WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015 ISSUE 589
SINCE 2001
B R I TA I N ’ S N O . 1 A F R I C A N N E W S PA P E R BAME Communities still wait longer for kidney transplants
£1.00
Tough rule changes afoot for non-EU college students
SEE PAGE 6
SEE PAGE 2 Like us on Facebook facebook.com/africanvoicenews Follow us on Twitter @africanvoice2
BRITAIN PLUMMETS IN INTEGRATION LEAGUE TABLE By Alan Oakley
David Cameron’s continuing crackdown on immigration has had a negative impact on Britain’s image around the globe, according to a UK think-tank.
The Migrant Integration Policy Index is a ranking system that looks at the commitment of countries to the integration of its legal migrants; Britain has fallen 5 places in the last 5 years. The 2015 edition of the Migrant Integration Policy Index, published on June 30, by MIPEX, ranks Britain 15th overall; a drop from 10th in 2010. The drop has been caused mostly by the introduction of new controls and tougher requirements for immigrants by a government that is trying to reduce net migration. The main change has occurred in the areas of family reunion migration and path to citizenship (usually via naturalization). The index concludes that “now non-EU residents in the UK who want to invest in their integration will face greater....
Continued on page 12
Is anti-refugee rhetoric making Britain’s lost taste for integration?
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Have You Got News For Us Newsdesk: 020 3737 3077
Email: africanvoicenews@gmail.com
Malawi concludes trade talks in London
Key officials from the government of Malawi, including the Minister of Industry and Trade, Honourable Joseph Mwanamvekha and Mr Clement Kumbemba, CEO of the Malawi Investment and Trade Center travelled to London this week for a series of meetings with over 25 interested FDIs from the UK, Germany, the USA, Singapore, Latin America and China, amongst others.
Speaking in London, Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha said the mission of this trip was to understand investor requirements ahead of The Global African Investment Summit (TGAIS) that will be held in London on the 1 – 2 December 2015, where Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi will present to potential investors. “We look forward to welcoming these investors to Malawi to present their Heads of Agreements to the technical Ministries in September 2015,” said Minister Mwanamvekha.
Publisher and Editor-In-Chief Mike Abiola Editorial Board Adviser Dr Ola Ogunyemi Managing Editor Alan Oakley News Editor Peter Olorunnisomo Sports Editor Abiodun Teriba Arts Editor Golda John Columnists Milton Tella Yemi Dipeolu Photo Journalist Isaac Adegbite Graphic Designer Edward Mirza Accountant Fanla Agboola London Office: Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP
Tel: 020 3737 3077
Email: africanvoicenews@gmail.com
African Voice is published by African Voice UK.
2
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
News
Tough rule changes afoot for non-EU college students New measures affecting students from outside the European Economic Area on Tier 4 Student Visas have been announced by home secretary Theresa May. The changes, which will be presented to MPs in parliament this week, who will then vote on whether to approve the new rules, will mean more non EU/EEA Tier 4 students will be banned from working in the UK while they study and will be forced to leave the country when their studies finish.
The changes mainly affect Tier 4 students at publicly funded further education colleges who will be treated in a similar way to those at privately funded further education colleges. University students will not be so badly affected. From 12 November, students at publicly funded further education colleges will have to leave the UK before applying for Tier 2 or Tier 5 work visas, rather than being able to switch visas from within the UK. The added inconvenience to Tier 4 students is expected to have the effect of reducing the number of skilled graduates from overseas working in the UK. Also from 12 November, Tier 4 college students will be prevented from extending their visa after their course finishes, unless they begin studying at an institution with a ‘direct, formal link’ with a UK university. The time that Tier 4 students may study at a further education college will be reduced from 3 years to 2 years; even though
Sajid Javid says studying is being used as a ruse to settle in Britain
many further education courses can run for more than 2 years. From 3 August, Tier 4 Students at publicly funded further education colleges will be banned from working while they study. Currently most migrant students at colleges may work up to 10 hours per week. This will impact students from poorer countries the most, as often their families will be unable to offer financial support. In addition, new courses that Tier 4 university students may study will be restricted to those which have ‘a link to their previous course’, or which ‘support their career aspirations’, as determined by their university. From the autumn, family members of Tier 4 students (Tier 4 dependants) will be banned from taking on ‘low skilled’
work. The changes would allow dependants to take on skilled work only; effectively discriminating against students from poor countries, whose families often did not have the opportunity to gain the skills needed for this sort of work. Stricter English language requirements are also expected to be introduced for Tier 4 Visa applicants. UK immigration minister James Brokenshire says the Tier 4 visa restrictions will “stop immigration cheats abusing publicly-funded colleges”, while business secretary Sajid Javid adds: “We do not want a system where some people see studying as a motive to settle in Britain.” Experts, as well as university staff and students have criticised the new rules, however. University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies director Paul Webley argues that international students bring “talent to the UK that the country would not otherwise attract”. Webley says that “students who stay on after they finish their studies develop very strong links with the UK, and so have an understanding of and affinity for the UK that is of great long term benefit for the country.” “Britain already makes it difficult and artificially expensive for them to enter and stay, and now these proposals would eject them ignominiously when their studies are finished.” Institute of Directors Employment and Skills Policy chief Seamus Nevin also weighed into the debate, saying that the changes are “misguided”, and would damage the UK’s “economy and global influence”.
Girl Summit One Year On: New protection orders on FGM and Forced Marriage A consultation on new female genital mutilation (FGM) statutory guidance for frontline professionals, which will include details on mandatory reporting, will be launched this week, Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation Karen Bradley has confirmed.
The new guidance will help to improve the response of professionals, protect more girls at risk and increase the police service’s ability to prosecute individuals who commit this crime. It will come into force in the autumn The announcement comes as Government prepares to mark the first anniversary of the Prime Minister’s Girl Summit – the first global summit to mobilise domestic and international efforts to end FGM and child and forced marriage
within a generation. All the commitments made at the summit have now been delivered ensuring that girls at risk are now better protected than ever before. Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation Karen Bradley said: “Every girl has the right to grow up and make the most of their potential, free from the risk of FGM and child and forced marriage. That is why we have made protecting women and girls from violence and supporting survivors of sexual violence a priority. The UK has taken bold action to meet the commitments made at last year’s Girl Summit and I am proud of what we have achieved. “Things are changing, and more and more courageous women and girls are coming forward. But there is more to be done, and ending FGM and child and forced marriage will not be easy.
“This Government is clear that we will not allow political or cultural sensitivities to get in the way of tackling abuse, whatever form it takes.” Women, Equalities and Family Justice Minister Caroline Dinenage said: “The Government is committed to tackling and preventing the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation. “Protection orders are an extremely important step in making sure young women and girls who face the threat of FGM are kept safe. “These girls and the communities around them now know they will have somewhere to turn, that the law is on their side and help is out there. “We will continue to work closely with community groups and help to raise awareness of FGM. We will not stop until this horrific practice is stamped out.”
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 17 July - Thursday, 23 July 2015
3
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
News
Fake doctor jailed after treating 91 patients A woman has been jailed for 28 months after pleading guilty to falsifying documents and working as a GP when she had no medical qualifications.
Oluwadamilola Opemuyi pleaded guilty on Monday 20 July at the start of her trial at Maidstone Crown Court to a total of nine charges four of fraud, three of forgery and two of possessing an identity document illegally. Opemuyi used false documents and another doctor’s registration number with the General Medical Council, who had a similar name to hers, to apply for work. The deception was discovered when she presented prescriptions for processing at a chemists in Maidstone. Opemuyi had worked in two prisons, HMP Elmley and Swaleside and at a total of three GP practices, one in Essex and two in Liverpool. In total, she saw 91 patients. Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS South East, Jaswant Narwal, said: “We all place the highest degree of trust in doctors and rightly so, given the responsibility they have for our health. Miss Opemuyi
Oluwadamilola Opemuyi obtained another doctor’s identity to work
deliberately falsified documents to apply for jobs with GP surgeries and medical work placement agencies, when she had no appropriate training or experience. “The fact that the defendant admitted using her common sense to treat people
is deeply disturbing. Thankfully, her deception was quickly discovered before she could continue with what can only be described as a brazen, sustained and intelligent campaign of forgery and fraud to be employed in a specialist profession.” Sentencing the accused, Judge Jeremy Carey told Opemuyi: “Over a period of just under a month, and by great determination and considerable skill, you managed to get yourself to the position to persuade others you were qualified to be a GP.
“You obtained employment in a specialist profession in which the public place the highest trust when you are without training or experience. “It is said that although serious errors were made by you, and it had potentially grave consequences, an investigation has resulted in there being an outcome which doesn’t have long-term adverse implications from a physical point of view. “But I have seen a statement which bears out your criminal activities had a significant impact on the confidence in medical advisors.” The judge said despite Opemuyi’s mental health difficulties he was not being invited to make a hospital order and he must, therefore, follow sentencing guidelines. “You were intense in your determination to get to where you eventually arrived,” he said. “This is not a case where your principal aim was financial gain. “You made references to requiring unrealistic remuneration for your services but this was all part of the fantasy you were spinning for yourself as a physician. “There are aspects which are rightly characterised as bizarre. There is mitigation in one respect only, namely your mental health.”
UK Embassy in Harare launches Southern Africa regional training
Ambassador Catriona Laing
A training initiative, led by the British Expertise International, forms part of a wider Southern Africa regional capacity building programme, funded by the UK, which will benefit Madagascar, Mauritius, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The PPP training marks another milestone in UK’s confidence building measures with regards to strengthening UKZimbabwe economic ties. The British Government is keen to promote UK-Zimbabwe trade for the benefit of both countries and it is my sincere hope that some of the outcomes of this training will include:
4
• Increasing knowledge and understanding of PPP’s and help promote a more predictable business environment in Zimbabwe for UK and other foreign investors. • Enhancing Zimbabwe’s capacity in the use of PPP’s to reduce Zimbabwe market access barriers thus creating a conducive environment to unlock stagnated infrastructure projects in Zimbabwe whilst promoting exports of UK’s technical expertise. Ambassador Catriona Laing who launched the training at a ceremony in Harare said, the UK Government remains committed to supporting the aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe for a more stable and prosperous Zimbabwe.
