AfricaWorld Newspaper 16 - 31 March 2013 by AfricaWorld Newspaper

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WOMEN! By Ukachukwu Okorie

The International Women’s Day which is held yearly falls on 8th March. It is a special international day of activities, where events are organised throughout the world to inspire women, chronicling and celebrating their achievements in the history of modern world. It was originally called International Working FunMILAYO RAnsOMe-KutI

HAppY B-DAY to our eDItOR

More on page 9

AFRICAWORLD march 16-31 2013

opinion

The return of the native

Editorial

POPE FRANCIS START WITH HUMILITY Pope Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is now the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church. Elected on 13 March 2013 to replace Pope Benedict XIV, the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires who was made a cardinal in 2001 is reputed to be a man of the people. Virtually all religious faith that have worked with him confirm his meek and humble character. However, the most important of his attributes is his interest in the poor. His character as a champion of those at the lower rung of the societal ladder brings vitality and resurgence to the struggle against greed and wicked capitalism which the world faces at the moment. Former President Néstor Kirchner of Argentina and his wife Cristina Fernández de Kirchner who is at the helm now can tell better. In the days of Argentine economic and political strife, he angered leaders by preaching for more political dialogue, tolerance, non exhibitionism and a lease of life for the people. It is quite interesting as the Catholic Church has braced up for the challenges of defending the followers of Christ in this turbulent world. It is worthy to note that Pope Francis will be in the mould of John Paul II who fought against communism and was a man of the people. According to Cardinal Thomas Collins, the archbishop of Toronto, “Cardinals clearly chose Francis because he was simply the best person to lead the church. He’s just a very loving, wonderful guy. We just came to appreciate the tremendous gifts he has. He’s much beloved in his diocese in Argentina. He has a great pastoral history of serving people.” He is at ease with muslims and Jews in Argentina even embarking on poverty alleviation projects. One of such charity works is distributing aid to the poor as part of a joint Jewish-Catholic program called ‘Tzedaka’. His emergence and charge for evangelism is quite refreshing in this age Christianity is at a crossroad and man attempting to redefine creation and nature. Come inside. Uka

By Ukachukwu Okorie

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was born to Daniel Olumeyuwa Thomas and Lucretia Phyllis Omoyeni Adeosolu on 25 October, 1900 in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Funmilayo was a teacher, political campaigner and activist. She was a leading voice in her generation, campaigning for human and women’s rights particularly. Funmilayo’s Grandfather was a returned slave from Sierra Leone, who traced his ancestral home back to Abeokuta, Nigeria. She attended Abeokuta Grammar School for secondary education, and later moved for fur ther studies in England. After studies in the UK, she returned to Nigeria and became a teacher. On 20th of January, 1925, Funmilayo married the Reverend Israel Oludotun Ransome Kuti. A defender of commoners in her country, she was known as an educator and activist extraordinaire. She provided dynamic leadership for women’s rights during and after colonial times in Nigeria and beyond. Her marriage to Rev. Israel produced children including Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Beko RansomeKuti who continued in the footsteps of their indefatigable mother. According to records, she was the first woman in colonial Nigeria to drive a car. Funmilayo was among the pioneer founders of both the Nigerian Union of Teachers and the Nigerian Union of Students. In Abeokuta, she founded an organization for women, with thousands of membership spanning the literate and illiterate divide. Often described as the Doyen of Nigeria’s women rights, her leadership of the women of the Egba clan

that she belonged to on a campaign against arbitrary taxation led to the abdication of the Egba high king Oba Ademola II in 1949. It equally earned her reviews in colonial Nigerian media houses. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti oversaw successfully the abolition of separate tax

rates for women during British colonial rule in Nigeria. In 1953, she founded the Federation of Nigerian Women Societies, forming an alliance with the Women’s International Democratic Federation which supported her campaign for women’s votes. She was for many years a member of the

AfricaWorld & Millenium Development Goals

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

Editor Ukachukwu Okorie

Graphic Design Mirco Mascarin

Chief Reporter Paul Kelly

Photography Darek Gutowski Giorgia Pistoia

Published by Uyokanjo Media Services Ltd. 46 Parnel Square West 3rd Floor +353 87 637 3210 Dublin 1, Dublin City Republic of Ireland Skype: africaworld1 E-mail: africaworldnews@gmail.com

Sub-Editor Roisin Morris

ruling National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons party and got elected into the Western Region House of Chiefs. Among numerous campaigns, Fumilayo Ransom Kuti organised workshops for illiterate market women and led them to campaign against taxes and price controls. Her involvement in international women’s organizations led her to travel the world in the period following World War II. During the cold war and before Nigeria’s independence, Funmilayo Kuti travelled widely, and had contacts with the eastern bloc annoying the colonial authorities as well as her Nigerian compatriots. Her travels took her to the former USSR, Hungary and China where she met Mao Tse Tung. In 1956, her International passpor t was not re n e we d by the government because it was said that it can be assumed she intend to influence women with communist ideas and policies. Funmilayo was equally refused a United States visa because the American Government alleged that she was a communist. In the run-up to N i g e r i a’s independence, she founded the Commoners Peoples Party in an attempt to challenge the strong NCNC and was among the delegates that negotiated Nigeria’s independence with the British government. She won the Lenin Peace Prize and was killed by Nigeria’s military government in 1978. For Women all over the world particularly Africans, the story of Funmilayo Ransome Kuti is one of challenge, courage and pacesetting.

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.

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march 16-31 2013 AFRICAWORLD

NEWs (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) In Ireland, African women were not left out as beehive of activities ranged from celebrating their achievements, fashion shows, feminism and pet projects. In consonance with the 2013 celebration which is termed ‘A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women’, Akina Dada Wa Africa (Akidwa), an organization championing the rights and inclusion of migrant women in Ireland, launched a book titled, ‘Between Two Cultures’. At the function which was graced by Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Clare Byrne, speakers from the United Kingdom, integration chieftains, activists, politicians and professionals across Ireland. The book ‘Between Two Cultures’ tells inspirational story of achievements, aspirations, dreams and outlook of young migrant women in Ireland. The book affords the reader an opportunity to understand the importance and role of the organisation in the course for women emancipation and integration in Ireland. “The compiling of a story book was chosen as the suitable platform for bringing about this mission because we believe that equality and social justice for migrant women in Ireland requires migrant women to be given a voice, not to be represented as victims or problematic subjects, but as subjects representing themselves”, the blurb said. The function which was held in Dublin City Council was more or less an occasion in which young migrant women showed the empowerment and feminism through self expression, fashion parade, vocal rendition, poetry and cultural dance . Some of the speakers at the occasion extolled the qualities of women around the world especially migrants. Killian Forde, CEO of the Integration Centre who spoke about the challenges of migrants in the educational system was upbeat about the importance of woman and Akidwa hence their support and his presence. Speaking to Elva O’Callaghan of the National

