AfricaWorld Newspaper - January 2012

...Created to serve and inform

January 2012

VOL 001 Nº009

eu €1.00

The African Face of the Greek Immigration Crisis

NG - 100 US $1.00

FR BRIAN MOOREDEATH OF A HERO More on page 2

the fight against cLIMATE cHANGE More on page 5 Heart of the Matter More on page 7 nuclear power for africa

More on page 10

delicious african soup recipe More on page 8 africa cup of nations More on page 16 We distribute in Nigeria - Lagos, Abuja & Owerri South Africa - Johannesburg Upon hearing that I was foreign journalist this young Somali migrant introduced himself to me with the words “Please help me, I want to go to school, but I have nothing”

Somali Migrants in Athens

An Athenian Hell Worse than a Mogadishu Hell Words and photographs by Stephen Boyle

Greece, a country currently in dire economic straits, is also struggling with an immigration crisis on an unprecedented scale, a crisis that

has been largely ignored by mainstream media.

Some reports say an estimated 100,000 illegal migrants enter the country every year, mostly during the summer from the northern town

of Evros on the Turkish border.

At one point in October 2010 as many as 350 migrants were entering Greece every day. The results are overloaded detention centres that are forced to release detainees after a few days and diplomatic spats with neighbouring countries, such as Turkey, who refuse to take back migrants using their

Belgium - Brussels United Kingdom - London

Continued on Page 3

AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS IS 100 A

By Ukachukwu Okorie

frican National Congress is 100 and there have been celebrations around the world. ANC has a rich story to tell to the world. Although events seem to take a new shape considering the current situation of the rainbow country, however, the movement turned political party has a life-cycle

of pains - proscription - blood - death and victory. The story of African National Congress can be liken to the rise from grass to grace or the parable of a victim who became a victor.

The ANC defines itself as a “disciplined force of the left”. Early activists founded the organization as the South African Native National

Congress (SANNC) on 8 January 1912 at the Waaihoek Wesleyan Church in Bloemfontein . The main aim of the group then was to increase the rights of the black South African population. John Dube, its first president, and poet and author Sol Platje were among its founding members. The organization became

the ANC in 1923 and formed a military wing, the Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation) in 1961.

According to the ANC manifesto, its key objectives include the creation of a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.

From their interpretation means the Continued on Page 5

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

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January 2012

opinion

The return of the native

Editorial SITTING ON A KEG OF GUN POWDER

My people usually say, the heart is like a handbag, only the owner knows what is in it. For a second time in nine months, the issue is Nigeria.

The issue of terrorism by Boko Haram and removal of fuel subsidy is threatening the corporate existence of Africa’s most populous country.

In the last 12 months, the terrorist network Boko Haram, has killed more than 600, including worshippers in churches.And because it is new to the society, the security agencies find it hard to suffocate it. However, the truth about it’s existence and rise has been hidden to the world. Now what is the truth? Boko Haram (Western education is bad) started as a political thug group financed by some northern politicians then metamorphosed into a religious killing machine. Already President Jonathan Goodluck has expressed his suspicion of the involvement of some members of his government in their activities. Nobel Laurette Wole Soyinka recently expressed concern over the outbreak of civil war and disintegration of the country. According to Soyinka, the current situation is reminiscent to factors that led to the 1967 - 70 civil war.

Now the government has removed the fuel subsidy which triggered more than 100% inflation, thereby adding more trouble for it. On a more serious thought, the government is using the fuel subsidy removal to distract the masses and shy away from the real problem of the nation which could cause disintegration. I pray that this does not end up in a catastrophic manner.

My wish is that Nigeria leaders be pragmatic and patriotic to find the solution to this issue instead of letting it escalate.

As the AfricaWorld team welcome you, our beloved reader, into 2012, we have packaged a scintillating read for January. Our photographer Stephen Boyle travelled to Athens for a detailed research on the immigration trouble bedeviling Greece. Max Uspensky’s Congo series continues, tributes to late Fr. Brian Moore and lots more. As AfricaWorld wish you a happy and prosperous new year, I enjoin you to stay with us for a true African perspective of global events. Come inside.

Uka.

By Ukachukwu Okorie

A photograph of Father Brian Moore at the service of songs on 23 December 2011 at St. Peter’s church

Father Brian Moore (centre) celebrating the Harvest mass at St. Peter’s church in Phibsborough, Dublin

FR BRIAN MOORE DEATH OF A HERO “Brian was a very hardworking man and a great community and spiritual leader” Bertie Ahern (Former Irish Prime Minister).

According to French Poet As the Nigerian Vincentian - Jean de La Fontaine, He was a very community aptly put it, “he was a “Death never takes the good man very good man and full of kindness wise man by surprise; He love for human beings”. To and full of and is always ready to go”. immigrants in Ireland particularly The life of Fr. Brian Moore kindness and Africans, Fr. Brian provided a home CM, head of Vincentian away from home. He assisted all that love for Priests in Ireland can be sought his help in different ways human described as exemplary through the asylum process, beings accommodations, sundry in all ramification especially in the art of integration issues and spirituality. loving one another as humanity demands. He was the beacon of the African Catholic Though his abrupt passage to the great Chaplaincy in St. Peters, Phibsboro Dublin, beyond was, to say the least, shocking and which hitherto played an important role painful, however, the sea of heads that in the lives of Immigrants in Ireland, grieved revealed his life of service. notwithstanding their creed. According

AfricaWorld & Millenium Development Goals Editor Ukachukwu Okorie

Managing Editor Jekaterina Saveljeva

Sub-Editor Jacqueline Dale

Secretary Bridget Benya

Techinical Support Tony Agoruo

Sport Editor Colum Maher Photography Stephen Boyle

T

he Editorial team at AfricaWorld would like to point out that it is aware of the Millennium Development Goals Silver Merick Tiberio Oirebit Natália Bresciani Rocha Graphic Design Marco Rodrigues Online/Marketing Mirella Santos

Father Moore with a Catholic faithful - Vivian and her toddler Amarachi

to Brian Moore’s elder brother - John, “He was a good brother. He gave everything to the priesthood, Ireland and Africa”.

From the service of songs on Thursday 23 to his funeral on Monday 26 December 2011, attendance was great and cut across all sections of the society.

From past President and Prime Minster to those on the lower rung of the societal ladder, the representation showed his leadership, humility, kindness and greatness even in death.

Brian Moore CM, is a lesson for Ireland especially in the current economic situation. The late cleric listened to all who came to him no matter your place of birth.

He love to share rich ideas of different culture. As a widely traveled man, he was rich in wisdom and respected people.

Ireland and humanity lost a soul.

Former Taoiseach, Betty Ahern described him as “a community leader and a great and hardworking spiritual man.”

Even at his graveside, the tears of ordinary people reflected the qualities of the Vincentian leader and the importance of love for humanity. In the words of Irish novelist, Samuel Lover, “come live in my heart, and pay no rent”, Fr. Brian Moore had a large heart for all who longed for humane attributes. He lived for all.

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

Health, HIV/AIDS, Gender Equality, Environmental Sustainability and Global Partnerships. God Bless Africa – God Bless One and All.

Published by Uyokanjo Media Services Ltd. 46 Parnel Square West Tel: +353 (01) 873 4391 3rd Floor +353 87637 3210 E-mail: africaworldnews@gmail.com Dublin 1, Dublin City Skype: africaworld1 Republic of Ireland

January 2012

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NEWs

One problem, not specific to the Somali migrants, is the sheer boredom their situation enforces upon them.

With no work, or money, they have literally nothing to do all day but sit around.

Continued from Page 1

territory to cross Greek borders. life. Unfortunately they find out

Most disturbing of all is fairly quickly that they were the sight of what must be mistaken. With an overburdened thousands of migrants massing in asylum system the Greek Athenian squares and streets day authorities have little choice but and night with nothing to do but to require them to leave after 30 wait. And wait for what? They days. Few actually comply as they wait, but all that have no means to do comes their way is ‘Here is one of the so, for the reality is boredom, poverty and purest examples of that migrants will racism. human compassion most likely have

T h e y a re exhausted their and belief by largely young men resources on getting countrymen in fleeing conflict, civil to Greece in the first their fellow disorder and poverty. place. And with no They come to Greece as countrymen that I means of earning it is one of the easiest have probably ever money, they quickly EU countries to enter. fall into despair. witnessed’ Furthermore, there are Like most many comp eting migrants in the facilitating networks operating in Athens, the Somali nationals live Turkey resulting in less expensive in dire conditions. They sleep with migration costs than elsewhere.