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
5
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Health News
BAME Communities still wait longer for kidney transplants The latest Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity Report published by NHS Blood and Transplant reveals that three out of ten patients on the UK’s active kidney transplant waiting list at the end of March 2015 were from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. However, only 26% of patients who received a kidney transplant during 2014/15 were from these communities. On average, they will wait almost a year longer for a transplant than a white patient.
Last year only 553 people from BAME communities received a lifesaving kidney transplant, despite there being 1,797 BAME people currently waiting for such an organ. Kidneys are allocated according to many factors, with blood and tissue type among the most important and matching is likely to be better when the ethnicity of the donor and recipient are closer. As only a small percentage (6%) of deceased donors are from BAME communities, this can delay a suitably matched kidney being found for BAME patients.
Last year in the UK, the number of deceased organ donors from BAME communities increased slightly, but the number of people overall who donated organs after their death fell for the first time in 11 years. The number of deceased donor transplants has decreased from 4,655 in 2013/14 to 4,431 in 2014/15. This is a 5% decrease on last year and means that 224 fewer people received an organ transplant. There were 1,282 deceased donors in the UK. Only 80 of them were from BAME communities. Of those: • 32 were Asian • 20 were Black • 28 were from other ethnic backgrounds Figures from NHS Blood and Transplant reveal that families are more likely to agree to organ donation going ahead if they were aware of their loved ones decision to be a donor. In the past year there has been a slight increase in consent among BAME families. 36.5 per cent approached about organ donation said yes in 2015/15 compared to 35 per cent a year ago. Although this is encouraging progress, this figure still lags behind the consent rate seen in white families which currently stands at 60.7 per cent. Sally Johnson, NHS Blood and
Transplant’s Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation, said: “Patients from Black, Asian and some ethnic minority communities are more likely to need an organ transplant than the rest of the population as they are more susceptible to illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and certain forms of hepatitis, all of which may result in organ failure and the need for a lifesaving transplant. “Although 28 percent of patients currently waiting for a transplant are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, only six per cent of those who donated their organs after death in 2014/2015 were BAME. The figures
simply do not stack up. I urge people from BAME communities to donate their organs when and if they can. Until they do so, people from their own communities will wait longer for a transplant and may die before a donor organ becomes available. “The decreases we can see across all types of organ transplant in the UK this year will lead to more deaths if we do not reverse this trend going forward. We know there is a combination of reasons for the decreases, but we cannot hope to save more lives unless UK citizens talk about organ donation with their families and agree to donate if ever they are asked.”
PHE adjusts screening as Ebola risk declines Public Health England (PHE) is adjusting its Ebola screening arrangements as the risk to the UK from the outbreak in West Africa declines.
The latest risk assessment determined that the likelihood of further Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases being imported into the UK is very low and the risk of transmission occurring within the community in the UK is negligible due to the range of robust measures that have been put in place. Under the new arrangements, onsite screening teams will continue to be based at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, where more than 90% of people from the affected countries arrive. Birmingham and Manchester airports and the St Pancras Eurostar terminal will move to the off-site telephone screening and risk assessment arrangements already in place at all other ports of entry to the UK. At Heathrow and Gatwick, UK Border Force staff will continue to work with PHE to identify staff registered with the ‘PHE returning workers scheme’ who may have been at higher risk of being exposed to the Ebola virus and refer them for screening. Other passengers at lower risk coming through these airports will be asked to self-refer for screening. At all other ports, Border Force staff will collect information from passengers coming into the UK from an affected country which will be given to PHE for a screening risk assessment to be carried out by telephone. Professor Paul Cosford, PHE’s Director for Health Protection, said: 6
PHE will continue to screen and subsequently monitor high-risk returning workers until all 3 affected countries are jointly confirmed free of community transmission. The risk of Ebola transmission to the UK from West Africa is now significantly lower than when the screening arrangements were originally implemented in October 2014. In line with the revised risk assessments, passengers who are travelling from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, and are not high-risk returning workers, will now be asked to self-refer for screening. The risk of further Ebola cases being imported to the UK is now very low and continues to decrease due to the considerable decline in the scale of the epidemic in West Africa, the efforts of the global response to control the virus’ spread, the control measures in place in West Africa and the low number of people entering the UK from affected areas. Fewer healthcare workers returning from West Africa have had contact with Ebola cases, greatly lessening their risk of contracting the disease or bringing it back to the UK. PHE continues to proactively monitor the risks from Ebola to the UK population and we will do so until the epidemic is over in all the affected countries. We are maintaining a high level of protection against Ebola by adapting our response to the current situation. These changes will ensure primarily safe, but also focused and efficient delivery of the screening programme.
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
7
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
FFWDAfrica launches UK’s first Africa-focused tech accelerator With a rapidly growing population, increasing urbanisation and spending power in Africa’s top 18 cities estimated to reach $1.3 trillion by 2030, opportunities for new technology and services are abundant in Africa.
The result has been a rise in technology innovation and entrepreneurship on the continent. However not all new ideas can get off the ground easily in Africa for various reasons such as competition for funding, limited experience of founders or lack of partnerships needed to grow at an early stage. The UK has an established innovation ecosystem, access to funding and support available to to help startups succeed. FFWDAfrica, the UK’s first, Africafocused tech accelerator is therefore creating a bridge between the UK and Africa technology sectors. Eunice Ball, Co-founder of FFWDAfrica tells Appsafrica.com ” Our aim is to harness UK technology, innovation and funding to solve challenges in Africa, while linking the UK and Africa innovation ecosystems
to unlock opportunities for both economies and create technology solutions that drive change.” Capture Idea acceleration is the first step FFWDAfrica aims to do this through a “three step programme which is designed to support entrepreneurs from idea inception, through to piloting, implementation and growth” explains Ball.
The first step in this process is the “FFWDAfrica pre-accelerator, where we will be working with new ventures in developing African business ideas, with expert mentorship and coaching over an 8 week period” explains Ball. Start-ups can then apply for the FFWDAfrica accelerator program which will launch in early 2016, with selected startups receiving funding,
office space and mentorship to build their solutions and grow their business. As the UK’s first African Tech Accelerator, “interest has already been incredible and we are in discussions with investors, sponsors and partners in the UK and Africa who see the potential growth”
New $100 Bn BRICS Bank Opens in China
BRICS leaders at the 7th BRICS summit in Ufa, Russia; from left to right: Rousseff, Modi, Putin, Xi and Zuma. Photo: Roberto Stuckert Filho/PR
A new $100 billion international bank dedicated to the emerging BRICS countries opened in China’s commercial hub Shanghai on Tuesday, officials said, as an alternative to other multilateral lenders.
The “New Development Bank”, backed by the so-called emerging BRICS nations Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has been viewed as a challenge to Washington-based institutions. The NDB’s website explicitly describes it as an “alternative to the existing U.S.dominated World Bank and International Monetary Fund” which will address needs for infrastructure and sustainable development. It comes as Beijing, which is seeking a greater role on the global political stage to mirror its rise to become the world’s second-largest economy is also setting up 8
a separate Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei played down the competitive aspect. “The NDB will supplement the existing international financial system in a healthy way and explore innovations in governance models,” he told the NDB’s opening ceremony in Shanghai, as quoted by the official Xinhua news agency. The bank says on its website that it will have authorised capital of $100 billion, with $50 billion paid in initially. Xinhua quoted bank president K. V. Kamath, formerly a private banker in India, as saying the institution’s management was “working on initiation of operations”, including “making business policy” and “developing project preparations”. Operations would begin late this year or early in 2016, he added. The opening comes two weeks after a BRICS summit hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
Theatre, Shows and Musicals
Arts Culture
By Edward Mirza MEMPHIS
Now – Oct 18th
The producers of hit Broadway musical MEMPHIS are delighted to officially announce that multi award-winning recording artist Beverley Knight will star as club singer ‘Felicia Farrell’ when the show comes to London’s West End this autumn. MEMPHIS, winner of four 2010 Tony Awards® including Best Musical has Grammy® Award-winning original score by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan and book by Joe DiPietro. Inspired by true events from the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, MEMPHIS follows the fame and forbidden love of a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break. “David Bryan evokes the powerhouse funk of James Brown, the hot guitar riffs of Chuck Berry, the smooth harmonies of the Temptations and the silken, bouncy pop of the great girl groups of the period” Charles Isleworth, New York Times. Directed by Christopher Ashley and with Choreography by Sergio Trujillo, MEMPHIS has Scenic Design by David Gallo, Costume Design by Paul Tazewell, and Lighting Design by Howell Binkley. Shaftsbury Avenue Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Avenue London WC2H 8DP
EDUCATING RITA BY WILLY RUSSELL June 18th - July 25th
Lenny Henry makes his Chichester debut in Willy Russell’s classic comedy about the transformative power of education, alongside Lashana Lynch in the title role of outspoken hairdresser Rita. English lecturer Frank has never met anyone like Rita, until the Open University brings them together, changing both of their lives. Willy Russell’s touching and enduring comedy about the relationship between teacher and student has delighted audiences around the world, and celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. Minverva Theatre, Oaklands Park, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 6AP 01243 781312
Macbeth, Tara Arts in association with Queen’s Hall Arts & Black Theatre Live Now- October 31st Macbeth is the first production from Black Theatre Live, a pioneering consortium of 8 regional theatres committed to increasing the amount of Black and Ethnic Minority theatre on the touring circuit. Spun together with a blend of Indian music and movement,
this brand new production from one of the UK’s leading cross-cultural theatre companies sees Shakespeare’s tragedy reimagined in a contemporary context, as a brew of treachery and ambition sets an Asian family on a road to destruction. The production sees the engineers of Macbeth’s downfall depicted as three Hijras. A strand of Indian society little-known in the west, Hijras are a centuries-old “third gender” community (including transsexuals, transgender people, eunuchs and cross-dressers). Tara Arts Artistic Director Jatinder Verma, who will direct Macbeth said “Spirits in Indian traditions combine vivacity with viciousness. By casting the Witches in Macbeth as provocative Bollywood queens, I aim to explore the dangerously vain ambition driving Macbeth.” For information on Black Theatre Live: www.blacktheatrelive.co.uk | For information on Tara Arts: www.tara-arts.com .