Council of Women in Ireland, AfricaWorld was informed of the efforts of the empowerment group. Elva started working with the NWCI in June 2012 as the Coordinator of the Y Factor project, a 3 year initiative that aims to empower and support young people’s action on women’s equality. “NWCI is celebrating 40 years of existence. International Women’s Day is important because it bring public consciousness and opportunity to talk about what are the issues that affects them. It also calls f o r celebration for being women and t h e i r participation in the Irish society. It is also an opportunity to raise issues on inequality a n d celebrations o f

achievements so far in the last century. Being an anniversary year, it is an opportunity to celebrate what NWCI has achieved for women in the campaign for reproductive rights like access to contraception, divorce and equality on political representation. We are now focusing on putting more women in the area of politics as there are fewer of us. We are looking at the issue of childcare which is a barrier to their increased participation and

pension rights. NWCI has been successful in lobbying on behalf of women in Ireland, O’Callaghan informed AfricaWorld. Talking to AfricaWorld, Valeria Molay, Master of Ceremony at the function extolled the inspirational aspect of the International Women’s Day. “It gives women the opportunity to go back and recount their achievements. Previously, women were meant for the house and even considered as second c l a s s citizens. This day gives us m o r e guidelines on where we are heading particularly y o u n g migrant women and Akidwa has set the pace on this day. Since the issue is on migrant women, it is u p b e a t because e v e r y country has a minority group that came from somewhere. So how does the society adjust to this? This is why the celebration of of women’s day is imperative, in fact it affords us the opportunity to celebrate what we have achieved and to look forward to what we can do more”, the University College Dublin student of politics and philosophy informed. Juliet Amamure of the Diaspora Women

Initiative told AfricaWorld how she felt about the International Women’s Day. “For me, it is all about fighters for freedom and cause. It is good to celebrate all those who give themselves selflessly for the good cause. That is my understanding of this day.” For Salome Mbugua, the Akidwa CEO, it is a matter of pride for her. “It means so much to me because it is celebrating women and all the efforts of our struggle in peoples life. We are celebrating an achievement of an equal world.” The woman leader also informed AfricaWorld that the celebration is so special to Akidwa. “Because Akidwa’s vision and mission of fighting for the rights of equality and fulfillment of women is celebrated. We made today specially for young migrant women because of their importance and future role in Ireland.” On the issue of feminism which some critics are laying the blame for distortion of some African values, Maria Onyemelukwe, an Akidwa Board Member has this to say, “On the contrary, it helps define the role of women in the society and recognise talent and contributions in society. Those who misunderstand feminism need to rethink as it restores the dignity of womanhood. Ejide Dhala, an Akidwa consultant called for more respect to the woman. “Whenever we talk about women, it boils down to our mother. Celebrating this day should afford men to remember them as the source of life for humanity and if we support them, there will be change. The book ‘Between Two Cultures’ is a story told by young women who will be making critical contribution to Ireland. They need our support. The function witnessed models, poetry and cultural dance. Justine Nantale performed too.

AFRICAWORLD march 16-31 2013

column

X-RAY

with Fr. Vin

Our Lenten Project

By Fr. Vincent Ezeoma Arisukwu Lent, for Christians is a treasured moment, a time of great intimacy with God and commitment to the course of following Christ. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI emeritus in 2011 opened his Lenten Message thus, “The Lenten period, which leads us to the celebration of Holy Easter, is for the Church a most valuable and important time…” Lent is very crucial because it serves not only as a mere season in the church’s liturgical calendar but also reminds humanity of his origin and destiny. On Ash Wednesday, Christians receive the ash during which they are reminded thus, “dust you are, unto dust you shall return”, “repent and believe the gospel”. Here the message of lent becomes very urgent not because the call to repentance should be accepted only during lent but because it is rather urgent at lent. At the beginning of his ministry, Christ echoed, “The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk. 1:15). This is the Lenten Project – the realization of the nearness of the kingdom, the urgency of repentance and conviction in the gospel message of the value of life, goodness and love. It is a forty day project; forty symbolizing fullness/ wholeness. Hence our Lenten Project becomes a full, complete, committed project for life. Our Lenten Project is first and foremost, one of sacrifice. The principal motive here is the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ. It is our Lord Jesus Christ himself who laid the example of sacrifice for us to follow. At the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ felt the pangs of suffering and death. There, he taught us and initiated us into the value of intense prayer. When he opened up to the disciples thus, “My soul is sorrowful even unto death” (Mt. 26:38), he knew that his greatest consolation was to be found in prayer. Having

concluded his prayer Christ came out to see the disciples already asleep. He expressed his disappointment, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?” (Mt. 26:40) He invited them to, “Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test” (cf. Mt. 26:41). Lent is an invitation to watch and pray with Christ. It demands some level of sacrifice to develop some intimacy with Christ. Pope Benedict XVI emeritus describes lent as “a powerful reminder that Christian faith implies, following the example of Jesus and in union withlent.jpg him, a battle “against the ruling forces who are masters of the darkness in this world” (Eph 6:12), in which the devil is at work and never tires – even today – of tempting whoever wishes to draw close to the Lord” (Pope’s Message of Lent for 2011). Lent offers man “invitation to take a distance from the noisiness of everyday life in order to immerse oneself in God’s presence”.

depressing, opens us even more to God and to the needs of others”. Through fasting the Christian acquires discipline of mind and body. The individual learns to apply caution and to say no to the desires of the flesh. He acquires the virtue to stand firm and to give spiritual attention to the world around him. Fasting is also closely connected to the practice of almsgiving in Lent. There is a strong invitation to give alms during the Lenten period not as a means to popularity but as an act of Christian charity. Almsgiving c a n b e viewed in t w o

It is therefore important to remind all of us especially in the African society to take up our Lenten Project, a project that involves necessarily sacrifice. The people of Nineveh realized their crimes and a national period of mourning, prayer and fasting was declared. The injunction was, “…every man shall turn from his evil way and from the violence he has in hand. Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish” (Jonah 3:8-9). God actually forgave the Ninevites and they lived. This is the Lenten Project, to turn from our evil ways, to shun violence, to wear sack-cloth and sincerely call on God who is full of mercy. Africans really need to be committed to the Lenten Project in a continent that is today enmeshed in

