Afrikan Post February 2019 Issue

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African Community News

African Community Rallies Behind Josh King,

Candidate for Prince William County Sheriff Pg. 5

Vol 11 Issue 2

February 2019

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February

Afrikan Post

African Community Rallies Behind Josh King,

From the Editor

O u r G r ea tes t G lor y is n o t in n ever f allin g b u t in r is in g ever y time we f a ll .

We ar e co mmittted to br in g in g th e commu n ity th e bes t in N ews f r o m Af r ica a n d th e D ia s por a . Yo u may a ls o vis it o u r web s ite a t www. af r ikan po s t.com f o r d aily n ews u p d ates o n Af r ica .

D is claimer : Th e o p in ion s ex pr es s ed in ar ticles a n d s tor ies in th is N ews pap er ar e th o s e o f th e a u th o r s an d do n o t n eces s ar ily r ef lect th e views o f Af r ika n Pos t . All commen ts a n d s u gges tion s ar e welco me.

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Candidate for Prince William County Sheriff

Joshua King is an Iraq Army Veteran, a law enforcement officer, an advocate for people with special needs and a union leader. While employed as a Deputy Sheriff, he joined the Fairfax County Deputy Sheriff Peer support team as the training coordinator. He supported fellow coworker veterans by helping them apply for disability compensation, entitlements and educational benefits which resulted in many of them receiving compensation and graduating.

George Kwasi Bright Publisher and Editor

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Call 703- 725- 6968 or E-mail: editor@afrikanpost.com Address: Bright House Productions 6236 Oscar Court Woodbridge VA 22193 D E PA R T M E N T S Vol 11 Issue 2

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT This gifted boy with autism is the youngest ever to attend Oxford University at age 6

Pg. 15

Omolara Adesanya — the woman who believes she can change Lagos State Pg. 24

Meet the Only Woman in Modern History to Have Married Two Presidents Page 12

HER PAGE

Don’t Turn Your Back on Your Blessing Pg. 11

Omolara Adesanya — the woman who believes she can change Lagos State Pg. 24

UPDATE Rwanda’s Paul Kagame hands over AU leadership to Egyptian President Pg. 33

Joshua King

In 2015, he continued his service when he ran for the Virginia House of Delegates, and fell short by 125 votes. He ran on education, transportation, Medicaid expansion, women’s rights and economic development.

He ran again in 2017 and lost by 14 votes in a primary. Today he continues his service by helping other candidates run for office as he prepares to run again in 2019 for the Sheriff of Prince William County.

Education, Boards, and Memberships B.A. Public Administration GMU

https://king2019.com

On Saturday, February 9, 2019, Kwaku Boateng, a community leader and former president of the KNUST Alumni Association in Washington DC hosted a fundraiser at his Dumfries residence for Josh King, a Democrat who has entered the race for Prince William County Sheriff. Josh is challenging Prince William Sheriff Glendell Hill, a Republican. King is currently a deputy sheriff in Fairfax Countywith the hope of turning the County Blue.

Josh King won the hearts of the gathering with his thought-provoking message and mission statement. He impressed on the gathering that all residents must receive the same quality of service regardless of race, immigration status, gender identity or sexual orientation. In his view, Law enforcement officers must remember that they work for the residents of Prince William County. “I believe that through customer service, officers and residents will be able to find mutual respect for one another.

Speaking to the Afrikan Post, Josh King appealed to the African community to rally behind him to bring the needed changes to Prince William County.

Josh answered questions from the gathering and affirmed his personal integrity as a candidate.

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This Cameroonian Princess Became The World’s First Black Flight Attendant In 1957

Gabon in 1969. She then relocated to Washington DC to learn English. She later took a job with Air Zaire as station and office manager at the Libreville airport and moved to Gabon with her husband, Leroy Smith, until 1983.

In 1983 , the couple moved to Lima, Peru for a Peace Corps assignment. While there, she worked as a travel consultant. After retiring in 2003, the couple moved to Denver and established the Business and Intercultural Services for Educational Travel and Associated Learning (BISETAL) which encourages on-site education about Africa and other non-western cultures.

Léopoldine Doualla-Bell Smith was born in Cameroon in 1938 to the royal Douala Manga Bell family.

https://face2faceafrica.com

The achievements of Léopoldine Doualla-Bell Smith, Cameroonian princess and successful flight attendant, goes a long way to prove how African women worked hard to elevate their social status at the time when the continent was fighting for freedom from colonial masters.

Many African women broke barriers in various fields and industries that changed the stereotype and paved the way for millions of black women around the world to venture into fields society had ruled out for them.

In 1957 at the age of 17, Léopoldine Doualla-Bell Smith became the first black person to serve as a flight attendant. On that historic day, Léopoldine was a flight attendant for Union Aéromaritime de Transport (UAT) in France just a year after being recruited by Air France and taken to Paris from her home in Cameroon after high school in 1956.

Speaking to NBC news in 2015 after being honoured at the fortieth anniversary of the Black Flight Attendants of America organization at Los Angeles International Airport’s Flight Path Museum, Léopoldine Doualla-Bell Smith shared memories from that fateful day saying: “I was yelling and screaming and [the other flight attendant] was telling me to calm down,” she recalls. Laughing at the memory of the first time she’d experienced soaring amid the clouds in an aeroplane. “I kept thinking, ‘what if I die?’”

Léopoldine Doualla-Bell Smith’s journey into aviation began while she was in high school and took an after-school job as a ground hostess with UAT in Cameroon. UAT would go on to become Union de Transports Aériens (UTA) which served as the only air travel system for France to Cameroon. It was there that young Léopoldine got discovered and recruited for training.

In 1960, after her successful first and subsequent flights, Léopoldine was offered a job by Air Afrique, a Pan-African airline owned by many West African countries created to serve 11 newly independent French-speaking nations. She became the first air attendant and woman to be hired by the airline making yet another history. Léopoldine accepted the offer and moved back to Africa working for Air Afrique.

Léopoldine Doualla-Bell Smith standing to the left

Doualla-Bell in her earliest flights

Léopoldine Doualla-Bell Smith honored in Denver by the Black Flight Attendants of America.Courtesy Daniel Smith. Photo NBC News.

While working with the airline, Léopoldine exhibited great work ethics and thanks to her qualification, she was promoted to the position of Chief Cabin Crew, the first in the history of Air Afrique.

Despite breaking barriers and records, it was not an easy journey for Léopoldine Doualla-Bell Smith. During her early years as a flight attendant, she was the only black woman working with several white flight attendants.

She was not accepted by several passengers and sometimes had to get off flights due to unsettled disputes. Aside from this, Léopoldine also had to deal with working with several white flight attendants who were racists.

In her own words, she said, “They were rude; they would tell me not to touch them or not to touch their things. I would just walk away and help other people. I did my best not to let it bother me.” She also experienced sexual harassment and at one point had to slap a white man for intentionally touching her breasts.

After working with Air Afrique for twelve years, Léopoldine Doualla-Bell Smith become the manager of Reunited Transport Leaders Travel Agency in Libreville,

Doualla-Bell, husband and grandchildren

Mr. CNN, USA-Based Media Guru Celebrates 50 in NY

Ghanaweb. Gaining international recognition quickly before smartphones fell into every hand, he parlayed the photos into interviews, and then into the now well-received 3G Magazine, a quarterly. He has featured all four living presidents of Ghana - Rawlings, Kufuor, Mahama, and Akufo-Addo, plus the Asantehene. He has covered events hosted by US Presidents Bush and Obama. Mr. CNN is also credited with being a co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of the New York City-based Ghana Chamber of Commerce-USA Inc Yes his is a life well-lived and worth celebrating. He gives all glory to God and has a long list of people to thank for his life journey thus far. First on the list is his dear wife, Rosemond, and children; Kendra, Emmanuella and Angel.

Lest he leaves a significant person out of his list for public expression of gratitude, Charles simply wishes God’s blessings on all his many friends, mentors, and supporters.

His words of encouragement are: Seek ye first His wisdom and everything else shall be added unto you. A good name is better than riches.

Stay humble, go slow in life because there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hardwork really pays.

Mr. Charles Nimmo Ntiamoah-Mensah popularly known Mr. CNN, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of 3G Media, has made it to the half-century mark of 50 years! The golden jubilee milestone calls for a celebration by the man who celebrates celebrities each year at his Annual 3G Awards.

Celebrate he will on June 1, 2019 at the American Ballroom, 899 Westchester Ave, Bronx, NY. All are invited. This will be the mother of all 50th birthday celebrations!

Charles was born on December 24, 1968 in London, UK to Charles and Elizabeth Ntiamoah-Mensah. He holds a Masters degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia (2000), and a BA from the University of West London (1995). Earlier, he had graduated from Osei Kyeretwie Secondary School (1987) in Kumasi. Grew up at Ayigya Zongo, Bompata and Patasi Estate respectively in Kumasi, Ghana.

The pride of Mr. CNN is the success of his company, 3G Media, Inc ( www.3gmediaonline.com ). True to its meaning “God, Global and Giving”, the Annual 3G Awards have been occasions to showcase Ghana’s best in entertainment, culture, sports, business, and community leadership. The celebratory event has featured the likes of Kofi Adoma Nwanwani, Kofi TV, Emelia Brobbey, Actress and Entrepreneur, Captain Smart of Adom FM, Deloris Frimpong Manso a/k/a Delay, Entrepreneur, Dan Kwaku Yeboah, Sports Broadcast Journalist , Koofori, Counsellor George Lutterodt; Famed Marriage Counsellor, and Hon. Kwamena Duncan; Central Regional Minister quarterly

Lately Mr. CNN has been representing and managing artistes.

Among these is the gospel group- Daughters of Glorious Jesus and Stella Seal formely Dugan. Also Writer and Philanthropist; Stacy M. Amewoyi and Clem Biney; Hiphop artist

Mr. CNN got his start in Media doing photojournalism for

www.3gmediaonline.com

Rwanda Set To Extend Plastic Ban February

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Prime Ndikumagenge

BBC Africa

The Rwandan government wants the parliament to pass a bill banning single use plastics in the country to protect environment.

The draft bill suggests a two year moratorium for companies to stop manufacturing single use plastics.

Plastics were first banned in Rwanda back in 2008 but some plastic materials are still used, including mineral water and juice bottles, straws in bars and hotels and single use dishes. The government wants to take a further move to ban these too.

A bill will be sent to parliament for a vote. https://www.bbc.com

Egypt Executes Nine Men

BBC World Service

Egypt has executed nine men convicted of killing the country's public prosecutor, Hesham Barakat, in 2015.

The human rights group Amnesty International had appealed for a stay of execution saying the defendants' confessions were made under duress.

Last year Egypt's highest court upheld the death sentences on the nine men and commuted to life imprisonment the death sentences of six others.

Mr Barakat was killed when his convoy was hit by a car bomb blast in Cairo.

Museveni Gets Nod For Sixth Term Run

Uganda's ruling party has endorsed President Yoweri Museveni as its candidate for the 2021 elections.

This means the 74-year-old leader, who came to power in 1986, will be running for a sixth term.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) agreed, in a meeting chaired

by Mr Museveni on Wednesday, that he should "continue leading the movement and the state in 2021 and beyond to eliminate bottlenecks to transformation".

Mr Museveni once said leaders who "overstayed" in office were the root of Africa's problems.

However, he said, while running for a fifth term in 2016, that it was not the right time for him to leave as he still had work to do.

His candidacy for Uganda's next election comes after he signed a 2017 bill that scrapped the presidential age limit of 75.

Uganda's Supreme Court began hearing a petition last month to challenge this decision. https://www.bbc.com

DHS Announces Implementation of Visa Sanctions on Ghana February

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Release Date: January 31, 2019 Ghana has Failed to Accept Removed Nationals

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced, in coordination with the Department of State, the implementation of visa sanctions on Ghana due to lack of cooperation in accepting their nationals ordered removed from the United States.

Pursuant to her authority under Section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen notified Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the Government of Ghana has denied or unreasonably delayed accepting their nationals ordered removed from the United States. As a result, Secretary of State Pompeo has ordered consular officers in Ghana to implement visa restrictions on certain categories of visa applicants.

Without an appropriate response from Ghana, the scope of these sanctions may be expanded to a wider population. The sanctions will remain in place until the Secretary of Homeland Security notifies Secretary Pompeo that cooperation on removals has improved to an acceptable level.

