

Originally from Nigeria but lives in Dublin-Ireland. She is a graduate with a degree in Social Science, but developed her love for fashion............. As a fashion lover, in her spare time she blogs about fashion

Nazis to showcase Aryan ideals and prowess. As a result Adolf Hitler refused to shake the hand of Jesse Owens. Jesse Owens was part of the US Olympic delegation in 1968. He was there as an athlete's representative. After Smith's and Carlos's protest, he attempted to discover if other athletes had anything planned. He role was to prevent any other such action.

Another member of the '68 US Olympic team was the boxer George Foreman. When he won his bout for the gold medal one day after the protest, he paraded around the ring waving two American flags, one in each hand. White America ate it up.

Even before they travelled to Mexico, African American athletes, who were part of the Olympic Project for Human Rights, received death threats. Their families also suffered this type of intimidation.

Tommie Smith recalls in his autobiography that he expected to be shot even before he left the stadium. Action by the US Olympic Committee was immediate, Smith and Carlos were asked to hand back their medals, they refused. The

and also shares personal insights about design and trends. More so, she often bolg about her personal style and recreating of a style or design.

Feyisola’s simplyglamorous website/ blog is dedicated to everyone, but mostly targets all mothers, wifey and middle age women out there. From 30s upward can be a peculiar age for women in terms of dressing up, especially when one is juggling between motherhood, married life and work. She believes it’s important to convey a mature and refined image while also embracing one’s youthful appearance, which most women find the balance too difficult to achieve particularly when dressing for workplace or a formal occasion.

This is where simplyglamorous fashion website/blog comes in.To represent and inspire women across the globe to keep the fashion sense alive no matter their status or figure. More so, to re-empower the power of fashion we all have inside.

In Feyisola’s opinion, she believes having a good sense of style is the ability to be creative, unique and be able to put things together in an unthinkable way and still looks real and authentic.

Feyisola signature style is a mixture influence from the oldies combined with today’s era trendy stuff. She loves her fashion style to always make a statement, to be fun, elegant, sophisticated,classy, edge, chicky and mature. She also love tailored style.

For any advertising, fashion styling, collaboration or sponsorship proposal write to: simplyglamorousfeyisola@ymail.com Also follow on: Tumblr Glamorous Page: http://www.tumblr. com/blog/simplyglamorousfeyi

following day the USOC took their visas away and they were told to leave Mexico within 48 hours.

Once back in the US the intimidation continued. This eventually led to the break up of their marriages. Both found it almost impossible to get work.

And the threatening phone calls continued for years afterwards.

Peter Norman also suffered for supporting his colleagues.

When the 2000 Olympic games were held in Sydney, he was the only Australian medallist denied any role in the their organisation.

The gesture will go down in history for the part it played in highlighting the plight of African Americans. The memory of Tommie Smith's and John Carlos's action will live forever. In 2003, their school, the San Jose State University, finally honoured its famous past pupils, with the unveiling of a giant bronze and ceramic sculpture, depicting their defiant gesture. George Foreman became a millionaire by having his name on a lot of kitchen utensils

JULY 2012

7

COLUMN

MIDNIGHT ORPHANS OR DOES NIGERIA DESERVE ITS NAME?

DIMKPA

By Mazi Uche Azukaoma Osakwe

There’s this notion that Nigeria is a mere geographical entity as though Lord Lugard mistress Flora invented the name in a pyrrhic epistemological fallacy.

This is missing the point because the situation that justified the name no longer exists. I would suggest instead that the name Nigeria be changed to 9ja… mutatis mutandis. I know my analogy may not sink well with conservative minds.

Nigeria a colonial creation and as such has lost its eminence. It was established, consolidated and dominated by Oyibo on the premise to the reformation of natives’ minds.

Yet, Oyibo claimed that the integration of Nigeria into a capitalist economy was and still the best thing for country. They [empire] said they brought progress, development, education, and transport, cured diseases, removed ignorance, brought Christianity and opened the natives’ eyes to modernity.

Nevertheless, Oyibo have refused to acknowledge the confusion they brought to Nigerians, the distortions, divide-and-rule, manipulation of the natives’ minds and how they drained the natives of their essence, how natives’ cultures were trampled, cherished institutions undermined, choice land confiscated, traditional religions smashed, and indigenous artistic creations destroyed or carted away and now cooling in European museum basements.

However, Oyibo ungenerously raised comprador intelligentsia, politicians, Western style, Western trained and coloured them with imperial brains of mischief, corruption, ironfisted dictatorial style of leadership, inculcated on them meanness, visionless and heart of Herod that lacks compassion and meekness and passed the baton to stooges to mediate the trade in cultural commodities of capitalist world on their behalf.

There are several reasons why the system inherited from British Empire cannot work in modern day Nigeria. The answer lies in the

AGONY CORNER

fragmentation of the country into ethnic and religious lines. The British Empire laid a minefield in Nigeria before they left that with hindsight, Nigeria would never be at peace.

The reasons for doing so lies on the premise that a united Nigeria poses a risk to collective British and European interests in sub-Saharan Africa and would be difficult to dislodge.

In this context it is necessary to mention the drive towards decolonisation, the bitter fight to liberate the people from the shackles of ideological inertia and propel vibrant politicaleconomic direction that is home-made and traditionally acceptable to the people but Neil Lazarus aptly asserts that they “sketch the contours of the global dispensation into which the new countries were subsequently precipitated at independence.” Most subSaharan African countries were absorbed into the hostile capitalist periphery in most cases in a relatively poor under-developed and undeveloped nature plundered by Oyibos in their infamous primitive colonialism. Hard-won independence from Abidjan to Lagos became a hallucination with set-backs and defeats. It’s a truism that the insertion of African states into the global capitalist economy was probably a mistake as Africans have find it nearly impossible to delink or disconnect themselves from pre-set economic chains, as countries of centreperiphery continue to moan in the bad economic policies of IMF and World Bank and their sister organisations Paris club, London club and Washington club.

The point here is not to absolve the clumsiness of indigenous leaders who are culpable to the set-backs and defeats that befall the new state; the people look up to them to provide quality leadership by example, human rights, provision of an essential basic standards of living, welfare, and social justice. Rather these colour-blinded leaders assimilated and partially indoctrinated agents against their own people, killing and maiming, cancerous, murderous, brutal, vandals and above all ineptness, cowardice, and greed, and so many of the so-called liberators became liquidators. No wonder Chinua Achebe’s novel “The Trouble with Nigeria” blamed it on the failure of leadership but I blame the state of

Nigeria on the followership.

The vexed issues here are the criminality and ineffectiveness of our leaders to transform the already-made human and natural resources begging attention. Yet Aso Rock the seat of government has become a capital of corruption, as kick-backs are business as usual.

The most painful of all these is the collaboration of our leaders with multinational conglomerates to siphon the nation of billions of dollars annually which are stashed in foreign banks, yet they parade themselves as messiah and liberators. Frankly speaking I weep every day, when I look at small countries like Ireland performing magic with scarce resources at their disposal, yet the so-called “giant of Africa”is still crawling on the ground after many decades of decolonisation.

The challenges confronting President Goodluck’s government is enormous, i.e. insecurity, corruption, fuel subsidy, infrastructural decay, and revivalism of religious fundamentalism, the murderous upsurge of Boko Haram and growing unemployed graduates. The problem with Nigeria is not only the failure of leadership but the failure of followership. Change the world over is from the bottom to the top, not the reverse; from Bolshevik Revolution (1917) to Fall of Berlin Wall (collapse of Soviet Union and communist states of Eastern Europe 1989), to recent events in the North African“Spring Revolutions.”These events provided epistemologically right that revolution or change lay squarely in the hands of masses.