L ent looks forward to the E a s t e r

celebration. It cannot be marked in isolation. It is a period of dying to oneself in order to rise with Christ. Dying to oneself means dying to sin in order to receive the new life. It means dying to selfishness, hatred, envy, pride, greed, drunkenness and sexual immorality. It is a period of mortification of the body denying oneself of the pleasures that ordinarily appeal to the body. This is manifested in the emphasis which the church places on fasting during lent. According to the Holy Father, “Fasting, which can have various motivations, takes on a profoundly religious significance for the Christian: by rendering our table poorer, we learn to overcome selfishness in order to live in the logic of gift and love; by bearing some form of deprivation – and not just what is in excess – we learn to look away from our “ego”, to discover someone close to us and to recognize God in the face of so many brothers and sisters. For Christians fasting far from being

sacrificial is its un-ceremonial nature which runs contrary to the spirit of today’s society. Christ says, “When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others” (Mt. 6:2). This is a serious challenge and a project at Lent; doing things with no ulterior motive.

perspectives. First, as a pure act of charity, a manifestation of love and affection for others. Second, it serves as a means of reparation for sins since according to St. Peter, “almsgiving expiates a lot of sins” (1 Pet 4:8). To give alms involves self denial. It involves the recognition of the image of God which every man carries. It involves giving not from a person’s excess but from one’s cherished possession. A more glorious dimension which makes it

crime. We need to embark on the project of sacrifice to be able to do battle against the trend of laziness, bribery and corruption. For instance, in Nigeria the activities of Boko Haram terrorist group, kidnappers and other forms of manipulations have denigrated the value of the human person, where violence and cheating occupy front rows, and so the Lenten Project becomes urgent. The project of sacrifice challenges Nigerians to go for credibility and to shun favouritism in their dealings. It challenges us to go for values that promote the quality of life of the citizens. The Lenten project warrants fasting from the do or die mentality that characterizes the Nigerian society and leads her citizens into cutting corners. It means tearing the garb of god-fatherism and embracing uprightness in dealing with one’s fellow citizens. The Lenten Project is also a project of decision making. It is a project that challenges the government to institute policies that positively transform the life of citizens without delay, policies that confront the vices which actually reduce the value of life of her citizens. Lent condemns postponement. It does not mean

keeping sin and bad habits in the archive till Easter. Rather it means total destruction of sin and all contacts with darkness. For the kidnapper the Lenten Project means saying a firm no to kidnapping and all forms of association with gangs that could talk one into undue quest for money. For the liar it means saying no to lies and mendacious behavior. For the addict it means putting a stop to addiction. For the trafficker it means putting a stop to drug trafficking. For the violent it means shunning violence and its attractions. The Lenten Project simply means putting a stop to evil. It means saying with the prodigal son, “I will leave this place (of crime and temptation) and go back to my Father” (Lk. 15: 18). The Lenten Project implies taking positive steps, replacing old, bad habits with good ones. It is not a project of being on the defensive but an aggressive-offensive project; aggressive pursuit of goodness, sincerity and justice. In fact, the entire process of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation on February 28, the convergence of the Cardinals at the Vatican, the conduct of the Conclave and the election of a new Pope in the person of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio now Pope Francis, from Argentina provide strong pedagogy for all towards taking up our Lenten project. In the Pope’s resignation, the Church has taught the whole world humility, sincerity, commitment, courage, fidelity and total self abandonment to God our Creator. The prayerful manner of the conclave reminds us of the need to go back to Christ in taking major steps in life. The conduct of the election should challenge us to shun all forms of manipulations and go for persons with best qualities to deliver irrespective of ethnic and political affiliations in both Nigeria and Africa at large. The emergence of a very humble and simple Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio should make us appreciate that God rewards humility and service appropriately and that the right choices in life can only be made by the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We must therefore learn to die with Christ by sacrificing that which pulls us away from Him. That is the Lenten project: the project of LOVE.

march 16-31 2013 AFRICAWORLD

coLUMn

HeARt OF tHe MAtteR: Articles of Faith and Fetish Chimps and Cheroots by max Uspensky

by Max uspensky

Of fetish is faith made as faith is fetish non carnate. Anon The intrepid t r a v e l l e r R e d m o n d O’Hanlon, author of No Mercy – A Journey into the Heart of the Congo, recounting his journey into the heart of darkness has just learned that the Lingala for vagina is bolo and Bolo is a whole lot of fetish and faith in the bush cum jungle. An exchange continues between himself and Government representative Marcellin. Plus ca change ... Allons mes enfants et lisants ... Consider the following : (Quoted from No Mercy) “I think you ought to know,” said Marcellin, “that in Lingala Bolo means vagina.” I laughed. “So why is that funny?” he said rounding on me. “I’m sorry,” I said, shocked at the real venom in his voice. The happy pace of my walk involuntarily changed to a shuﬄe. “I thought

you meant that Old Bobe was making a fool of me.” “Oh no you didn’t,” snapped Marcellin, slowing his stride to match mine, “that’s not why you laughed. Why the hell should old Bobe want to make a fool of you? Didn’t you see how tired it made him? It’s dangerous for him to talk like that. Didn’t you see how afraid he was? And then you laugh. How dare you laugh at old Bobe!” “And anyway,” he shouted, kicking a lump of mud off the path, “it all makes just as much sense as your white man’s superstitions. What about the fetish you all wear around your neck? Your little crosses? What about those beads you all finger in your pockets and mumble spells over? Eh? And what about your unspeakable rites? What about your cannibal symbols? Tell me – do you or do you not eat and drink the body and blood of the big white Chief of your tribe once every seven days just as if it’s a proper and reasonable thing to do? Oh no – you’ve no right to laugh at old Bobe, at Africans. No right at all.” “I apologise. And anyway, I’ve told you, I’m not a Christian. I don’t believe it. I don’t wear a crucifix and I’ve never said a rosary in my life.” “Said a rosary!” mimicked Marcellin with a yap of laughter himself. “You have your little words to disguise it all, don’t you? For us you say it’s a fetish or a ju-ju or a gris-gris – but for you, oh yes, it’s very dignified, it’s quite different. It’s a rosary, is it? It’s a crucifix. So that’s all right, is it? That makes everything okay?”

A smuggled chimp found huddled between two bales of marijuana in Cameroon, highlights once again the issue of illegal trafficking of endangered species. The UN Environmental Program (UNEP) estimates some 3,000 apes a year are illegally captured and sold as pets, to tourist attractions or freak shows. The Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) has produced a report for UNEP where it claims as many as 22,218 great apes have been lost from the wild since 2005 – that’s no monkey business.

“I’ve told you. I don’t believe it.”

Angola 2 – 40 Years solitary by max Uspensky Stolen from Africa, shipped to America ... - Bob Marley Not just the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther’s I Have a Dream Speech looms over the horizon, but also Alex Hailey commenced writing his epic, Roots, 50 years ago too. Bob Marley’s lyrics continue to define the root of Afro – American inequality to US society at large. Your attention is drawn thus once more to the predicament of the Angola 2 and to sign the Amnesty International petition via the link below. “I can make about four steps before I touch the door,” comments Herman Wallace as he describes the space within which he has lived for the past forty years (since 16th April, 1972). Wallace and Albert Woodfox have spent the last 14,600 days thus locked up in Louisiana’s notorious penitentiary known as Angola prison.