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“Ghana has failed to live up to its obligations under international law to accept the return of its nationals ordered removed from the United States,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen. “The United States routinely cooperates with foreign governments in documenting and accepting U.S. citizens when asked, as appropriate, as do the majority of countries in the world, but Ghana has failed to do so in this case.

We hope the Ghanaian government will work with us to reconcile these deficiencies quickly.” https://www.dhs.gov

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CABNC-TV Holds African Diaspora Distinguished Leadership Award

February

2019 African Election Calendar

Country Algeria

Botswana Cameroon Chad

THE Centre Africa Broadcasting Network Corporation (CABNC-TV) has officially launched the African Diaspora Distinguished Leadership Award and the Diaspora Today Magazine.

The event was held at the African Union (AU) Mission in Washington DC, United States of America.

The awardees included Dr Mima Nedelcovych, Chairman, Africa Global received the 2018 African Diaspora Distinguished Leadership Award.

Mr Jean AbiNader, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, AbiNader International Services USA, and Mr Melvin Foote, President/Chief Executive Officer, Constituency for Africa, both received the Legacy of Leadership 2018 awards.

Dr Arikana Chihombori-Quao, AU Permanent Representative to the US was honoured with the Outstanding Leadership Award.

Dr Mima S. Nedelcovych served in the Administration of President George Bush from 1989 to 1993 as the US Executive Director to the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. Dr Mima was honoured with the 2018 African Diaspora Distinguished Leadership Award.

The event was attended by a host of stakeholders including the Nigerians in the Diaspora-Washington DC Chapter (NIDO-DC), and Mr Gambo Hamza, of the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC. Mr AbdulRasheed Abubakar, Publisher, said that the Diaspora Today Magazine is more than just news. He told the audience at the event that “we promote your products and services to a niche audience of estimated 1.3 billion Africans in the Diaspora.

“Diaspora Today Magazine fills a niche that is very critical – providing most interesting news and analysis tailored to the overseas communities with an emphasis on stories and features that will enable readers to keep up to date on the trends and developments in Africa, especially in those sectors where they can make a difference – real estate and tourism, investments, health and social services, education and philanthropy, current events, women and youth in development, and similar topics.”

By Paul Omorogbe

https://www.tribuneonlineng.com

Election President

17 Apr 2019

National Assembly & local President (by National Assembly)

Oct 2019 2019 after Oct elections

National Assembly, Senate & local Oct 2019 (postponed from late 2018) National Assembly & local

May 2019 (postponed from 30 Nov 2018)

Local

Postponed to Oct from Nov 2016

Ethiopia

Local

2019 (postponed from 2018)

Local

by Jul 2019

House of the Federation (indirect)

2019

Guinea

3 Feb 2019

Ghana Sep 2019

District & Referendum on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive elections Local & Unit 2019 National Assembly

Guinea-Bissau National People's Assembly & Senate Nov 2018 Libya

Madagascar

President

Referendum

National Assembly

2019

Postponed to Dec 2018 or Jan 2019 from 18

Feb 2019 President & Parliament 2019 (after referendum) 2019? Provincial, regional & local

Malawi President, National Assembly & local

21 May 2019

Mali

National Assembly

Mozambique

President, National Assembly & provincial 15 Oct 2019

Mauritania

Nigeria

2019?

Apr 2019; Posponed from Nov & Dec 2018

President & Senate (1/3) Mid 2019

Namibia President & National Assembly Niger

Page

Date

DRC

Egypt

African Diaspora Distinguished Leadership awardees with Mr AbdulRasheed Abubakar, Publisher (fourth left), Diaspora Today Magazine

2019

Local

Oct 2019

13 Jan 2019; postponed from 8 Jan 2017

President, House of Representatives & Senate

24 Feb 2019

Governors & State Assemblies

31 Mar 2019

Somaliland (autonomous region)

House of Representatives & Senate No date, postponed from Mar 2019

Senegal President, regional

24 Feb 2019 Local

1 Dec 2019

South Africa National Assembly & Provincial Legislatures President by National Assembly 2019 after May elections Tunisia President

House of Representatives, House of Councillors Dec 2019

Apr/May 2019

Oct 2019

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February

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Rwanda poised to open Africa’s Canada takes in hundreds of freed first smartphone manufacturing African migrants sold in Libya as factory in 2019 slaves

President Kagame with Ashish J. Thakkar, Mara Group Founder, at the BPR Atlas Mara Brand Reveal in Kigali during the World Economic Forum on Africa in 2016

In a bid to solve the massive ICT and technology issues that the country is facing while also creating more jobs in the fast pace growing IT world, Rwanda is set to open its first smartphone factory making it the first in Africa to locally manufacture phones that will meet the demand of the African market.

The announcement was made by Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Innovation at the East African country’s parliament

Standing Committee on Education, Technology, Culture and Youth on February 7, 2019.

Speaking to the legislature, Minister Paula Ingabire explained that the deal is in partnership with Ugandan investor Ashish Thakkar who is already in talks with Rwanda’s authorities to set up his Pan-African technology company, MaraPhones under Mara Company and start production by April 2019 which will provide close to 20,000 jobs.

Canada has resettled over 150 African migrants stranded in Libya since the 2017 CNN slave trade expose that showed smugglers auctioning migrants off as slaves outside Tripoli.

Canada’s immigration minister, Ahmed Hussen, confirmed the country’s resettlement programme to local media Global News on Wednesday saying at least 600 migrants will be resettled in Canada over the next two years.

After the 2017 CNN report, “Canada was one of the few countries to step up to work with the UNHCR to resettle these refugees directly from Libya and offer them a new home in Canada,” said Hussen.

“To date, we have resettled more than 150 people and over the next two years, we anticipate more than 600 people will come to Canada under our regular refugee resettlement program,” he added.

Some of the resettled migrants were captured by smugglers and sold into slavery while trying to transit through Libya to Europe. Others were detained by Libyan officials in government-run migrant detention centres in the capital where they faced abuse and malnutrition.

“We are also taking action to resettle 100 refugees from Niger, rescued from Libyan migrant detention centres, including victims of human smuggling.

Some people have already begun to arrive in Canada and processing for remaining individuals is underway,” Hussen was quoted by the Global News.

The report added that the resettlement of the 150 migrants to Canada was not announced because it was not done under the special resettlement programme used for Syrian and Yazidi refugees.

Rwandan ICT Minister Paula Ingabire talks to MPs as Innocent Muhizi, the chief execu- Early this year, Canada announced that it is opening its borders to one million more immigrants by 2020. tive of Rwanda Information Society Authority, looks on. Image credit: Sam Ngendahimana for The New Times In November 2017, there was worldwide outrage over the video aired by CNN showing migrants being sold in Libya. Demonstrations were held in some African countries, Europe and the United States to elicit a swift action by world leaders.

The Libyan government said it will investigate the

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migrant slave auctions after pressure to find the perpetrators – believed to include government officials.

The footage showed about 10 men being sold for $400 as farm labourers in a night auction in the country where smugglers are reported to have robbed, kidnapped, abused and killed migrants who are unable to pay for their freedom.

Amnesty International implicated Italy in its report for the abuse of migrants who were mainly from Nigeria.

The report accused them of providing technical support to the Libyan department that runs the detention centres, enabling the Libyan Coast Guard to intercept people at sea and striking deals with local authorities, tribal leaders and armed groups to stop the smuggling of people and increase border controls.

It cited a footage that showed a boat called the Ras Jadir donated by Italy in April 2017, being used by the Libyan Coast Guard during a deadly incident on November 6, 2017 resulting in the drowning of about 50 people.

Amnesty International called on the European Union to insist that the Libyan authorities end the policy and practice of arbitrary arrests and detention of refugees and migrants, immediately release all foreign nationals held in the detention centres, and allow the UNHCR to operate unhindered.

It also called on the Libyan authorities to sign the Refugee Convention and adopt an asylum law.

–Source:howafrica.com

Don’t Turn Your Back on Your Blessing

February

W

Dr. Miriam C. Gyimah

hen the children of Israel wailed, groaned and desperately prayed for their deliverance from 400 hundred years of the slave-holding hands of Egyptian ruling power, the Lord heard them and called upon a stammering, unassertive, fearful fugitive to save them. God was making a way with Moses. He was answering the Israelites’ prayers. When Moses made his reluctant return to Egypt, he sought the much needed assistance of his brother Aaron, as the Lord had provided, and they proceeded in their painful, tiresome, and often discouraging mission of fighting to secure the emancipation of the oppressed members of God's future army. It wasn't trouble-free.

doors, new troubles find you, troubles that cause you to begin to doubt if this was a good door to enter, if it was really a job from God. It can be difficult, even excruciating sometimes with employees who have set their eyes against you, perhaps because they wanted that position or perhaps simply because they are illwilled human beings. So they obstruct and plot to embarrass you or to have you fired. You begin to ask God why? Why have you brought me here to be so ill-treated? Could you not have found me a better deal?

I thought You loved me. I thought your blessings do not come with sorrows, yet, here I am being provoked and made miserable. What kind of blessing is this? All I advise is hold your peace and watch God work.

Even when God has spoken on your life, even when He Himself has opened the door, take note and accept that it does not come contingent upon your understanding, though we think it does. We think that just because a way has been made, we will have it gloriously easy, that there might not be a pharaoh to obstruct our path, that there may not be a Red Sea that will encourage a capitulation from us, a hindrance that tempts us and suggests we should return to our former state, that we should surrender and relinquish the blessing and render void all our sacrifices, prayers and maybe even tears. But again remember that the Bible tells us “trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean Deliverance is not easy. An opening, a jarring, a demolition of not unto thine own understanding. In all thine ways a door is not easy. It costs. It pains. It tests. But it strengthens. acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths (Prov.

It refines. It took repeated, multiple, and discouraging 3:5-6). attempts of confrontations with powers. It took ten plagues, ten traumatic and costly devastations just to get to the point of It was God’s will to free the Israelites and give them the beginning of the deliverance. It took all the faith, hope “an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11). When God promand will that Moses, Aaron and the Israelites could muster to ised the Israelites that He would free them from Egypt get them to the threshold of the journey’s beginning. And and give them a promised land, a land of milk and when they began in their massive caravan, when they prohoney, He was resolved to be undeterred. The only ceeded on foot towards their fateful destination, it was yet issue was that His children would not give up that again only the beginning of the pains to their freedom and birthright, that promise and blessing and would stand acquisition of their promised land. to fight for it, knowing that He would be with and

The very long and sometimes perilous journey of the Israelites from bondage to freedom is a teachable tool that will never lose its effect. The fact is while this miracle of an entire nation did historically occur thousands of years ago, it can repeatedly be recalled as a narrative to instruct, to warn and to encourage today and future generations in their relationship with God and their conduct when engaging their own spiritual journeys and answered prayers.

When we pray to God from our desperation pleading for Him to hear us, to deliver us, to open a door, to make a way that only He can make, He answers, for the Bible tells us that “the fervent prayers of the righteous availeth much” (St. James 5:16) and Jesus Himself also assures us that if we ask anything in His name, He will do it (John 14:14). However, sometimes that answer is not how we expected our prayers to be heard. We want a beautiful and clear path to be made instantaneously. We want a path that presents no obstacles.

We don’t expect to face a menacing Red Sea standing in our way.

We pray and pray for months and even years for a new job or another significant blessing and we get it, but this blessing, as much you believe that it came from the Lord, is not what you expected. It seems as if as soon as you walked into those new

deliver them from all their trials. The Israelites indeed travailed on their journey. It was a wilderness experience as they often found themselves in a physical wilderness. They were often thirsty. They were often hungry. So they complained a lot and they bemoaned their lot. Some even asserted that it was better to have been left in Egypt as slaves because at least at in Egypt, they had all the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks onions and garlic they wanted (Numbers 11:5). Even after crossing the Red Sea and witnessing Pharaoh’s army drowning, when their journey to Canaan got tough, they were ready to exchange their new life of freedom for their old one of bondage. When your door is opened and you begin to encounter challenges threatening to strip you of your rightful blessings, do not be so faint and quick to surrender what was hard to come by. Stay the course, because God has greater things for you.

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doubt if you were meant to be a parent and if it was a blessing to have had this baby. Take heart and hold still. Don’t let the struggles of your current situation lead you to regret and dejection. Consider that God heard your prayer and gave you a breakthrough. Consider that our trials do not end because a door has been opened and remember the Shunammite woman who, after being blessed with a son, saw him die. What did she say to the prophet Elisha when he asked how she and her child were doing? She answered, “it is well” (2nd King 4: 23). And after that response, what did God use Elisha to do? The child was brought back to life. Just because our payers have been answered, it doesn’t mean we should discard our faith. We will always need to use it even in the midst of our blessings.

