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AUG 16-31 2013
VOL 001 Nº41
FREE
Can Cécile Kyenge emerge in Ireland?
Cécile Kyenge is Italy’s Minister for Integration
See next edition for article.
By Ukachukwu Okorie
KNOWING IRELAND NATIONAL ANTHEM
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AFRICAWORLD AUG 16 -31 2013
NEWS
Editorial CITIZENSHIP IS FULL PARTICIPATION IN THE LIFE OF IRELAND Once More, AfricaWorld deem it
M i n i s t e r L au n c h e s F r e e T h i r d L e v e l E d u c at i o n for Migrant Citizens By Paul Kelly
necessary to remind all to do more in the life of Ireland. Your participation exceeds the braze-tape of your comfort zone. It is important that you get involve in one community initiative or organisation. We must join hands in bringing back the roars of the Celtic Tiger to life. Your greatest participation can come in any form, even an imagined small venture, as long as it can boost your community.
Registering to vote is another issue you must take seriously as, it is a core
E
ducation Minister Ruarí Quinn has unveiled new legislation that will allow Irish citizens from amigrant background to apply for free university education. Previously, even after gaining Irish citizenship, students from a migrant background were forced to pay full fees of up to €12,000 a year. “This Government has introduced
citizenship ceremonies for new Irish citizens, and this policy change will follow on from that development, and ensures that new citizens will be treated exactly the same as those born in Ireland,” Minister Quinn said as he announced the legislation. Reacting to the change, the Migrant Education Access (MEA) campaign described it as “an important and timely step in the right direction”, with students praising the move. “ My family has made big sacrifices to send me to university. My parents have had to pay tuition fees of €7,400 per year, even after I became an Irish citizen. Now I will finally be treated the same as other Irish citizens. I feel like a huge load has been lifted off my
shoulders; this change will make my final year more possible and will help hundreds of others like me.” MEA member Tatiana Bezborodova said. Community leaders have also welcomed the decision, with Yemi Adenuga, Director of the ongoing Nigerian Carnival, describing it as “fantastic”: “It means once you become an Irish citizen you don’t feel segregated, if you hold an Irish passport, you hold an Irish passport and you are not discriminated against in any way,”Mrs Adenuga said. “It doesn’t matter if you were naturalised or you were born Irish, you are Irish and every right that every Irish citizen has, every single person who holds an Irish passport legally must have that right as well”.
embraced the move with Trinity College Dublin’s Students Union describing it as“an extremely positive development in access to third level education for many children of first generation immigrants in this country.” Despite this, however, some have claimed that the moves do not go far enough with Helen Lowry of the Migrant Rights Centre calling for criteria for access to financial assistance at third level to be updated by the Department of Education and Skills to include residency and not just citizenship. Ms Lowry also called for an Immigration Bill to bring in permanent pathways to citizenship for child dependants.
Third level institutions have also
KNOWING IRELAND NATIONAL ANTHEM
As round our blazing fires we throng, The starry heavens o’er us; Impatient for the coming fight, And as we wait the mornings light here in the silence of the night We’ll chant a soldier’s song.
duty of a citizen. There won’t be any need complaining about ‘this and that’ on immigrants if you don’t register to influence the elections.
2nd Verse
Make sure you register, it is very
important, even Gaelic soccer and
In valley green or towering crag Our fathers fought before us, And conquered ‘neath the same old flag That’s floating o’er us, We’re children of a fighting race That never yet has known disgrace, And as we march the foe to face, We’ll chant a soldier’s song.
hurling can be re-introduced in the
3rd Verse
important to show your support in the elections.
Other areas like sport is very
African
continent
through
participation. It is important you join in breathing life into the life of Eireann because we love her. Come inside. Uka.
A Soldier’s Song is the national anthem of the Republic of Ireland. The lyrics were written by Peadar Kearney and, together with Patrick Heeny, set it to music. The song was first published in Irish Freedom in 1912 and quickly became the most popular of the Irish Volunteer’s marching songs. In 1926,
AfricaWorld & Millenium Development Goals Editor Ukachukwu Okorie Deputy Editor Martin Ekeocha Chief Reporter Paul Kelly Sub-Editor Roisin Morris
Graphic Design Mirco Mascarin Leandro Tonetto Oliveira Welbert Silva de Andrade Photography Darek Gutowski Antoinette Keane
The Soldier’s Song was adopted as the National Anthem of Ireland. Chorus: Soldiers are we, whose lives are pledged to Ireland Some have come from a land beyond the wave, Sworn to be free, no more our ancient sireland
The Editorial team at AfricaWorld would like to point out that it is aware of the Millennium Development Goals
Shall shelter the despot or the slave; tonight we man the Bearna Baoghal In Erin’s cause. come woe or weal; ‘Mid cannon’s roar and rifle’s peal We’ll chant a soldier’s song. 1st Verse We’ll sing a song, a soldier’s song With cheering, rousing chorus
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 +353 1 873 0123 Republic of Ireland E-mail: africaworldnews@gmail.com
Sons of the Gael! Men of the Pale! The Long watched day is breaking; The serried ranks of Innisfail Shall set the tyrant quaking. Our camp fires now are burning low; See in the east a silvery glow, Out yonder waits the saxon foe, So chant a soldier’s song.
issues of Education, Health, HIV/AIDS, Gender Equality, Environmental Sustainability and Global Partnerships.
www.africaworldnewspaper.com
AUG 16 -31 2013
AFRICAWORLD
3
NEWS
MUSLIMS SPEAK ON Eid-Al-Fitr
By Abdul Yusuf
Africa World News covered the Eid
Eid-Fitr. We actually had the prayers at
again, as a muslim community, we try
today. We can see a lot of people from
is finished and the second is when he/
Al-Fitrevent organised by the Islamic
the South Circular mosque in the early
to teach our children something about
all over the world coming here to
she meets the Almighty Allah in Lahira
foundation of Ireland. The event was
hours of the morning. Afterwards the
Islam, you know, to make them happy.
celebrate. Even some none Muslims
(hereafter).
held at the transport club in Dublin.
Islamic Foundation of Ireland organised
This is a two day and two major
coming over to encourage some
He has been in Ireland for the past
During the coverege, the following
this kind of family event to
celebrations. We bring the family over
muslims and so, he is really happy. He
9 years and this is the first time he
questions were asked and below are
commemorate the Eid-Fitr for every
here and to be happy and to be around
would like to recommend them and all
celebrated the Eid Al-Fitr outside. The
the answers or what the invited
Muslims who are ready to attend.
all the brothers and again teaches our
the Muslim community in Dublin to
idea of this event is something we’ve
kids that this is our celebrations and this
help them and to make some better in
been speaking and planning on
this our day of happiness.
the future Insha-Allah!.
because the sunna - During the lifetime
guests have to say...
For himself getting to the event, he felt very overwhelmed. The family tried
Tell us what your name is, country of
as much as they could sometimes to
The second meritorious aspect of
origin, and the reason for celebrating
get the kids to perform the fast during
the Eid Al-Fitr?
Name: Abderrazak Bounou
of the Prophet Mohammad (Sallallahu
Shawwal is that it has been chosen by
Country of Origin: Morocco
Alaihim wa Salaam) had also taken his
the Holy Month of Ramadan. At the end
Allah Almighty for the celebration of‘Id
One important aspect of fasting is
sahabah (companion) in an open land
of the day, to the kids, the Ramadan is
al-Fitr, one of the only two annual
that it makes people able to experience
and this is how it happened. This is the
Name: Rukiyah
boring and stressful and
hunger and therefore
first year that the the Islamic Foundation
Country of Origin: Nigeria
which we as parents have to
identify with the poor
of Ireland is celebrating it here.
