AfricaWorld Newspaper

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MARCH 2012

VOL 001 Nº011

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China brings economic growth - at what price?

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Tuareg rebellion coincides with More on page 3 famine

Ambassadors for Change More on page 5

By Paul Kelly

On February 20th, Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping conveyed his excitement “to explore ways to promote our economic and trade links” in the Ireland-China Trade and Investment Forum in Dublin.

The Chinese Vice President’s recent visit reflects the tightening links between Ireland and China with Sino-Irish trade now valued at €6.5 billion. I reland, however, is far behind in developing relations with the Asian giant as China has long been Africa’s largest trading partner and continues to invest hugely across the continent.

Indeed, less than two years ago, Xi Jinping declared similar intentions for Africa to those he expressed for Ireland. Speaking about the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, he stressed the need to “enlarge the scale of China-Africa trade, and optimize the trade structure”.

His words reflected the huge increase in Chinese trade in Africa which has been fuelled by Chinese investment in the continent and massive oil sales.

China now imports 13% of African oil and, between 2000 and 2011, the volume of trade between China and Africa grew at over 1,000 per cent. Ireland, it seems, is following the African lead. However, despite the clear economic benefits China is

press freedom IN africa More on page 6

I WANT MY HUSBAND TO BE A SLAVE! Part 2 More on page 13

analysis from africa cup of nations More on page 16 We distribute in Nigeria - Lagos, Abuja & Owerri South Africa - Johannesburg Belgium - Brussels United Kingdom - London bringing to Africa, its presence has cast a long shadow of human rights abuses in many African countries.

The scale of Sino-African cooperation can be seen clearly in the recent completion of the huge new headquarters of the African Union (AU), in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa just over a month ago. The huge project was completely financed by China, costing $200 million and,

according to China’s most senior political advisor, Jia Qinglin, “speaks volumes about our friendship to the African people, and testifies to our strong resolve to support African development.”

Critics, however, have argued that the building symbolises dangerously close ties and that the construction of such a sensitive diplomatic structure by the Chinese undermines the Continued on Page 3

Dublin mayor talks to AfricaWorld A

By Dolores Martyn

ndrew Montague was elected the 342nd Mayor of Dublin on 27th of June 2011. He previously held the postion of Deputy Lord Mayor in 2004/2005 and was re-elected to Dublin City Council in June 2009 representing the Artane/Whitehall Ward.

Almost half way through his term Africa World caught up with him to see how his agenda was progressing and hear his stance on some issues facing the African Community.

Life as an Immigrant Having lived in Britain for five

years the Lord Mayor understands the “huge difficulties for anyone living abroad”. While he recognised the cultural variations between Ireland and the UK are not huge and although he felt welcome there “it’s not home,” he said.

He recalls returning to Ireland in

1998 and being excited about the very different Ireland that was emerging.

“I loved seeing the new immigrants, there was a sense of excitement,” he enthused but he realised there would be obstacles for Continued on Page 5

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March 2012

opinion

The return of the native

Editorial CELEBRATING THE AFRICAN WOMAN As the International community celebrates woman’s day this March, AfricaWorld remembers the role of these tenders of life. This month celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future as vital to humanity.

We remember in a most solemn way African women especially those who distinguished themselves for the good of the continent, past and present. It is imperative to note that women, even from our beloved continent, are doing marvellous things: making breakthroughs, contributing to advances in arts, culture, science, human rights, medicine, chemistry and engineering — thus emerging experts and leaders in their fields.

As the bastion of the family and society, the African woman should continue to excel on the right path to greatness. Whatever happens, African women should ensure the preservation of their traditions and resist the lure to distort aspects of our value system.

Go out there and engage whoever dares the African motherland. With your vast knowledge and experience of triumph over tribulation, propagate the message of true motherhood to the ends of the earth. Like the women of Aba in 1929 and Cumann na mBan, African women should raise platforms and network together to fight the ills and marginalisation of the continent.

As we celebrate women, there is need to support organisations that propagate ideals fighting stereotypes, violence and discrimination. The right to educate women, particularly those in rural areas should be encouraged.

Huddles should be brought down while bumps levelled for the total emancipation of women who are yet to join the global march of the human race.

AfricaWorld wishes all women the best in March and beyond. Our columnists and celebrated mothers have top of the range articles to help you understand a bit of what our women can do. The Adorable Mum column anchored by its founder, Gbeminiyi ‘Gee Bee’ Shogunle has How to be a Good Mother, Chinwe Ihegbu’s Recipe discusses Yam Pottage and Adaku Ezeudo’s Let’s Talk About It, add their touch.

So as AfricaWorld send love to MOTHERS - come inside.

Uka

By Ukachukwu Okorie

Together, hand in hand, with that stick of matches, with our necklace we shall liberate this country

WINNIE MADIKIZELA MANDELa

Mother of the Nation

Starting in 1962, Winnie Mandela went through an uninterrupted series of legal restrictions. The Apartheid laws placed hurdles in her life which prevented her from socializing, living and working. She was barred under the Suppression of Communism Act for her part in the struggle and was restricted to the Soweto Orlando Township. Notwithstanding, she continued to work clandestinely for the ANC, participating in secret meetings and mobilisation.

For much of her husband’s time in prison, she was restricted and confined to certain locations due to her vibrancy and activism except for the times she was allowed to visit him. At one time, she spent eighteen months in solitary confinement at Pretoria Central Prison.

At different period, she was elected president of the ANC Women’s League, Member of South Africa Parliament, Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. She was elected to the ANC National Executive Committee at the 52nd ANC conference in Polokwane. Whatever critics say about Winnie Mandela, she identifies with the yearnings of her people and remains the ‘Mother of the Rainbow Nation’.

WINNIE MADIKIZELA - MANDELa

Many grew up on Hugh Masekela’s famous tune which runs thus Bring back Nelson Mandela, Bring him back home to Soweto, I want to see him walking hand in hand With Winnie Mandela…no more war.

Winnie Mandela was born Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela in the village of Mbongweni, Bizana, in the Transkei. The fourth of eight children, her father, Columbus, was Minister of the Transkei Governments’ Forestry and Agriculture Department during Kaizer Matanzima’s rule. Her mother, Nomathamsanqa Mzaidume (Gertrude), a domestic science teacher, died when Winnie was only eight years old. Winnie Mandela began her primary education in Bizana and post-primary at Shawbury High School, where she distinguished herself as a person with exceptional leadership qualities. In 1953, she was admitted to the Jan Hofmeyr School of Social Work in Johannesburg.

AfricaWorld & Millenium Development Goals Editor Ukachukwu Okorie

Photography Stephen Boyle

Managing Editor Jekaterina Saveljeva

Graphic Design Marco Rodrigues

Sport Editor Colum Maher

Online/Marketing Gaelle Robert

She completed her degree in social work in 1955 despite restrictions on black education, and won a scholarship in the USA for further studies. However she turned it down and opted for a challenging position as the first qualified Black medical social worker at the Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg instead. Winnie later earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

As a writer put it, “Winnie is the Mandela that kept Nelson in our consciousness.” She spent most of her marital life championing the cause against minority white rule in South Africa. Winnie Mandela was a thorn in the flesh for the conspirators that jailed her husband that when the later was released from prison, she had become a political figure with a huge following in her own right. It would be said that Winnie married Mandela young but she grew up politically outside his tentacles.

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

Winnie with Nelson Mandela

The young Winnie

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.

Published by Uyokanjo Media Services Ltd. 46 Parnel Square West Tel: +353 (01) 873 4391 3rd Floor

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March 2012

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sovereignty of African states. This can also be seen in Chinese donations of other sensitive political institutions such as the building of Ghana’s new Ministry of Defence.

Despite this, however, China’s investment in the continent has been praised by many African leaders. A recent Wikileaks cable revealed that “Kenyan Ambassador to China Julius Ole Sunkuli claimed that Africa was better off thanks to China’s practical, bilateral approach to development assistance”. Other leaders have been more explicit, with Zimbabwe’s Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono, publicly calling for Zimbabwe to change its currency to the Yuan stating that “there is no doubt that the Yuan, with its ascendancy, will be the 21st century’s world reserve currency.”

In addition to this, African leaders are becoming more and more impressed with China’s “no strings attached” approach to development assistance which contrasts with Western States that tie governance and other strict conditions to aid.

Human rights groups, however, have expressed concern that this undermines attempts to improve labour conditions and human rights records, especially in despotic regimes.

In addition to this, they argue that Chinese investment is far more explicitly tied than some Western engagements with the continent, pointing to the fact that Chinese ventures are tied to the condition that Chinese owned companies must be chosen for the contracts. They argue that this hurts competition, resulting in sloppy work. Although this practice is also common in Western states, with over half of OECD development assistance following this framework, Chinese companies also export the

human rights abuses common throughout their own state.

In a recent report, Human Rights Watch has described the mining of Zambia’s copper belt by state owned China Non-Ferrous Metals Corp as “subject to abusive health, safety, and labour conditions” including regular 12-hour and even 18-hour shifts involving arduous labour as well as anti-union activities such as threatening and intimidating union members. In the words of one miner: “They just consider production, not safety. If someone dies, he can be replaced tomorrow. And if you report the problem, you’ll lose your job.”

This problem persists not just within Zambia, however. According to a recent report by the African Labour Research Network there are “common trends” in Chinese-owned companies across Africa. These include “hostile attitudes towards trade unions, violations of workers’ rights … and unfair labour practices”.

A further problem caused by increased Chinese trade is rising competition, especially for huge manufacturers such as South Africa. What was once a dynamic textiles industry in South Africa has stagnated due to increased competition from China, causing the loss of thousands of jobs and forcing the South African government to apply quotas on Chinese imports.

This story is also repeated elsewhere across Africa, especially in strong manufacturing states such as Lesotho. Some African leaders also condemn the environmental standards of Chinese companies with Zimbabwe’s environment minister Francis Nhema claiming Chinese multinationals are “operating like makorokozaminers”, a scornful term for illegal gold-panners.

China’s rise in Africa is most worrying, however, because of the

dangerous slant on human rights that China extols. Although China is making significant strides in areas such as religious freedom, the arrest of 48 members of Shouwang church earlier this year shows that brutal ideas from the Cultural Revolution continue to dominate the minds of many Chinese leaders.

“They just consider production, not safety. If someone dies, he can be replaced tomorrow. And if you report the problem, you’ll lose your job.”

As African countries move closer and closer to China economically, it is important that they retain the fundamental respect for human rights that has always marked out the continent as superior in the world. Otherwise they run the risk

Tuareg rebellion coincides with famine in Sahel

By Max Uspensky

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ast year’s low rainfall has created drought conditions, poor harvests and consequent famine right across the Sahel.

As so often is the case, read Somalia and Southern Sudan, armed conflict compounds such crisis. In northern Mali action by the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad has created migrants throughout Mali. Reports indicate

40 Malian soldiers killed in Aguelhok late January.

Apart from hindering relief efforts, Malian farmers are moving cattle across the border into Burkina Faso where they are competing with local herdsman for diminishing grassland.

Three million lives remain at risk across the Sahel.

