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JULIUS NYERERE And
The path towards Africa`s Sustainability in the 21st century
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By DAVID NYALUKE Reviewer - Mazi Uche Osakwe
ON THE HILL OF FINGLAS The African Scene 8.30 - 9pm Every Thursday
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The Rotunda - history and African issues
Are Most African Men Really Selfish and Lazy?
THE GLOBAL EFFECT OF THE US GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN
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AFRICAWORLD OCT 15 - 31 2013
NEWS
The return of the native
Editorial ON THE HILL OF FINGLAS
By Ukachukwu Okorie
The story of AfricaWorld, created to serve and inform, is that of a voice out to tell the story. As we say, “Unless the hunted gives his account, the story of the hunt, will always favour the hunter”. We are energised by the more synergizing world, ready to discover our world. We were born to simply tell the African story in a stylish panAfrican culture. We celebrate another ‘Pan-African Lecture’, to be given by a young Tanzanian academic, David Nyaluke, entitled “Julius Nyerere and the path towards Africa’s sustainability in the 21st century”. We have packaged this lecture in a more entertaining way, showing cultural dances and singers from different parts of Africa. We will recognise those you have nominated for “Community Recognition Awards”, including teenagers who are showing talents and more. As we struggle with the currents of globalisation, we must not forget that the future is Africa. A continent so diverse and, like the siamese twins, a place where the story began, and as we are seeing it, where it will end. AfricaWorld organised this lecture as a resource occasion for literary minds, a place to be for culture lovers and a source event for teenagers. Born on the hills of Finglas Amidst torrents of collapse Hurricane in mighty battle I took sail at the appointed time Strolling downhill through Glasnevin cemetery, the idea of AfricaWorld came to life. Through the horrible days of recession, we weathered the storm, keeping alive a platform to tell our story, in a panAfrican style. This is AfricaWorld. Come In. Uka.
SAMORA MACHEL
and medical care than do the workers upon whom the rich man’s wealth is built”. In 1962, Machel joined the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) which set out to struggle for an independent Mozambique. He received military training in 1963 in Algeria, and returned in 1964 to lead FRELIMO’s first guerilla attack against the Portuguese in northern Mozambique.
On the 19th October 1986, a bright star on the firmament of Africa dimmed. It went to sleep on its own but involuntarily, life was snuffed out. One of Africa’s greatest, Samora Machel, died when his plane crashed into a hillside in South Africa. South Africa denied complicity, instead pointing to pilot error. However, events and investigations have indicated that the Apartheid regime sent its Special Forces to shoot down President Machel’s aircraft. Samora Machel was born on 29th September 1933, in Gaza province in the south of Mozambique. Like most of his generation, Samora grew up in an agricultural village and attended elementary school run by missionary authorities. He completed the fourth class, the prerequisite certificate for any higher education. Ambitious and hardworking, Samora met a hurdle in lack of funds to pursue higher education in nursing, to which he aspired. However, to secure the tuition fees to pay for formal training at the Miguel Bombarda Hospital in
AfricaWorld & Millenium Development Goals Editor Ukachukwu Okorie
“International solidarity is not an act of charity, its objective is to aid the development of humanity.”
Deputy Editor Martin Ekeocha
Graphic Design Mirco Mascarin Leandro Tonetto Oliveira Welbert Silva de Andrade
Chief Reporter Paul Kelly
Photography Alex Cavalcante da Silva
Sub-Editor Roisin Morris
Secretary Miranda Dube
Lourenco Marques (Maputo), he took a job working as an assistant in the hospital. This afforded him enough money to continue his education at night school. Samora worked at the hospital until he left the country to join the nationalist struggle. Samora Machel began his political journey in the hospital of Lourenço Marques where he led protests against the authorities for paying black nurses less than whites. In one of his interviews, he told a reporter how bad medical treatment was for Mozambique’s poor: “The rich man’s dog gets more in the way of vaccination, medicine
T he Editorial team at A f r i c a Wo r l d w o u l d l i k e t o point out that it is aware of the M illennium Development
It is now clear that the international commission of inquiry set up by the South African Apartheid government under the leadership of Judge Cecil Margo lied to the world. Events have disproved the committee’s findings as one of the members of the Special Forces revealed all to Sowetan journalist, Mpekeleni Duma. In the interview posted on AfricaWorld’s Facebook page via Youtube, Hans Louw narrates some of the atrocities and killings he committed working in South Africa’s Special Forces. According to Paul Els, author of ‘We Fear Naught But God’, Hans Louw was the only coloured member of the Apartheid-era Special Forces. Due to Cold War politics, Western nations ignored Russia’s findings, which countered that Samora Machel’s plane was lured with a Mobile Radio Beacon (Model 780 175 - 1P pvor) in a different direction.
After the assassination of FRELIMO’s President, Eduardo Mondlane, in February 1969, Samora Machel emerged as the leader and Army commander. Under his leadership, the bloody war of independence against colonial Portugal took a new dimension. Eventually, Portugal was defeated and Samora became independent Mozambique’s first elected president on 25 June 1975. His assumption energized antiminority rule action against Ian In 2011, Mozambican President Smith’s Rhodesia and Apartheid Armando Guebuza accused the South Africa, even providing South African Apartheid regime of killing the country’s first president, training grounds for them. Samora Machel. Guebuza was Samora Machel’s historical march speaking in Maputo’s Independence ended on October 19, on his way Square, at a ceremony marking the back from an international meeting 25th Anniversary of Machel’s death. in Lusaka, Zambia, in the presidential Guebua recalled that the plane crash Tupolev Tu-134 aircraft, when the followed “repeated public threats plane crashed in the Lebombo against our head of state made by Mountains, near Mbuzini, South- top members of the Apartheid Africa. government” - he was referring to threats against Machel’s life made by the Apartheid Defence Minister, Magnus Malan, in early October 1986. Samora Machel is fondly remembered as an African hero whose doggedness and resilient attributes remain evergreen and echo in Africa and around the world. According to Thomas G. Karis, he helped lay the foundations for a non-racial society in Mozambique, as well as bringing majority rule governments to power in Zimbabwe and Portugal. His widow, Graca Machel is married to Nelson Mandela. Samora Machel, we fondly love and remember you.
Goals and seeks to synergise its wor k in accordance with those aims wherever possible. Th o s e g o a l s a re to i m p rove
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OCT 15 - 31 2013 AFRICAWORLD
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NEWS Djibouti Djibouti and a Kuwaiti Firm Sign an Oil Deal.
The Rotunda - history and African issues
By NIGEL RYAN
continent. One service specific to African women includes the screening for sickle cell anaemia. Despite the fact 400 children in Ireland are now affected by this condition, testing for it is not a universal service in all Irish maternity hospitals.
Egypt British man arrested in Egypt for dressing like a member of security service.
togo Woman in a civil-rights group in Togo have said they will have a week long sex strike to demand to resignation of president Faure Gnassinbe.
Eritrea An Eritrean man who says he will be killed by an Egyptian trafficking gang in Sinai unless a $25,000 ransom is paid within days has spoken to the Today programme’s M ike Thomson.
The Rotunda, one of Dublin’s three public maternity hospitals, occupies a significant building of historical and architectural importance north of the river Liffey on Parnell Square. It has provided essential services to locals and new arrivals to the capital for many generations. The hospital’s long history began when a doctor named Bartholomew Mosse (1712-1759) founded a Lying-In Hospital in 1745 which later relocated to the current site and took its new name. The original site included what is now The Ambassador concert venue and The Gate Theatre.
establishment enhanced standards of hygiene, ventilation and medical care at the Rotunda led to a significant fall in the horrific death rates previously commonplace from births in less favourable conditions.