Until the people stand up and fight for their rights and be counted, the Nigerian elite will continue to ride on the back of the masses. Let me remind you that comprador is a chain that connects the so-called elite, whether she/he is from Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa/Fulani, Ijaw, Benin, etc, they share the same goals. They are either share holders in multinational companies or old boys associations. They enriched themselves for the benefit of their families and cronies; they do not care for the masses. They work for themselves, all they think or plan is continued extension of hegemony of power over all of us and passing the balls to next of kin. We have to stop them or one day we wake up and Nigeria

is no more. Also, the only possible scenario is to overthrow this compradors’class and replace it with a people-orientated leadership that is accountable to the people. Whether it’s the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan, Ken Nnamani, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu etc, they are all in the same boat. The urge for primitive accumulation is already implanted on them.

All they know is to continue to accumulate and accumulate wealth to the detriment of the common masses. If they are dislodged from power and sharing of national cake, they employ other means to destabilise the system.

For example the use of religious extremist sects “Boko Haram”as political tools against President Goodluck Jonathan’s government because the merry-go- round stopped and the Hausa/Fulani oligarchy felt betrayed. But the fire they started is also consuming them.

In a nutshell, it’s only in Nigeria that the sitting head of state cannot disclose his assets and even proudly justify it. It is only in Nigeria that probing reports never see the light of the day.

It is in Nigeria that criminals are rewarded and celebrated. It is in Nigeria that elected local government councillors build mansions and nobody asks questions. Those who ask too many questions are silenced with a “brown envelope”or silenced forever. Nigeria or do you mean 9ja is a country where impossibilities are possible. When a man of God slaps poor members of his congregation, the other worshipers clap hands. It’s only in Nigeria that courts sit at Night to deliver judgment. It’s only in Nigeria that proliferations of Churches are not to win souls for heaven and God but for materialistic acquisition. The masses in Nigeria are the midnight orphans, who have no hope and are in constant despair, who have to eke out a living through pain and suffering and go to bed with tears as supper. Nigeria does not deserve its name.

Oyibo means ‘colonial white people’ 9ja means

A Piece Of Advise Every Young Girl Should Read

By Abdul Yusuf

Read the story of this lady identified as Rosemary as I will call her.

She is 26 years old and simply got into sex out of ignorance while living in Accra, Ghana like millions of young ladies out there today.

Her addiction to sex placed her as one of the highest abortionist in the world at age of 26 as she told me her sad story when I recently visited her during one of her visits to Ireland.

Her sad story continues...

“Until I found myself in a total mess, I never really had any Idea what premarital sex was all about. I never knew it was so useless and killing. Before I got into it, I use to think it was some fun and I dreamt of it more often than not. I wished with all my heart to have a boyfriend whom we would explore it together, little did I know that I was being nasty to myself.

Because of things I see on TV and magazine, I thought having sex was so much fun, I fantasized about it each time I felt lonely. I was just a little girl but I had big wishes and huge fantasies. Only if I had known that everything I see in movies and soap operas were just acting and make belief; only if I had known that there is nothing in sex after all, the only thing in it is self destruction; I think my life wouldn’t be this miserable.

It’s a pity I really had to learn the hard way and I really wish I had never been born, I wish I had not come out into this deceitful world where nobody cares about young people, all the so called adults do is how they would play on the intelligence ofyoung people in a bid to exploit and use them to satisfy their insatiable sexual passion. I really feel bad about this wicked world.

My plight started when I was sixteen, then I was still a virgin and in secondary school, I was ignorant of many things but because I see it every day on the TV and internet. More so, a couple of so called Anti AIDS people visited us in school a couple of times for lectures, but all they did was introduce sex to us even more because they really had nothing but condoms to show.

Fine, they told us about AIDS, but at the same time, they also told us about condoms, they never really said anything real about sex, they said we could contact AIDS not through sex, but unprotected sex, which means there was nothing wrong with sex as long as you could use condoms, but all of that I now know very well are lies, and I wonder why men and women would enjoy telling teenagers deadly lies like that.

Even though I can’t blame those people totally for my plight because they weren’t really the

ones that said I should go into sex, I still never forgive them for encouraging me and other young people like me into sex with their preaching of protected sex or condom. Even though I wanted to see what sex was really like and I fantasized about it, some were within me, I was still very scared of what may happen to me afterwards if l tried it, and it was that fear that actually kept me away from it until I was sixteen.

By the time I was sixteen, my fantasy had gotten enough boost to express itself with reliance to said to myself one day, “free yourself baby girl, there is nothing terrible in sex, can’t you see everyone is doing it, by the way, you can always use condoms nothing will happen”.

So, I finally decided to let go of my fears and embrace in totality my silly fantasies, and that was how I took the very first step into this miserable life of illicit sex. I had absolutely no idea of what I was going into.

I finally agreed to date this guy who had been disturbing me for more than a year, his name was Andrew. Andrew was five years older than me.

Both of us began enjoying sex, we did it every seconds, every minute; I became addicted that I do not love doing it with condom anymore.

Within the period, I had 14 abortions for

Andrew, and not only that, I cheated on him in several occasions, I felt doing it with other guys will give me better sensation but all were the same.

My school teacher got me and at the end of the day I had 6 abortions for him.

And worst among was my sexual affairs with my close relations, which resulted to 5 abortions.

Then I felt I was at the top of the world. I will never forgive my friends who introduced me into partying and sleeping with old men with potbelly and rough skin only in the name of sex.

Right now, all those men have gone, and then shadow of my past sexual life still follows me around. All this pills and tablets I took are now telling on my blood stream. At times I felt like committing suicide each time I remember what the doctor told me, “Rosemary, I am sorry, your womb is automatically damaged on account of the several abortion you had”, “I’m sorry, you will never conceive again in your life, but just thank God, you don’t have HIV or AIDS”.

I therefore, advise every young girl reading this piece today, to overlook every fantasy towards sex. Sex is good but it has time. And that is in marriage. Keep yourself away from men. Make friends with those who mean good for your future”.

8

JULY 2012

news

Immigrant Council Welcomes New EU Strategy to Combat Trafficking

The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) has welcomed the publication recently of a new strategy from the EU aimed at the eradication of trafficking in human beings. The ICI has called on the Government to accept the proposals contained in the strategy, and to set out a t i m e t a b l e fo r t h e i r implementation.

The EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings, 2012-2016, sets our five priorities to address the issue of trafficking in human

beings: Identifying, protecting and assisting victims of trafficking; Stepping up the prevention of trafficking in human beings; Increased prosecution of traffickers; Enhanced coordination and cooperation among key actors and policy coherence; Increased knowledge of an effective response to emerging concerns related to all forms of trafficking in human beings.

Commenting from the launch event in Brussels today, Denise

Charlton, CEO of the Immigrant Council, who took part in the EC Group of Experts in Human Trafficking, said: “Trafficking in human beings is a lucrative form of crime that generates billions of euro for the organisers each year. Latest estimates from the International Labour Organisation – covering the period 2002 to 2011 – put the number of victims of forced labour and sexual exploitation at 20.9 million at a global level, with an estimated 5.5 million children being trafficked.

“The EU strategy confirms the prevalence of trafficking for sexual exploitation and the d i s p ro p o r t i o n ate l y h i g h percentage of women and young girls that are exploited in this way. The pattern for Ireland is no different to that highlighted in the strategy.