I know it can become all too trying sometimes with life and even the very blessings that we receive from God can be the beginning of trials of tribulations to come, but we must remember that our God neither sleeps nor slumbers and that He sits on His throne with His eyes on us and His heart extended to us. We must remember that the enemy is always at work to counter our every move and even God’s own moves, but the Lord has already promised that Satan is defeated and has been made Christ’s footstool (Eph 1: 21 & 22). Furthermore, let us recall the very thing He told the Israelites, that they should be courageous and not be afraid of their enemies because He will go with them and that He will never leave them nor forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:6).

So let us trust God. Let us not lean on our own understanding, thinking we know the beginning and ending of all things. We do not. We do not have the mind of God to know all His plans for us, how He is going to remove those very people who are hounding us, how He is going to use their harassment of us against them. Because we do not know these things, we tend to want to quit and desert the blessing we have been given, renaming it as a curse. If anything, we should say it is well. If anything, we should sing songs of praise to His name rather than complaining and regretting where He has landed us, because in the end, we will realize that through the opening of that door although He has given us a new position, He is still working to smooth the way for us to get to our proper station and status within that new environment He has ushered us.

I speak from experience when I tell you God will use that situation to demonstrate to you how much He loves you. I speak from experience to know that it is better for you to hang on, take your daily strength from His word and plant your feet where He has landed you, because something greater is awaiting you. The Children of Israel had to see Egypt suffer ten plagues and then face the Red Sea, hunger, thirst, harsh weather conditions and many enemies that threatened and pursued them. But the Lord was true to them and as long as they trusted in Him, as long as they obeyed his word, He never forsook them and was right there serving as their banner and their fortress. Let God serve as your banner in this new blessing that seems to be a challenge.

Let God be your shield and buckler against those who conYou pray many years for God to open the childbearing spire against you. Let Him be your refuge when the enemy door for you, and He does, but somehow, after the child is here, you seem to experience it is one obstacle haunts you simply because you are a favored child of God. after another. It is constant ear infections, fevers, colds Hold still and do not turn your back on your blessing. and undiagnosed issues. You are running back and forth to the emergency room and to doctors’ appointments. You feel afraid and often restless and begin to

February

2019

Top 5 African-American Female Stars Dating African Men

Page

Ime Udoka and Nia Long…Frostsnow

Tamar Braxton

Tamar Braxton…E! News

Nia Long is known for her roles in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Soul Food, Empire, Boyz n the Hood, Love Jonesand The Best Man. In 2010, Long began dating Ime Sunday Udoka, a former professional basketball player turned assistant coach.

The two have one son together named Kez.

After separating from Vince Herbert, her husband of ten years, Tamar Braxton revealed to talk-show host, Wendy Williams, that she is in love again.

She’s now dating a Nigerian businessman.

“I’ll describe him: he’s African, he’s in wealth finance, he’s got dreads and he’s got a really nice body. He’s fine! Hallelujah,” Braxton said. “I met him at a friend’s birthday party, thank you, God, he’s so fine! I can’t take it sometimes.

It’s like a whole snack — a Lunchable! He lives in L.A., he’s originally from Nigeria, but he lived here for a while.”

The pair has been dating for three months, according to The Jasmine Brand.

Kerry Washington

Nnamdi Asomugha and Kerry Washington…Praise 107.9

Kerry Washington is most famous for her breakout roles in Scandal, Ray, The Last King of Scotland, Fantastic Four and Django Unchained.

The Bronxite is also known for being notoriously private about her love life since her profile split from fellow actor David Moscow back in 2007.

Nevertheless, we’ve been able to gather some bits and pieces which includes her courtship then eventual marriage to Nnamdi Asomugha a former NFL player who is now an actor and producer in 2013.

The tight-lipped couple has two children together.

Lauren London

Lauren London is an actress, model and television personality.

Chloe Alexis Jourdan and Wale…Composite

After having a relationship with rapper Lil Wayne, London began dating Nipsey Hussle in 2013. Real name Ermias Asghedom, Nipsey Hussle is of Eritrean descent from his father’s side and African American descent on his mother’s side.

Chloe Alexis Jourdan

The beautiful and low-key model has been in a relationship with NigerianAmerican rapper, Wale for many years.

The couple had a daughter in 2016 and remain hush-hush about their relationship.

In a now-deleted Instagram post, Wale gushed, “Imma keep woking on me and pray to God I can design a young princess who flourishes to an absolute queen.. I got you baby.. U go girl.. You are my everything and I’ll see to it we SHiNE my precious Zyla,” as Essence posted in 2016.

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Nipsey Hussle and Lauren London…MadameNoire

The duo has one son together.

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Nigeria’s Yoruba Language Is Second Most Spoken Foreign Language In Baltimore Schools

Afrikan

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eign-based students are natives of El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Pakistan.

The increase in immigrant enrollment has compelled school officials to come up with new ways of teaching as immigrant students tend to grapple with the English language.

At Bedford Elementary, for example, teachers are adding pictures, graphs and charts to their lessons to facilitate learning for those whose native tongue is not English.

Teachers are also getting training from the school’s ESOL — English for Speakers of Other Languages – teacher. Under this programme, immigrant students receive extra help with English to make them academically proficient in the language as native speakers, the report noted.

School authorities further identify objects at the premises with vocabulary labels in three of the languages spoken there – English, French, and Spanish.

Baltimore has seen an increase in enrollment over the past few years, and this is largely from immigrants. Pic credit: The Baltimore Sun

The city of Baltimore, U.S., has a record of helping immigrants, both documented and undocumented by creating a welcoming environment for them as compared to other cities.

Its school system has, therefore, seen an increase in enrollment over the past few years, and this is largely from immigrants. These immigrant students, according to school officials, are enriching their schools but there is a problem.

Aside from finding additional seats and logistics, most of these students are struggling to catch up with the written and spoken English since their native tongue is not English.

According to a report by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore County has, within five years, added more than 5,000 students to its fold. More than half of the students, that is, about 3,500, are recent immigrants or children whose families speak another language.

From 3.9 per cent of students that spoke English as a second language five years ago, the figure has increased to 6.7 per cent.

Currently, the second most commonly spoken foreign language in Baltimore County schools after Spanish is Yoruba, a language predominantly spoken in West Africa, particularly, Nigeria.

Nigerians are increasing in number in Baltimore because they already have a family in the area and are in the country legally under rules that allow for immigration for the purpose of reunifying families, said the report by The Baltimore Sun.

Statistics from the Migration Policy Institute state that nationally, the Nigerian population grew more than 50 per cent from 2010 to 2017. There are now about 12,000 Nigerians living in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

Many of them were doctors, engineers, and other professionals in Nigeria and have moved to Baltimore to regain their status.

Officials say that across the system, students in Baltimore come from 116 countries and speak 97 different languages. Apart from Nigeria, most of these for-

Once the students catch up, they even perform academically well than their American mates, said county officials. https://face2faceafrica.com

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Made in Rwanda Smartphones to Hit the Market Soon After the Country Sets up Its First Smartphone Factory

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Everyone will soon be able to buy brand new smartphones made in Rwanda.

The ‘land of a thousand hills’ is set to open its first smartphone factory in April 2019.

Kigali, Rwanda

Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Innovation made the announcement in front of the East Afrikan country’s parliament Standing Committee on Education, Technology, Culture and Youth.

“To ensure smartphones become affordable, different strategies are needed to ensure each household has a smart device and digital literacy. We hope that the plant to locally produce smartphones will boost access.

Once the factory starts producing smartphones, people will be paying in instalments over a period of 24 months. We also have to work with telecommunication companies to seek ways of reducing prices on internet use, which will boost ICT penetration and digital services,” said Ingabire.

Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ingabire, who was presenting and explaining all the ICT issues she and her team have observed across Rwanda, also explained that there is an investor – Mara Corporation, a Pan-Afrikan technology company – is planning to set a smartphone factory in the country.

Rwanda will, however, not be the first African country to have plans of having a mobile phone factory.

President Kagame and Jack Ma attend the Official Launch of Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP)

Several mobile phones are already assembled and manufactured in Africa. In 2018, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and Technology, Joseph Mucheru stated that the country has set aside Sh 1 billion (approximately $9.9 million) to help local startups design and manufacture mobile phones in the country.

https://howafrica.com/

Top 10 Most Hospitable Cities In Africa Revealed February

Hospitality has no other nature than love in Africa.

Africans practice all forms of hospitality by going the extra mile to make their guests feel welcome or feel at home. There are many hospitable cities in Africa, which are welcoming and open to everyone; association is very informal and they have attractive places to eat and stay, exciting exhibitions, festival and entertainment.

The people are proud of their cities and they welcome people into them, they have a sense of confidence in their own identity, purpose, history and culture.

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people really want to visit. A vacation in Seychelles is most tourists’ dream and it has become a reality for some.

Victoria is a warm and relaxed city, full of scenic attractions including the stunning beaches. If you love arts and crafts, seafood, and the beach, you will love to visit Victoria. The locals are amazing and friendly. With the kind of hospitality they offer their visitors, you will wish you could stay longer whenever you visit.

6. Kololi, The Gambia The attitude of the populaces of Kololi is very relaxed; Travelstarters have weighed in to help us recommend they enjoy life to the fullest. Kololi is a resort town on the the top 10 hospitable cities in Africa. We hope our list shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Gambia. The town may not gives you several ideas for your next holiday. Our start- boast any famous attraction or popular skyscrapers but it ing point was, “What kinds of cities in Africa make does have a sociable local population that are welcoming guests feel welcome?” We created our list based on and accommodating. The town is home to a lot of restauthese hospitability criteria: rants, bars and hotel resorts that provide quality services for modern living. The town is very clean and there are 1. Cape Town, South Africa several tourist attractions that will make your travel expeCape Town has a reputation for picturesque attractions, rience memorable. luxury hotels, unique cuisine and friendly people. The city is a significant tourist destination in Africa.

7. Cairo, Egypt Tourists visit this city in search of art and cultural activ- Generally, Egyptians are very friendly people. Cairo, the ities, tasty foods, adventure, cleanliness and healthy capital city of Egypt has an authentic historical charm environment, great weather and entertaining expericombined with diverse architecture and good hospitality. ences. Cape Town’s scenic charm is complemented by Tourists visit this city to experience the warmth of the the hospitable nature of its people which amazes every reception of the people. If you are visiting Cairo as a solo visitor. traveller, you will never feel alone because you will make friends within a short time. Cairo is one of the best vaca2. Mombasa, Kenya tion spots in Africa, there are many stunning attractions, Over the years, Mombasa has effectively saved its old- things to do and lots of restaurants, bars, pubs and hotels. fashioned charm and diverse culture. The city is a com- In Cairo, a foreign person feels at home instantly! bination of natural beauty and urban fascination. Even though, Mombasa is a tropical destination, there is just 8. Gaborone, Botwana something different about the city. Visitors who travel Gaborone, the vibrant capital city of Botswana is steeped to Mombasa are lured by the scene of stunning beaches, in history and culture. The city has a very cosmopolitan exclusive cuisine and friendly people. Mombasa is a atmosphere with spirited and friendly people who make clean city; you won’t see waste on beaches or in the visitors quickly feel at home. The city also offers amazing forest. The people love their city; they appreciate and attractions, shopping malls, restaurants and hotels for respect it a lot. warm accommodation. As a lively metropolis, Gaborone is perfect place to relax with plenty of things to see and 3. Zanzibar, Tanzania do.

You may have wondered how the people of Zanzibar who are a mix of diverse ethnics – (Africans, Arabs, 9. Tunis, Tunisia Comorians, Bantu and maybe Asians and Europeans) Tunis is an ancient city yet sophisticated, and it is much can live in harmony and still be as warm and friendly loved by tourists and locals. The city has unique cultural as they are. Their religion, social and cultural interacpractices and due to its affluent history, there are many tion reflects their historical influences and they are primeval and historic places to see. You’ll also find a renowned for their hospitality and pleasant cohabitanumber of superb restaurants and hotels scattered all over tion. If you are looking for a perfect place to relax, the city. The people of Tunis are amazing people; they are Zanzibar is a great destination to visit. Beautiful beach- very hospitable and always helpful to foreigners. es, fabulous attractions and exciting things to do!