VETERAN AFRICAN ACTOR DIES

By Ozi Okoli NANTAP, National Director of Publicity

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he veteran actor and creator of one of Nigeria’s l o n ge s t T V d r a m a series THE NEW MASQUERADE, James Akwari Iroha alias Giringori Akabuogu is dead. It was said that he was suffering from a variety of ailments including loss of his

of falling victim to problems that have plagued other Chinese allies, such as Iran, whose infringement of basic rights continues to rise. This was highlighted by the execution order signed less than a week ago for Yousef Nadarkhani, for the crime of apostasy.

Many African leaders, however, seem to have learned this lesson as was exemplified by the Kenyan ambassador to China’s emphasis on the “options” China brings to Africa.

This shows Kenya has learned that, whatever the benefits that Eastern and Western companies alike may bring to Kenya, it is its sovereignty and culture which is of paramount importance, a lesson which is being learned across the continent.

Although the Chinese influence in Africa will no doubt continue to grow, many African leaders have discovered that it is they who hold, and must continue to hold, the upper hand when negotiating with investors.

This was exemplified by Ethiopian

eyesight and did not have the financial means to obtain adequate medical care.

This of course is usually the case with most Nigerian veteran actors whose entire life is spent in creating indelible humorous and artistic dramas in the mindset of well meaning Nigerian TV audience.

It is very sad indeed that those who contributed more in the foundation of African television drama usually get little in return in their old age.

It is a case of the creator of laughter not experiencing the laughter he created in his life after leaving the scene of laughter creation.

James Iroha will be remembered for his ingenious ability in creating one of Nigeria’s most ever green populous indigenous television drama series “THE MASQUERADE” which later became “THE NEW MASQUERADE”.

May his humble idyllic style of living be emulated by Nigerian Actors.

Daniel Bekele who, as a regional development and law graduate from Addis Ababa University, understands the important link between respect for human rights and the sovereignty of African states. “Rather than simply blame Chinese-run firms,” he stressed, speaking of Zambia’s controversial copper mines.

“President Sata needs to ensure that his government is effectively protecting workers’ rights. More stringent measures are needed against all companies that flout labour laws and mining regulations.”

This highlights the fact that the key lesson when dealing with all foreign investors across Africa is the need to balance the importance of human rights with the struggle for rising economic development. As Ireland too seeks to increasingly engage China, the African experience should provide a clear model for her to follow.

GLASNEVIN PASTORS CAUTION RANDY COLLEAGUE

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equel to our news report in the recent past about a man of God threatening his marriage over extramarital affair with a church member, AfricaWorld can report exclusively that Nigerian Pastors has sent a delegation to counsel their colleague who hails from Ghana.

Our source said they advised him against indulging in activities that will bring bad publicity to them. The Glasnevin Industrial estate accommodate many pentecostal churches in Dublin. Apart from the counseling offered this Man of God, they prayed together against the devil’s triumph over them.

It would be recalled that the pastor’s flighty behaviour negatively pinched his marriage to a lovely wife. Our investigation revealed that the attitude touched on the strength of church membership.

However, some dedicated members are beginning to work hard to win back run-away members.

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March 2012

NEWS

ECOWAS PARLIAMENT SPEAKER APPEALS FOR STRONG ARMS TRADE TREATY

By ORJI Nkemakonam Dickson President , WAANSA-Nigeria

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he 4th Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (PrepCom 4) held in the U.N House in New York USA. From 13-17 February, 2012.

In a letter to The Chairperson & Delegates of the 4th Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty, the Speaker called on the Committee to ensure a robust and strong ATT - ‘We appeal to delegates not to overlook the cost of irresponsible conventional arms transfers to human lives and thereby deliver what the weak and the innocent of the world are awaitinga strong and robust arms trade treaty’.

The Speaker went further to stress that ‘I believe that the Scope of the Arms Trade Treaty should include a comprehensive list of conventional arms including small arms and light weapons and ammunition and munitions of all types. We trust that the negotiated ATT will have Human Rights and Humanitarian Law as its basis as well as visibly demonstrate

its commitment to development’.

Recounting the impact of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) on African Nations, he stated that ‘The lack on an international legal regime to regulate the arms trade and transfer of conventional weapons has practically condemned Africa as a ‘war zone’, where an approximately USD$18 billion is lost annually due to civil wars, insurgencies and militarization of the civil populace.

We cannot over emphasize the loss of human lives as a result of incessant wars, insurgencies, terrorism and organised criminality’.

In a related development, The British Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has written a strong letter in support of the ATT, Stating that “Internationally, we’ll lead the charge for a robust, legally-binding treaty, covering all conventional weapons. Not only rockets and tanks, but also the landmines and AK-47s that cause so much bloodshed. We’ll press states who sign up to block sales that fuel conflict or fail to meet the treaty’s obligations on human rights. And we want states to demonstrate they’re meeting their commitments.”

During the PREPCOM 4 Diplomats met for a week of talks in New York ahead of the negotiating conference in July, when the ATT will be finalized. There is currently no global regulation on the conventional arms trade, making it too easy for arms to end up in the hands of human rights abusers. The main sticking point has between those countries who interpret consensus as giving every country the right to veto the end result, and those who interpret it to mean broad agreement amongst a large majority. Delegates lost time during much of the last two days behind closed doors in intense negotiations where a deal was

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“Everyone around me abandoned their food,” she said after showing them the piece of glass.

Immediately, she took it to the kitchen staff and went to inform Linda, a senior Balseskin official.

“Linda told me to drink water and eat banana,” the victim informed.

On another note, she requested to sign an accident form but was told they did not have it. “There is no form and it is not necessary because you didn’t swallow the piece of bottle,” Sibusiso qouted Bryan, another Balseskin staff.

She went to the Mater hospital for an xray and result shows there’s scratch on her throat. According to

THOUSANDS WITNESS GENERAL OJUKWU’S BURIAL

T Sibusiso Dube in AfricaWorld office

her, the doctor prescribed some tablets and advised her to avoid spicy and heavy food until it heals.

Flashing a doctor’s report, she vowed to take her case further as the Balseskin staff ignored the importance of her health when she reported the incident.

Putin’s win sets new tone over Syria Putin’s victory in Russia’s presidential election, with just under 64% of the vote, has been responded to with protests and allegations of fraud but what does this mean for Syria?

Putin’s election ensures Russia’s influence in Syria will remain strong as will its support for the al- Assad regime. Putin himself said his victory was proof Russia was resistant to the “coloured

revolutions” which have forced regime change in the Middle East and, previously, eastern Europe.

When Putin came to power in 1999 he put much importance in reaffirming Russia’s influence in the Middle East. The fact that Syria remains the last country in the Middle East in which it exerts any power increases its importance. To lose a grip on Syria would affectively mean they would lose influence on

of arms and ammunitions that fuel conflict, poverty and serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

The Control Arms Coalition revealed that recent events in the Middle East and North Africa demonstrate the tragic impact of the unregulated arms trade and the urgent need for a strong Arms Trade Treaty. A global deal on arms trade, the group says, would prevent irresponsible arms transfers that cost so many innocent lives and fuel internal conflicts such as in Syria. “ It is also deplorable that Russia argues it is responsible to continue sending weapons to a regime that is bombarding its citizens,” said Jeff Abramson, Coordinator of the Control Arms Coalition. “A strong ATT with robust human rights criteria would make clear that arms transfers must not occur when there is a substantial risk of them being used to kill civilians and commit human rights abuses. The sale of any arms to Syria right now is simply appalling.”

ECOWAS Speaker - Sen. Ike Ekweremadu in the middle

Piece of bottle in balseskin meal

hat would have been a careless loss of life nearly occurred at the famous Balseskin Refugee Centre in Dublin. At lunch time in the dinning hall, inmates were shocked as they watched with horror how one of them spat out a piece of bottle.

Sibusiso Dube came to Dublin from Zimbabwe in 2011 with her two sons, the youngest boy, 9, suffers autism. According to Sibusiso, she felt a sharp crack in her mouth after taking in a munch of vegetable during lunch. Feeling a sharp pain, she threw back the food to the plate and saw a piece of sharp glass.

brokered.

“It is essential in July, when the final negotiations take place that diplomatic games are not played.

Lives and livelihoods continue to be destroyed by an arms trade that is out of control, and the majority of governments that want to see a truly “bulletproof” treaty must not be blocked by a small minority with vested interests,” said Jeff Abramson of Control Arms.

NGOs under the auspices of The Control Arms Coalition - a global movement of humanitarian, human rights and health organizations campaigns for a legally-binding treaty that that will stop transfers

housands witness the interment to Mother Earth of the former Head of State of the defunct Republic of Biafra on 2 March. In an unprecedented atmosphere and graced by African leaders led by the Nigeria President - Goodluck Jonathan, General Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu was buried in his home town, Nnewi in southeast Nigeria.

In his tribute at the graveside, the Niger Delta-born president said, “But in most cases, it is when you step aside from such responsibilities or you depart the Mother Earth that people will really picture and know who you are. We have seen leaders, even in Africa and in the world, and some good examples in Africa that

the whole Middle East.

A pro- western democratic Syria eliminates a need for Russia as would a radical, Islamist government leaving the al-Assad regime the most desirable for Putin. His role as president will no doubt lead to increased attention on Syria as he protects Russia’s interests in the Middle East.

General Ojukwu’s Casket

served as presidents of their countries and of course even their corpses were not allowed to go back to their countries. That tells you the kind of their leadership.

Ojukwu is one of those brought by God to lead the people.”

The corpse toured many cities starting from the Westminster Cathedral in London finally ended in his hometown. Ojukwu who led Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War has never been short of tributes from millions of followers around the world. General Ojukwu died on 26 November 2011 at the age of 78 in a London hospital. His death marks a focal point in Nigeria’s lackadaisical march to nationhood.

March 2012

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these immigrants to overcome.

He finds many of these are around the area of education. Recognition of qualifications sometimes proves to be a challenge along with the high international fees for immigrants wishing to further their education in Ireland, according to the Lord Mayor.

He noted that the language barrier is an issue for some immigrants more than others. “The congolese have quite poor English,” he said.

The Lord Mayor refers also to a recent report by the ICI (Immigration Council of Ireland) that found Africans in Ireland face more racism than immigrants from Europe.

He shares a story of a friend of his from Zimbabwe who he met while they both studied for their Masters in Veterinary at UCD. His friend told him there wasn’t a day that went by that he or his wife weren’t racially abused in some form.

His close work with the Office of Integration in Dublin City Council aims to encourage people to open their minds to other cultures.

The Chinese and Latin American festivals have came about as a result and there are hopes to expand Africa Day into a week long festival to embrace the vibrant population.

When asked what he would say to people who say the marginalised Irish are taking second seat to asylum seekers and immigrants who seem to arrive and reap the

Dublin Mayor Andrew Montague celebrated his birthday on 29 feb.

Happy Birthday

benefits.

“People at the margin are going to feel threatend – I don’t think it’s a reality but it’s a perception,” he said.

“We have to make sure were being fair, no special treatments,” he continued.

“If there were no immigrants there would be no foreign investment,” he says refering to Google as an example of a company who employs people from many countries with different skills.

He recognises the contribution African’s and other nations make to Irish society in many different areas.