Eighteenth Century Ireland, were blighted by chronic poverty and high rates of child mortality. Thousands of people in Dublin resided in tenement buildings where families often lived together in one room dwellings suffering from cold, damp and a lack of adequate food. Poverty and poor health reduced life expectancy and led to high rates of infant mortality from preventable causes. Dr. Mosse was determined to help reduce the suffering through providing better conditions for Mothers and babies. Within years of its
be necessary. Ireland now has the highest birth rate in the EU and a burgeoning level of inward migration in recent years increasing the level of demands on the location. Notably African women are statistically more likely to have twin births (due to genetic factors Nigerian mothers have the highest worldwide rate of nonidentical twin births). Due to the relatively high number of people from Africa located in the Dublin Central area, the Rotunda is well known to many immigrants from that diverse
The change from a mono-ethnic population in Ireland in the last twenty years has seen maternity issues at the front of debates about levels of immigration, citizenship and the capacity of maternity services. Prior to the Irish National and Citizenship Act 2004, all children born in Ireland were automatically entitled to Irish citizenship rights. During this period the Rotunda and the other main maternity hospitals reported concerns about a high rate of foreign national women reporting in the late stages of pregnancy. The hospitals raised concerns with politicians that this posed extra risks to Mothers and babies. Since the Act was passed the levels of late admissions has fallen.
Now under the direction of Dr. Sam Coulter-Smith and linked to Trinity College as a training hospital, the Rotunda offers a comprehensive range of gynaecology services, special services for teen Mums, infertility treatment, a colposcopy clinic, and early pregnancy care. The 21st Century Rotunda sees more than 9,000 women per The Rotunda has not been free of criticism annum having their babies there. The either. The husband of a woman of African Conditions for many Irish people and hospital is at full capacity and there has been origin has highlighted what he believed was especially the Catholic majority of late speculation a cap on admissions will soon
Ethiopia The joint session of the two houses of parliament elected Amhassador Mulatu Teshome (PhD) as president of the Republic.
Gabon A family of nine gorillas has been released in the forest in Gabon after having been flown there from the UK by a conservationist organisation.
Zimbabwe Staff at Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster have reportedly gone on hunger strike in protest at remaining unpaid since April.
poor treatment at the Rotunda. In early 2012 the man’s wife was refused an abortion despite a potentially dangerous fibroids condition. She later died after having a termination at a clinic in London. This case occurred before the Savita Halappanavar scandal and the introduction of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act will soon permit abortions when the life of the Mother is at risk.
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AFRICAWORLD OCT 15 - 31 2013
column /news
D I M K PA
by Paul Kelly ALGERIA Only the donkeys are left to convey petrol across the border from Algeria into Morocco
NIGERIA: SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERENCE OVERDUE
ANGOLA Angola’s president has said ties with former colonial ruler Portugal are “not well”, amid tensions over Lisbon’s investigation of Angolan officials.
Mazi Uche Osakwe
BENIN President Yayi won elections in 2006, re p l a c i n g M at h i e u Kerekou, who was in office for most of the time since he seized power in 1972.
BOTSWANA After decades of just mining rough diamonds, B otswana’s capital Gaborone now cuts, polishes and sells the precious stones itself.
BURKINA FASO After taking on an unlikely new role as a hostage negotiator, the West African strongman is now shaping up as the region’s peacemaker-in-chief.
BURUNDI Since implementing a range of measures in 2009, Burundi has managed to boost its tax revenues considerably. But this is no time for complacency.
lesotho Prince Harry is making a return trip to the southern African kingdom of Lesotho where he has long-standing personal charity interests.
Nigeria’s postcolonial states have been marked by disjunctions that continue to underscore its character as a product of the colonial will or, in what Biodun expressed as “arrested decolonisation”, the basis of its problematic modernity. Nigeria as it stands today is a hybrid state, a nation of multiple ethnic nationalities coalescing to form the basis of stateness and national belonging. The question is, who is afraid of Nigeria breaking-up? Why is Hausa/Fulani afraid of the Sovereign National Conference? Who is a Nigerian in the context of citizenship? Does residency count in the 1999 Nigerian constitution bearing in mind what happened in Lagos, Jos, and Kano? As Nigeria marks 53 years as an independent nation, the country is still partitioned along religious and ethnic lines. The development index ranked Nigeria one of the least developed countries in the world and the corruption index shows that Nigeria is among the most corrupt nations in the world. We are told by President G.E.J. that it is “not business as usual,” but business continues to flourish as never before. The “chop and chop” policy is the official slogan in various government institutions. Nigeria, blessed with human and natural resources, cannot boast of regular electricity nor boast functional, pipe-borne water, good roads, effective security, food or housing, yet we claim to be the giant of Africa. If you are a non-Nigerian reading this piece, forget the bragging Nigerians who tell you about “heaven” in Nigeria, “abeg” there is nothing to write home about. Nigeria is next to nothing. Forget the pretentious “Asoebi” wore by Nigerian women, “Agbadas” and “Isi-agus” worn by men. All these are camouflage, it is purely show-off. Nigeria is a country in free-fall. The menace of armed robbery, kidnappers, ritual killers, 419ers, extortionists, penrobbers, “mamawaka”, “mmamywater”, cultists, false pastors and many more is the fear of tomorrow. These guys found sanctuary in Nigeria. The regrettable thing is that they made their fortune and live comfortably while innocent Nigerians garnish their teeth. This is “9ja,” anything can happen! It’s only in Nigeria that a university is closed for one year without anybody caring or giving attention to it. It is only in Nigeria that academic staff are paid peanuts while elected councillors smile to the bank every week, yet teachers’ salaries are not paid for months. Do you blame them when most of their children are in the most expensive and privileged private schools and universities in Western countries? Education is a crash programme. Students are meant to learn overnight in order to pass their exams. Those who cannot cope with the crowded handouts and rushed lectures have to bribe their way or settle with “bottom power”. In Nigeria, our politicians, when they have a small headache, rush overseas for treatment while our hospitals are mere consulting clinics.