LOVER’S ROCK MONOLOGUES July 20th - July 25th
Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson and Victor Romero Evans, from The Lover’s Eock Monologues
Following two hugely successful runs here, Lover’s Rock Monologues returns to the Tricycle for a strictly limited time. With personal stories interspersed with the inimitable songs of the era, three of the scene’s luminaries – Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson and Victor Romero Evans – illustrate the inside story behind the trailblazing cultural phenomenon Lover’s Rock is a hugely influential subgenre of reggae. Born in London, Lovers Rock defined a generation in the late ‘70s and ‘80s. It gave women a voice in the traditionally male-dominated realm of reggae, and broke beyond the constraints of its genre, giving artistic inspiration to The Police, Culture Club, UB40 and countless others. Crucially, Lover’s Rock was an integral part of black British identity during a politically and socially unstable time. The Tricycle reunites three of the movement’s most influential stars: Multi award winning artist Janet Kay, who is entered in the Music Guinness Book of Records as the first British born black female to have a reggae song (Silly Games, 1979) at the top of the British Pop charts; Victor Romero Evans who has worked extensively on stage, screen, radio and as a recording artist, and is a founder member of the Black Theatre Cooperative; and Carroll Thompson who is, together with Janet, acknowledged as one of the Queens of Lover’s Rock. Carroll has won many awards, including Best Female Performer at the GLR Reggae Awards in 1983. Tricycle Theatre, 269 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 7JR 9
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Entertainment News
MTV Africa Music Awards 2015 Winners Stars of the African and international music industry came out in force in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa for the fifth uplifting edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal.
Saluting and championing African music, youth culture and achievement, MAMA 2015 brought the continent together for a massive celebration contemporary music and creativity, including electrifying performances, collaborations and awards presentations. The MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal 2015, brought to you by KwaZulu-Natal Province in association with Absolut Vodka andin partnership with The City of Durban, returns to the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC), KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa on Saturday 18 July 2015. The big winners on the night included Nigerian stars Yemi Alade and Davido, who took home the Best Male and Best Femaleawards, respectively, while hip hop star Cassper Nyovest nabbed the Best Hip Hop award. “Koko master”, D’Banj, won the MAMA Evolution award, a new category honouring established artists who have made an indelible mark on African and global music culture, taken African music to new territories around the world, pushed the boundaries of creativity, and shaped the soundscape of contemporary Africa. South African comedian and newly appointed Daily Show host Trevor Noah triumphed in Personality of the Year. Patoranking won Best New Act Transformed by Absolut, given in recognition of new and emerging artists. Saran Kaba Jones and S’Bu Mavundla shared equal honours for the MTV Base Leadership award. Stunning collaborations between artists of different genres saw NE-YO take to the stage with Seyi Shay, 2Face collaborating with Bucie, Sauti Sol pairing up with Yemi Alade and Patoranking swapping beats with K.O. The show ended on a high with a jubilant medley mash-up by Artist of the Decade winners P-Square, featuring hit tracks “Personally”, “Chop My Money”, “Alingo” and “Shekini”. Other performers included DJ Fisherman, NaakmusiQ, DJ Tira, Anselmo Ralph, Danger from Big Nuz, Duncan, Burna Boy, Stonebwoy, Da LES, Diamond, Flavour, Toofan, D’Banj, Davido, Uhuru, Black Motion and Cassper Nyovest. Emmy award nominated actor, Anthony Anderson captivated the 5,000-strong MAMA audience with his lively humour, 10
engaging charisma and unexpected outfit changes - including a booty-licious transformation into Nicki Minaj, as he accepted the Best International Actaward on her behalf. Commenting after the show, Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, said: “Africa is a continent of the now and the future; tonight was testament to that. MAMA 2015 represented and reflected the abundant amount of creativity and passion this continent breeds.” The MAMA 2015 coincided with the nationwide celebration of the late Nelson Mandela’s birthday, a fact that was touched on by artists in the show. Walking the red carpet at the awards were nominees Bonang Matheba, HHP, Chameleone, Dreamteam, HHP, Riky Rick, Samini, OC Ukeje, Bebe Cool, Mpumi, Jovi, Uhuru and Vanessa Mdee. Other famous faces included comedian Trevor Gumbi, Nigerian OAP Toolz, MTV Shuga star and Mr Nigeria Emmanuel Ikbese, BET “Top Actor” winner Altovise Lawrence, Miss South Africa Liesl Laurie, Boity, Khuli Chana, Joselyn Dumas, Jessica Nkosi, actress Zikhona Sodlaka, and MTV Base VJs Sizwe, Nomuzi, Ehiz and Sandile.
2015 MTV AFRICA MUSIC AWARD WINNERS: Best Female: Yemi Alade (Nigeria) Best Male: Davido (Nigeria) Best Group: P-Square (Nigeria) Best New Act: Transformed by Absolut: Patoranking (Nigeria) Best Hip Hop: Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) Best Collaboration: AKA, Burna Boy, Da LES & JR: “All Eyes On Me” (SA/Nigeria) Song of the Year: Mavins: “Dorobucci” (Nigeria) Best Live: Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) Video of the Year: “Nafukwa” – Riky Rick; Director: Adriaan Louw Best Pop & Alternative: Jeremy Loops (South Africa) Best Francophone: DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast) Best Lusophone: Ary (Angola) Personality of the Year: Trevor Noah (South Africa) MAMA Evolution: D’Banj (Nigeria) Best International: Nicki Minaj Artist of the Decade: P-Square
Yemi Alade
Davido
P-Square
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Culture Culture
New Single by South Africa’s Covenant Voices make waves
Covenant Voices released their debut single dubbed, ‘Children (Medley)’ on 22nd July, 2015. The song was written by Covenant Voices, arranged and produced by Rev. Tim Omotoso, and recorded at KZN Music House in Greyville, Durban. South Africa.
Their debut music video was produced also in July, 2015 by Ray Magagula at 3 separate locations in South Africa - The Phezulu Safari Park, Hillcrest; uMhlanga Lighthouse, and uMhlanga Pier in Durban, to be dropped in the month of August, 2015. The song which is in a mixture of Zulu (South African language) and English illustrates how Children are singing, how Parents are praising and worshiping God till they come to joyful tears, making everyone happy. The song explains to all that Jesus died for our sins, and took us out of darkness. It also praises Jesus as the King of Heavens, and encourages every nation to arise and be ready because Jesus is coming back soon. Within 2 days of uploading ‘Children’ on the Reverbnation Christian/Gospel chart [7 July 2015] it was number 6 in Durban, 119 in South Africa, and 6883 in the world. 48 hours later, the song started trending on reverbnation, and was number 2, 27, and 1792 respectively. Currently (in the Gospel genre) they are number 1 in Durban, 4 in South Africa, and 138 in the world. Covenant Voices are an 80 band South African mass gospel choir, mentored by Rev. Tim Omotoso, the senior Pastor of Jesus Dominion International (J.D.I.). They are based in Durban, South Africa, and their music has Traditional Zulu, Jazz, R&B and Contemporary influences. To download this uplifting tune, visit itunes, google playstore, amazon mp3, Tidal, Spinlet, Xbox Music, and all other good online stores, search for, Covenant Voices, and click on download. Alternatively, you can visit their webpage: http:// www.timomotososales.org/covenantvoices.html and download it from any of the stores there.The choir was founded and named in 2007 by Rev. Tim Omotoso, after he hosted gospel music auditions, a first for the organization in Durban. This became the first initiative of the Youth Empowerment Project (Y.E.P.) of Tim Omotoso Global Outreach. It has to be said that the singers had no previous training or experience when the choir was formed, just raw talent waiting to be polished. In November 2007, Cov-
enant Voices performed at the T.O.G.O Gala Dinner held at the Durban ICC in South Africa. The likes of President Jacob Zuma (South Africa); Former Minister of Health (Kwazulu Natal) Ms. Peggy Nkonyane; and Managing Director of Igagasi FM, Ms. Pearl Sokhulu were just some of the dignitaries and prominent personalities that were invited to the gala event. After Covenant Voices had rendered their anthems, Ms. Peggy Nkonyane echoed these words, “As I was listening to Covenant Voices earlier on, I’m sure many of us are asking ourselves when can we expect a CD, but I’d like to say that the minute one is released, I expect it to be sampled with this beautiful music. This kind of a talent should really be showcased all over Kwazulu Natal.” Covenant Voices have also been graced to share the stage with well known South African Gospel artists like Pastor Benjamin Dube, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, to mention a few. They have further performed at the Gagasi Fm Christmas concert in December 2007, and the success of their performance credited them to perform again at the beach festival concert in the same year. In 2008, Covenant Voices gave birth to the internationally acclaimed multi award winning girl band, Simply Chrysolite, who have obtained a staggering seven awards, all within seven years. Five of the awards are international.