“Where would we be without the Philipine nurses? I think we need to welcome diversity.”

East Africa Appeal Having spent the last three summers in Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda, the mayor has “a lot of sympathy for the people” and contacted the relevant charities; Concern, Trocaire and Oxfam to see if they would like him to come aboard in promoting their East Africa Appeal.

His contribution was most welcome as he launched his appeal in the Mansion House on July 25th 2011, asking people to donate an hour of their salary for the cause.

Previously treasurer for Comhlamh (The Irish Association of Development Workers and Volunteers) betweeen 2002 -2004 we

touched on the issue of aid versus fair trade.

“There have been efforts to get fair world trade deals but they have come to nothing,” he said. “It seems to have gone off the agenda,” he reiterated.

That said from his own day to day experiences he sees many of these countries progressing and found the economies doing alot better than he had expected.

“Countries with peaceful power transitions, like Tanzania are doing better than countries like Uganda.”

He sees the vibrancy in these countries and thinks the media tend to”focus on the tragedies”.

Anti Social Behavior Commission One of the main goals on the Lord Mayor’s agenda was to tackle the problem of Anti Social Behaviour.

Cathal McGee; CEO of HSE, Sean Redmond; Head of Young Offender’s Programme (Irish Youth Justice Service) and Alan Shatter;Minister for Justice and Law Reform are all involved in his Commission on Anti Social Behaviour.

The focus is on prevention and early intervention, realising the first three years of a child’s life is crucial to their development.

Ready, Steady, Grow was set up in Ballymun with the aim of providing support to parents, helping them with parenting in this critical stage.

As the Lord Mayor lived in Ballymun before taking up his

position in Mansion House he finds the developments there the most exciting.

“The change has been terriffic,” he says. The abolition of the towers and the fact that there is only one block remaining has contributed to the reduction in anti social behaviour, he believes.

Tourism and the Future Promotion of Trade and Tourism to Ireland is high on the list of the Lord Mayor’s agenda.

The already highly successful Dublin bikes scheme is set to expand with a thousand extra bikes hoped to be available by the end of June, bringing the total to 1500.

The development of a fresh food retail market to take advantage of the space adjacent to the Capel Building where many wholesalers have left is well in the pipeline.

Meanwhile the Lord Mayor continues to promote Ireland abroad with recent trips to India, Seoul, Taipei, Taiwan and Hong Kong intended to encourage students to study in Ireland and business’ to invest.

Although the exective powers of the mayor are limited, he doesn’t see this as a problem in getting things done as his position is well respected and those with powers are more than willing to listen.

“My powers of influence are very high,” he says.

Ambassadors for Change

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mmigrant Council Launches Mentoring Programme forYoung Pe o p l e from Migrant Backgrounds Young migrants must be supported to achieve their best, both socially and academically.

That’s according to the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI), which on 20 February launched a new mentoring programme aimed at supporting teenagers from migrant backgrounds.

The new programme – ‘Ambassadors for Change’ – will be run by young people, for young people. Under the programme, volunteers aged 18 to 30 – who are, themselves, from migrant backgrounds – will be trained as ‘ambassadors’ and will then be matched with participating secondary schools. In these schools, they will be available to provide informal advice, guidance and support to students from migrant backgrounds – and to encourage them to do well, both in an academic and a social context.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Fidèle Mutwarasibo, Integration Manager with the ICI, said the aim of the new programme is to help teenagers

from migrant backgrounds overcome any obstacles to their personal, social and academic development.

“Teenagers who move to live in Ireland find themselves in a strange country and an unfamiliar education system, so it may take them some time to adapt and begin to integrate and make friends,” he said. “They can suffer from a sense of dislocation and a lack of role models in their new lives.

“Even for second-generation migrants, there can be cultural and social barriers that prevent them achieving their full potential. In some cases, they see their highlyeducated parents working in lowpaid, menial jobs – or not working at all – because of employment restrictions or because their academic qualifications are not recognised here. So that causes them to question the value of education, and may lead to them losing their motivation to study or progress academically.

“In other cases, parents may not have the English language skills to participate actively in their children’s education and to help and encourage them with homework

and with things like their exams or filling out their CAO form and so forth.

“On top of that, people from migrant backgrounds are underrepresented in public life. We still have very few visible politicians, business leaders, sportspeople or artists from migrant backgrounds.

So young migrants can find it difficult to identify role models that reflect the reality of their lives.”

Dr. Mutwarasibo said that, by training ‘ambassadors’ to go out into secondary schools, the ICI is hoping to provide young people from migrant backgrounds with realistic role models.

“All our volunteer ‘ambassadors’ are high achievers themselves – although still only in their late teens or 20s, they have done well academically, socially and in their chosen careers,” he said. “They have also gone through the Irish education system – so they are fully aware of the challenges that students from migrant backgrounds can face. And, in addition to serving as role models, they will also be available to provide practical support – to advise on career choices, to help

with language barriers or just to be there to listen and be a friend.”

A number of those already recruited as volunteer mentors for the ‘Ambassadors for Change’ programme were present at the launch.

24-year-old Hailuu Netsiyanwa, who moved to Ireland from Zimbabwe when he was 14 years old. Hailuu is currently studying International Aid and Development, and is as an artistic activist. He has been involved in a number of sports, integration and social justice initiatives and campaigns in recent years.

Irish-born Chinese woman Eva Pau, who studied at Alexandra College, Dublin, Trinity College and Lancaster University in the UK before moving to Hong Kong, where she lived for six years, working in the private banking sector. She returned to Dublin two years ago to join her family business, HBV Ireland Ltd, an Asian food retail, wholesale and distribution business, which runs the well-known Asia Market foodstore on Dublin’s Drury Street (a store founded by Eva’s father in 1981). She now serves as Marketing

and Business Development Manager with HBV. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague, officiated at today’s launch. Speaking about the ‘Ambassadors for Change’ programme, he said: “I think this initiative is extremely worthwhile.

The experience in countries with longer histories of migration has shown young people from migrant backgrounds can face additional challenges when it comes to educational attainment, job prospects, and social inclusion. So it’s important they have realistic role models that show these challenges can be overcome. And that’s what the ‘Ambassadors for Change’ programme is all about.”

Anybody interested in volunteering with the ‘Ambassadors for Change’ programme – or any schools that would like to get involved – should contact the ICI on 01-6740202 Email: info@immigrantcouncil.ie.

Contact: Martina Quinn / Cliona Doyle, DHR Communications, Tel: 01-4200580 / 087-6522033 / 0874116081

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March 2012

news

africa rise in press freedom index

Aniomas celebrates in Dublin

By Dolores Martyn

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atest statistics from the Press Freedom Index for 2011-2012 show over two thirds of African nations have seen a rise in their rankings.

The index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders, has seen four African countries make it into the top 30.

Niger achieved the biggest rise in a single year climbing 75 places to number 29, thanks to its successful political transition.

Mali and Namibia both moved up one place to 25 and 20 respectively,while Cape Verde edged

into the top ten at number 9 from last year’s 26.

The index measures the violations of press freedom in the world and the degree of freedom that journalists and news organisations enjoy in each country.

Reporters Without Borders said “never has freedom of information been so closely associated with democracy” than this year and “never have acts of censorship and physical attacks on journalists seemed so numerous.”

South Sudan made a respectable entry as a new nation at 111 after

Press Freedom in South Africa. Photo by John Campbell

breaking from Sudan which remains at the end of the scale at 170.

Egypt’s ranking fell 39 places to 166 as the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces took over power in February 2011 and continued the Mubarak dictatorship’s practices.

February, November and December were the three worse months for violence against journalists in Egypt.

Uganda also fell 43 places to 139 after the February elections when President Yoweri Museveni launched an unprecedented crackdown on opposition movements and independent media.

The largest decrease was experienced by Malawi which found its position dropping from 79 to 146.

Reporters Without Borders attributed this to President Mutharika’s totalitarian tendencies.

Eritrea remained at the bottom of the rankings at 179 which it has done consistently. It is the only African country to have no privately owned news media since independent media was banned in 2001.

News about external events is censored by the state and Reporters without Borders said they “do nothing but relay the regime’s belligerent and ultra-nationalist discourse..not a single (foreign correspondent) now lives in Asmara.”

The secretary with guests at the Anioma Event

T

he people of Anioma and their well-wishers gathered recently to celebrate their culture on Saturday 25 February in Dublin. The colourful event which is celebrated yearly attracts all children of Anioma in Ireland and neighbouring countries. Who are the Aniomas? They are the Igbo speaking people in Delta State of Nigeria.

Speaking to AfricaWorld, the Secretary General, Mrs Ndidiamaka Nduka Ogbebo informed that the occasion was an annual thanksgiving event where all Aniomas gather with their children to celebrate their rich culture.

According to the scribe, “what essentially sets the Anioma people apart from other Igbo speaking areas is the distinctiveness of their culture coupled with their

NIGERIANS LANGUISH IN SAUDI ARABIAN JAILS

language.”

The function had lots of attraction and fanfare especially cultural dances by their young kids and women. The Anioma in Ireland promotes integration and their culture especially in the diaspora for their children and friends The vice president, Azuka Nwajei told AfricaWorld that the Anioma Ireland which is 5 years since establishment intend to revitalise the association. He further said that the reason behind the movement is to galvanize the spirit of Anioma brotherhood. They plan to assist their kith and kin in Ireland and back home. They plan to make the most of their unique language and culture to bind themselves together.

The event also saw the coronation of their founder as patron.

BUY AND SELL

By Abdul Yusuf

Nigerian citizens and many other foreign nationals who have committed crimes and fully served their terms in prison in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are still languishing in jail for more than eight years without trial or access to legal representation. The judicial system is failing a lot of immigrants and the Kingdom’s human rights abuses is becoming dominant as the right for freedom has been continuously denied even though prisoners have served terms given to them.

One of these such cases is that of Ibrahim Mohammed Jibril who had completely served his term in the holy land but the presiding Judge Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Hidan is denying him the right to freedom. The accused had served his term and was supposed to have been released in December 2011 but it was presumed that the judge will elongate his and many other accused prison terms without any fair trial or access to a legal representative. Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed Jibril was subsequently refused freedom and ganged up with other six accused to face a re-trial after serving eight years in prison. It

was learnt that the courts have a norm of extending prison terms to prisoners from the sub-African regions - especially Nigerians. This had always been a common practise in the past and many prisoners do end up not gaining freedom or finishing their prison terms alive. A lot of Nigerians have in the past decades been imprisoned without a fair trial or access to a legal representative. The findings carried out proved that most foreign nationals that were banged up behind bars have been in fear of attending any health checks because of the possibility of them passing away in suspicious circumstances prior to or after the end of their prison terms. The Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia is well aware of Ibrahim Mohammed Jibril’s case which is exceptional and many others.

Why are Nigeria citizens routinely singled out and targeted for abuse and murder? Perhaps no other nationals suffer as much brutal degradation as Nigerians abroad. It used to be the preserve of the US and European countries to hand out this

treatment but progressive dehumanisation of Nigerians in their own country has given rise to the international dehumanisation of Nigerians.