Nigeria is like a proverbial ostrich that buries her head in the sand and refuses to confront the reality or face up to the structural warps that have bred contentment and unfriendliness. Why can’t we confront our past? The issue of the National Question is overdue. The 1999 Constitution Nigeria operates today is a military construction. There are a lot of loopholes in the Nigerian constitution. It’s only in Nigeria that citizenship is decided on the basis of ethnic origin, not how many years you live in that particular region or birth. The right to live is a joke. The right of association is cosmetic. The rights to liberty and freedom of religion are not freely given but decided by Imams or pastors. The issue of indigene-ship and settler-ship is a vexed question in Nigeria. It’s only in Nigeria that a citizen is deported to the state of his origin without any fuse or consequences. When I see some people celebrating Nigeria independence, I ask myself if these guys are normal. I know they are normal but their pretence to love Nigeria in a harvest of poverty and corruption calls for prayer or vigil lead by prayer warriors to save their souls. Nigeria at the moment is not worth dying for or wasting your precious time celebrating. What are you celebrating? I will celebrate Nigerian independence once we all can claim to be Nigerians irrespective of religious and ethnic affiliation. Once I can fulfill my potential without being constrained by where I come from. I will celebrate Nigerian independence once you can live, vote and be voted to elected position without being reminded of your ethnic origin. So what about yourself? The thorny issue of Nigeria’s nationhood is linked with the 1914 amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria. The various constitutional conferences held both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria were under the umbrella of the imperial powers, the British; the period from the 1922 Clifford Constitution to the Littleton Constitution of 1954 was under the influence of colonial agency rather than under the local dictates of our people. As a result, the constitution produced to navigate the country had been subverted. Subsequent attempts to produce a peoples’ constitution have ended without a peoples’ constitution because of military interference and some areas being declared as ‘no go’ areas. This has to stop. An attempt was made 20 years ago when some activists and the former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Alao AkaBashorun, gathered like minds at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos to convoke the Sovereign National Conference (SNG) but it was stillborn as the officers of the notorious State Security Service (SSS), under the direction of military dictator General Ibrahim Babangida, aborted it. Since then anti-SNC and pro-SNC have flourished with the main opposition coming from Hausa/ Fulani and pockets of paid Southerners. The groups that have supported the SNC are patriots led by elder statesmen, Professor Ben Nwabueze, Chief Rotimi Williams, Gani Fawhiwimi and a host of others. Other groups like the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO), Nigerian Political Summit Group (NSG), Igbo apex sociocultural group Ohaneze-Ndi-Igbo, Yoruba apex body Afenifere, the Southern Nigeria Peoples’ Assembly (SNPA) etc. are all clamouring for the convocation of the SNG. But ambitious separatist groups like Asari Dokubo’s Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Ralph Uwazuruike’s Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Federick Fashenu and Adam Oodua’s People’s Congress want a quick fix SNC involving all
Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities to discuss “to be or not to be,” and to chart a roadmap for Nigerian togetherness or “to your tent” oh 9ja! Fear Factors The idea of the SNC has not gone down well with Northern politicians, especially the Hausa/Fulani oligarchy. The Hausa/ Fulani political and religious elite opposed the SNC on the grounds that it would lead to the death of Nigeria. The single factor the Hausa/Fulani elite continue to cling to is not that they love Nigeria more than Southerners do, but because of the warning in the 1960s by the British government to the northern elite to resist any attempt to break up Nigeria because the north has no mineral resources to sustain the Arewa Republic and their survival depends on resources from the south. No wonder Yakubu Gowon had to hurriedly change his speech midway in announcing the cessation of northern Nigeria, which would have read “there is no basis for Nigeria’s unity”, in the aftermath of the 1966 counter-coup. The most surprising was the turnaround of the northern elite who now sing “one Nigeria” but have not worked towards sustaining it. Northern Nigeria remained the heaven for religious fundamentalism. T he fundamentalists kill and maim at random as if human life has no value. There is no month that goes quietly in the northern region without the spilling of innocent blood in the name of religion, yet the northern elite pretend that all is well. It all started when the Northern Region premier, Ahmadu Bello, once described Nigeria as a “mistake”. He recanted later that Nigeria is an “estate of our great grandfather Uthman Dan Fodio… We must ruthlessly prevent any change of power; we must use minorities of the North as willing tools and the South as conquered territory and will never allow then to have control over their future.” From the perspective above, the Hausa/Fulani have shown contempt for the collective and joint heirs to the leadership of the country. They have shown over the years a desperation to rule Nigeria at all cost. We have seen some of the so-called nPDP, in conjunction with a few greedy Southerners, desperate to destabilise the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to the detriment of the peaceful co-existence of the country. The only truly National Conference we did have was the 1967 Aburi conference in Ghana involving two political actors, Colonel Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu and Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon. The conference agreed a confederation/ confederal system of government for the country but Gowon refused to implement it, which led to three years of civil war. Every other conference in whatever name has failed to materialise: it was on the agenda for Chief Obasanjo’s third term, then it was to chart a new Nigeria. I also suspect that the proposed National Dialogue advocated and constituted by President Goodluck Jonathan will go a similar way to its predecessors. Therefore, the only way to have a credible Sovereign National Conference is by Nigerians for Nigerians without “no-go areas” or by selection by the same re-circled politicians. Let the people choose whom to represent them without “magomago”, Let the cat be let out of the bag, at least let Nigerians remove that toga of a marriage of nuisance imposed on the people by the British imperial powers. Let’s have a country we can call our own, a constitution we can call our own. But if the people say no then let it be.
OCT 15 - 31 2013 AFRICAWORLD
column/news by Paul Kelly Morocco Police in Morocco arrested two teenagers on Thursday, a girl and boy, for “violating public decency” by posting on Facebook a picture of themselves kissing, which provoked other young people to post similar photographs.
AGONY CORNER With Abdul Yusuf
Are Most African Men Really Selfish and Lazy? understand your e m o t i o n a l requirements but are quick to laugh with derision when women express their desires.
Mozambique The last known rhinoceroses in Mozambique have been wiped out by poachers apparently working in cahoots with the game rangers responsible for protecting them, it has emerged.
Namibia Namibia has announced that it is sending 10 rhinoceros and five elephants to Cuba in a project nicknamed “Noah’s Ark II.”
Niger President Tandja changed the constitution to stay in power, but was ousted in a coup in 2010. Polls to restore civilian rule were held in January 2011.
Nigeria Suspec ted Islamist gunmen have attacked a college in north-eastern Nigeria, killing up to 50 students.
Rwanda Rwanda is trying to shake off its image associated with the 1994 statesponsored genocide; the government argues the country is now stable.
Tunisia The diverse economy has grown steadily and the slum population has halved, but the world recession has pushed unemployment up in recent years.
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Now, there is a common mindset among y’all (men of course). You believe that being male is the only qualification you need, so even if you are; an insensitive bore, less educated, earn less, less experienced, inactive in your religious life, you still believe you are a great catch. I am not shallow enough to think that these are the only things that define a person; they are simply a few common and salient definers. It’s baffling that you think you deserve the great women you’re with. A female white female friend of mine once said “I wish African guys will take a look at themselves, they will realize that they are just not all that and calm down” (Paraphrased). I laughed so much but there is some truth in it. It’s amazing how lazy many of you men are. You pass on the responsibility of making the relationship work to the woman. Thinking about all the articles dedicated to women made me decide to write a one to men about their responsibilities to women. Emotionally: I cannot count how many times I’ve been told by older African women that African men never mature and I should stop waiting for that. Most African men are so protected and cuddled by their mothers and society. Your emotional needs are always catered to that you completely forget about women emotional needs. Men quickly point out the ways they are emasculated, do you think of the ways you mock the feminity of the woman you are with. You
Financially: Do you just talk about being the man of the house or do you put your money where your mouth is? Yes, it’s 2013 and the Christmas is just around the corner and most women work, however, if you want to claim boss man then you need to pay the bills or preparing to awash your woman with lovely Christmas gifts to prove to her how you truly love her. Or better yet, do you have a modern relationship with regards to financial responsibly, yet expect a traditional approach to decision making? Do you consciously or unconsciously expect a woman to share certain responsibilities but you don’t want to change diapers. Don’t shake your head at me, a number of men still feel this way and would act on it if the women in their lives allow it. Protectiveness: It’s so common for women to think they have to protect you from encroaching women. If I were a woman, I won’t even attempt to address that mindset, anyone who has been cheated on knows it’s not you or what you do or don’t do. A real man will walk away from a relationship that can’t be fixed; not cheat. As a man, are you protecting your wife (or girlfriend) from her in-laws, your mother, other women, people, positions and emotions that might hurt her? Do you think she must deal with everything you and your family dish out? Or do you realize that she is worthy of your support in life.
Sexually: Many of you are so sexually selfish. It’s all about you, you, and you. You never take the time to learn what pleases the woman you are with. Unfortunately, too many women let you get away with it. You move from woman to woman using the same tired moves that made the last woman fake orgasms. Or better still you come up with a list of one sided rules, like, no oral sex from you, but you want it from her. Seriously, wake up and smell the coffee. Spiritually: You quote the Bible, Koran or any other religious book when it suits you. Are you living by the principles, are you ensuring that you fulfill your God given role in her life before demanding for hers? Are you fulfilling your part of the charge you were given by those books? Are you cherishing, honoring her with your body, sharing your worldly goods or just expecting her to be an obedient wife. And even if you haven’t taken the vows of marriage, these vows are still a clear example of how we should conduct relationships. Final note to you men: I know many of you suffer from a false sense of entitlement and discontentment. And yes you are right; there will always be someone prettier, sexier, smarter, sweeter, funnier, more adventurous and more religious, than your current girlfriend or maybe even wife. There is always the chance that there is someone out there who you’ll connect better with. True, your mother is a paragon of everything a Psalm 31 woman should be, yet I can assure you she wasn’t that when your father married her. Newsflash: Most men are not who women envision when they dream about their ideal man, but, they are willing and happy to work with a man but they’ve got to give them something.
