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Vol 7 Issue 5
African Community News
Liberia Declared Ebola-Free
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Liberia Declared Ebola-Free, But Outbreak Continues Over Border
Afrikan Post
May 2015
From the Editor
O u r G r ea tes t G lor y is n o t in n ever f a llin g b u t in r is in g ever y time we f a ll . We ar e committted to b r in gin g th e commu n ity th e bes t in N ews f r om Af r ica a n d th e D ia s p or a . Yo u may als o vis it o u r webs ite a t www.af r ik an po s t.com f or d a ily n ews u p da tes o n Af r ica . D is cla imer : Th e o p in ion s ex pr es s ed in ar ticles a n d s to r ies in th is N ews pa per ar e th os e o f th e a u th o r s a n d d o n o t n eces s ar ily r ef lect th e views o f Af r ik an Po s t . All co mmen ts a n d s u g g es tio n s a r e welcome.
Just over 13 months since Liberia’s first case of Ebola, the West African nation Saturday was declared free of the deadly disease, 42 days after the burial of the last fatal victim on March 28.
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D E PA R T M E N T S Vol 7 Issue 5
CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
Uche Jombo Welcomes Baby Boy Pg. 18
Ghanaian scientist inducted into American National Academy of Inventors Pg. 7
Former President Of Ghana Gives DSU Commencement Pg. 25
Embrace the Fire Pg. 20
SPORTS
FIFA Imposes New Passport Rule For World Cup Qualifiers
Pg. 39
UPDATE
Ivory Coast Embargoes Skin Lightening Products Pg. 7
In the world’s worst outbreak since Ebola’s discovery in 1976, more people were killed in Liberia than any other nation, as the disease swept through densely populated neighborhoods of the capital city, Monrovia.
Amid the celebration Saturday, there was a note of caution from the World Health Organization because neighbors Sierra Leone and Guinea continue to struggle with the disease.. “While WHO is confident that Liberia has interrupted transmission, outbreaks persist in neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone, creating a high risk that infected people may cross into Liberia over the region’s exceptionally porous borders,” the organization said in a statement Saturday.
After the first case in Liberia was reported in late March of 2014, the outbreak was at first limited and appeared contained. But by June, the contagious disease had hit Monrovia, the first time it ever spread to a densely populated African city. Thousands would die, and health experts feared the disease would spin out of control, and become endemic -- an awful new part of everyday life in Liberia -before the number of infections finally began to decline in October. Confirmed and probable deaths from Ebola have surpassed 11,000 in West Africa, including more than 4,700 in Liberia. Guinea has seen 2,387 deaths attributed to Ebola, while Sierra Leone has seen more than 3,900, according to WHO figures.
Ebola first appeared in Guinea in December 2013, spread to Sierra Leone and then skipped across the border into Liberia. One reason the virus spread so rapidly was because of the large volume of cross-border traffic and the persistence of unsafe burial practices, with the touching of the dead an important part of the region's culture. People traveled across borders to attend funerals and returned home with the illness, infecting family members and neighbors.Many of those who died were health workers, community nurses and faith healers, who treated people without protection, particularly in the early stages of the epidemic. In Liberia, 375 health workers were infected and 189 died. More than 500 health workers died in the region and more than 860 were infected. The WHO said Liberia’s eradication of the virus was “a monumental achievement” in dealing with the most complex outbreak of the disease ever seen.
The incubation period for the virus is 21 days, and a country can only be declared free of Ebola after twice the incubation period, or 42 days, has passed.
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treat them safely inside.
Taxis ferrying sick passengers for treatment may also have spread the disease.
Entire families were wiped out. Some orphans were left as sole survivors in their families.
To help stop the spread of the virus, schools were closed and public gatherings were banned. Ambulances struggled to reach patients on time. In some cases community members left bodies in the streets; in others family members carried their loved ones to the hospital in wheelbarrows.
Survivors of the disease told horror stories of the conditions inside treatment units, with people suffering and dying next to them, or mothers dying, leaving sick children behind. Other patients often stepped in to help when children were left alone in treatment centers.
As late as September, the world’s response had lagged disastrously behind, and the lack of sufficient beds in treatment units resulted in a failure to avert thousands of deaths.
“At one point, virtually no treatment beds for Ebola patients were available anywhere in the country. With infectious cases and corpses remaining in homes and communities, almost guaranteeing further infections, some expressed concern that the virus might become endemic in Liberia, adding another -- and especially severe -- permanent threat to health,” the World Health Organization said in its statement.
“It is a tribute to the government and people of Liberia that determination to defeat Ebola never wavered, courage never faltered. Doctors and nurses continued to treat patients, even when supplies of personal protective equipment and training in its safe use were inadequate.
“Local volunteers, who worked in treatment centers, on burial teams, or as ambulance drivers, were driven by a sense of community responsibility and patriotic duty to end Ebola and bring hope back to the country’s people,” the WHO statement said.
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said for many in the country, it will take a generation before the pain and grief heal. She referred to the slow response of the international community when she told the Associated Press that the epidemic was a “scar on the conscience of the world.”
A White House statement urged vigilance to prevent the return of the disease to Liberia.
"We must not let down our guard until the entire region reaches and stays at zero Ebola cases," the statement said
As of May 6, the total number of suspected cases during the outbreak was close to 27,000. As the disease peaked in Liberia in August and September, the number of cases was By Robyn Dixon contact the reporter increasing rapidly, by 300 to 400 cases a week.Patients often mistook their symptoms for typhoid or malaria and http://www.latimes.com tragically delayed seeking treatment, infecting members of their families. Treatment facilities were swamped with cases, and patients often died in terrible circumstances at the gates of treatment centers because there was no room to
May 2015
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May 2015
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Veteran Nollywood Actor Togo's Faure Gnassingbe Wins Third Term As President Peter Bunor Is Dead May
Afrikan Post
2015
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said the election was free and fair, despite opposition complaints of voting irregularities.
Mr Gnassingbe has ruled since the death of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, who took power in a coup in 1967.
His main rival, opposition candidate Jean-Pierre Fabre, took 35% of the vote.
Mr Fabre on Monday called for a delay in announcing the results, citing widespread irregularities.
But later, he said that he would leave the country's Independent National Electoral Commission (Ceni) "to do its work".
Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe has been re-elected for a third term, electoral officials say.
Provisional results show that he gained 59% of the vote, extending his family's 48-year hold on power.
Observers from the African Union and regional bloc Ecowas
Just a few days after the 1-year anniversary of the death of respected Nollywood producer, Amaka Igwe, another veteran Nollywood practitioner has been declared dead.
Source: BBC
He said, “They should also use the experience to conceive Pan-African programmes and policies that will prevent its recurrence. The episode draws attention to the need to fast track the integration and development agenda of the AU and to move more rapidly towards the creation of the United States of Africa.
“It is only when Africans are living together in this political and economic context envisioned by the founding parents of AU that we can be rest assured that this shameful exercise will never occur again.”
The veteran actor, popular for playing the role of a godfather or head of mafia rings in several Nollywood movies back then, reportedly died of complications resulting from an ailment believed to be stroke that he had to battle for the last few years of his life. His son announced his death on Facebook, writing: ‘In the early hours of today, my father, friend, teacher, confidant passed on.’
Source:onlinenigeria.com
Turnout was around 53-55%, according to Ceni - at least 10% lower than the last elections in 2010.
AU organ wants creation of United States of Africa
The actor in question is none other than Peter Bunor, a veteran actor popular on the TV screens in the 80s and late 90s. The Delta State-born actor was declared dead later on Friday, May 1, 2015 by his son, Peter Bunor Jnr, who had achieved a measure of prominence as a child actor years ago.
According to a NET report back in 2013, Peter Bunor had complained that his peers, including some of those whose entrance and growth in the industry he helped brought into place, had abandoned him. An actor of several years standing in the Nigerian movie industry, Peter was celebrated in 2010 by Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for having spent 30 years in the Nollywood setting as an active practitioner.
The results still need to be confirmed by the country's Constitutional Court.
The Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union has suggested that African countries should team up and quickly move towards the creation of the United States of Africa.
The ECOSOCC said this in its reaction to the xenophobic violence against migrants and migrant workers, including Nigerians, by South African citizens.
The Presiding Officer of ECOSOCC, Joseph Chilengi, in a statement in Abuja, said the creation of the USA was the only way Africans could live together in the political and economic context envisioned by the founding fathers of the AU.
Chilengi said the AU secretariat should convene an extra-ordinary emergency session to discuss the situation in South Africa and authorise a framework of action for addressing xenophobia on a collective basis.
Chilengi condemned the xenophobic attacks on African citizens of different nationalities, saying ECOSOCC was sad to learn that such incidents occurred in a country for which Africans on the continent and the Diaspora sacrificed so dearly to ensure independence and black majority rule.
He said, “ECOSOCC is appalled to see gruesome pictures of African citizens of South African extraction brutally assaulting, killing, looting and burning the properties of their kith and kin from other parts of the continent. This is a blot on the African landscape, which negates the very essence of the AU and its purpose, principles and values. “This deplorable situation makes a mockery of the people-centric orientation of the AU in general and ECOSOCC in particular; ECOSOCC offers its sincere apology to all victims of this shameful exercise. Beyond this, ECOSOCC recognises the need for timely and appropriate action to ensure that this episode ends immediately and never recurs.”
Sierra Leoneans at Dallas–Fort Worth– Celebrate 54th Independence Anniversary
By: SEM Contributor on May 6, 2015.
Dallas, Texas, USA – The 54th anniversary of Sierra Leone’s independence that fell on April 27 this year took place in the midst of political confusion and epidemic crisis, but the Sierra Leone community in the metropolitan area of Dallas Fort-Worth,Texas still jubilated their country’s freedom from the British imperialism. The umbrella organization, the Association of Sierra Leonean Organization in Texas (ASLOT), staged a large public picnic on Saturday, April 25 to mark the Jubilee.
Despite a public discussion about what many people believe the country’s constitution has been violated, consequently brought to a rapid protest against the president for sacking his Vice President, the national holiday was lavishly celebrated at the Valley View Park in Dallas.
The community in Texas believe that Independence Day is an important family event with emphasis on private celebrations, including organizational feasts and reunions. It was an appropriate time of meeting despite the overwhelming advent of the social media, FaceBook and WhatsApp forums providing people with communication networking. The community still needs time to come together. However, the Independence Day celebrations have provided the community with an opportunity to come together at least once a year, and the 54th anniversary has enhanced the participants’ emotional attachment to their personal and local face-to-face milieu.
In their private sphere, the community leaders discussed how the national holiday has been appropriated and reinterpreted by our leaders as a family and community holiday. Many Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone in the city took time off from their work schedule to attend well diverse activities, including the parading of Paddle devil and a picnic.
The Texas Paddle devil show, which is an integral part of our national identity and culture, displayed its excellent cultural devil camouflage in the day and the night of May 2. The Paddle dance was greatly supervised by the organization leaders to maintain good behavior and cultural norms at the Fair Park in Dallas. The Texas Paddle organization is a non-patrician group that was formed to help keep peace and harmony in its community while sharing their traditions and customs to the American people. As part of the 54th Indolence celebration, the soccer match between Sierra Leone and Iran was countermanded due to the previous day’s bad weather that flooded the field. The city authorities discouraged the game to be played to avoid the risk of injuries and damaging the pitch. However, the Sierra Stars Soccer Association, which was the organizer for the game in its traditional upholding, continued their celebration activities at the Sierra Outreach Center at night to offer prayers for their country and dance. All awards were cancelled, but plans are underway to hold the awarding ceremony and honors community members whose performances need to be recognized.
The Independence anniversary is one of the biggest holidays the country celebrates. It is a national holiday that constitutes a focal point for memory and offers a glimpse into the logic underlying the construction indigenous leadership compared to the former British colonial leaders. Many Sierra Leoneans, especially those living in the diaspora are growing with disillusionment over the slow development and political instabilities.
By Sanpha Sesay
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Collingdale USA Firefighter Aims To Help Colleagues In Sierra Leone
COLLINGDALE, USA – With stacks of Nike shoe boxes, bags and plastic containers crammed into a basement rental room, a volunteer firefighter is hoping to finish what he started a year ago: A dream to help some of the world’s poorest emergency responders. (Photo: Al Saccoh is nearly lost in storage room full of fire equipment that he has collected by donation from fire departments across Delaware County. On May 17, Saccoh will hold a fundraiser to collect the money needed to send the equipment back to his home nation of Sierra Leone. Rick Kauffman — Daily Times)
For a year, Alhaji Saccoh, a 30-year-old Collingdale Fire Co. No. 1 firefighter and Sierra Leone native, has been collecting gear and equipment from Delaware County fire companies to take to his home country.
In June 2013, the Aldan resident visited the country’s capital, Freetown, and was struck by the conditions endured by the 300 firefighters in the National Fire Force, which serves a population of 2 million.
“Their morale is bad,” Saccoh said. “Folks treat them like crap.”
He explained that their hoses have holes in them, which creates less water pressure while in use and people get angry at the firefighters.
They also don’t have proper gear, responding to calls in just their clothes, and they have to sleep on the floor — all for $50 a month and a bag of rice.
That’s why Saccoh reached out to his fellow firefighters here.
“When I started this, I was thinking maybe 50 tops,” he said of gathering a bunker set, which includes a helmet, a coat, pants and suspenders, gloves and boots that cost approximately $500 each.