Please use the below link to access the Amnesty International page and follow the link therein to petition for their release. http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/ cases/usa-the-angola-3 Jailed at the height of the Civil Rights movement, their solitary incarceration remains a travesty of justice – their endured persecution, a crime against humanity. Black African Americans constitute 50% of the US prison population where they make up just 15% of the population at large.

AFRICAWORLD march 16-31 2013

people

PRIDE OF AFRICA Tinashe Samuel Svosve An Engineer and Zimbabwean by birth, Tinashe is a model for Helena Kampbell. He won the Basketball Player of the Year 2006 in DKIT He loves music, playing guitar and basketball.

Tina Nyakambiri Williams (Helena Kampbell) Tina was born in Zimbabwe and a fashion designer. She is the creator of Helena Kampbell clothing line. Tina was a Manager in retail for 7years. She has been to many beauty, fashion and design contests. She won laurels in Miss Africa Ireland beauty pageants in 2005 and 2006. She was 2007 Drogheda Rose for Rose of Tralee. Tina was 2011 Stylist Miss Ethnic for Felvino Alpha and 2013 winner of Afro - fashion show ‘African Designer’. A creative designer and writer, she writes songs and teach dance.

60 seconds WITH THE DUCHESS Nena Duchez Huntaz

How did you start out? I discovered rap by accident. I had a friend who used to write music and I would score it. After a while I started writing my own materials and through practice I keep perfecting my act. Splash is no doubt one of Nigeria’s most talented rappers. Her collaborations with Kefee, Buckwylla, GT the Guitarman, Hman, Inyanya and others has set her apart as not just another female rapper. She is well known for her use of metaphors and her latest track Church Agbasa is currently topping chats in Africa. Connect with Splash on twitter @splashmusik

What has been you major challenge? Gaining my family’s support was a major challenge. I feel blessed that after a while, they are now my biggest fans. In a male dominated industry, how do you hold your own? It is not easy but I keep upping my

game and working hard on any project I drop. What are you currently working on? I am currently working on my album and my video to ‘ Church Agbasa’ will be dropping soon.

What advice will you give any young girl who wants to follow your footsteps? Follow your dreams and work hard

march 16-31 2013 AFRICAWORLD

news

DIASPORAWOMEN INITIATIVE IS 5 Diaspora Women’s Initiative (DWI) is one of the most vibrant migrantled groups working in Ireland today. Its major aim is to support migrant women living with HIV/ AIDS and promote its care among migrants in Ireland. In respect of the International Women’s Day, DWI fixed their 5th anniversary to coincide. The celebration paraded speakers like Emer Costello, Member European Parliament, Nobuhle Ezeani and Dr Gerald O’connor who utilised the platform to inform the audience on the existing and contemporary developments on HIV. As Juliet Amamure, DWI CEO would say, they chose the ‘less traveled journey’ for Diaspora Women’s Initiative to become the only migrant women led organisation working with HIV/ AIDS related issues in Ireland. DWI turned 5 this 2013 BACKGROUND The Diaspora Women Initiative first came on during Kenya political unrest which was shown on TV few years ago. I watched with a group of friends when one of us received a call from her parents, in Uganda, requesting if she could send money to save a dying orphan, whose parents died of HIV/AIDS. It was quite emotional and sympathetic because she had nothing to spare. The atmosphere really changed our mood, thus spurring us to open a discussion on HIV as we realised that it affected our lives more than we thought. It was at that juncture the Diaspora Women’s Initiative (DWI) was born. To date DWI has helped to raising the standard of life to people, providing technical and financial support to the establishment of three community development projects in Mukono, Pallisa, Gulu and Jinja Districts in Uganda. DWI members has also establish an

orphanage in Kenya and Malawi. These are some of our pilot projects in DWI’s role in international development. In Ireland we have seen DWI grow, we empower immigrant women to tackle HIV/AIDS and related issues by providing culturally appropriate, training, information and non judgmental support that promote social inclusion and equal opportunity access to resources. Indirectly, DWI has benefited over 4000 members of immigrant and Irish communities through social media and educational talks and other activities. MISSION Our Mission is to Empower Migrant Women to tackle HIV/ AIDS and related issues by providing information, support and training. VISION World without HIV, Hunger, Poverty and Injustice. VALUES - Using a positive approach - Working with people at the grassroot - Respect, Trust and Dignity - Care and gender equality - Social Inclusion and integration - Empowerment - Human Rights - Environmental Protection -Partnerships OBJECTIVES - Raising Awareness on contemporary HIV issues in host country. - Developing and strengthening networks and partnership within the migrant communities, and Irish led service providers, private business companies and governments institutions in Ireland and Africa. - Provide non judgemental support

and information to communities vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, hunger, poverty and climate change. - Developing organisational capacity of DWI to achieve the Vision. SERVICES We empower immigrant women to tackle HIV/AIDS and related issues by providing culturally appropriate training, information and non-judgmental support that promotes social inclusion and equal opportunity access to resources. We do this by: Providing a drop-in and information/referral service DWI offers a drop in service every Friday at the New Communities Partnership offices, 10 Cornmarket, Dublin 8, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Outreach and educational presentations to individuals, c o m m u n i t y g ro u p s a n d educational institutions. We aim to equip migrant women with the means to deal with HIV/ AIDS and related issues such as mental health and social well being. We use a community development approach. Drop-in service every friday appointment required, Self empowerment training for individual, friends, communities, call for details and to make arrangements. Outreach in form of home, hospital or prison visits. Educational talks. Establishing empowerment centres in Africa. Sending volunteers to Africa. We offer educational and training programmes to service providers to develop an understanding of the cultural awareness required to provide for these women sensitively. We provide culturally sensitive

and emotional support to women who are considering having the test and for women who are living with HIV virus. We provide information with regard to testing and treatment options. We can, when necessary, offer practical outreach to support with childcare. We offer social events a few times a year, where migrant women who are HIV positive get a chance to meet other women in similar circumstances. We lobby the government on behalf of migrant women who are HIV positive. FACTS

HIV testing is voluntary in Ireland since 1999 (HPSC, 2012). Deferring your testing does not help. The sooner you are diagnosed, the sooner you can start treatment, protecting your sexual partner according to WHO and UNAIDS. Between 2002 and 2011, 1242 pregnant women were diagnosed with HIV, 109 in 2011 out of which 17 were new cases. The risk of mother to child HIV transmission can be reduced from 15-30% to less than 2% proper treatment. Discordant couples - HIV positive women in long term relationship with HIV negative sexual partner in Ireland. Some find it disturbing to disclose. You are legally obliged to declare your HIV positive status with sexual partners. Isolation and fear are felt by most HIV positive persons, both affect mental health. HIV is classified as a disability in Ireland, with early and proper treatment and support, you can

live a happy and normal life.