Eid Fitr is normally celebrated
understand because of the
who have often no food
immediately after the end of the Holy
part of the world that we
at all. It is also the time to
Name: Mudafar Al-Kawash
Month of Ramadan. To her
reside. This is Western world,
avoid all sorts of
(Administrator of The Islamic Foundation
understanding, there is always a feast
and when parents do things
impurities and be able to
of Ireland)
and she distributes and give free gifts
that is not actually buoyant
cleanse body and mind
to children. The Eid Al-Fitr starts by
that could make the children
in order to begin the New
performing the early morning Eid Al-Fitr
happy, they feel bored. At the
Year with a clean page.
prayer. Alhamdul- Lillah! that the day is
end of the 30 days fasting,
sunny and everybody is enjoying his or
parents now bring the
herself and having fun.
children to such an event like
After the end of the Holy
Month
Country of Origin: The Eid Al-Fitr is our Islamic festival and we have to celebrate it to mark the end of Ramadan. So, we have broken
of
the first and this is the first day of
Ramadan,the Eid Al-Fitr is
breaking the fast. Alhamdu Lillah! that
this and having fun, they will be very
festivals recognized by the Shari’ah. This
celebrated by performing the Eid Al-Fitr
that we are lucky, the weather is great
Name: Maurita Babekia
happy and could easily narrate it to their
joyous day is intended by the Shari’ah
prayer which is a special prayer in the
and we have representatives from the
Country of Origin: Sudan
schoolmates when the school resumes.
to serve as a sign of gratitude by the
earlier hours of the morning. The Eid
Mayor of Dublin and RTE Reporter to
Salama Alaikum! How she feels
As I am talking to you now, I am keeping
Muslims on the accomplishment of
Al-Fitr is very wonderful. We have been
join us in the celebration. We are also
about Eid?... To her, she has mixed
an eye and searching for my children
Ramadan and as an immediate reward
looking forward for this family day. This
very lucky to get the venue. This is the
feelings because the Ramadan is over
because earlier they told me they were
by Allah for those who spent the month
is the first time that we are celebrating
first time that we are celebrating this
and one is kind of sad because you
going to the swing which means that
of Ramadan in fasting and performing
the event here and before the event
event in the Transport Club. We inquired
hardly feel satisfied. There is a fear and
they were actually catching the fun.
other forms of ritual worship.
was normally done in the mosque. I
about the field and the easiest way to
wish that your Ramadan would be
Muslims here in Ireland is a very
Interestingly enough, instead of
have been living in Ireland for the past
get to the venue.(Maasha Allah!). We
accepted. She is kind of wary that she
small community in Ireland and Isha
commemorating an event from the
14 years. When I came in 1999, the
usually celebrate the Eid Al-Fitr event in
might have finished but could continue
Allah Rahman, it is growing and so by
past, the Shari’ah has prescribed the
crowd was very small and each year it
the vicinity of the mosque on South
to do the things she’d done. She still
the special Grace of God and in years to
first of Shawwal as an annual festival for
is getting bigger. We give thanks to the
Circular Road but we later found out
takes precautions and keep an eye on
come, the authority will get know much
the Muslims on an occasion when they
Almighty Allah.
that the mosque is getting too small.
herself. Alhamdul-Lillah!, she is happy
more and they could be something in
themselves have accomplished and
and appreciative but would she have
place for the children in case, there is
completed a momentous form of
more now as she supposes? and
any event such like this. This event is
worship. This approach reminds the
Alhamdul-Lillah! every is celebrating
only looked after by the Islamic
Muslims that they should not rely only
Country of Origin: Algeria
morning and the second prayer
and they have everyone here together.
Foundation of Ireland. In the next future,
on the accomplishments of their
One Zaid actually said that
approximately an hour later to allow
by the special Grace of God, there might
ancestors. Rather, they should
Ramadan is part of the Muslim religion.
more space for people to come over to
Name: Mubarak Lawal
be some changes as to where and how
themselves perform meritorious acts
As you know, Prophet Mohammad
perform their prayers.
Country of Origin: Ivory Coast
the event would be performed.
to please their Creator.
Sallallahu Alaihim wa Salaam, when he
During the prayer for Eid Al-Fitr, we Name: Imam for the Asr Prayer During The Event.
normally conduct two prayers, one prayer is conducted very early in the
The only thing that he admires and
arrived in Medina and saw the Ansars
The population of Muslims as he
Name: Riyadh Mahmoudi
he would like to acknowledge and to
(aids or helpers)because He had two
believes, still remain the same but the
Month” for the Muslims. It is a special
Country of Origin: Algeria
recommend the huge access behind
different aids, he said that Allah Subhana
number of Muslims living around the
month whereby Muslims are expected
Bismillahi Rahman Raheem, first of
the gathering today at the event is that
wata-Allah replaced them with better
mosque is increasing. Some people
to Fast by abstaining from drinking,
all, the Eid-Fitr is one of the major
it didn’t just happen just like that.The
ones. So, since it has been replaced by
travel all the way from celbridge, Naas
eating, having any sexual intercourse
celebrations for the Muslims. We
majority show-up were from the
the Almighty Allah, Ramadan is part of
in county Kildare and other surrounding
or doing anything bad during the day
celebrate it after full month of
Nigerian brothers, they really worked
the Muslim faith. The Prophet
counties to Dublin to join the
from morning till sunset for 30 days.
worshipping, commitment and
hard to make this event happen and he
Mohammad Sallahu Alaihim wa Salaam
celebration. Alhamdul Lillah! (Thank the
During these days, Muslims are
happiness. When we have commitment,
thanks them all. For the past 10 years,
had actually said many Hadiths on
Almighty Allah!).
expected to do much of charities and
we come and pray towards Allah. As
this is really the first time he’d seen
regarding anybody that fasts twice
feel for the Needies and other things
you can see, there are a lot of Muslims
something like this. A gathering like, the
during the Holy Month of Ramadan had
like that. After the 30 days, Muslims
present from many countries
kids all over and running around.
two times reward of happiness. One of
observe the “Special Prayer” called the
celebrating and being happy. And
Alhamdul Lillahi!, the weather is nice
the happiness is for when the Ramadan
As we all know that the Month of Ramadan is a very stressful and“Special
4
AFRICAWORLD AUG 16 -31 2013
opinion/news by Paul Kelly ALGERIA a public breakfast during Ramadan has sparked controversy in Tigzrit. The breakfast was held to protest police intimidation of those eating in public during the month of fasting.
X-RAY
with Fr. Vin
ANGOLA Investigative journalist Rafael Marques de Morais is to face criminal defamation charges after publishing s to r i e s detailing high level corruption and human rights abuses in the country’s diamond mines.
BENIN a farm in Songhai has been found to be the most productive in the country, despite not using any fertilisers. Its success is attributed to the circulation of waste products from other plants and animals throughout the farm to produce natural fertility.
BOTSWANA Amantle Montsho has won second place in the 400m sprinting World Championship in M oscow, narrowly losing out to Britain’s Christine Ohuruogu.
BURKINA FASO Police have attacked opposition protesters using tear gas. The protestors were demonstrating against the creation of a second senate in the National Assembly.
BURUNDI Police have attacked opposition protesters using tear gas. The protestors were demonstrating against the creation of a second senate in the National Assembly.
Togo Franco-Togolese sprinter Stella Akakpo has claimed on Twitter that Jamaican sprinter Fraser was using drugs during the 100m final. In her Tweet she wrote “Some complain of a final not too spicy on the 100m. You cannot want the show and a clean line, choose”.