Instead, he has collected more than 200 sets.
in which he hopes to collect the $3,500 needed to ship the materials. The dinner will feature African specialties, such as sambussa, Ethiopian injera, plaintains, couscous and beef patties, as well as music and raffles. Alcohol will not be served.
Initially, Saccoh planned to go in October, but the Ebola crisis and its subsequent travel ban restricted his ability to do so. But, he’s been keeping in touch with the fire chief there in the meantime.
“I haven’t forgotten you guys,” Saccoh said, adding that there was no way he could.
When he returns next month, he plans to run some calls with them as a way to raise awareness of their situation.
“The guys right there sleep on the floor,” Saccoh said. “I’m not looking to do anything different. So, I will sleep on the floor with them to show their struggle.”
He said he will do what it takes to get the equipment there.
“I saw their faces,” Saccoh said. “I promised these guys. You have to keep a promise.”
Right now, all the bunker gear is packed in the storage unit and compression units. Oxygen tanks and hoses are being stored elsewhere because it can’t fit.
Saccoh hopes people come and enjoy a night of festivities to help him fulfill his mission.
“People should come down,” he said. “It’s only $20.”
Besides, it could be a part in helping responders a world away help others. “It’s going to help save their lives, with this stuff,” Saccoh said. “I’m sure it will be the start of a new day for them.”
“This jacket,” Saccoh said pointing to one of the donated ones, “is really, really good for the guys over there. People will start to look at the A dinner/fund raiser washeld Sunday, May 17 from 5-10 p.m. at the firefighters differently, respect them in the Collingdale Fire Co. No. 1, 510 Clifton proper gear.” Ave. in Collingdale. Tickets are $20 each and can be had by calling 515-639Once the gear arrives, it will have a long life. 0730 or emailing info@slchildren.org. “They can use these exact gears for at least 10 years, at a minimum,” he said. “That’s a lot of By Kathleen E. Carey, Delaware County Daily Times calls, if used effectively.”
To get it there, Saccoh is hosting a fundraiser from 5-10 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, at the Collingdale Fire Co. No. 1 on Clifton Avenue,
G7 Invites Buhari To Economic Summit
“His election is an enormous achievement for Nigeria and the democratic development of Nigeria. The people of Nigeria has expressed its confidence in the Presidentelect.
Ivory Coast Embargoes Skin Lightening Products May 2015
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“The challenges of Nigeria are enormous and I have come to wish him success.
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and her French counterpart, Fracois Hollande, have extended invitations to President-Elect, Mohammadu Buhari, to visit their countries.
Merkel currently heads the G7 economic block of industrialised countries, comprising Germany, Canada, France, Japan, United States of America, Britain and Italy.
The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Zenner; his Canadian and French counterparts, Perry John Calderwood and Denys Gauer respectively, paid separate courtesy calls and held closed-door meetings with Buhari at the Defence House, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Zenner, who spoke to journalists after his meeting with Buhari, said his visit was to congratulate the President-elect and Nigerians on the successful conduct of the last general elections.
He explained that he was also here to extend the invitation of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, to Buhari, requesting him to visit Germany.
Zener said, “I am here to congratulate the President-elect, Gen. Buhari, on his election and handed over to him the letter from the German Chancellor, inviting him to Germany.
“We have a very deep and intense relationship with Nigeria and there are lots of areas where we can deepen our relation and develop them further, such as in the areas of economy and energy among others.
“We have a bi-national commission with Nigeria and we are one of the countries with which Nigeria has this Bi-National Commission and it covers the whole range of political, economic and security areas. There are many areas in which we can move further and deepen our very close cooperation.”
Speaking in a similar vein, the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Ambassador Denys Gauer, said, “As the French Ambassador, I came to congratulate the President-elect on his brilliant achievement.
“We also held a small talk about our bilateral relations. As you know, our relationship has developed quite well in recent years. In the economic field, Nigeria is already the first commercial partners of France in Africa.”
He also noted that the presence of several French companies in Nigeria was a testimony to the level of confidence his home government had in Nigeria.
According to him, France was encouraging more of its companies to come into Nigeria and invest as well as establish partnerships with Nigerian companies.
On his part, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Perry John Calderwood, said Canada considers Nigeria an important partner, especially in the area of trade and investments.
He said, “We believe that it is possible to increase these ties to include areas such as agriculture, mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, where Canadian companies have great expertise.
“We are very pleased to see that more and more Canadian companies are looking into new opportunities in Nigeria. I am also delighted that we have a significant development programme in Nigeria, focussing on health and economic development.” Source:http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/
A lady who has transformed her image from Dark to Light Skin
they say could lead to hypertension and diabetes. By Kundai Mugwanda-Nyamutenha on May 12, 2015 — The health Ministry of Ivory Coast has bleach-whitening-cream-ad-newsforafrica banned the use of skin lightening products in the country amid health hazard concerns BLEACHED-LADY-celebritieslodge-edit
According to the Ivorian Ministry the ban is mostly targeted at the skin whitening products containing mercury and its derivatives, cortisone, vitamin A and more than two percent hydroquinone, a lightening agent that is mostly used to develop photographs.
The statement declared that the widely used cosmetic lightening and hygiene creams are now forbidden in the country as they are likely to cause serious health threats to the people using them. A startling claim that was corroborated by a member of Ivory Coast’s pharmaceutical authority, Christian Doudouko.
While there are no official statistics of women using the products in Africa, women from all walks of life including India, Pakistan, Japan, America as well as the Middle East, have also have also resorted to bleaching in their quest for “beauty”.
The ban comes at a time when skin bleaching advertisements have played a pivotal role in twisting people’s perception of beauty by portraying people with light skin as the most beautiful thereby pushing women to bleach their skin in search of beauty.
“The number of people with side effects caused Source: The Times by these medicines is really high,” he said, adding that they could cause serious skin condi- http://thisisafrica.me/ivory-coast-embargoestions such as skin cancer. skin-lightening-products/
Dermatologists have also tried to warn people about the hazards of using the products which
May
2015
New ECOWAS Chair Elected
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President of Senegal Macky Sall has been elected new Chairman of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the 47th ordinary session of the ECOWAS authority of heads of states meeting in Accra, Tuesday. He takes over from Ghana's John Mahama who was elected last year.
Sall has a tenure of one year and may get a renewal of mandate for another year.
His election comes at a time the regional group will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary. ECOWAS was founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos with a mission is to promote economic integration across the region. Sall was grateful to member states for his election to the highest office of the regional body. In his acceptance speech, the Senegalese president paid tribute to former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan for the role he played in the peaceful election conducted in Nigeria. He said Jonathan's conduct was exemplary.
Early on Ghana's President John Mahama had also praised the statesmanship of Goodluck Jonathan which he said resulted in peaceful election in the largest and most populous country in Africa. He said the name of Jonathan will forever be etched on the country's political history.
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Okoe Vanderpuije Adjudged Best African Mayor He said the award is a signature of excellence which must remind people of Accra that they are doing well but must work harder in order to make Accra a place all will love it to be. He urged Ghanaians to love and support one another and stop pulling each other down because Ghana is a great country and the citizens are wonderful.
Mayor of Accra, Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, has won the inaugural edition of the prestigious President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos African Mayor Awards held in Angola as part of the 2nd Africa urban infrastructure investment forum.
Dr Vanderpuije beat his contenders from Cape Town in South Africa and Dakar in Senegal to snatch the prestigious award in the large cities categories at the Talatona Convention Centre (CCTA), Thursday.
The award includes a unique trophy designed by a distinguished Angolan artist which captures the past, present and future of African cities and embodies the courage, conviction and challenges facing African mayors, a certificate and a cash prize of 200,000 dollars going to winner of the large city category.
The African mayor awards programme recognizes, celebrates and rewards city leaders who display exemplary qualities in leadership and vision, innovative thinking, management capabilities and integrity, ability to provide security and to protect the environment as well as the will and ability to foster good relations between communities from different cultural and social backgrounds.
Receiving the award, the Mayor of Accra expressed his appreciation to the late President John Evans Atta Mills, the current President of Ghana John Mahama and chiefs of Accra for giving him the opportunity to serve the good people of Accra.
He further added it has always been the commitment of the leadership and staff of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to do well to contribute to the better Ghana agenda and as such policies and decisions taken by the assembly continue to get international recognition.
Accra was selected in the category of large cities whiles Asunafo North also from Ghana competed in the medium size category, but lost to Kinodoni in Tanzania. The last category which is small cities was won by Praia in Cape Verde.
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African Countries at Bottom of Global School Rankings
Ghana has been ranked last among 76 countries in the biggest global school ranking conducted by the OECD economic think tank.
Many other African countries also showed at the bottom of the report.
Asian countries were the biggest earners with Singapore topping the group followed by Hong Kong.
The UK is in 20th place, among higher achieving European countries, with the US in 28th.
The OECD economic think tank says the comparisons - based on test scores in 76 countries - show the link between education and economic growth.
"This is the first time we have a truly global scale of the quality of education," said the OECD's eduSome of the achievements of AMA under cation director, Andreas Schleicher. the leadership of Dr. Vanderpuije are ending the shift system of education "The idea is to give more countries, rich and poor, within its jurisdiction, started the conaccess to comparing themselves against the struction of 110 millennium city schools world's education leaders, to discover their relative with eleven completed and the rest at strengths and weaknesses, and to see what the various stages of completion, provision long-term economic gains from improved quality of a liquid waste treatment at East legon in schooling could be for them," he told the to serve University of Ghana and its media. environs, on-going rehabilitation of the Below is the table of how the various countries Mudor liquid waste treatment plant, fared in the survey pump stations and sewage lines, introduction of polluter pay principle and the 1. Singapore distribution of 117,000 waste bins to 2. Hong Kong households within its jurisdiction in col3. South Korea laboration with the Environmental 4. Japan (joint) Service Providers Association (ESPA) 5. Taiwan (joint) and capping of landfill sites. 6. Finland 7. Estonia Other notable international recognitions 8. Switzerland Accra has achieved under his leadership 9. Netherlands are, Accra being selected as part of the 10. Canada 100 resilient cities pioneered by the 11. Poland Rockefeller foundation, Accra selected 12. Vietnam for Bloomberg foundation Initiative for 13. Germany road safety and receiving of the IBM 14. Australia smart city award. 15. Ireland 16. Belgium 17. New Zealand 18. Slovenia Source:www.ghanaweb.com 19. Austria 20. United Kingdom 21. Czech Republic 22. Denmark 23. France 24. Latvia 25. Norway 26. Luxembourg 27. Spain 28. Italy (joint) 28. United States (joint) 30. Portugal 31. Lithuania 32. Hungary 33. Iceland 34. Russia 35. Sweden 36. Croatia
37. Slovak Republic 38. Ukraine 39. Israel 40. Greece 41. Turkey 42. Serbia 43. Bulgaria 44. Romania 45. UAE 46. Cyprus 47. Thailand 48. Chile 49. Kazakhstan 50. Armenia 51. Iran
52. Malaysia
53. Costa Rica
54. Mexico
55. Uruguay
56. Montenegro
57. Bahrain
58. Lebanon 59. Georgia 60. Brazil
61. Jordan
62. Argentina
63. Albania
64. Tunisia
65. Macedonia
66. Saudi Arabia 67. Colombia
68. Qatar
69. Indonesia
70. Botswana 71. Peru
72. Oman
73. Morocco
74. Honduras
75. South Africa 76. Ghana
Source: Starrfmonline.com
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Top 7 Least Educated African Presidents
Afrikan
Post
1. Jacob Zuma- Republic of South Africa
Zuma received no formal schooling. The debate surrounding South African president Jacob Zuma’s lack of formal education has been a hot discussion topic for years.Prince Mashele, CEO of the Forum for Public Dialogue, has been critical of Zuma’s lack of formal education and argued that Zuma is not fit to rule.In December 2012, Mashele said the following about another Zuma term in office: “The rainbow nation of Nelson Mandela will disintegrate, under the weight of a corrupt government, led by people who build large compounds in Nkandla”. Others disagree. Vusi Shongwe, who worked in the office of the KZN premier, said he believed that the negativity over Zuma’s leadership is largely unjustified.“For all his faults and foibles, he remains a leader people from all walks of life can easily relate to,” said Shongwe.
2. Joseph KabilaDemocratic Republic of Congo
Guelleh was born in dire Winning DR Congo’s first Dawa, Ethiopia, into the democratic elections in more politically powerful than 40 years at the tender Mamassan subclan of the age of 35 gave him the legit- Issa Clan. When Guelleh was imacy to stamp his authority younger he attended a tradion the country and move out tional Islamic school. In the of his father’s shadow. late 1960s, Guelleh migrated Joseph Kabila went on to get to Djibouti before finishing further training at the PLA high school. He later joined National Deffense the police, becoming a junior University, in Beijing, non-commissioned China. Apart from these the officer.The Highest level of only academic Certificates formal academic education known to be held Joseph known to be attained by Kabila is High school Guelleh is secondary school Certificate. although He received training from the Somali National Security Service and then from the French Secrete Service, and was intended to become his uncle’s successor. “The key to Guelleh’s success is the skillful way in which he has played the cards in his strong hand”, according to PINR. Yahya Jammeh – Gambia
In 1983 he passed the General Certificate of Education (GCE 0′ Level) with Credits in Geography, English, French, Biology and Physics. Also obtained passes in Chemistry and Oral English. Jammeh joined the Gambian National Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz – Army in 1984, was commissioned a Lieutenant in 1989, Mauritania and in 1992 became comHe joined the Royal Military mander of the Gambian Academy of Meknes, Moroco in Military Police.He received 1977 and, after a string of proextensive military training in motions, established the elite neighboring Senegal and at BASEP (Presidential Security United States Army school. Battalion). He played a key role in suppressing an attempted coup in June 2003 and a military uprising in August 2004. He received Mauritania’s highest military award for his role in stopping the 2004 uprising. He has earned much credit for his work however Abdel Aziz is one of the least educated African Presidents.