All over the world, Nigerians have been targets of unlawful attacks, abuse and murder. The Nigerian Foreign Office, characteristically, neither denounces these incidents nor prevails on the host government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

So the very absence of a responsive and responsible government in Nigeria has translated to a lack of respect and recognition of Nigerians as human beings, or, at the very least, one that any authority would be interested in protecting their welfare and safety. So the ever growing attacks and slaying of Nigerians in foreign countries is one of the many failings of the Nigerian state.

Nigerians, like the rest of humanity, can remain in a foreign country when the right has been granted and are indeed subject to the laws and protection of the host country. Ambassadors should always intervene when their nationals die in suspicious circumstances abroad,

especially at the hands of agents of the host country. This is where a Nigerian ambassador is different. He or she would be unperturbed.

Tell me who is to blame, when poverty ravages Nigeria, when brilliant and intelligent students are denied the opportunity to put their brains to good use in Nigeria just because of nepotism and bigotry? Tell me who is to blame, when Nigerian consulates abroad watch in eerie silence as Nigerians are beaten and battered, holstered in cells and denied justice in foreign lands? Tell me who is to blame, when foreigners are treated like gods and protected by Nigerian soldiers, no longer by civilian police and yet the average Nigerian is being denied basic civil protection in Nigeria? And tell me who is to blame, when Nigerians are quick to swallow any lie, hook-line-and-sinker, that the so-called civilised nations feed Nigerians about Nigerians in their own country without the Nigerian government making a fair investigation into any matter to ascertain the truth and taking a stand of letting these nations know that Nigerians are also WORLD CITIZENS?

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March 2012

7

opinion COLUMN

DIMKPA Travesty of Democracy:

By Mazi Uche Azukaoma Osakwe

T

he current political impasse in Nigeria has once again raised the issue of whether Nigeria should have a Sovereign National Conference or National dialogue.The SNC has become necessary in light of insecurity and a threat to national cohesion; although there are those for and against the idea of convocation of SNC. Political power is derived from the people and the people determined what they want. It is a social contract between the people and the elected representatives. It is a chain in democracy.

In Nigeria the elected representatives assumed absolute powers and arrogated themselves the divine right to determine life and death. There is no separation of power in Nigerian politics; it is who distributes allocation, usually the President that has his way. The rest cue along whether the President is making sense or not and the hangers-on and rent-seeking elites join as praise singers. That is why election in Nigeria is life and death. If it is a country where there is true separation of powers based on the principle of checks and balances, dictatorship by executives will be avoided.

The business of government is to make laws for the good of the people and in making the law it is the people who invariably hold the final say through referendum. Mind you the welfare of the masses is a supreme law. But in Nigeria democracy is a travesty and superior opinion based on the need of the people with elected representatives are like a conversation with the dead. As long as they lavishly enriched themselves, ride expensive cars, drink choice wine with a harem of concubine, the poor do not matter and their views do not count. After all elections are not to determine on the wish of the people (one man one vote) but on who controls the security apparatus. That is why elected representatives, be it legislators or the executives, behave the way they like because the ballot box is not the true test of popularity in Nigeria but how much you can pay the polling agents, electoral officers and security to rig you to power.

However, Nigerian state is a by-product of colonial creation by British Empire for the purpose of administrative convenience. The purpose was to serve colonial selfish interest and not for the people. Therefore the Nigerian state has outlived its purpose and needs restructuring, renew its mandate and its marriage of convenience.

The proponents of Sovereign National Conference (SNC), Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO) being spearheaded

by Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and late Chief Tony Enahoro. The SNC argued that it has become a matter of urgency to restructure the country in order to address the existing lopsided revenue sharing formula that tends to favour the Federal Government to the detriment of communities from which revenue is derived.

They also adduced that the Federal government is treating other units like beggars by appropriating so much revenue for itself, and leaving the crumbs for the federating units, which lay the proverbial golden eggs. They

The Graveyard Epistle

contended that the revenue sharing formula has resulted in grievances by ethnic nationalities, which often escalate into fierce conflicts.

On the other hand the opponent of SNC argued that restructuring the polity is a gateway to disintegration. They cited the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia as a classical case. This school of thought is lead by General Ibrahim Babangida former Military President, Yahaya Kwande, Alex Ekwueme, former Vice-President (Second Republic) and the current President Goodluck Jonathan. IBB argued that SNC is unnecessary and a waste of time. He believes that SNC will retard the nation, taking it backward rather than develop her.

Kwande echoes the same sentiment that the convocation of SNC is a waste of funds. He noted that similar exercises had been done before under General Olusegun Obasanjo, former military Head of State and former civilian President (Third Republic), which was then called “Constitutional Reform Committee” which amended some sections of the constitution. He also pointed out that during the rule of the late maximum leader General Sanni Abacha, the sharing formula of earnings from the Federation Account was reviewed.Also, Ekwueme did not see the need of SNC and argued that there are enough provisions in the constitution to deal with the issue. He noted that Nigeria should strengthen the geo-zonal arrangement as a credible formula for equitable distribution of national appointment and revenue.

To cap the argument against the convocation of SNG, President Goodluck Jonathan chided those that called for SNC as childish and unnecessary. This appears to nail on the coffin of aspiration of SNC which is widely accepted and in the majority view of Nigerians. The

President denies the people the opportunity to once and for all have a say on the co-existence, unity and the union called Nigeria. He has assumed the voice of the people and absolute monarchy. President Jonathan could have written his name in gold if he has towed the path of majority voices, but rather like his predecessors, he towed the path of destruction.

President Jonathan Goodluck went ahead to set up “Presidential Committee on Outstanding Constitutional Issues” to tackle some of the issues that have been agitating the minds of Nigerians. President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Alfa Belgore to fashion a new constitution for new Nigeria. The terms of reference were to bring up areas of national consensus from the 2006 National Political Reform Conference for National Assembly’s consideration towards effecting constitutional amendments.

We are back to familiar super committees where nothing concrete comes out of it. Even if there are geniuses of committee members, the reports will never see the light of the day.

What happen to the 2006 reports? Why were the reports not made public? It is the same reports that President Jonathan wants Nigerians to put their fate on. Nothing will come out of Belgore’s report. It is another way of compensating the ball boys that brought PDP government to power.

I want to believe that it is the people that change the constitution, not the elected representatives as practiced in democratic nations through referendum. The National Assembly lacks the power to alter any section of the constitution. Let the people of Nigeria decide what they want through Sovereign National Conference.

The so-called leaders have not learnt from the

past. There is polarisation of ethnic militias, Boko Haram is maiming and killing innocent Nigerians in Northern Nigeria especially NdiIgbo. The religious extremism in Nigeria is at the highest pitch. The security of lives and property is at its lowest ebb. The President even said that Boko Haram has infiltrated the security apparatus, ministers, National Assembly members, he does not know “who is who,” this is a damming assessment by the chief security officer of the nation. What then is the President waiting for?

For President Goodluck to go against SNG is like he is afraid of the Northern oligarchy. If the President can’t take a big decision on national issue the best advice I can offer the President is to resign. Nigeria needs a man with a big heart to take a big decision. This is the time to do so and save the country from the agony of going through another civil war. He should borrow a leaf from the Arab Spring rather than wait like Colonel Gaddafi.

Therefore, I support the idea of SNC as the only way Nigerians will have the opportunity to discuss the state of the nation, whether it is to be or not to be. I propose the following: the position of suffering masses, lopsided national development which is tailored against the South-East, revenue sharing formula, census, local government creation, state creation (as of January 2012, the demand for state creation has risen to 45), secularism versus pluralism, power rotation, indigene-ship versus settler-ship. All these issues can only be resolved through the convocation of Sovereign National Conference.

But if it turns out that the people want to go their separate ways like Southern Sudan so be it. It is better than patching a crack in a wall that has refused to go away.

8

March 2012

Column

Heart of the Matter:

Remote Controlled Awareness

By Max Uspensky

T

hese following words, remote in time, are from the Congo peregrinations of Joseph Conrad in the 1890s. Remote they might be, but they are immediate and poignant in their commentary upon Congo’s current condition, “They grabbed what they could get for the sake of what was to be got. It was just robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale, as is proper for those who tackle a darkness.”

Published in 1905, these words from ‘Heart of Darkness’ exactly summarise the condition in the east of the Congo today.

And yet that issue today is remote to most of us. Just as Conrad witnessed the horrors of early colonial corporate greed and lust, so do millions witness the horrors befallen upon them today – yet their plight is at a remove from our minds.

And it serves purpose to mention that arguably of all western demarcated territories on this continent, the Congo suffered the most and continues to do so without having had a chance to mourn, grieve and mend its past, for it still

continues, almost without break since 1885.

It’s remote in time, but 1885, serves as a similar point of reference today as then. Today as then, large tracts of the continent were passed over as personal possessions of select individuals with a particular brutal method of extracting its wealth. Then Leopold, today an assortment of warlords and army groups, exploit the resources around them perpetuating civil war, hunger and disease. Since 1996 an estimated 5.8 million have perished, mostly from hunger and disease and mostly children.

Why is this issue so remote, when it involves the same number who perished in the European Jewish Holocaust and continues as we read this? It truly astounds.

Some blame ‘genocide guilt’, where the U.S. the U.N. and the rest of the world stood by and did nothing as 800,000 Tutsis were literally hacked to death by their Hutu neighbours in 1994. When these genocidaires and interhamwe crossed the Congolese border pursued by Tutsi retribution they continued their in-fighting among the fractured and competing mineral concerns in the eastern part of the Congo. Where the U.N. and global opinion had stood by during the first massacres, it continued to do so from shock and guilt.

Eventually the man with the gun – the closest gun, won out. While Mobutu attempted to marshal the situation (he in fact fomented the worst of the conflict), he simply was at too distant a remove to be effective. Kinshasa is as far from Kigali and Kampala as London is to Moscow and Abuja is to Abidjan. Yet Kigali and

Kampala are but 100km from the Coltan regions of the Congo. Anarchy reigned then as now, with warlords, foreign and domestic, competing for the mineral rewards.

Be aware. What was learnt from Leopold and his agents in the nineteenth century – mutilation, rape and the use of child soldiers is the prevalent use of control today – through the emotions of fear and total individual and societal breakdown. Added to the 6 million deaths since 1996 are 400,000 rapes and the use of some 10,000 child soldiers. Civilisation’s fetish for gold, diamonds and coltan is central to these horrors. When the Congolese history professor Elikia M’Bokolo comments, “Why us? Why here?

Why now?” he referred to the Congolese holocaust of the nineteenth century fuelled by the pursuit of another resource, rubber. But these questions are being pleefully exhorted today by others. And compassion should answer them – through a healthy dose of awareness.

“Moto asa Moto” is a saying from the Upper Congo. It means, “A human being is a human being.” Professor M’Bokolo expands upon this for us – he describes it such that, “No one has the right to attack the physical and moral integrity of another.”

His message once again is as relevant to the Congo’s predicament today as it was in Leopold’s time. And we are reminded that the Congo has not had a break from brutal exploitation in 125 years.