10-15 occupants to a room in

Overriding all these cramped apartments. Many live reasons, however, is the belief rough. Many have been in Athens that Greece as an EU country for so long with so little that they might allow them to live a better suffer severe mental problems.

They have, they claim, no support from NGOs, the Greek government, the UN, or from anybody else except themselves.

Some are still grieving the deaths of friends and family in Somalia.

Others carry physical wounds suffered in the conflict back home, such as the man who showed me the bullet wounds in his leg, received while approaching a checkpoint on the outskirts of Mogadishu, and who now walks with a painful limp. Others carry wounds obtained from racist attacks in Athens, such as two young men I met who were recently beaten by local youths and left with broken teeth and severe facial bruising.

To the Athenians, the sight of hundreds of young Somali men congregating at night around a few small streets in western Athens provokes resentment, fear, distrust and not occasionally, racist violence.

While planning the trip I was warned by a Greek friend in Dublin to avoid this area. On arrival I was warned by my hotel owner to avoid this area. And when asking for directions one night I was even warned by the Athens police, who mistook me for a tourist, to stay away from this area.

Yet when I completed this initial leg of the story at the Somali Centre in Athens (where the migrants treated me with nothing but respect and courtesy) I became convinced that I had discovered a miracle. For here, in a run down neighbourhood in a nondescript derelict looking building a small dignity survives

A man shows me bullets wounds in his leg from a gun attack at a Mogadishu check-point a year earlier. He declined to allow his face to be photographed.

that sustains many on a lonely hostile trip to what they hope is a better life.

Here is one of the purest examples of human compassion and belief by countrymen in their fellow countrymen that I have probably ever witnessed. Here Somali migrants can receive food, advice and accommodation arrangements (if possible), Internet access, watch football, communicate with home, and generally find solidarity with hundreds of others facing the same problems. Here, while standing in the streets around the

centre at night, the activity that so unnerves the Athens locals, two topics of conversation dominate; football, and how on earth do they get themselves out of Greece.

But this is all they have. Incredibly, many spoke to me about their wish to return to Mogadishu in Somalia, seeing the chaotic war zone that is their country preferable to staying in Athens. I asked why and I was told because at least they had family there. At least it was their home. Here they had nothing. An Athenian hell for some, I was told over and over, is somehow worse than the hell of Mogadishu.

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January 2012

Having a (Near) Blast

By Dolores Martyn

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he Army Bomb Disposal Team of Ireland received a record number of call outs last year. Over 225 call outs were made in 2011, the highest number since the 1970’s. The reasons for the call outs included viable Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’S), Substances of Concern and Conventional Munitions Disposal.

The Defence Forces Bomb Disposals Team made safe 53 viable IED’S. This occured in areas around the country but mostly in

urban areas of Dublin.

Substances of Concern also provided the team with plenty of work. The team were deployed by the Defence Forces to laboratories across the country to make unstable chemicals safe.

Picric acid was the most common chemical to cause concern. It is a chemical re-agent that is commonly used in laboratories but can crystalise and become unstable over time.

The Army Bomb Disposal Team responded to discoveries of

old ammunitions from WWI, War of Independence and WWII eras.

On the 28th of June the team made safe six WWII Spitfire machine guns that were dicovered on the Inisowen Peninsula, Co. Donegal after archaeologists from Queen’s University excavated the site of a crashed WWII RAF Spitfire. The six Browning .303 machine guns were buried up to thirty feet in the bog along with approximately 1000 rounds of ammunition.

‘WE ARE AT WAR WITH CHRISTIANS’ - Boko Haram T he new leader of Nigeria’s terrorist network Boko Haram Imam Abubakar Shekau has appeared on Youtube for the first time declaring war against Christians and security forces saying “they were revenge for killings of Muslims”.

NEWs

In the video posted on line, he spoke in Hausa language, he boasted that the security agencies cannot defeat their organisation. It will be recalled that Boko Haram bombed Catholic worshippers on Christmas day at St. Theresa

Catholic Church in Madalla, Suleja, just outside the Nigerian capital of Abuja.

In the 15-minute video, Imam Abubakar Shekau, wore a red and white turban, a Nigeria armycolour camouflag bulletproof vest and sitting in front of two Kalashnikov rifles. He said the statement was in response to recent statements from President Jonathan Goodluck and the

leader of the country’s main Christian organisation, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

Lately, the terrorist network has stepped up its campaign killing Nigerians of Southern origin particularly the Igbos who are entrepreneurs across the north.

CAN head, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, had informed his members to protect themselves against the attacks, which he said suggested “systematic ethnic and religious cleansing.”

As we go to press, they are killing those fleeing the north back to the southeast and the security forces are yet to go on top of the situation.

Boko Haram Leader - Imam Abubakar Shekau

GLASNEVIN PASTOR RISK MARRIAGE OVER EXTRAMARITAL SEX

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fricaWorld can reveal authoritatively about the randy life of a top Dublin Pastor.

One of the new Nigerian churches in the Glasnevin area in Dublin 9 is buzzing with tales of their randy “man of God”. Inside sources informed AfricaWorld that the once promising Pastor is fast loosing it since last Christmas. The church which is not far from the German LIDL retail outlet has been a place for soul-searching and faith builders.

On investigation, our correspondent discovered that the extramarital sex has gone on for some time, thereby developing ‘roots’.

Because the Pastor is so respected and even called “Daddy”, no one feels courageous enough to talk to him. The issue is getting on the nerves of church goers as they love his wife, and would not let lust destroy a rising house of God.

AfricaWorld learnt that the Christmas period was another period the Pastor let them down as he was busy servicing the girl on the pretence of meeting up the tight spiritual schedule of the season. As we go to press, some bold church members are planning to confront him for the sake of his lovely wife and their new place of worship.

January 2012

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news Continued from Page 1

liberation of Africans especially black people from political and economic bondage. More so, uplifting the quality of life of all South Africans, especially those on the lower rung of the societal lad poor.

The struggle to achieve this objective is called the National Democratic Revolution.

According to reports monitored by AfricaWorld, the 3 day carnival went successfully well in the Free state province.

AfricaWorld correspondent in Johannesburg quoted a statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC National Spokesperson, saying “ f o l l ow i n g the declaration of the Waaihoek Wesleyan Church as the heritage site, the houses used by the ANC and its founding leaders in the Free State province, are in the process of being declared heritage sites. The ANC in the province has taken a decision to restore and upgrade the graves of ANC leaders who come from the Free State as part of the celebration”.

President Jacob Zuma who kick-started the celebration trace with nostalgic feelings the journey

of ANC in fighting a continental battle against European partition and disenfranchisement of Africa and its people. He said, “It is not only a celebration for the African National Congress and its members only. It is

spear that put apartheid to death, especially with the incorporation of trade unions and the Communist Party. He said “the movement prides itself on having a strong historical relationship with the working class.

a joyous celebration for all the people of South Africa, who, with the support of the continent and the world, destroyed colonial oppression and apartheid, and are building in its ruins, a free, democratic, nonracial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa together”.

Continuing, President Zuma went memory lane, quoting founding fathers in their words on what made the ANC the peoples movement and

The South African Communist Party was formed in 1921 and had engaged itself in issues affecting workers and the working class. The seeds of a unique Alliance germinated when the ANC and the Communist Party of South Africa resolved to work together in 1929. President-General, Chief Albert Luthuli referred to this relationship through an analogy that said the ANC was the shield and the South African Congress of Trade

Unions the spear. Comrade Oliver the blood of many martyrs”.