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3. Presdient Ismaïl Omar Guelleh – Djbouti
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Mohammed Morsi, Egypt's Ex-Leader, Sentenced To Death
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6. Paul Kagame – Rwanda
Kagame began his primary education in a school near the refugee camp, where he and other Rwandan refugees learned English and began to integrate into Ugandan culture. At the age of nine he moved to the respected Rwengoro Primary School, around 16 kilometres (10 mi) away, graduating with the best grades in the district. He subsequently attended Ntare School, one of the best schools in Uganda.It is also the alma mater of future Ugandan President Yoweri Museweni The death of Kagame’s father in the early 1970s, and the departure of Rwigyema to an unknown location, led to a decline in his academic performance and an increased tendency to fight those who belittled the Rwandan population. He was eventually suspended from Ntare and completed his studies without distinction at Old Kampala Secondary School. Kagame, did not further academic his education since then.
An Egyptian court has pronounced death sentences on ousted president Mohammed Morsi and more than 100 other people over a mass prison break in 2011.
Morsi is already serving a 20-year prison term for ordering the arrest and torture of protesters while in power.
Egypt's religious authorities will now have to give their opinion before the sentence can be carried out.
Morsi's supporters from his Muslim Brotherhood movement have described the charges against him as "farcical".
He was deposed by the military in July 2013 following mass street protests against his rule.
Since then, the authorities have banned the Muslim Brotherhood and arrested thousands of his supporters.
In a separate case on Saturday, an Egyptian court banned hardcore football fan clubs known as the Ultras, who played a leading role in protests during the 2011 uprising against then-president Hosni Mubarak. At the scene: Sally Nabil, BBC Arabic, Cairo
Inside the dock, Morsi and members of his Muslim Brotherhood group chanted, "Down with military rule!" after the judge read out his ruling against him.
The judge's request for the death sentence in connection with the jailbreak case was referred to the grand mufti, a high religious cleric, for ratification.
President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir – Sudan
Omar Hassan Ahmad alBashir did his Primary school in the village of Hoshe Bannaga and his secondary education in Khartoum, apart from these there is no evidence of any other academic qualifications accredited to Omar Hassan.
However, the mufti's recommendation is not binding. Even if he advises against the death sentence, the judge can still go ahead with it.
The Brotherhood issued a statement condemning the sentence and called for an escalation of protests.
But the tight security grip in Egypt means that it is highly unlikely to see mass demonstrations.
Hundreds of Brotherhood supporters are already behind bars, while others are keeping a low profile for fear of a crackdown. Source: http://www.bbc.com/news
Britain Now Has Enough MPs Of African Heritage To Form The Fourth Largest Party In Parliament
Afrikan
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their ethnic identity with pride: Guyanese-born Bernie Grant turned up for his inauguration as MP wearing the full West African ‘agbada’ of his ancestral homeland, Paul Boateng is of Ghanaian origin (and later went on to become Britain’s high Commissioner in South Africa) and Diane Abbot was married to a Ghanaian. These MPs were very vocal in voicing their support for African causes in the House, and were instrumental, alongside others, in keeping the issue of South Africa in the forefront of Parliament’s consciousness.
Britain's opposition Labour Party Business Secretary Chuka Umunna is running for party leadership(Reuters/Suzanne Plunkett)
This week Chuka Umunna launched a bid to become the leader of UK’s second largest political body, the Labour party. The South London-born MP has been the shadow Business secretary for the past 3 years. In this time, he has cemented his status as a rising star of the party, so much so that his candidacy is said to be strongly supported by Labour’s former Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
If prime minister David Cameron had lost the election and resigned his post as Conservative Party leader, it was expected that one of the main contenders would have been Adam Afriyie. It is therefore quite possible that these two gentlemen–sons of Nigerian and Ghanaian immigrants respectively—may yet find themselves on opposite sides of the British House of Commons’ famous dispatch box at some time in the not too distant future.
Umunna and Afriyie are part of what is now a record number of African-origin Members of Parliament (MPs) in UK’s elected House of Commons. Together, this bloc of 12 MPs would be the country’s fourth largest political party. These members of parliament, who are mostly British-born second-generation chilldren of African immigrants, are Helen Grant, Chi Onwurah, Kate Osamor and Chuka Umunna (all of Nigerian origin – Grant and Umunna self-identify as being mixed race on account of having one white parent), and Adam Afriyie, Kwasi Kwarteng and Sam Gyimah (who are of Ghanaian origin). James Cleverly is of Sierra-Leonean origin. There are also four Asian-African Members of Parliament – Shamlesh Vara and Priti Patel (Ugandan), Paul Uppal (Kenyan) and Suella Fernandes (Kenyan/Mauritian). African pride
The march of Africans into the house of Parliament is indicative of the demographic shifts in the British populace. In total, there are now 37 Members of Parliament who are identified as being from ethnic minority backgrounds (out of a total of 650, i.e. just under 6% – compared to 12% of the total population). This is a steady increase since the first ethnic minority members of parliament were elected in 1987. Late Labour MP Bernie Grant(AP Photo/Pool)
Back then, the famous four of Dianne Abbott, Paul Boateng, Bernie Grant and Keith Vaz, all of the Labour party’s radical left wing, were trailblazers inmore ways than one. They wore
The steady increase in numbers of MPs of African origins since the 1997 election has been particularly striking, with the Conservative Party in particular having made most strides to increase its numbers, and ostensibly, through them to capture where possible, the increasingly valuable ‘ethnic’ vote. David Cameron’s decision to appear at a major Nigerian church festival with nearly 50,000 attendees (swiftly followed by trips to a Sikh Gurdwara and Hindu Temple) seems vindicated as it is suspected that his party attracted a sizeable portion of the African vote. It is interesting to note that the Nigerian-origin MPs all belong to the opposition Labour Party, while all the others are from the governing Conservative Party. Policy impact
It is uncertain that this increase in African-origin MPs will have anything but symbolic impact to African interests in Parliament. Unlike the 1987 group, the current cohort of African MPs seem to more naturally occupy the centre-ground (some a little to the left, others a little to the right, with the odd exception such as Priti Patel who is so rightwing she could comfortably wear David Beckham’s number 7 shirt). In the last 5 years, only Adam Afriyie of them has raised any questions in the House of a specific African interest (he expressed an interest in the impact of UK aid in education on Sub-Saharan African children).
As the MPs belong to different parties, and are good party-apparatchiks, who see to want to minimize, rather than amplify, their ethnicity as a defining feature, it would be fanciful to expect them to work together. It would however be quite impactful if their presence could see the emergence of a specific UK-African agenda with other interested MPs – given the historical ties that UK has to Africa, it is not difficult to see how this could be of immense mutual benefit. That said the United States has had a president of direct African lineage for over six years and many argue Barack Obama has done little to benefit US-African policy.
Nevertheless, it is quite clear that with the African population being the fastest growing in the UK, there are soon bound to be even more African origin MPs in the world’s oldest active democratic institution.
Source: http://qz.com
May 2015
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Chinese Caught Manufacturing 3 Million Fake Condoms For Nairobi Three million fake condoms confiscated in Shanghai
Shanghai police busted an illegal # condom workshop on Tuesday, and confiscated about 3 million fake condoms.
The fake goods were all produced inside the wellequipped workshop, and were sold online under big name brands such as Durex and Jissbon to small hotels.
While the online cost was only 0.1 yuan ($0.016) per item, the hotels made a hefty profit by selling them to customers for around 3 yuan ($0.5), according to Xin’an Evening News.
Zhang Wenliang, a Shanghai police officer on the case, explained that the issue was more than just about using fake branding.
“The materials used in these products are of very low quality, and have a disgusting smell,” said Zhang, “Heavy metal elements were tested in them, which are very harmful to the human body.”
The case involved over 12 million yuan ($1.9 million) at large. Up to eight municipalities and provinces in China, including Shanghai, Guangdong and Shaanxi, have seen the fake condoms circulating. Police have taken down nine similar workshops across the nation, while investigations are ongoing.
The condoms were destined for Nairobi! Source:http://news2.onlinenigeria.com
Ivory Coast boy smuggled to Spain inside suitcase
Afrikan
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surrounded on three sides by Morocco.
Madrid says they are integral parts of Spain and manages their borders, but Morocco claims sovereignty over the territories.
Despite being surrounded by six-metre-high fences, the enclaves have proved to be popular areas for migrants to try to cross into Europe from Africa.
An eight-year-old boy has been smuggled into Spain from Morocco inside a suitcase, Spanish police say.
The boy, Abou, was found inside the case being carried by a 19-year-old woman into Ceuta, a Spanish enclave next to Morocco, on Thursday.
When police opened the case, they found the boy in a “terrible state”, a spokesman for the Guardia Civil told AFP. The boy, from Ivory Coast, is now in the care of authorities in Ceuta.
The Spanish newspaper El Pais reported (in Spanish) that the 19-year-old is not related to the boy, and was paid by his father to carry the suitcase.
The boy’s father lives in the Canary Islands and had hoped to be reunited with his son, El Pais said.
The Spanish news agency Efe said the
boy’s father, also named Abou, had travelled back to Ivory Coast to pick him up, having moved to Gran Canaria in 2013.
The father then reportedly paid the Moroccan courier to carry the suitcase. A police spokesman told Efe: “She seemed to hesitate, and it looked as though she didn’t want to come through the border.
Human Rights Watch says at least 4,300 people entered Ceuta and Melilla illegally in 2013, compared to 2,804 the year before.
In February last year, hundreds of migrants stormed the fence in Melilla in one day, with around 100 managing to make
Nigerian Witch Doctor Sentenced to 14 Years Imprisonment in the U.S. May 2015
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Fifty-eight-year-old Nigerian man, Christopher Omigie, who is a selfacclaimed witch doctor, has been sentenced to 14 years in a US federal prison for providing drug traffickers with magical and "supernatural" protection.
At a court hearing on April 30, prosecutors told the presiding judge, Judge Marcia Crone, that Omigie presented himself to drug traffickers as a witch doctor who had the powers to prevent them from being arrested while they smuggled banned drugs and was paid "hundreds of thousands of dollars" to give supernatural protection from law enforcement.
"Omigie was consulted by drug traffickers in the Cesar Barrera and David Bazan drug trafficking organisations on a daily basis and before, during and after each drug transaction.
"The supernatural protections rendered involved card readings, massages (by Omigie) with magic ointments, cutting of the skin with razor blades and the topical application of magic powder, the use of magic amulets, magic belts, magic coconuts and magic rocks (that those being treated were required to talk to)."
http://www.thisdaylive.com
it into the enclave.
“At first we thought that there could be drug packages, but gradually discovered that it was a human body.”
The boy’s father travelled across the border an hour-and-a-half after his son. At that point, Efe said, he was detained by border guards. Fenced off
Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, sit on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, and are each
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16
Man Buys Dresser, Finds Treasure Inside
MISSOURI CITY, TX -You never know where you'll find hidden treasure. For a Bellville man, it was in something he bought at an estate sale, much to the delight of the item's previous owners.
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Homeless Man Discovers Forgotten Bank Account
Emil Knodell, who buys antiques and collectibles as a hobby, bought a dresser at Premier Estate Sales in Missouri City on Saturday. As he was loading up the dresser to take it home, he heard what sounded like a slot machine inside.
"He asked for help loading it," said Jeff Allen, of Premiere Estate Sales. "As soon as we laid it down, it started making all this racket on the inside."
When they looked a little more closely, they found in one of the drawers gold and silver coins, diamonds and emeralds, gold jewelry, war medals and lots of family valuables.
"When you look at the front of it, it looks like it has three obvious drawers with molding on the base, but the bottom has a secret drawer that opens up," Knodell told ABC News.
Premier Estate Sales then contacted the original owners, who had no idea about the treasure that was in the dresser, but were excited to learn about the find.
"I bought the chest drawers. I didn't buy those things. If I kept them, I would never feel right about it. There would be a cloud over the whole thing. It's a feeling more than anything else," Knodell said.
Mom Conceives Twins From Two Dads
All of the items in the drawer will be given back to the dresser's owner .
A New Jersey woman found out that her twins had been fathered had fathered one of the twins, who are now toddlers. The by two different men in a Passaic County paternity case. original partner, identified as A.S., will now only pay child support for one of the children. The woman, identified only as T.M., was applying for public This kind of occurrence is rare, but not unheard of—a docassistance and named her romantic partner as the father of both children, the New York Times reports. In the course of testimotor testified that 1 in 13,000 paternity cases for twins ny, she admitted to sleeping with a different man about a week involve two different fathers. after she believed she had conceived the twins with her partner. Sarah Begley @SCBegley This prompted a paternity test, which revealed that each man
Co-Workers Learn They Are Mother And Daughter
An adopted Ohio woman who was searching for her biologi- while her mom had been there for 10. cal mom was left stunned after learning that the woman she "They would come in contact around the building and during events was looking for was actually a co-worker at the same compa- such as our corporate summer cookouts, parties, and using the faciliny. ties or in the hallway," she added.