To the women: These are just a few examples, this is certainly not an exhaustive list. Ultimately, a man who has a good woman AND recognizes her worth will do these things and more. But ladies, desperation is never cute. If you have a Are you protecting her from yourself? man who doesn’t call or text, make time As women we are raised to know men for you and ultimately make you a priority don’t like nagging, don’t hit your man, …he isn’t worth fighting for. don’t swear at him and so on. Women break these rules, but most people are In summation, men, get off your high aware of. Do men realize that women horse and do some work to get and have a right to be protected from your keep a woman. churlish moods, anger and cutting words?
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AFRICAWORLD OCT 15 - 31 2013
people
PRIDE OF AFRICA past
Catriona Nyakambiri Edition May 01.15
Pamela Sauramba Edition May 16.31
Rumbie Netsiyanwa Edition April 15.30
Grace Komolafe Edition Aug 01.15
Mai Mouna Salif Edition Aug 16.31
OCT 15 - 31 2013 AFRICAWORLD
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news by Paul Kelly
23-YEAR OLD CYBER CRIME SUSPECT ARRESTED
libyan Mohammed Sawan says parliament is searching for an alternative to PM Ali Zidan who was kidnapped by militia.
Madagascar Madagascar faces a bubonic plague epidemic unless it slows the spread of the disease, experts have warned.
Malawi President Joyce Banda has appointed new ministers barely a week after sacking the entire 25-member cabinet over allegations of corruption.
Mali At least 20 bodies have been recovered after a boat carrying hundreds of passengers capsized on the River Niger, Mali, on Friday night, officials say.
Mauritania M a u r i t a n i a’s Pres Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz is wounded in what officials say is an accidental shooting by a nervous soldier; some remain suspicious of incident, which occurs against backdrop of chronic political instability in the country.
Zambia Zambia has taken the unusual step of confirming its president is alive and well, it’s reported.
Cape Verde Poor in natural resources, prone to drought and with little arable land, the Cape Verde islands have won a reputation for achieving political and economic stability.
As reported by an online source on the first of October 2013,a 23-year old graduate has been arrested for cyber crime. According to the source, a 23-year old graduate of a college of education,Ilaro Ogun state,who has been on the wanted list of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),for notoriety in hacking into websites of government agencies and sale of fake recruitment forms has been arrested. The suspect,who simply gave his name as Adeniji Lukman,from Osun state,was paraded in Abuja on Monday before newsmen by the Commandant General of NSCDC,Dr. Ade Abolurin.
to defraud Nigerians. Answering the question onwhy he choose cybercrime with his talent,the suspect said,”it is ignorance. I have a talent and I know how to design websites”. Dr. Abolurin disclosed that the suspect had been notorious for hacking into websites of government agencies including the NSCDC,state security service(SSS), Joint admission and matriculation board(JAMB),national examination council(NECO) and Nigerian Customs Service. The suspect was also alleged to have hacked into the website of the Nigerian Immigration service(NIS) and was already having a rip-off from the current recruitment exercise being conducted by the NIS.
By MORDI MICHAEL
Unified Tertiary Matrication Examination (UTME) was held.
“The suspect before us is an expert in website design. He can hack into any system,most especially government agencies”. He develops portals which he used to put some adverts,advertising for recruitment for all these agencies. “He just graduated from college of education Ilaro in march and he went to computer training center where he learnt some of these things. “The crux of the matter is that when he hacked into our system,there were so much outcries in the country.
Lukman confessed to have committed the cybercrime of hacking into websites of This got to my knowledge late last He was also alleged to have hacked into year,and so we started trailing the suspect. government agencies,including security agencies and selling of fake recruitment the website of JAMB and produce questions forms to unsuspecting job seekers. He told and answers likely to feature in the “We thank God on september 26,we got him. He was arrested in Osun state he said. newsmen that he was an expert in website examinations and sold them to the public before the design and had been using that advantage
KIDNAPPED LIBYAN PM ZEIDAN FREED In Tripoli,former rebel gunmen freed Libya’s prime minister on thursday after holding him for several hours in reprisal for the capture by US forces at the weekend of a Libyan Al-Qaeda suspect,officials said. A Reuters journalist at the scene said protesters opened fire at the building where Ali Zeidan was being held to demand that the group,which is affiliated with the government,free the premier. “The prime minister has been released”a government official said. A security source also said Zeidan was free. Two years after a revolution ended Muanmar Gaddafi’s 42-year rule,Libya is in turmoil,with its central government and nascent armed forces struggling to contain rival tribal militias and islamists militants who control parts of the country. The militia,which had been hired by the government to provide security in Tripoli,said it “arrested” Zeidan after US Secretary of State John Kerry said Libya had a role in the weekend capture in the city of Abu Anas al-Liby. “His arrest comes after......[Kerry] said the Libyan government was aware of the operation”,a spokesperson for the group,known as the operations room of Libya’s Revolutionaries told Reuters. Before his release,an official in the interior ministry anti-crime department told the state news agency that Zeidan,a former diplomat and exile opposition activist
against Gaddafi,was being held there and was being treated well. The Libyan government in a statement confirmed the premier was taken at dawn to “an unknown place for unknown reasons”. The Prime minister was taken from the corinthia Hotel,where many diplomats and top government officials live. It is regarded as one of the most secure places in Tripoli. The kidnapping,however brief,raised the stakes in the unruly OPEC nation,where the regional factions are also seeking control over its oil wealth,which provides Libya with the vast bulk of government revenues. Brent oil prices rose on the news. “Everybody is watching this........ We still haven’t seen any disruption to supply from Libya,so we don’t expect a spike in prices”,said Ken Hasegawa,a commodity sales manager at Newedge Japan. A mix of striking workers,militia and political activists have blocked Libya’s oilfields and ports for more than two months,according to Oil minister Abdelbari Anusi resulting in over $5 billion of lost revenues. He said on 2 october that oil exports could return to full capacity in days once the strikes end. Repsol and Eni,involved in western Libya,have seen output largely restored since fields reopened last month.
By MORDI MICHAEL
But companies invested in eastern Libya are entering a third month of closures at several important export terminals. Oil companies have become wary of North Africa after an attack in January in the Amena gas plant in Neighbouring Algeria,a top gas supplier to Europe and an oil-producing OPEC member. US special forces on saturday seized Nazih-al-Ragye,known by his alias Abu Anas al-Liby, a Libyan suspected in the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Liby is being held on a Navy ship in the mediterranean Sea. After Zeidan was seized,the US state department said it was “in close touch with senior US and Libyan officials on ground. The operations room of Libya’s Revolutionaries had been affiliated with the interior ministry which assigned them to provide security in the capital as part of a programme to reintegrate former fighters. Guards at the hotel said there were no shots fired or clashes during the incident. Al-Arabiya television channel quoted Libya’s justice minister as saying that Zeidan had been “Kidnapped” and showed what it said were video stills of Zeidan frowning and wearing a grey shirt undone at the collar surrounded by several men in civilian clothes pressing closely around him. Zeidan said on Teusday Libyans accused of crimes should be tried at home but that the raid to capture Liby would not harm US ties-trying to preserve relations with a major ally without provoking a backlash from Islamist militants. But the raid angered militant groups,including one blamed for the assault on the US consulate in Benghazi in 2013,who called for revenge attacks on strategic targets including gas export pipelines,planes and ships,as well as for the kidnappings of Americans in the capital.
8
AFRICAWORLD OCT 15 - 31 2013
column/news/IT by Paul Kelly
Gambia Gambia has accused Britain and the United States of organizing coup attempts and financing the opposition since President Yahya Jammeh took power in 1994.