Tambo eloquently articulated the As the celebration importance of the Alliance as follows; continued wildly, AfricaWorld talked Ours is not merely a paper alliance, to ordinary South Africans who had created at conference tables and grudges about the direction of the movement which formalised through the signing of documents and is n ow in representing only an government. Many The South African expressed doubt agreement of leaders. Our Communist Party over the division alliance is a living organism was formed in 1921 and corruption that has grown out of and had engaged which is now struggle. We have built it out itself in issues prevalent. They of our separate and common affecting workers equally expressed experiences. President and the working fears about lack of Nelson Mandela, addressing class an SACP congress in 1995, jobs and the said about the relationship control of the of the ANC and the SACP; It is a economy which is still in the hands relationship that has detractors in of a minority especially those who abundance; a relationship that has its held the reins of power during the prolific obituary scribes. But it is a apartheid era. Internal wranglings relationship that always disappoints in the ANC hierarchy was not left out these experts. Because it was in the general criticism of the state tempered in struggle. It is written in of the party.

South African President - Jacob Zuma, Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki celebrates 100 years of ANC

Developing World lead way in fight against cLIMATE cHANGE

By Dolores Martyn

T

he seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) was recently held in Durban, South Africa.

The global meeting on climate change was the second largest of its kind and promises real breakthrough in the international community’s response to climate change.

“We have taken crucial steps forward for the common good and the global citizenry today. I believe that what we have achieved in Durban will play a central role in saving tomorrow, today,” said Maite NkoanaMashabane, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and President of the Durban UN Climate Change Conference (COP17/CMP7).

The governments, which included 38 industrialised countries decided to adopt a universal agreement on climate change no later than 2015 while working on reducing greenhouse

gas emissions to keep the average global temperature rise below 2 degrees celsius. They also made a second commitment to the Kyoto protocol.

According to Pablo Solón, former lead negotiator for the Plurinational State of Bolivia, “It is false to say that a second commitment period of the Kyoto

Corporate clowns juggle supporting the Green climate Fund

Protocol has been adopted in Durban.

The actual decision has merely been postponed to the next COP, with no commitments

for emission reductions from rich countries. This means that the Kyoto Protocol will be on life support until it is replaced by a new agreement that will be even weaker.”

Nnimmo Bassey, Chair of Friends of the Earth International, said “Delaying real action until 2020 is a crime of global proportions.. this summit has amplified climate apartheid, whereby the richest 1% of the world have decided that it is acceptable to sacrifice the 99%.”

Spokespeople for Climate Justice Now (CJN), asked the world community to remember that a real climate programme, based on planetary needs identified by scientists as well as by a mandate of popular movements, emerged at the World People’s Summit on Climate Change and Mother Earth in Bolivia in 2010.

The Cochabamba People’s Agreement was brought before the UN but was erased from the negotiating text.

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January 2012

news

WINNERS AT THE DIVERSE IRELAND AWARDS 2011

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he Irish Integration Centre ended their 2011schedule with the launch of Diverse Ireland Awards. AfricaWorld was there to witness the inauguration of ten categories of gongs cutting across different spectrum of Irish life. From business, education, politics, journalism, services, personality, sport and culture.

The Awards which attracted people from different communities were ten in numbers, including Journalist of the year, of which Metro Eireann Editor - Chinedu Onyejelem was one of the nominees.

One of the highlights of the day was ‘the Arts/Cultural Awards which was won by Love Music Hate Racism. On behalf of AfricaWorld Newspaper, the editor presented the Award to

Kurt Nikolaisen. According to insiders in the Integration Centre, when Kurt approached high profile acts to get involved

in his gigs, many said - “sure there’s no racism in Ireland.....”.

So far Love Music Hate Racism has helped bring the issue of race to the surface.

Other categories of Awards include - Journalist Individual - TD - Local Authority - Sporting Organisation - Support Service - School - Large Company - SME. The Diverse Ireland Awards is a yearly event. For more information, log on www.integrationcentre.ie

Sylwia Kaminska’s Fun-d-raising from Hell

Models at the Fun-D-Raising Hell

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The award winner (left) and the presenter, AfricaWorld editor (right) at the ceremony

riends and Family came to aid of creative fashion star Sylwia Kaminska at the Fun-draising from Hell show last month.

The designer who lost substantial amount in Morocco over a fashion deal gone wrong attracted lots of support. AfricaWorld was there to witness the gathering tagged “4us and about us” and talk to lovers of fashion and culture. Her experience in the bad deal, which cost her a lot spurred people to donate 5euro for a new fashion experience towards Umit Kutluk collaboration with Sylwia Kaminska in creating a new

line of Ladies Apparel later in February this year.

The fashion show “4us and about us” was attended by over 250 at D-Light studios which was offered

by Agata Stoinska in 15th pf December 2011. The event which was more free-style fashion extravaganza raised about €1473 at the night to support setting up work placement in Ireland with the new fashion label of Sylwia Kaminska.

The Fun- d-raising continues and is featuring Fashion Open Coffees http://www.facebook.com/groups/ FashionOpenCoffee/ that will help her to grow in http://www.facebook.com/pages/ M i n d -yo u r- ow n- F a s h i o nBusiness/215171965225440 as it is all 4Us and About Us h t t p : // w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / groups/319050814780088/ For more information, contact: www.sylwiakaminska.com M. +353 87 054 93 89 E. sylwia@sylwiakaminska.com

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opinion

Heart of the Matter: One Man – Many SOBs

“Sese Seko, Sese Seko!”

power once before in a CIA sponsored coup on September 1960.

Thus implored and cried the crowds As head of the armed forces and the as George Foreman and Muhammed coup, he was responsible (after Ali stepped down from their Belgian advice) for delivering the airplane in Kinshasa. The ‘rumble popular Patrice Lumumba to in the jungle’ was on. Truth be Elisabethville where Lumumba was known - that ‘rumble’ had been then brutally tortured and under way in a more serious fashion murdered. Mobutu’s ruthless and during the past hundred years in violent credentials were thus the Congo. The two flew in by verified through his skill for invitation of one Supreme opportunism .

Paradoxically, Mobutu was Commander and Combatant, Sese Seko, Lord of all Congo. Whilst most accoladed as, ‘Second National Hero’ Congolese managed on less than and deliberately promoted himself fifty cents per day, Sese Seko felt he as Lumumba’s worthy successor could find the $5 million fee which given the latter’s near mythical His acceptance of boxing promoter Don King status. demanded (and which no one else Lumumba’s mantle together with his own in the world would pay).

African peculiar vision

Mobutu Sese governments and produced the Seko or Mobutu Sese of Seko Nkuku Ngbendu the vampire-like t e n e t ‘A u t h e n t i c wa Za Banga a la Manga avec Coltan was in fact politicians who run C o n g o l e s e born Joseph-Desire them are regarded Nationalism’.

Mobutu on the 14th by the populations Indeed when it is said, “He had October 1930. Mobutu they rule as yet a penchant for reigned as President another burden killing Africans between 1965 and 1997, assuming t h e they have to bear in who stood in his way and presidency following the struggle for then spun wild the ‘Congo Crisis’. The survival yarns about crisis fermented the their quaint immediate post colonial rush to freedom between and amusing culture”, we can well the opposing camps of the national imagine that of Mobutu in respect government (itself split) and the to Lumumba – in fact this is the secessionist mining states of Kasai author Adam Hochschild and Katanga, in what was to become commenting on Henry Morgan a Cold War campaign by proxy. It is Stanley - Leopold’s very own doyen.

Mobutu banned party here that the vicious Mobutu activism for five years and pedigree can be traced.

Here he had first seized produced a doctrine of nationalism,

By Max Uspensky

gIVE AWAY AfricaWorld has 4 tickets to give away to our readers to the Juste Debout Dublin Ireland.

Send us a post card by February for your chance to be there.

Two lucky winners will take a friend to this great show!

Address: 46, Parnel Square West 3rd Floor - Dublin 1 - Ireland

Don’t forget the deadline is the 5 February and to include your address.

Mobutu Sese Seko

revolution and authenticity through the Popular Movement of the Revolution (MPR). The MPR’s slogan was, ‘Neither left nor right’.

‘Nor even centre’ was added some years later. In actuality the MPR remained the exclusive legal political party until 1990.

This characteristic African political hegemony allowed Mobutu to amass a personal fortune of some $5 billion by 1984.

Although he effectively purged the country of traditional colonialist elements, he substituted an atypical social form of neocolonialism all too frequently encountered on the continent.

This translated into a worldwide reputation for expert kleptocracy and nepotism.