11
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
News Britain plummets in integration league table
Continued from front page
...hardship and costs than almost anywhere else in the developed world to reunite with their spouses and children or become citizens”. Described as “mean and heartless” by opponents, changes introduced since Mr Cameron formed a coalition with Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats, which have continued since the Conservatives won a majority in the last General Election, make it much harder for a British husband or wife living overseas to obtain a settlement visa that would allow them to take their partner to the UK on a permanent basis. In the past, a spouse visa was generally granted automatically. As a result, many British families face being split up, with children and other dependents forced to live apart from their parents and other family members. In the areas of education, health and employment for immigrants, however, the UK is still performing well although some concerns have been raised over policies that may hinder migrant integration such as cuts in funding to support migrant integration in the workplace and in schools. Family migration The UK has the lowest score for family reunion migration among all the countries analysed for the 2015 Migrant Integration Policy Index. This means the UK is now
effectively the hardest place in the developed world for migrant families wishing to reunite with overseas family members. Britain currently requires you to have an annual income of at least £18,600 to apply for entry of Non-EU family members into the country. This is the second highest income requirement in the western world, surpassing France (£10,320) or even the USA (£12,079). More than half of the British population would not be able to meet that basic requirement and reunite with non-EU family members. Naturalisation and citizenship The process to achieve citizenship is becoming increasingly difficult, according to the 2015 Migrant Integration Policy Index. The high costs to apply and “good character” requirements together with a more difficult ‘Life in the UK’ test, has led to a fall in the number of immigrants gaining UK citizenship for the first time ever in 2014 – by 40% to 125,755. Work, Health and Education Although the UK is still performing well in the areas of migrant integration in the workplace and schools, the Index raised concerns about recent cuts on language support for employed migrants and funding (Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant) for schools with children that do not speak English as a first language. MIPEX is also concerned about the
introduction of health surcharges for immigrants to access the National Health Service (NHS). With some exceptions, non-EU immigrants who are not permanent residents now need to pay an NHS health surcharge. Anti-Discrimination Although there seems to be a growing anti-immigration rhetoric, stemming mostly from parties like UKIP, Britain still has the 5th best score when it comes to fighting discrimination. MIPEX praised the 2010 Equality Act, but the Index raised concerns over recent cuts to funding and mandatory monitoring that might affect Britain’s standing as a country with a historically high reputation for fighting discrimination. The Index The MIPEX index does not measure integration itself. It measures how favourable a country’s policies are to the level playing field that would make integration possible. This approach has limits, and a resetting of the integration debate would need to look at other measures too: how social integration and a shared sense of belonging can be promoted, for instance. But the results of the new index show just how far integration has fallen down the policy agenda in the drive to reduce
migration and cut costs. Can we afford to let it keep slipping? Back-burner policy? Since the introduction of the concept by then-Labour home secretary Roy Jenkins in the mid-1960s, integration has not been a priority for successive UK governments. The anti-racist movement and black communities have been suspicious of the term, seeing it as too close to assimilation. Integration has had little traction on the right either, where there has been distrust for any accommodation with migrants and minorities. Labour started talking about integration under Tony Blair, but usually as a footnote to cohesion or in relation to refugees. The Coalition government launched an integration strategy in 2012, but it mainly argued that national government needed to leave it to local governments. In a time when net migration remains high and has transformed the demographic profile of every region of the UK, when we see persistent gaps in health or employment outcomes for some ethnic groups, when concerns about de facto segregation continue, and when politicians talk about particular minorities ‘quietly condoning’ non-British values – is it time to put integration back on the policy agenda?
Court puts stop to slippery No wavering on gay stance, Cosby’s evasion tactics say Kenyan leaders The California Supreme Court has denied veteran comedian Bill Cosby’s petition to review a lawsuit brought by a woman who says he molested her at the Playboy mansion in 1974 when she was 15, a setback to Cosby’s attempts to stave off the decades-old allegations.
“We are looking forward to Mr. Cosby answering questions under oath at his deposition and we will continue to seek justice for our courageous client,” attorney Gloria Allred said in a statement. Her client, Judy Huth, is suing Cosby for sexual battery, saying the comedian forced her to perform a sex act on him in 1974. Los Angeles police are investigating the claims. Allred said she plans to take Cosby’s deposition within the next 30 days. More than two dozen women have accused Cosby of sexually assaulting them. The comedian has denied the allegations, and has not been charged in any of the alleged assaults, some of which fall outside the statute of limitations – meaning too much time has elapsed for any allegation to be tested in a court of law. But in recent weeks, it has emerged that Cosby, in a deposition in another case, ac12
Gay rights will not be discussed during talks with US President Barack Obama, Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta has said.
Bill Cosby has admitted sedating women to have sex with them
knowledged giving Quaaludes – a hypnosedative and muscle relaxant sold as Mandrax in the UK - to women with whom he wanted to have sex. Cosby’s lawyers insist the admission does not mean Cosby “admitted to rape.” They say Quaaludes were widely used in the 1970s. Last weekend, The New York Times reported that in a sworn deposition from 2005 Cosby acknowledged using drugs and banked on his fame to get women to have sex with him, and then paid them off to keep the affairs from his wife. The scandal has hurt the once-revered comedian: NBC cancelled a project with him, as did Netflix. The U.S. Navy revoked an honorary title for the comedian, and he resigned from the board of trustees at Temple University.
“The issue of gay rights is a non-issue for us, it is not on the agenda. We have serious issues that we will be addressing,” Kenyatta said on Tuesday. Delivering an address at State House, Nairobi, on Obama’s impending visit, Uhuru said deputy president William Ruto will take part in talks with the US president. “Ruto is part of this government. The US president will be hosted by the Kenyan government so he will meet the government including the DP,” he said. Speaking after news that the US Supreme Court had legalised gay marriage in all 50 states, Ruto condemned homosexuality in Kenya saying there is “no room” for it in a society that worships God. “We have heard that in the US they have allowed gay relations and other dirty things. I want to say as a Christian leader that we will defend our country Kenya, we will stand for our faith and our country,” he told attendants at the Africa Inland
Deputy President William Ruto insists Kenya will not tolerate ‘unchristian’ gay practices
Church (AIC) Ziwani in Nairobi. He asked Christians and Muslims to stand and defend their faiths and resist any attempts to legalise gay unions in the country, adding: “No amount of persuasions, theories or philosophy will make us change our position. We believe in God, this is a God fearing nation and will continue to be so.”
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
Taiwan
Taiwan likely to elect next female SE Asian president Taiwan is poised to elect its first female leader after the second of its two largest political parties nominated a woman to contest next January’s presidential election.
Hung Hsiu-chu, a pro-China ex-teacher, was chosen to represent the ruling Nationalist Party, Kuomintang (KMT), and is likely to be up against Tsai Ing-wen, who was selected as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate in April. Tsai, who is 58, also contested the 2012 General Election having become the first female leader of a major party in the history of the Chinese republic. She is a trained lawyer who studied at Cornell University Law School in the US and the London School of Economics before forging a career in academia and politics back home. Speaking last month in Washington, Tsai said: “Taiwanese people are faced with a
Hung Hsiu-chu (left) has ground to make up to catch Tsai Ing-wen, according to the opinion polls
very serious test next year – that is whether we are advanced and civilised enough to accept a woman leader.” In the run-up to being nominated on
Australia
Mystery surrounds toddler’s remains found in suitcase
Police in South Australia are trying to identify the remains of a young child found in a suitcase beside a highway.
“It is terribly clear that the child died a violent death under terrible circumstances... everything about this case is tragic,” chief detective Des Bray said. Due to decomposition, police have not yet been able to positively determine the gender or DNA of the child but have reportedly been able to rule out 10 potential victims. The suitcase may have been dumped around two months before it was discovered and the child, who is thought to have been aged between three and five years old, could have been killed a “long, long time” before that, police said. Drivers, many of whom fit dashcams – video cameras used for evidence in the event of accidents - are being asked to search through their footage to see if they have recorded anyone in the area where the suitcase was found. The tiny body, which was found just off the Karoonda Highway, east of Adelaide
in the Murray Mallee region on 15 July, was placed in the suitcase along with children’s clothes, including a purple Dora the Explorer T-shirt, blue pyjama shorts, a pair of pink tracksuit bottoms and a tutu – suggesting the remains are those of a female. Police believe that the unidentified child was murdered in another location before being left by the motorway. They are asking people to come forward with information about a man seen by four witnesses walking along the Karoonda Highway, carrying a dark suitcase, at about 8.00am one morning about six to eight weeks ago. Four-year-old William Tyrell went missing in September when it is believed that he was abducted from his grandmother’s garden in Kendall, north of Sydney. He was three at the time of his disappearance. It had earlier been speculated that William may have been the child that was found murdered, however, police now say that it is “unlikely” to be him. “We can‘t say that it is definitely not William Tyrell but we believe at this stage, knowing the full facts of the case, that it’s less likely,” police said.
Sunday, Hung, 67, told reporters: “I hope this battle between two women will bring forth a whole new understanding and set an example of true democracy.”
Experts say Hung has a mountain to climb if she is to win over enough of Taiwan’s 18 million voters to defeat her rival, who has been reinstated having stood down after narrowly losing the 2012 election. Dafydd Fell, the director of University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies’ (SOAS) Centre of Taiwan Studies, said: “Currently Tsai Ing-wen is definitely the frontrunner. She’s ahead in all the polls regardless of the media bias that you need to factor in different polling agencies.” Hung’s KMT, which has ruled Taiwan since 2008, was soundly beaten by the DPP in last November’s local elections, partly as a result of the zeal with which it has embraced warmer ties with Beijing. Taiwan would become the latest in a series of Asian nations to elect a female leader, following Thailand, the Philippines and South Korea.
USA
Jamaican to sue hospital following vindication of ‘crazy’ claim
Kam Brock
A Jamaican-born woman in New York is suing a psychiatric ward after she was detained in a mental health unit for claiming US president Barack Obama followed her on Twitter.