6 0 S E CON D S W I T H T H E D U C H E S S
Obi Emelonye is one of the leading forces in modern Nollywood. His unique style, engaging story lines and attention to details have set him apart as a global pioneer and ambassador for Africa. Following the success of MirrorBoy and Last Flight To Abuja, his latest project ONYE OZI (The Messenger) is set to be just as ground breaking as it is the first Igbo Language movie made in diaspora. This movie is personal to him because he sees it as a way to support the preservation of his native Igbo language. Onye Ozi premiers on the 18th of October at Lighthouse, Camberwell. Visit www.nollywoodfactory.com for details.
Ghana Kofi Awoonor was attending a literary festival in Nairobi when he was killed in a siege at a Kenyan shopping centre. Ghanaian journalist Elizabeth Ohene looks back at the life of one of Ghana’s most prominent men of letters
Guinea President Alpha Conde has described accusations of fraud during the September legislative polls as “political rhetoric”.
Guinea Bissau The former chief of the navy in Guinea-Bissau has been arrested and is being transferred to the US, local media have reported.
TECH_PILOt >>>>>>>> with Uchenna Onyenagubo
Correct your Screen Orientation Kenya Racking and darting each rhino in order to implant a hidden microchip is an ambitious project.
Liberia Liberia’s former president Charles Taylor has been transferred to a British prison to serve his 50-year sentence for war crimes.
Western Sahara The US is redeploying forces that were meant to take part in joint military exercises in Morocco amid a disagreement over Western Sahara.
I came across an issue last week and it was quite challenging so, I promised to share it with my readers. The Apple devices (iphones, ipads, iphone touch & ipods) have unique settings and functions compared to what would easily be found on an Android or other smartphones & tablets Operating System. Images displayed on smartphones and tablets can be tilted depending on what suits the viewer. The settings for your mobile devices include screen rotations which can easily be disabled or otherwise. The screen orientation rotation on the iphones & ipads are quite different, it has a rather confusing function on the General>>Settings. It reads “Lock”, this function sound similar to what we intend to do but unfortunately, it’s not directly for that purpose. The “Lock” and “Mute” is another unique way of achieving the same result, I will explain this below. If you are experiencing this problem on your iphone or ipad, you would notice the screen orientation lock is present in the top corner of your screen.
In case, you find yourself in same issue, please follow the steps below: First Method: - Double-click the Home button to display recently used apps. - Flick from left to right along the bottom of the screen. - Tap the Screen Rotation Lock button on the bottom left of the screen. - If the button used to show a padlock, the padlock will disappear from the button after tapping it. - When you’re done single tap the home button and you’ll be returned to normal operation of your device.
AND to lock the screen rotation, simply tap the button again, the padlock will appear to indicate it’s locked again. You might slightly be confused if you have just upgraded to the new iOS 7 versions. The steps are completely difference, I have illustrated it below:
- Swipe UP from the bottom of the screen to reveal “Control Center”. This will reveal the fast app switcher row of apps at the bottom of the screen - Tap the screen rotation lock icon, it has a “padlock lock in an arrow” symbol. If it is white, it’s on; black and it’s off. - When you’re done single tap the home button and you’ll be returned to normal operation of your device. Second Method: The “Lock” is also used to enable and disable the screen orientation/rotation. Once you select the “Lock”, you can then use the slider button on the right hand side of your device to lock and unlock. This slider button is also used to “Mute” the speakers once you select “Mute”. NOTE: Not all apps can rotate, for example, the home screen on the iPhone and iPod touch can’t rotate (though it can on the iPad) and some apps are designed to only work in one orientation. If you turn your device and the screen doesn’t rotate, check to see whether the screen orientation lock is present in the top corner. If it’s not, the app is probably designed not to rotate.
OCT 15 - 31 2013 AFRICAWORLD
9
column/news
dd’s cubicle
Sierra Leone Liberia’s former president Charles Taylor has been transferred to a British prison to serve his 50-year sentence for war crimes.
THE GLOBAL EFFECT OF THE US GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.’’
Somalia A Somali pirate chief who was made an ambassador for his country after publicly renouncing his old profession has been arrested during a visit to Belgium.
South Africa New Zealand secured the Rugby Championship with a pulsating 38-27 win over South Africa at Ellis Park.
sudan and South Sudan A high-level delegation comprising of senior officials from South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) arrived in South Sudan last week to share knowledge and experience with the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement.
senegal The former Chadian dictator branded “Africa’s Pinochet” for the alleged torture and killings of thousands of political opponents has been arrested in Senegal, almost 23 years after his brutal reign came to an end.
Swaziland King Mswati III of Swaziland, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch, has chosen an 18-year- old beauty pageant contestant to be his 15th wife.
Uganda Uganda has suspended 20 army officers accused of corruption in Somalia while battling Islamist militants as part of an African Union (AU) force, a Ugandan ar my spokesman has told the BBC.
By Dunstan Ukaga
A few days into the US government shut down, with no clear winner in sight, the effect is beginning to hurt everyone. The most direct impact is that 800,000 federal workers, at agencies as diverse as Nasa and the US Treasury, have been “furloughed”,in other words, sent home without pay. 800,000 federal workers sent home without pay and estimated $400m knocked off economic output each day in lost pay. Goldman Sachs has estimated that each day of shutdown means $400m (£250m) knocked off economic output in lost pay alone. In total, it says,economic growth will be cut by 0.2% points by a week-long shutdown. The longer the closure goes on, however, the more likely it will do wider economic damage, Beside the domestic effect, the shut down with the crises over the debt ceiling is having a calamitous damage not only to the US but to the global economy. Supporting my assertion, Erik Brattberg, visiting fellow at Johns Hopkins University quotes:”The cancellation of President Obama’s planned trip to Asia is one example. By skipping the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Obama has inadvertently sent a message to regional players that Washington is not really serious about strengthening its presence there, a message that Beijing has been quick to capitalize on. With growing protectionist tendencies across the Asia-Pacific, and with China increasingly vying for economic influence across the region, American support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is crucial. By not attending the meeting, Obama forfeits an opportunity to make a strong personal push for the regional trade deal and to strengthen U.S. business ties with three important emerging economies—
TUTU CALLS ON AFRICAN LEADERS NOT TO KILL ICC By MORDI IFEANYI
A reliable online source reported on 10 October 2013 that the South African Nobel peace Laureate has warned African leaders against leaving the international criminal court (ICC). South African Nobel peace laureate, Desmond Tutu, warned African leaders against leaving the international criminal court, saying it would leave the world a “more dangerous place”. In an online petition entitled “Who will stop the next genocide?”, the 82-year-old antiapartheid hero said that in his lifetime he had seen “great gains made that protect the weak from the strong”. He cautioned that “in just two days time, African leaders could kill off a
long-term impact on the region.