10. Casablanca, Morocco 4. Calabar, Nigeria The nicest way to describe Casablanca is as a hospitable It’s been said that Calabar people are the most hoscity with a pleasant atmosphere and friendly people. As pitable people in Nigeria. Tourists visit Calabar because one of the biggest cities in Africa, one may wonder how it’s an adventurous, accommodating and sociable local sociable the city can be. However, the Moroccans take population who keeps the city more hospitable. There is pride in their city and they are always proud to show visialways something fun and lively going on in this city. tors how great and friendly they are. The city boasts a Apart from the chains of hotels and restaurants that vibrant culture and it is famous for its beautiful architecoffer unique accommodation, cuisine and hospitality, ture, tourist hotspots, majestic hotels and amazing restauthe city draws a lot of people, both locally and interna- rants. tionally to its exciting events every year. The city has Thinking of visiting Africa? Visit any of these cities and become a momentous tourist destination in Nigeria. immerse yourself in their culture, get to know the locals, you will be amazed at how friendly they are and you will 5. Victoria, Seychelles surely enjoy your vacation.

With many vacation destinations in the world today, Victoria, the capital city of Seychelles, is a place most https://howafrica.com

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Here are the African Actresses Who Have Conquered Hollywood

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African actresses are among the least seen on the big Hollywood movie scenes. However, they are not less talented than those who make the One of the big tabloids. Some have even burst the screen and are the object of all desires from the largest stables in Hollywood. We have selected 7 among them for this first part of our file.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o was born in Mexico, but from Kenyan parents. She therefore has dual nationality. Born March 1, 1983, she is one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses today. She has been nominated 56 times and won 36, including the prestigious Oscar for best actress in a supporting role with the movie ” Twelve Years a Slave” on March 2, 2014. She also recently appeared in Black Panther, a film that has carded around the world.

She would have liked to practice in medicine, but fate decided otherwise. Kandyse McClure, born March 22, 1980 in South Africa, arrived at the cinema unexpectedly. She has appeared in several films, the first of which is the role of “Store Clerk” in “Romeo must die”

Ella Thomas

With, among others, the roles of Heidi and Nadine Alcott in the television series “NCIS Special Investigations” and “The Miami Experts”, Ella Thomas perfectly combines television and cinema. Her roles as Lisa in “Clones” and Josephine Moliet in “Napoleon” are proof of this. In addition to acting, Ella Thomas is also a television producer and model. His mother is Eritrean and his father is American.

Megalyn Echikunwoke

Megalyn Echikunwoke, born in Spokane, Washington, is Nigerian by her father, when her mother has a triple nationality of English, German and Irish. The main role of Isabelle Tyler, the adult, in the film “The 4400” is one of the highlights of a career started at the age of 14 years.

Michelle Van Der Water

She was born in Cape Town, South Africa, to South African parents. The latter settled shortly after her birth in Australia where she began her career, first as a model, then actress when she moved to Los Angeles. “NCIS Los Angeles” and “Castle” and “Melrose Place” are some of the movies she has captivated television and film lovers.

Model, stylist, and maternal health advocate, Liya Kebede is also an excellent actress. She has appeared in The Best Offer, Desert Flower, Lord of War, Good Shepherd, and Samba. She has invested in humanitarian work and charities. Today a WHO goodwill ambassador, and head of a foundation, Liya Kebede is the first black woman to appear as Estée Lauder’s sweetheart and to march for the Chloé brand. She is of Ethiopian nationality, and is one of the most prominent African actresses in Hollywood cinema.

Thandie Newton

Do you remember Nyah Nordhoff-Hall in “Mission Impossible II”. The actress who played this role is none other than Thandie Newton, whose real name is Thandiwe Nashita Newton. 46 years old today, the one born on November 6, 1972, of an English father and a Zimbabwean mother, is one of the African actresses who honor the continent in Hollywood.

https://howafrica.com

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Omolara Adesanya — the woman who believes she can change Lagos State Afrikan

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Omolara Adesanya is the eldest sister of the famed late Nigerian Pastor Bimbo Odukoyaan and an indigene of Lagos State. Born on June 23, 1957, Omolara feels she has the ideas and energy to change Lagos State as its Governor.

She worked 35 years straight with the Central Bank of Nigeria, coming in immediately after doing her national serving with the organization as a young woman.

Over the years, she progressively rose through the ranks as a Finance/Accounts Officer, to becoming an Internal Auditor, and eventually a Senior Manager for Banking Supervision where she served until rising up the ranks again prior to her retirement on June 23, 2017, as a Deputy Director.

After 3 decades in the Nigerian banking sector, Omolara finally decided it was time to pursue her dream as a world-class Event Planner. In the course of her career, she undertook a plethora of local and offshore executive training programs to further sharpen her professional cutting edge to prepare herself. Some of her academic portfolios include a Master’s degree in Business Management. The wannabe-Governor is presently the Managing Director of Royal Dainties Events, an event planning and management company in Lagos.

Lara, as she is fondly called by friends and associates, is a loving and virtuous wife to the Kolawole Adesanya, a Quantity Surveyor with who she has three grown and well-groomed children. Lara is passionate women issues advocate and a large-hearted philanthropist who is also God fearing whose impeccable pedigree finds her serving as a minister of the Gospel with the Fountain of Life Church in Ilupeju.

The astute entrepreneur manning a string of thriving businesses breathes fresh air into the local politics following her entry into the Governorship race on the platform of Providence People’s Congress (PPC). The occurrence has been described by many as a welcome gamechanger for the Lagos State and her PPC party.

At the advent of two past women Deputy Governors in the history of governance in Lagos State, it is Omolara’s opinion that the State is ripe and ready for a LadyGovernor and her candidature holds a great opportunity to secure the office. The sweeping trend in successful

governance with women at the helm in other facets of the society and the world should serve as inspiring testimonies.

As a team player, she has an insatiable appetite and passion for value-driven leadership contributing to goal achievement and efficiency which she intends to have reflected on her governance. Graced with the blessing of no sordid baggage, she is a sworn enemy of money politics and the concept of ‘godfatherism’, rather she firmly believes in God the Father, hard work and letting her truthful actions speak for her.

Omolara is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Taxation, respectively of Nigeria. She is also a member of the Institute of Pension Administrators, Women in Business (WIMBIZ), Anointed Women Of God Ministry (AWOGM) and the Pastor Bimbo Odukoya Foundation of Nigeria.

As a great athlete in her prime, she represented Lagos State at various sporting field events during National Sports Festivals during which she raked in altogether some 17 medals which included golds, silvers, and bronzes.

In Omolara’s acceptance to run as her party’s Lagos State Governorship candidate at the 2019 polls, she also accepted to be a restorer of hope to the hopeless, a voice to the voiceless, a lover of the neglected and a bridge builder to the new, young and old.

Her candidature seeks to be an advocate for the weak and strong, and rich and poor alike. She has thus accepted the challenge to build upon and improve all existing economic and infrastructural development in the State to make it conducive for Lagosians and outsiders to live and do business in.

Visit omolaraadesanya.com to find out more about the woman who wants all and sundry to realize the strength of Lagos and come to admire this great African city for what it really is. Lagos is a place of history, modernity, and technologically fertile to enhance the lives of its citizens, Nigerians, Africans and the world at large.

Source: Omolara Adesanya Governorship Campaign, Lagos

Meet Nady Bamba, the Second Wife of Laurent Gbagbo Who Allegedly Welcomes Him in Belgium February

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Laurent Gbagbo, 73, was released a few days ago by the ICC under conditions, including the obligation to reside in a member state pending a possible appeal trial.

ICC judges in The Hague have ordered the conditional release of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo and his ally Charles Blé Goudé, former leader of the Young Patriots. Laurent Gbagbo, released conditionally by the ICC, will not return to Côte d’Ivoire.

Upon the decision of the ICC, he is obliged to reside in a Member State pending a possible appeal hearing.

Belgium did not oppose a family reunion of Laurent Gbagbo with Nady Bamba, his second wife, and their son David. On February 2, Belgium announced that it had agreed to host Laurent Gbagbo.

Laurent Gbagbo met Nady Bamba in 1990 during a stay in France, just one year after the civil marriage with Simone Ehivet. It was in 2001, a year after his election as head of the supreme magistracy, that he formalized, in the pure Muslim tradition, his relationship with Nady Bamba. From this union, a child was born.

Nady Bamba is a former journalist. She was a correspondent for Radio Africa No. 1 and founded the communication group Cyclone. She is about forty years old. Practicing Muslim, the second wife is needed, and becomes the chief of communication of her husband president. She left Ivory Coast after the fall of President Gbagbo, in 2010 for exile in Accra (Ghana), avoiding contact with the pundits of the old regime.

The Court of Justice of the European Union freezes its assets and the ban on traveling to Europe. Reason: it obstructs the peace and reconciliation process through public incitement to hatred and violence and by participating in disinformation campaigns “. Sanctions that will then be lifted by the European Court of Justice. But Nady Bamba remains in the crosshairs of Ivorian justice.

Nady Bamba lives in Brussels with her son, David Al Raïs Gbagbo. It was from the Belgian capital that she regularly visited her husband at Schevenigen prison near The Hague.

https://howafrica.com

Top 7 African Foods That Akwasi Frimpong 31 Spots Up World Men’s Skeleton Ranking After Tedx Talk Naturally Lower High Blood Pressure- Include These In Your Diet

4A f r i k a n

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“Three days after my first TEDx talk in the Netherlands I discovered I had moved up 31 places on the world men’s skeleton rankings according to the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) standings released in the last quarter of January 2019,” exclaimed an excited Akwasi Frimpong to TheAfricanDream.net in an interview.

TheAfricanDream.net that he probably could have ranked higher if he had received “more partners supporting and sponsoring my efforts to become the ‘Hope of a Billion’ Africans.

That notwithstanding maybe we can make it to the top of the IBSF world.“

“It is my biggest goal to stand on the podium “31 places up, man this by far is my biggest climb on the at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics as the IBSF men’s skeleton table, I must tell you how thankful I ‘Hope Of a Billion’ by winning Africa’s first Winter Olympic medal and motivating all am to my management team,” Akwasi said. underdogs and every African child that they can become whatever they want to be.”

He continued saying “special thanks to Zach Lund who is Head Performance Director of the Bobsled and Whether you want to be a lawyer, a doctor, a Skeleton Federation of Ghana (BSF – Ghana), Dr. carpenter or an Olympian — anything is posVernon Darko the BSF – Ghana President, and my fans sible If you work harder and believe in your all over Africa and the world,” said Ghana and Africa’s first male skeleton athlete at the 2018 Winter Olympics. dreams. The athlete has reached a mutual agreement with his coach Zach Lund this year not to head to the skeleton world champiThis feat now places the Olympian 68th on the IBSF onships. table overall 112 which is quite impressive considering the fact that he beat out other male skeleton athletes from “It would rather be worth it if I begin training countries with an abundance of snow in winter. camp in Park City, Utah in the US where I Ironically, Ghana and most of Africa has no snow. can get a lot of sliding in and at the same time be with my family while working on the funWhen TheAfricanDream.net asked how he attained this result, the men’s skeleton athlete attributed it to loads of damentals of the sport.” hard work, dedication and a great team.

To become a part of Akwasi’s ‘Hope of a Billion’ project, sponsor his Winter Olympics “With this in success at hand, I intend to continue the dream or find out more about what he is up journey to become the ‘Hope of a Billion‘ by giving myself more time to concentrate on the grand agenda. As to, visit frimpong.com. a result, I am skipping the 2019 world championships this march in Canada to begin training for next season.”

Akwasi explained that ‘Hope of a Billion’ is not just about inspiring only Africans on and off the continent, but becoming a force of positivity with can-do-spirit through “my inspiring story. I want to impact lives globally and my TEDx Alkmaar talk on January 21 in the Netherlands is just my way of showing my belief in diversity and the importance of reaching out to all humanity.”

Ranked 99th last year and now one of the biggest risers on the IBSF table, Akwasi explained to

Written by Oral Ofori of TheAfricanDream.net

Research shows that it’s just as important to choose foods naturally low in sodium and high in at least two of the three power minerals: calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Add in these seven foods to your diet to cut your risk of stroke and heart attack.

1. White Beans

One cup of white beans provides 13% of the calcium, 30% of the magnesium, and 24% of the potassium you need every day.

Mix up this food with your side dishes, soups and snacks.

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products rich in flavanols was linked with some reduction in systolic or diastolic blood pressure among people with hypertension or pre-hypertension.