By Fr. Vincent Ezeoma Arisukwu
CULT OF GERONTOCRACY AND THE HOPE OF THE AFRICAN YOUTH Part 1
When I watched the rugged face of Robert Mugabe as he was declared president of Zimbabwe for the seventh time on August 3, 2013, I told myself that he really needs (not deserves) the victory just for the mere contesting of election at 89 (respect for elders is intrinsic in African culture). The face of Pa Robert Mugabe looks more like an idol to be worshipped. As the father of ZANU PF party and the man who helped to disarm White Minority rule in Zimbabwe, I think he deserves to be idolized. But more for the effrontery at his age and the desperation on his face, he deserves to have a shrine dedicated to him as a political deity. Let’s assume that the ZANU PF is the majority party in Zimbabwe. Let’s assume that Zimbabweans so much like the party. Let’s assume that Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is not the popular party and cannot live up to the expectations of the Zimbabwean people. Can we also assume that the ZANU PF which from our logic is the people’s choice lacks vibrant young men who could take over from a man of eighty nine years? Can we equally assume that the near nonagenarian is the only capable hand in the party to steer the leadership of the country for more than three decades now running? Just compare Mugabe’s face with the faces of Presidents Barrack Obama, David Cameron, Vladimir Putin, Francois Hollande, Nicolas Maduro, etc. Now compare that face with the faces of late Mobutu Sese Sekou and Omar Bongo. Compare it also with Hosni Mubarak, Paul Biya, Blaise Campaore and some active Nigerian politicians like Tony Anenih, Bamangar Tukur, Olusegun Obasanjo, etc. Undoubtedly, the faces of these African behemoths have something in common other than their white counterparts- twists and wrinkles. The inference is that African leaders have fashioned for themselves the cult of gerontocracy which warrants that once in power, one either dies in power or is forced out of power. The question that ceaselessly begs for answer is the relevance of the African youth in the political map of Africa given the imposing and intimidating presence of these megalomaniacs in office. Let’s cast a brief look at some of these old men to acknowledge that sit-tightism has simply become a norm in Africa. Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga: (born Joseph-Desiré Mobutu; 14 October 1930 – 7 September 1997), was the president of Republic of the Congo (Leopoldville). Mobutu formed an authoritarian regime, amassed vast personal wealth, and attempted to purge the country of all colonial cultural influence while enjoying considerable support by the United States due to his anti-communist stance. During the Congo Crisis, Belgian and US-backed forces aided Mobutu in a coup against the nationalist government of Patrice Lumumba, the first democratically elected government in 1960 to take control of office. Lumumba was killed by a Katangese firing squad; Mobutu soon became the Army Chief of Staff. In a second coup (1965), he assumed the office of Prime Minister in 1966 and then established a presidential form of government which he headed in 1967. As part of his program of “national authenticity”, Mobutu changed Congo’s name to Zaïre in 1971 and his own name to Mobutu Sese Seko in 1972. During his reign, he built a highly centralized state and amassed a large personal fortune
through economic exploitation and corruption, leading some to call his rule “kleptocracy”. The nation suffered from uncontrolled inflation, a large debt, and massive currency devaluations. By 1991, economic deterioration and unrest led him to agree to share power with opposition leaders, but he used the army to thwart change until May 1997, when rebel forces led by Laurent Kabila expelled him from the country. He died three months later in Morocco. Mobutu ruled Zaire from 1965 to 1997. Omar Bongo: El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba (30 December 1935 – 8 June 2009), born as Albert-Bernard Bongo, was President of Gabon for 41 years. Omar Bongo was promoted to key positions as a young official under Gabon’s first President Leon M’ba in the 1960s, before being elevated to Vice-President from 1966 to 1967, eventually succeeding M’ba to become Gabon’s second President upon the latter’s death in 1967. Bongo headed the single-party regime of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) until 1990, when he was forced to introduce multi-party politics in Gabon in the face of great public pressure. He was re-elected in an extremely controversial 1993 presidential election, and again in the subsequent elections of 1998 and 2005. After Cuban President Fidel Castro stepped down in February 2008, Bongo became the world’s longestserving non-monarch ruler and one of the longest serving rulers in history. He ruled Gabon from 1967 till 2009. Bongo actually died in office. Muhammad Hosni El Sayed Mubarak (born 4 May 1928), is a former EgyptianPresident, leader and military commander. He served as the fourth President of Egypt. Mubarak was appointed Vice President of Egypt in 1975, and assumed the presidency on 14 October 1981, following the assassination of President Anwar Sadat. His almost thirtyyear presidency made him Egypt’s longestserving ruler since Muhammad Ali Pasha. Before he entered politics, Mubarak was a career officer in the Egyptian Air Force, serving as its commander from 1972 to 1975 and rising to the rank of Air Chief Marshal. Mubarak was forced to step down after 18 days of demonstrations during the 2011 Egyptian revolution when, on 11 February 2011, he resigned as president and transferred authority to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. Hosni Mubarak ruled Egypt from 1981 to 2011. Paul Biya (born Paul Barthélemy Biya’a bi Mvondo, 13 February 1933), has been the President of Cameroon since 6 November 1982. A native of Cameroon’s South, Biya rose rapidly as a bureaucrat under President Ahmadou Ahidjo in the 1960s, serving as Secretary-General of the Presidency from 1968 to 1975 and then as Prime Minister of Cameroon from 1975 to 1982. He succeeded Ahidjo as President upon the latter’s surprise resignation in 1982 and consolidated power in a 1983–1984 power struggle with his predecessor. He narrowly won the 1992 presidential election with 40% of the plural,single-ballot vote and was re-elected by large margins in 1997, 2004, and 2011. Blaise Compaoré (born February 3, 1951), has been the President of Burkina Faso since 1987. He was a top associate of President Thomas Sankara during the 1980s, and in October 1987 he
led a coup d’état that murdered Sankara; subsequently he introduced a policy of “rectification”, overturning the Marxist policies pursued by Sankara. He won elections in 1991, 1998, 2005, and 2010. Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir (born 1 January 1944) is the President of Sudan and the head of the National Congress Party. He came to power in 1989 when he, as a brigadier in the Sudanese army, led a group of officers in a bloodless military coup that ousted the government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi. Al-Bashir is a controversial figure both in Sudan and worldwide. In July 2008, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno Ocampo, accused al-Bashir of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. The court issued an arrest warrant for alBashir on 4 March 2009 on counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, but ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him for genocide. However, on 12 July 2010, after a lengthy appeal by the prosecution, the Court held that there was indeed sufficient evidence for charges of genocide to be brought and issued a second warrant containing three separate counts. Al-Bashir was the first sitting head of state indicted by the ICC. The court’s decision is opposed by the African Union, League of Arab States, Non-Aligned Movement, and the governments of Russia and China. AlBashir has remained the president of Sudan from 1989 till date. Robert Gabriel Mugabe (born 21 February 1924), is the second and current President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the guerrilla movements against white-minorityrule, he was elected into power in 1980. He served as Prime Minister from 1980 to 1987 and as the first executive head of state since 1987 till date. Mugabe rose to prominence in the 1960s as the Secretary General of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU)during the conflict against the white-minority rule government of Ian Smith. Mugabe was a political prisoner in Rhodesia for more than 10 years between 1964 and 1974. Upon release with Edgar Tekere, Mugabe left Rhodesia in 1975 to re-join the fight during the Rhodesian Bush War from bases in Mozambique. ZANU PF is the product of a merger between the two former rival parties, Mugabe’s ZANU and Joshua Nkomo’s pro-MarxistZAPU. Since 2000, the Mugabe-led government embarked on a controversial fasttrack land reform program intended to correct the inequitable land distribution created by colonial rule. The period has been marked by the deterioration of the Zimbabwean economic situation. In 2008, his party suffered a tight defeat in national parliamentary elections, but after disputed presidential elections, Mugabe retained presidential power with the signing of a power-sharing deal with opposition leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara of the MDC-T and MDC-M opposition party. On 3 August 2013, the Zimbabwe Election Commission said Mugabe won his seventh term as president defeating Morgan Tsvangirai with 61 percent of the vote. He is to rule Zimbabwe for the next five years. Cont. next edition.
AUG 16 -31 2013
AFRICAWORLD
5
news/IT by Paul Kelly
Morocco’s Unemployment rates have risen to over one million people, amounting to 8.8% of the population.
Mozambique’s Main opposition party, the former rebel movement Renamo, has boasted that it killed 36 soldiers and policemen in the central Mozambican province of Sofala last weekend. The attacks were claimed to be in self-defence.
Namibia’s First ever Spinal Rehab Unit is to be built in Windhoek Central Hospital. The announcement was made in the hospital during the graduation of nurses who underwent training in spinal cord injury management.