Experts believe the U.S. economic The two largest economies in Latin interests in Asia are not the only ones America, Brazil and Mexico, saw their affected by the shutdown. economies rise and fall respectively in the wake of the U.S. government shutdown Example negotiations with the European and, next up, possibly defaulting due the Union over the Trans-Atlantic Trade and debt limit impasse. The Mexican peso Investment Partnership (TTIP) are also plummeted to a monthly low because of taking a hard hit. last week, U.S. trade concerns over demand in the U.S. for officials were supposed to meet their Mexican products, while Brazil’s real European counterparts in Brussels for the currency shot up because of speculation second round of negotiations. It was that the shutdown would delay the cancelled. U.S.Federal Reserve’s stimulus program that Even though the TTIP negotiations with injected cheap U.S. cash into emerging Europe will soon resume, given what is at markets throughout the world. stake, a trade deal of epic proportions with The Chilean Finance Minister has not potential to drive growth on both sides of been kinder to the US politician as he was the Atlantic as well as the rest of the world, seen saying: “Politicians are playing with the cancelled meeting still marks a blow to fire here, are playing with the credibility of the US government. Europeans are currently the economy, are playing with the looking at American politics with a sustainability of the recovery,” Felipe combination of intrigue and disgust. The Larrain said in an interview. “It’s a major title of recent story in the French daily, Le effect on U.S. markets, on global markets.” Monde, on the US government shutdown, “What affects the Brazilian real is more “Jefferson, Wake Up, They’ve Gone Crazy!,” international financial flows, and what says it all. impacts the Mexican peso is more economic growth prospects in the US,” Jefferson Have Americans not really gone crazy? Finch, a Latin American analyst at Eurasia The impact of the shutdown has been Group told the Christian Science Monitor. warned by the IMF and World Bank meetings Both Lagarde and U.S. Treasury Secretary in Washington. The US government Jacob J. Lew warned that the political shutdown raises global recession risk, G20 impasse could sap the safe haven status of finance chiefs warn. The lack of resolution U.S. assets. would have “very negative consequences “The world actually counts on us being for the U.S. economy and spillover effects which mean negative consequences for the responsible,” Lew told the Senate Finance rest of the world,” IMF Managing Director Committee, as he cautioned that the spat Christine Lagarde told Bloomberg is “beginning to stress the financial markets.” Television’s “Surveillance” with Tom Keene Lagarde said the U.S. should be wary that Thursday. “It could precipitate another crisis it is “not damaged because of what is going if it was to last longer.” Few days into the on.” shutdown, lawmakers have a week The potential fallout was enough for the remaining to lift the U.S.’s US$16.7-trillion IMF to warn this week that a default could borrowing limit or risk a default that would “seriously” harm global activity as it cut its potentially sound echoes of the 2008 economic forecasts for this year and next collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. to 2.9% and 3.6% respectively. According to world economic index, the US shut down has created ripple effects on Latin America’s leading economies of Brazil and Mexico. An article seen on Fox News Latino succinctly puts it this way:”As the partial shutdown of the United States government limps into a second week, its effects are being felt not just at home but across the globe. In Latin America, currencies have swung up and down with economists and analysts keeping close watch on the action in Congress for its immediate and
Conclusively, The US politicians seem to be playing Russian roulette with the world economy and the effect hurts the world on a large scale. Its devastating effects has already been seen in stock markets from Canada to South Africa to even Nigeria as the US dollars rise sharply in the black markets across Lagos and Abuja. Until now, the world would be watching and hoping it ends well for the good of the whole.
great institution, leaving the world a more dangerous place”. The 54-member African Union (AU) will meet on Friday to debate a possible withdrawal from the war crimes court over claims that it targets the continent. Adding to growing cautions on such a move, Tutu called on continental heavyweights, South Africa and Nigeria, to back the Hague-based tribunal. Calling the two countries the “voices of reason at the African Union”, he urged them to speak out and “ensure that the persecuted are protected by the ICC”. Tutu said the ICC was the world’s first and only court to try crimes against humanity and accused the leaders of Sudan and Kenya “who have inflicted terror and fear across their countries” of trying to “drag Africa out of the ICC, allowing them the freedom to kill, rape and inspire hatred without consequences”. The petition is addressed to South African
president, Jacob Zuma, and his Nigerian counterpart, Goodluck Jonathan. “Without the political leadership of Nigeria and South Africa and other democracies across the continent, justice could be buried and the ICC would be killed off”, the text states. “We call on you to lead the fight against crimes against humanity and keep Africa in the ICC”. Asking people to add their names, Tutu said that once the petition had hit one million signatures, it would be delivered to leaders at the AU meeting. The AU has accused the court of singling out Africans for prosecution and demanded that proceedings against Kenya’s leadership linked to 2007-2008 post election violence be dropped. Former UN-Secretary-General Kofi Anan said on Monday that it would be a “badge of shame” for Africa if its leaders voted to leave the international criminal court, in a lecture marking Tutu’s 82nd birthday.
10 AFRICAWORLD OCT 15 - 31 2013
beauty & fashion CAMEROON Women are increasingly challenging the traditional male monopoly of African politics. In Cameroon, campaigners have worked tirelessly to boost the chances of women standing in the country’s pending elections.
column/news
WHISPERS FROM THE REEDS Phokuhle Mafu
What challenges have you faced? I got an internship this summer in London as an assistant designer. I applied twice but that did not work out and it was a bit hectic to deal with. In the long run, I thought everything happens for a reason, that maybe it wasn’t the right time yet.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee “unprecedented levels of violence” in the Central African Republic, the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has said.
CHAD Hissene Habre, former president of Chad, accused of killing and torture of thousands of opponents, is arrested in Dakar, Senegal; arrest is hailed as decisive step toward justice for victims of Habre’s brutal 8-year reign in 1980s.
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE Congo Brazzaville was today given a debt cancellation of US$ 2.4 billion by its main creditors. This amounts to 100 percent of all Congolese bilateral debts and will significantly lower budget costs.
CONGO-KINSHASA Journalist in Danger (JED) is profoundly disturbed to learn of an attack on a foreign journalist in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
COTE D’IVOIRE Laurent Gbagbo, the first former head of state to appear before the International Criminal Court, attended a pre-trial hearing today on charges of crimes against humanity.
Tanzanian Tanzania is carefully studying the moves by the so-called “coalition of the willing” before making any c o n c re t e decision regarding its membership in the East African Community.
College, fashion label, Finalist in Miss Ethnic Ireland, stylist: just how does she do it? The 22-year-old South African born upcoming fashion designer took us through her manual of this great adventure. The bursting energy and vigor of Phokuhle is infectious: “I was awarded a scholarship to study fashion in Griffith College, Dublin. We had a fashion workshop at school by a lady from Paris. We had to create an outfit from 15 bucks. Needless to say I won the challenge, and that gave me more courage to compete more. I started designing with Griffith College and entered the competition again, coming fourth out of 150 students. My design was showcased on ‘Expose’. I was 16 at the time. I have been having a blast pursuing my dream, working with the best names in the industry. It has been amazing. I am a creative stylist too.” So what have you been up to? I just love fashion. Right now, I am in the second year of my studies. I have worked with so many top fashion designers. I have been a stylist for House Of Fraser for almost a year. I have styled just about everyone. I was meant to be part of London Fashion Week but that did not happen due to personal reasons. I had some time on my hands and, as they say, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. I started creating my own brand called FADE FASHION, which is what I am working on at the moment. For the first time showcasing my work I came second to David Hanson. He is already on the market and is huge so for me to come second to him was a great honor. Yeah just been keeping busy. I have been on Fashion TV and RTE Radio, blogging – busy busy! With your busy schedule, how do you balance being young and career driven as well as friends, family and a social life? It is so hard. I wake up at 6am: first school and work then home at about 11pm and I still have to do my college work. In a month I think I go out once. I have no time for myself, family or friends. I know it’s very bad I chose fashion over everything even my social life. I live and breathe fashion. I know to some people it will sound selfish but I have been at this since I was fourteen and nothing is going to stop me. I am also a finalist in Miss Ethnic Ireland. I am really trying. I try and make time for my family especially on Sundays. Sunday is a family day. I go to church in the morning and spend the day with my family.
By Lihle
him for my work experience, he is so creative. He created his own fabric - that is creativity.