His legitimacy, once again all too typical of the African condition, was supported by a

personality cult and perpetuated an array of aggrandising titles – ‘Father of the Nation’, ‘Savior of the People’, ‘Supreme Combatant’, ‘Big Cornetto’.

His wealth, kleptocracy, nepotism, support through the one party structure of the MPR (source of many Sons of B****** - SOBs) all served one man and his SOBs. And as such it should come as no surprise that he should charter Concorde aircraft for his personal use or build a runway for them in the middle of the jungle next to his own ostentatious Gbadolite palace while famine, disease and conflict decimated the populace. These were more than just follies of power – they actually make him stand out as shameful in front of Leopold (the archetypical, evil colonial villain).

His legacy was such that, incredulously he paved the way for an even more heinous regime to

follow. Is that a Jacob’s ladder trend in reverse of Congo affairs? First Leopold, then Mobutu, then Kabila?

We should again venerate Joseph Conrad’s tripartite premise of the ‘Heart of Darkness’. First, Conrad assumes a harsh environment, then he recognises the bad that people do and finally that same potential within all of us. It is such a poignant concept of the Congo constructed over one hundred years ago. Fellow intrepid Pole, Ryszard Kapuscinski, more recently commented (and similarly) in the 1960s, “The problem of Africa is the dissonance between the environment and the human being.” Africa’s penchant for individuals such as Mobutu in positions of leadership only creates a harsher environment. Martin Meredith, author of The State of Africa fully concurs when he recently proclaimed, “African governments and the vampire-like politicians who run them are regarded by the populations they rule as yet another burden they have to bear in the struggle for survival.”

Robert Guest, past African editor for the Economist puts it yet another way, “The African vampire state is hard to reform because most necessary reforms would reduce the power and wealth of the people in charge.” The Congo goes to the polls this month (November).

Given its past 125 year history, these elections are all the more important.

God bless the Congo.

“Silly Sicko Sese Seko!”

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January 2012

NEWS

LABOUR’S INTERCULTURAL GROUP BACKS PROPOSAL FOR EQUALITY TRAINING FOR PUBLIC REPS STATEMENT BY LABOUR INTERCULTURAL

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abour Intercultural backs Labour Councillor Paul O’Shea’s (Ennis Town Council, Co Clare) proposal that a l l p u b l i c re p re s e nt a t i ve s should receive three hours of equality training.

“Labour Intercultural group supports the motion put to Ennis Town Council by Cllr Paul O’Shea to introduce training in equality, anti-discrimination and racism for all public representatives. It is regrettable the Council voted down the proposal. It is also regrettable that some Councillors voted the proposal down on the grounds

that ‘they don’t need training’’, comment Karen McCormack and JM Singh, Co-Chairs of the Labour Intercultural group.

“Most public representatives have a wide range of skills, and are well equipped to deal with the issues that are raised with them daily.

No doubt many are also familiar with the equality legislation and best practice in all areas of equality. However, there is bound to be a need for up-to-date information, knowledge on best international practice and an understanding of how discrimination works. We urge

Councillors to re-submit this motion across the country at their local Councils. Good quality training could be offered at one of the Councillors’ quarterly meetings to maximise on the delivery of the training.

“The fresh research which shows that the majority of public representatives believe they would lose votes if they raise migrant-related issues shows that we have underlying issues with immigration, integration, discrimination and racism. It is likely too many myths and misinformation are affecting this issue negatively. The least we can do is to ensure the public re p re s e nt a t i ve s h ave t h e necessary information and k n ow l e d ge t o d e a l w i t h immigration and integration related issues.”

Contact Karen McCormack 087 293 2828 JM Singh 086 152 4059

A TRIBUTE TO ONE SO ENDEARED TO AFRICANS Late FR. BRIAN MOORE, CM There is no doubt you were looking forward to the year 2012, But you missed it by 12 days We cannot help but ask, “Why so soon? Why the hurry?” You just couldn’t wait - You couldn’t wait to join the Glorious Twelve Above. May they welcome you just as you were welcoming to us.The entire worshipping community of The African Catholic Chaplaincy of Dublin Archdiocese says A DIEU! We will miss you.

Debsandy the winner of Best Album at the Gospel Music Award Ireland 2011

January 2012

THE PRIDE OF AFRICA in association with Comfort salon

Lisa-Marie de Beer is from the Western Cape in South-Africa and a fashion designer.

By nature, she is very creative and has shown it in her colourful and intricate designs.

She did her internship at a famous South African designer - Johann Smith. In South Africa Lisa made evening dresses for the local school’s beauty pageant for 4 years, where her dresses were worn by the winner on numerous occasions.

She has participated in Miss Ethnic, Women’s Day Amazonian Fashion Show, and various other fashion events and charity fund-raisers in Dublin.

Lisa-Marie desire to be a famous South African designer known for her customised style of design, and to help the South African fashion industry grow with emphasis on local themes to demonstrate the diversity of the rainbow country. Ms Lisa-Marie interests include photography, travelling, social networking, music and much more.

Mixed meat and pepper soup

By Chinwe Ihegbu

Ingredients Crayfish Cleaned stripe (Shaki) Liver (optional) Goat meat Chicken 2 chopped onions (medium-sized) 4 chopped tomatoes (medium-sized) Utazi (or mint) leaves 1 tsp curry powder 1 tsp thyme 4 ehu seeds 2 tbsp oil 3 stock cubes Ginger Black pepper Chilli pepper Salt Method Heat half the oil in a large pan. Dice the shaki, goat meat, chicken and liver. Place the shaki in the pan and cook until it begins to soften, then add the goat meat, the chicken, the liver, the onion, and a pinch of salt, and simmer until all the meat is tender. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon, skim the fat from the stock and set aside.

Blend the tomato and chili pepper together and set aside. Then blend together the black pepper, ehu seeds and crayfish Heat the remaining oil, add all the blended ingredients with the stock cubes and stir well.

Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cooked meat, and just enough water to cover the contents, and stir again. Simmer for a further 15 minutes. Add the utazi leaves/mint leaves and simmer gently for 5 more minutes.

Served with boiled rice, yam, potato or agidi.

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10

January 2012

Column

Africa is Long Overdue for a Second Nuclear Power Station

By Anthony Ekpechue Anthony is a Senior Systems Analyst for Microsoft Ireland.

A

frica is yearning for growth – the growth which can only come from technological advancement. We are not asking to become a member of the G7 nations, or even to be regarded as a ‘first world’ country in the immediate future. Nor do we aspire to be a military superpower like the US, Britain or China. All we ask is to have clean water supplies, increased crop growth, good, accessible hospitals, internet access, and an environment where small scale industries can thrive and flourish.

The only way, however, to achieve these small, ‘luxuries,’ is to increase our energy production.

Many African countries have initiated World Bank or IMFsupervised electricity projects for rural communities, in order to enhance development and growth.

Sadly, most of these have been unsuccessful, or have failed to provide the required energy capacity. Obstacles such as failed wind turbines caused by natural disasters, or the effects of drought and flood on hydro-electricity installations are commonplace, while some projects have simply been badly mismanaged, as in Nigeria. In other cases, countries don’t possess the essential natural resource - oil - to power gas turbines. Hence, there is now an increasing number of African countries looking to go nuclear as the continent’s energy needs grow.

Nuclear power plants currently provide 13–14% of the world’s electricity, with the United States, France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear-generated electricity. In

2007, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that there were 439 nuclear-power reactors, in 31 countries worldwide.

More than 150 nuclear-powered naval vessels have been built. Of these statistics, Africa can only boast of one red dot on the International Nuclear Safety Centre’s map - marking the continent’s only nuclear power station at Koeberg, on the South Africa’s west coast. But several other African countries are eager to change that. And, soon.

A curious and little-known fact is that the African Continent is not new to nuclear reactions. In 1972, the only known natural nuclear reaction on earth was discovered in the Oklo region of Gabon. A French mining company had found that the uranium samples they had extracted were depleted in the rare isotope, uranium 235 - the only naturally occurring material on earth capable of sustaining fission reactions. It was as if the material had already gone through a nuclear reaction and had been used up, and this scenario is still supported by later studies.