Niger The European Commission has donated €15.5 million to address food security in Niger. The donation was made so that food could be purchased during the country’s hunger season.
Nigeria Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has attacked the country’s leaders, saying that in 53 years of independence, none of them can be commended for their work.
Nigerian Carnival Hits Dublin
By Paul Kelly
Ireland’s fourth Nigerian Carnival began in Dublin on Monday (August 12th) with a Food Festival in Heritage Kitchens, Lucan. The Food Festival saw the appearance of Nigeria’s Deputy Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Georges Omokhagbor, and included Nigerian delicacies such as cow’s stomach, fried yams and melon soup. The Food Festival is just a small part of the Carnival, however, which is to last all week and is expected to see over 15,000 people throughout the celebrations, which also include a red carpet fashion show, a Grand Carnival in the Phoenix Park and a comedy night featuring “A-list comedian” Julius ‘D Genius’ Agwu. The Carnival’s launch comes at a crucial time for Africans living in Ireland, as a new online system for reporting racist abuse has reported 60 attacks in only one month, almost half of which were against women and girls. For Carnival Director Yemi Adenuga, however, the problem is one of stereotypes, a fiction which the Carnival is working to correct. “When people see Nigerians they think, ‘ah this person is corrupt, this person is a thief, this person is crooked’,” she told AfricaWorld. “It’s just the same when people go outside of Ireland, they think that every Irish person is a drunk person which is not true.” In order to help correct this, the Nigerian Carnival was created in 2006
and after four years of painstaking work, launched in 2010. Having almost doubled in size since its inception, the Carnival is committed to “being a platform so that all of the different cultures in Ireland can come together,” Mrs Adenuga said. “We started the carnival so that people could see our culture, our food, our colours, and see that we’re people who love a great time, who love to share the goodness that’s in us. We people have respect and morals and that means a lot to us and we believe in God and the great things he can do for us. So were sharing that through the carnival,” Mrs Adenuga told AfricaWorld. Despite the efforts of the Carnival’s organisers, however, Monday’s Food Festival was almost completely devoid of any native Irish, calling in to question the effectiveness of their inter-cultural exchange. The Carnival’s organisers were
not put off by this, however, pointing out that the Grand Carnival in the Phoenix Park sees thousands of people of all nationalities every year. Indeed, according to Mrs Adenuga, the problem was predominantly one of publicity as RTÉ has consistently refused to support the Carnival each year: “Over the past three years we have applied to RTÉ for this scheme where you can get promotions for your event and every year they have turned us down,” she told AfricaWorld. “If this was promoted on RTÉ a lot more Irish people would come to it. So I think this is a time to say to RTÉ, come and support the Nigerian Carnival and let’s have more Irish people come. We’re talking about integration and social inclusion and that has to be a collective work. If we’re trying to get this working, we need the support of the mainstream media to make it a reality.”
TECH_PILOt >>>>>>>> with Uchenna Onyenagubo
Bring your photos to life
Rwanda Former US President Bill Clinton has just returned from a two-day visit to the country. During the visit he toured several projects under the Clinton Health Access Initiative and Clinton Global Initiative project.
Tunisia’s labour union has called on the government to resign, saying it will be “forced to consider other options” if the Islamist government does not resign within a week.
Researchers are consistently transforming the Technology today, as a result of this innovation, there has been developmentofsomeexciting appsthathaschangedtheway we think and use the mobile phones. . The concept of camerasonphonesisadisplay ofadvancementinrecenttimes. On this edition, Tech_Pilot introduces the “SnappyCam Pro”app for IOS devices. High speed full-frame continuous shootingisoneofthekeypillars of photography, especially where action is concerned. It is a core technology of
professional DSLRs (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) enhancing their ability to capture decisive moments in challenging environments.This is a ground breaking development for iPhone photography, the developer of the latest version of SnappyCam Pro claims that itcanproducehigh-quality8MP images shooting at 20 fullsensor pictures/sec on your iPhone 5 and significant speed improvementsonoldermodels and other iOS devices. The SnappyCam Pro is a capture and image signal processing engine that took a year of research to develop. Photos are captured and buffered and then processed by the multi-threaded JPEG compression engine which
compresses shots in software considerably faster than a hardwareencoder.Theinventor, JohnPapandriopoulos,sayshe had to rewrite the JPEG codec to make these speed improvements feasible. SnappyCamistoutingaspeed fourtimesfasterthanthenormal iPhone5Cameraappandmore than double the speed of the 7.5 shots per second from the Samsung Galaxy S4. The only question here is; can asmartphoneshoot50%more frames per second than a Canon1DMKIIwhichisanolder Canon model with an 8.2 megapixeleffectiveresolution? Not exactly, but in order to achieve this high speed, SnappyCamcapturesfullsensor 8MPimages(3264x2448pixels)
but in real time compresses them producing smaller file sizes. File formats likeTIFF, BMP and RAW do not compress imageswhereasJPG,PNGand GIFcompressyourfilesinorder to reduce storage space and enable camera hardware and software to shoot at more frames per second. Toattainahighlyconsiderable resolution, Papandriopoulos has re-written the JPEG codec to enable faster compression without degrading them. This development will put the likes of Canon or Nikon in serious challenge. Nevertheless, the smartphones are improving technically, but the limiting factor is the physical size and
processing power requirements. . SnappyCam Pro does have the ability to zoom up to six timesenablingyoutogetcloser to the action, change aspect ratios to 4:3, widescreen 16:9, square 1:1 and more, geo-tag your images and add sound effects when you shoot. For now, the app is available in IOS so, download from the itune stores and enjoy the benefit of a smart camera app. Look up more info on their website: www.snappycam. com
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AFRICAWORLD AUG 16 -31 2013
people
PRIDE OF AFRICA i a M a n u Mo lif a S
Mai Mouna Salif, born in the Ivory Coast, is a student and Rapper. She hopes to be a Chemist or famous rap star. The only MTV unsigned female artist from Ireland, M.A.I talent got her 2 nominations at the Ankara Festival and a Recognition award as Best Rap Artist/Song and Best Collaboration. She loves cooking and dancing.
AUG 16 -31 2013
column/news by Paul Kelly
Libyan Journalist Khadija AlAmami has narrowly survived an assassination attempt in Benghazi. The attack came when a car drove up beside her own and started shooting at her through the window.
Malawi A man based in Lilongwe has claimed that he has developed a cure for AIDS, by using the bark of a certain tree in the area. He claims he has cured over ten thousand people with the medication.
Mali Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has won the country’s presidential elections. His main rival, Soumaila Cisse, graciously conceded defeat last Sunday.
Mauritania The government have announced legislative and municipal elections. The elections are to be held on October 12th.
Mauritius New National Climate Change Adaption Policy Framework has predicted that half of the country’s beaches will be destroyed by 2050 due to rising sea levels and intense storms.
Zambia The Prison Service has said it will not allow the distribution of condoms because doing so encourages homosexuality among inmates. Zambia’s constitution prohibits homosexuality.
7
dd’s cubicle
THE CRISES IN MALI AND THE LOSS OF ECONOMIC HOPE
Madagascar Has celebrated the 135th anniversar y of its Theological C o l l e g e , S t Pa u l ’s , i n Ambatoharanana.