La-Sonya Mitchell-Clark found out her mother's name was Francine Simmons after the state's Department of Health released birth records for those born between Jan. 1964 and Sept. 1996.
The 38-year-old, from Youngstown, searched for her on Facebook, reports WYTV.
But neither of them knew the other's true identity, reports ABC News.
Simmons, who was forced to give up her daughter after getting pregnant at age 14, said she was "still in shock" about the "amazing" development.
And Mitchell-Clark's new found sister Kamala Cummings, who works at the same business, said she "felt a sense of relief" for her mother.
And she was shocked to discover that they both in fact worked for teleservices firm InfoCision in nearby Boardman. It then clicked — and Mitchell-Clark realized that her birth "It's just amazing that all this time we're thinking about her and trymom worked in volunteer recruitment on the front desk of ing to find her and she was trying to find us, too," added her other her company. sibling Maisha Cummings.
The duo spoke for the first time in almost four decades over Mitchell-Clark, who said she'd always wanted to know who her biothe phone, where they learned that they lived just six minutes logical mom was, said her adoptive parents were happy for her. apart. "My mom and dad have always been supportive of me. (They've) And Mitchell-Clark also discovered that she had three sisters, always encouraged me to look for them. They're going to be a part of one of which also works at InfoCision. this, too," she told WYTV.
Company spokeswoman Samantha Wells described the reunion as "wonderful."
She said Mitchell-Clark had worked there for four years,
"Now, we've got a bigger extended family where we can just be together," she added.
By Lee Moran http://www.nydailynews.com
By Caitlin Keating @caitkeating
For three years, John Helinski lived in a cardboard box next to a bus stop in Tampa. But now, thanks to a newly discovered bank account and the kindness of strangers, the formerly homeless man has enough money to afford a place of his own.
Individuals including Tampa Police Department Officer Daniel McDonald and Charles Inman, a case worker with community health provider DACCO, took Helinski under their wings to help him get back on his feet – and succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.
The 62-year-old had all of his identification stolen, so when he tried to get temporary housing at Florida's Community Housing Solutions Center, they told him he needed to prove his identity.
"John was born in Poland, so it made it even more difficult for him to get new ID," McDonald tells PEOPLE. "I helped him out and said, 'We will figure this out and get you a bed.' "
The last thing either of them expected when they went to the Social Security office together was to discover that Helinski's benefits had been building up for years.
"He thought that his Social Security had been canceled," McDonald says. "But we were told it never stopped."
They arrived at Bank of America hopeful – and left in a complete state of shock.
McDonald says it was a rare moment where you ask yourself, "Did I hear that right?"
For years, Helinski lived under the radar and said he was invisible.
"I just managed on my own," he told WFTS. "Sleeping underneath the benches there and no one would see me."
Now, Helinski – who has a warm bed, a locker and a case worker – will soon have a lot more.
"He has the money now to move into his own home," McDonald says. "He deserves it. He's a very good, sweet and genuine man." http://www.people.com
Uche Jombo Welcomes Baby Boy
ISU Engineering Students Will Auction Ghanaian Folk Art Coffin To Fund Village Dam May 2015
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for a dam and irrigation system for local fields. They gathered as much data on rainfall, weather and topography as possible, and identified areas appropriate for dam construction. Artwork created
The actress on May 3, 2015 welcomed her first baby with husband, Kenny Rodriguez in the United States. The mother and the baby are said to be in good condition.
Read more: http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/
Ghanaian Musicians and their Real Names
Shatta Wale – Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jnr Sarkodie – Michael Owusu Addo Keche Pa – Joshua Ampah Keche De – Andrew Cudjoe Kwaw Kese – Emmanuel Botchway Kaakie – Grace Ocansey Tiffany – Antoinette Tiffany Owusu Bisa kdei – Ronald Appiah Guru – Nana Yaw Adjei Maradona Ruff n Smooth – Akhan Clement Baah Foh Bullet – Ricky Nana Agyemang Okyeame Kwame – Kwame Nsiah Appau D-Black – Desmond Blackmore Trigmatic – Nana Yaw Oduro Yaw Siki – Isaac Okine
K. Blinkz – Mawuli Kwaku Sopko A-Plus – Kwame Asare Obeng Obour – Bice Osei Kuffour Tic Tac – Nana Kwaku Okyere Duah Eazzy – Mildred Ashong Mzbel – Berlinda Nana Akuah Amoah Samini – Emmanuel Andrews Samini Mugeez – Rashid Mugeez Paedae – Faisal Hakeem Stonebwoy – livingstone E. Satekla Efya – Jane Awindor Becca – Rebecca Acheampong Atumpan – Elinam Frank Cobinnah Castro – Theophilus Tagoe Tinny – Nii Addo Quaynor Obrafour – Kwabena Okyere Darko 4×4 – Fresh Prince – Prince Tamakloe Captain Planet – Sylvanus Dodji Jeffrey Abortion – Raphael Edem Avornyo
AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University engineering students hope that auctioning a rare work of folk art can help fund construction of an earthen dam for an African village.
The artwork is a painted coffin in the form of an ear of corn. It was sculpted by Ghana’s leading fantasy coffin artist, Eric Adjetey Anang, when he was artist-in-residence in ISU’s art and visual culture department in September.
A traditional folk art unique to the Ga people of southern Ghana, fantasy coffins are functional, customized coffins sculpted and painted to be figures or objects that represent the deceased. For example, a fisherman might have a coffin in the shape of a fish.
The fantasy coffin will be auctioned by the ISU student chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-ISU) through eBay’s “Giving Fund,” an easily accessible auction site for nonprofit fundraising. All proceeds will help fund the EWB-ISU’s project to engineer an earthen dam in Ullo, Ghana. Connections made
Serendipity best explains the unusual connection between the artist, the engineers and the small village in Ghana. After completing projects in Mali and Belize, EWB-ISU students sought a new undertaking. The nonprofit, humanitarian organization designs and implements community-driven, sustainable engineering projects worldwide.
The engineering students heard about Chris Martin, an associate professor of art and visual culture, and Tammi Martin, an ISU administrative specialist, who returned in 2010 from a two-year stint as Peace Corps volunteers in Ghana. The Martins connected them with a fellow volunteer and his wife from the village of Ullo. Located in drought-prone northwest Ghana, the village of 800 lacked a water distribution system.
“We learned there was a great need for sustainable water distribution for the community’s daily activities and for their agricultural fields,” said EWB-ISU member Joe Gettemy, a mechanical engineering major from Marion.
“Initially, we planned to construct wells. But when our assessment team arrived there last summer, the village had just learned that a government project would install a well. So, the team totally changed gears,” he said.
In talking with villagers, the students recognized the need
Meanwhile, Chris Martin, who teaches wood design, hosted Anang’s visit to campus. Anang created the ear-ofcorn fantasy coffin while demonstrating his traditional woodworking processes to Martin’s furniture design classes.
“Ghanaian fantasy coffins are exhibited in museums and galleries all over the world,” Martin said. “Anang’s work is highly sought after by collectors of contemporary ethnic art. He is recognized for keeping this art form alive.”
Anang, Martin and the College of Design donated the artwork to EWBISU to raise funds for the Ullo dam. Returning to Ghana
Although Ebola-related travel advisories in Africa precluded the engineering students from traveling to Ullo this summer, they’ll return during winter break to finish surveying, soil testing and designing.
“We have a general idea of what the dam will look like and the equipment needed to build it,” Gettemy said. “In December, about six of us will return to Ullo, gather exact data and finalize our design.”
The students have raised $5,000, but need an additional $10,000 for the first phase of the dam project. Team members are responsible for their own airfare and extraneous expenses.
The fantasy coffin will be available for bids April 20-April 30 on eBay. General information is on eBay. Bidding starts at $500. To bid, complete the online form at http://ewbisu.org/about . For additional information, contact Gettemy at 319-651-8086 or jgettemy@iastate.edu.
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May 2015
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Afrikan Post
Embrace the Fire
Her Page
al, these result from one great phenomenon, His Holy Spirit.
May 2015
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Daniel 3:13-15 tells us, “Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury,
Note that above, I said that the Holy Spirit as fire overcame as gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saywell as altered the people’s language.
The Spirit as fire comes to do two things within a child of ing to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you God. He comes to burn out every bit of sin, which in a sense do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?
is a spiritual infection acquired from the works of evil. Acting Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, as a purifying flame, the Holy Spirit has to sanctify the indi- flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music,
Dr. Miriam C. Gyimah
Spirit of the living God fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God fall afresh on me; Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me; Spirit of the living God fall afresh on me.
vidual before it can subsequently abide in him as a new and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! Christian, a born again. Additionally, as fire, the Holy Spirit But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the at times positions the Christian in tests for maturity. As such, midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will delivThe Lord uses the Spirit as fire to cause the individual to go er you from my hands?" through turmoil and hardships. These difficulties are designed
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king,
to set our world on fire where we can fight through it and "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. emerge as more mature individuals. We endure the flaming If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from
fire so that our weaknesses, shortcomings, our impurities are the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all cleansed from us so that we are gradually transformed just as king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve together in one place. And suddenly there came from gold is processed and refined by fire. your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled So while it is indeed trying and even painful, let us deter- up." (Daniel 3: 16-18)Just as Nebuchadnezzar had threatened, he
the whole house where they were sitting. And there mine to embrace the fire and not withdraw and/or resist the ordered that they be thrown into the fiery furnace, but their faith and appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing them- work God wants to do in us and with us. Let’s not say “why willingness to die for their belief in the Lord saved them. The Lord selves, and they rested on each one of them. And they am I going through this when I am working hard for God?” Jesus Christ Himself appeared in the furnace as witnessed and testiwere all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak Let’s not bemoan that we are being tripped here and there fied by their own enemies!
with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utter- when we are being faithful and advocating His word. Let’s The Bible tells us, “then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; ance” (Acts 2: 1-5). not be overcome with distress and like Naomi cry that God has and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, "Did we not Here, we see that the first revealing of the Holy Spirit, not dealt well with us (Ruth 1: 20-21). Let us rather pause for cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and
the Comforter, whom Jesus promised to the disciples, a moment and see things with our spiritual eyes. Let us cor- said to the king, "True, O king." "Look!" he answered, "I see four was in the form of a “violent rushing wind” and fire. rectly infer that our challenges have a purpose and that God is men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and This was fire that rested on each one of the one hundred actively working something out. Let us see that God’s designs the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." (Daniel 3: 24-
and twenty believers of Christ and overtook them as for us are resultantly beneficial for us. His intention is to 25)When an ungodly wicked and powerful individual attests to the only fire could. But not only did the fire rest on them, strengthen our faith and embolden us. His desire is ultimate- truth of your God, the very God that he defies, then you have no but also it overcame them by miraculously altering their ly to raise us to become greater than we could imagine, and it doubt that when you follow the path of God, trust Him and don’t collective tongues, their major communicating and wit- would do us good to remember that.The truth is that trials love yourself more than Him, He will surely bring you out of the fire
nessing tool, changing their language, where these surely will come, but how will we conduct ourselves? What and you will be vindicated, while your enemies are confounded. largely Hebrew speaking people suddenly began to will we stand for? Will we run from them, curse God as a There is a song that goes, “Jesus is a wonderful savior; He will speak in other languages that they themselves did not result of them, or behave in ways which would rather illustrate carry you through;…He will carry you through until the battle is
understand.
that we care more about ourselves than our God? Will we lose done and the victory is won my father will carry you through; o my The Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of God, is gener- our religion or will we embrace the fire? precious brother, when the world’s on fire, you’ll need Jesus to be ally represented in three forms: water, wind and fire. Shall we recall the three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach your savior. He will hide you ever in the Rock of Ages, in the Rock But here, in the Spirit’s introduction to the new saints, and Abednego? Shall we recall how they were threatened of Ages, He will cleft for you.
fire positioned itself as the transforming symbol. Fire is with actual fire, as in burning alive in a great furnace simply It is true that The Rock of Ages will always cleft for you just as such a complex element. It is at once a representation because they would not bow down to the golden image He did for the three Hebrew boys, Daniel, David, Moses, Abraham, of good but then also ofevil. Fire cleanses, it purifies, Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian emperor, had created? What Deborah, Naomi, Ruth and many, many more. When your beliefs in but it also burns, singes, causing severe and excruciat- exactly did they face? They faced opposing a great supper God are challenged, when your actions according to His word are ing pain and anguish. Fire can renew, help give birth, power of the world. They faced national and possibly interna- criticized and attacked, when your life takes a turn towards frustrayet it can also cause death. While fire has these contra- tional humiliation. They faced losing their lives in a treacher- tion, bitterness and overwhelming challenges simply because you dicting purposes, for God, His intention of this element ous and most excruciating way by being burned alive. They are a Christian working in His kingdom, take a moment and see it for
in regards to His loved ones is for us to be purified, could have convinced themselves that, “hey, after all, even if what it is. Your world is on fire, but don’t abandon your faith and refined, and transformed. These can only happen when we bow with our knees, our hearts are still with God. It’s okay position in God and His word. Embrace the fire and know that your we embrace the fire. if we bow down to the image and feign worshipping it as long God will bring you through. Embrace the fire and know that the When God wants us to embrace the fire, He certain- as it will preserve our lives where we could continue worship- experience of it will strengthen you and refine you. ly is not talking of the fire represented in hell’s flame, ing God and even do great things in the future for
the eternal death of hell. Far from it. God wants His Christendom.” Yes, they could have rationalized. They could loved ones as far away as possible from that damning have found a way to preserve their lives. However, what were
inferno. However, when He wants us to embrace the they determined to do? What had they resolved as believers fire, he speaks of two things, empowerment and renew- and worshippers of the Most High God?