“Trafficking is, of its nature, a cross-border activity, so its eradication requires resolute action both by individual countr ies and also by international organisations

EU STRATEGY ON ERADICATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING A WELCOME STEP ?

STATEMENT BY DOMINIC HANNIGAN TD Labour TD / Meath East Constituency Chair of the European Affairs Committee

In marking World Refugee Day, Labour Party TD and Chairperson of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs Dominic Hannigan has welcomed yesterday’s adoption by the European Commission of the ‘EU Strategy towards the eradication of trafficking in Human Beings(2012-2016)’.

Speaking on the new strategy, Deputy Hannigan said: “This is an important step in dealing with this problem. In recent years we have regrettably

seen an increase in traffick ing across the European Union, yet the number of convictions in the EU decreased in 2010 compared to previous years.

This situation makes the launch by the Commission of a strategy to tackle this problem head on all the more welcome.

“The Commission’s Strategy contains several important targets which are to be implemented within five years.

These targets are aimed at identifying and protecting victims, prosecuting traffickers, developing child protection systems, strengthening national enforcement units, and enhancing cooperation between these national units and the EU agencies,” said Deputy Hannigan.

such as the EU. In this context, therefore, the proposals for enhanced cooperation between member states and for better coordination of the activities of key actors working to counter trafficking are very welcome.”

Ireland is in the process of ratification of Directive 2011/36/ EU on prevention and combating trafficking in human beings and the protection of its victims. Ms. Charlton said that the new strategy would help strengthen t h e f r a m e w o r k fo r t h e transposition of this Directive into Irish law.

“The strategy has a markedly victim-centred approach, which requires that services are based on the ‘individual needs’ of the victims, rather than on their nationality and legal status, which appears to have been guiding the response to the needs of the victims in Ireland up to this,” she said. “This new strategy sets out its first priority as identifying, protecting and assisting victims.

In order to meet this objective, new measures need to be taken in Ireland to improve the

U.N. to publish report of Rwanda’s involvement with armed groups in DR Congo

By Nonye Atuche

“ T h is S trat e g y wa s launched a day before World Refugee Day, which is a timely opportunity to highlight the horrific problems that many refugees face. With over 1,000,000 asylum seekers worldwide, we in Europe must ensure that we deal effectively with human trafficking to ensure their protection from this particular crime. “ W it h t h e Eu ro p e a n Commission’s 2011 data on worldwide human trafficking showing that 79% of victims were female, of which 13% were under the age of eighteen, we can clearly see that this is an issue of particular importance in addressing women’s rights.

“I am g l ad that the Commission has adopted this Strategy and hope that it will receive the full support and cooperation from the Government, all Member States and the agencies involved, and that we remain determined to fight all aspects of human trafficking in the EU.”

identification of victims of trafficking. A surprisingly low number of victims of trafficking have been identified in this country because the approach taken is to preclude citizens from EU countries and certain categories, such as asylumseekers, from the possibility of being formally identified and recognised as suspected victims of trafficking. “ The Immigrant Council believes the plan to establish EU - w i d e identification guidelines is a helpful approach.

We are confident that ‘nationality’ and ‘legal status’ will not be amongst the identification criteria, and we are looking forward to seeing these conditions removed from the identification process in Ireland, so that no victim of this crime is deemed ineligible for formal identification on the basis that he or she has, for example, sought asylum in the State,” she added.

President Paul Kagame - Rwanda

The government of Rwanda has said that it was ‘deeply regrettable’ that the UN Security Council has decided to publish a document alleging Rwanda was backing armed groups in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

DR Congo’s Foreign Minister Raymond Tshibanda wrote to the UN Security Council earlier on saying Rwandan involvement in the strife was “evolving dangerously toward a rupture of the peace” between the neighbors.

The letter called on the council to condemn Rwanda’s actions in DR Congo, where government forces are battling a mutiny by former soldiers in the M23 group.

Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo said in a statement that the government would provide factual evidence to show that the

charges of Rwandan involvement are false and that the document was biased.

Mushikawabo called the DR Congo letter “regrettable,” saying that she was just leaving Kinshasa after talks with Tshibanda when it was sent.

As regards the report she said “This is a one-sided preliminary document based on partial findings and is still subject to verification.”

The evidence contained in an addendum to a recent report by U.N. experts is the strongest yet to indicate high-level support within President Paul Kagame’s government for the so-called M23 rebellion, whose stand-off with Congolese forces has caused hundreds of thousands to flee their homes in eastern Congo.

Rwanda has vigorously denied backing M23, a group of several hundred soldiers led by Bosco Ntaganda, a renegade army general with past links to Rwanda, who is also wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes.

Rights groups including Amnesty International and Global Witness have called on the United Nations and aid donors to Rwanda to take action in the wake of the report.

JULY 2012

9

THE PRIDE OF AFRICA Tapiwa Evelyn Suwedi, 20 years old and student is Malawian. The Beauty contested for 1st Miss Malawi Ireland 2012 and plans to get involve in more.

She has a certificate and advanced certificate in purchasing and supply.

Evelyn is currently studying health and social care.

Back home, she organise functions for children in neighbohood for fundraising to help orphans.

Evelyn loves community work, would love to become a successful business woman, get a university degree in health and social care.

‘My hoobies are cooking and baking, yoga, fashion designing, reading , volunteering in charity

Characteristic of a Good Husband and Wife

the wife stable and inspires to push through, during weakest moments. He will allow his wife to make her own choices.

He will be faithful and nourish the bond with his wife; no woman would tolerate a cheating partner.

MAIZE MEAL STIFF POURIDGE Nokuthokoza Yolandah Mdluli

Method: (2 – 4 cups of White/ yellow maize and 8 cups of water) •First boil about 4 cups water in a pot •Set aside your maize meal powder •Turn the water down to low •Start Pouring the maize meal into the boiling water while stirring vigorously using a wooded whisker or a wooden spoon •Keep doing both carefully so you won’t over pour maize meal into the pot which may spoil the whole recipe.

•Do so until the pap takes on a thick, hard to stir consistency.

• Now use a wooden spoon to mix your dough firmly so to avoid lumps forming.

• Put the lid back for about 5 minutes and allow it to simmer.

• Then open the pot again and use a wooden spoon to turn and mix the Pap/dough • Put the lid back and wait for about 15 to 20 minutes.

• Make sure your heat is very low.

You are ready to eat.

This is a traditional Southern African staple food. If prepared correctly it taste great and lives you feeling full and energetic. Traditionally it has been a staple for many Black African cultures forever, but the White settlers of the 19trh century adopted the recipe as their own, adding their own unique interpretation to the cooking process.

This porridge is made out of maize powder. It has many names throughout Africa. The Northern Ndebele name is Isitshwala, Shona name/Sadza, South African name/ Pap, Zambian name/ Nsima, East African name/ Ugali, Malawian name/ Sima.. Along with all different name for it , they are so many variations on how to cook it and what is the best way to eat it. Following is a common way to make and it this wonderful food.

Folashade Santos Abifarin From the beginning, the Lord, made man in a different way from woman. It is vital that adequate care is taken of women. However, a certain amount of sacrifice will be required to make a marriage work.

I met some months back with some women regarding this topic. The majority of these women claimed, a good man will treat women with respect and not like a slave. A good man will always consult his partner regarding major decisions in their life.