Do you share the same vision with DWI? Do you want to be part of breaking the stigma and discrimination around HIV/AIDS? Do you want to join the growing number of women and men who want to see a reduction in HIV infections in Ireland and worldwide? Worried that you might be HIV but afraid to take the test? Feeling isolated, alone and ashamed by your HIV status? Afraid to tell anyone that you are HIV positive? Need someone to talk to? If your answer is yes to any of the above, give us a call on the number provided or contact us by email. CONTACT Diaspora Women’s Initiative. C/O New Communities Partnership, 10 Cornmarket, Dublin 8, Ireland 085 105 1894 info@dwi.ie

AFRICAWORLD march 16-31 2013

PICTURES

PICTURES FROM IGBO PRAISE AND WORSHIP

march 16-31 2013 AFRICAWORLD

BEAUTY & FASHion

Afro Coulture

HeLenA

KAMpBeLL

By Tina N Williams

elcome to our Fashion and Beauty Column. We will be covering all topics from Fashion&Beauty, Best Buys, Style and Tip of the week...... And much more

As African women we tend to lose our focus on ourselves and our appearances. I am also guilty of the same. We are raised to care for everyone ﬁrst hence in doing so, we forget how beautiful we are. At the same time we ignore staff like , Fashion, Beauty and style. It is important as women to always look our best and carry ourselves well within society by doing that we gain our respect and much more. We are all beautiful in our own way BUT we need BEAUTY PRODUCTS TOO. Do not forget you both inner beauty and outer beauty.

KNOWING YOUR SKIN Do you know your own skin? Or do you just buy your beauty products based on brands and price? This week, I want to focus on knowing your skin. Ask yourself the following questions: What is your skin tone? Is it yellow, dark etc.? This is a must know as it helps you buy the right product for your skin tone. Are you aware that using the wrong beauty products for your skin tone can result in your having dry and ﬂakey skin or patches on your face? The ﬁrst step is buying facial washes/toners/cleansers. Facial washes are great for removing dead skin, smoothing your skin and refreshing your face. I would recommend the following facials for dark skin tones: The best value and best buy is St. Ives. It is the best for all types of dark skin tones, and is affordable and available everywhere. Witch and Clinique are other options. The best thing to remember is to buy products for yourself and not to be afraid to walk into a local chemist, Boots or Brown Thomas and ask them to help you with choosing products for your skin. After the facial, it is important to use a face cream as it keeps your skin from going dry and helps your make-up look better. Always remember that there are day creams and night creams. Because we have tough and dry skin, it is a must that any facial scrub you buy says ‘exfoliate’ and ‘invigorating’. I recommend creams from Nivea and Loreal.

MAKE-UP TIPS BB creams are the new must-have beauty product. Having said that, please READ before you buy. Always go for medium to dark creams. Maybelline, Rimmel,

Loreal and Revlon work wonders for dark skins tones. BB cream works great and makes your skin smooth and even. Apply it before your make-up and it will help your foundation stay on perfectly. Basic must-have items in your make-up bag: Facial/cleansers/toners/make-up remover BB creams Concealer Liquid foundation Foundation Press powder Blusher Lipstick Lip liner Eye liner Eyebrow shaper The best make-up tip? Use a brush to apply your makeup as well as blusher Best Buys: Make-up application brush: Penneys €2.00 Blusher Brush: Penneys €2.00 NYC BB Cream: €3.99 Mac Foundation: €30.00 Lancome 24hr Wear: €35.00 Maybelline: €11.99 Revlon Airbrush €19.99 How to get your lips, eyes and nails all for just under €5.00 NYC Lipstick: €2.49 Double Pack Eye Liner: Penneys €1.50 Set of four Nails Varnishes: Penneys €1.00 Total: €4.99 Next time, we will be showing you how to use the products and creating day and night looks step by step.

10 AFRICAWORLD march 16-31 2013

DD’s CuBICLe

nEWS

tHe entRepReneuR AnD InvestMent WORLD By Dunstan Ukaga

First, it is important to acknowledge that the business world is in a constant state of adaptation and dramatic change. Business today is almost unrecognisable when compared with business ten, or even five, years ago. the introduction of social media marketing, the new concept of subdividing a target audience into niches, new forms of business software, and new guidelines for interacting with clients and employees are just a few of the changes that have affected the business community. Entrepreneurs are in the business game for the long haul. most hope to grow and develop their business over the next several years. imagine the changes that big businesses were forced to deal with over the years. how do we define one as an entrepreneur? a simple definition of the word entrepreneur goes like this. en•tre•pre•neur / äntrəprəˈnoor/ Noun a person who organises and operates a business or businesses, taking on financial risk to do so. a promoter in the entertainment industry. Synonyms contractor - undertaker - businessman impresario the term entrepreneur is a loanword from French, and is commonly used to describe an individual who organises and operates a business or businesses, taking on financial risk to do so. the term was first defined by the irish-French economist richard cantillon as the person who pays a certain price for

a product to resell it at an uncertain price, thereby making decisions about obtaining and using the resources while consequently admitting the risk of enterprise. the term first appeared in the French dictionary “dictionnaire Universel de commerce” of Jacques des Bruslons published in 1723. over time, scholars have defined the term in different ways. here are some prominent definitions. 1803: Jean-Baptiste Say: an entrepreneur is an economic agent who unites all means of production - land of one, the labour of another and the capital of yet another and thus produces a product. By selling the product in the market he pays land rental, wages to labour, interest on capital, and what remains is his profit. he shifts economic resources out of an area of lower and into an area of higher productivity and greater yield. 1934: Schumpeter: Entrepreneurs are innovators who use a process of shattering the status quo of the existing products and services, to set up new products and new services. 1961: david mcclelland: an entrepreneur is a person with a high need for achievement. he is energetic and a moderate risk taker. 1964: Peter drucker: an entrepreneur searches for change, responds to it and exploits opportunities. innovation is a specific tool of an entrepreneur - hence an effective entrepreneur converts a source into a resource. if we have labelled an entrepreneur thus, what is an investment? in•vest•ment /inˈves(t)mənt/

Noun the action or process of investing money for profit or material result. a thing that is worth buying because it may be profitable or useful in the future. in economics, investment is related to saving and deferring consumption. investment is involved in many areas of the economy, such as business management and finance, whether for households, firms,

or governments. in finance, investment is putting money into something with the expectation of gain, usually over a longer term. this may or may not be backed by research and analysis. most or all forms of investment involve some form of risk, such as investment in equities, property, and even fixed interest securities which are subject, inter alia, to inflation risk. in contrast, putting money into something with a hope of short-term gain, with or without thorough analysis, is gambling or speculation. this category would include most forms of derivatives (which incorporate a risk element without being long-term homes for money), and betting on horses. it would also include purchase of a company share in the hope of a short-term gain without any intention of holding it for the long term. Under the eﬃcient market hypothesis, all investments with equal risk should have the same expected rate of return: that is to say there is a trade-off between risk and expected return. But that does not prevent one from investing in risky assets over the long term in the hope of benefiting from this trade -off. the common usage of investment to describe speculation has had an effect in real life as well. it reduced investor capacity to discern investment from speculation, reduced investor awareness of risk associated with speculation, increased capital available to speculation, and decreased capital available to investment. From the foregoing, one would conclude that we live in an entrepreneurial and investment world.