Our use of cellphones, computers and digital technology almost exclusively perpetuates the conflict in the Congo, where armed groups of all persuasions fight over the crucial mineral, Coltan. Then as now, Conrad administers appropriate comment, “To tear treasures out of the bowels of the land, with no more moral purpose at the back of it than there is of burglars breaking into a safe.” Corporate denial and consumer ignorance fuel the horrendous conditions for the majority in the mining regions of the Congo today.

It is not an issue which can or should remain remote. Watch this YouTube link, consider the casualties, the history and the horror - and become aware – make the issue current and immediate and ask why this link has just 5,046 views and why this issue remains remote.

Over 200 perish in CongoBrazaville blast Over 200 people have been killed following a series of explosions at an arms dump in Brazaville, the Congo Republic’s capital, on Sunday March 4 last.

Hundreds of others have been left injured as homes and buildings in the Mpila neighbourhood were destroyed.Thousands fled when the blasts hit leaving at least 2000 people in temporary shelters. The effects were felt 4 kms away in Kinshasha in the Democratic Republic of Congo, separated by the Congo River. People panicked as windows were shattered by the force of the blasts.

Defence Minister Charles Zacharie Bowao reassured people the explosions had been as a result of a fire in the arms depot and was not a coup. International experts were trying to put out fires on Monday March 5 and prevent fire reaching a second arms depot with even heavier weapons.

The government have asked several international organizations to provide assistance.

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March 2012

THE PRIDE OF AFRICA in association with Comfort salon Tina Mutombo hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

An aspiring Medical Doctor and AfricaWorld Columnist, Tina runs a beauty clinic in Dublin.

In 2004, the pretty writer was runner - up in the Miss Africa Ireland 2004 Beauty Pageant.

In 2007, she won Miss Malaika (Angel) in the United Kingdom.

In the same year, Tina Mutombo became Miss DR Congo in 2007 and has moved to do more as an ambassador. “ I am passionate about Africa”, she told AfricaWorld.

Tina Mutombo wants to continue to represent Africa and it’s natural beauty. She loves travelling, reading, swimming and the Arts.

HAVILAH

AFRICAN KITCHEN

house of african dishes in Dublin

DINNING MENU egusi with either: native Jollof rice, yam beans, okro Garri, fried rice, goat, mear, fresh eforirio Pounded yam, fish pepper soup, nkwobi, ila wheat flour ugba, snail, isi ewu, assorted ewedu semovita meat, Jollof rice, yam pottage ogbono ukwa and gizzard.

OUR SPECIALS ofe owerri, ofe oha, Rosted fish & plantain, Afang-& nsala, vegetable and ofe ugba, ofe onugbu, ofe okazi ADDRESS: 130 Parnell Street, Dublin 1 - (01)8736008 / 0871645676

Yam pottage (Asaro) or chicken) 2 tsp of sugar (optional) Salt ½ tsp curry powder

By Chinwe Ihegbu Ingredient 1 whole of yam 400g diced beef 400g chopped tomato or fresh tomatoes 2 medium sized onions 2 cayenne peppers 2 teaspoon tomato puree Vegetable oil 1 stock cubes (vegetable

Preparation Peel the skin from the yam and cut it into square shape chunks. Put it in a bowl and add enough water to cover the top then set aside.

Cut one medium size onion into big chunks, cut the pepper and fresh tomatos put it all into a food processor and blend into a paste set aside. Slice the remaining onions and set aside.

Method Heat the oil and fry the onions,

add the beef and salt to taste, cook till its brown.

Pour in the blended mixture, add the tomato puree, curry powder, 1 stocked cube of your choice and let it cook for 10 minutes.

Add the yam into the sauce and add water just enough to cover the content add salt if required or 2 tsp of sugar (optional) and stir.

Cook for 15minutes until the yam is soft. Give the content a good stir so the remaining water in the pot mixes well with the yam. It’s ready to be served.

9

10

March 2012

Agony Corner The Marriage Expedition

with Abdul Yusuf

It is a natural thing for me to refer to marriage as a journey and as I do this, a lot of images are erected in my mind—from the day of sparkling white flowing gown and dark coloured suit with youthful grin, to a sluggish grey hair when you’ll solely or partially depend on each other for simple mundane tasks.

Oh yes, it is a long journey indeed, spending the whole of your life with just one person as a friend, confidant, helper, critic, etc.

A long time ago, there’s a kind of brain teaser given during a birthday party and it had to do with measurement of distance. We were asked to calculate the shortest route to a particular country and we all fell neck-deep into geographical calculations, crossing boundaries and landscapes and at the end of the day, the coordinator still claimed no one got it right. The price for the winner went up and we explored yet other measures but to our greatest shame, the answers were never considered.

When it was clear we had all surrendered, he offered to provide the answer and everywhere became dead silent in anticipation of the great formula, but behold, the tricky tester had nothing mathematical so to say, nor any understanding of geography. All he said was, “The shortest distance to that country is good company.”

Needless to say that a lot of people, if not all, were disappointed.

At the same time, they found it difficult to contend with the answer.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT

W

By Adaku Ezeudo

hat is your story? Has your childhood experience contributed to who you are today? When I think of my story, it’s like a home movie in my head. It captures brief episodes of the whole saga. I often wondered if my personal stories shaped my character or if nature just played its script.

My childhood was mixed with highs and lows. I was very close to my Dad, probably because he gave me so much attention or simply spoilt me rotten. He was always patient with me, never spanked me and wanted the best for me.

Whenever he went on business trips I would miss him so much and when he eventually returned, I would cling to him like chewing gum to a boot sole and follow him everywhere like a shadow. I simply adored my Dad and he meant the

Have you travelled with someone you love before? It’s like the journey should last forever so you could talk and spend time with each other. I remember being on the same flight with my old school mate. It was easy for me to recognise her with her loud voice and throaty laugh, but seeing she was engrossed in conversation with a guy, I decided

not to interrupt. From the time we passed the boarding gate to when the plane landed, they had no quiet second, it was all talk, whisper and laughter. When we finally landed, we greeted and had a quick recap of the good old days. I purposely did not want to ask who the young man with her was and true to her nature, she couldn’t contend the excitement

as she wrapped her arms round him and enthused, “Meet my guy, we’re going for formal family introduction this weekend.”

Got the joke, she was enjoying the journey because she had good company, but meanwhile, I was busy checking and calculating landing time so I could meet my appointment.

Having said that, it should be clear to us that if marriage must be enjoyed, it has to be with someone we love spending time with. This fellow you’ll sleep and wake up to see every morning must really be worth the trouble, if not, I’m afraid, life may be a bit difficult to comprehend.

Does this make me sound like ‘Go

Column get yourself a perfect match and enjoy your life?’ No, that is not what I intend to convey, really. What’s on my mind is ‘Do everything within your powers to enjoy the person you’re married to.’ That is the only way to get yourself to the end of this long trip.

The next possible question may be, what are the things one could do to enjoy marriage? Bearing in mind we’re all different and have varying emotional needs, there’re still some basic/general principles to guide our actions, but these are not in any way exhaustive.

Be persistent: I’m sure this is not in any way close to what you expected me to start with, but it’s painful to note that most marriages would have been better today only if someone persisted in doing good. Putting effort into make a relationship work is very demanding and time consuming. This, in a way, explains why people give up after several attempts. They make comments like, “I’ve tried to make it work but things wouldn’t just turn out right,” or, “He/she is too difficult to love or live with.” The excuses just keep rolling but like every other aspect of life, mastery is not got in one day and people’s learning/ adjustment period differ, so why not give a little more time?

Have you heard of the story of African honey badger? If you haven’t, this animal, as its name suggests, delights in eating honey and you and I know that getting honey sometimes could be a form of

‘suicide mission,’ but since this is what it feeds on, there must be a way to get it out.

Once the badger locates a beehive, it takes its time to clear the path and get ready for business.

Clearing the path would help it escape each time the bees pounce on it. The first entry is never an easy job as all the energetic bees descend to sting, drawing so much pain for so little honey, the badger finds a place to settle and get itself ready for another attack. This time, the sting reduces and it makes other attempts until all the bees give way for it to possess the whole hive. What a victory!

You see, at the first attempt, the honey badger would have said, “I’ve had enough nonsense from this adventure,” and returned home hungry or better still, located another hive for a fresh try. And it was never going to be easy anyway, but how many people know that the more you persist, the less the sting?

Now back to our point, it’s not going to be easy for you to penetrate the life of an adult even though he/ she is your spouse and can make so much influence in a jiffy. It takes time to share and adopt values and getting the best of others has never been an easy task. Like the honey badger, once you have identified what you want, the responsibility to get and keep it all to yourself rests solely on you. Learn to clear the path, withdraw to prepare when stung and keep on trying until you get the best. We are not here on earth forever, so the little time given is worth the best, isn’t it? So, do something and get the best out of your relationship today.

What Doesn’t Break You Makes You Stronger whole world to me. However my world came crashing when I returned from school to spend the long-term holiday and learnt that my Dad had moved out, without warning.

My Mum was a housewife, highly energetic, well organised, intelligent but strict. I was a daddy’s girl while my three younger brothers were all mummy’s boys. We were a close knit family until our Dad left.

My Mum who earned no income of her own had to step up to the task of taking care of four kids. Simple basic luxuries we enjoyed every day disappeared in a second. Soon the pressures of managing a household with almost nothing became too much for my Mum, she snapped at almost everything. I felt really sorry for her; I wanted to make all her stress go away even though I was dealing with my own share of pain, shock and frustration.

We turned to family and friends to help as we had no choice at all. I

remember asking one of my Dad’s closest friends, who usually came to visit our family in the past for support with my tuition fees, he asked me to meet him privately without telling anyone, not even my mum. I told my brothers however and we all went together to meet with him. He came up with all sorts of cock and bull stories and shockingly gave me nothing. I also went to my Dad’s cousin and he suggested that I get married quickly so that my husband can take care of my needs, my siblings and my mother. Another bizarre idea he had was that the eldest of my brothers left school and worked as a protégé for a business man for a couple of years to gain relevant skills and expertise needed to manage his own business in future.

I would eventually return to school trying to put the whole drama behind me but little did I know that another bombshell would be waiting for me, this time

in the hands of my guardian who was a close family friend. I usually stayed with her and her family during the mid-term break, this was because I lived in Lagos but attended school in Port Harcourt and it was quite a distance to travel for just one week break. On my arrival to her place she complained that my Dad had not given her any money for a while and hence I wasn’t welcomed.

I tried to explain as much as I could but she was not having any of it. Her attitude towards me was detestable, she treated me with disdain compared to the rest of her nieces who also stayed in the same house for mid-term and who came from wealthy families. My dinner was rationed, I was often scolded for minute mistakes and forced to do the menial tasks.

When I remember these events and many more nauseating encounters I had just because my Dad was no longer in the picture I weep. How can people you regard

as family change suddenly? How could they have forgotten the relationship we once shared? Does money mean everything? I know my Dad wasn’t perfect but I know he was the most selfless and generous man on earth, he would go the extra mile to ensure that someone else is happy.