AFRICAWORLD
By Dunstan Ukaga
Mali, situated on the north-west of Africa, and most cited as a model of democracy in sub-Saharan Africa, is going through a rough edge of security, political, social, economic and institutional crises in the course of her history. Mali is locked between Algeria on the north-east, Niger on the south-east, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Guinea on the south, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Most of the country is made up of low altitude plains interrupted here and there by rocky hills. The Sahara covers the northern third of the country. There are three climate zones from north to south : the north is within the semi-arid Sahalian zone, the interior delta of the Niger stretches out in this zone where the desert ends and the wooded savanna begins; and finally the south is characterized by a Sudanlike climate. Beyond the Sahalian region the climate is hot and dry, with average temperatures ranging from 24 degrees C to 32 degrees C in the south and rises as you move towards the north. Annual rainfall of about 1, 400 mm in the south is only 1,120 at Bamako, and 127 mm in the north. THE CRISES IN MALI. In March 2012, mutinous soldiers in Bamako, the capital, rose up in a coup, overthrowing the elected government of President Amadou Toumani Touré. The soldiers were angry over the government’s mishandling of a rebellion by nomadic Tuareg rebels in the country’s vast northern desert. But shortly after the coup, theTuareg rebels first seized much of the north and then were themselves pushed out by Islamist extremists. That development that raised worries around the world about the creation of a potential safe haven for terrorists.With Mali’s military reluctant to act, France began a military intervention in January 2013. After a round of air strikes failed to dislodge the rebels, the French military deployed ground troops and prepared for what it said could be a lengthy effort to retake the country’s north. Since the March 2012 coup, Mali has been ruled in theory by a series of civilian leaders while the military has appeared to retain power in fact. In April 2012, under international pressure, the military junta agreed to a civilian government led by an interim president, Dioncounda Traoré, the former leader of the national assembly, and an interim prime minister, Cheick Modibo Diarra, an astrophysicist who once worked at NASA and a political neophyte known for emotional outbursts. Mr.Traoré‘s future as president came into question a month later, when a mob of angry protesters stormed the presidential palace and beat him into unconsciousness. In December 2012, in an apparent second coup, soldiers arrested Mr. Diarra, the prime minister, who then announced his resignation on television. Three days later, a new prime minister, Diango Cissoko, was sworn in and took office.
At the same time, the upheaval in the government and military have left the Malian Army rudderless and unable to defend Mali’s northern desert region, which has become an enclave and training ground for radical jihad factions, including Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, who have imposed a brutal application of Shariah law that includes public whippings, beatings, amputations and stoning. The weak Malian army has retreated south and African nations especially Nigeria sent soldiers who recaptured the territory. In January 2013, the Islamists suddenly charged southward with a force of 800 to 900 fighters in 50 to 200 vehicles, taking over a frontier town that had been the de facto line of government control. Worried that there was little to stop the militants from storming ever further into Mali, France in less than two years intervened by sending armed forces into combat. By late January, the French forces had reclaimed a series of northern cities and towns from the Islamists. The basic problems of Mali hinge on these recurrent issues: 1. In the North, a Radical Islamist Takeover. 2. In the South, a Climate of Violent Repression. 3. Al Qaeda Link. 4. The Economic Crises and loss of Hope. Current Situation in Mali. After halting the advance of Al-Qaeda linked groups, French troops entered Kidal, the last Islamist bastion in northern Mali, as part of a counter-offensive which has seen Islamist fighters disappear into the desert. France said it wants to quickly get out again though and the international community is having to rewrite its plans for Mali. Timbuktu which was occupied by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) Ansar and Dine (Defenders of Islam) for ten months now is in the hands of French and Malian military.
social protection, which made up 33.45% of total expenditure. Social indicators have improved in recent years, but progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 remains mixed. Mali is on track to achieve universal primary education (goal 2), combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases (goal 6) and ensure environmental sustainability (goal 7), including the provision of drinking water. It will almost certainly fail to achieve the other goals, however.The Islamist groups that occupied the northern regions for nine months pillaged healthcare centres, pharmacies and schools, putting a significant dent in progress made.
THE MALIAN ECONOMIC CRISES AND LOST OF HOPE. An expert on Malian economy puts the loss of hope and the economic crises thus: “In addition to the food crisis that began in 2011, most Malians lost hope in their economy. Consequently, the economy largely grounded to a halt in 2012, and international cooperation was suspended. Real GDP growth was -1.5% in 2012 due to the weak performance of the secondary (-2.2%) and tertiary (-8.8%) sectors. For its part, the primary sector grew by 8.1%. Despite the recession and the suspension of international aid, the government pursued a policy of fiscal discipline in 2012. It restored its relations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in January 2013 and obtained a Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) of USD 18 million. This year, the Malian economy is forecast to come out of recession, with growth projected at 5.4% and 5.1% in 2014. This growth will be driven by rice, cotton and gold production, as well as by the creation of a third mobile network operator. But, political instability, economic crisis and war in the north of the country still pose downside risks for 2013 and 2014. The food, security and political crises have all exacerbated poverty. The poverty rate increased from 41.7% in 2011 to 42.7% in 2012. A serious humanitarian crisis began in January 2012, with 237 000 displaced persons, 410 000 refugees and at least 4.6 million Malians at risk of food insecurity.The government secured its spending commitments on education, health and
A PAINFUL FACT. Mali which is one of the ten poorest nations of the world, is one of the 37 heavily indebted poor countries. Mali, though a major recipient of foreign aid from multi sources especially from the World Bank, African Development Bank and the Arab Funds and bilateral programs funded by the European Union, France, United States, Canada, Holland and Germany, have not used her wealth to translate from poverty to enviable heights. It is believed that before 1991, Russia, China and the Warsaw Pact countries were a major economic source and military aid to Mali. Her per capita gross domestic product was $820 in 1999 with Mali’s great potential wealth lying in mining and the production of agricultural commodities, livestock, and fish. Today we could describe Mali as a country of abundance lying in the murky waters of poverty. This is a painful fact of not only Mali but most African countries. If the new Malian government could stabilize the country and put sincere and courageous efforts in mining, rice, millet maize, tobacco and sorghum farming, Malians would be capable of feeding themselves and even export these produce. How could a country rich in gold, fish, livestock and mining be among the poorest in the world? This is the pain of Mali.This is the stupidity of poor and inept leadership. This is the pain of Africa.
Earnings from gold production represent about 25% of GDP and 75% of export revenue. Gold’s place in the economy has continued to grow over the past twenty years. Despite this, there has been no endogenous creation of added value through benefaction. Development of the mining sector (7.6% of GDP) has also not led to the creation of national operators and service providers. Cotton makes up about 1% of GDP and 15% of export revenue’’. In summary, the Malian economy was in recession in 2012, with negative growth of -1.5%, compared to the initial forecast of +5.6%. It is forecast to rebound to +5.4% in 2013 thanks to the dynamism of the agriculture and gold sectors, plus the resumption of international aid.The poverty rate increased from 41.7% in 2011 to 42.7% in 2012 as a result of the food, political and security crises. While natural resources – in particular gold and cotton – play a vital role in the economy, the textile and gold-refining industries need to be developed.
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AFRICAWORLD AUG 16 -31 2013
photo news Family, admirers, friends & well-wishers went agog in celebration as Lolo Lauretta Ejelonu Igbosonu, Elevation publisher, celebrate golden jubilee birthday at Clarion Hotel Dublin Liffey Valley.
AUG 16 -31 2013
news by Paul Kelly
AFRICAWORLD
9
PICTURES Gambia President Yahya Jammeh has fired three Ministers in a major cabinet reshuffle. The Energy Minister, Science and Technology Minister and Transport Minister have all been replaced.
BLACKS SWEEP ATHLETICS IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
By Humble Obinna
Ghana A senior Ghanaian economist has described the economy as “cash strapped”, calling for major cuts in wages for public servants.
Guinean Journalist Alhasane Bah has been attacked by a group of disabled youths after photographing their attack of another disabled man. H is camera was broken in the attack and his equipment stolen.
Guinea Bissau Interim President Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo has announced that legislative elections will be held on November 24th this year. The vote is the first since a military coup in April 2012.