Other research has shown that polyphenols (especially flavanols) in cocoa products are associated with the formation of nitric oxide, a substance that widens blood vessels and eases blood flow—and thereby lowers blood pressure.

5. Olive Oil Spanish researchers have compared a diet of polyphenol-rich olive oil to a diet that didn’t contain any polyphenols and their effects on blood pressure over a period of four months. The results: The polyphenol-rich olive oil was linked with drops in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

2. Dairy Products Researchers have found a link between the consumption of low-fat dairy and a reduced risk of hypertension. This was seen most strongly with low-fat yoghurt and milk. Though calcium may play a role, it’s likely other components of dairy that protect, including compounds such as peptides, released during digestion also help. People who consume low-fat dairy also simply may have a healthier overall lifestyle.

One medium peach or nectarine provides 1% of the calcium, 3% of the magnesium, and 8% of the potassium you need every day.

And it can be found in markets around you.

Bananas also help lower stress hormones in the blood.

6. Kiwi and Peaches One kiwifruit provides 2% of the calcium, 7% of the magnesium, and 9% of the potassium you need every day.

7. Bananas eat a banana every day One medium banana provides 1% of A Tilapia a day keeps the doctors away.

This wild fish provides 8% of the magne- the calcium, 8% of the magnesium, and 12% of the potassium you need sium and 8% of the potassium you need every day. every day.

3. Tilapia

4. Chocolate TTop 7 foods that lower blood pressure

Rejoice you can enjoy healthy chocolates while lowering your blood sugar.

Consuming dark chocolate or cocoa

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Germany Needs 260,000 Immigrants Every Year To Ease Labour Shortage

Amazon Targets Africans Who Would Rather Pay With Cash

Germany will need at least 260,000 immigrants a year said, highlighting the need for Germany to have for the next four decades to meet increasing demand for “more integration offers and a sustainable welcome labour, cites a new study. culture.”

Amazon is tapping into e-commerce customers in Kenya who want to pay for goods in cash.

The e-commerce giant has rolled out a service that will allow customers to purchase goods and then pay for them at a local Western Union retail agent.

During checkout, a special QR code will be generated that will be used to verify the customer’s identity and matched to the order confirmation for payment. Dubbed Amazon PayCode, the cross-border payment option has been launched in Kenya in Africa, along with nine other countries in Asia and Latin America.

The research, published by the Bertelsmann Foundation last week, said without foreigners, the number of workers will be massively reduced by about 16 million people (almost a third) by 2060 due to an ageing population.

“Even if German women and men worked equally and the retirement age was set at 70, the demand for skilled workers could not be covered by domestic funds,” the report, which is based on calculations by the Institute for Employment Research and the University of Coburg said.

The analysis takes into account a possible higher birth rate and higher recruitment, as well as, the productivity of nationals. However, figures show that it would still be necessary to encourage migrants’ arrival from Europe and other regions in order not to ruin Germany’s economy, which is the fourth largest in the world.

Germany is in the process of increasing its retirement age to 67 by 2029. According to a report by Yahoo Finance UK, the country’s birthrate has also increased, reaching the European average of 1.59 babies per woman.

The Bertelsmann Foundation’s study said 114,000 people are expected to immigrate to Germany from other EU states, however, migrants from other EU countries would not be enough to meet the labour demand.

Thus, another 146,000 will be required annually from non-EU countries to fill the gap, the study added.

Alongside the publication of the study, the executive director of the Bertelsmann Foundation, Jörg Dräger, said only 38,000 moved and stayed in Germany from other EU states in 2017.

He said that it was ideal for Germany to speed up and pass a new immigration law that would make it easier for skilled professionals from non-EU countries to move to Germany and find a job.

“Migration and integration are jobs for society as a whole, and a new law alone is not enough,” Dräger

Broken down, the average need for migrants, according to the study, is as follows:

By 2035 – 98,000 immigrants from non-EU countries every year.

Between 2036 and 2050, almost 170,000 people per year.

Between 2051 and 2060, almost 200,000 people per year.

In August 2018, the German labour force said there were 1.2 million vacancies to be filled in Germany. It encouraged the government to keep paying for language classes for asylum seekers so they could be trained to join the workforce.

Statistics show that out of the millions of refugees who arrived in Germany since 2015, 300,000 of the figure had found jobs as of May 2018. Migrants often play an important role in the labour markets and economies of the countries in which they settle.

Just as they would do at home, migrants buy and spend in the host country. This helps increase sales for companies in the host country and they can subsequently increase their production and ensure higher wages and profits.

Canada acknowledged this and many more this year when it announced that it was opening its borders to one million more immigrants.

“Thanks in great part to the newcomers we have welcomed throughout our history, Canada has developed into the strong and vibrant country we all enjoy.

Immigrants and their descendants have made immeasurable contributions to Canada, and our future success depends on continuing to ensure they are welcomed and well-integrated,” a report tabled in parliament by Ahmed Hussen, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship said.

Face2face Africa

The service’s launch underscores Amazon’s pivot towards e-savvy consumers in Kenya, who are keen on buying things online but might not have access to international credit cards or prefer to buy goods in cash and in their own currency. This is especially crucial as research shows that cross-border shopping sales will represent 20% of e-commerce by 2022, with sales reaching $630 billion, boosted by increasingly sophisticated customers in markets including Africa and the Middle East.

Kenya has specifically undergone a mobile commerce revolution, buoyed in part by ubiquitous mobile penetration, increased smartphone adoption, and a mobile-first strategy that enables shoppers to pay for goods and services online through mobile money platforms like M-Pesa.

Amazon’s partnership with Western Union also signals the company’s gradual turn towards expanding its footprint in developing markets as it faces off with rivals like Alibaba. This is compounded by the fact that the company is yet to replicate its success in the US in markets including China and India. Amazon currently delivers to only 10 African nations as part of its global shipments operations, with its e-commerce subsidiary Souq operating in Egypt too.

The Seattle-headquartered company could also be following in the footsteps of global tech giants who have all looked to Africa to deepen their presence and increase their revenue. Besides pioneering a project to deliver internet to remote areas, Google last year integrated Kenya’s M-Pesa mobile money service as a form of payment in its store. Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has also been keen on Africa and recently launched deals with the Rwandan government to boost e-commerce, trade, and tourism.

Amazon and Western Union’s collaboration also showcases the increasing focus from multinationals and fintech companies to boost financial inclusion and get more customers to do digital transactions. Last year, Kenya’s leading mobile network operator Safaricom signed deals with both Western Union and PayPal to allow its customers to shop and transfer money both at home and abroad using their e-wallets. https://howafrica.com

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Afrobeats Rapper 6ixty Drops ‘Close ‘Nollywood Meets Hollywood’ Producer of One Night in Vegas, To You’ Single Off Debut Album Koby Maxwell, is back!

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Afrobeats rapper 6ixty on Friday, January 11, 2019, at around 4 PM at his base in Ghana quietly released Close To You, the first single off his upcoming debut album titled Nyamekye. 6ixty dropped the beat on his SoundCloud.

Close To You is a love song performed in West African Pidgin English with some sprinkling of the Ghanaian Twi language on the backdrop of a classic sample. It provides easy listening for Afrobeat lovers and all. The single features DatBeatGod on the hook who also produced it.

Known in real life as Enock Ako Akrong, and a 2013 graduate of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) of Ghana who majored in Marine Mechanic, 6ixty disclosed that his musical ambitions started even before he enrolled in RMU. “Back before in my Senior High School days at Osu Presec in Accra Ghana, I always felt the call of music loudly in my heart.“

6ixty who is also CEO of the artist, event, and production management firm Fun Houz Entertainment, told TheAfricanDream.net that Close To You is inspired by love, and while he worked on it with his producer, they both coincidentally agreed on many things regarding “how my debut album would sound and feel like.”

“We had an easy connection which listeners can catch from hearing the single, so it made sense to have him feature on a few of the other tracks of the coming album, which is going to have 7 tracks on it in total,” 6ixty said.

“DatBeatGod is the known for producing top Ghanaian Afrobats musicians like Dennis Nana Dwamena who is popularly known by his stage name KiDi.” 6ixty told TheAfricanDream.net that it was important “to work with not just someone who respects quality, but someone who blended with my musical vision, so DatBeatGod was just the right pick for the job.”

Nyamekye the album is expected to drop sometime in 2019 according to 6ixty who disclosed it will be signed to Fun Houz Entertainment which is run by himself. Fun Houz was behind the facilitation of the first performance of Nigerian gospel jazz-duo — Twinsax — in Ghana in the last quarter of 2017.

Everyone at Fun Houz is giving their best in preparation towards the release of this album and as the anticipation grows, 6ixty invites his fans to peek into the future with his Close To You single available on Soundcloud here https://soundcloud.com/user874686449 Find the Afrobeats rapper who is also a prayer warrior on Twitter as @6ixtyworldwide.

Written by Oral Ofori

Veteran Nollywood filmmaker Koby Maxwell has crossed over to the US market with a slick new offering in the Short Horror/Psychological Thriller space – The Wrong One. The Wrong One tells a story of Lisa Ren, a troubled college student, who has been tasked with producing a documentary for her journalism final on a tragic local murder that took place years ago. She partners with the magnetic Tim Bishop to uncover the mysterious death of young Ronet Graham.

While unraveling the sordid details of Ronet’s untimely death, Lisa is confronted with her ever deepening guilt over the death of her own beloved twin sister.

The film is anchored by accomplished Taiwanese-American actress, Wei-Yi Lin, who is widely known for her work with Catherine Hardwicke on the Lady Gaga PSA ‘Till it Happens to You’. Wei has also starred in numerous projects in various international film festivals including Taipei, Tribeca, Los Angeles and Rotterdam. She is also a Sundance Directors Lab Alumni.

The film also stars Duke Williams a rising New York City based actor, who has been in numerous feature and short films. He is also a growing force in the New York theater scene.

Duke holds a Bachelors in Economics & Finance with a minor in theater, and trains with acting coach Wendy McKenzie.

The Wrong One is helmed by emerging Hollywood talent, Yaa Boaa Aning who wrote and directed award winning shorts, The Prince of Venice, Fanta Face, as well as Bleeding Sunshine, all of which enjoyed significant international exposure over the course of their respective releases.

Her feature script for Bleeding Sunshine was a top 3 finalist at the Urban World Screenwriting Competition and a semi-finalist in the Sundance Screenwriting competition the same year.

She is a proud alum of the prestigious Film Independent 'Project Involve' Fellowship Program, class of 2014.

Watch trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ysthy6ai9s

For more information about release in your area, please contact Koby Maxwell at

(202) 642-5636

Source: Koby Maxwell Entertainment

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Meet The Top 10 Oldest African Presidents, Year 70 And Above!

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The saying that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow is becoming a mere illusion as the youths sit back and watch their great-grandfather refuse to release their tight grip on power Africa is one of the continents where age is just a number when it comes to holding political powers. This is even made worse by the type of democracy practiced in Africa, which is more nominal than practical.

Here are the top 10 oldest African presidents who believe they are capable even when age is seriously telling on them.

Beji is Tunisia’s first freely elected president. He won the first regular presidential elections in 2014 at the age of 87. Previously, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1981 to 1986 and as Prime Minister from February 2011 to December 2011. He is now the oldest president in Africa – after the stepping down of 1. Beji Caid Essebsi – Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe – and 2. Paul Biya – Tunisia Cameroon Age: 92 years (November the second oldest in the world.

Age: 85 years 29, 1926)

(February 13, 1933)

4. Manuel Pinto da Costa – São Tomé and Príncipe Age: 81 years (August 5, 1937)

Manuel Pinto da Costa is a Santoméan economist and politician who served as the first President of São Tomé and Príncipe from 1975 to 1991. He was again elected as President in August 2011 and took office on 3 September 2011. His 81 years of age found him a 4th place in our list of oldest African presidents.

7. Muhammadu Buhari – Nigeria Age: 75 years (17 December 1942)

Paul hails from Cameroon and was born on February 13, 1933.

Politics was always in Biya’s blood, and he has managed to be president for several terms, he has been the President of Cameroon since 6 November 1982. At the age of 85 and still in power, Paul Biya is the second oldest president in Africa and also ranks #7 in the list of top 10 oldest presidents in the world.