A good man doesn’t pick the car keys and start off without saying goodbye to his wife. It’s very to stress this point, such man will not just use their wife to release their few minute’s sexual urges and then fall asleep however they will take their time to satisfy their wife. And the same applies to women.

In traditional gender roles, wives wash the dishes, clean the house and take care of the children while husband provides for the household and fixes things like light bulbs etc. In the world today, the workload of a home often lacks balance. However, if you look at the points below, you will see an underlying characteristic of a good husband and a good wife; to prosper in a marriage there’s should be a good forms of relationship between the two parties.

Characteristics of a Good Husband Marriage is a partnership, and a good husband will identify and appreciate its importance. A good man is caring, respectful and shows respect for feelings and needs of his wife. A good husband will have strong communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal.

He will be selfless and provide for the needs of family. Compromise is the key in achieving marital happiness; the husband must be prepared to make sacrifices for the well-being of the marriage.

He will be God-fearing person and a fair fighter during arguments. Every marriage has conflict, but the way he handles these conflicts is vital to the relationship’s success.

He should be a critical thinker; his strength keeps

Characteristics of a Good Wife There are different women but the qualities of a good woman go further than mere looks.

She’s an honest and trustworthy person, she’ll treat her partner with the respect. She’ll be proud of her partner and she’ll love him for who he is and will see the best in him.

She will have self-awareness and be independence.

She’ll support when times are tough, she will not judge and her love will not waver because of hardships. She’ll keep the partner focused on the future and encourage savings.

She’ll make the effort to keep her partner satisfied sexually at all times.

Here are some Characteristics of a Good Relationships They should both be trustworthy, not selfish and seek the interest of each other. Keep each other happy sexually.

Good sex helps to strengthen love, emotional and physical attraction.

They should both be economical contributors, diligently industrious and support each other.

They should both see the relationship as an opportunity to give, willingness to give is essential for good relationships.

They should both be willing to change; nobody is perfect but everyone can grow, change is a constant thing.

They should both be willing to admit mistakes, Instead of defending; be courteous and not hesitate to apologise.

They should both be open to each other; misunderstanding is one of the basic relationship problems.

They should have integrity, self-control and should both fear and reverence God. Relationships with these traits will automatically stay strong, by working together relationship will reach its full potential. It is often heard said, ‘What we give is what we get back.’ However, only a relationship with God will sustain you through life’s adversities, and no one goes through life unhurt.

Now that we’ve seen some characteristics of good relationships, what is expected of us? How can we form good relationships? Well it’s difficult to change someone else but we can start by changing with ourselves by applying the characteristics above in our life. If we do that, people who relate with us will notice and eventually change too.

10

JULY 2012

Column

thinking allowed

4 Ireland 2 score more and lose less With BiSi Adigun

By the time you read this piece, the Euro 2012 must have come and gone, but the pains of the defeat suffered by the boys in green linger on. All hands must be on deck to avoid such catastrophic performance in future soccer tournaments. I must preface my thoughts here by stating without any apology that soccer is not my forte. I am not a soccer fan. I hardly watch any football tournament (shocking!!!!).

English Premier League o, European Championship o, African Cup of Nations o or even the World Cup, I will not make any effort to watch it. I spend the bulk of my creative and leisure hours in the theatre -- making plays or watching plays. I consider football matches as the opium of the masses (apologies to all football fanatics out there) while I find theatre performances very edifying. I believe, as a matter of fact, that a good drama presentation can change the world while a good soccer match can only keep the world transfixed for only 90 minutes or just over two hours if it goes into extra time.

That is why my favourite dictum remains: “art is not a mirror to hold up to a society, but a hammer with which to shape it”, as said by the German theatre maker, Bertolt Brecht. So why have I chosen to write about something I care so little about?

I have not been able to make theatre in Ireland for a while as I would love to. I have not been able to attend the theatre as regularly as I used to either. Why? The recession.

I am financially handicapped due to the cuts in Arts Council funding. But I am not complaining.

I believe if God wants to bless you, he will first test you. It is after you have passed the test that you will be blessed. That is why my people say: it is he who has not experienced calamity that calls himself a man.

In other words, at the depth of the valley of every disappointment lies a ladder that one can climb rung by rung - to get to greater heights. And this is the precise attitude that I believe the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and Giovanni Trapatonni (Trap) must adopt in the sense that he that is already down needs fear no fall.

While it was heartwarming to hear the Irish fans singing the Fields of Athenry with such gusto,

it was heartbreaking to see the Irish team losing on the field with such pathos. Watching the matches with my wife and my eight year-old daughter, I found myself uncharacteristically screaming and shouting at the telly hoping that would make the boys in green score goals and come out of the so-called ‘group of death’ alive. But no shouting could save Trap’s boys. I saw all the three Irish matches and the irony for me was that the last match we lost was against the Italian team bearing in mind that Trap is an Italian who holds a very impressive record as a football manager.

As usual, it was enlightening listening to Jimmy Magee and George Hamilton’s commentaries during the matches as well as the concerns raised by the trio soccer pundits: John Giles, Liam Brady and Eamon Dunphy entertainingly moderated, as usual, by broadcast legend Bill O’Herlihy on RTE Network 2. It was, however, when I read Fintan O’Toole’s opinion piece in the Irish Times of Tuesday the 19th of June 2012, cleverly entitled ‘Irish Politics as ugly as Trapatonni’s bogus tactics’ that it began to dawn on me that this is a national matter of great import.

It is the same question that everyone is asking: how can Ireland score more and concede

fewer goals? I believe what affects the eyes invariably affects the nose; therefore, I have been thinking…. I think the most spectacular goal in the tournament, of all the matches that I saw, was the second goal, which, unfortunately, sealed Ireland’s fate when we played against Italy.

It was scored by the Italian black player Mario Balotelli and I recall that it was an acrobatic kind of goal that we used to call sagalo when I was mad about football while growing up in Nigeria. It came from a corner kick; Balotelli was being pushed and shoved by Irish defender John O’Shea, but the Italian striker kept his eyes firmly on the ball. As the ball approached, he athletically struck it and the rest as they say….was history. It was simply brilliant. And then, the most dramatic thing happened.

Balotelli ran towards the bench and immediately an Italian defender, Leonardo Banucci, went after Balotelli and instead of doing the usual celebratory dance that team mates do after such a spectacular and crucial goal, Banucci placed his hand over Balotelli’s mouth to prevent him from speaking. Apparently, the reason for Balotelli’s unusual celebration was that while he had

started the two previous matches, the Italy coach, Cesare Prandelli had decided not to include the Manchester City FC’s striker in his starting team for Italy’s match against Ireland. So, one can only imagine what was coming out Balotelli’s mouth before it was covered by Banucci.

Although the 21year-old Balotelli has been variously described as temperamental, I would argue that there is no smoke without fire. It can not be an easy thing being a talented black player in a competitive sport such as soccer in the midst of team mates who are predominantly white.

But there is a lesson to be learnt from the benching of Balotelli by Prandelli. Ireland is playing an Italian team.

Trapatonni, Ireland’s manager, is Italian and on his team there is no single black player.

So was the Italian team, until the black player was brought in from the bench. It was this black player who piled on the final straw that broke Ireland’s proverbial camel’s back.

But if I am allowed to say what I am thinking aloud, it is simply that: for Ireland to win more and lose less we have to look beyond skin colour and encourage Trap to tap the talents of many Africans

who have made Ireland their home. We need to diversify the boys in green with the likes of Balotellis if Ireland’s soccer team wants to be a force to be reckoned with. In other words, if Ireland wants to score more and concede less, we must have a few black bodies in the green jersey.