Scientists believe that a concentration of uranium 235 went critical around 2 billion years ago, and underwent fission, just as it does inside man-made nuclear reactors. That was then, and this is now, and the need for Africa’s population to reap the benefits of nuclear power is increasingly urgent.

Next time: the challenges, requirements, expectations and accreditations required, before a nation can be considered worthy of building a nuclear-power plant.

DIMKPA

By Mazi Uche Azukaoma Osakwe

Dim Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu (1933-2011), a historian, war General, Eze Gburugburu Ndi-Igbo known for his forthrightness, heroism, and nationalism who led the defunct Republic of Biafra against the genocidal war with Nigeria is dead. Ojukwu was radiant, a superb erudite scholar with a capacious mind, an ability to understand the complex issues and provide answer which in a way that was very logical to the masses. He was born on 4th November 1933 at Zungeru in Northern Nigeria to Sir Louis Odumegwu-Ojukwu. His father was a businessman and a successful transport magnet from Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. He was educated at King’s College in Lagos.

At the age of 13 his father sent him abroad to study in the United Kingdom first at Epsom College and later at Lincoln College, Oxford University where he obtained Masters Degree in History.

On his returned to Nigeria in 1956 he joined civil service instead of plying trade with his father. He became an administrative officer at Udi in Enugu state. Not done yet he joined Nigerian Army as one of the first and few University graduates to join the military.

Ojukwu served in United Nations’ Peacekeeping Force in the Congo under the command of General Aguiyi-Ironsi. On his returned from Congo he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1964 and posted to 5th Battalion of Nigeria Army in Kano.

Ojukwu came into national prominence in 1966 when he was appointed military governor of Eastern Region by General AguiyiIronsi the then Nigeria head of state.

But the counter coup in July 1966 by reactionary military officers of northern Nigeria resulted in the death of the head of state General Aguiyi-Ironsi and subsequent killing of Ndi-Igbo in northern region. The pogrom of Ndi-Igbo in the northern

The Last Man Standing region started in July 1966. He used his power to convince his fellow Ndi-Igbo against reprisal against non-indigenes.

Ojukwu believes in fairness and justice. He demanded that the senior military officer in the person of Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe should assume the mantle of leadership as a result of the death of General Aguiyi-Ironsi, but the coup plotters led my Majors Murtala Mohammed, Theophilus Danjuma, and Martin Adamu insisted in General Yakubu Gowon as the head of state.

Though Ogundipe could not rally support among officers Corp especially the Guard Battalion which was under the command of Joseph Nanven Garba who by the way was member of the musketeers. It was at the height of this disagreement between Ojukwu and Gowon that led to stand-off between the duos.

However, it was the decision of General Gowon and his military juntas to create new state in the Eastern Region and the sustained killing of Ndi-Igbo in the northern region and the inability of the Gowon’s led administration to abide by the agreement reached at Aburi in Ghana under General Joseph Ankrah that led to the breakaway of the Eastern Region under the new name Republic of Biafra in 1967. It culminated to three years civil war which ended in January 1970. He left to Ivory Coast and after 13 years there he returned to Nigeria in fanfare and heroic welcome.

Ojukwu is a national icon, a patriotic leader, brave, courageous, fearless, cultured, and enigmatic, a fluent speaker with harmonious tones, the charm and the liveliness of his wit and his panache for justice and fair-play speak volume. His name epitomised struggle, marginalisation, and hope. He is Moses to Ndi-Igbo just like Moses was to Israelites. He stood for Ndi-Igbo till death.

Ojukwu and Moses shared same similarities but born in different era, environment, history and age.

Moses was born in an era Israelites were in bondage, slavery and exile in Egypt. Moses was God’s chosen leader for Israel and lead Israelites out of Egypt. Moses was not fluent with

words “I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Moses took the bull by the horn, confronted his captors and demanded “let my people go.” The answer was No. It was the beginning of long journey to freedom.

At the end he led them out of Egypt.

Although he did not led them to the promise-land but he handed to a successor called Joshua.

Ojukwu was born affluence but chose to dine with the common masses. He refused to be cow when the stand-off between him and Gowon and refused to compromised during the evil pogrom committed against the Igbo.

He shuns the beauty and reward of office and sacrificed his time, money and family to fight for just cause.

Like Moses who was chosen

by God, it was the divine providence that brought Ojukwu as Igbo leader.

Like Moses there were discordant voices but at the end he was accepted by all the people in the case of Ojukwu the same happen but at the end nobody disputed his leadership. He did not fail or found wanting. He committed his entire life in defence of Ndi-Igbo and the poor masses in other regions. He never compromised the interest of NdiIgbo. He never goes begging in Abuja for piece of cake for his selfish interest as some Igbo elite do.

Unlike Moses who handed to a successor Ojukwu did not hand over to any successor. This is the dilemma of Ndi-Igbo. Ndi-Igbo have been reduced to minority region by combined forces of other regions in Nigeria. Who will speak for us? Who will stand for us? Who will tell the captors let my people be free?

Who will be the Biblical Joshua to Ndi-Igbo? I’m afraid that the present Igbo elite may not fit into that shoe as some (many) of them do not possess the rear gem of Ojukwu, eloquence, bravery, honesty, commitment, die-hard patriotism and above all service above self.

Finally when the chequered history of Ndi-Igbo is written his name will be in gold just the Biblical Moses.

Ndi-Igbo are waiting for Biblical Joshua of Igbo origin to continue from where Chukwuemeka stop.Time they say will tell.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT

By Adaku Okafor Ezeudo

H

ow many of us realise just how important it is to stay true to one’s self?

Sometimes, the road we follow in life is simply what our parents or teachers decided for us; sometimes it’s a means of surviving and paying the bills; sometimes it’s completely accidental, and we stay in the rut we’ve created for ourselves because that’s easier than branching out in a different direction..

I trained in accountancy

– a career chosen by my father because I would always have a professional qualification, and work. Throughout all of my years of experience, though, I came to realise that I had never experienced any real sense of personal fulfillment.

I found myself looking perpetually for opportunities to give my time, and whatever talents I may possess, to those that needed help. And, of course, this naturally led to a dilemma: should I leave my years of experience in financial services behind, and begin a whole new career, or not?

It was a tough decision, but, after talking it over with friends and colleagues, I decided to stay true to myself and follow my passion.

And so began my new career path in International Development.

Now, I can fulfill my desire to help those in need, rather than sitting in front of a computer screen tracking and maintaining financial records.

So, despite the economic downturn, with

people clinging to their jobs by the skin of their teeth, and lots of wellintentioned friends and acquaintances trying to dissuade me from taking such a bold step, I made the decision to stay true to who I was.

And we can all do this – maybe, not just now – but it can happen.

“Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.” John Jakes

January 2012

11

family CORNER

Poems

The Third World Colours

Bright as your garment Deep like your gaze Proud as your mother Where it all began I saw you with a smile From the eyes of your chick One with the rainbow When will it be?

The food that nourishes One that will bind Like the story of them Them that are penguins

Ujo

The Big Willie

Chineke

Sets the rules for the earthen ware jars shapes the porter from eyes to hand without any change old as your abode love as always you look unto her when she pushes on him man sets tongue wagging knowingly and unknowingly heralding who you are

Wisdom Bits

Engine of the family you differentiate men from boys friendly to the rise of humanity awh! you love the beaded meat ruthless at the wrong pelvic they admire your swagga and hunger for your actions even at a probation period you wreak havok as you love the family you also tear ‘em apart a rare gift to mankind to who it concerns you are a bargaining chip and the real power that decides who rules

Connect with

The eye that never see good things let it be Meaning: Enemies of progress are naturally evil minded

It is advisable to search for a goat during broad day than at night Meaning: It is always good to search for solutions early enough

The hen says why it shouts when her chicks are taken forcefully is not that it cannot act but for the world to take notice.