Once upon a time, I was naive and trusting of everybody. I no longer believe that everybody is good and the world will look out for me. Now I understand that it’s up to me to take care of myself. It’s also a powerful thing to embrace all of my feelings – not to run from anger or pretend that it isn’t there somewhere, but to face it, cultivate it, and turn it into strength. If I was to ever wish all my experiences away, I might be wishing away the source of my strength. After all, experience, they say, is a good school even though the fees are high.

March 2012

11

family CORNER

THE HOOD

Poems

It’s all about where you belong Not just the thing on the head But the stuff in the head And the grabbing in the heart He claims it belongs to him She wants to be in the confraternity Clicking the fellanges And jamming the side shoulder We are all in it Because man is different in thought People look same but not Hood is all but not

QUEEN OF RESILIENCE

FAITHFUL OF THE PINT In nomine patri Seeing the draught nozzle A crucifix pulls it Alter kitchens meals Tabernacle sits on edge Brandy and whiskey stuffed A modern church For faithful of liquor Blessed are the drunks For their heritage in pubs

CROCK PARK Shrine of History Being part of the struggle To emancipate a people Turf lashed with blood Spilled that freedom may come You shelter generations Men and women alike That relishes their energies Throne of Sam Maguire A nation shed tears But you comforted Perching in Atta Cliath And overlooking Eirean

Judge not the colour of her skin The today and tomorrow Jewel in the sight of the society Full of beauty with the hint of grace A STRONG BLACK AFRICAN WOMAN The guardian of the Black Continent You and only your power and strength Bring order onto this earth You dance and chant with love Feeling and oozing dignity Bring justice to your Ancestors’ souls Only a black woman survive the struggle, Oppression, tribulation and scarcity You saved the Black nation You raised an African Hero Brought back the dignity of the Continent In silence you suffered and conquered.

Long live the Queen of the Continent!!!!

By Yolanda Nokuthokoza Mdluli

Wisdom Bits An intelligent child understands the message delivered with the eyebrows.

Meaning: A smart person achieves his aim

IZZARAPAP Bees from the comb Chase me like the enemy That trespass the wasp Something to lick Like the uninvited sun You venture into lives Harmlessly lightening up faces Stealing the show at shows Exposes deeds that glow You salt up the realm Flirting with the light And stealing like thief

REMEMBERING ARMAGGEDON Sapped of energy Clad in black sash Bound in a servitude steel Hardship on the great one In the fonts of Sepulcher Recession they said The bully wore a goggle Flaunting a fetish trench coat Walks like a serial killer Piercing a sword through the chest A journey of high hopes Ending on a cremator’s table However it may be There must be a new beginning

The fear of being shot dead cannot be a reason to fail to fight a war Meaning: No one hides from the troubles of life The okro plant can never rise taller than it’s planter Meaning: No one is greater than his nation

When a woman is very old, some doubt if dowry was ever paid.

Meaning: It is wise to respect the elderly

No matter how big a lamb is, it must kneel to suck the mother’s breast.

Meaning: Loyalty pays

An old woman rarely loose touch to her usual dance steps Meaning: Natural bauty never fade

It is only a tree that hears it will be shot and still stands Meaning: To ignore positive advise is to fail

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Sam and Sophie conquer them all

By Roland Idowu

Chapter 2 - The Creepy Old man

am and Sophie were running away from the bush when they saw another house. The house has no door and no window on it, there was a hairy, bearded funny looking man in front of the house; he was small and had curly shoes.

He was a man eater looking out for children. Sam saw him first and started running away, the man ran after them. Sophie couldn’t keep up with Sam, she looked back and the man was just about to catch up with her and Sophie quickly changed direction, the man followed her. Sam looked back and saw the man running

after his sister; Sam turned back and ran after them. The creepy man was just an inch to catch up with Sophie when Sam tripped him over. The children were relieved and hugged each other.

The old man was lying face down, the children jumped on him and won’t let go, the man begged the children to let go of him and promised to give them food.

Sophie asked where the food was and the man pointed to the house, “but there was no door and windows in the house” Sophie shouted, Sam jumped on the old man again for telling lies,

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the old man cried out loud, “ouch”.

The old man has a magic hand, he pointed his hand into the house and suddenly there was a door. The children are hungry; Sophie ran into the house and took some fruits. The old man pointed his hand onto the house while Sophie was inside and the door started to close, Sam shouted “Get out of the house Sophie” Sophie jumped out through the tiny space with the fruit before the wall could finally close.

The children jumped on the old man for the last time before they ran away with the fruit.

12

March 2012

entertainment

Cartoon by Dimitri

Cartoon by Sara

1 year aniversary - Gala Nite in May

Dublin Cultural Fiesta

for sponsorship contact us Adaku + 353 87 964 1229 Dolores + 353 87 799 7996 Nobuhle + 353 87 751 0330 Yoyo + 353 87 683 3666 Gaelle + 353 87 799 7996

How To Be A Good Mother

ADM Moyofade Ipadeola on how to be a good mother (originally culled from wikihow). Happy Reading!

Dear ADMs, there’s already a lot to cover when learning how to be the best parent you can be. But there are certain challenges a mother faces as Founder of Adorable Mum - ADM a parent that are distinct from those of being a father. Here are some tips Gbeminiyi ‘Gee Bee’ Shogunle on how to overcome them and raise any of us often worry your child (ren) well.

Be patient. Being a mother is a little about how well we are parenting our challenging sometimes. But keep your kids and how well they would cool and try to stay patient as often as turn out. And among the you can. Try this approach to other parents, the mother often has problems as well.

Take an interest in your child’s a much larger role to play in a child’s life. It is very important interests. If your son likes music buy for every mother to be conscious him a guitar and watch him play. Ask of the fact that what a child questions, like what is your favourite learns in his/her initial years type of music, what is your favourite always has a lasting impression song, etc. If your daughter is interested on his/her mind, hence good in fashion, take her out for a shopping spree. Ask her what her favourite parenting is very essential.

Here’s a contribution from thing about fashion is. Don’t be afraid one of our mums on Facebook, to ask, just don’t be too pushy.

M

Don’t be tight about money. Okay, so blowing money day after day isn’t the best thing to do, but don’t automatically say no to everything your kid asks for. If you always say no and follow this with a lecture about saving money, you will be known as the “Tight Parent”, the one who never buys anything. Buy something small every now and then. Even offering to purchase some candy or chips at the store can make a difference. Every now and then, you can also buy something big that you are sure your kid wants.

Make sure you are an approachable person to talk to. Try your hardest to always be understanding and a good listener. Knowing that they can go to their mom for friendship advice, information on puberty, homework help, or just a hug goes a long way for kids. Not having someone they can talk to can cause kids to retire into a shell, so make sure you talk to them about how they feel regularly.

Be supportive, and never laugh at

your kids’ hobbies, interests or friends.

So, your daughter doesn’t want to study medicine and become a doctor?

Don’t get angry, this is your child’s life and they can make some of their own decisions. Understand that it’s okay if your child thinks differently from you.

Don’t get mad because they have a different opinion to you, or your son wants to become an engineer and not a doctor. Don’t laugh at them, or their friends. You might not do what your kids do, but that is their decision, not yours. You have a big impact on their lives already-you choose what school they go to, when they eat dinner, the amount of allowance they get a week.

Don’t overdo it.

Be able to admit that something you did may have been wrong and don’t be afraid to apologize. It might be hard, but it’s better for everyone if you just admit to your mistakes and apologize. It saves everyone the trouble of being mad that you’re being stubborn and teaches your kids that

it’s okay to make mistakes, as well as the importance of an apology.

Simply calm yourself, evaluate the situation and determine what you did wrong and why. Then apologize and explain how or why you acted the way you did. A good way to start off may be: “I would like to apologize for how I acted earlier, and I realize that I was wrong,” then transition into the rest.

Respect your Childs’ love for the other parent. You cannot be jealous of your child loving your husband or ex-husband.

Lastly, love your children more than anything. Your love will go a long way to boost your child’s selfesteem. Hug your children regularly and tell them how proud you are of them. Pop a note in your child’s lunchbox that reads, “I think you’re terrific!” Give praise frequently and honestly, without overdoing it. Kids can tell whether something comes from the heart.

Have a great day!

March 2012

13

news/entertainment

Beauty That Counts

CHIT CHAT

I WANT MY HUSBAND TO BE A SLAVE!

Part 2

I

runmole, the spirits of evil and good have heard all you wanted,” the old geomancer replied in a guttural voice; “but this kind of love potion will cost you a four-figure sum, but the gods will take care of your heart’s desire. If you pay me the money, I’ll bring the love potion from my magical bag of power now and hand it to you.” He spat thrice inside a ram horn containing black soap.

“Money is not the problem, baba, as you well know I’m always loaded,” she announced, delicately opening her handbag and bringing out crisp bales of £1,000 notes, totalling £3000.

She handed the money to the old herbalist. The diviner gave a toothy smile and giggled. He reached for a bag hanging on the blood stained wall of his shrine, opened it and dipped his hand inside.

“Now, take this black powder,” he said, nodding his head wisely. “Put it in his food; and, once he eats it, he will turn into your slave and do your wishes. He’ll take orders from you forever. This is the most potent love potion that the gods handed to my forefathers from generation to generation.

Human mustn’t play with the gods. There are powers beyond the reasoning and senses of mere mortals! You can take your leave!”

Before Mrs Ade’s husband and their children got home that day, his wife had already prepared a special dish for her husband and sprinkled the

-Algerian security forces have uncovered a cache of weapons in the Sahara desert, including shoulder-fired missiles which are suspected to have originated from Libya.

-US Special Forces have rescued 2 hostages held in Somalia.

-Madagascar’s president has announced plans to build a series of wind turbines to generate an estimated 50 megawatts of renewable energy.

-Angola’s President Jose Eduardo dos Santos has announced plans to seek another term in the upcoming 2012 elections.

-Egypt’s controversial presidential elections have been set for the first week in June, this year.

-Malawi’s former Attorney-General, Ralph Kasambara, has been arrested after fierce criticism of the current President, Bingu wa Mutharika.

-South Africa has released its 2012 budget which includes controversial toll roads, resulting in harsh government criticism.

-South Sudan has accused Sudan of breaking the peace between the two states by launching an air strike on border area Jau in Unity.

-A “potentially large accumulation of oil deposits” has been discovered off the Liberian coast.

-Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has proposed slashing the 2012 budget by $643 million.

-Sierra Leone has drafted a fifty year development plan to recover its shattered economy.

-The International Fund for Agricultural Development has announced plans to provide a $4.04 million loan and a $1.61 million grant to Botswana to improve food security in the country.

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can only give what you have and they give us so much joy through kind words, actions, they are joyful. There’s no doubt they are wise, their counsel prevails, and highly productive. We are blessed to be part of them. With a graceful heart, there is power released from them, they tolerate and they are merciful. Who can compare; we stand amazed in their presence.

Discipline is a big part of being a mother. It’s the skill they use to nurture their children, because they lead by example.

Trustworthy, we are all confident expressing our concern to mothers; we are assured they will come up with a solution; they are result-focused and problem-solving - Doctor Mummy!

Symbol of strength, they are not ordinary but super extraordinary, they don’t give up, they are multi-tasking, they subdue challenges because there’s a giant in them.

Honourable and dignified, of course she’s a queen, she rules her world in great humility and glory. From glory to glory, she’s taking us.