English
Once upon a time, a group of 50 people attended a seminar. Suddenly the speaker stopped and started giving each person a balloon. Each one was asked to write his/her name on it using a marker pen. Then all the balloons were collected and put in another room. Now these delegates were let in that room and asked to find the balloon which had their respective names written on within 5 minutes. Everyone was frantically searching for their names, pushing and colliding with each other, and there was utter chaos. At the end of 5 minutes, no one could find their own balloons. Now each one was asked to randomly collect a balloon and give it to the person whose name was written on it. Within minutes everyone had their own balloons. The speaker began: "This is exactly what is happening in our lives. Everyone is frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing where it is. Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Help them Find their happiness and you will get your own happiness too. And this is the purpose of human life... Learn to put a smile on one's face, and U will also smile in due season. In USA when couples are going to bed, you hear 'GOODNITE, MY DEAR'. In Britain, you hear ' GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART. I LOVE YOU' In Australia, you hear 'SWEET DREAMS DARLING' In Africa, you hear 'HAVE YOU LOCKED ALL THE DOORS AND THE WINDOWS?'
SMALL MISTAKE BIG TROUBLE
A Baker was asked to print 1st John 4:18 on a wedding cake and he forgot the “1st” and printed John 4:18.
1st John 4:18 reads "There is no fear in love. But perfect love cast out fear, because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.”
John 4:18 reads "For you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband."
Stay blessed
"African Education system has surprising outcomes. The smartest students pass with 1st Class and get admissions to medical and engineering schools. The 2nd Class students get MBAs and LLB’s to manage the First Class students. The 3rd Class students enter politics, and rule both 1st and 2nd Class students. The Failures join the army and control politicians who, if they are not happy with, they kick or kill them. Best of all.....those who did not attend any school, become prophets, and everybody follows them." Think about it
Joke Center
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Please learn something small about AFRICA DO YOU KNOW
1. The Gambia has only one university. 2. Equatorial Guinea is Africa’s only spanish speaking country. 3. South Africa is the most visited African country. 4. Nigeria has the richest Black people in Africa. 5. Samuel Eto’o is the highest paid Footballer of all time, he received about £350,000 weekly in Russia in 2011. 6. A person from Botswana is called a Motswana, the plural is Batswana. 7. A person from Lesotho is called a Mosotho. 8. A person from Niger is called a Nigerien. 8. A person from Burkina Faso is called a Burkinabe. 9. Nigeria has won more football cups than England. 10. Zimbabwe’s President, Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the world’s most educated President with 7 degrees, two of them are Masters. 11. Al-Ahly of Egypt is the richest club in Africa. 12. Didier Drogba is Chelsea’s highest goalscorer in European competition. 13. Johannesburg, South Africa is the most visited city in Africa. 14. Zinedine Zidane wanted to play for Àlgeria, but the selector rejected him, saying they are already many players like him in the team. 15. President Jacob Zuma was given a special award by Fifa for refereeing on Robben Island during his years as a political prisoner. 16. President Robert Mugabe was jailed for 11 years for fighting for freedom. 17. President Robert Mugabe is Africa’s oldest Head of State and the world’s second oldest Head of State. He was born in 1924. 18. The Seychelles are the most educated Africans. Seychelles’ literacy rates (Adult: 92%, Youth: 99%) Zimbabwe is 2nd (Adult: 91.2%,Youth: 99%). 19. Rwanda is a better country for gender equality than England and USA. 20. Somalia got its first ATM on
October 7, 2014. 21. South Africa has the most Grammy award winners in Africa. 22. Ethiopia has the most airports in Africa. 23. Ethiopia’s economy is growing faster than China’s. 24. Eritrea’s President, Isaias Afwerki is the least richest President in Africa. 25. Ethiopia is Africa’s oldest independent country, it has existed for over 3,000 years without being colonised. 26. Haile Selassie 1 was the 225th and last Emperor of Ethiopia. 27. Nigeria has the most monarchs in the world. 28. Angola has more Portuguese speakers than Portugal. 29. President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos has ruled Angola since 1979. 30. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is Africa’s longest serving Head of State. He has ruled Equatorial Guinea since August 3, 1979 when he overthrew his uncle, Francisco Nguema. His son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue is his Vice President and will succeed him if he resigns. He started ruling Dos Santo 31. George Weah of Liberia is the first man to win World, European and African footballer of the year in the same year. 32. Swaziland is the only remaining absolute mornach in the world. 33. The Gambia is the smallest country in Africa followed by Swaziland. 34. King Sobhuza ll of Swaziland took the longest time in reigning Swaziland, 62 years as he was crowned in 1921 and died in August 1982 at the age of 83 years. 34.1. King Sobhuza II of swaziland, married 70 wives, who gave him 210 children between 1920 and 1970. 35. Zimbabwe is the only country in the world were almost everyone was a billionaire at one point
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ZIMBABWE’S PRESIDENT MUGABE – The World’s Most Educated President 2015 In 1955, Mugabe moved to Northern Rhodesia. There, he taught for four years at Chalimbana Training College while also working toward his Bachelor of Science degree in economics through correspondence courses with the University of London. After moving to Ghana, Mugabe completed his economics degree in 1958.
Education has been proved to be and holds the key to life and Zimbabwe`s very own President Robert Mugabe tops as the most educated President the World has ever seen.
Zimbabwe also has a very high literacy rate, one of Zimbabwe`s pride.
Love or hate Mugabe let facts be facts and let them be told, a lot of people envy him.
Mugabe is a qualified teacher, he has a qualification in Economics, he is a lawyer, he has master of laws from the University of London’s external programme, he obtained a BA degree in 1951 from Fort Hare University in South Africa, amongst other qualifications.
At 90 Mugabe leads Zimbabwe, he still has a spring in his stride, he is very eloquent. Coming to the English language the man speaks the Queen`s language better than the rest of the World. Dictator, thug, thief, murderer, ruthless, demented, ferocious, the most dangerous person, destroyer, wife snatcher, die hard, diamond thief, selfish are some of the words used to describe the man.
President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, the world’s most educated president as well, was born on February 21, 1924, in Kutama, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), just months after Southern Rhodesia had become a British Crown colony. As a result, the people of his village were oppressed by new laws and faced limitations to their education and job opportunities. Although many people in Southern Rhodesia went only as far as a grammar school, Mugabe was fortunate enough to receive a good education. He attended school at the local Jesuit mission under the supervision of school director Father O’Hea. A powerful influence on the boy, O’Hea taught Mugabe that all people should be treated equally and educated to the fulfillment of their abilities. Mugabe’s teachers, who called him “a clever lad,” were early to recognize his abilities as considerable.
Mugabe holds seven academic degrees from South Africa’s Fort Hare University, University of South Africa (Unisa) and University of London. Six of Mugabe’s university degrees were actually earned while he was doing distance learning and of the six, he got two of them while he was in prison. The seven hard-earned degrees cover a broad range of disciplines including education, economics, administration, and law.
Over the course of nine years, President Mugabe studied privately while teaching at a number of mission schools in Southern Rhodesia. Mugabe continued his education at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and English in 1951. Mugabe then returned to his hometown to teach there. By 1953, he had earned his Bachelor of Education degree through correspondence courses.
Mugabe is, a genuine university graduate having obtained a BA from the University of Fort Hare in 1951. He subsequently earned six further degrees , including a BAdmin and BEd from the University of South Africa and a BSc, bachelor of laws, MSc and master of laws from the University of London’s external programme.
The two law degrees were earned while he was in prison and the MSc while leading the Zimbabwe government
People have used Mugabe`s name to enrich themselves, he has been blamed by murderers to claim they are working for him but when these crimes take place he is not even aware of them.
Let`s just say the man has been unfortunate to have been let down by his very own people and he gets the insults. Mugabe has a way of capturing attention during his speeches and has a way of cracking jokes in between. Journalists scramble to take shots of Mugabe in Rome Journalists scramble to take shots of Mugabe in Rome
For those who follow Mugabe`s stories many would have noticed that he used gatherings to hit back at the West and his enemies or haters, where he mentions them and sends out his intended messages yet he can be quiet when many are talking and spreading rumours.
Many have spread rumours that he died but the man will surface and is seen continuing to serve his country. Old age is another topic that is always on the World`s agenda but he has soldiered on and if compared to many his age or half of his age who are already in nursing homes Mugabe deserves credit.
Age is a number which does not limit someone`s brains or abilities so people should not get away with saying I am old I cannot work and go on benefits. ACADEMIC DEGREES:
Bachelor of Arts (History and English) (BA) degree from the University of Fort Hare (1951) Bachelor of Administration (B.Admin) from University of South Africa (Unisa) Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) from the University of South Africa (Unisa) Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Economics from University of London Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from University of London Master of Laws (LL.M) from University of London Master of Science (MSc.) in Economics from University of London
The two law degrees were earned while he was in prison (between 1964 and 1975) and the MSc while leading the Zimbabwe government after independence. REVOKED HONORARY DEGREES:
Honorary LLD degree from University of Edinburgh (1994),
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which was however revoked in June 2007. Honorary LLD degree from University of Massachusetts (1986), which was also revoked in June 2008. Honorary LLD degree from Michigan State University (1990), and was revoked on 12 September 2008. HONORARY DEGREES:
Honorary LLD degree from Ahmadou Bello University (Nigeria) Honorary LLD degree from Morehouse College (Atlanta, Georgia) Honorary LLD degree from University of Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe) Honorary LLD degree from St. Augustine’s University (Tanzania) Honorary LLD degree from Lomonosov Moscow State University (Russia) Honorary LLD degree from Solusi University (Zimbabwe) Honorary D.Litt. degree from Africa University (Zimbabwe) Honorary D.Civil Laws degree from University of Mauritius (Mauritius) Honorary D.Com. degree from For Hare University (South Africa) Honorary D.Tech. degree from National University of Science and Technology (Zimbabwe) Honorary D.Phil (African Heritage and Philosophy) degree from Great Zimbabwe University (Zimbabwe) They should learn from him before he dies otherwise he will take his secret to the grave.
Other facts of life to learn from Mugabe are one should eat healthy food and stay away from junk, engage in sports and stay away from women, that`s why Mugabe stands tall and alive at 90 while 30 year olds are dying from AIDS.
Journalists scramble to take shots of Mugabe in Rome
http://www.africacradle.com/
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REV. EMMANUEL T. AGORMEDA @ 40
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The Royal House Chapel International, Maryland treated their Senior pastor with a Special Birthday Party in his honor on Sunday May 10th at the Martins Crosswinds in Greenbelt , Maryland. This was the occasion of his 40th Birthday celebration. The festivities began with Gospel Concert for him that on Friday evening organized by the Church’s music ministry. Rev. Emmanuel Agormeda on Saturday May, 9th paid a visit to a local shelter in the community to minister to the residents and bless them with various dishes. The man of God prayed , counseled and offered words of encouragement to the residents . He rounded up the day by attending a special birthday bash organized by his congregation. He was given a deserving royal welcome with colorful kente clad traditional dancers as he was ushered into the auditorium . In attendance were a host of ministers including Bishop Darlington Johnson of Bethel World outreach Ministries and the Founder and General overseer of Royal House Ministries international Rev. Sam and Mrs. Korankye Ankrah
The grand Entry of Rev. Agormeda
Rev. and Mrs. Agormeda on the Dancing Flooor
Rev. Sam and Mrs. Korankye Ankrah praying for the Couple
Birthday Guests
Family,friends and Well Wishers
A Special Presentation to Rev. Agormeda
Rev. Agormeda ministering and serving at the Shelter on Saturday May 9th, 2015
Rev. and Mrs. Agormeda
Rev. Emmanuel and his team at the Mission of Love Charities in Maryland
Mariatu Kargbo And The Story Of Global Former President Of Ghana Gives DSU Commencement Health College
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Higher Education Act. This gave our RN students the opportunity to apply for financial aid” she says. And most recently in April 2015 the Department of Education granted GHC the approval to offer financial aid to our RN to BSN students who apply and qualify.
According to the school, “the new state-of-the-art facility offers spacious classrooms, comfortable student lounge with Wi-Fi, a comprehensive library of online nursing journals and books, fully equipped simulation labs and access to a computer laboratory and onsite technical expertise.”