Doctors diagnosed Kam Brock of Long Island as delusional and gave her forced injections and powerful sedatives after she insisted that Obama was one of her many followers, according to her attorney, Michael Lamsoff. The 32-year-old had to retract her claim in order to put an end to her eight-day ordeal at Harlem Hospital. The problem the hospital now faces is the official Twitter account for the President of the United States @BarackObama, which follows 644,000 users, does indeed appear to be following her account, @AkilahBrock. Ms Brock told the New York Daily News that she mentioned her famous follower to doctors as an example of her good character. “I told [the doctor] Obama follows me on Twitter to show her the type of person I am. I’m a good person, a positive person. Obama follows positive people!” she said. Ms Brock’s ordeal began in September of last year, when she went to pick up her BMW, which had been seized by the NYPD because they believed she was high on marijuana even though no drugs were found. She said she was “emotional” but not “emotionally disturbed” at the time. Nevertheless, she was put in handcuffs and taken to the hospital for an assessment. “Next thing you know, the police held onto me, the doctor stuck me with a needle and I was knocked out. “I woke up to them taking off my underwear and then went out again. I woke up the next day in a hospital robe,” she said. The New York Police Department and Harlem hospital have declined to comment on the case. Meanwhile, Ms Brock launched the hashtag #IMNOTCRAZY while thanking her more sympathetic Twitter followers for their support. 13
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
CRIME
Couple who stole over £1.3m and used thousands on lavish wedding jailed A husband and wife team who made more than £1.3m through trading in stolen bank details and used thousands to fund their lavish wedding have been jailed.
Sean Benson, 26, and Jennifer Hallam, 25, both of Canterbury Road, Croydon, were found guilty on Tuesday 21 July at Southwark Crown Court of fraud and money laundering after a three-year police investigation. Benson was jailed for seven years. Hallam was given a 18-month sentence, suspended for two years. The Met Police and the National Crime Agency launched a joint investigation in 2012 into the activities of a cyber criminal using the online nickname Sir King Cash (SKC). SKC - aka Benson - was an active member of an online criminal forum set up, amongst other things, to help those wishing to trade in stolen debit or credit card data. Benson set up an online identity using a cartoon character he created - to buy card details from a Russian cyber criminal network. He then formed a company called Identity Music, which claimed to specialise in selling audio material to DJs, musicians and others. In fact he used the stolen credit card details to make false purchases through his website, with the money going directly into five Lloyds TSB Bank business accounts he owned.
Sir King Cash (SKC) was the false identity used by the couple.
Jennifer Hallam and Sean Benson
The Met’s Criminal Finance Team froze the accounts and found they contained £534,000. Benson withdrew money from the accounts - around £100,000 - to pass to his wife. She took it to a money transfer shop where about £80,000 was sent to the Russians to pay for the stolen card details. In total Benson made £1.3m of false purchases through his sham music business and transferred more than £1m to his Lloyds accounts. Enquiries showed £40,000 of the stolen money had been used to fund the couple’s
extravagant wedding and honeymoon to Hawaii. The investigation revealed details of more than 2,000 compromised bank accounts and uncovered 700 victims of fraud. Benson and Hallam were arrested on 14 January 2013 and charged on 12 March 2014. Benson was found guilty of two counts of fraud by false representation and three counts of money laundering. Hallam was found guilty of money laundering. Investigating officer Detective Constable Barry Steel said: “Benson set up a sophisticated system to fraudulently
obtain innocent people’s bank details through Russian criminal networks and steal their money. “Painstaking and lengthy analysis proved a link between Sir King Cash’s activities in cyberspace and Benson’s music activities in the real world. “He made more than a million pounds and I have no doubt he would have continued his activities, causing frustration and misery to law-abiding bank customers by emptying their accounts for his own gain.” Steve Brown, senior investigator at the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit, said: “This was high-level criminality, requiring extensive work by investigators to track down the person behind the online persona and to follow the illicit money trail.
Man jailed for 2005 shooting in Kennington A man has been jailed for a shooting in a Kennington barber’s shop in 2005.
Merice Brown, 31 of Shakespeare Close, Leicester, was jailed for 12 years at the Inner London Crown Court on Friday, 17 July, having pleaded guilty to attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition without a certificate. On 3 March 2005 at around 16:00hrs, Brown was riding his bike in Camberwell New Road, Kennington, when he saw a 19-year-old man sitting in a barber shop having his hair cut. Brown and the man made eye contact and started staring at each other. Brown then went into the barber’s shop and sat in a chair next to the man and they continued to stare at each other. There was then 14
an exchange of words and Brown left the shop. A few minutes later Brown came back and there was another confrontation. Brown then produced a gun and shot the victim a number of times before riding off on his bike. The 19-year-old victim was taken to a south London hospital where he was treated for three gunshot wounds to his forehead and one to his jaw. The victim’s injuries were not life threatening. An investigation was undertaken, but no suspects were identified. On 2 March 2015, Brown walked into Braunstone Police Station in Leicestershire and stated that he wanted to clear his conscience and admitted to committing the shooting. He stated that he had found religion and wished to own up to his crimes.
Merice Brown
Brown described where he buried the gun and pointed out the location using Google maps. Officers from the Met’s Trident Gang Command brought Brown back to London and he showed officers where he had buried the gun at a park off Kendal Close, in Stockwell, a decade earlier. Officers recovered a black semi-automatic hand gun, which had a spent bullet in the chamber and a live round still in the magazine. Brown was charged and sentenced as below: * Attempted murder - 12 years’ imprisonment; * Possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life - 12 years’ imprisonment to be served concurrently; * Possession of ammunition without a certificate - no separate penalty.
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Sounds of Diaspora People of America
Bobby Christina still in a coma
Speculation is rife that news of Bobbi Kristina Brown’s life support being withdrawn is imminent
In a move seen as tacit resignation to the idea that Bobbi Kristina Brown will never regain consciousness, the suburban Georgia townhouse where Whitney Houston’s only child was found unresponsive in a bathtub in January has been cleared out by her aunt and co-legal guardian Pat Houston, according to Us Weekly.
Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law “kept all the pictures and Whitney’s platinum and gold album plaques,” a source told the magazine. “But she threw everything else out.” Aspiring singer Bobbi Kristina allegedly remains in a coma at the Peachtree Christian Hospice in Duluth, Georgia, where family members are said to be continuing a relentlessly grim vigil now in its sixth month. However, a video titled “Bobbi Kristina Brown Funeral Service 7/30/2015” has surfaced on the Internet. The 15-second video, which has received 160,000 views, was uploaded by a user named “BLACKNEWS.” only shows an open casket with someone standing next to it, and remains disputed as it cites the date of the funeral as July 30. While speculation continues about the aspiring singer’s condition, her family has not given any update on her current health condition. According to reports, a white tent and hearses were seen outside the facility, but this is probably not out of the ordinary. Many of those who visited Bobbi Kristina in the hospice could be paying their
final respects or could be present there to
attend a funeral in the chapel or one of the
Braxton and Babyface confirmed for southern Africa shows Legendary R&B superstars Toni Braxton and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds will be performing in South Africa and Zimbabwe between August and September.
Known for their chart-topping radio classics, both singer/songwriters shaped the sound of R&B throughout the 90s both as individual superstars and collaborators. Eleven time Grammy award winning Babyface has written, produced or performed no less than 130 Top 10 R&B and Pop hits, 43 number 1 R&B hits and 55 Top 10 Pop hits in the US. He has received numerous awards, including Soul Train Music Awards, BMI Awards, NAACP Image Awards and American Music Awards. He produced hits for the likes of Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Eric Clapton, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, to name a few. Toni Braxton has earned a total of seven Grammy Awards and sold over 66 million records worldwide in her career. Branching out on her own after starting
Babyface and Toni Braxton teamed up to record 2014 album Love, Marriage and Divorce
out with sisters Traci, Towanda, Trina and Tamar as The Braxtons, Toni has received nine Billboard Music Awards and seven American Music Awards as a solo act and has been inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, among many other achievements. Braxton and Babyface paired up to share their experiences of love on the 2014 co-written album Love, Marriage and Divorce, which debuted at number 4 on Billboard’s Top 200 and number 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It went on to win a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.
common rooms at the facility, Inquisitr re-
ported, citing speculation.
Actor Tyler Perry, a friend of Whitney
Houston, slammed the rumours about Bobbi Kristina’s death on Friday. “It
makes me sad to know that everybody wants to be the first to report something awful. So much so, that they find it OK to
speak death onto those who are still alive.
May I ask you all to please show some decency and respect?” he wrote in a Facebook post.
Perry and Bobbi Kristina’s father
Bobby Brown, who had a baby girl with
wife Alicia Etheredge in Los Angeles last week, arrived in Atlanta on Friday on Perry’s private jet.
A $10 million lawsuit has been filed
against Bobbi Kristina’s boyfriend Nick Gordon, accusing him of physical abuse
and theft. Investigators reportedly believe that a fear of being dumped could likely be “Nick Gordon’s motive for murder.”
“If Bobbi Kristina left Nick, it would
have destroyed everything he had. Nick was living a lie, telling the world he was
Bobbi Kristina’s husband when in fact
they were never married,” a source report-
edly said, adding: “On top of that, Nick was living off Bobbi Kristina’s money.
Without her, he’d have nothing. There’s no question Nick didn’t want Bobbi Kristina
to leave him. He may have never intended to kill her, but no doubt they argued.”
15
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
Gospel
LET THE DEBORAH’S ARISE! By Michael Adekoya
“Life in the villages of Israel stopped. It stopped until I, Deborah, arose. I arose as a mother in Israel.” Jud. 5:7
We live in a culture in which qualified women serve as premiers, presidents, governors, senators, mayors, university deans, corporate chairpersons, ambassadors and even military commanders. Women have achieved remarkable status in diverse fields, including space exploration, medicine, judiciary, business and athletics. Yet, some churches remain closed to the notion of a woman assuming the leading role. In some churches, they are not even allowed to minister from the pulpit or prophecy. And the excuse they give is mostly that women are not equipped to assume leadership roles in the church. As a result the world views the church as ignorant, insensitive and irrelevant. And sadly, we deserve that label.