I will always love you.

Happy Mother’s Days

Continued next month

he life we live is worth celebrating our differences because we are all beautiful in our own individual way. But this month is extra special as we celebrate mothers all around the world. Who gave birth to Jesus? Mothers did!

There is so much love in our hearts as we give birth to kings and queens to rule with wisdom.

So this month’s beauty treatment - it’s got to be ultra fab!!

Saying I love you isn’t enough, we want to love in truth and in action, we won’t forget you Mum; we will go the extra mile and give you a gift that symbolises the depth of our love. No woman alive can take your place, you are beautiful beyond description. Mother’s Day is Sunday, 18th March so what are you getting her? The ultra beauty treatment that counts is love in action, it’s the love beyond the gift that counts. Thank God for payday so every euro is worth spending on her as she’s priceless. For those not in work, not too worry; you have insight and knowledge as you can express your love in homemade gifts created by your precious hands. Ideas for a Mother’s Day present? I say go for pearls, red roses, organic chocolate, be beautiful package for beauty salon treatments, it’s an amazing offer she can’t say no to.

For mothers, parenting can be a demanding routine. It takes a brave heart to meet the task.

Mothers hold a special place in the hearts of all.

She’s our breath and our life. They are virtuous women; they possess great qualities that money can’t buy.

They are kind and goodness flows from them; that is why we receive comfort from them. You

-Eritrea has criticised “foreign meddling” in Somalia, advocating instead a “Somali people-owned” dialogue.

-The UN has begun work with Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Niger to relocate thousands of refugees fleeing violence in Mali to safer locations.

-The Kenyan government is launching a domestic appeal to overturn the arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on genocide charges.

- Several Ethiopian troops have been injured in a landmine attack by terrorist group Al-shabab in the Somali town of Baidoa.

- Mauritius based company ToughStuff has announced plans to provide cheap solar energy for 33 million people across Africa and Asia.

- $143,000 has gone missing in Swaziland’s embassy in Kuwait. Blame is being attributed to former ambassador Phesheya Dlamini, who was recalled in 2010 amidst corruption charges.

-At least 2,000 people have been displaced by torrential rains in the outskirts of Burundi’s capital of Bujumbura, after over 400 houses collapsed in the rains.

- Deadly clashes between Moroccan police and youths in the town of Taza have stoked fears of an uprising in a country which has remained relatively calm throughout the Arab Spring.

-The Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family in Cameroon has launched a series of activities aimed to promote International Women’s Day which takes place on March 8th.

-The Mozambican National Meteorology Institute has issued a report stating that the much feared cyclone Giovanna is no longer a threat to Mozambique’s cost.

-The East African Community’s sectoral committee on preventing and combating corruption has resolved to put in place an

action plan to tackle the issue across its member states.

-The Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Summary for Policy Makers has been launched by the UN in Kenya. It has highlighted the “dual vulnerability” of Cape Verde to changes in global temperatures.

-120 civilian and military representatives from across Africa have met in Elmina, Ghana to discuss the Ghanaian government’s readiness for a future influenza epidemic.

-Former Namibian Defence Force chief Martin Shalli has begun legal proceedings against the Prosecutor General in order to prevent state confiscation of over $368,000, which is being kept in a frozen bank account under his name.

-Executive Director of the UN Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS Michel Sidibé has called on Togo to increase national funding for HIV/AIDS treatment, saying that relying on foreign aid to fund it is unsustainable.

-A witness in the ICC case for war crimesaccused Jean-Pierre Bemba’s group has claimed that he advised Bemba to bring soldiers accused of brutalising civilians to court.

-Lieutenant-Colonel Moussa Tiegboro Camara has been indicted for his suspected role in the 2009 Conracky Stadium Massacre.

The move has been seen as a breakthrough in the controversial case.

-Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, has claimed that revenue allocation in the Nigerian budget is heavily skewed against northern states and has called for a review of the formula used in the allocation process.

-Protests are on-going in Senegal against the decision allowing President Abdoulaye Wade to run for a third term in the upcoming elections.

-The largest poll in the history of Tunisia has been released, showing that the most important issue for Tunisians is the economy, despite controversial issues over national

identity.

-Public hearings for the controversial extradition order sought by Belgium for former Chadian President Hissene Habré have been set for March.

-Ugandan MP’s have announced plans to organise a petition to ensure the EU Parliament investigates oil companies Tullow Oil and Total for “transparency and accountability, and environmental concerns.”

-6 Kenyan policemen are being detained in Comoros after being found escorting a ship wanted for tax evasion.

-The Rwandan government have announced plans to utilise vast methane sources found in Lake Kivu harbour as a new source of energy which could power the country for 70 years.

-Health authorities in the Republic of Congo have announced 340 cases of cholera, killing 9, in the last 9 months alone.

-Following devastating rains in Lesotho, food security concerns are growing as small farmers were forced to sell their land after crops were ruined.

-Farmers in Kenya’s Kerio Valley have urged the Kenyan Wildlife Service to stop delaying the construction of electric fences after elephants strayed and destroyed dozens of crops.

-Zambia’s President Sata has denounced Prime Minister Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe as a “stooge”, saying he is being used by Western powers to cause “trouble in Zimbabwe”.

- The International Fund for Agricultural Development has announced plans to provide a $24.9 million loan to Liberia to improve food security and reduce poverty.

-Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Tsvangirai has hit out against President Mugabe calling the unity government “a sorrowful experience”.

-Two suspected Boko Haram members have been arrested by the Nigerian army in Kakuri, Kaduna.

love potion on the meal. She knew the favourite food of her husband and reasoned that if she prepared it for him, he would fall for the bait because it would be irresistible. Some few minutes after the food was ready, Mr Ade called his wife to say he was on his way home.

“Gee, my plans are working out as planned,” she thought.

Around half an hour later, Mr Ade’s Mercedes Benz jeep was at the gate of his beautiful mansion.

His chauffeur honked once, the electronic gate opened instantly and he drove in smoothly. When he stepped down from the jeep, his wife was already at the door to receive him and the children.

“Hello darling!” Mrs Ade exclaimed. “How was your trip? Hope you had a nice time!” she giggled and smiled bewitchingly.

“I’m okay, sweetie,” Mr Ade replied his wife, taking off his jacket.. “How are you mummy?” the kids asked delightedly.

“I’m fine, hope you enjoyed yourselves,” she said, hugging her children, who scurried happily into their room.

“I brought lots of beautiful and precious things for you from this trip, darling; things that will make you happier than before!” Mr Ade said excitedly.

News in Brief

By Paul Kelly

By Tina Mutombo

14

March 2012

photo of the month

ECOWAS Heads of State

Mrs Ndidi Nduka-Ugbebor - Secretary Anioma Ireland

CONGRATULATION

Bianca Ojukwu- Wife of Genral Ojukwu who was laid to rest

SIR PROMISE FREDERICK & LADY ANNETTE UGOCHI FREDERICK on their conferment of Knighthood of St. Paul by His Grace - Archbishop Ikechi Nwachukwu The Anglican Bisop of Umuahia Dambisa Moyo, Author and Economist

March 2012

15

sport

Legends of African Sport T

his month’s, “Legend of African Sport,” defied all the odds to become a leader to his fellow country men in every sense of the word.

It is very rare than when someone is born into abject poverty that they will go on to achieve greatness, this is all too true in certain parts of the African continent where the vicious circle of poverty feeding further poverty is rampant.

T h r o u g h corruption, civil unrest and more often than not war, people from the poorest parts of Africa stand little or no chance of climbing to the top of the social ladder because of lack of education and stark financial circumstances. This months “Legend of African Sport” defied all common preconceptions however to become a leader to his fellow country men in every sense of the word.

George Tawlon Oppong Ousman Weah was born on October 1st 1966 in Clara Town, one of the poorest slums in the Liberian capital of Monrovia, although he began to play football at an early age his first job would see him working as a switch board technician for the Liberian Telecommunications

Corporation. He would play for several Monrovian based teams during his early career winning 2 Liberian Premiership winners medals before moving to Tonnerre Yaoundé of Cameroon in 1987.

It was while playing with the Cameroonians that Weah would catch the eye of a young up coming manager, Arséne Wenger at Monaco.

Wenger seen enough potential in the youngster after George had managed 14 goals in 18 appearences during his brief spell in the Cameroon capital and offered Weah the chance to play for AS Monaco in 1988. He would credit Wenger as being an important influence on his career and would repay the faith that the French man showed in the youngster by scoring 47 goals in 103 games for Les Rouge et Blanc during his 4 year stay on the Riviera, before moving to Paris Saint Germain in 1992.

During his time in France Weah would win the French Cup (1991) and French League (1994), as well winning the UEFA Champions League Golden Boot in the 94/95 season. His exploits in France did not go unnoticed though and soon

Weah’s pace and power meant that the striker would always prove to be a massive thorn in the side of any defenders who were playing against him

Hitman’s Date with Destiney

F

ormer World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Paulus “The Hitman” Moses is set for a mouth watering match against Ricky Burns for the coveted World Boxing Organisation (WB0) lightweight title. The bout is scheduled to take place on March 10th in Glasgow, Scotland and will give the Namibian the chance to make amends for his WBA title lose in 2010, when he was knocked out in the sixth round against Venezuelan Miguel Acosta.

Moses’s manager, Windhoek based boxing promoter Nestor “Sunshine” Tobias said, “We are ready and raring to go and I’m almost certain Hitman will become world champion again - come March the 10th”. The 32 year old Okapya native will be hoping to add to his impressive record of 28 wins from 29 fights (19 of which failed to go the full distance), with a victory over 28 year old Burns who hails from Bellshill, Lanarkshire.

the Italian giant’s AC Milan noticed the Liberian talents and promptly snapped him up in 1995. His four year stay at the San Siro would prove to be the high light of his career and would ensure his legend status at the Milan club.

In 1995 Weah’s ability on the football pitch would be recognised when he was named FIFA Player of the Year becoming the only African player to ever win the award. He would also claim the prestigious O n z e Mondial and Ballon d’Or prizes, b ecoming one of only a handful of players w h i c h include such greats as Roberto Baggio and Zinedine Zidane to ever win all three trophies in the same year.

Weah’s pace and power meant that the striker would always prove to be a massive thorn in the side of any defenders who were playing against him. His ability to score “wonder goals” would leave many players shell shocked. His stunning volleyed goal against Bayern Munich and looping headed goal against Lazio would be just two of his amazing strikes. His goal against Verona however, where he would run the entire length of the picth, disposing of 3 players through some intricate footwork before calmly slotting the ball home would prove to be the highlight of his goal

George Weah

scoring ability.

Weah spent 5 years with I Rossoneri scoring 46 goals in 114 games before being loaned out to London based Chelsea in 2000 where he would score 5 goals in all competitions in his 5 month stay in the English capital. His loan was not made permanent though and he would be signed by newly promoted Manchester City in August 2000 on a free transfer by

then manager Joe Royle. His stay at the Maine Road club though was short lived as he left The Citizens on the 16th of October that same year saying that he was dissatisfied with the management for leaving him on the bench all too often.