Edna Kiplagat
The black race seem to be proving their mettle and the stuff they are made of in the on-going 14th World Championship in Athletics which is running from the 10th to the 18th of August, 2013. This biennial event is held at the Luzhniki Stadium, in Moscow, Russia. A total of 206 countries are participating in it, the highest since its inception in 1983. At top of the medals table is the United States of America who had won a total of 132 gold medals since the start of the World Championships. However, many of the key athletes who have made this possible are people with black-African roots. In the on-going championships, people like Mo Farah (of Somalian origins) have done Great Britain proud in the 5000m, 10,000m and Christine Ohuruogu (of Nigerian origins) clinching the gold in 400m. From the seventh day into the event, the United States are second on the list with as much
as 20 medals, 6 gold, 11 silvers and 3 bronzes. The medalists include LaShawn Merritt, who won gold in 400m men race and also gold in the 4 x 400m relay race (men); David Oliver, who won gold in the 110m hurdles (men); Ashton Eaton, who won gold in Decathlon; Brittney Reese, who won gold in women’s long jump; Justin Gatlin, who won silver in 100m race (men); Tony McQuay, who won silver in 400m (men) and gold in 4 x 400m relay race (men); Ryan Wilson, who won silver in the 110m hurdles (men); Michael Tinsley, who won silver in the 400m hurdles race (men); Brianna Rollins, who won gold in the 100m hurdles for women; Dalilah Muhammad, who won silver in 400m hurdles (women); Brigetta Barrett, who won silver in the high jump event for women; Carmelita Jeter, who won bronze in 100m (women); Lashinda Demus, who won bronze in 400m hurdles (women). Other blacks who have won gold medals are Usain Bolt of Jamaica, who takes home his 7th gold in the World Championships; Mohammed Aman Geleto, from Ethiopia who won gold in the 800m men race; Stephen Kiprotich, from Uganda who
picked up the gold medal in the men’s marathon; Ezekiel Kemboi Cheboi, from Kenya, who won gold in the 3000m men steeplechase; Jehue Gordon, from Trinidad, who won gold in 400m hurdle race; Raphael Marcel Holzdeppe, who represents Germany and won gold in the pole vault (men); Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, from Jamaica who won two golds in both 100m and 200m; Abeba Aregawi Gebretsadik, originally from Ethiopia but representing Sweden won gold in 1500m (women); Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba Kenene, who picks her 5th gold in the World Championships in the 10,000m (women); Meseret Defar Tola, from Ethiopia who won the 5000m women race; Edna Ngeringwony Kiplagat, from Kenya, who won the women’s marathon; Milcah Chemos Cheywa, from Kenya, who won the 3000m steeplechase (women); Caterine Ibargüen Mena, from Colombia, who won gold in Triple jump. Clinching the silver medals are Hagos Gebrhiwet, Ibrahim Jeilan, Lelisa Desisa, all from Ethiopia. Others are Murielle Ahoure who won two silver medals in both 100m and 200m (women) and represents Ivory Coast; Conseslus Kipruto, Mercy Cherono, Gladys Cherono, Lydiah Chepkurui, all from Kenya;
Amantle Montsho from Bostwana and Blessing Okagbare from Nigeria. Coming up thirds are Nester Carter from Jamaica, Isiah Koech, Paul Tanui, Hellen Onsando Obiri, all from Kenya; Tadese Tola, Belaynesh Oljira and Sofia Assefa, Almaz Ayana, all from Ethiopia; Ayanleh Souleiman from Djibouti and Blessing Okagbare from Nigeria. These medals brought Kenya coming up fourth on the medal table, while Ethiopia comes up fifth. Irish Robert Heffernan made the country proud by being the only Irish to pick up a medal from the championship, when he picked up gold from the 50km walk for men. He had this to say for himself to relish his victory;“I was prepared mentally, and physically. I went through every kilometre beforehand, and I’ve been saying all year this is my Rocky scenario, going to Moscow, to take on the Russians. That’s what I did, and it makes me very proud that an Irish man can come to Russia, and beat them.” Mo Farah who became the second person in history to have won the gold medal for the 5000m and 10,000m from the World Championships and the Olympics at the same time. He was very joyous at the event and he had this to say for himself, “I am very proud to represent my country and hold the Union Jack. To all the people who give me great support I can’t thank you enough. Thank you to all the people back home.”
nigerian carnival ireland: in pictures
Kenya Three firefighters and seven policemen have been arrested for allegedly looting money and alcohol during a fire in Akwa Ibom airport.
Liberia President Sirleaf has admitted to her security detail that she is “difficult to protect”, due to her tendency to wade through large crowds and to go out at night. The President was speaking during the graduation of 30 army officers.
Western Sahara “Cerca del Olvido” (nearly forgotten), a movie on Western Sahara by Mexican filmmaker Luis Mariano Bouchot, is to be screened at the International Film Festival on Human Rights next October. The movie was filmed entirely in Sahrawi refugee camps.
NCI 2013, as usual, ran for a whole week with various exciting activities . The Carnival ran from Monday 12th to Sunday 18th August. See more on www.africaworldnewspaper.com
10 AFRICAWORLD AUG 16 -31 2013
beauty & fashion Sierra Leone Has launched its first Status of the Youth report. The report contains the most comprehensive assessment of young people’s employment, education and well-being.
love/news/celebrity
AGONY CORNER
With Abdul Yusuf
I am 25 years of age and still live with my parents at home. I won’t describe my parents’ marriage as ideal as my father is forever accusing my mother of having extra marital affairs.
Sincerely, he isn’t off the target as my mother specialises in dating younger men. Somalia Medicines Sans Frontiers has pulled all of its personal out of Somalia. The move is due to the continued kidnapping and killing of MSF staff.
South Africa Nelson Mandela is making a “slow but steady improvement” in hospital in Pretoria, the Presidenc y said on Sunday. The announcement is its first update in two weeks on the former president’s health.
South Sudan The government has begun talks with former rebels who accepted President Kiirs amnesty last year. The rebel groups have asked to be integrated into the army and police force.
Sudan Four government soldiers have attacked and raped a woman in a refugee camp in North Dafur. The group also attempted to rape her young daughter, but she managed to escape the camp by using a machete to defend herself.
Swaziland Electoral candidates are claiming fraud after some candidates were left off the nomination lists. The nominations are the first stage of the controversial election for members of the House of Assembly.
Uganda A recent study in the Journal of Paediatrics has found that a thin plastic bag can be used to save the life of some of the most vulnerable new-borns. The study found the bags can reduce hypothermia in pre-mature babies who are placed inside them after birth.
Severally my father has had to send some young men away from our premises, who come asking to be employed as drivers. Since I spent the better part of my life away from home: entered into boarding school from Junior Secondary School 1, beyond what I experience during the holidays and the complaints of my younger ones, I can’t say categorically that I know my mother very well. All I know is that she is very fashionable and beautiful as well as a socialite. Unlike my father who is more into his children and home, my mother doesn’t care much about us. We have all come to accept her for whom she is and the times I am at home or when my father comes to visit me in school. I always tell him not to bother too much about my mother. I often tell him that after 26 years as a couple he should be used to her ways by now. It is an open secret that my father is the one keeping the marriage; my mother doesn’t care one bit about it. As a child, can’t recall when she went to the kitchen to cook, I don’t even know what the taste of her food is like. She is that bad. Although I have always known my mother’s weakness for young virile men, not once did it occur to me that
my mother is capable of sleeping with my own boyfriend.
About three months ago, I brought my fiancé home to meet my parents. He finished before me and travelled to England to further his studies. He came back about four months ago to ask for my hand in marriage. Since his parents were familiar with me, I brought him home to inform my parents of our intentions to spend the rest of our lives together. My father has also met him while he was still in school. My mother was at home on the day he came. We all agreed on the day his parents would come to meet mine. Three weeks after, they came for formal introduction and to agree on a date for the introduction and wedding. It was during the period of our wedding planning that I ran into my mother and fiancé coming out of a hotel close to the house of the caterer I contracted for the wedding. While I was still trying to fathom what both of them could be doing in that place, my mother oblivious of who might be looking gave him a quick peck on his lips before zooming off in her car. I didn’t need to be told what they had gone to do in the hotel. My boyfriend didn’t know what to say when I called out his name. Right there and then he confessed and started begging for my forgiveness. He
claimed not to know how it all happened; that all he remembers is my mother inviting him over for discussions concerning the wedding plans. I am pained and so confused. Our wedding is on December 18 this year. I want to end it all. There is no way I can go ahead with a wedding to the man who has slept with my mother. The worst thing is my mother’s attitude. Even when I confronted her with what she had done, her attitude was ‘so what!’ My boyfriend and his best man have been pleading with me. My chief bridesmaid who has been my friend since our childhood is of the opinion that my mother must have charmed my boyfriend and that the best way to deal with her is to forgive my boyfriend and go ahead with the marriage. I am so confused. I haven’t told my father anything since I don’t want to hurt him more than she has hurt him all these years. Please tell me what to do. He is the only man I have ever fallen in love with in all my life. We have been together for five years and not once has he cheated on me. Even he was away, he kept calling me religiously everyday for the 18 months he was abroad. Once he sent money down for me to visit him. He has been that dedicated to me. He is still insisting he doesn’t know how he ended up in the hotel with my mother.