5. Alpha Condé – Guinea Age: 80 years (4th March 1938)

Nigeria’s President Buhari came into democratic power in 2015. He had been unsuccessful in earlier bids for the presidency in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 general elections. The President who describes himself as a converted Democrat, previously served as the nation’s head of state from 31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985, after he took power in a military coup d’état

8. Nana Akufo-Addo – Ghana Age: 73 years (29 March 1944)

Alpha Condé is a Guinean politician who was elected as President of Guinea in 2010. This was after two unsuccessful attempts to outrun President Lansana Conté in the 1993 and 1998 presidential elections.

When he took office that December, he became the first freely elected president in the country’s history and now one of the oldest African presidents.

Nana Akufo-Addo is the President of Ghana. He took over from former President John Mahama in January 2017. He had previously served the country as an Attorney General from 2001 to 2003 and as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2007. He lost the race for President twice – in 2008 and again in 2012.

3. Abdelaziz Bouteflika – Algeria Age: 81 years (March 2, 1937)

6. Peter Mutharika – Malawi Age: 77 years (1940)

9. Yoweri Museveni Age: 73 years (15 August 1944)

Abdelaziz Bouteflika is an Algerian politician who has been the fifth President of Algeria since 1999. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1963 to 1979. As President, he presided over the end of the bloody Algerian Civil War in 2002, and he ended emergency rule in February 2011 amidst regional unrest. He has also served as president of the United Nations General Assembly and is now one of the oldest African Presidents.

Arthur Peter Mutharika has been President of Malawi since 31 May 2014.

Mutharika has worked globally in the field of international justice. He is an expert on international economic law, international law and comparative constitutional law. He informally served as an adviser to his older brother, President Bingu wa Mutharika, on issues of foreign and domestic policy from the onset of his election campaign until the President’s death on 5 April 2012. Still looking agile and full of energy, Mutharika is currently 77 and that qualifies him to make the list of oldest African presidents at the moment.

Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni was involved in rebellions that toppled Ugandan leaders Idi Amin (1971–79) and Milton Obote (1980–85). He was therefore seen by the West as a hero – a part of a new generation of African leaders. But the 73-year-old has since played fast and loose with the rules, scrapping Presidential term limits in 2005 to enable the extension of his rule.

Alassane Dramane Ouattara has been President of Côte d’Ivoire since 2011.

Ouattara was the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire from November 1990 to December 1993, appointed to that post by President Félix Houphouët-Boigny.

Ouattara became the President of the Rally of the Republicans (RDR), an Ivorian political party, in 1999.

10. Alassane Ouattara – Ivory Coast Age: 73 years (January 1st, 1942)

He became president of Ivory Coast on 4th December 2010.

Source:howafrica.com

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Top 5 Unforgettable African Leaders Who Helped End Colonialism

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Nobody can doubt that the freedoms that Africans enjoy today came at a price. A lot of innocent people had to die in order for their future generations to live free of the yoke of colonialism.

Behind the unrelenting resolve to kick out the intruders was a force of resolute African leaders who, in their own small ways, stood firm against the colonizers and ensured the continent was free again.

Here are the top five African leaders who played a critical role in ending colonialism:

Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana

Nelson Mandela, South Africa

Astrong believer in Pan-Africanism, Kwame Nkrumah was a founding member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the first President of Ghana. He was born in September 1909 in Nkroful, Gold Coast (now Ghana), where he spent most of his childhood in the bush and on the nearby sea.

Nkrumah joined politics in the early 1930s after graduating from Achimota – a government training college in the capital Accra.

At the time, he was working as the headmaster of Axim, a Catholic primary school in Elmina. He would later spend 12 years abroad pursuing higher education and developing his political ideologies.

Upon his return to Gold Coast in the 1940s, Nkrumah formed the convention People’s Party, which negotiated the independence of the West African nation. He was appointed Prime Minister in 1952, a position he retained until 1960 when he became President. Ghana gained independence from Britain in 1952.

Born in Mvezo, Cape Province, South Africa, Nelson Mandela was a revolutionary politician and philanthropist, who served as the first black president of South Africa between 1994 and 1999. Mandela, a professional lawyer, was detained by the apartheid regime for 27 years because of his firm stance on colonialism and African nationalist politics.

For fear of a racial civil war, the then-President of South Africa F.W. de Klerk released Mandela from prison in 1990 and agreed to negotiate an end to apartheid. In 1994, South Africa held the first multiracial general election in which Nelson Mandela was declared the first black President.

His administration was focused on reconciling the rainbow country through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

He also encouraged the establishment of land reforms, expansion of healthcare services and eradication of poverty.

Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta was born in 1890 in a small village in Gatundu, central Kenya. He went to school at the Church of Scotland Mission School in Thogoto, Kenya, before travelling to London in 1929 to negotiate for Kikuyu tribal land affairs. While in the United Kingdom, Kenyatta studied political tactics at Moscow’s Communist University of the Toilers of the East, phonetics at University College London.

He returned to Kenya in 1946 to advance his anti-colonial ideologies. In 1947, he was elected President of the Kenya African Union (KAU), through which he pushed for Kenya’s independence. In 1952, Kenyatta was arrested together with five other Kenyans and charged with plotting the Mau Mau revolt against the British.

He remained in prison until 1959 and then exiled in Lodwar until 1961. He was elected President of Kenya African National Union (KANU) in 1963 when Kenya gained its independence. In December 1964, he became the first President of Kenya.

Machel later moved to Tanzania where he joined a rebel group calling itself the FRELIMO guerillas. While in Tanzania, he obtained military training and rose through the ranks to become the group’s prominent commander. The FRELIMO rebels, most of who were from neighboring countries, helped Machel to kick the Portuguese settlers out of Mozambique in 1975. He later declared the country’s first President.

Julius Nyerere, Tanzania

Also known as “Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere”, Julius Nyerere was a Tanzanian anticolonial activist, political theorist and politician, who governed Tanganyika (now Tanzania) as its Prime Minister from 1961 and 1963, and then president from 1964 until 1985.

Born in Butiama, Tanganyika in in 1922, Nyerere studied at Makerere College in Uganda

and at Edinburgh University in Britain. Before joining politics, the young Nyerere served as a primary school teacher in a local mission school. In 1954, he led the Tanganyika African National Union to obtaining independence for Tanganyika.

Samora Moises Machel, Mozambique

Born in 1933 in Gaza Province, Portuguese Mozambique, Samora Moises Machel was the son of a successful local farmer. He attended a mission elementary school but he never finished his secondary education.

He was inspired to join the anti-colonial movement while working at Miguel Bombarda hospital in Lourenco Marques, where he protested against the oppression of black nurses who were paid less than whites for doing the same job.

It is because of the great sacrifices made by these heroes that we are free and independent today. We should therefore be courteous enough to ensure that their vision of a united Africa is not watered down by our selfish interests. https://howafrica.com

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Bike Addicted Kenyan Couple Sold Everything They Had to Tour the World on Their Motorbikes

South Africa — Photo courtesy throttleadventures.ke on Instagram

Argentina — Photo courtesy throttleadventures.ke on Instagram

Dos and Wamuyu Kariuki quit their jobs, sold off their belongings and said goodbye to their families to explore the world on their motorbikes.

This is basically on a mission to fulfil their dreams and continue doing what they love most on a daily basis, The Kenyan couple, who met at a bikers’ event and have been inseparable since are both adrenaline junkies with unmatched pleasures for adventure.

Dos currently holds the Kenyan record for the smallest bike to do an adventure trip in Africa after his successful ride from Kenya to South Africa on his 180-cc bike in 2015.

Similarly, Wamuyu also holds the Kenyan record for the solo female long-distance rider after her successful ride to Tanzania through the Namanga border and returning to Kenya through Isebania border in 2017.

The couple, who started their enviable tour last year and are on a quest to visit all seven continents have been in 10 countries so far, reports the BBC.

Lesotho — Photo courtesy throttleadventures.ke on Instagram

If everything goes as planned, the Kariukis are set to become the first Kenyans to tour the world on motorbikes.fficers to peacekeeping and special political missions.

SOURCE: PEACEKEEPING

Botswana — Photo courtesy throttleadventures.ke on Instagram

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African Quotes on Unity, Family and Community

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Unity is strength, division is weakness. ~ Swahili proverb Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. ~ Bondei proverb A family is like a forest, when you are outside it is dense, when you are inside you see that each tree has its place. ~ African Proverb A united family eats from the same plate. ~ Baganda proverb A family tie is like a tree, it can bend but it cannot break. ~ African proverb If I am in harmony with my family, that’s success. ~ Ute proverb It takes a village to raise a child. ~ African proverb Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile won’t eat you. ~ African proverb Many hands make light work. ~ Haya (Tanzania) proverb Where there are many, nothing goes wrong. ~ Swahili proverb Two ants do not fail to pull one grasshopper. ~ Tanzanian proverb A single bracelet does not jingle. ~ Congolese proverb A single stick may smoke, but it will not burn. ~ African proverb If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. ~ African proverb Brothers love each other when they are equally rich. ~ African proverb Dine with a stranger but save your love for your family. ~ Ethiopian proverb There is no fool who is disowned by his family. ~ African proverb Home affairs are not talked about on the public square. ~ African proverb If relatives help each other, what evil can hurt them? ~ African proverb He who earns calamity, eats it with his family. ~ African proverb Dine with a stranger but save your love for your family. ~ Ethiopian proverb The old woman looks after the child to grow its teeth and the young one in turn looks after the old woman when she loses her teeth. ~ Akan (Ghana, Ivory Coast) proverb When brothers fight to the death, a stranger inherits their father’s estate. ~ Ibo proverb Children are the reward of life. ~ African proverb SOURCE: AFRITORIAL

Medical Office Space for Rent

-Great location in shopping center, on busy road -Elevator and stair-case access to 2nd floor -Ample parking space Close to a Shopping Center 1690 Oldbridge Road Lake Ridge VA 22192

Please Call

703-494-8000

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Sesi Technologies of Ghana Advances to 2019 GIST Tech-I Semifinals

Entrepreneur Isaac Sesi and his Sesi Technologies, a Kumasi-based startup from Ghana are in the semifinals of the GIST Tech-I (Global Innovation through Science and Technology) competition for science and technology entrepreneurs and innovators. Isaac advanced to this stage with Sesi Technologies’ FarmSense project.

Sesi Technologies reached the semifinals out of over 500 other competitors from emerging economies who had pitched their ideas and startups to the 2019 GIST Tech-I. A panel of experts narrowed the 500+ finalists down to 80 of which 24 will be voted as finalists and presented to the global stage.

The voting process which started at the tail of this January will continue till March 1 of 2019. This gives everyone a lot of time to support Sesi Technologies which is working tirelessly to empower the African farmer with affordable technology.

For Sesi to make it to the final and receive two days of startup training and an opportunity to join other finalist to pitch their innovation for a chance to win prizes, visit the following link to cast your vote for them by creating a GIST Network account [check your spam folder to verify account if it doesn’t show in your inbox please] or login to search for Isaac Sesi if you already have an account at www.sesi.tech/gist.

As a Ghanaian myself, permit me to shamelessly display my bias by pleading with my kinsmen all over the world to join in showing support for Sesi Technologies’ FarmSense project and Isaac Sesi. You too can show some love by voting Sesi to make it into the final stage of the 2019 GIST Tech-I at the 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Bahrain.

Do not stop there after voting please, I also kindly ask that you encourage your friends in Ghana and elsewhere to support this venture with more votes. Share this blog on your respective social media portals so others can read about it and hopefully vote as well.

According to Brandon van Hoff; a Senior Program Associate in Research Competitiveness Program with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, finalists who make it to Bahrain will receive intensive training and meet with investors, mentors, media, and event officials.

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China Hands Over Magnificent Presidential Palace Gift To Burundi

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Burundi's new presidential palace built by China

Four years after the launch of construction, China has presented the 150 million Yuan (US$22 million) presidential palace it built for Burundi as a gift to seal its diplomatic relations with the East African country.

The Ambassador of China to Burundi, Li Changli, handed over the new building located in Gasenyi in the north of the capital Bujumbura on Feb. 14 to Ezechiel Nibigira, Burundi’s Foreign Affairs Minister.

“It is a symbol of friendship and cooperation between China and Burundi,” said the Chinese ambassador who described the project as the “greatest project” that China has ever carried out in Burundi, reports local media IWACU Burundi.

The presidential palace was built on a 10,000 square meters land and has several facilities on its premises including circular roads, car parks, and sewer systems.

It will host the presidency including the main offices of the president, two vice-presidents and their staff, conference rooms and space for official ceremonies, confirms Foreign Affairs Minister Nibigira.