My friend, is your church among those who under-value women? You need to know that things are changing! We are now in a new time zone. God is doing something new and exciting in the Church today. He is now raising up, both the profile and the self-esteem of women. He is calling and positioning women to come along side with men to take their place in God. Prophet Joel predicted that in the last day, God would pour out His Holy Spirit on all flesh and, as a result, our “sons and daughters [would] prophesy” (Joel 2:28). This passage clearly indicates that when the New Testament age began, both men and women were empowered and commissioned to carry the message of the Gospel of Jesus to the world. Our church should embrace the same commission and mandate. God’s Holy Spirit would no longer rest simply on isolated individuals as was the case under the old covenant. In the Pentecostal age, all believers, regardless of
gender, ethnicity or social status, have full access to the grace, unction, power and authority of the Spirit and would speak the utterances of God. The anointing of God is not limited to special people only. It is not limited to people behind the pulpit, even the people in the pews have equal access to the Spirit of God. It is not limited only to men. Women also have equal access. We have been hearing the voice of men; we have been listening to the voice of actresses, this is the time to hear the voice of women – the daughters of God. The world is waiting! We must release them. My friend, listen! If preaching were to have been limited to men only, Joel would not have mentioned daughters in his prophecy or prediction. He would have said instead, “In the last days, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons will prophesy while your daughters will serve quietly in the background and pray for the men.” That is not what the Bible says. It clearly states that women will preach. They will lead. They will be on the front lines of ministry. They will inspire, empower and influence. Like Deborah, they will take the church into enemy territory and watch as the Lord gives victory. Like Esther, they
Are you looking for a church? Not settled in any particular congregation? Perhaps now is the time to pray about it If you are not yet saved try one of the following: Jubilee International Churchmeets at 2,30pm on Sundays at Kings Avenue School, Park Hill. London SW4. Part of Jubilee International Churches Worldwide. For information, you may call (020)8697 3354 New Wine Christian Church- 11am holds meeting at Ringcross Tennants Club, Lough Road, Holloway, N7. a member of the Icthus Fellowship
16
Worldwide. For more information call 020 7609 959 or 07957 757 663. Praise Tabernacle- 10:30am holds meetings at 620 Western Avenue (A40), Park Royal Business Centre, opposite Warner Bros. Cinema Complex, W3. part of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. For information you may call 020 8993 3010 New Life Christian Centre 10.30am & 6.00pm. meetings at Cairo New Road, Croydon. The church has
will not keep silent. Like Phoebe, they will co-labour with Apostles to establish churches in unevangelised regions. My friend, if the prophecy in Joel 2:28 is the clear promise and mandate of God, why do churches that pride themselves on faithful adherence to a literal translation of the Bible reject it? There is no biblical basis for the popular notion that prophesying, preaching, teaching, mentoring and leading is a uniquely masculine act. Both genders have been called to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit., and we grieve the Spirit when we restrict the full release of that power by forbidding women to speak God’s Word or use their talents and gifts in His service. To keep them silent is to tune out the voice of the Spirit. To reject their leadership is to reject the Lord. And we will answer to God for limiting His work by restricting the flow of His Spirit through women who have been called to speak for Him. Robin Mark sang, “These are the days of Elijah, declaring the word of the Lord; these are the days of Your servant Moses, righteousness being restored. These are the days of Ezekiel, the dry bones becoming as flesh; these are the days of Your servant
a Bible school, primary, is involved in extensive mission work in Eastern Europe, Italy and India. For information you may call 020 8680 7671 Ruach Ministries - holds meeting at 9am, 11am and 6pm. For information you may call 020 8678 6888 International Central Gospel Church - Battersea Chapel, holds meetings on Sundays from 2.00pm. . For information you may call 020 8684 4934 Jesus Arena International- Sunday service at 11.00am at Broadwater Farm Centre, Adams Road N17 The Bible Life Church UK- They meet on Sunday mornings at 2.30pm at St Giles Centre, Camberwell
David, rebuilding a temple of praise.” My friend, these are the days of Deborahs, rising to their positions in the Lord. You may ask, “Why did God appoint Deborah to the highest public office in Israel at the time when women are not permitted to hold public offices?” First, her godly and feminine tender but strong character was appropriate for leading that particular generation. She said, “I arose as a mother to Israel.” (Jud 5:7). As a mother, she nurtured the nation of Israel back to spiritual health much like a mother would nurture her child back to physical health. My friend, if you are a woman, God is calling you as a nurturer to both the young and old, black and white generation. You may be going through stuffs today or probably you’ve gone through so many things and no one seems to be there for you. I challenge you to encourage yourself in the Lord, as Hannah did. God is calling you to arise and take your place in Him. Deborah was appointed because of her gift to inspire, influence and empower others. She has the capacity to effect change with a mother’s ability and patience to admonish in ways that encourages and motivates her followers to create a better life. She was a good woman, a virtuous wife, an inspiring mother, an effective leader and a great prophetess – the mouthpiece of Jehovah God! God’s primary purpose of creating a woman is for her to be an answer and solution to the first problem when God said, “It is not good that man should be alone…” (Gen 2:18) Women are made to solve problems, to nurture, to influence, to inspire, to empower and to speak. Anything you give to them, they will multiply it and give them back to you in multiple. Let us sow into their lives, allow them to speak, release them, empowered them, encourage them, position them, honour them and pray for them to take their place in God and in the church. Let the Deborahs arise! - Remain blessed!
Church Street, London SE5 Christ Apostolic church (Full Gospel & Pentecostal) Surrey Docks District 163 Ilderton Rd South Bermondsey London SE16 2UT. Tel. 020 7252 2086. Time of worship: Sunday English service 9- 11.30am. Yoruba service 11.30 -2.30pm. Prophetic counselling: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 12noon- 5pm, Saturday only 5- 7pm. Holy Cross Church InternationalSunday 10.am- 1 pm at Crown House 71-73 Nathan Way London SE28 0BQ Tel: 07904 234 126, 07809 381 886 Times of service:Bible study: Thursdays 8pm. Night Vigil: Friday Forth-
nightly 12am Sunday Service: Sundays 10am - 1pm Winners’ Chapel London- part of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, at 1 Churchill Close, Green Street, Green Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1QE meets Sunday 7.30am, 9.15am and 11am and Wednesdays at 7pm. For details call: 01322 292097 Christ Apostolic Church, Surrey Docks District, Solution Centre, 47-47 High Street, Swancombe, Kent, DA10 0DA Tel: 07956 38 38 70 Time of worship: Wednesday Bible study: 7:30pm to 9:00pm Friday, Night Vigil: 9pm to 11pm Sunday Worship: 12:30pm to 3:00pm
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
Africa Newsround
Uganda
Presidential hopeful in shock condemnation of homophobia A Ugandan presidential candidate has made history by affirming that he opposes homophobia.
With the 2016 election approaching, former prime minister Amama Mbazazi has stated that he opposes homophobia – making him one of the only Ugandan politicians to ever do so. In an interview on NBS Television, he said that, while he still believes in traditional marriage, discrimination has no place in society. Once Mbazazi’s quote was published on social media, the rest of the world was enthusiastic about the development. The country’s LGBT activists praised the statement as forward-thinking. Dr Frank Mugisha, the executive director of Sexual Minorities Uganda, is an out member of the LGBT community, who has been fighting homophobia in the country for years. Recently, he mentioned the need for role models in order to sway the public towards tolerance. LGBT advocate Edwin Sesange, the director of Out and Proud Diamond Group, told LGBT publication PinkNews: “I commend him for his bravery and standing up
against homophobia. “I am worried that his message might be used against him in the presidential campaigns.” As Mr Sesange predicted, the Ugandan viewers did not feel the same satisfaction. Negative comments cropped up on the Facebook page, responding to the post. Many involved hostility towards the
United States and President Obama because of June’s Supreme Court decision to legalise same-sex marriage. Already, Ugandans have claimed their opposition towards the candidate because of his comment. The country is ranked as one of the most Catholic nations in Africa. Both the heavy Christian influence and the recent antiWesternisation attitudes play roles in con-
tributing to homophobia. Ugandans claim that homosexuality is not African. Although the Anti-Homosexuality Actknown internationally as the “Kill the Gays” bill- was struck down, homophobia still runs rampant in the nation. Both Ugandan citizens and police have violently beaten members of the LGBT community proclaiming that the punishment for homosexuality should be death.
Ethiopia
Rights activists alarmed as Obama visits Ethiopia President Barack Obama’s imminent trip to Ethiopia has raised concerns among human rights advocates who question the level of concern in the US about human rights in Africa, as it seeks to advance new security and economic goals on a continent where good governance and democratic freedoms often do not top the priority list.