What are your dreams? I just want to do so much for my family. My appreciation for all their support and love would be to do my best for them. I want everything. In 5 years from now, I want to have worked in two fashion houses in Milan and Paris, and my own label. To learn as What do you miss about home? much as I can and then set up my own stuff. The smell of the dust, that smell of freshness that you get from the What inspires your designs? earth after a light shower (rain). I For my last collection I was inspired by the tell all my Irish friends that. I miss war. Most people saw all the negative stuff the smell of the dust, I miss eating but I saw the innocence of it, the innocent the red sand. My dad went to lives that were lost that really inspired me Africa two years ago and brought to create an almost pure collection. back some rocks - you could still smell the freshness of the earth Tell us the about the boy/man in your life. from them. I miss coming home red- (Chuckles) My dad - he is the best I know. smudged by the mud and dust. He has been the driving force behind everything that I am today. I admire him a Being in raised in Europe, do you feel it lot and he is so supportive and motivating. I think we are the new version of Bey and has altered your destiny? My father came to Ireland some years ago her Father. and he had this plan that he was going to educate us to the best of his ability. He What do you do when you are not brought us here, started a new life. I am cutting, draping and measuring? always so grateful for the opportunity I recently started doing Yoga, my dad had because of him. He did not have much to long recommended it just to help me give but he gave his best. He has always unwind and true to his word it was worth wanted the best for me especially education it. I enjoy it. I forget about fashion and and that is very important to me because everything else. then I can educate myself and be the woman I want to be. Being here in Ireland Define Beauty. To me, everything is beautiful. Everything about nature is beautiful. I am very emotional. In everything I find beauty. What do you feel would be your contribution to the development of the African Continent? Depending on one’s talent we all have a duty to contribute to our Africa, and I am a fashion designer and would love to put the creativeness of Africa on the Global market. Of course there have been a lot of great designers representing the Continent. That would be my contribution, to the best of my ability. I would love to do a collection on racism.
is a bonus, there are so many opportunities here. It’s on you to go out there and take advantage of them if you want to. In terms of fashion, what are your views between Africa and Europe? I think Africa has it. Africans are talented, they are so creative. As an African in Ireland, I have tapped into that creativeness. “Creative stylist”, as some call me, is part of the beauty of being an African. We have style growing up in South Africa. You don’t go down to the shop in your pyjamas, you’ll make sure that you look right because anything can happen on the road and you do not want to be caught in your PJ’s, do you? Even as a child you would put on your Vaseline, make sure you were nice and shining. Just to got and play would first require you to find an afrocomb and make sure your hair is in order. I went through one of South Africa’s prominent designers, David Tlale’s, work last year. The man is talented, he is my inspiration. I call him the Black McQueen. I would love to work with
Why racism? Growing up in Ireland was really hard, everyone thinks people are nice but that’s not true. I personally experienced it, I was bullied, called names, blackmailed, even had my hair set on fire once and for me that was the hardest thing ever to even talk about. For a long time, I suffered in silence. I did get help eventually but the damage was already done. To this day I can not speak about my experience without being emotional. I understand why some people commit suicide because it is really hard to deal with. My family was very supportive. I would love to do a collection to highlight racism and bullying, basically to just highlight the issues that are facing mostly black people in Europe. How did you cope with such a traumatic experience? I have a great family, I got counseling and of course, my church. I am very spiritual and that keeps me grounded. Advice? If you must do anything in life, do it with passion or don’t do it at all.
OCT 15 - 31 2013 AFRICAWORLD 11
news/entertainment
news
MAN ACCUSES EX-MISTRESS OF HYPNOSIS
By MORDI MICHAEL
As published by the News agency of Nigeria,an online news bulletin;News 24 Nigeria has reported that a driving school instructor has claimed that his mistress deceived him into abandoning his family to live with her. A driving school instructor in Mararaba ,Adeshina Adebayo,36, of Aso Pada, Mararaba in Nasarrawa state,on Monday claimed that his mistress Aminatu Akano deceived
him into abandoning his family to live with her. Adebayo is standing trial for the alleged defamation of Akano’s character.
I packed all my belongings and abandoned my wife and Children to stay with her in her house located in Aso Pada Mararaba”.
In his testimony,Adebayo told the court that he and Akano had a six month relationship and that all through the period,he abandoned his family.
“She also hypnotised me into leaving my work as an instructor and I became her slave”he told the court. Adebayo also alleged that Akano forced him into taking an oath that he will never leave her.
“She hypnotised me and made me to abandon my family.
“I admit that my family really suffered during the six months I was
s t c a F
THOMAS EDISON
Thomas Edison was born in Ohio in the USA in 1847. He was the last child of his parents. He was an inventor. Thomas Edison was very a curious boy. He always got into trouble in school, so his mum decided to keep him at home. Thomas Edison invented the
phonograph, motion picture camera and the light bulb and a recorder that records your voice and plays your voice backwards. At 16, he went to New Jersey. Thomas Edison worked on a train with a telegraph, that was the beginning of his inventions. Thomas Edison worked very hard and only slept for 6 hours each night. He invented over 1000 inventions in his life time. Thomas Edison married a
with Akano”,he said adding that when he left her,Akano filed charges against him. After listening to the testimony of Adebayo,the presiding judge,Albert Maga,adjourned the case to October 7 for continuation of hearing. The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) recalls that Adebayo was arraigned on July 12, 2012 for alleged defamation.
Anthony,told the court that Adebayo had during a programme “lean on me” on capital FM radio,alleged that Akano committed murder through the use of JuJu. Anthony claimed that Adebayo said some things that were capable of maligning the character of his client on radio.
The counsel to Akano,Ola
wife after his mother died. He was fondly called “The Wizard of Menlo Park”. Thomas Edison died in 1931. He used to say “nature is what we know”.
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By MAX CHIJIOKE OKAFOR
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#africaworldnews F A C E S @ D U B L IN AFRICAN FI L M FESTIVAL Dreamwalker From Cameroon: Ninah’s Dowry (Winner AMAA 2013) & FREESTATE from Southern Africa were premiered at the event.
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Inaugural IGBO National Convention in Pictures Women conference and thanksgiving Service. More on AfricaWorldTV.
OCT 15 - 31 2013 AFRICAWORLD 13
PHOTO NEWS
ANIOMA UNION IRELAND FUND-RAISING Friends and family members of the Izu Anioma in Ireland gathered to celebrate their culture and fund-raise in Dublin. More on AfricaWorldTV.
14 AFRICAWORLD OCT 15 - 31 2013
photo news
BLACK HISTORY OPENS IN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK Black History Month Celebration in Ireland declared open on 7th October, in University College Cork with a documentary on the legendary life and travels of former slave and abolitionist, Frederick Douglas. More on AfricaWorldTV.
At the inaugural lecture series of the Black History Month Ireland at Boole 1 Theatre, University College Cork (UCC), 7 - 10the October 2013; with Imma Ndey, Gabriel Dohertyl, Cllr. Rotimi Adebari. Zeph O. Ikeh and Lucy Deedy at the opening ceremony.
OCT 15 - 31 2013 AFRICAWORLD 15
column/news
X-RAY
with Fr. Vin
level” was the bomb shell he dropped for the woman. There can be no greater intimidation than this. PERSONALITY TYPE FACTOR (EGO):
By Fr. Vincent Ezeoma Arisukwu
WHAT LEADS TO INTIMIDATION IN MARRIAGE
I came across a silver jubilee wedding anniversary invitation card recently that read, “25 Years of Voluntary Imprisonment with Hard Labour”. It looked funny but bore a sarcastic image of the realities of many marriages in modern society today. A lot of couples have become prisoners in their marriages and unfortunately do not have options than to remain regrettably in the bond. The big WHY? MISCONCEIVED AUTONOMY:
Saint Paul wrote, “After all, brothers, you were called to be free; do not use your freedom as an opening for self indulgence, but be servants to one another in love” (Gal.5: 13). Some marriages have become victims of false sense of autonomy. The sense of autonomy here can result from money (wealth), power, ego etc. Many marriages that started well have been destroyed by the influence of money. Money could make a man begin to treat the wife as inferior in marriage; it could also make a woman begin to regard the husband as the inferior party. The mentality is, “Since I make the money, I am totally in charge”. Some couples have become strangers because one party started loving money more than the partner. Once such mentality sets in, the danger is to imagine that every other thing depends on financial ability. For some men what matters is to give their wives money, instruct them on what to buy for the house. Once they dole out the money, they feel they have accomplished their side of the bargain. They can hardly spare time for their wife; neither do they create fun in their marriage relationship. All they require is total subservience because they want their spouse to obey whatever command they dish out without questioning. Such financial power goes in tandem with authority. Once a man has money he has power. This power is absolute in the home. He does what he likes with his money. If the woman tries to advise or make any suggestion, the ready question is “Are you the one to tell me how to spend my hard earned money? Am I not free to use my money as I want?” I once met a man who scolds his wife on hourly basis.