George would then move to Olympique De Marseille for the remainder of the 2000/01 season scoring 5 goals in 19 appearances for the club before moving to AlJazira of the United Arab Emirates to see out the final two years of his career.

Although Weah enjoyed huge success at club level he was not so fortunate at international level.

This was not for the lack of trying on his part as he had done everything with the Liberian national team from playing to training and even financing them a one stage. He is known as one of just a few of Africa’s greatest players to have never won the African Cup of Nations and probably more importantly one of the greatest players to have never played in a World Cup, although they did fall short of qualifying by a single point in the 2002 qualifiers for the tournament.

Upon his retirement from football Weah entered politics in an attempt to clean up what he seen as governmental corruption and cronyism in his wartorn country. In 2004 he would win the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in recognition for his humanitarian efforts and would also be appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, a role which he would later suspend during his pursuit of a presidential election.

His opponents would use his lack of education and experience in political circles as a handicap in his campaign bid for the presidency.

There were also allegations that Weah had claimed French citizenship during his spell at Paris Saint Germain, however these complaints were rebuffed by the electoral commission. George failed in his presidential bid although he would later run as the vice presidential candidate next to Winston Tubman in the 2011 general election.

Masters World Championship heading to South Africa

S

outh African mountain biking has received a massive boost after Pietermaritzburg was selected to hold the 2013 instalment of the Mountain Bike (MTB) Masters World Championship. The event will be held at the Cascades MTB park a week prior to the 2013 World Championships and will give riders over the age of 30 a chance to compete against each other for the prestigious masters title.

These developments are

considered as some what of a coup on behalf of Cycle South Africa who managed to wrestle the event away from Brazil, who have hosted the competition for the past five years. “It is a major vote of confidence in Cycling SA and Pietermartizberg as a premier cycling destination”, said event direct Alec Lenferna. He went onto say, “Hosting events like these really puts Cycling SA on the global map.

16

March 2012

sport

African Cup of Nations 2012

Champions of Africa - Zambian National

Quarter Finals: With the group stages over the business end of the CAF African Cup of Nations began in earnest on 4th February at the Estadio de Bata when Zambia took on Sudan. Both teams had proved stern opposition during the group stages and were looking to carry their solid form through to the quarter finals and beyond. Following immense pressure from Chipolopolo in the opening 15 minutes, the south Africans took the lead through Stophira Sunzu.

Rainford Kalaba delivered a free kick into the 6 yard box which The Falcons of Jediane failed to deal with, leaving Sunzu unmarked to head home from close range. Following the encouraging start the Zambians began to press and would enjoy the much better of possession, however they we have to wait until the 66th minute to double their advantage. Saifeldin Ali Hidris tripped Kalaba in the box earning himself a second yellow card and gifting Chipolopolo a penalty. Although Katongo’s initial shot was well saved

by Salem, the rebound fell to the Zambian skipper who made no mistake with his follow up.

The sending off would prove to be the straw that broke the camels back for Sudan as Zambia’s numerical advantage proved too much for The Falcons of Jediane. With 4 minutes of normal time remaining the south Africans would complete the scoring when substitute James Chamanga scored and absolute screamer with a well placed curling shot to secure Chipolopolo’s place in the semi finals.

Later that evening tournament favourites Cote D’Ivoire would beat cohost nation Equatorial Guinea by the same scoreline at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo. The Elephants would live up to their nickname of “The Brazil of African Football” as they dominated play throughout the match. Following Konate’s trip on Zokora in the area Didier Drogba stepped up to take the penalty in the 28th minute, however Danilo read the shot correctly and managed a good save to keep the

Chelsea mans shot out.

Drogba would make amends 8 minutes later when he picked up Rui da Gracia’s poor pass before turning two players and sliding a shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Although Nzalang Nacional would start the second have strongly they had few chances of note and were made to pay in the 69th minute. YaYa Toure floated a superb free kick into the area and Drogba managed to rise above his marker to score a powerful header, effectively killing the game off. Toure would turn from provider to scorer just 12 minutes later with a deftly executed free kick, which left Danilo with little chance. The tournament favourites marched on to the semi finals to face the winner between Gabon or Mali on the 5th of February.

Having seen fellow co-host’s Equatorial Guinea eliminated from the competition the previous evening, Gabon would be looking to retain some pride within the host nations by beating Mali in their quarter final match at the Stade d’Angondjé.Although The Eagles were widely tipped to to make light work of their fellow west Africans,The Panthers would ensure that the Malians were made to work for their semi final place. Both teams would squander chance after chance during the opening 45 minutes and it wasn’t until after the second half restart that the game would come to life.

The opening goal would come courtesy of Eric Mouloungui in the 55th minute which would send the home fans into delirium. Mali failed to deal with a free kick properly which allowed Aubameyang to cross from the right by-line for the late arriving Mouloungui to finish with his left foot. The atmosphere inside the stadium would grow increasingly nervous as the home fans willed there team to hang on for the result, however with 6 minutes of normal time left Modibo Maiga played the ball to substitute Cheick Diakite who turned quickly and fired a well placed shot past the Gabon keeper.

Following 30 minutes of extra time

the game would go to penalties. The Panthers top goal scorer and player of the tournament, Pierre-Emrick Au b a m e y a n g , w o u l d unfortunately see his penalty saved

by Soumbeyla Diakite. This left Barcelona midfielder Salif Keita to bury his spot kick and send The Eagles into the semi-finals against Cote D’Ivoire on the 8th of February.

The final quarter final game seen two of the continents heavy weights in the shape of Ghana and Tunisia, square up against each other at the Stade de Franceville on the 5th of February. It took just 10 minutes for The Black Stars to gain a foothold on the game when a looping corner from Agyemang-Badu was played to the haed of captain John Mensah by Asamoah. The Lyon man, who was returning following a 3 match ban made no mistake with his finished and powered the ball over the line to make it 1 - 0 to the Ghanaians.

Despite the early goal and enjoying the better of possession Ghana’s inability to finish their chances would come back to haunt them in the 42nd minute. Following the The Black Stars poor attempt to clear their lines, Zouhaier Dhaouadi played a clever lobbed pass to the back post were Saber Khelifa was waiting to nod the ball home.Following a second half that was devoid of many clear cut scoring chances the game would go extra time.

Even though The Eagles of Carthage did have the ball in the back of the net after just 1 minute of extra time, Jemma was adjourned to have been off side and the goal was ruled out.The North Africans were left to rue this missed opportunity in the 101st minute after Mathlouthi miss placed his pass straight to Andre Ayew allowing the Marseille hit man to score with a close range finish. Tunisia would see their fate sealed in the 107th minute when Aymen Abdennour would receive his marching orders for a vicious elbow on Ayew.The west Africans held onto their narrow 2 -1 lead and secured their place in the semi finals against Zambia.

Semi Finals: The star studded side of Ghana took on their south African counterparts Zambia, on the 8th of February at the Estadio de Bata in what was being billed as an easy victory for The Black Stars. Chipolopolo had different idea’s

though as they took full advantage of a tired Ghanaian side, although only the heroics of Zambian keeper Kennedy Mweene in the 7th minute to keep out Gyan’s penalty out would leave the Zambians in with a chance of progressing to their first continental final since 1994.

As the game drew on it was clear that The Black Stars were growing increasingly exhausted, although they did control the majority of possession there was a lack of pace in the Ghana attack and even the substitution of both Mensah and Gyan in the second half did little to change this. It would be Zambia’s substitute however that would prove to be the winning solution as Emmanuel Mayuka,who had replaced the ineffective Chamanga at the half time interval, collected the ball on the edge of the area and curled a stunning shot past the hapless Kwarasey in the Ghanaian goal on 78 minutes.

Chipolopolo would sit back to hold onto their slender advantage for the remaining 22 minutes.The sending off of A.C. Milan play maker Kevin Prince Boateng with 6 minutes of normal time left on the clock would do little to stop the plight of The Black Stars and effectively see the Zambians safely through to their first finals for 18 years.

Later that evening at the Stade d’Agongjé Arsenal winger, Gervinho, scored a superb individual effort as Cote d’Ivoire breezed past their northern neighbours Mali 1 - 0. The Elephants pressed from the out set with Kalou and Drogba missing chances early on for the Ivorians. Mali briefly rallied however their efforts to launch a successful attack were in vain as just before the half time whistle Gervinho raced down the left wing before cutting inside and delivering a deftly struck right footed shot which flew in past the far post.

Moments of quality were few and far between in the second half and as they had shown in their previous match against Gabon, The Eagles simply ran out of steam and could not break the solid Cote d’Ivoire defence. The 1 - 0 scoreline being enough to see the Elephants through to their 3rd finals appearance since the tournament began in 1957.

3rd Place Play-Off: The Black Stars of Ghana faced The Eagles of Mali in the tournaments 3rd Place play-off at Nuevo Estadio de Malabo on the 11th of Februaury.Whilst 3 times winners would be looking to make amends for their shock defeat against Zambia a few days earlier the

Malians were looking to seal their best ever finish in the competition. Things started off quietly for both teams with neither set of players testing each other goal keepers. This changed in the 23rd minute however as Bakaye Traore drove a low cross into the Ghanaian area which was fumbled by Kwarasey straight to Cheick Diabate who sloted home the loose ball.

Following the half time interval The Black Stars started the more brightly but despite a good opening to the second period of the game Ghana would see there task become more difficult when defender Issac Vorsah picked up a needless second yellow card and earned himself an early bath for sticking his leg out at a Mali attacker.

This gave The Eagles the chance at counter attack the weakened Ghanaian defence as The Black Stars attempted to push men forward and Diabate would strike again in the 80th minute when he turned Tamboura’s cross into the back of the net.

Final: Emotions were high as Zambia prepared to face Cote d’Ivoire in their first ever continental final, just a few kilometers from the scene of the 1993 plance crash which cost the lives of 18 of the Chipolopolo’s national team.Although many expected The Elephants to collect their second CAF African Cup of Nations trophy, the south Africans were keen to show their potential title credentials.

The game itself was nothing short of outstanding in terms of the attacking football on display from both teams and, however the finishing from both teams was relatively poor and following a tentative opening 45 minutes the 2 sides would go into the half time break at 0 - 0. The turning point foe many came just after the restart when Didier Drogba clashed heads with a member of the Zambian defence and following a quick check by the medical staff the Chelsea man was back on the pitch but looked dazed and a shadow of the player that he had been during the rest of the tournament.

Chipolopolo nearly threw their chances away when Issac Chansa was ruled to have tripped Gervinho in the box, even though later replays would prove that neither man was inside the area at the time. Drogba stepped up to try and slot the ball home from 12 yards but would see his shot fly over the cross bar. With the 90 minutes up the game went to extra time and if not for the goalkeeping heroics of Boubacar Barry in The Elephants goal as he pushed Katonogo’s powerful shot past the post, the Ivorians may have lost the game there and then.

The game would eventually need to be settled by penalties with the first 14 being scored,however Kolo Toure would see his weak effort saved by Mweene, before Rainford Kalaba also managed to put his shot over the bar. Gervinho, who looked unwilling to take his penalty, blasted his wide of the goal allowing Stoppila Sunzu to slot home for Zambia’s first ever continental trophy win.