It was by having the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Lilian Thuram, Patrick Viera and the rest of them in the blue jersey that France was able to beat Brazil 3-0 to lift the World Cup in 1998. Can Ireland do it? Yes we can. We have the likes of Jacob Akinlade, who, I believe, wins trophies at every soccer tournament in which he partakes.

And I am sure there are many like him scattered all over the Emerald Isle. If we genuinely seek them, we shall find them, train them and pave the way for Ireland to score more goals and lose less matches. The ball is in your court, Ken McCue of Soccer Against Racism Ireland (S.A.R.I).

The nation needs you.

Bisi Adigun © May 2012 Bisi Adigun is a Nigerian/Irish Playwright and Theatre Director. He is the founder and artistic director of Arambe Productions: See: www. arambeproductions.com

JULY 2012

family CORNER WOMAN

Ushers in the greatness like the gatekeeper of the vine spreading of the thigh heralds the dawn but unheralded they face in this gathering loving as career prove trouble one lays bitter fangs for eagles that poach and the one that devours the love of the world kiss that brings forth touch that soothes the genesis of everything

Poems

Jilted Birds

Perched comfortably in it with jinking tunes of love from the drums of illusive thoughts barring the echoes of a fading chorus kisses initiated at will defining the strength of the gender turf as the heart of a lion would do cos immortality is in spirit tears falling to dry up woe betide the hunter cheeks redden the hunted the bird must fly for safety

My Ireland

Like a seductress you kept my eyes open showing me stuffs that matter you lure me from sunrise before i made a bed i saw your children before i set foot you gave me a name you formed me with a sign of trinity a way that rescues me as my woman of dreams you did set the pulse racing and i fell for the charms

Wisdom Bits A midget he-goat can never mate with the opposite sex Meaning: One cannot aim the impossible

In nomine patri, et fili, et spiritus santi as it was in the beginning walking past st peter’s crucifix into his corridor spewing my peoples chorus raising the Alleluia crescendo and the genuflection to the sign of flesh they gather in your name from all side of our land in the habit of natives

Too late for Sinead

It was a look that glued it even tried to stop it because it was on it bird that just worth it the goddess that had it like a spell i kept to it exactly how birds want it like a bad boy i dug it pressing and loving it and lo she passed it smiling to it that dit it

Connect with

He who pays the piper dictates the tune Meaning: The giver has the upper hand

If a dog can wag his tail at you, it can also offer you kolanut if possible Meaning: Love and kindness can come from anyone

A good neighbour is your brother Meaning: Love one another as yourself

Sam and Sophie conquer them all Chapter 6 - Sophie’s birthday

By Roland Idowu

to sing happy birthday song for her. Sophie had brought little cup cakes to school and during the lunch, Miss Sunshine gave cake to all the pupils in Sophie’s class. Miss Sunshine said the children will get more later on.

It was play time, they went out to play in the yard and lots of people were running after Sophie.

She tripped and fell over.

Sam heard Sophie crying and quickly went to meet his sister and took her to Miss Sunshine, but luckily Sophie only had minor

Good Afternoon st peters

AfricaWorld on

The air does not get trapped Meaning: Utopian ideas cannot come to fruition

A good friend is better than a bad brother Meaning: Love conquers prejudice

It was the last day in school and it’s also Sophie’s birthday. Sam was jealous of Sophie because she got lots of gifts. Sophie was not happy with Sam; she thought Sam should be happy for her.

Ben, Sam’s friend walked with Sophie to school and Sam was so angry at Sophie because she was talking to all of his friends and Sam didn’t have any friend to play with.

Soon they were at school, Miss Sunshine was Sophie’s teacher, and she asked Sophie’s class mates

Patience

Lesson in virtue xracter among us clutching a double edge sword pays as well as derails its a soup from nature to the wise a spice for the progress of life patience the hybrid quality when you lack in men progress rewinds more of you make men you are an irredeemable gift and that is why you earn their respect

bruises and she was treated

by Miss Sunshine. Miss Sunshine threatened that whoever caused Sophie’s fall would not get a cake for the second round, but everyone got some cake anyway.

Sophie was happy that her brother cares for her after all, so she said it was the best birthday ever.

Sam and Sophie will be going on holidays to Lego land next week and they can’t wait to go to England.

The end

#africaworldnews

11

12

JULY 2012

entertainment/ column

cderivan@eircom.net

Cartoon by Sara Sinclair

Cartoon by Dimitri Genserovski

Cartoon by Sara Sinclair

ADORABLE MUM SAYS NO TO CHILD ABUSE change but it will also help to achieve a lasting and significant growth. Putting an end to child abuse in any part of the world will take time, it will take all of us acting together to make a difference and keep children safe.

The first step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect.

It is very important for us to become aware of the different types of child abuse and their signs because a child who’s being abused may feel guilty, ashamed or confused. He or she may be afraid to tell anyone about the abuse, especially if the abuser is a parent, other relative or family friend. That is why it’s vital to watch out for red flags, such as: Changes in behaviour or school performance, withdrawal from friends or usual activities, an apparent lack of supervision, frequent absences from school, reluctance to leave school activities, as if he or she doesn’t want to go home, attempts at running away, physical clues, such as bruising or blood in underwear.

Risk factors

Cartoon by Sara Sinclair

Child abuse occurs across all socioeconomic levels and ethnic groups and some of the factors that may increase a person’s risk of becoming abusive include: A history of mistreatment as a child, depression, anxiety, marital conflict or single parenting, domestic violence, financial stress, social isolation, lower parental education, alcoholism or other forms of substance abuse, a child in the family who was born prematurely or who is developmentally or physically disabled, young children in the family - especially multiple children under age 5.

What else can we do to prevent Child Abuse?

Founder of Adorable Mum - ADM Gbeminiyi ‘Gee Bee’ Shogunle

People can sometimes be unaware or forgetful of a cause or issue and if the issue isn’t brought up, it slides onto the back burner. After all, nobody can think about all the worthy causes all the time.

Last month, the Adorable Mum

Facebook forum ran its online campaign called the Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) campaign. Child abuse has become a major concern in the world today and it is sad to think that some kids aren’t having a happy childhood.

Creating awareness will not only have a positive effect on initiating social

We must educate ourselves and be the change we wish to see in the world. We must give our own children a safe, happy & loving environment then stretch that love we all have for children to our communities, one step at a time.

CHILD ABUSE MUST STOP! We must spread the word to as many as we can. We must protect our children, they Potrait of Ireland Justice Minister Alan Shatter TD are our future, and they are the leaders of tomorrow.

LET’S ALL SAY NO TO CHILD ABUSE! (Ref: Mayo Clinic)

JULY 2012

13

news

CHIT CHAT

Roosevelt old boys unite for change - PICTURES

WIFE DELIVER BABY FOR BROTHER IN LAW During the May edition, we had broke the news of two brothers at daggers drawn over the elder’s wife. The chit - chat tale titled “Brothers threaten to kill each other” revealed how a brother was sleeping with his sister -in -law. We have been following up on the issue religiously as threats follow, thus degenerating into family quarrel.

Following the midnight sexual escapades when the kids go to bed, the woman got pregnant. According to AfricaWorld source, the woman hid the pregnancy from friends to avoid unnecessary questions until an associate discovered the new baby on a visit.

All efforts to reach the new mum for comments proved aborted as at press time but AfricaWorld will follow up to see how the news will sink -in to the man. Stay tuned.