6 0 SECONDS WITH THE DUCHESS
By Nena Huntaz Ubani
Adonis O’holi is a model, poet, actor and the current Mr Africa International. D. Have you always wanted to do modelling? A. I never wanted to model, I got injured playing football and chose another path,
that path being acting in film, so I used the route of modelling to attract attention to get there. Kinda smart huh!
the gift of words. Today, writing is how I breathe. D. Who is your main inspiration?
D. How does one get a body like yours?
A. My father in heaven, Jesus and my mama and papa, they all inspire me. I am forever with and in love.
A. Well firstly, I have always been very active and that has never changed not slowed down. I love to play football and I play real hard. Although I do eat junk food, it burns off before it gets a chance to settle. On top of this, I go to the gym 2-3 times a week. I have got plans to start eating my veggies though. D. You also write poems. How did you discover your flare for writing? A. It was a gift given to me by God a few years ago. I went through a crazy time in which I actually lost my life, I was given a chance to live on and with that chance also
D. What do you do to relax? A. I love to go to the cinema and watch a great movie, I love music, most of all I just love to laugh with and/or at people, including myself. I can laugh my ass of at myself D. What are you currently working on? A. Right now I’m preparing the promo for my 2014 calendar, the launch of adonisoholi. com and learning line for a movie I’ll be shooting for 40 days in Bulgaria next month. It’s an extremely busy time for me.
AUG 16 -31 2013
COLUMN/NEWS CAMERRON FIFA have lifted the ban on the Cameroonian Football Association, meaning they can now resume normal games.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Soldiers from the Central African Republic, who fled to Cameroon, are refusing to return, fearing prosecution in their home country.
CHAD Renewed violence in Darfur has led to dozens of injured fleeing across the border to Chad.
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE A new smartphone app has been released to help farmers keep track of logging activity near them. It is hoped this will enable them to hold international logging companies responsible for any environmental damage they commit near their farms.
CONGO-KINSHASA UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon has hailed Pakistan’s leading role in peace-keeping operation in the country, despite the continued conflict.
COTE D’IVOIRE Murielle Ahouré has won second place in the women’s 100m sprint in the World Championship in Moscow.
Tanzanian Cleric Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda has been arrested in hospital after he was admitted for injuries sustained while evading arrest. The cleric was wanted for making “inflammatory speeches”.
AFRICAWORLD 11
news
Swaziland Global Week of Action for democracy The Global Week of Action for Democracy (GWoAS) is a noble iniative populated with all sorts of activities meant to raise awareness, educate and mobilise primarily Swazis and the entire progressive world about the urgent need for multiparty Democracy in Swaziland. This historic people`s annual campaign is born out of the a wide consultative engagement that was done by labor movement inside Swaziland and progressive political parties as well as internationalists across the globe. It is meant to annually profile and expose the sham independence of 6th September 1968 which was and is still devoid of democracy and freedom. The world is hereby reminded that while Africa as a continent is celebrating 50th anniversary of democracy and independence from colonial rule, there remain still a 1.2 million Swazis in the South inner most tip of the African soil, who
since the so called independence from British colonial yoke have continued to be treated as half human beings by a feudal monarchical elitist (Tinkhundla) Political system. This backward, oppressive and parasitic system of misrule is an offshoot of Apartheid in South Africa under the auspices of right wing extremist Afrikaner. The minority royal oppressive regime has continued to ban political parties ever since 12 April 1973, while on one hand crystallizing all political powers in the office of the Monarchy for the benefit of a few chosen and surrogate cliques. The essence of this abnormal political arrangement is solely meant to consolidate material and financial loot of all state resources by the monarchy and all hangers there in. While the liberation of Swaziland remains the sole responsibility of Swazis themselves on the ground, history teaches us that solidarity and
support remains vital for the dismantling of a undemocratic and dictatorial regimes. The people of Swaziland can no longer remain an island of dictatorship in a sea of democracy. Hence we implore the progressive world to offer solidarity practically in our quest for democracy, human dignity and freedom in our beloved country Swaziland. Aims of the Global week: (a) To raise awareness and popularize the seven core demands of People`s Charter as adopted in the historic 2012 peoples summit in Bosco Skill`s Centre Manzini (b) To educate and mobilise Swazis about what should entails democratic elections in a country serious about human development and pursuit of a prosperous society.The Carnival ran from Monday 12th to Sunday 18th August. See more on www.africaworldnewspaper.com
12 AFRICAWORLD AUG 16 -31 2013
NEWS
family CORNER Djibouti Minister of Defence, Hassan Darar Houffaneh has promised to increase military aid to the fragile nation of Somalia. The aid will include facilities and training equipment for the Somali military.
Egypt The army have declared a month long ‘state of emergenc y ’ in the country, after pro-Morsi protestors clashed with troops. Dozens have so far been killed in the conflict.
Equatorial New Guinea The Minister for Communications has forced the closure of a private radio station after it leaked information of an ethnic clash to international media. Over 50 people were k illed in the conflict.
Eritrea 39 Christian students have been arrested by authorities for practicing their faith. They are currently being tortured in Sawa military training station in an effort to force them to recant their faith.
Ethiopia A cargo plane from Ethiopia, filled with arms, has crash landed in Somalia’s main airport in Mogadishu. The plane caught fire as it landed, killing one crew member.
Gabon Have qualified for next year’s African Nations Championship after beating Cameroon during penalties.
GOD’S LOVE PREVAILS is now on sale
Zimbabwe Mugabe has attacked critics of his recent re-election saying that they can “go hang” themselves if they cannot accept it.
A new book “God’s Love Prevails”, written by Evangeline Ngozichukwu is published.
By Evangeline Ngozichukwu, our African Pride, gifted in writing and prophecy. God’s Love Prevails was published in USA. It is an incredible bittersweet true story of how God turns the situation of the rejected, the unjustifiably maltreated and marginalised around. PART OF THE PROFIT OF GOD’S LOVE PREVAILS WILL GO TO CHARITY IN AID OF THOSE GOING THROUGH WHAT THE AUTHOR WENT THROUGH.
The eBook version of GOD’S LOVE PREVAILS is now available for sale on the Xlibris bookstore, electronic book formats for the Amazon Kindle, Sony Readers, Barnes & Noble.com’s The Nook, Scribd. com and Booksonboard.com while tapping into the Search Engine Marketing power of Google. For a link to purchase and review, see.. www.amazon.com/Gods-Love-Prevailsebook/dp/B00ECZN696
AUG 16 -31 2013
AFRICAWORLD 13
family corner
P
s m e o e
ma Amakez
By Ositadin
And the morn came upon my dreams Lost in this doses of mirth and myth And I swerved upon full-fledged winds To the world of my real being of earth
Beyond Flesh and Blood To my Muse
Over unseen roaming being in its mind
Swerving in the breath of the wind Like with wings of little sparrows I stood upon the wind and soared To the abode of heights in billows
Astride unto a stalwart rainbow Bridled by the lightning’s strokes While the thunders roar and bellow I rode to the ambience of fiery stars
Beneath the flesh is the wing that takes you to all spheres, beyond this, is the subterranean vault from which science is delivered, beyond these and here technology incubates….