In a particular day, the man threatens the wife not less than ten times with, “If you don’t take time I throw you out of this house”. The wife remarked that her husband just changed at some point in their marriage because he used to be a simple unassuming man before he started making money. OVER DEPENDENCE:
In few marriages, the man tells the woman to serve only as “house wife” and do no other business. Such a woman is confined in the home and takes care of domestic chores. Some men claim that it helps to build formidable homes in order to give the children closer maternal attention. Some claim they give their wives greater security from men outside. Others do so because they feel that what they earn could be sufficient for the family upkeep. In any case, it is unheard of to talk about “house husband” in marriage. Ironically, some women who are constrained to take up house wife’s responsibility are products of higher institutions with certificates that can fetch good jobs. In some cases they are ladies with the strength and eagerness to work. When a person is not doing anything responsible, he/ she depends on the partner for every of his/her need. The truth must be said here that it is difficult for a man to provide all the needs of the wife when the woman is totally dependent on him. It is worse when the man is dependent on the woman. In some instances, total dependence on one’s partner turns out to become reasons for intimidation. When the man/ woman feels weighed down by worries and has a lot of financial responsibilities, he/she feels a sense of frustration and sees the partner who depends on him/her as liability. The dependent can only function at the instance of the boss. He/she uses soap only when the other provides, drinks at the instance of the other, can not even do charity because everything comes from a particular source. This is risky in marriage.
CULTURAL BIAS:
The impression in Africa that man is always superior to the woman is latent in the mind of every man. This plays itself out especially in marriage whereby men feel they are the boss in marital relationship. No one advocates disrespect for any man in marriage but it has been observed that one major reason for intimidation in marriage is the African male syndrome mentality. Since the woman’s family is settled by payment of bride price, many men believe they have simply paid for their wives and so they become the properties of their husbands. Even in some cases where the man never performed his traditional marriage rites and lacks the power to fulfill such, the mentality is the same. Some women even assist to pay their bride price and in some cases do the entire sponsorship through their husbands but wouldn’t want anyone to know. Yet some men feel they should always impose their will upon their wives. That is why some of them do only what they want to do. They feel women have no contribution in the affairs of men simply because women, for such folks, have no place in African culture. A man once told me that the best way for a woman to solve the excesses of her husband is to overlook or pretend she doesn’t see them. According to him, if a woman is caught committing atrocity in marriage she goes, if she catches the husband committing atrocity she also goes. This is a major cause of intimidation in marriage. CHAUVINISM: Male dominance is a factor that unconsciously plays itself out in every relationship involving man and woman. Ordinarily, every man feels a sense of greatness and self esteem. Even in the family setting, the boys in the home would want to assume that some menial responsibilities should be performed by the girls. They imagine that they are the men in the house and should be in-charge of their sisters either old or young. Men are gifted with natural physical strength and always feel stronger than women. This instinct has given
rise to male dominance. It is for this reason that Women Rights Groups arose to advocate for the recognition of equality of gender and women’s right in the society. It is not true that men are always more intelligent or productive when they compete with women. But unfortunately, some marriages have suffered as a result of such chauvinistic syndrome. The man feels the wife can’t contribute anything. He feels she should be relegated. He queries her about everything and every movement but wouldn’t disclose any of his activities to her and wouldn’t tolerate any questions from her either. Such a man provides for the wife but doesn’t allow her the necessary air to enjoy the resources she gives her. She is programmed like a robot, her movement is timed, her friends are chosen by him, her job is secured by him, and her associations can only be sanctioned and approved by him. She is not allowed to improve herself either by work or education since the man does not see reasons for a woman to go higher lest she begins to compete with him. He is the only star in the house, the wife is an addendum. SYMPATHY MARRIAGE: Some men and women suffer intimidation in marriage because, directly or indirectly, they pleaded to be married by their partners. They make themselves inferior owing to either the beauty of their desired woman or the wealth of their desired man. They lure such persons and force them to propose marriage. Such marriages are contracted on sympathy basis because the man or woman in question feels he/she is marrying the other to help him/her. A man was having serious challenges with the wife after a few years of marriage. He was accused of not giving the wife the necessary attention as a husband. All he told the woman was that she should even be happy to receive the much attention he has given her. He went further to open up to the wife that she should have known that she forced him to marry her because he never loved her to the point of marriage. “You know you are not my
Some individuals are naturally arrogant and proud. They derive joy insulting others not minding whether such persons are their husbands or wives. Those who have personality type factor usually belong to the melancholic temperament. They can be men or women. They become easily abusive. Research shows that such abusers tend to lack empathy for other people, and as a result, see love in terms of possession rather than intimacy and respect. Their primary concern is self, they neglect the interest of another. This happens in marriage relationships. A man/ woman can be selfish, lacking the approachability that the partner deserves. He/she snubs the husband/ wife not necessarily by words but by character or attitude. He damns the feelings of his spouse. Such behaviors can intimidate one’s spouse. IGNORANCE: The disease of ignorance is so bad that the ignorant person reasons otherwise. The ignorant person is in his own world. Emptiness for him is richness. The ignorant person is not only empty but holds tenaciously to wrong principles. Ignorance is a threat in marriage. The ignorant man for instance, would be the first to quote to the wife that women have no rights in marriage. He will be the one to insist that bride price is business transaction. He will be the one to tell a wife that a woman should only be a house wife looking after the house and children. He will be the one to insist that the woman’s money is her husband’s since it’s the only way to pay him back the money he spent on her head. He insists that it is the man who has the right to get drunk. He insists that it is the man who can commit adultery and go free in marriage. The ignorant man manufactures rules in marriage based on his convenience. He is the one who readily accuses the wife of infertility in the case of difficulty having a baby but shies away from carrying out medical tests on himself. The ignorant man avoids talking about himself but concentrates on minor faults of the wife always. He magnifies little things to run down the woman. He not only intimidates the wife but ends up beating her up. The ignorant man sometimes inflicts violence on the wife. We shall see why intimidation does not work in marriage in our next edition.
MAN ACCUSES EX-MISTRESS OF HYPNOSIS A driving school instructor in Mararaba ,Adeshina Adebayo,36, of Aso Pada, Mararaba in Nasarrawa state,on Monday claimed that his mistress Aminatu Akano deceived him into abandoning his family to live with her. Adebayo is standing trial for the alleged defamation of Akano’s character. In his testimony,Adebayo told the
court that he and Akano had a six month relationship and that all through the period,he abandoned his family. “She hypnotised me and made me to abandon my family.
“She also hypnotised me into leaving my work as an instructor and I became her slave”he told the court. Adebayo also alleged that Akano forced him into taking an oath that he will never leave her.
I packed all my belongings and abandoned my wife and Children to stay with her in her house located in Aso Pada Mararaba”.
“I admit that my family really suffered during the six months I was with Akano”,he said adding that when he left her,Akano filed charges against
him. After listening to the testimony of Adebayo,the presiding judge,Albert Maga,adjourned the case to October 7 for continuation of hearing. The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) recalls that Adebayo was arraigned on July 12, 2012 for alleged defamation. The counsel to Akano,Ola Anthony,told the court that Adebayo
By MORDI MICHAEL
had during a programme “lean on me” on capital FM radio,alleged that Akano committed murder through the use of JuJu. Anthony claimed that Adebayo said some things that were capable of maligning the character of his client on radio.
16 AFRICAWORLD OCT 15 - 31 2013
lecture series