“The decision to go to Ethiopia greatly undermines the stated goals and commitments of this administration when it comes to support for human rights, the rule of law and good governance in Africa and beyond,” said Sarah Margon, Human Rights Watch’s Washington director. “It shows that it ranks priorities and shows that security and development often trump human rights concerns, which is a very short-sighted policy approach.” Dozens of journalists left Ethiopia last year, saying they faced threats from the government because of the work they do. In April 2014 the government charged seven bloggers known as Zone 9 and three reporters under the country’s anti-terrorism laws; a few months later the owners of six private publications were charged under Ethiopia’s criminal code. In early July the government released two bloggers and four journalists, though according to the Committee to Protect Journalists at least a
Barack Obama will fly from Kenya to Addis Ababa
dozen members of the media remain jailed on terrorism charges. Ethiopia’s ambassador to the United States, Girma Biru, described Obama’s decision to visit his country as “confirmation of the strong relationship that’s been built between the two countries.” Biru said prosecuting journalists was not evidence of human rights violations. “If a journalist, or a teacher, or a professor, or a farmer is supporting these types of groups to instigate violence, then he should be charged,” he said. “But the fact that he is carrying the name of ‘journalist’ should not save him from being charged on this
ground.” White House aides acknowledge that visits like the one to Ethiopia can bestow a measure of credibility to foreign governments and often use the lure of a presidential visit to win diplomatic concessions from non-democratic and repressive regimes. Obama often meets with members of civil society during his overseas visits, as a way of encouraging independent groups to pursue their goals in the face of government opposition. Grant Harris, the senior director for Africa at the National Security Council,
said in a statement that the United States and Ethiopia have “a relationship that spans many issues” and the administration has been “exceedingly frank and candid” about its concerns about the government’s targeting of dissidents and reporters. And some experts say that Obama must weigh human rights against other important factors. Princeton Lyman, who served as US special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan from 2011 to 2013 and did stints as the US ambassador to Nigeria and South Africa, said that the United States must now consider the opportunity for investment in Africa even as the continent has become increasingly important for national security reasons, in the fight against international terrorists and other destabilizing regional forces. “The question for policymakers is, how do you balance these different interests when they sometimes run up against each other?” Lyman said. The Obama trip will try to balance several of those interests: In Ethiopia he will visit the Addis Ababa headquarters of the African Union, which has played an increasingly active role in trying to maintain regional and economic stability in the region. The Ethiopia stop will follow a visit to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which is being held this weekend in Kenya, where Obama’s father was born. 17
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
Comment
African politicians, intellectuals must engage in teamwork – Former Gov. Fayemi African intellectuals and politicians must work together to revive public service and bring about transformative governance for the continent’s socio-political and economic growth, former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
He said it was only when intellectuals and politicians abandon their differences to complement themselves that “the public good, which is the essence of democratic governance, can be fully realised”. He spoke in a keynote speech at the Third Edition of the President Atta Mills Memorial Lecture at the John Evans Atta Mills Centre for Law and Governance, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Achimota, Accra, Ghana. Speaking on the topic: “Intellectuals in Politics and Governance in Africa: The lessons and legacies of John Evans Atta Mills”, the ex-governor noted the contributions of notable public intellectuals, like Nnamdi Azikwe, Kwame Nkruma; Julius Nyerere, Obafemi Awolowo and Leopold Senghor in the liberation struggle and early democratic governments in Africa. He said the idea of philosopher-king in the contemporary African politics was to “advocate the marriage of politics and principle, and to yoke public policy to public intellection”. “The good politicians may not need to be brilliant intellectuals, but they also should not have contemptuous disdain for the life of the mind”, said Fayemi, who advocated a hybrid of the two. He added: “This is why perhaps the issue for us should not be one of transition from intellection to politics, but the extent to which we are able to achieve fundamental synergy between the two in the quest to add value to our society and our democracy”. He explained that the solution to the democratic deficit that the African continent was experiencing could not be by posing intellect as “a counterpunch to politics”. For autonomous institutions to play a positive role in mediating citizens’ choices, Fayemi noted that their organic development must be combined in a more nuanced manner and a more systematic way with the use of public and state power. “Am I then suggesting that an intellectual necessarily belongs in politics? Put
18
that way, an impression is created that I consider it the duty of every intellectual to engage in politics at all cost. That is not my view. However, it is my profound conviction that Africa requires – today more than ever before – enlightened, thoughtful politicians with character and integrity who are bold and broad-minded enough to consider things which lie beyond the scope of their immediate influence and benefit. “We need politicians willing and able to rise above their own power interests, or the particular interests of their political parties or states, and act in accord with the fundamental interests of today’s humanity – that is, to behave the way everyone should behave, even though most may fail to do so,” he said. The former governor added: “In the
realm of such politics, intellectuals should
make their presence felt in many ways. They could – without finding it shame-
ful or demeaning – accept political office and use that position to do what they deem right, not just to hold on to power.
“Or they could be the ones who hold
up a mirror to those in authority, making
sure that the latter serve a good thing and that they do not begin to use fine words as
a cloak for evil deeds, as happened to so many intellectuals in politics in our conti-
nent and elsewhere.” Fayemi told the audience how the late Atta Mills predicted President Muhammadu Buhari’s election victory when the two leaders met in Ghana shortly after the 2011 general elections in Nigeria. Fayemi, who shared President Buhari’s account of his meeting with President Mills, said: “When I informed President Buhari of this speaking engagement last week in the middle of a conversation about his on-going trip to the United States of America, I was curious when he became very quiet. A man of not too many words, when he eventually spoke, he said: “Governor, President Atta Mills was a good man; a very good man; one of the very best from our continent.” “Not aware that he had had any close interaction with the late President, I concurred that yes, indeed, President Mills was a good man but went on to ask, ‘Were you close to him, sir?’ He replied warmly: ‘Not really, but I met him in 2011 when I came to rest in Ghana after the 2011 general election debacle in Nigeria, and he
Late President John Evans Atta Mills of Ghana
was gracious enough to allow me stay at the Peduase Lodge, the Presidential retreat at Aburi in the Eastern Region. “We spoke extensively during my stay in Ghana but two things he said to me during those conversations stuck in my memory. First, he was among the few, probably even the first to predict at a time that I had given up on contesting for the presidency, that I will win the next election in Nigeria,
if I persevered. He admonished me to take a cue from his example and remain calm but resolute. Second, he said to me at one point, ‘I came into this world with nothing. I shall leave it with nothing’.” Fayemi added that aside the late President Mills’ intellectual ability, his high level of discipline, integrity, humility and maturity as a leader, distinguished his administration.
From left: former governor of Ekiti State in Nigeria, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Speaker of Parliament, Edward Adjaho
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
Nigerian News
Jonathan’s ministers stole one million barrels of crude per day”- President Buhari Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari stated that his administration would trace the accounts of individuals who stashed away ill-gotten oil money, freeze and recover the loot and prosecute the culprits. While answering to questions at an interactive session with Nigerians in the Diaspora at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC, United States, in continuation of his four-day official visit to the country.
The President said, “250,000 barrels per day of Nigerian crude are being stolen and people sell and put the money into individual accounts,” adding that the United States and other developed countries “are helping us to trace such accounts now. In a statement by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Garba Shehu said, “In line with expectations, the United States government has agreed to assist Nigeria recover all identified ill-gotten wealth in countries in which they have jurisdiction, including the U.S itself. “The United States will also offer training to judicial staff and prosecutors in order to place Nigeria in a good position to uncover proceeds of corruption and for improved prosecution of cases of crime. “Details emerging from the meeting on Monday of the President with the United States Attorney-General Loretta Lynch on the subject of support for the war on corruption in Nigeria indicate that the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty signed between the two countries in 1985, which came into effect in 2003, will be given some teeth. “There will be collaboration. Each of the two countries will receive legal assistance from the other on criminal matters and that should cover the recovery of illgotten wealth. On extradition, we already have a treaty with U.S. by virtue of being a former British colonial territory. “There is, however, the possibility that Nigeria might negotiate a new extradition treaty to meet our other requirements. The negotiation will be done under the auspices of a ‘reenergised’ US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission.” On Boko Haram In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, President Buhari maintained that his administration was determined to restore security, fight corruption without sacred cows, among others. On the president’s requests to the United States in the fight against terrorism and
the response he got from President Barack Obama, he said: “United States in the meeting of the G7 promised to do what they can to help Nigeria. So, we have brought our request in terms of training, equipment and Intelligence gathering for Nigeria to be able to fight Boko Haram.” On the economy, falling oil prices and how he intend to deal with them, since it is what Nigerians really want, Buhari said: “Firstly I believe my people want security in the country to be stabilised so that normal life both in the southern part of the country where militants are sabotaging oil installations, kidnapping people and demanding ransom; and the northeast of the country where Boko Haram is still active. This is main occupation of Nigerians now. There should be a way of looking at things. Nothing will work until the country is secure.” On the killing of at least 400 people by Boko Haram since he assumed office despite his vows to tackle the sect; the Amnesty International’s allegations of human rights abuses against the Nigerian military; the military’s loss of credibility and trust of the people and whether there would be platform for Boko Haram’s grievances, the President said: “Well, I have just mentioned that under the Lake Chad Basin Commission, we have agreed to form a multi-national Joint Task Force. So, whatever happens, further decisions will be taken. We have to allow further investigations to verify the question of human rights abuse and with that, we must have known the decision taken by this government, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in changing the military command.” On Chibok girls Asked about the over 200 Chibok girls kidnapped last April and whether the government will be willing to trade them with Boko Haram captives in line with speculations that the group may make such demands, Buhari replied: “We have to be very careful about the credibility of various Boko Haram leaderships coming up and claiming that they can deliver. We have to be very careful indeed so that they won’t be taking our time because we want to bring them safely to their parents and school.” Not satisfied with the response, Amanpour categorically asked the President if in principle, he was against negotiations or would consider it if the credibility of those who approach the government can be verified and Buhari answered: “I cannot
be against be against it. I told you our main objective as a government is to secure those girls safe and sound back to their school and rehabilitate them to go back to normal life. So, if we are convinced that the leadership can deliver those girls safe and sound, we will be prepared to negoti-
ate what they want.” Asked if he would clamp down on his party members and associates if they are found to be corrupt, Buhari stated: “I just have to. There is not going to be a party member or any personality that can escape justice.”
President Obama with President Buhari and his delegation
Ambassador Ahmed Umar, Nigeria’s Consul General in charge of the mission in Jeddah and The Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II
President Obama with President Buhari and his delegation at Oval House meeting
President Buhari and his delegation with Jim Young Kim of World Bank chief
19
Events calendar What’s On & When WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
Reaching UK’s fastest growing Entertainment ethnic markets
Tel: 020 3737 3077 20
www.africanvoiceonline.co.uk
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
Rent a desk in a shared office space in South London SW9 Rent: £250 per month Electricity, light and central heating (included in rent) Available: immediately. Length of rental: 6 months minimum 24 hour Access, building also has 24 hour Security Ideal, affordable, reasonable rent and excellent opportunity for start-up businesses. If you are interested; please telephone Milton: 07525 209 154
AfricanVoice
SUBSCRIBE
TODAY
£100 FOR 1 YEAR £100 FOR 1 YEAR £100 FOR 1 YEAR lncluding Paper & Postage
A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OUT EVERY FRIDAY! Name: Full Address: Post Code:
Tel No: I wish to subscribe to AfricanVoice
1 Year:
£100
I enclose a cheque/postal order for £
made payable to: AfricanVoice.