“We have always been welcomed by whatever community we find our school in. Today we are very excited about our new facilities and the new location we are at in Alexandria, VA. The reception within the community here has been very warm, which is why we are encouraging all to stop by and take a tour of our campus by calling (+)1866-440-3535 to schedule a time” The rain drizzled down on the Mariatu says. Delaware State University football stadium as John Kufuor addressed The School’s Gateway to Nursing, a new prosome 500 graduating students and gram uniquely designed to provide individuals exhorted them to join the global fight interested in a nursing career with the opportufor good. nity to do just that in a space of 18 months, aims to introduce dedicated students to a new "The world you are about to enter is career in nursing. “We do this by providing a vastly different than the world your detailed path which leads from Nurse Aide parents entered into when they came (NA) through Medication Aide (MA) to into adulthood," Kufuor said. Practical Nurse (PN)” says a representative of "Mankind has at last come to realize the college. the vision of a global village."
The mission of GHC according to its President and Founder, Mariatu Kargbo, is “to prepare nurses as critical thinkers and life–long learners in today’s changing healthcare environment to enable them function effectively in a most professional manner”.
Elaborating further on the Gateway to Nursing program, Kathleen Litschgi; Director of Marketing for the school tells this writer that financial assistance is also provided to students who apply and qualify, and because Global Health College is committed to the success of every student that is accepted into it, they also “provide a mentor to guide them through the journey”.
On the 8th of April in 2015, the Mayor of the City of Alexandria; Bill Euille, and Councilwoman Del Pepper performed a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 6101 Stevenson Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia that formally opened the new campus of Global Health College (GHC) in the state of Virginia in the United States of America (USA).
As a health education institution, GHC offers several career tracks including: Nurse Aide Program, Practical Nurse Diploma Program, Registered Nurse Associate Degree Program, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Program.
Mariatu is a native of Sierra Leone in West Africa and a graduate of George Mason University in Virginia USA where she received several degrees including: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Bachelor’s Degree in Registered Nursing and a Master’s Degree in Family Practice Nursing. Additionally, Mariatu also holds a Law Degree from Concord Law School of Kaplan University in the USA.
GHC began as Global Health Nurse Training Services (GHNTS) in 2004 when Mariatu realized her primary interest was in teaching, something which led her to quit her job as a Family Nurse Practitioner after being employed for 6 months by the Northern Virginia Family Practice.
7 years after bringing to life her dream of founding a nursing training institution that became GHNTS, Mariatu realized in 2011 that the college’s name needed to change to Global Health College, to reflect the growth and diversity of the institution. She continued to acquire additional space on South Quaker Lane in Alexandria, Virginia to accommodate the growth of the student population and staff, and now in 2015 has expanded further to a brand new state-of-the-art facility and campus located at 6101 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA.
In May 2012, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) granted GHC full accreditation. The ACICS is incorporated in Virginia and operates from offices in the Washington DC area of the USA. That same year, Mariatu reveals that “the college was also approved for Title IV funding; a USA
There are few people in the world who could better have given that message to the students and the crowd of their proud families.
Kufuor served two terms as president of the Republic of Ghana, from 2001 to 2009. His inauguration was the first time Ghana had peacefully transferred power between democratically elected governments since the country won its independence in 1957.
Find out more about Global Health College which turned a decade in 2015, from their webSince leaving office, Kufuor has site at http://www.global.edu, or directly call served with the Economic them on phone number +(1) 866-440-3535. Community of West African States and the African Union, and he was a special United Nations Envoy on Climate Change. Today he is a leader in a long list of international organizations, and he serves as a Global Ambassador against Hunger for the UN. His visit to DSU marked the first Oral Ofori time a former head of state had African Dream addressed the university, officials there said. In addition to giving the commencement address, he also received an honorary doctorate from DSU, and he hosted a town hall session later that evening. Kufuor told the DSU students that they need to think of themselves as the leaders who will pick up the immense challenges his generation has been fighting all over the world.
Mankind has made giant strides, he said, connecting communities all over the world, making peace in many places and developing powerful new technologies in agriculture and medicine. But too many people, he said, are struggling with poverty and hunger, diseases like AIDS and Ebola still cause widespread suffering and global warming threatens to make devastating natural disasters more common.
"The responsibility falls on the youth of today to continue the fight, to pick up the mantle of global leadership," he said.
Kufuor's speech drew a loud applause from the crowd of students and family members, but an even mightier roar came when president Harry L. Williams proclaimed the students the Class of 2015.
Despite the wet weather, families still hollered proudly when their brother or daughter or mother walked across the stage.
"It will take more than a little rain to dampen the spirits of the Class of 2015," said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper.
Though most of the students graduating were typical college age, graduates ranged from 19 to 72 years old. Doreen Griffin earned her master's degree on the same day her daughter, Jazmin Salaberrios, was awarded her bachelor's.
"I had no idea this was going to be how things would turn out," Griffin said. "I'm so proud of my daughter. It's just a wonderful day." http://www.delawareonline.com/s
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New Chief Installed At Juaso
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Royal Inauguration of Nana Basoah Antwi KUMAWU-BESORO ABEDIMISABI–OYOKO HENE
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Nana Asafoakwaa Agyei Tabi sitting in State
Nana Basoah Antwi II sitting in state flanked by Okogyeadawa Nana Nti Yeboah and Nana Bonti-Marfo, Adontenhene of Agogo Traditional Area
Nana Asafoakwaa Agyei Tabi riding in Palanquin on the Streets of Juaso The Kingmakers of Juaso Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region of Ghana selected Mr. Kwasi Agyei, a director at the Ministry Of Environment Science Technology and Innovation in Ghana as their new Chief . The New Chief who took the name Asafoakwaa Agyei Tabi swore the aoth of allegiance to the Paramount chief of Juabeng on Monday, April 20th,2015 and sat in state afterwards as the affirmed chief of Juaso at a durbar of Chiefs and people of Juaso traditional Area.
Nana Asafoakwaa Agyei Tabi admonished the people of Juaso to unite with a common purpose for the development of the town. He also pledged to open his doors for dialogue on all issues pertaining to the traditional, social and economic development of the traditional area . Juaso is the capital of Asante Akim South, a district in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.
Nana Basoah Antwi II a local community leader in the Washington Metro Area has been installed the Abedimisabi–Oyoko Hene of Besoro in the Sekyere East District of Ashanti region of Ghana. Besoro is about 25 miles from Kumasi the Ashanti Regional Capital and close to Bodomasi and Kumawu.
On Saturday May 16, Nana Basoah Antwi II was outdoored at a ceremony at the Comfort Inn in Springfield , Virginia. Chiefs and prominent Ashanti’s in elegant Kente clothes came from around the United States to support Nana Basoah Antwi. The Chiefs arrived at the ceremony amid thundering drums and the women joined and adored them with a display of adowa dances showcasing the beautiful Ashanti Culture
America School of Nursing & Allied Health
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Begin Your Nursing Education Today
Classes Offered
Nurse Aide Training Medication Aide Training Home Health Aide Phlebotomy Training Pharmacy Technician Practical Nursing (LPN)
LPN Classes start August 31, 2015 MorningMon-Thursday 8am-2pm Evening 5pm-10pm Weekend Classes Start on August 31, 2015 8am-2pm
Call 703-490-8402 or Visit us at www.asnahonline.com 14910 Jefferson Davis Highway Woodbridge, Virginia 22191 Fax: (703) 490-8403
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Sharon Laryea Miss Ghana USA 2015 Contestant
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Beneath the pale moonlight of March 10th 1991, a prayer was answered and a healthy baby girl was introduced to the world. Sharon Laryea was raised in a household that offered unending love and support. With a solid base. Sharon thrived, eventually graduating from the Krobo Girls Senior high school and a product of the University of Ghana. She is very driven, which she demonstrated as she embraced music and dance at a tender age and ended up as a member of entertainment committee in high school and used those talents to showcase herself in both church aand school choir.she has varied interests which include socializing , involvement in her community , being a service ambassador and, not surprisingly , beauty pageants.Volunteerism is her first love. Her fondness for pageants emerged when she entered and won the Miss Krobo Girls’ during her school’s 80th Anniversary. Her love for the artistry grew a passion in her to take music seriously.She begun to write her own songs and compose music as well as writing being another unhidden talent set her apart as a writing genius.she wrote poems and stories with imaginations out of this world. Never wanting to rest on those few talents , Sharon plans to further her studies in law with a focus on being an attorney mainly for women and child defense. The 24 year old is determined to make her mark through a position that will help empower women especially victims of domestic violence. Passionate , upbeat and insightful are just three words which Sharon uses to describe herself.Passionate –because she doesn’t let anything stop her; Upbeat – because she looks at any problem as a chance to gain new experiences and opportunities; Insightful ; because she shows a very deep understanding of people and situations.With a strong belief in her dreams and aspirations , Sharon will continue to strive for success, meeting every opportunity that life presents her with fervor and determination. Motivated by her love for learning and succeeding as she strive to become an outstanding and successful woman in today’s society , She got enrolled in University of Ghana to study psychology. Psychology, she chose to be her major because she had the definitive goal of becoming a lawyer someday and thought it best to study that so as to get a better understanding of human life and why we behave the way we do. Whilst in her second year, Sharon had the opportunity to move to the states to join her mum. She then again went
through Northern Virginia Community College so as to pave way to gain admission into a four year University. The next step should be law school. The Bible is the book she spends most time reading alongside inspirational books which she says ignites her vision in life. She doesn’t have a favorite author. The Person she admires most is her mother. And she says ‘ I have watched her grow stronger and stronger each day. Her positivity is what keeps me going. She is my greatest and number one cheerleader. She is the reason behind me contesting in this pageant today. She is the reason I am striving to be an international lawyer, to become the voice of the voiceless. A five year forecast of her life includes her having completed law school. In addition, she envisage herself as a representative to all women, empowering them to come out their shells and be what they want to be and helping the nation in curtailing violence amongst women and children. She also sees herself embarking on a charity outreach to help the poor and needy especially through various provision of basic needs and enhancing education in their sector.
To help Sharon embark on her journey to attain such remarkable change, you can help by sponsoring her through cash or kind. Any form of help would be greatly appreciated. All forms of sponsorship can be sent to her address or place of worship.
Details below Contact Info: 571-575-7045 or 571-5899964 Home address: 10370 launch Circle apt 303 Church Address: Ebenezer Presbyterian Church Manassas va 20109 14508 Telegraph Road ,
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GRADUATION DAY AT CHARIS BIBLE COLLEGE– Apostle Nicholas J. Paul.
t’s graduation day at Charis Bible College DC, a branch of Andrew Wommack Ministries headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Part of this year’s graduating class is God’s humble servant Nicholas Paul, affectionately called Pastor Nick by his church members. Nicholas received his ministerial license in addition to his certificate and is ready to dive fully into his calling. God called in the year of 2007 with a
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dynamic healing and prophetic ministry. In an effort to gain in depth knowledge of God’s word, to show himself approved as the Apostle Paul suggested, Nicholas decided to attend National Bible College where he graduated in 2011 and ordained by Dr. T. L. Lowery and later to Charis Bible College under the leadership of popular televangelist Andrew Wommack, where he has just graduated. He was joined by his family, friends and church members. Nicholas is the Senior Pastor of Christ Healing Global Ministries where he leads healing, teaching and prayer services every Friday night at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM.
www.christHealingGlobal.org Christhealing2010@Gmail.com 571315-7656 703-225-9295 5640 Hoadly Road Manassas VA 20112
US Based Journalist Prince Osei Bonsu Loses Father 2915. Mr Kwabena Osei Bonsu was 85 years of age.
The final funeral agreements will be announced to you in due course.
Woodbridge,22192
Prince Osei Bonsu was a former staff of the Ghana Embassy, Washington DC, former Public Relations Officer of NPP USA and Washington Metro Chapter respectively.
Pageant Information: Website: Missghanausa.com Miss Ghana Usa 2015 Venue: Alvin Alley American Dance Theatre New York City Date: July 25th,2015 Time 4:30pm Ticket: At Eventbrite.com
Formerly of Graphic Group Communications Limited - Kumasi Office, former P.R.O of Obuasi Goldfields Football Club, The editor in- chief and the publisher of the God's Time Magazine - USA, General Secretary of the Asanteman Association of Washington Metropolitan Area.
Prince Osei Bonsu, a Ghanaian freelance Journalist based in the USA, regret to announce the sudden death of his father.
The sad incident occurred at the Sunyani Government Hospital on the May, 12th,
Mr Kwabena Osei Bonsu: Papa may your soul rest in perfect peace!
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Seth Baah Affirmed As Apostle
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Apostle Seth Baah , the award winning composer, musician and Founder of Kings Temple International Church, has added another citation to his long list of achievements. On Sunday, May 3rd the man of God was affirmed as an Apostle of God in recognition of his trailblazing service in ministry at a very well attended service in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Apostle Seth Baah, has been a spiritual shepherd to many believers. Through his music and powerful 5-fold ministry gifts, he became an international icon and has ministered in Churches in Africa, Europe and across the United States of America. Apostle Seth Baah’s unique electrifying worship music style and passion for the work of God has endeared him to be a house hold name in the United States. Known for many years as prophet, the man of God was ordained in 1998 and has since earned a reputation for evangelism, music, prophecy and healing. His long list of citations and accomplishments include Best Ghanaian Gospel Artist Award and the Best Worshipper Award in 2008 and 2009 respectively. In 2010 Apostle Seth Baah set camp in Maryland and started a new Ministry which has blossomed to an established Church where testimonies abound with transformation of lives. Powerful giants in ministry, Arch. Bishop Kenneth McNatt of the Global Harvest Alliance , Bishop Frederick Nah and Bishop Fuah, graced the occasion in style and affirmed Apostle Seth Baah to the Office of Apostle at the Kings Temple Auditorium in Maryland . Apostle Seth Baah was decorated with a cloak, a sash, a cross, a ring and was handed bible and a certificate pertaining to his elevation to the new office. The Mayor of Brentwood, Maryland also graced the occasion with her presence. Other ministers including the first lady of Kings Temple, who have been raised through the ministry of Apostle Seth Baah were also commissioned to various offices. Prominent among them was Apostle-Elect Reverend George Class-Peters and Apostle-elect Julian Kyne. Kings Temple International is located at 200 Girard Street, #208, Gaithersburg MD 20877 and service times are - Sunday service, 11 AM to 1:00 PM. Bible study - Thursday 7PM to 8:30 PM, Power Arena Prayer meeting - Friday evenings from 8PM to 9PM.