Meaning: There is need for evidence and witness to win a case

When sleep becomes so sweet, snoring sets in Meaning: When one is hooked to a vice, addiction sets in

The toad does not run in vain during the noon Meaning: Sudden worries mean there is problem

Intimidating the spirit the stillborn man you are loved by brutes and those that bully like ancient gods you are revered by animals attached you are to them like a Siamese twin you bring worries like a lover you love to caution but rule over a people nations get thy smack before the main menu you make pants wet you love the panic buttons like throats love water but when chips are down you dread yourself like a layman in battle

AfricaWorld on

No matter how you clean a pig, it is always a hog Meaning: No matter how you rehabilitate a chronic addict, he will always find his way back at some point

#africaworldnews

WHY THE LION AND HYENA ARE SWORN ENEMIES O

nce upon a time, there lived a large family of big cats and there was love, peace and harmony. The kindred consisted of brothers, cousins, nephews, nieces, aunties and uncles.

Because of the love they had for each other, eating from the same pot was a tradition and custom. As relatives, they were thought the importance of being their brother’s keeper especially in hunting and if attacked by other animals. As a matter of fact, they hunt together, leaving the younger ones to watch them practice their skills. The young cats are often left in a corner of the jungle if there was a very big hunt. But they equally fall vulnerable to rampaging enemies and preys at times.

At a certain time, famine set in at drought made crop dry up and vegetarian animals started dying. Those who stared death due to lack of food were forced to emigrate to farthest grazing lands and there were little or no preys to hunt.

At a result, the hyena mother was apprehensive of her children dying. Thus she began to be involved in desperate measures like including killing children of their

jungle stream. He was caught with his two young ones tearing two lion cubs apart and life in the family became “to your tents”.

Actually, the hyena took the young ones for a stroll to the stream only to devour them but luck ran out as one of the lion cubs escaped.

This development shattered the Cat family and peace never came back. This is why there is eternal war between lions and the hyena as the former always attack the latter anywhere. As a form of defence, hyenas never move alone around any jungle where the pride operates. Enmity between the lion and hyena has continued till this day.

relatives, including the lion cubs for meal.

This secret and callous murderer went on and on without being caught. Beside raising tension in the family of big cats, the

continuous disappearance of cubs made lion attack innocent animals.

Luck finally ran out for the hyena one dull afternoon near a cave around the

12

January 2012

entertainment

Cartoon by Dimitri

Mums of the World, Unite

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Leader of Adorable Mum - Gbeminiyi ‘Gee Bee’ Shogunle

lthough there are many men who raise children and run a home marvellously well, these are tasks which more naturally fall on the shoulders of women all over the world, and it is mainly women who can nurture the attitudes that could transform the world as we know it.

Currently on the rise, and working hard to make a difference by changing lives and influencing others, is a group known as ‘Adorable Mum’ (ADM).

Created from a genuine desire to empower and encourage women, ADM has become one of the most popular pioneering women’s groups on Facebook, and reaches out to thousands of mothers

around the world.

It is an innovative forum, celebrating motherhood and advising mothers through contact with a supportive, diverse and compassionate community, and also through education.

According to Gbeminiyi ‘Gee Bee’ Shogunle, the Founder and President of ADM, “As a member of this group, no mother should ever feel alone, and together, hand in hand, we will all emerge as stronger and better mothers in an environment of love, care and trust.”

Every mother needs a good support system. You can join in by logging onto: www.facebook.com/ groups/adorablemum/

For a taste of what you’ll find, here’s a contribution from Omoshalewa Thomas:

10 things I wish every child knew * No one is perfect. * Love is the most powerful thing we can give and receive. * When you hurt someone, you hurt yourself. * You are truly one of a kind. * Listen to your gut feeling. * Loss is part of life. * You always have a choice. * Make the most of every minute of your life. * Forgive and let go. * Give with all your heart.

January 2012

13

entertainment

Beauty tips by TINA

CHIT CHAT

A figure Worth to live for! Hate exercise? Try Zumba

Wife in coma after catching hubby in bed with his Bestman

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arely two days to Christmas, the marital bliss of a two-monthold couple was torn to pieces when the wife caught her husband red-handed having sex with another man who turned out to be the bestman to her husband on their wedding day.

The unholy act of both men indulging in sodomy took place right inside the couple’s room and on their matrimonial bed.

The wife, who is a Catholic by faith was shocked to her marrow by the discovery. The unholy picture of man making love to another man proved too much for her sanity and she fainted. The scandalous incident took place at the couple’s residence somewhere in one of the county of Ireland.

Although the couple had been living “happily” as husband and wife, since their wedding in October, the husband’s homosexual inclination was writ large, only that his wife failed to decipher the handwriting on the wall.Three weeks before that shocking discovery, the wife, who is a staff of a top notch fast food chain, had complained to an

older close relative about her husband’s lack of enthusiasm for sex and his blatant shirking of his conjugal obligation to his new wife.

According to a source close to the embattled couple, the husband made love to the wife only once in their two months of marriage. “When she complained about this to my mother, she (my mother) told her to take it easy. My mother told her that some men are like that, not overly excited when it comes to sex,” the source narrated.

Armed with the advice that her husband may by his nature be a man of moderate sexual appetite, the sex-starved wife went home, thinking of subtle measures to use to coax her husband to perform his marital obligation.

Three weeks later, she stumbled on his sordid secret.

The discovery was a fortuitous incident. On that fateful day, December 23, the wife decided to leave her office earlier than her normal closing time. The 32-year-old got home by 4 p.m. and to her consternation met her husband’s car parked in front of their two-

bedroom bungalow. It was unlike her husband to be home before 6 p.m. Letting herself inside with her key, she headed straight into their room and there she got the shock of her life.

The husband and his partner in sin had since vanished into thin air. He continues to remain at large while his broken-hearted wife hovers between life and death in the hospital. A source close to the family, who spoke on condition of anonymity, blamed the beleaguered wife for the mess she currently found herself in. Describing the couple’s wedding as a hasty affair, she averred: “The wedding came as a surprise to us, because she and the man met one day and barely three months after their marriage was contracted.”

C u r re nt l y, family members of the shell-shocked wife are at crossroads. While they are making spirited efforts to restore the still-unconscious wife to health, they are in a dilemma over what to do with the two month-old marriage.

A family member said the final decision rests with the wife.

News in Brief -Algeria sentences Qaeda leader to life -AU boss: 2011 worst year for Africa -Africa’s famine response: Too little, perhaps too late -Kenyans Named in Congo Gold Scam -Sierra Leone Fighting Corruption in the Country - Is Govt Telling the Truth?

-Ugandan Museveni Blames Corruption On Mafias As Parliament Closes in On His Cronies -Libya Govt to Review Contracts With Italian Oil Major Eni -Tanzania Petrol Shortage Hits Kilimanjaro -Malawi Country Suspends Maize Exportation -Rwanda Japan Tips Rwanda to Become a Regional Services Hub -Sudanese Police Cracks Down On Student Demos, Arrests 70 -Ethiopia Country Invests in Farmers to Achieve Country’s Middle-Income Ambitions -Legal Catch-22 Leaves Newborn Child With Citizenship ‘Unknown’ -Congo-Kinshasa Legal Catch-22 Leaves Newborn Child With Citizenship ‘Unknown’ -Nigeria Road Accidents and the Country Child -Nigerian Tanks, Troops Take to Streets of State Capitals -Senegal Govt Halts Arms Licences in Poll Year -Horn and Eastern - Drought Highlights in 2011 -Mozambique Chinese Technology to Increase Rice Yields -WFP Buy Local Scheme Helps Farmers -Rwanda Two Hotels Get Five-Star Status -Egypt Foreign Ministry Says Tourism Not to Be

Affected By Enforcement of Biometric Visas -Nigeria Aviation Sector to Focus On Manpower Development in 2012 - -Demuren -Zambia Investor Calls for Strategic Tourism Plan -Somali Refugees Seek Shelter in Ethiopia -Nepad - Is it an African Success Story?

-Great Lakes Presidents Call for Action Against Darfur Rebels -Kenya boat capsize near Lamu ‘kills six’ -Syria unrest: Arab League calls for end to shooting -Iran test-fires more missiles in Gulf exercises -South Sudanese flee to escape deadly ethnic vendetta -Somalia fears as US Sunrise banks stop money transfers -Kenya recalls ‘faulty’ South Korean HIV kits -Elephant poaching: ‘Record year’ for ivory seizures -Asamoah Gyan in Africa Cup of Nations fitness race -Nelson Mandela hospital tweet prompts newspaper apology -Malaria Eastern DR Congo’s other battle -South Africa DHL Named Logistics Partner for New African Energy Centre -Ghana To Become Black Power -Kufuor Mills must usher Ghana into elections without turbulence -Zimbabwe Veteran educationist Nyandoro dies -Zimbabwe Party leaders to hold joint rallies -Zimbabwe Women entreprenuers face funding obstacles: Study -Tunisia seeks guarantee on Al-Mahmoudi -Mubarak trial resumes in Cairo

By Tina Mutombo The holiday festive is nearly over, some of us have gain extra pounds because we all tend to eat up more around this time, food are comforting and in our society we celebrate festivity with food.