Caressing the sky with my feathers I harrowed the sliding fleecy cloud In the manner of ocean set in ripples
There I met with him, the sun Till darkness betide the dopey sky So I went in and slept with the moon She, the transcendental queen on high
GRACEFUL NIGHT In sounds and serene silence of the night The ripples and tides of its breezy ocean Swaying the tress to a roaring turbulence While dried leaves clap along the street
Wisdom Bits When allocations are shared one-on-one, you know the favourite Meaning: In every group there must be an outstanding person. After the day at local markets, vultures take possession late-on Meaning: Criminals operate in odd ways. After a bad season, comes a good period because hands can never encircle the moon Meaning: No condition is permanent.
Galloping over pebbles to uncertain end Then birds and their homing silhouette, Some low, while some across the sky sail Far and near, lyrics of cheerful creatures Amidst ceremonial hooting of ghostly owl Nowandagain,thewindblowsalongquietly With snarls of vigilant or weird wearied dogs Some queer and comic, whilst some sinister Well,allwasbrightlylitbythegracefulmoon The mid night I picked these songs below her. SWEET DREAMS Sweet dreams so are the blissful respite Whilst the angles watch over one’s night With cords and songs of immense delight Till the morning dawns in glow and bright
A safe journey is the most important aspect of it Meaning: Success is the most important thing in an assignment. If a rich kid break the calabash, he pays with his fathers Meaning: Children of the wealthy are more privileged.
Sweet dreams are when one sleeps tight Beyond the worries of life and their blight Dreaming dreams of creams and in spite That the morn comes with its own fight Sweetdreamsarewhenonewakesinflight Of the wings of determination and might Without terror, without ill, without fright Withfortitudeandgratitudebearthefreight Sweetdreamsareyettherhythmsthatbeat Intheheartsoftheawakenedandtheirfeat Foralldreamsandnoworkmakesonebleat So wake and work to have something to eat Sweet dreams sweetheart!
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When a kid crawl and pinch me, I will crawl and pinch back Meaning: Always stand upright for what is right.
FOL K TALE The Lion and the Antelope
Once upon a time in the Animal kingdom, there were different species of mammals including reptiles and carnivorous animals that lived together. In this kingdom, the Elephant was the ruler and the Sub-Saharan Lion was the Opinion and Opposition organiser. The Elephant ruled as a dictator, much to the dismay of other animals who organised a mass rebellion against him and ordered a new leadership election, led by the Lion. The election campaign for a new leader of the Animal Kingdom went underway and the Lion took advantage of his position and strength to become a bully. He terrorised other animals and made it clear that, as leader of the rebellion he was going to be the next leader of the kingdom. The rest of the animals disagreed with him and decided that this would be tested in an election through secret voting. By this time, the Lion was overtly confident that he was going to win the election because of his “outstanding contributions” to the “sunset days” of the Elephant’s reign. He was very confident that instead of taking part in the campaigns like his fellow contestants, he spent time preparing his inaugural speech. He met the Antelope who was one of the contestants and discouraged him from running as the new Commander-inChief because of his meekness in nature and lack of charisma. He went as far as threatening animals that were unlikely to vote for him. The Antelope did not feel downcast or threatened by the strength or threats of the Lion; instead, he intensified his election campaign, went from door to door, organised events and delivered his manifesto, speeches and messages of good governance and an inclusive government. This paid off as his humility and manifesto attracted most of the smaller animals such as the Squirrel, Grass Cutter, and Fox to join forces to campaign to vote the Antelope as their new leader. On Election Day, the Lion was convinced that he was the clear favourite and set up a committee to prepare his victory party. During this time, the Wolf, who was a secret supporter of the Lion and a returning officer, was chosen to announce the results of the votes at the Election Headquarters. When the results were handed to him, he opened the paper and discovered that the Lion had lost the election. At that instance, he contemplated putting the ballot papers back into the box but the fear that this could spark a revolt caused him to do otherwise. He also realised for the first time since the elections that he had lost all his powers and was no longer in a position to bully or dictate to other animals. Finally, he read the results and declared the Antelope to be the winner and the new leader of the Animal Kingdom. The win was a strong victory for the Antelope and his campaign manager, the Grass Cutter. Triumphant celebrations erupted in the camp of the Antelope while the Lion became aggressive and turned to the one buddy he thought he had – the Wolf. He ran after him and pounced and deepened his paws into the Wolf’s skin and the Wolf fought back. The fight that began because of betrayal turned to mayhem when other animals joined in the fight and the others took off from the kingdom. The Elephant intervened to stop the fight but the Lion charged towards him and the Elephant flung him off with his tusk, and dashed forward to kill the Lion but was restrained by other big and stronger animals who were watching this royal rumble. Some of the animals whisked the Antelope away to an undisclosed location for protection while the rest of the smaller animals took off to avoid being demolished by the brutal Lion. The consequence of this pandemonium was lawlessness in the kingdom. Over at the undisclosed location where the new leader of the Animal Kingdom was seeking refuge, they continued their victory celebrations. When the festivities were over, the new leader and his campaign manager were retreating for the night and stumbled upon the Lion who was nursing his dislocated calf from the Elephant’s pummelling. They mocked and jeered at him, taking the final result sheets that were in his hands and it dawned on him that he would never achieve the throne through greed and bullying. The Lion was ashamed and unable to fight back because of his injuries but assured the Antelope that as long as he was alive, he will fight back in due time and make sure that the Antelope never ruled the Animal Kingdom again. In response, the Antelope and Grass Cutter told him this proverb, “when the Lion is down, an Antelope collects his debt.”
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recipe column
GOAT HEAD SALAD - ISI EWU by Genevieve Agorua
Ingredient
-Dried pepper -Two leaf of utazi -Two cubs of maggi -1 Goat head of knor -1 cup palm oil -1/2 table spoon -Salt to taste gounded potash -Tsp grounded efuru seed
Cooking Cut the goat head into pieces, season with salt and a cube of maggi or knorr. Cook until the goat head is tender then set aside. Pour the red oil in the pot and reduce your heat. Add potash, using a wooden spoon to stir, then add the onions, pepper and seasoning cube. Stir and allow to cook for 3 minutes. While stirring, pour in the seasoned goat head with the stock. Then add efuru seeds and the chopped utazi leaf, stir and allow to simmer for 2 minutes. Finally, add salt to taste then serve with local palm wine.
14 AFRICAWORLD AUG 16 -31 2013
news
PICTURE NEWS
AKIDWA SUMMER CAMP Akidwa organised a summer camp for young migrant women. It was fun and lesson on tie and batic cloth colouring.
DIASPORA IVOIRIENNE CELEBRATE IN DUBLIN
The Ivorian Association in Ireland celebrate the Independence of Ivory Coast with friends and wellwishers.
EBUN AKPOVETA LAUNCH NEW BOOK “Trapped: Prison Without Walls”, a novel written by Ebun Akpoveta, author of Becoming Unforgettable, was launched at the Irish Aids Centre in Dublin on Saturday 10th.
AUG 16 -31 2013
Entertainment
By Lihle
AFRICAWORLD 15
DID YOU KNOW?
OUR AFRICA
1. Do you know that the most populated city in Africa is the Egyptian capital of Cairo with an estimated 17 million residents in the metropolitan area? 2. Do you know that Africa contains the world’s largest desert, the Sahara, which makes up an area greater in size than the entire continental U.S? 3. Do you know that Africa is home to the world’s largest living land animal, the African elephant, which can weigh between 6 and 7 tons? 4. Do you know that among the native population of Africa, there are more physical variations than any other continent in the world? 5. Do you know that Islam is currently the largest religion in Africa, with Christianity following closely behind. These two religions make up 85% of the continent’s population, while just 15% of the population are non religious or follow traditional African religions? 6. Do you know that the Second Congo War, which began in 1998 and involved eight African nations, is the largest war in African history? 7. Do you know that Ethiopia is featured prominently in several ancient Greek dramas and poems. The Greek poet Homer mentions Ethiopians in both the Iliad and the Odyssey as a “blameless race” and “amongst the noblest of men?
CARTOONS
By Max Chijioke Okafor
16 AFRICAWORLD AUG 16 -31 2013
lecture series