“Since the independence of Burundi, we have not had such a building. We thank the government of the Republic of China for it,” he added.

The Chinese ambassador highlighted that other projects are being undertaken in Burundi and “China has made available a dozen of translators to put Burundi national development plan into Chinese language so as to clearly see in which domain it should intervene.”

Burundi’s new presidential palace is one of the many Chinese gifts donated to African nations to strengthen bilateral relations. China built the $200 million African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2012 at no cost to the continental body.

The Asian country also signed an agreement to build the headquarters of the West African regional bloc ECOWAS with a grant of $31.6 million.

China recently offered $6 million to Ethiopia to launch its first satellite into space in September 2019. It will also provide training before the launch of the satellite which will be done from China.

Senegal will open the world’s largest museum of black civilization on December 6 in the capital, Dakar,

This golden opportunity will fastback Sesi Technologies’ ability to develop more after 52 years of waiting due to lack of funding. China donated $34.6 million for the dream of the country’s innovative hardware and software solutions for farmers and other related stakefirst president, Leopold Sedar Senghor, to come into fruition. holders in the agriculture value chain of Africa, Ghana, and the world. Kindly vote!

GIST has since 2011 been engaged with science and technology innovators and entrepreneurs in some 136 emerging economies globally by providing training and resources to assist in building successful startups. Find out more at www.gistnetwork.org Written by Oral Ofori

China is also building new parliament houses for Zimbabwe, Republic of Congo and Gabon.

ISMAIL AKWEI

https://face2faceafrica.com

NBA, FIBA Announce Plans for Pro League in Africa

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is bringing a pro league to Africa.

The Basketball Africa League will be a collaboration between the NBA and the sport’s global governing body FIBA.

The initial plan is for the 12-team league to begin play in January 2020 with former U.S President Barack Obama among those who are expected to have direct involvement with the league’s plan to keep growing the game in Africa through the league and other initiatives.

Qualification tournaments will be held later this year to determine those clubs, with teams from Angola, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia expected to be among those taking part.

No nation will have more than two teams in the league.

“As we’ve been talking about this concept over the last several months, there’s been a tremendous reception from many of our NBA team owners … and in addition, several of the partners of the NBA have expressed a strong desire to work with us in Africa,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.

Silver said Pepsi and Nike’s Jordan Brand are among the partners who have reached out to the NBA and said they want to be part of the Africa league.

Silver also said that Obama, an enormous basketball fan, has told him he wants to “be directly involved with these activities in Africa.”

The NBA and FIBA’s involvement will include financial support and resources toward continued growing of the game on the continent, as well as providing training for players, coaches and referees and some infrastructure for the new league.

Silver said there are 438 companies in Africa that generate more than $1 billion in revenue annually, but that sport there has not seen the same growth, yet.

“Africa is a huge economic engine,” Silver said. “And one place, though, where we haven’t seen enormous economic growth yet is in the industry of sport. And that’s something that we are all particularly focused on,” he said.

The NBA has held three games in Africa since 2015, all of them selling out.

Many of the league’s current players and coaches, along with several legends and Hall of Famers, have been part of those trips.

The league also built an academy in Senegal that opened nearly two years ago.

“It’s a huge joy to see our partnership with the NBA enter unchartered territory as we work together for the first time to maximize the potential of professional basketball in Africa,” said Andreas Zagklis, FIBA’s secretary general.

This marks the first time the NBA has been involved with the operation of a league outside of North America.

“We’re excited to work closely with the NBA to develop and put in a place a professional league like none that we have ever seen in our region before,” said FIBA Africa Executive Director Alphonse Bile.

The NBA says more details about the new league will be released in the coming months.

Source:howafrica.com

Rwanda’s Paul Kagame hands over AU leadership to Egyptian President February

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Paul Kagame and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi -- Photo: Rwandan presidency Rwanda’s Paul Kagame has ended his one-year mandate as the Chairperson of the African Union on Sunday after handing over the position to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The handover was done at the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) heads of state and government summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which will end on Monday.

President Kagame who has chalked some successes under his tenure was optimistic that successor would take the AU to its goals. “Our objective was to continue building a stronger and more capable African Union that is able to deliver on the pillars of Agenda 2063, and better represent Africa’s interests on the global stage.

“The steps forward that were achieved reflect the long-standing commitment and aspirations of Africa’s leaders and citizens. The CFTA was signed, and now, less than one year later, it stands only weeks away from entry into force,” he said.

Among the achievements under Kagame are the launch of the Peace Fund, signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area, increased partnership with international organisations such as United Nations and European Union, and increased financial contribution by member states, reports Rwanda’s The New Times.

The AU Commission Chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat, also commended President Kagame for his leadership qualities during his tenure which brought about positive results for the continent.

Egypt’s Al-Sisi will be assisted by South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa as the first vice-chairman and the DR Congo’ Felix Tshisekedi as the second vice-chairman.

Kagame will maintain his position as the head of the African Union reform process.

Source: https://face2faceafrica.com

Afrikan

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Your Taxes, Your Money, Your Home Buying

Dear readers, It’s an exciting time of year during this season. Yes, it is tax season time. To many, this season is an opportunity to reap some financial benefits and possibly receive a lump sum of money from the IRS a.k.a Uncle Sam. I would like to take this opportunity to address a few things to keep in consideration, if you are planning to purchase a home in the next year or two.

Many of the financial institutions/lenders would ask for your tax records within the last two years in order to consider a loan approval. Why are they asking for your tax records? Because your tax records gives the lender an overall picture of your financial condition and ability to afford or pay the home mortgage loan. The banks would request the entire tax documents not partial.

You would be required to provide a signed and dated copy with all pages of the tax records.

What are some of the things the banks/lenders are looking for? The banks and lenders look for the amount of expenses or writes off you have taken to reduce your taxable income. The most common items are “Unreimbursement Employee Business Expense”, and “Business Loses” you have incurred and wrote off. Therefore, it is recommended you minimize your write offs in areas such as mileages, uniforms, due, telephone, marketing etc…

The rule of thumb is, the more write offs you take, the less your taxable income. Here is an example to drive home the point; if you earned $50,000 and you wrote off $20,000 as expense, your taxable income is $30,000, therefore, this is the potential amount that the banks/lenders would base their loan income qualification on. Therefore, it is vital that you minimize excessive write offs. If you need a higher loan amount qualification, you may have to temporary forgo deductions to which you believe up are entitled and pay

more income tax so you can show more income on your tax return to qualify for a loan.

Another important point to keep in mind is that, the lenders/banks require you- the borrower to sign a Form 4506-T. This form allows the lender to retrieve a tax transcript from the IRS. Therefore, in essence the tax records or documents you provided to the loan officer/lender should match IRS tax records when your transcript is pulled by the lender/bank. If there are irregularities, your application raises red flag and could be labelled as a fraudulent attempt.

As you gather yourself to prepare your taxes this year, I recommend you keep these points in mind if you envision home ownership in your future plans.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and it has provided helpful information in making your decision to home ownership a smooth one.

For more information about your real estate needs (buying, selling, leasing/renting a house) call me at 571-229-6694 or email borderlessrealestate@gmail.com and I will help you get started. Thank you.

Anita A. Bediako- REALTOR® Samson Properties Licensed Real Estate Agent in Virginia and Maryland Licensed Life and Health Insurance CONTACT 571-229-6694 Email: borderlessrealestate@gmail.com Website: borderlessrealestate.com

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6 Financial Scams You Should Be Wary Of In 2019 Online shopping scams

Shopping on the internet provides some sort of comfort, but one should be wary of the risks involved. This can be in the form of online shopping scams where people basically order a product and never receive the product. In other words, they have paid money for the product and received nothing in return.

Avoid buying items online from a seller you have not checked out. With online shopping, pay with a credit card as it is traceable, according to experts.

Only shop on secure websites; never enter credit card information on a web site that does not have the letters “https” at the start of its URL or address.

Websites with those letters will provide a secure transaction and will protect your information.

Unusual forms of payment

Be wary of people who ask you to pay for purchases using gift cards, preloaded debit cards, wire transfers, iTunes, and other third parties. You cannot trace and undo these forms of payments, experts say.

Look-alike websites

As you shop online, be wary of look-alike domains that cyber attackers create by substituting a few characters in the URLs. Shoppers who are not able to distinguish between real and fake sites end up being tricked into giving their personal or financial information. To avoid this, watch out for URLs that use the names of well-known brands along with extra words, according to Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Grandparent scam

Also called family emergency scams or travel scams, this usually begins with a call from a person who claims to be a grandchild in trouble (often an accident, arrested, or hospitalized) and needs money immediately. A criminal may sometimes know the grandchild’s name through social media or other platforms and would use this to complete the process. Experts warn that you should never wire or send money in such a situation unless you have crosschecked.

Fake charities

Scams do show up in the form of donation solicitations via email, text and social media. Before giving out any donation, ensure that the charity is legit.

It is advisable to give directly through an appropriate channel, for instance, the charity’s website to prevent attempts where the charity is real but the donation request is a phishing attempt, according to the BBB.

Fake shipping notifications

This appears as an email supposedly from a big retailer – someone you may not have ordered from – or from a shipper. The email often comes as a “vague warning” of a shipping delay or some other issue to entice you to click on a link and get more information. Once you do so, it will cause a malware download on your computer that will steal your identity and passwords.

BBB advises that you should rather go to the retailer or shipper’s site directly, and look up your order status.

https://face2faceafrica.com

Canada To Spend $3M On African Nation The ‘Amazing’ African Woman Of Benin To Stop Female Genital Mutilation Who Caught Trump’s Attention

Afrikan

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February

supports for health and educational professionals working on intervention strategies.

Funding is expected to help 57,000 young girls and female survivors of sexual violence, minister says.

International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau will announce $3 million in funding for a project to stop female genital cutting in Benin, West Africa. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)

Canada will spend $3 million to help stamp out female genital mutilation in the west African country of Benin.

International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau will announce funding for the project Tuesday, which is the International Day for Zero Tolerance on female genital mutilation, FGM. The money will go to CUSO International, an NGO, which will use the funds over four years to reduce FGM in the rural regions of Alibori and Borgou — where the practice remains prevalent even though it was outlawed in 2003.

“It’s really a matter of belief and cultural norm, so we have to have this conversation with mothers, grandmothers, religious and traditional leaders, to end this practice,” Bibeau told CBC News in an interview from Benin.

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Has Been Identified

This is the first Liberal project to directly target FGM using money from the $650 million funding envelope. Other similar projects are expected to follow.

FGM has been in Canada’s criminal code since 1997, making it illegal to perform the procedure, or to send a child out of the country to have it done.

Justice Canada is not aware of any criminal prosecutions or convictions in Canada since then, even though the Toronto Star reported that officials believe thousands of girls are at risk domestically and that some have been taken abroad for the procedure to be performed in what is called “vacation cutting.”

Bibeau said the government has little data to understand the scope of the problem in Canada.

The African woman in the viral video that broke the internet with her

“It’s very hard for us to know when it’s going on,” she said.

“It’s often being done when they go on holiday in the countries where they are from, and it’s not being denounced by the community.”

The FGM issue has been politically charged in Canada, with the Conservatives suggesting the an updated citizenship guide, which is now being developed, would drop a reference condemning the practice.

football juggling skills and caught the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump has been found after a search for her identity.

She is Hadhara Charles Mjeje, a Tanzanian mother who is juggling footballs professionally in Malawian capital of Lilongwe, reports German video news agency Ruptly which spoke with her on Tuesday.

Wearing her usual African wrap skirt and flipflops while she juggles a football amid a cheering crowd, the 29-year-old viral sensation said she started juggling to earn money for her two sons.

Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel has repeated- She told Ruptly in a video that she has juggled professionally in several countries across the continent including South Africa, Gabon, Cameroon, ly pressed Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen on the topic, Ethiopia, Malawi, Kenya and Mozambique. sponsoring an e-petition in the House of Commons calling on

the government to ensure the new guide condemns the practice.

Petition E-1310, which closed Feb. 3, gathered more than 25,000 signatures.

Hussen provided CBC News with a statement calling the practice “abhorrent” confirming it would be referenced in the new guide.

“Some people think that I use black magic but I don’t. There is nothing in this ball. I use my talent which I have developed for six years of practice. It is pure talent, not black magic,” she said.