We must be result focus in 2012. What is priority? Health is wealth should start moving from as they say to as we know, and staying in shape starts in your mind. If the mind wins, you watch that body, as it gets in line for those compliments to flow at you. The gym is around the corner but how many of us can commit to training. Some of us register at the gym but won’t go for workouts, we spend the money without obtaining the goals. The ways we think can influence our actions. Therefore, having a can do attitude towards exercise and keeping fit goes a longer way to pleasing us when we look at our bodies in the mirror.

There are fun ways to exercise, finding the one that suit a person could be challenging. For those who find exercising demanding, especially the running and jumping that works the best of your muscles, discover the benefit of Zumba, a way to firm, tone, and sweat while doing a lively, upbeat Latin dance routine. Instead of sweating it out on the treadmill or on any sport machine, the choreographed dance routine called Zumba will shape you up without any up and down, this is putting it plain and simple. Dubbed the Fitness-party, it’s a total body workout that gets you toned

-Libyans linked to Gaddafi cannot run -Fuel price hike spurs anger in Abuja -50 die in clashes over land in Nigeria -Egypt ministers defend raids on NGOs -Johannesburg Stock Exchange slips into red 2011 - Coca cola accused of propping up autocratic rule in Swaziland - Group alleges plans by retired military officer of plans to assassinate Nigeria President and Army Chief - President Jonathan of Nigeria accuse some members of his of complicity in Boko Haram terrorism - International Court at the Hague gives deadline to Libya Transition Council over the status of Gathafi’s son - South Sudan accuses Sudan -Khartoum of air raid against them - President Idriss Deby of Chad engage the daughter of the notorious Janjaweed leader, Musa Hilal - French investigators clears President Paul Kagame of Rwanda over shooting down and death of former Hutu leader Juvenal Habyarimana -Niger Delta threaten Boko Haram - Coca cola accused of propping up autocratic rule in Swaziland - Group alleges plans by retired military officer of plans to assassinate Nigeria President and Army Chief - President Jonathan of Nigeria accuse some members of his of complicity in Boko Haram terrorism - International Court at the Hague gives deadline to Libya Transition Council over the status of Gaddafi’s son - South Sudan accuses Sudan -Khartoum of air raid against them - President Idriss Deby of Chad engage the daughter of the notorious Janjaweed leader,

with a big smile on your face, as you achieve your waist-line targets and sweat out some toxins from the busy lifestyle you will be surprised the hour-long class is over, even before you know it.

How to get started; Find out in your local community center if Zumba class is available or search in your local gym.

Set up a session by registering for Zumba. Ideally twice per week sessions will be very effective.

Get loose bottoms, tight tops, and pair of fitness trainer (very light and comfortable).

Go to the Zumba class when you have registered and do not miss two sessions each week.

Benefits of Zumba: It is a stress relieving dance routine rather than a stressful exercise.

It is a get fit with smiles not with frowns.

It involves mainly techniques that all people are used to in normal dance and movements.

It is beneficial to the heart, as people move at their own pace, and pick-up pace with time while still being involved and enjoying the class and music, It will be worth the experience as you support the well being of the society.

And as you do this, the result will not only be the above benefits but a totally different you, both in body and in mind. Happy New Year

Musa Hilal - French investigators clears President Paul Kagame of Rwanda over shooting down and death of former Hutu leader Juvenal Habyarimana -Niger Delta threaten Boko Haram - Kenyan prostitutes export sex to Juba - Ghana is gradually moving towards food security, reports say.

- Boko Haram Leader posts a video on Youtube defending the killing of Christians in Northern Nigeria - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf wins a second term in Liberia - Gunmen kill at least three Kenyan police officers in an attack in the border region with Somalia - A Senegalese court rejects a Belgian request to extradite Chad’s ex-President Hissene Habre to face trial - Euro zone crisis forces Belgium to form a coalition government with French-speaking Elio Di Rupo at the helm - South Sudan accuses its neighbour Sudan of blocking its oil exports -Truck-load of weapons bound for Nigeria intercepted in Accra - Senegal to loose US aid worth $50million if ex Chad leader Habre is not extradited - Africa leaders unite in cautioning Prime Minister Cameron over Gay issue and withdrawal of aid - Top Senegalese musician Youssou N’Dour will challenge President Abdoulaye Wade in election - Zambia’s tourism minister has offered to bungee-jump with the Australian woman who plunged into the Zambezi River after her cord snapped in two

14

January 2012

photo of the month

Somali immigrant, Athens, Greece

Celebrating 100 years of ANC, South Africa

O’Connell Street, Dublin, Ireland during Christimas 2011.

People protesting in Durban, South Africa at the Climate Congress

Street musician on Grafton Street, Dublin just before Christmas

Father Brian’s brothers at the Service of songs.

January 2012

15

sport

Legends of African Sport

Hakeem Olajuwon

W

hen the phrase “Legends of African Sport” is mentioned many giants of the sporting world come to mind such as Ike Quarterly and George Weah to name just two. This months “Legend of African Sport” is without a doubt a giant amongst men in every sense of the word.

Standing at 6 feet 10 inches tall, Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon, is the only African to ever be inducted into the National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Fame. In this issue we take a look at the life and career of a colossal man who’s on court ability was more than a match for many of the so-called NBA greats of his day.

Born on the 21st of January 1963 as the third of six children, Hakeem was the son of Salim and Abike Olajuwon, a couple who owned a cement business in Lagos, Nigeria. During his early years he would train in handball and soccer but turned to basketball at the age of 15. The training that he received in younger life as a goalkeeper would stand to him when he swapped the football pitch for the tilled court as it would enable him to combine footwork and agility with balance, shear size and strength.

Olajuwon began playing basketball in 1978 and after just two years he would find himself representing his nation at youth level during the All-African Games in Morocco. It would be Hakeem’s performances during the competition that would see him being offered the chance to play basketball with The Cougars of the University of Houston, under then coach Guy Lewis.

During his freshman year he, along with Clyde Drexler would become a co-founders of “Phi Slamma Jamma”, the first ever slam dunking “fraternity”, aptly named due to the above-rim prowess of it’s initial members. As Hakeem could not secure NCAA clearance he would not play at all during the 1980/81 season and only sparingly during the 1981/82 season where The Cougars would be knocked out of the final four by eventual winners the North Carolina Tar Heels in the NCAA Championship.

Frustrated by his lack of playing time Olajuwon approached the coaching staff with his concerns, who advised him to train with multiple NBA MVP winner and local

resident, Moses Malone who at the time was playing centre for the Houston Rockets. Hakeem began to train regularly with Malone even going head to head with one of the best players in the NBA, several times over the coarse of the summer.

overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1984 NBA draft.

During his first professional season with The Rockets he would form a partnership with seven foot four inch 1984 Rookie of the Year, Ralph Sampson to form the original “Twin Towers” partnership. Averaging 20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.68 blocks per game would see Hakeem finish second in the Rookie of the Year voting next to Michael Jordon, however he was the only other rookie to receive any votes.

Olajuwon fine form would continue into the 1985 were he would help Houston to a 51-31 winloss record as well as advancing to the Western Conference Finals

‘95 NBA Champs Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets

It would be this experience that would help to rapidly improve his overall game and in his own words he would admit, “He was the best center in the NBA at the time, so I was trying to improve my game against the best”.

Hakeem would return after the summer a completely different player and during his sophomore and junior years would help The Cougars to consecutive NCAA Championship Games and even won The Tournament Player of the Year award in 1983 despite the fact that he played on the loosing team in the final, being the last player to achieve this feat.

Following the departure of Drexler in 1984, Olajuwon debated whether or not to stay in college basketball or to declare early for the NBA draft.