IGBO pRAIse AnD WORsHIp nIte DeBut In DuBLIn

the first iGBo praise and worship night event in the republic of ireland was organised by Somto international on Sunday, march 3 at the carlton hotel in tyrellstown, Blanchardstown, dublin. the event which kicked off from at 6pm ended by 10pm. the memorable event featured artists from different parts of ireland and Europe. among the stars that featured at the evangelical bash include Kelechi ify, Grace amah, debsandy, Emeka don dino, reggae messiah, Kate Njoku and confidence onwere. this sonorous voices kept the almost full capacity hall going with loads of wonderful, popular and some forgotten igbo praise and worship songs. there were lots of singing and dancing by every adult that attendedl. the celebration in songs and dance afforded people of christian faith the opportunity to praise, worship and dance. Pastor Ezekiel gave a homily on the Power of Praise and weapon of worship before the interlude. during the oPEN mic session, an enthusiastic young lady was picked from the audience and she rendered few songs to everyone’s delight. it was remarkable to see a well organised event put through by a dedicated group of people and they made the night a memorable one.

From the stage, lighting, smoke effects to the music equipment and rendition as well as artistic presentation, Somto international deserve kudos for a credible organisation. the masters of ceremony, alex and chris who spoke in igbo all through the music fiesta were very good. Patrick Edekobi and Evaristus okafor, who made sure guests were relaxed aﬃrmed that they were out to promote igbo gospel music. mazi Kelechi onwumere, a leader of igbo Union commended Somto for a professional display while mrs ifeoma Udeagha acknowledged the ‘fantastic’ nature of the show while demanding the organisers called (Somto international) to put up another event before year end. the organisers could not immediately inform africaWorld if they would be orgarnising a yearly event or when the next one would be. they were full of praise for Bro. roger and mr Kola who accorded them the venue and music equipment for all their rehearsals. they also acknowledged dr oﬃah, Prisca hair and beauty, chicago Barbers, igbo Union, africaworld and all the band members who were volunteers for their wonderful support that led to the success of the event. indeed it was a night to remember. according to debsandy, Grace, Emeka and members of the Somto crew, the next event whenever it will be promises to be better.

march 16-31 2013 AFRICAWORLD 11

FAMiLY coRnER

s m e o orie

kwu Ok By Ukachu

MY WOMAn

Ushers in the greatness like the gatekeeper of the vine spreading of the thigh heralds the dawn but unheralded they face in this gathering. loving as career seems to prove troubled one lays bitter fangs for the eagle that poaches and the one that devours. the love of the world

MOtHeR AFRICA tHe MOtHeRLess MAn OLuHARA Just your portrait and a baby fading picture indented in us you left it so early like early bird you slept fast your face reminds me of blood it is thicker than water your sun set at dawn but your eggs did hatch beyond the witches time nutrients of thy breast keep multiplying the stars.

Wisdom Bits

here comes the eyes that saw once a gazelle in the tears of her world deprived of the cuddles that inspire and the voice that protects. lost in the limbo of confusion demands made came splattering like blood sprayed on earth he came, he saw and wept. oh my adoring mother faded fast like icicles on the sun rise though congealed but evergreen lies in you.

The Owl told his wife to praise him now that his eyes are clear because he may not be friendly if their open - eye dance moves to another level. Meaning - Desperate times brings desperate measures.

The tortoise said it is an taboo not to organise his mother’s funeral with a cow, but he cannot afford one if asked to produce. Meaning - It stresses the importance of an object even though one cannot afford it.

When a woman shave the hair on her private part,we will know the actual size. Meaning - Transparency brings clarity.

As you dress your bed, so you lie on it. Meaning - You will pass if you read for an exam.

As long as the penis continues to live, it must eat the beaded meat. Meaning - Change is the only inevitable thing.

The stupid and stubborn fly goes down the drain. Meaning - One who does not listen to advise ends up in a regrettable place.

FOLKtALe

tHe sOuReD sOup

TALES FROM OWERE

By Ukachukwu Okorie

once Upon a time! there was a widow in a village named Binin-kebbi. her name was agama lizard and she lived with her five children in a double attached underground tunnel, besides the only rabbit that was left in the village. the rabbits had been forced to abandon all their belongings in search of refuge in other villages when a mass action was launched against them. the other animals then looted and took ownership of all their belongings and mrs lizard was one of the animals that also benefitted from the abandoned belongings. When the only rabbit that was left in the kingdom died, she again occupied his home and all his lands. mrs. lizard became very wealthy and fortified her new home that was snake-shaped in nature and had one conventional entrance to the front and two covert let out doorways in the back, which served as emergency exits in the case of attacks from predators. For security reasons, mrs. lizard and her family, like many underground reptiles, always blocked the corridor to the main lobby and she instructed her five children that this was not going to change especially, when she was not at home. one day, she gathered her children and informed them that she was travelling to her birthplace for the burial ceremony of her uncle. She told them that they were going to be on their own and that they should take care of the home. Before she left them, she cooked a big pot of mushroom soup that she anticipated would serve them for seven days, which was the duration of her absence. When she left, the boys started having differences and arguments over rights and responsibilities, so much so that, no one did anything and the house became untidy. also, they left the mushroom soup without heating for days. on another day, while they were arguing over who would heat the soup for their meal, they received a visitor. it was their mother�s sister who came in bearing a message. She informed them that their mother was killed in an ambush around her place of birth. as a result, things were no longer going to be the same and each of them had to carry out different responsibilities, she said. the last son immediately volunteered that he would be responsible for the house chores and started by heating the soup. as he heated the soup over and over again, he found that the soup was sour and that no amount of re-heating would bring back the original taste of the soup. Even though he was unable to change the sour soup, his brothers applauded his good intention and this gave him an edge over his four elder brothers and they choose him to lead the family in domestic chores. he was also chosen to be the mediator whenever they had differences. None of them, however, remembered to keep the door blocked, which was their mother�s N° 1 priority. then one night, they had their first test while they were asleep. the Green Snake heard that mrs. agama was dead and that her children were on their own and went to their house to devour them. the last son heard a noise coming from the lobby and was disturbed by it and woke up quickly. he went to the corridor and moved the pebbles and locked the lobby just like his late mother had instructed them and before the intruder completed his mission. this saved them from a calamity that would have wiped out their entire household. When his brothers woke up, he told them what had happened and they hailed him for being a hero of the sour soup and security

the foundation of the earth You bore nations of all colours leaving abundant resources For them to live on You endured tribulations is it your babies taken forcefully? or those whose land were defiled? mama, your gods were taken away and aliens brought in many taboos You were molested by your sister’s children Your offspring were relegated and tears you shed uncontrollably But you cautioned on the need for patience that she who laugh last Will definitely laugh best