She added that she wishes to become a professional football player and she admires players like Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

Hadhara Charles Mjeje is reported to have in Malawi since January

RCMP spokesman Sgt. Harold Pfleiderer has also told CBC the where she charges about $4 for each two-minute performance. The national police force is in the process of developing an internal money she earns foots her rent and buys food to support her family, she policy on “honour-based violence, underage and forced marclaims.

The project is expected to help 57,000 young girls, riages and female genital mutilation/cutting” to assist RCMP as well as female survivors of sexual violence, lead- employees on cases involving these issues.

The viral video was shared by Twitter user Akin Sawyerr on Saturday ers from civil society, and health and education professionals. Canada is also engaging with other coun- While banned in many countries, FGM remains widespread as with the caption, “Talent is evenly distributed, opportunity isn’t”, shows Hadhara juggling the football with her legs, head, shoulders, knees, tries, UN organizations and non-government groups a culturally entrenched way to “purify” young girls and prehands and neck, as many people cheered. to advocate and take action to eliminate the practice. pare them for marriage.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 200 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to FGM in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, where the practice is concentrated.

The procedure, which alters or injures the female genital organs, is mostly carried out on girls between infancy and age 15, and is considered a violation of human rights.

“It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women,” the WHO website reads.

FGM can lead to several medical problems, disease and even death.

Canada’s funding is part of the Liberal government’s $650 million feminist international assistance policy. It will be used to conduct research into the extent of the practice and why it persists. It will also be used to develop educational workshops and

According to the United Nations Population Fund, some of the reasons provided for FGM include:

It is a way to control a woman’s sexuality. It is thought to ensure virginity before marriage and fidelity afterward, and to increase male sexual pleasure.

It is a girl’s initiation into womanhood and part of a community’s cultural heritage.

Female genitalia can be considered by some communities to be dirty and ugly and are therefore removed to promote hygiene and esthetic appeal.

Although FGM is not endorsed by either Islam or Christianity, supposed religious doctrine is often used to justify the practice.

Garnering millions of views and thousands of Likes and Retweets, her talent received a big praise from the United States President Donald Trump who shared the video on Tuesday with the comment: “Amazing!”.

At that moment, the identity and exact location of Hadhara were not known, and the only information available was that she spoke Swahili as heard in the video and she was in Malawi – as noted by other videos shared from the country.

She is heard accepting a challenge from the audience to bounce 100 juggles. After the close to two-minute execution of their request, the woman said, “Pesa yenu ndogo” in Swahili which means, “Your money is not enough”, in reference to a possible bet.

While many Africans were tweeting about finding the woman after gaining the attention of the U.S. president, Americans criticised Trump for sharing the video which they described as “bizarre” and a “waste of time”.

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This Gifted Boy With Autism Is The Youngest Ever To Attend Oxford University At Age 6 Oxford with the hopes of getting admission for his child even though he was younger than the age prescribed for the programme.

Fortunately, Beckford was given the chance to enrol, becoming the youngest student ever accepted. The brilliant chap took a course in philosophy and history and passed both with distinction.

Beckford was too advanced for a standard curriculum; hence he was home-schooled, according to Spectacular Magazine.

“I want to save the earth. I want to change the world and change peoples’ ideas to doing the right things about earth,” Beckford once said of his future. https://face2faceafrica.com

Having a keen interest in the affairs of Egypt throughout his studies, the young genius is working on a children’s book about the historic and ancient nation.

Aside from his academic prowess, Beckford serves as the face of the National Autistic Society’s Black and Minority campaign. Being one with high-functioning autism, the young child helps to highlight the challenges minority groups face in their attempt to acquire autism support and services.

Beckford with his award. Pic credit: freespirits

At age six, most young children are entering first grade, but not for the extraordinary Joshua Beckford.

Living with high-functioning autism, the child prodigy from Tottenham was, at the age of six, the youngest person ever to attend the prestigious Oxford University.

He received a certificate of excellence after getting distinctions in all his courses which were part of an online learning platform for gifted children.

Now 13 years, the young scholar who has dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon was recently listed in the top 30 most remarkable people in the world with Autism who have impacted society.

But he has his father to thank for this incredible feat. At just 10 months old, Beckford’s father, Knox Daniel, discovered his son’s unique learning capability while he was sitting on his lap in front of the computer.

With the keyboard being the child’s interest, Daniel said: “I started telling [Joshua] what the letters on the keyboard were and I realized that he was remembering and could understand.”

“So, if I told him to point to a letter, he could do it…

Then we moved on to colours,” Daniel added.

At the age of three, Beckford could read fluently using phonics. He learned to speak Japanese and even taught himself to touch-type on a computer before he could learn to write.

“Since the age of four, I was on my dad’s laptop and it had a body simulator where I would pull out organs,” said Beckford.

In 2011, his father was aware of a programme at Oxford University that was specific to children between the age of eight and thirteen. To challenge his son, he wrote to

Last month, the wonder child was appointed Low Income Families Education (L.I.F.E) Support Ambassador for Boys Mentoring Advocacy Network in Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya and the United Kingdom.

BMAN Low Income Families Education (LIFE) Support was established to create educational opportunities for children from low-income families so that they have a hope of positively contributing to a thriving society.

Joshua Beckford. Pic credit: freespirits

Beckford will further hold a live mentoring session with teenagers and his father, Daniel, will facilitate a mentoring session with parents at the Father And Son Together [FAST] initiative event in Nigeria in August 2019.

In 2017, Beckford won The Positive Role Model Award for Age at The National Diversity Awards, an event which celebrates the excellent achievements of grass-root communities that tackle the issues in today’s society.

The young boy also raises funds for three autism charities (two in Africa and one in the U.K.) and is celebrated for his campaigns to save the environment. He recently wrote the poem Saving Mother Earth at the TEDx International Conference in Vienna.

Described as one of the most brilliant boys in the world, Beckford also designs and delivers power-point presentations on Human Anatomy at Community fund-raising events to audiences ranging from 200 to 3,000 people, according to National Diversity Awards.

Joshua Beckford is the youngest kid to attend Oxford. Pic credit: The Source

For a super scholar whose brain is above most of his peers and even most adults, Beckford, according to his father, “doesn’t like children his own age and only likes teenagers and adults.”

Parenting a child with high-functioning autism comes with its own challenges, his father added.

“[Joshua] doesn’t like loud noises and always walks on his tip toes and he always eats from the same plate, using the same cutlery, and drinks from the same cup,” he said.

He is, however, proud of his son’s achievements and believes he has a bright future ahead.

Joshua Beckford and his father. Pic credit: Twitter

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Nana Addo attends National Cathedral Fundraiser in Washington DC

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President Akufo-Addo on Friday, February 8, 2019 attended a fundraising event for the construction of Ghana’s National Cathedral in the USA.

The event, which was held at the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC was attended by guests including the Archbishop Nicolas Duncan-Williams, Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle, Most Rev. Bishop Justice Ofei Akrofi, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, all members of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral; GIPC boss, Mr. Yofi Grant; Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, Pastor Paula White, Senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center among others.

The president said the Cathedral will be point for the Christian community to come together to worship, to pray and to promote deep national conversations on the Nana Akufo-Addo -President of Ghana role of faith in building Ghana.

Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah; Ambassador of Ghana to the United States

He said the project was a pledge he made to God before winning the 2016 presidential elections and called on all Ghanaians to be supportive of the it.

The building complex, with a 5,000 seating capacity auditorium, will also house a Bible Museum, baptistery, prayer room, among other facilities.

“It will be an iconic infrastructure for national, regional and international pilgrimage and tourism. That is why we are trying to mobilise the Christian community, home and abroad, to join in partnership to raise the needed resources to build the Cathedral,” Akufo-Addo said.

A brochure at the fundraiser said the National Cathedral, on completion, will among other purposes serve as venue for formal station occasions of a religious nature, such as Steve Green (Founder of the Bible Museum) Assisting Nana AkufoAddo to cut the commemorative cake the Inauguration of Presidents, State Funerals and National Thanksgiving services.

Jonathan Cain, Pastor Paula White, Mrs. Green, Nana Akufo Addo, Steve Green (Founder of the Bible Museum) and Mrs. Rosa Whitaker Duncan Wilkliams and Archbishop Nicolas DuncanWilliams

President Nana Akufo-Addo has already pledged GHc100,000 towards the construction of the National Cathedral at the launch of the National Cathedral Fundraising Campaign last December in Accra.

President Nana Akufo-Addo cut the sod for the construction of the National Cathedral for on March 6, 2017, as part of events that marked Ghana’s 60th-anniversary celebration.

The move has been met with several criticisms and a legal action that was in January thrown out by the Supreme Court.

The designer of the project is Sir David Adjaye.

By: Jonas Nyabor | citinewsroom.com

NPP Executives after a private meeting with the President before the President

Archbishop Nicolas Duncan-Williams-Head of Fundraising Committee

Host of Metro Tv's Good Evening Ghana Paul Adom-Otchere and Rev. Emmanuel T. Agormeda is the Senior Pastor of Royalhouse Chapel International, Maryland

About 350 Guests at the Auditorium

Sonnie Badu, Atlanta based Ghanaian gospel artist, philanthropist, author, and television presenter

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This Nigerian Genius At Nasa Is First Black Woman To Earn Phd In Aerospace Engineering Having done research in the area of aircraft formation flight as a fuel-saving method of flight, Okolo has written several publications and is currently a special emphasis programs manager in the Intelligent Systems Division of NASA’s Ames Research Center.

She is working on the System-Wide Safety (SWS) project, where she has led the task of predicting GPS faults in drones, according to The Cable. The talented engineer is further working on a Space Technology Mission Directorate Early Career Initiative (STMD-ECI) project at the Ames Research Center.

Wendy Okolo is the first black woman to earn PhD in aerospace engineering. Pic credit: US Black Engineer

Wendy Okolo initially felt like an imposter when she worked as a summer researcher from 2010 to 2012 at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), a scientific research organization operated by the United States Air Force Materiel Command.

The mission of the AFRL is to discover, develop, and integrate affordable warfighting technologies for air and space forces.

Working in the Control Design and Analysis Branch of the AFRL – Wright Patterson Air Force Base – Okolo was part of the team that flew the world’s fastest manned aircraft, which flew from coast to coast in 67 minutes.

Okolo, then a graduate student, at first felt she had no place working with such a great team.

“I was like I am sure these guys are so smart, what am I going to bring in,” she said.

She found an error in the code in the systems and she fixed it and “that fixed the impostor syndrome for a while,” she was quoted by The Cable.

Today, the 30-year-old is an aeronautics and space administration genius.

She works as an aerospace research engineer at the Ames Research Center, a major research centre for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Silicon Valley.

all the way to the 26-year-old Nigerian who is now the highest paid robotics engineer in the world, Nigerians have made their country proud with these wonderful undertakings.

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Under this role, she “leads the controls team to develop unconventional control techniques for deployable vehicles, to enable precision landing and improve maneuverability during the entry, descent, and landing phases of spaceflight.”

Okolo has also worked with Langley Research Center in Virginia to investigate flight data and facilitate data exchange across and within NASA centres.

The STMD-ECI project is a $2.5 million-dollar project that she proposed and won as part of a six-member early- career scientist team.

Wendy Okolo. Pic credit: NASA

Okolo, who has also won the BEYA Global Competitiveness Conference award for the most promising engineer in the United States government, wants other young girls to take an active interest in science technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Over the years, Nigerians have been impacting the world with their highly-improvised technical skills.

From the likes of Osatohanmwen Osemwengie, who builds drones for the U.S. Army ; the super-talented Nigerian man who designed the 2014 Chevrolet Volt; the Nigerian engineer who built the fastest carbureted front-wheel car in the world

Wendy Okolo. Pic credit: The Cable

Born to a family of six in southeastern Nigeria, Okolo was only 26 when she became the first black woman to get a doctorate degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.

She received her BSc and PhD degrees in aerospace engineering from the university in 2010 and 2015 respectively.

Okolo said she owes her current feat to her all-time heroes – her sisters – who gave her biology and other science lessons through their everyday realities.

She would subsequently excel in school and make tremendous moves during her undergraduate years at the University of Texas in Arlington, where she became the president of the society of women engineers in the university.

During this period, she interned at Lockheed Martin working on NASA’s Orion spacecraft and first worked in the requirements management office in systems engineering before moving to the Hatch Mechanisms team in mechanical engineering.

Okolo later worked as a summer researcher at AFRL and has since taken off her career at NASA, a United States agency responsible for the civilian space program, as well as, aeronautics and aerospace research.

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Okolo awarded as Most Promising Engineer in the U.S. Pic credit: The Cable

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