Arch. Bishop Kenneth McNatt, Bishop Frederick Nah and Bishop Fuah laying hands on the new Apostle
Candidates for Elevation in the service of God
Apostle Seth Baah Ministering
Seth Baah Affirmed As Apostle
Apostle Elects Receiving Certificates of ordination from Apostle Seth Baah
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Passport DC . Around the World Embassy Tour
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Passport DC 2015 is a month-long journey around the world highlighting DC's thriving international diplomatic community and its lively and varied international culture. Celebrated annually in May, which is International Cultural Awareness Month in Washington, Passport DC is 31 days of programming by 70 embassies and more than 40 of DC's very best cultural institutions. Over 280,000 people experience the popular embassy open houses, street festivals, performances, exhibitions and workshops. Time: 10am to 4pm Participants travel the world as they experience the food, art, dance, fashion, music, innovations, and manufactured goods from different countries. More than 50 embassies opened their doors to visitors in 2014, allowing guests to pet alpacas, play with robots, learn indigenous dances, and more! Come see the world through the embassies of missions of our global neighbors. Embassies participating previously include the African Union Mission, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, League of Arab States, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Zambia. Source:http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/
Visitors trying on Ghanaian Traditional Wear
Ethiopian Embassy
Exibition of local handicrafts at the Nigerian Embassy
Friends Of John Dramani Mahama (USA Chapter) Is Inaugurated. May 2015
Friends of John Dramani Mahama (USA Chapter) was successfully inaugurated in Woodbridge, Virginia on April 25, 2015. The Inauguration was attended by hundreds of young and old people and NDC sympathizers. There were also high powered representation from Akwaaba Radio, Sankofa Radio and African Post Magazine. The well attended inauguration was performed by the former Ghana’s Ambassador to the US, Ambassador Koby Koomsom. In his Inaugural speech, Ambassador Koomsom, who also was the Chairman of the function, and a Patron of the group, recounted the history of “dumsor” back to the days of President John Jerry Rawlings and stated that when President Bill Clinton of USA visited West Africa, it was frequent lights off that made President Clinton not to sleep in Ghana. He stated that of all the countries that President Bill Clinton visited, it was only Ghana that the American President did not sleep. The reason given by the Secret Service was that due to the irregular power supply in the country, it posed a security threat to their President. The Former Ambassador therefore asked Ghanaians to be patient with President Mahama since no condition is permanent. He said President Mahama has said he will fix the energy crisis and it takes time to fix a problem that has been there since the era of President John Jerry Rawlings. He stated that the President has up to December 2016 to deliver on his 2012 manifesto and if he has said he will fix the energy crisis by end of 2015, what Ghanaians need to do is to be patient and encourage the President to deliver a better Ghana to them before he leaves office in December 2020. On his part, the Guest of Honor, Mr. Cobby Boahene, who was a former Chairman of NDC USA, praised the organizers of the event and most of all the group members who made the event a success. He was optimistic that all the hard work that members had put in place will bear fruits in the December 2016 elections. Mr. Boahene recounted all the good projects and developments in Ghana that has either been initiated or completed by President John Mahama. He mentioned the construction of the Kwame Nkrumah, Asokwa and Sofoline interchanges, the Sugar factory at Komenda, the international airports in Kumasi and Tamale, the Central markets at Tamale, Kumasi and Cape Coast, the rehabilitation of the Police, Legon, Tamale, Boltaganga, Ridge, Wa, various District Hospitals, the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, the many water expansion and treatment plants, the shoe factory in Kumasi and many more. Dr. Lawrence Appiah, Chairman of Friends of John Dramani Mahama (USA Chapter) and the Public Relations Officer of NDC Washington Metro Branch, stated that with the inauguration of the group, the train to reelect President has taken off and urged all Ghanaians and President Mahama sympathizers to join the train before it hits the high gear. He said it is better to be a friend to President John Dramani Mahama in 2015 than to be a friend to him in 2016. He told the energized group that of all the Presidential candidates born and yet to be born, President John Dramani Mahama is the most trained and most qualified to lead Ghana into the 2016 elections. He recounted the qualifications of President Mahama which include his being a three-term Member of Parliament, Deputy Communications Minister, Minister of Communications, Chairman of the National Communications Authority, Vice President of Ghana in January 2009, Care taker President in July 2012, President of Ghana in January 2013 after winning a one-touch presidential race against someone who had campaigned for 12 years. President Mahama campaigned for just 40 days to be President. This has never happened anywhere in the world, and this record is going to be in the books for a very long time. Dr. Lawrence continued by saying President John Dramani Mahama is currently the President of ECOWAS. As President of ECOWAS, he played an important role in the Ebola crisis: He was the first President to travel to the affected places (Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia) to ascertain the true facts on the ground. He was the first President who carried the Ebola crisis to the United Nations and finally, he accepted to build an Ebola Treatment Supply Center in Ghana. President Mahama has never said that somebody should die so he becomes President in an “All die be die” statement. He is a humble gentleman and speaks with clarity. He is a man of peace and recently was enstooled the Prince of Peace in the North. President Mahama has a very good vision for Ghana and a leader with a difference. He is loved by all prominent Ghanaians and leaders across the world and this is why President John Dramani Mahama is the best person to take Ghana to the next level. Dr. Lawrence concluded by saying Ghana can only move forward with President Mahama as our
Dr. Lawrence Appiah, Chairman of Friends of John Dramani Mahama (USA Chapter)
Guest of Honor, Mr. Cobby Boahene, who was a former Chairman of NDC USA
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Dr. Lawrence Appiah and Executive Oficers of Friends of JDM
Ambassador Koomsom, Chairman of the function
Ribbon Cutting ceremony to officially Inaugurate the Friends of JDM
captain and this is why they have chosen President John Dramani Mahama as their Friend and he is a friend they will keep. Mr. S. B. Agyapong, who doubles as a Patron of the group and the National Organizer of NDC USA, also thanked the group for the confidence reposed in him and assured the group that he will work hard to realize the full objective of the group. He informed the group that with hard work and perseverance, a one-touch victory will be ours in the 2016 elections and President John Dramani Mahama would be the longest democratically elected President in the history of Ghana. Amen. (Which means, let it be) For more information or to join Friends of JDM, please call: Lawrence Appiah-Osei (Protocol) Chairman Friends of John Dramani Mahama (USA Chapter) Appiah65@Hotmail.com 703-400-1621
Radio talk show host Prekese was the MC of the event
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Adansi Citizens Interact with Adansihene in the US
Adansi citizens in the East Coast of North America hosted the Adansihene Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II at two separate town hall meetings to enable the Overload update the community on traditional and developmental issues in the Adansi.
Addressing the Adansi’s onSaturday March 18, in Maryland, Nana Bonsra Afriyie II expressed his hope in the future of the Gold mining town of Obuasi which falls under his jurisdiction. He explained that, according to the AngloGold Ashanti, the mining activities was being suspended temporarily, in a restructuring exercise, to enable the Anglo Gold company, the operators of the mine, to retool and equip the mine with new machinery and that in about 18 months the mine would be back in full operation. He was however confident that the mine has enough gold reserves for the next couple of decades.
The Adansihene expressed his disappointment in the activities of “galamsay” operators which has led to the severe degradation of the environment. He advised everyone seeking to explore gold to apply for a license as a small-scale mining company (per the laws of Ghana) rather than engage in the illegal activity of “Galamsay”.
He assured the gathering of his strong “anti-galamsay” stance that he would sanction any chief in the area who encourages or makes land available for such activities. Prior to his visit to the United States he had ordered that all trenches dug by these illegal miners should be covered in order to avoid further loss of lives and degra-
Meeting With Adansiman Association Of Washington Metro
Nana Frempong-President of Adansiman Association of New York
May 2015
dation of the land.
Nana Bonsra Afriyie II, however, bemoaned the falling standards of education in the district and appealed to the Adansi’s to pull their resources together to support the various schoolsthrough donation of ICT equipment and reading materials. He said the lack of such amenities is part of the reason for the falling standards of education. He told the gathering that three senior Day-secondary schools are being constructed by the Government in the Adansi North and South, plus a 120-bed Hospital in Fomena.
He appealed to every Adansi to adopt their hometown and play a role in mobilizing resources and amenities for their respective towns.
He further advised the Washington Metro Adansi Community to revive their association since that was the only way they can collectively unite and make a meaningful impact on the lives of their communities in Ghana. On April, 25 the Adansihene carried his positive message to New York where he addressed a similar town hall meeting. In New York he assured Adansi’s of doing all within his power to work to resolve all chieftaincy disputes in Adansi to restore peace and traditional decorum. He was assured of their maximum support in addressing all issues of concern in Adansi.
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Nana was of the opinion that attitudinal change is paramount for development and has pledged to manage both human and natural resources for the development of the area.
The next leg of Nana Bonsra’s visit would be London in the United Kingdom where he would address Adansi’s at a similar town hall meeting on May 3rd, 2015 before going back to Ghana
The new Adansihene, known in private life as Mr. Kwaku Bonsra, who was an Accountant in Washington DC, USA was installed Adansihene on January 24, 2014,and swore the Oath of Allegiance to Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on February 24, 2014, ending the eight years of chieftaincy dispute in the Adansi. He succeeded Nana Ofori Agyemang II, who died on July 15, 2005.
Adansihene Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II
Adansihene and other sub Chiefs from Adansi. On his left are New York Asantefuohemaa and on his far left is the wife of the Adansi Chief
Adansiman Association of Washington Metro
Adansiman Association of New York
Meet the Illiterate Nigerian Woman Who Is A Lecturer At Harvard University
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Nike Okundaye
Not many in her homeland appear to know about her unique story. But in other lands, especially Europe and America, she is a ‘goddess’ whose works are cherished by kings and presidents. Without a doubt, the story of Nike Okundaye, the face behind the huge success story of Nike Arts Gallery, located in Lagos, Abuja and Osogbo, is as compelling as it is inspiring. At a time when young Nigerians are in desperate need of a role model and inspiration in what self-belief and hard work can achieve, Nike’s rise from the status of an unknown village girl born into a seeming insignificant family in a rustic village to a globally celebrated icon would make an A-list inspirational novel. Born in her native village of Ogidi, Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State, young Nike had high dreams about what type of future she wanted for herself. But her dreams were truncated even before they could take form when she lost her mother at age six. “I was six when my mother died,” she said with a tinge of sadness. With the blow inflicted on her dreams by her mother’s death, young Nike was taken away to live with her grandmother. At the time, many believed that by going to live with an old woman, the young girl’s future had been compromised. But events have since proved that destiny may indeed have been at work in her journey through life. She had her first contact with the world of arts through her grandmother, who at the time, was the leader of cloth weavers in the community. She said: “I come from a family of craftsmen. My parents were crafts people from Ogidi in Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State. My life as an artist is something that I was born with. I started weaving at the age of six. “I started with weaving different things, including adire, a traditional Yoruba hand-painted cloth design. As a matter of fact, I can say everything that had to do with textile. They taught me how to weave, using a little calabash. Gradually, I graduated to using bigger materials.” Though Nike was six years old and barely able to tell the difference between her left and right hands, she already had a picture of the kind of future she wanted. “My grandmother was the head of all the weavers in our community. So, even as a little child, I already had a dream that I would own a big studio when I grew up. People came from different areas to buy the cloth from her. So, at that time, I already sensed that I might not have the opportunity to go to school.” With the death of her mother, her grandmother, whose responsibility it was to look after her, did not pamper her in any form. She ensured
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that the virtue of hard work was instilled in Nike’s young, impressionable mind. At that time, young Nike, unaware of the reason behind her great grandmother’s action, would cry, believing that she was being unnecessarily punished. “I would cry and lament because I thought she was wicked and punishing me. But today, I always thank her for inculcating in me the virtue of hard work. It was through her that I learnt that you must persevere in whatever you do and never give up on your dreams.” Although she lost her mother at a time she needed her most, Nike believes that destiny might have been involved in the way her life played out, including her mother’s death. According to her, the mother was a very hard working young woman who would have spared nothing to ensure that her child got a good education up to the university level. “Even at that young age, I knew that my mother was very hard working. And I am very sure that if she had not died, she would have trained me up to university level. My father was a farmer. He also did several other things like basket weaving to supplement his income. So, definitely, I would have been educated very well if my mother had not died. “But today, I look at my childhood and all that I went through as something designed by destiny. Who knows, maybe if my mother had not died and I had gone ahead to be educated, I may never have had the kind of opportunity that I have today and may never have risen to the level that I am.” Nike never went to school to study art, the vocation that has brought her to global spotlight. Vocational training in art was passed down to her by her great grandmother, the late Madam Ibikunle. Watching her great grandmother in the art of adire textile processing and helping her out, Nike walked up the line to become an expert in adire making, dyeing, weaving, painting and embroidery. A product of the famous Osogbo Art Movement, Nike is today a world acclaimed artist and textile designer. She brings vivid imagination as well as a wealth of history and tradition into the production of adire. Her works are celebrated in major capitals of the world, with her designs exhibited in countries like the USA, Belgium, Germany, Japan and Italy, among others. Nike spent the early part of her life in Osogbo, a recognised hotbed for art and culture in Nigeria. During her stay in Osogbo, her informal training was dominated by indigo and adire. Nike’s romance with international exposure began in 1968 when she had an exhibition at the Goethe Institute in Lagos. Since then, she has grown to become a major name on the international art circuit. She is most outstanding in paintings and design of adire, beadwork and batik. Among Nike’s proudest achievements was her invitation to Italy by the Italian government in 2000 to train young Nigerian sex workers on how to use their hands to engage in creative ventures. Her invitation was as a result of complaints to the Italian government by the young Nigerians that they left Nigeria in search of work, not knowing what they would be forced into. When Nike got to Italy, she taught them skills in craft making and many of the women became self-reliant in no time and stopped their old means of income.