News in Brief

By Paul Kelly

-Algerian journalist Manseur Si Mohamed has been given a two month sentence for defamation after criticising Algeria’s Council of State.

-Angola: war veterans and widows were fired upon late last month by the Angolan military while marching in Luanda in protest against non-payment of their pensions.

-Benin: on June 17th, militants invaded Igbinedion University, destroying property, machetting students and kidnapping others.

-Botswana: a new study has found that climate change may harm the Okavango Delta, the country’s most lucrative tourist attraction.

-Burundian journalist Hassan Ruvakuki has been sentenced to life imprisonment for allegedly“participating in acts of terrorism.” Reporters Without Borders has claimed it is a politically motivated sentence.

-Cameroon: all charges against writer and activist Enoh Meyomesse have been dropped, but he remains in prison and faces blindness if not allowed to undergo an operation to treat a serious eye condition he has developed.

-Cape Verde’s former president, Pedro Pires, has been honoured by Angola’s president with a first grade “September 17” medal for assisting Angolan independence.

-Chad’s Minister of Water Resources has announced that Lake Chad has shrunk rapidly due to climate change, from 25,000 km2 in the 1960’s to less than 2,000 km2 today -Comoros: 65,000 people have been affected by heavy rainfall which has brought flooding, power outages and increased disease to the small islands.

-Congo-Brazzaville: a community radio station based in Pokola has begun broadcasting a programme based on trying to bring the Bantu majority and Pygmy minority together.

-Egypt’s former dictator, Hosni Mubarak, has recovered from a stroke and is now in a stable condition.

-Equatorial Guinea’s president Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has met with four human rights groups to

address concerns of rampant corruption and civil rights abuses.

-Eritrea: 44 animal science professionals have received training in artificial insemination from the Eritrean Ministry of Agriculture in an attempt to boost food security.

-Ethiopia has banned the use of Skype and other Voice over IP software in a move which will protect the state’s monopoly over telephone communications and restrict press freedom.

-Gambian Fatou Bom Bensouda has become the new chief prosecutor of the ICC. She is the first African woman to take on the role.

-Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Energy, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, has claimed that the lack of electricity in several parts of the country is due to the slow pace of loans which had been promised to the electrification scheme.

-Kenya has passed a law which requires that all future presidents, MP’s and governors hold a university degree. The move effectively locks out almost 100 existing MP’s from the political system.

-Lesotho’s new Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has formed a new twenty member cabinet, containing three major parties.

-Liberia has been commended by Human Rights Watch for swiftly investigating, with a view to prosecuting, the armed bandits who led the cross-border attack on Cote d’Ivoire.

-Libya’s former deputy election commissioner has claimed he quit as he did not feel the country would be prepared in time for elections on July 7.

-Madagascar’s former president Marc Ravalomanana may face charges of crimes against humanity in a South African court, after a ruling which found that all South African residents who are accused of such crimes must be investigated.

-Malawian president, Joyce Banda, has stated that there will be an investigation into the death of former president, Bingu wa Mutharika, who died from a heart attack earlier this year.

-Mali: children are fleeing schools in the northern part of the country after Islamist rebels began imposing strict Sharia laws on schools, including dress codes, removing some curriculum subjects and adding others.

-Mauritania has been urged by the

Coalition for the International Criminal Court to accept its jurisdiction in order to “embrace a new system of international justice and advance the rule of law”.

-Mauritius and the US have concluded a trade agreement aimed at increasing trade in Information and Communication Technology.

-Morocco’s Prince Moulay Rachid has presided over the opening of a new centre for those with Down’s Syndrome in the country’s capital.

-Mozambique’s Deputy Interior Minister, Jose Mandra, has charged 22 individuals in connection with the wave of kidnappings of Asian businessmen which has struck Maputpo.

-Namibia: a man has been killed by an antelope in Mururani, after its horn speared him as he tried to bludgeon it to death.

-Nigeria’s Joint Task Force have killed four suspected Boko Haram militants and uncovered a car which had been primed for a suicide bomb attack.

-Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, has ordered officials of aviation agencies to not comment on the Dana Air crash until the full report on the horrifying crash is published.

-Nigerian actor Jim Lyke has signed a multi-million dollar deal to film three films in the Gambia, each of which will promote the Gambia’s image abroad.

-Rwanda has been accused of fuelling the on-going rebellion in the DRC by assisting the rebel leader, General Bosco Ntaganda, in recruiting troops.

-São Tomé and Príncipe’s president, Manuel Pinto da Costa, has met with Angola’s president Jose Eduardo dos Santos, in an attempt to improve bilateral relations between the two small states.

-Senegal has been urged by the US to extradite Chadian war criminal, Hissène Habré, to Belgium to be tried by the ICC. -Seychelles’ “fiscal performance” has improved rapidly, exceeding expectations, according to a recent IMF report which commended the small state’s strong growth.

-Sierra Leone’s main opposition party has called on the disarmament of the police force “until they are properly trained” due to claims of indiscriminate killing of civilians.

-Somali defence forces have successfully rescued a South African couple which were kidnapped by Al Shabab militants 18 months ago.

-South Africa’s Jacob Zuma has called on world leaders to push towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals. The president was speaking towards the end of the Rio+20 conference in Brazil.

-Sudan and South Sudan have begun renewed peace talks in the African Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa.

-Sudan’s government has appointed a new prosecutor, Yassir Ahmed Mohamed, to investigate the Darfur genocide.

Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir is wanted by the ICC for the same crime.

-Swazi teachers went on a protest march on June 13th as they sought a 4.5% wage increase. The march ended in the presentation of a petition to the Minister of Public Service, despite being stopped by riot police.

-Tanzania: an unidentified Albino man was found mutilated in Namabala village.

His face, ears, arms, throat and genitals were all ripped from his body.

-The African Union has called on rebels in the DRC to disarm and to utilise “political channels” to address their concerns instead of violence.

-The World Bank has approved an IDA grant of $25 million to Guinea to assist its ‘Productive Social Safety Net Project’ which will see thousands of jobs created for public works schemes.

-Togo-based Company, Elohim has begun seeking financial partners to assist the expansion of its gas stove manufacturing business. It aims to grow at 35% a year.

-Tunisia has lifted its curfew from five major areas of the country. The curfew was originally imposed after riots directed against an art exhibition seen as insulting to Islam threatened internal security.

-Ugandan Prison Services has submitted a list of over a thousand prisoners who can benefit from the presidential pardon.

Breastfeeding mothers, those on death row and pregnant women are among those listed.

-Zambia: a swarm of bees disrupted court proceedings in Ndola late last month, sending people panicking and forcing some into hospital.

-Zimbabwe: dozens of MP’s have undergone AIDS testing in an effort to remove the stigma associated with being tested and to encourage fellow citizens to do likewise.

14

JULY 2012

photo of the month

Miss Malaw in AfricaWorld Office

Sudanese Leader show anger against President Al Bashir in Dublin

Ifeoma Orji display her certificate of Irish citizenship in AfricaWorld Office

European Champions - Spain: Conquered in Poland / Ukraine 2012

New Communities Partnership Coordinator - Reginald OkoFlex Inya shares a point at the NCP family picnic in Dublin

Siyonda Zee addressing Comrades at the South Africa Youth Day held by the SA Embassy in Dublin

JULY 2012

15

photo of the month

FOOTBALL FOR LIFE: MEET THE ETUHU BROTHERS Dickson

Kelvin

Personal information

Full name: Kelvin Etuhu Date of birth: 30 May 1988 (age 23) Place of birth: Kano, Nigeria Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) Playing position: Right winger / Striker Youth career: Manchester City – 2004 to 2006

Senior career Years 2006-2011 2007 2008 2009-2010 2012

Kelvin Etuhu Kelvin Etuhu (born 30 May 1988 in Kano, Nigeria) is a Nigerian-English footballer who currently plays right winger/striker for Portsmouth. Etuhu has two older brothers, Dickson Etuhu, who currently plays for Fulham, and Michael Etuhu, who is still at university. Etuhu grew up in Peckham, South London and attended Saint Thomas the Apostle.