Please invoice me/my company Pls make a cheque of £100 payable to African Voice. Mail to Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7JN 21
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
Ghana defender earmarked to shore up champions’ squad Premier League champions Chelsea are leading talks to sign Ghana defender Baba Rahman from FC Augsburg in Germany’s Bundesliga.
Manager José Mourinho wants Rahman to replace Atletico Madrid-bound Brazil international Filipe Luís, who has struggled at Stamford Bridge. The 21-year-old will cost the Blues around £14m. Italian champions Juventus have also indicated that they are ready to make a bid along with Roma. Augsburg are holding out for a fee of €25m (£17.5m), although they are likely to accept slightly less for a player who joined them from Greuther Fürth only last sum-
Baba Rahman could come in as back-up for Cesar Azpilicueta, a natural right back who has made Chelsea’s left back position his own
Elephants’ new trainer named
Spurs table Njie bid
mer. Out of favour Egyptian, Mohamed Salah, who Mourinho clearly doesn’t rate highly, could be a factor in any deal that is eventually done. The London club are also said to be willing to include long-term loanee, Nigeria international Victor Moses, as a makeweight to land Everton defender John Stones. Everton manager Roberto Martinez has already poured scorn on Mourinho’s initial £20m bid. The player is said to be interested in the move to London, but Everton are believed to be holding out for £30m. Chelsea may be willing to table a £26m plus Moses bid to get the deal done.
Ibe eager to fill Sterling void at Liverpool
Use image of Clinton N’Jie celebrates a goal
Jordon Ibe hopes to grab his opportunity in the Liverpool first team and show Brendan Rodgers he can fill the void left by Raheem Sterling.
Michel Dussuyer
Côte d’Ivoire’s football federation has announced Michel Dussuyer as head coach of the Elephants, taking over from Hervé Renard, who departed on the crest of an Africa Cup of Nations champions sized wave to manage Lille in Ligue 1.
Dussuyer has been handed a two-year contract with an option to renew for another two years, and will be based in Côte d’Ivoire. The 56-year-old had enjoyed a first spell on the Elephants’ bench as an assis22
Clinton Njie scored on his international
tant coach to Henri Michel in 2006, when Didier Drogba and his teammates reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations and sealed an historic qualification for the FIFA World Cup in Germany. He also led Guinea in the 2004, 2012 and 2015 AFCON finals, and Benin in the 2010 edition of the continental showpiece. He will be assigned the task of qualifying for and then retaining the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon in 2017 and getting through to the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made a £7m bid to sign Cameroon attacker Clinton Njie.
The 21-year-old impressed for Olympique Lyonnais last season by scoring eight goals in 33 Ligue 1 appearances. His form has caught the eye of Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has now approved a £7m move for the Cameroon international, according to the Daily Star. Njie has also six goals in 11 games for the Indomitable Lions, including a goal on his debut against DR Congo in 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying last year.
Manchester City’s swoop for Sterling has reduced Liverpool’s attacking options ahead of the new Premier League campaign, but Ibe believes he can be a perfect replacement for the England international. Ibe enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Derby County last season before returning to Anfield in January, going on to make 14 appearances in all competitions. He was never a regular starter, though, and that is something he hopes to change as the 2015-16 season draws nearer. “Football is about chances,” he told the club’s official website. “Raheem is a great player, but hopefully now I will get a chance to play and prove to the manager that I can play in the Premier League.”
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015
Didier still in demand at 37 Côte d’Ivoire’s ex-Chelsea legend Didier Drogba is far from ready to hang up his scoring boots if news of interest from at least three clubs bears fruit.
Although his future remains uncertain for now, Chicago Fire from the United States’ MLS are said to have been talking to the man who led Chelsea’s attack through the club’s most successful period ever. Chicago’s Atul Khosla revealed on Twitter that his club has been in regular dialogue over the past 3 weeks with Drogba and his representatives. Also on Twitter, Khosla posted: “Working to get Didier Drogba to #cf97, would love to have him, have been going through discovery process as we have the rights Looking to clear the air #cf97.” However, the UEFA Champions League winner has also been linked with a move to Italy’s Serie A. L’Equipe claims to have been informed by its sources that Inter Milan have contacted the player. It is understood there are also offers in the wings for him to play in Qatar or to return to the Chinese Super League, where
Eto’o: Russia can stage greatest World Cup ever
The Preliminary Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia is
approaching fast, with final preparations being made for what is
one of the biggest events on the
2015 football calendar and which takes place in St Petersburg on Saturday 25 July.
Some 141 national teams from all the
confederations bar the AFC, which has al-
ready made its draw, are about to discover Didier Drogba scored a late equaliser followed by the winning penalty when Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League final in 2012 - his last game in his first spell at the club he would return to in 2014
he played after the end of his first spell with Chelsea in 2012. MLS side Montreal Impact’s owner Joey Saputo has also revealed his desire to have Drogba. “There was a short period in time where Chicago felt they weren’t interested in the services of Didier Drogba, for whatever reason. The league gave other clubs the opportunity to speak to them, so when the league contacted us about Didier, we said
‘Absolutely, we’re very interested,” said Saputo.
If Drogba ends up playing Major
League Soccer, he may find himself play-
ing against friend and former Chelsea
teammate Frank Lampard and former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, both of whom have joined MLS clubs for this season.
Ajax to swoop on ExOrlando Pirates winger Ex-Orlando Pirates winger Khethowakhe Masuku could re-unite with his former coach Roger De Sa at Ajax Cape Town as the Mother City side are currently talking to him.
According to a local website, RDS has revealed that he aims to boost his team after seeing his charges in action in the eTV Charity Showdown last weekend. Masuku parted ways with the Sea Robbers at the beginning of July together with striker Lennox Bacela who has since been linked to SuperSport United and the University of Pretoria. “I believe we are happy with what we have, but I still think we need another three players and we are going to get them hopefully before the Cape Town Cup gets unKhethowakhe Masuku (in red) in action derway,” said De Sa. “One is pretty close and the next two, I ously comes the clubs involved, if there is any.” Speaking about his team, the former think by the end of the week. “We looked at a few players and he’s Bidvest Wits and Cape Town Santos coach [Masuku] one of them, but there’s a lot of added that he’s content with the team. players we’ve been in touch with. “I am obviously happy with the squad “But you know it’s always a question that we’ve assembled thus far,” added the of availability, affordability, fitting into ex-Bafana Bafana international. what we are looking for and then obvi-
“I had a chat with the chairman the other day and we are looking at about 25 players.” The Urban Warriors are set to face Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon in the Cape Town Cup first semi-final on Friday night at Cape Town Stadium at 20:15.
the route they will have to take in order to qualify for Russia 2018.
Staged at St Petersburg’s Konstantin
Palace, the draw ceremony will get under
way at 18:00 local time, with a number of leading figures from the football world taking to the stage as Draw Assistants,
among them former Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o.
Algeria to camp in Pretoria
Christian Gourcuff’s Algeria will camp in Pretoria, South Africa, ahead of their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Group J match away to Lesotho in Maseru on September 6.
According to Le Buteur, the Fennec Foxes will fly on August 31 from Paris to the OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg and begin their camp in nearby Pretoria on September 1. The camp will last until September 4, when they will depart for Lesotho at midday, giving them approximately two days to prepare for the match on September 6. Gourcuff will hold only one training session per day in the camp, as he reportedly expects the players to suffer from fatigue as they adjust to the early stages of the 2015/16 season. The Algerians will leave Lesotho straight after the match and head to Johannesburg before returning to Paris, allowing the European-based players ample time to return to their clubs. Gourcuff’s side currently top Group J on goal difference ahead of Ethiopia, having beaten minnows Seychelles 4-0 in their first match last month. Lesotho lost 2-1 in Ethiopia but will be looking to claim a major scalp when the Algerians come to Setsoto Stadium in Maseru.
23
Friday, 24 July - Thursday, 30 July 2015 ISSUE 589
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Ghana defender earmarked to shore up champions’ squad SEE PAGE 22
CHRISTIAN CAN ANSWER ROGERS’ PRAYERS
Christian Benteke’s scoring exploits have won him the admiration of several top managers around Europe
By Alan Oakley
Big-spending Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has finally captured his number one summer transfer target after striker Christian Benteke completed his £32.5million transfer from Aston Villa.
The Belgium international becomes the seventh new arrival at Anfield since the end of last season but he was always the priority for the Reds boss. Benteke, who was born in Kinshasa, capital of Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo), is
understood to have signed a five-year contract after undergoing a two-part medical in London earlier this week before travelling to Merseyside on Wednesday to complete the paperwork on the deal, which will see Liverpool pay £16million up front with the remainder of the fee payable over the course of his contract. “I’m very happy to be here and I would like to thank the owners, Ian (Ayre, chief executive who pushed the deal through) and of course the manager for their massive effort to bring me here,” the striker said.
“I think it was the right club for me because I had a good chat with the manager and I wanted to be part of his project. “I know Liverpool is a big story. They’ve won league titles and the Champions League five times and of course the UEFA Cup and a lot of trophies. I know it’s a big club.” Brendan Rogers’ latest acquisition puts Liverpool’s summer spending up to around £80m, so the coming season could be make or break for the Irishman. Benteke joins Adam Bogdan from Bolton, Nathaniel Clyne from Southampton, Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim, Joe Gomez from Charlton
Athletic, Danny Ings from Burnley and James Milner from Manchester City as Anfield new boys. The offloading of the unsettled Raheem Sterling to Manchester City for £49m has gone some way towards funding Brendan Rogers’ spending.
African Voice Newspaper is published by African Voice Communications. Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP. Tel: 020 3737 3077 Registered at the British Library as a newspaper. ISSN 1475-2166.Email: africanvoicenews@googlemail.com