At the time the first pick of the draft was based on a coin flip and after a gut instinct that told him that Houston would win the coin toss he declared for the draft. His intuition would pay off and The Rockets would be placed ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers to the first pick of the draft. In the summer of 1984 Olajuwon was considered the top amateur prospect out of all his fellow collegians which included non-other than Michael Jordan and John Stockton and was picked first

against defending champions the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets would shock the sports world by demolishing the Lakers 4-1 in the series, leaving LA coach Pat Reilly commenting “We tried everything.

We put four bodies on him. We helped from different angles. He’s just a great player”. Having scored 75 points in the third and fourth victories over the Lakers and securing the front page of Sports Illustrated Hakeem and the Rockets then faced one of the best teams in NBA history as they succumbed to a six game loss against the Boston Celtics in the 1986 NBA final.

The 1987 seasons would see Sampson, who was struggling with a persistent knee injury, traded off to the Golden State Warriors and the hiring of new coach Don Chaney. This opened the door for Hakeem to become the undisputed leader of The Rockets in 1988. A role which he was more than happy to play and repaid the faith shown in him by the coaching staff and fans alike by becoming the league leader in rebounds with 13.5 per game, a full rebound per game better than second placed Charles Barkley. He would retain his rebound crown the following year beating second place David Robison by a full 2 rebounds per match as well as becoming only

the third player in NBA history to lead the league in both rebounds and shot blocking.

H a k e e m’s fine performance’s continued into the 1990/91 seasons and was only denied winning a third rebound crown after he injured his eye socket and therefore did not play enough games to qualify for the rebounding title.

The 1991/1992 seasons proved to be a low point in Olajuwon’s Rocket’s career as they finished the season with a 42-40 win-loose rate and missed the playoffs for the first time since play for the Rockets. Following the end of the season he would become involved in a bitter dispute with his employers over contract re-negotiations as Hakeem felt that he was under paid in comparison to some other top quality centre’s.

What transpired over the close season between the team and the player had most Houston fans on the edge of their seats as Hakeem firstly requested a trade in, before being accused of faining injury due to the players unhappiness with the terms of his contract. He was not traded and began the 1992/93 season with the Rockets under new coach Rudy Tomjanovich.

It was during this time that Olajuwon began to blossom creatively by adding passing to his game, an aspect of his game which had been considered below par. His willingness to pass no gave him the ability to score more as well as making his far more difficult for opposing to double and triple mark him. Hakeem would go on to set a new career high of 26.1 points per game and also helping the Rockets to a Franchise record of 55 wins. His overall performances for the season for would see him finish behind Charles Barkley for the prestigious NBA MVP award, however they would start the 1993/94 that H o u s t o n’s championship credentials would really begin to show as they now had the right mix of both youth and experience.

The Rockets went on to win the NBA championship that season with a thrilling 7 game series against the New York Knicks, the first major sporting title to go to Houston since 1961, when the Oilers won the American Football League.

The games would see Olajuwon pic up the NBA MVP, finals MVP and best defender accolades, he remains the only player in history to ever have accomplished this feat. Despite suffering from injury at the start of the 1994/95 season, Hakeem and the Rockets were boosted by the acquisition of former University of Houston classmate and Phi Slamma

Jamma teammate Clyde Drexler. A move that paid dividends as the Rockets would lift a second consecutive NBA title beating Orlando Magic in the finals.

Over the coarse of the following 3 years (1996 - 98) the Chicago Bulls and Micheal Jordan would dominate the NBA championship and coupled with the retirement of Drexler in 1998, Houston began to fall from grace and even the addition of veteran All-Star Scottie Pippen for the 1998/99 season couldn’t stop the Rockets from finishing with a 31-19 win-loss ratio in the lockout shortened season. Hakeem though would continue to impress however with a scoring production of 18.9 points per game and would receive his twelfth and final All-NBA team.

However defeat to the LA Lakers and the trading of Pippen to the Portland Trail Blazers would see the Rockets begin to rebuild.

During the next draft Houston would bring in young centres Cuttino Mobley and 2000 NBA co-Rookie of the year Steve Francis. Olajuwon was offered a new $13 Million contract in August 2000, which he refused and was swiftly traded off to the Toronto Raptors during the NBA draft. Hakeem signed a 3 year deal with the Raptors in a deal reportedly worth $18 Million. He would record career lows the following year of 7.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game for the entire season. The statistics in conjunction with a back injury would prompt “The Dream” into retirement and he would hang up his court shoes at the end of the season holding the NBA record for all-time league leader in total shot’s blocked with 3,830.

Olajuwon now splits his time between his home in Jordan, where he is pursuing Islamic studies and Houston, where he owns a local real estate agency.

Although he would never show an interest in coaching he would set up the Big Man Camp in 2006 to help young front court players with the finer aspects of playing at the post. Some of the high profile players who have sough his tutelage include Kobe Bryant and Yao Ming.

Hakeem would also be confirmed as one of the true greats of the sport when he was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2008.

Hakeem’s size and strength on the basketball court earned him the nickname “The Dream” and cemented his legacy in the NBA. However he never forgot his roots and strong morale upbringing which helped him become the man that he did. “Being from Africa is the best thing that could have ever, ever happened to me. I cannot see it any other way.

All of my fundamental principles that were instilled in me in my home, from my childhood, are still with me”.

16

January 2012

sport

UEFA Champions League Player Watch W

ith the Cup of African Nations, to be held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, fast approaching many of the continents top footballers would be hoping to carry their UEFA Champions League form through to the groups stages of Africa’s premiere national team competition. And with only one match day played during the month of December many players had a lot to prove to their respective national team coachs in order to be considered for a place in their respective sides. We take a look back over some of the players to have made a major impression not just with their club teams but hopefully

Didier Drogba

their national teams

An early goal was just the start Chelsea needed when they took on Valencia at Stamford Bridge and Coté d’Ivorie striker Didier Drogba proved that even though he is growing older, he still has what it takes to compete in Europe’s elite tournament. Daniel Sturridge played a high ball to the far post, Mata gathered and set up Drogba, who worked the ball on to his left foot and while it was not his best connection he still managed to squeeze the ball in at the inside the far post.

With 22 minutes gone Ramires would double The Blue’s lead as he capitalised on a mistake

by Victor Ruiz to calmly slot the ball past the hapless Alves in the Valencia goal. With just 14 minutes of normal time remaining Drogba added his second of the game. He again linked up with Mata feeding the ball to Drogba who was able to score with the outside of his right boot. The win ensured a 9th straight last 16 appearance in the competition.

Elsewhere Algerian international, Rafik Djebbour scored the opener against Arsenal in the emphatic 3-1 home win against the Gunners at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus. Djebbour latched onto a ricochet off Sébastien Squillaci and then rounded keeper Fabiański before slotting the ball into the back of the empty net with a angled left footed shot. Both David Fuster and Modesto were on target for The RedWhites, with Yossi Benayoun’s 57th minute shot proving little more than a consolation for the Londoners.

Olympique de Marseille knew that with results going against them in Pireaus only a win against German champions would see them secure a place in the final 16 of the competition. Les Phocéen nearly blew it however as they would going

Andre Ayew

into the half time interval trailing their German counterparts 2-1.

However a rousing second half performance for Marseille would see them overturn the deficit and eventually win 3-2. With just 5 minutes of normal time left Ghanaian international Andre Ayew began the fight back for his team as he nodded home Amalfitano’s corner and just 2 minutes late Valbuena’s unstoppable shot past Weidenfeller sent the visiting supporters into rapture’s.

Meanwhile Manchester City knew they needed a win against Bayern Munchen at the Ethiad Stadium and also had to hope that

Villareal could beat Napoli at home in order to progress into the knockout stages of the competition.The Citizens did not fail to uphold there end of the bargain as David Silva struck first in the 36th minute with a trully spectacular strike after the ball had been played to him by Stefan Savić.

Ivorian international Yaya Toure would grab City’s second goal just after half time, linking up well with Edin Dzeko who set the ball up for Toure who was then able to roll the ball past Butt.

Roberto Mancini’s men would see all their hard work amount to nothing though as Napoli were able to secure a 2-0 win against Villareal and therefor claim their place in the final 16.