Club Career – Early Career

Etuhu plays as a striker or as a winger. After scoring the winning goal in the semis against rivals Manchester United, he went on to play in the FA Youth Cup finals in 2005–06 where Manchester City lost to Liverpool on a 3–2 aggregate. He scored the equaliser in his debut for Rochdale, coming on in the 56th minute against Wycombe Wanderers and scoring in the 80th minute. His spell at Rochdale was unfortunately cut short, due to a knee injury which prompted his return to Manchester City.

He made his first appearance for Manchester City on 25 September 2007 against Norwich City in the Carling Cup, coming on as a substitute and set up the winning goal for Georgios Samaras. On 15 December 2007 Etuhu then scored

Team Manchester City Rochdale (loan) Leicester City (loan) Cardiff City (loan) Portsmouth

Apps 10 4 4 16 5

Goals (1) (2) (0) (0) (0)

*Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:55, 15 February 2012 (UTC).

his first goal in the Premier League against Bolton Wanderers as Manchester City won 4–2.

Loan at Leicester City

On Tuesday, 4 March 2008, he joined Leicester City on loan until the end of the 2007–08 seasons. Etuhu made his debut four days later, on 8 March, in 0–0 draw against Bristol City. He made two consecutive starts before being dropped to bench against West Bromwich Albion on 15 March, coming on in the 88th minute.

Due to new signing David Bell from Luton Town, Etuhu remained the final two months of his loan on bench, making brief appearances for the Foxes. Leicester was relegated at the end of the season.

Loan at Cardiff City

On Saturday, 22 August 2009 Etuhu joined Football League Championship side Cardiff City on a season-long loan, making his debut the following day as a replacement for Michael Chopra during a 3–0 win over Bristol City in the Severnside derby, before making his first start in another Severnside derby against Bristol Rovers in the second round of the Carling Cup. However Etuhu suffered an injury blow in only his fourth appearance

with the side when he damaged ankle ligaments during a 1–0 defeat to Newcastle United, ruling him out for up to two months. He made his return on 29 November 2009 during a 2–1 defeat to Ipswich Town, coming on as a substitute for Chris Burke. On 8 December, he made his first League start for Cardiff against West Brom at the Hawthorns, as Cardiff won 2–0.

Etuhu played an important part in the opening goal, passing to Chris Burke on the halfway line, before making a decoy run, allowing space for Burke to run through and score.

He came off in the 58th minute after picking up a knock.

On 13 December Etuhu returned to his parent club for a scan on ankle injury, which was picked up against Middlesbrough, after he came on to replace injured Peter Whittingham, Etuhu returned to Cardiff and stayed of the bench for the rest of 2009 coming on for either Chris Burke or Jay Bothroyd. An injury Etuhu suffered in training kept him sidelined for 3 Months, he returned to Manchester for treatment.

He returned on 24 March and made the bench for a 1–1 draw with Sheffield United, then making starts against Crystal Palace and Leicester City as a replacement for suspended Jay Bothroyd. Cardiff made it to the

Championship play-off final at Wembley, Etuhu played the game coming on for an injured Jay Bothroyd, but didn’t make a major impact on the game. Even though taking the lead twice, Cardiff eventually lost the game 3–2.

Etuhu was not included in Manchester City’s Premier League squad for the 2010–11 season. and was released from his contract in March 2011, following his jailing for an assault outside a Manchester casino.

Portsmouth

On 19 January 2012, Etuhu signed for Portsmouth, who he had been training with for the past two months, until the end of the season. Manager Michael Appleton has backed Kelvin Etuhu to shine at Portsmouth and keen to seize second chance at Pompey. Etuhu made his debut in the 3–2 defeat to Cardiff City on 21 January 2012 and played a starring role a week later in a 3–0 victory at Peterborough United. Following his debut for Porstmouth, Etuhu suffered a hamstring injury. During his time there, Portsmouth went into administration for the second time in 2 years. This means that they face an automatic 10 point deduction, although as many as 20 points could be lost. 27 February 2012, Etuhu extended his stay by another month having been given the green light by the Football League.

Honours: Vodacom Challenge Runner-up 2009.

International: Although not capped at international level, he is eligible to play for England or Nigeria.

In May 2009 he declared his intention to pursue an international career with Nigeria.

Personal life – Assault charge

On 13 July 2010, Etuhu was arrested on charges relating to an assault outside a Manchester casino

in February. Three people were injured, Etuhu was charged with assault and appeared before the magistrates on 6 August 2010. Etuhu was given an eight month jail sentence on 24 March 2011 causing Manchester City to release him from his contract due to the criminal proceedings.

The eight months jail sentence slammed on Etuhu was a bit too harsh for an assault charge even if he was found guilty. At least a community service would have been much better for him to serve as a first offender.

The report published on 25/03/2011 by Paul Byrne, Daily Mirror captioned ‘Premier League star Kelvin Etuhu jailed for breaking victim’s jaw’ … ‘Premier League striker Kelvin Etuhu was jailed for eight months yesterday for breaking a man’s jaw in a drunken street brawl… The former Manchester City star, 22, wept as he was sentenced for attacking Owen Fitzpatrick after a row in a casino’. The said report was wholly inaccurate as declared by Janis Cowan, Etuhu’s legal representative.

The court was actually told that Kelvin Etuhu did not break anyone’s jaw that night. It was indeed Etuhu’s co-defendant Rico Richards who admitted kicking Owen Fitzpatrick and breaking his jaw. Etuhu admitted assaulting a totally different individual, causing him minimal harm and hence the difference in their sentences. This was made perfectly clear in court and any responsible editor would have ensured that the facts were correct before allowing such a report to be released or published.

Meanwhile, Barnesley have completed the signing of the former striker and midfielder Kelvin Etuhu on a free transfer from Portsmouth due to the club’s financial problems.

16

JULY 2012

sport

Personal information

Fulham

Full name: Dickson Etuhu Date of birth: born 8 June 1982 (age 30) Place of birth: Kano, Nigeria Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Playing position: Defensive Midfielder Youth career: Manchester City – 2004 to 2006 Current Club: Fulham Number: 20

Senior career

Dickson Paul Etuhu Dickson Paul Etuhu (born 8 June 1982 in Kano, Nigeria) is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Fulham in the Premier League. His younger brother Kelvin is also a footballer. He grew up in Peckham, South London but plays his international football for the Nigerian national football team. He also attended St Francis Xavier College

Early Career

Etuhu signed for Preston North End from Manchester City in 2002 for £300,000. He had started just 11 league games for City. He was very much a bit-part player during Preston’s successful season of 2004– 2005, when the Whites reached the play-off final. Despite his side losing to West Ham United, he attracted the attention of Premiership clubs Everton and West Brom.