In 2006, she was awarded one of the highest Italian national awards of merit by the government of the Republic of Italy in appreciation of her efforts in using art to address and solve the problems of Nigerian sex workers in Italy. About two years ago, her adire painting was accepted at The Smithsonian, the world’s largest museum, located in Washington DC, US. Some of her works can be found amongst the collection of prominent personalities around the world, including the White House. While little is known about Nike and her works across the country, two former presidents of the USA, Bill Clinton and George Bush, were so enthralled by her works at various times that they sought audience with her during their visits to Nigeria. Much more than just meeting and shaking hands with the two former presidents, it was Nike that decorated George Bush’s room in Abuja during his stay in the country. These two incidents, Nike told The Nation, were some of the best things to have happened to her. She said: “When President Bill Clinton of the US visited Nigeria, he asked to meet the woman behind Nike Gallery, and I was taken to Abuja to meet him. It was the same thing with President George Bush. I was invited to meet him in Abuja during his visit to Nigeria. I was the one that decorated the room where the president stayed during the visit. What honour can be greater than this? I feel accomplished.” As an accomplished artist, Nike has taught in several universities in the US, imparting the knowledge of her traditional adire designs in thousands of eager students from across the world. Her teaching exploits, she disclosed, have taken her to revered institutions like Harvard and Edmonton in Canada. “I have lectured and held workshops in several noble institutions across the world. Some of the universities include Harvard, Columbus, Edmonton, Ohio and in Los Angeles, among others. My first experience with teaching was in 1974. At that time, I taught people with doctoral degrees.” Interestingly, all the education she had at the time, according to her, was the traditional education that parents pass onto their children. “The type of education I had at the time was the education that is passed from parents to their children, not the education you get in a classroom. It was the practical type of education,” she said with a wry smile. In 1983, she established the Nike Centre for Art and Culture in Osogbo, Osun State, where trainings are offered free of charge to Nigerians in various forms of arts. The centre was opened with 20 young girls who were picked from the streets and offered a new life in arts. So far, according to her, more than 3,000 young Nigerians have been trained at the centre. Nike OkundayeThe centre also admits undergraduate students from many universities in Nigeria for their industrial training programmes in textile design. The centre now admits students from Europe, Canada and the United States of America. International scholars and other researchers in traditional African art and culture also visit the centre from time to time for their research works on the processing of adire fabric and African traditional
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dyeing methods. But she says the true story of the gallery started in her bedroom about 47 years ago. “The gallery you see today actually started in my bedroom in 1968. In 2008, we opened the one in Lagos, and my husband was always the motivator. It was intended to give the young and old a platform to hear their voice.” As she spoke, with signs of fulfillment splashed on her face, her husband, Reuben Okundaye, a retired commissioner of police, who had remained quiet since the interview started, suddenly joined in the conversation. He said: “It is with practical education that she has continued to teach and impart knowledge into people with doctoral degrees and masters in Fine Art. Some of these people even come here under the cover of night to seek advice from her. Yet, some would say she is not educated.” Speaking about another experience, Mr. Okundaye said he once had an encounter with a prominent Nigerian who told him that his wife would have been made a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria if she was educated. Surprised, he said he took a swipe at the man, telling him his wife was better educated than most of the people that were being flaunted. He said: “You can imagine, I was discussing with one big man the other day and he said that my wife would have been made a minister if she was educated. I was angry and I asked him what he meant by that. Here is a woman who teaches people with doctoral degrees in higher institutions all over the world, yet you say she is not educated. But when the chips are down, they come to her for advice.” Asked how she feels whenever she teaches in the classroom, Nike looked up as if relishing her achievements, and said: “I feel fulfilled. It was a very high sense of fulfillment. Imagine, a little girl who grew up in a rustic village without any sign of hope for a good future. Now I stand before PHD holders and teach them. I have been invited to meet presidents of foreign countries. I think I should be proud of my little achievements and be grateful to God.” In spite of her seeming low education, she insists she has no regrets about not attending school. “I have no regrets at all. I give thanks to God for making all these things possible for me. I also thank my husband for standing by me all these years. I must confess that it was not easy coming this far. You will agree with me that for a woman to be recognised, she has to work three times harder than a man.” Reechoing his wife’s position, Mr. Okundaye said Nike could not have had any regrets, having attained the heights sought by many across the world. “You asked if she has any regrets. How can that be possible? What kind of regret was she supposed to have with all her achievements? She is fulfilled in every sense of the word,” he enthused. Expectedly, the couple was attracted to each other by their mutual love for arts. Okundaye told The Nation how it all started: “I have always been an arts lover. I have some of her works. Perhaps, like you said, maybe it was destiny that brought us together.” With a sterling career as a police officer, which saw him attaining the rank of Commissioner of Police and serving in more than four states, the couple has in the last 20 years of their coming together enjoyed the beauty of marriage and weathered the storm together. Nike, who would be 64 in a couple of weeks, has also successfully created an identity for herself. Her most treasured clothes, she confessed, are adire fabrics. And it is not surprising that she cannot remember the last time she wore anything other than that. “You may be right if you say I have created an identity for myself with my adire clothes. It is the only thing that I am known with. I don’t wear any other clothe, even when I travel out of the country,” she said. Source: http://getitrightnigerians.blogspot.com
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THE DECODED BENEFITS OF LIFE INSURANCE
Hello Reader, We’ve crossed path on this platform of information sharing again. I am excited to write this piece of literature to you. As you would recall, on the previous article, we discussed the foundation and the importance of life insurance. I trust the message has echoed in your spirit. I would like to reemphasize that life insurance policy is not just for when you are dead and your loved ones enjoy the proceeds. Rather, life insurance is protecting yourself should you suddenly face any life threatening illness such as disability or chronic or terminal illness; you can enjoy the benefits of the life insurance policy as well while still providing a financial fund stream for your family. Depending on the type of life insurance policy you have, you can also use it as an investment tool for future retirement or as an educational plan to support your children’s education. There are various uses for life insurance and it carries a tax free benefit. Now let’s talk about the various types of life insurance policies. Term life policy: provides temporary coverage with affordable premiums. Anyone can afford this type of insurance that provide security and peace of mind for yourself and your family. Though, there are various policies that ascribe to the term life insurance policies, let’s look at a specific product such as the Mortgage Protection Insurance that would have an immediate impact in your life. The Mortgage Protection Insurance policy is a term insurance that protects your house in case you suddenly become disabled or deemed chronically ill. This is not the same insurance as the Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) that you pay with your mortgage. The PMI protects the lender should you default on your mortgage. However, this Mortgage Protection Life Insurance protects YOU, the homeowner should something happen to you, your family will be able to carry on the mortgage and still enjoy the home you left behind. Whole-life policy: it is a permanent life insurance policy that provides life coverage with an investment fund. It is a policy that part of the premium goes toward building cash value from investment and pays a stated fixed amount when you are called to glory. As the policy is in force and has build up cash value, you can borrow money against the build up cash in the policy without being taxed; you enjoy this benefit while you are still living. Within the arena of permanent life policies, there are Universal Life and Variable Life. Universal life policy combines term insurance with money market type investment
that pays a market rate of return. Basically, it is a policy that has a death benefit and builds up cash value that can be borrowed from while you are still alive. Then, there are the Variable life and Variable Universal life policies that have investment fund tied to a stock or bond mutual fund investment. Life insurance policies have immeasurable benefits that can be enjoyed while you are still on earth and when you are called to glory. The essence of writing this to you is to broaden the depth of your thinking and to show you that there are wealth of information available to you for your financial planning and future. Over the years, the community has experienced sudden tragedies and over and over, it seems that we have not prepared for these events. We are a people that do not plan; we wait for events to suddenly overtake us and then we react. We need to learn the new way of emerging into the Western culture, where planning is essential. It worries and saddens me to see that we are perishing for lack of knowledge. Having a life insurance policy does not sentence you to death; it shows you take pride in your life, your future and your family that will someday succeed you. It creates and gives a peace of mind that you and your family will be taken care of in an unplanned dire situation(s) in life. Please note that this is to give you a general overview of life insurance policies. To get a complete understanding and enjoy the tax free benefits contact me for a FREE financial consultation.
Anita A. Bediako Licensed Health & Life Insurance/Financial Consulting Agent CONTACT: 571-229-6694 Email:divineconsultingmultiservices@g mail.com
The Joy of Homeownership April 2015
Anita A. Bediako- REALTOR® – Licensed in the Common Wealth of Virginia Prince William County-Local Expert CONTACT 571-229-6694; Email: abediako@pwrealty.com
It is a known fact that the best single investment one can make is owning your own home. Homeownership promotes a sense of achievement, positive self esteem and pride. It creates a sense of accomplishmentand Freedom ! The Biggest Benefit of Homeownership Homeownership makes good sense because there are tax privileges when tax time rolls around: You get the benefit of deducting the interest paid on the mortgage throughout the year. Deduct any points paid, either discount or origination fees paid on loan. You can deduct a room in your home if it is solely dedicated for home business use . The biggest advantage, though, is the fact that the principle you pay on the mortgage is like putting money in the bank, in the form of equity . Other Advantages of Homeownship Owning your home gives you an individualized approach concerning landscaping, decorating, and curb appeal, which in the process can add value to the home. You do what you please when you please to your home which renting does not provide. If you have children, they will find stability in knowing that they aren't going to have to change schools, which can be traumatic for younger children. They
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won't have to make new friends, and a sense of place becomes very real to them. Disadvantages of Renting When you rent, you do not have the flexbility to make aesthetic or cosmetic changes to the place as you please. You may be able to paint a room, but need to repaint back to the original color scheme when you move. You cannot make major structural changes or group changes such as adding flower beds or even rock gardens and waterfalls to reflect your taste. You put up with an obstinate landlord that refuses to repair things in the apartment, or just "doesn't have time." This can build frustration and stress.You help the Landlord build equity on their property and gain tax write off. I hope you enjoyed reading this article and it has provided helpful information in making your decision to homeownership a smooth one Anita A. Bediako- REALTOR® –Licensed in the Common Wealth of Virginia Prince William County-Local ExpertCONTACT 571-229-6694; Email: abediako@pwrealty.com
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FIFA Imposes New Passport Rule For World Cup Qualifiers
Stephen Keshi Appointed As Coach For The Third Time
May 2015
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Pu b lis h ed By Brigh t Ho u s e Prod u ct io n s Man agin g Ed it or G eorge Br ight- A bu Email:editor @af r ikanpos t.com A gn es Ow u s u - Brigh t CEO
FIFA has tightened player eligibility rules for the World Cup after eight African qualifying matches were defaulted for the 2014 tournament.
Amy AnsongA s s ociate Editor
FIFA regulations for the 2018 program say that only passports are “valid proof of a player’s identity and nationality.” Each player’s passport must be shown to FIFA’s match delegate the day before kickoff.
C h arles N t iam oah N im oMen s ah ( M r. CN N ) Co- P ublis her
The new rule states: “Identity cards or other supporting official documents shall not be accepted.”
Seven different African teams fielded ineligible players in qualifying group matches for the 2014 World Cup, forcing FIFA to award 3-0 wins to their opponents.
In 2013, FIFA’s competitions director pledged to “address something that obviously went wrong.”
FIFA says it “can’t speculate on what could have happened in the past should the new regulations had been in place.” Source:allafrica.com
Correspondents The “big boss” as he is popularly called has enjoyed a good run as head coach of Super Eagles as in his first spell as coach, he won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
His deal was however not renewed after a not too good outing at 2014 world cup in Brazil and failing to clinch a ticket to the AFCON 2015.
Speaking after his extending his contract, Stephen Keshi said;
“It’s a fresh start. We need the support of our fans, media and every Nigerian to return the team to where we truly belong”.
“As a coach and former player I was also hurt that we failed to qualify for the last Nations Cup.
“To succeed we all need to come together as one because Nigeria belongs to us, this is not Stephen Keshi’s team but our national team,” Keshi told BBC Sport.
Source: http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/
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