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AfricaWorld on

ReCIpe COLuMn

suYA

by Nkiru Edokobi

Ingredient Beef Suya spice (afro Shop) Peanut oil or olive oil Salt Skewers (suya sticks)

COOKING First, soak the suya sticks in cold water for at least 5 hours. this ensures that the stickdo not burn during the roasting of the suya. cut out any fat from the beef and then the beef into thin fillets. cut them into small pieces but not too small. thread the meat on the suya sticks, then put some oil in a bowl. add some salt to your taste and stir. Using a brush, rub the oil on the meat to help the spice stick to the meat. Put your suya spice on a plate and start dabbing the threaded beef in the spice so that the beef takes up as much of the spices as possible. Set it aside and cover with a thin plastic film before leaving it to marinate for 1hr. do not refrigerate. Preheat oven for 10 minutes before grilling. Grill the suya at 150c or about 300F and make sure you grill both sides for 30 - 40 minutes. Serve with chunks of onions and sliced tomatoes.

12 AFRICAWORLD march 16-31 2013

JUJU TRAFFICKING: One Nigerian Woman’s Prostitution Ordeal. part two of three Benin, Nigeria — At 20, Amaka Chinye was already saddled with responsibility. Both of her parents had died. Having finished high school, she opened a small boutique in a run-down shopping center to support her younger brothers. Strong and energetic, Chinye struggled to feed her small family. Then an acquaintance offered her a way out. Two years later, Chinye said she never considered refusing the offer, but it turned out to be the worst mistake of her life. “I was coping then suddenly somebody came and said, ‘I will take you to London. I will take you to America — all over the world — and when you get there you will not be doing this kind of job.’” “So I was like, ‘Ah! I want to go to Europe,’” she continued, smiling as she recalled her high hopes. “So I said, ‘Okay, let’s go!” Chinye sold all the items in her shop and told her brothers that she would send money home as soon as possible. Like many women trafficked to Europe, she was taken to a juju priest — known locally as the “herbalist” — to seal the deal with local magic. During the ceremony, she vowed she would obey her boss in Europe and pay back her travel expenses with the money she would make at her new job. The ‘spell’ called for her death if she failed to fulfill her oath. Chinye wasn’t worried. “I said, ‘Ah! Since you’ve assured me of a job I’m going to do there, there’s no problem. I’m going to pay,’” she said. “All my life I’ve been dreaming, how can I help my younger siblings? How can I help them? I don’t want them to suffer, because I love them so much.” A dangerous journey It wasn’t long after Chinye left home that something seemed wrong about the journey. She joined nearly 30 young women loaded onto an open-backed truck, headed toward the vast Sahara Desert. Chinye wondered: Why weren’t they taking a plane to Europe? And didn’t she need a passport? When they reached Libya, she learned the real extent of the danger. The country was at war. The truck sped through the desert to avoid gunfire and bandits known to rob and rape Nigerian women on their way to Tripoli. “The bad people in Libya were all in that desert hanging out

everywhere,” Chinye said, no longer smiling. “They were shooting.” Their supplies of food and water dwindled. Two young women died from heat and exhaustion. “The sun — it’s as if the air is fire,” Chinye explained. She raised her arms and waved them slightly, imitating the sun beating down and trying to find the words to describe the horrors of the desert. “You see how it’s going to look like then, when God will come. The sun was so hot.” Eventually, the driver was killed when a stray bullet hit his chest. But by then, it was too late to turn around and go home. They were out of food and almost out of water. Chinye and the other girls knew they were likely to die on their way to Europe, but if they turned around and tried cross the desert again — without supplies or money — they had no chance of surviving. “You can’t say, ‘I want to go back.’ The only hope you have is to go further,” she said, appearing relieved as she described reconnecting with the network of people charged with trafficking the women to Europe. “There is no way. You’ll die there.” European dream For the next few months, Chinye was passed from person to person — individuals linking the recruiter she met at home to her Nigerian “madam” in France. In Tripoli, she and other women hid inside for months while men fetched them food and o t h e r necessities. Chinye was told she had to hide because Libyan rebels were wary of black people, believing them all to be potential supporters of Muammar Gaddafi’s army. When passage to Italy was f i n a l l y arranged they boarded boats

that Chinye said looked like balloons. Forty-two people on her boat survived, but another boat of immigrants headed for Italy on the same day capsized, killing everyone on board. “I was very scared but I didn’t have a choice because I don’t have any money on me,” she said. “We have to go with them. We were very, very lucky.” In Italy, Chinye met a lawyer who knew her name. He had been sent from France to bring her to her new “home” — an apartment in Paris that housed the madam, her husband and between one and three “girls” at any given time. She was welcomed to the house with skimpy clothing and high heels. “Hit the streets,” her madam told her. She owed more than $80,000 for her passage to Europe, and the only available job was prostitution. A few weeks later, the madam threw a party for two other young Nigerian women who had apparently paid down their travel debt and were going home. The message was clear: If Chinye worked hard, she could be a success. “She introduced those two girls to me,” Chinye said, proceeding to draw out her words as she imitated

the madam’s voice. “’You can see, these are my girls. They just finished paying me. Do you know how much they have in their accounts? Do you know they have a house in Nigeria?’” For a month, Chinye worked the streets as many as 20 hours a day, but she never made enough money to send anything back to her brothers in Nigeria. The madam forced her to pay for food, housing and work clothes, and demanded $500 a week towards her debt. It was not long before she realized that at the rate she was going, she would always be accruing debt faster than she could pay it off. Fighting back The madam counted on all her “girls” to keep quiet and make money. They had all sworn an oath with a juju priest, and believed they could die if they disobeyed or refused to pay. She didn’t know that Chinye was different. Chinye befriended an older Frenchman, who convinced her to go to the cops. At the police station, she explained how she had been tricked into coming to France without a passport and forced into prostitution. She was detained and interviewed. She told

NEWS them everything. Both the madam and her husband were arrested, but for Chinye the nightmare wasn’t over. She was in France illegally, and she was about to be deported, penniless. Impressed by her bravery, employees at the detention center gave her abut $800 to help her return home after landing in Nigeria. “They said, ‘Take this money. You are a very brave girl. You are a very good girl. I like the way you came to us,’” she said. “Some of them just gave me fifty euros — just like that. So that’s how I came back.” Fourteen other young Nigerian girls were deported from France that day, she recalls. Some, having not fulfilled the oath and in fear of death, would eventually return to Europe. Back in Nigeria, Chinye began to rebuild her life. She learned that for most trafficked women, the ordeal didn’t end upon arriving back in Nigeria. She tried to re-open her business but lacked the capital to restock it. With only a few items to sell, she now carries clothes in a plastic bag and hawks them on the street. When asked if she is afraid the juju spell will one day kill her, Chinye said she no longer worries. “They said I’m going to die if I did not pay,” she said. “But I’ve been waiting for death and death did not come. I know it will not come. I am very much stronger than juju.”

march 16-31 2013 AFRICAWORLD 13

TECH_PILOt >>>>>>>> with Uchenna Onyenagubo

Frozen tablets?