Years 2000-2002 2002-2006 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008 2007

Team Manchester City Preston North End Norwich City (loan) Norwich City Sunderland Fulham Nigeria

Apps 12 134 8 54 20 75 17

Goals (1) (17) (0) (6) (1) (3) (0)

*Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:37, 17 September 2011 (UTC). *Appearances (Goals). *National team caps and goals correct as of 16:30, 09 April 2011 (UTC)

Norwich City

Worthington.

It was incorrectly reported during September 2006 that following the 3–1 defeat at Plymouth Argyle, Etuhu and team-mate Youssef Safri traded punches on the team bus on their return journey to East Anglia.

Norwich City signed him during the January transfer window for £450,000 after a loan deal initially brought him to the club. His form began to improve towards the end of the season and in the early stages of the 2006–07 campaign.

Etuhu scored his first goal for Norwich in a 2–0 win against Torquay United in a League Cup match on 23 August 2006, and got his first league goal for the club in a 3–3 draw at Southend United on 12 September 2006. On 21 October 2006 he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Cardiff at Carrow Road to help his new manager Peter Grant win his first home game after replacing Nigel

Sunderland

Etuhu signed for newly promoted Sunderland in a deal worth £1.5m in the summer of 2007. On February 9, 2008, Etuhu scored his first goal for Sunderland in their home match against Wigan. It came from a free kick floated in by Dean Whitehead, opening the scoring in the 2–0 defeat of the Latics.

On 29 August 2008, Etuhu announced that he was having a medical with Premier League side Fulham, before joining for a fee of around £1.5 million on a three-year contract at Craven Cottage. Etuhu scored his first goal for Fulham on Easter Sunday 2009 in a game against his former club Manchester City in the 59th minute to put Fulham up 2–1 after a goal from American Clint Dempsey in the 50th minute.

He scored his first goal in European Competition, and his first goal at Craven Cottage, the week after his first son was born with a header to put Fulham 1–0 up against Lithuanian team FK Vetra. On 28 August 2010, Etuhu rescued his team in a match vs. Blackpool, by scoring in the 87th minute and playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw, at Bloomfield Road. On 18 September 2010, Etuhu played the full 90 minutes against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in a 1-1 draw.

In September 2010, Etuhu, signed a three-year contract extension, which will see him contracted to Craven Cottage until summer 2014.

He made his 50th Premier League appearance for them against Newcastle United, in a 0–0 draw on 13 November, when he replaced Zoltan Gera, in the 69th minute in the game at St James’ Park. Etuhu scored his fifth goal in Fulham colours when he netted the second in a 6-2 victory over Peterborough United on 8 January 2011, playing the full

LEGENDS OF AFRICAN SPORT SAMUEL ETO’O

Samuel Eto’o is a Cameroonian footballerwhoplaysasastrikerforRussian football club Anzhi Makhachkala. He is also the current captain of Cameroon national team. Eto’o also trained at Kadji Sports Academy and holds a Spanish passport, enabling him not to count among the ‘’foreign players’’ working in the European Union.

Eto’o scored over 100 goals in five seasons with Barcelona and is also the record holder in number of appearances by an African player in la liga. In 2010, he became the first player to win two European Continental trebles following his back-to-back achievements with Barcelona and Inter Milan. He is the second player to have ever scored in two

separate Uefa Champions league finals andthefourthplayer,afterMarcelDesailly, Paulo Sousa, and Gerard Pique, to have won the UEFA Champions League two years in a row with different teams. He is the most decorated African player of all timehavingwontheAfricanPlayerofthe year award a record four times in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010.

AsamemberoftheCameroonnational team, Eto’o was part of the squad that won the 2000 Olympic tournament. He has also participated in threeWorld Cups and six African Nations Cups(being champion twice) and is the all-time leadingscorerinthehistoryoftheAfrican Nations Cup, with 18 goals.

Samuel Eto’o joined Real Madrid in

1997, but he could only train with Real Madrid B, as he was still a minor. Real Madrid B were relegated to the third tier, SegundaDivisiónB,wherenon-European Union players are not allowed, and as a result, he was loaned to second-division CD Leganés for the 1997–98 season, whenhewasonlyinthetenthgrade.[After making 30 appearances for the club and only scoring four goals, he returned to Madridfollowingtheendofthe1998–99 season. In January 1999, he was loaned out to RCD Espanyol but failed to make any appearances for the club. The next season, in the winter transfer window, he transferred to La Liga team RCD Mallorca on loan, scoring six goals in 19 games. At the end of the season, Eto’o left Real Madrid, signing a permanent deal with RCDMallorcaforaclubrecord£4.4million fee. In his second season, he scored 11 goals and began to garner attention throughouttheleague.MallorcaPresident Mateo Alemany said of his style of play,“I doubt if there is any other player in the

world who would please the fans more atthismoment.”Eto’ohimselfcommented on his rise to stardom, “I like it here in Mallorca, I have always been well looked after, the fansappreciate me and I also have a contract that runs until 2007.”He returned the fans’appreciation when he donated €30,000 in meals to travelling Mallorca supporters who made the journey to the Copa del Rey final against Recreativo de Huelva in 2003. Mallorca won the match 3–0, with Eto’o scoring two late goals to seal the victory. His volatile attitude, however, resulted in several off-pitch incidents. Bartolome Terrassa, a television journalist, filed a formal complaint after a run-in with Eto’o in the club’s parking lot, accusing the player of saying,“The next time, you are not going to escape; I’m going to kill you.”

This was not the first incident, however, as the previous year, Eto’o’s former agent, Daniel Argibeaut, accused the player of assaulting him with four accomplices, saying, “They then took off my shoes,

90 minutes in the FA Cup 3rd round.

On 5 March he started and completed the full ninety minutes in a 3-2 win over Blackburn. On 3 April, he scored on 72 minutes thanks to an assist from defender Brede Hangeland in the game against Blackpool at Craven Cottage, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-0 victory. On 9 April, he started the 2-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford but was replaced on 67 minutes by Zoltan Gera.

Dickson Etuhu admitted to The Sun that his relationship with Martin Jol is strained and will probably be leaving Fulham club this summer.

The Nigerian international had been a regular in the club since arriving in 2008

International career

It was announced in late September 2007 that Etuhu had been called up to play for his country on October 14. He first played in two friendlies for his country and he then made his competitive international debut in the African Cup of Nations in January 2008. Etuhu was part of the Nigeria squad for the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa. He turned down a callup in August 2011 as a replacement player and stated he would not play for Nigeria coach Samson Siasia, temporarily ending his international career. He was however recalled in November 2011 for a pair of friendlies under new coach Stephen Keshi.

Honours: Fulham, Europa League 2010 Runner Up

which in Cameroon means I am threatened with death.”

In the season 2004 Eto’o moved to Barcelonaforafeeworthabout24million euro, this was after an impressive season with Mallorca. In Barca, he was one of the best strikers ever played for the club, produced some of the most incredible performancesandscoringthefastestever hat-trick for the club (3 goals in 23 minutes).

He played for Barca from 2004 until 2009 and breaking many records in the club’s history. The most notable goals scored by Samuel are the ones against Manchester United in the final in 2009 and the goal against Arsenal.There were also many important goals he scored for the club. Even though Eto’o did so much for the club he was exchanged for Ibrahimovic from Inter Milan and some money on top,a surprisingdecision from the Nou Camp. After moving to Inter Milan,Eto’odidnotstopshowinghisclass inthegame,playingunderJoseMourihno ‘’thespecialone’,’showingsomeamazing performances for the Italian club and helping them to win a treble . In 2011 he moved to the Russian Club Anzhi Makhachkala and thatmadehimthebestpaidfootballer in the world.