The mobile device has a growing interest among people, irrespective of profession and status. In most cases, it’s replacing the conventional method of processing data, easier access and mobility and handy among other benefits. These devices comprises of the smart phones, tablets, idealPads and Ultrabook. Comparatively, there have been questions relating to maintenance, installations and usage as well. In this edition of Tech_Pilot, I have highlighted few concerns I received: If your iphone is freezing up, what do you do? The Apple has a different design technology for their devices. The battery is sealed up and difficult to perform a “battery pull” like many other smart phones. When you experience a freezing on your

iphone, ipad or even the iphone Touch, it requires a reset in most cases. To reset iPhone, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time for at least 10 seconds. During this time, a red “power off” slider may appear, but do not release Sleep/Wake and Home buttons until the Apple logo appears. Once this process is completed, restart the device and restore is complete. The freeze should be resolved. However, I have seen cases where this exercise resolved issues with apps not functioning properly. If your app is opened and it closes down by itself after a few seconds, there are few reasons for this error; either an update is required for the app or the OS and process of restore is explained above. How can I unlock my iPad if I forgot the passcode? Password and passcodes have become part of our life in this era of Technology. The reason is simply for security and safety. Many times, we forget these passwords especially if not used frequently. Regarding forgotten passcodes: If you repeatedly enter the wrong passcode, your iPad for instance will

Uhuru Kenyatta - Kenya President - Elect

be disabled for longer intervals before you can try again. After too many unsuccessful attempts, you won’t be able to try again until you connect it to the computer with which you last synced it. Note: You can configure your device to erase itself after ten consecutive incorrect password attempts. This setting is off by default. It can be

turned on by tapping Settings > General > Passcode Lock. If you cannot remember the passcode, you will need to restore your device using the computer with which you last synced it. This allows you to reset your passcode and re-sync the data from the device (or restore from a backup). If you restore on a different computer that

was never synced with the device, you will be able to unlock the device for use and remove the passcode, but your data will be lost. How to unlock an iPad with a Passcode The only way to unlock an iPad with a passcode, other than entering the passcode, is to “restore” it to its original factory settings. To restore your iPad - this deletes all of your data (songs, photos, videos, apps, and so on) on the iPad, use the following directions. Be absolutely sure that you have backed up the content on your iPad before restoring it. Apple’s official instructions to restore an iPad are: 1. Connect iPad to your computer. 2. Select iPad in the iTunes sidebar, then click the Summary tab. 3. Click “Check for Update.” iTunes tells you if there’s a newer version of the iPad software available. 4. Click Restore. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the restore process. When restoring, it is recommended that you back up iPad when

Pope Francis

prompted. When the iPad software has been restored, you can choose to set up iPad as a new iPad, or restore your music, videos, app data, and other content from a backup. For some customers with extended warrantee, please additionally note that Apple staff also cannot unlock an iPad for you without restoring the iPad, which will erase everything on it.

14 AFRICAWORLD march 16-31 2013

column

PICTURES FROM akidwa young migrant woman

pictures from diaspora woman initiative

PICTURES

march 16-31 2013 AFRICAWORLD 15

opinion

STEPPING STONES

“Passage of Rite” By Lylian Fotabong African Affairs Correspondent Academy of Music& Dance, UL

When I contributed to this column last month, I talked about the Taste of Africa event, which was to take place in the University of Limerick (UL) in February. I talked about the event because it was to set precedence for the introduction of pieces of African culture at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (The Academy). Not only was the series a

new beginning, it was an evening filled with unique African communal and ritualistic styles, which were passed over to unsuspecting but excited audience members. This, I would refer to as “Passage of Rite.” Beyond the theatre walls of the Academy, the sounds of drums filtered afar and the

music could be heard loud and clear. But louder and clearer inside were the hands on drums and feet on the floor – an ensemble of amateurs and pros – the founding parents and tutors at the Academy. That was the case. Maybe more than I thought it would be, and maybe also more than the organisers dreamed it to be. Permit me to say I thought it would be a “beautiful pandemonium” because African music and dance is diverse, intense and also impromptu. Mr O’dyke Nzewi is a Nigerian and Mr Rasmikey Courtney is an American of Ethiopian origin – both of them studying music and dance at The Academy. They led the audience to the floor, one group ready to take dancing lessons, and the other ready to learn how to produce sounds from a variety of African and Irish drums. The “drum team” stretched and stretched until a community style circle was formed. This was pleasing to the master – Phd student, Mr Nzewi. The “dance team” formed several lines and numerous dance routines until they got it right. This too was pleasing to Choreographer and a Master’s student in Ethnochoreology, Mr Courtney.

The two leaders taught the participants the craft of playing and dancing African rhythms. Several attempts to create a synchronising effect between music and dance by ordinary folks came and went. The Djembe and the Bodhran came together to produce a sweet fusion – like the different peoples that attended the event. The only difference was the creation of two groups: Music and Dance. Finally, there was a symbiotic relationship between the two groups. Music was produced by people, some who have never played the Djembe or the Bodhran before. Dance was performed by people – most of who have never danced to music of this type before. It was a rite that was passed over to the audience. Some of the cultural and musical attributes of Africa were passed over to them by two talented musicians from the world’s second largest continent. A rite they never knew was coming, but a rite that would be given to them again and again, on March 3 and April 24. As the Academy prepares to entertain two more workshops, the organisers hope that this will help create a lasting awareness of African music in UL. This is a trial series and maybe in the future, just maybe, it would last longer than three workshops. Just maybe, it would incorporate a concert with the new dance and music crew formed from the three workshops. And who does not like an African style concert! Just maybe, it would invite a sustainable lifeline to replicate at The Academy what happens in most parts of Africa. It was a perfect evening, with a meeting point of diverse people. For some, they were visiting this setting for the first time and for others, they were indulging in the same old taste of Africa. In my opinion, it all came together – what I describe here as the “passage of rite”.

16 AFRICAWORLD march 16-31 2013

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