African voice newspaper 497 by African Voice Newspapers UK

Friday, 30 August 2013 – Thursday, 05 September 2013

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ISSUE 497

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

£1.00

Ban Ki Moon awaits report into Syria

S. African girl kills playmate

SEE PAGE 6

SEE PAGE 12

Healthcare levy under new attack Too much screen time ‘causes depression in children’ SEE PAGE 22

Proposed scheme to charge migrants not cost effective, warns BMA By Alan Oakley

Britain’s leading medical union has warned the Government that plans to extend the charging system for migrants and short term visitors attempting to access healthcare in the UK could damage health services.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said the proposals to change the ﬁnancial contribution system for migrants and overseas visitors would involve a costly increase in bureaucracy and negatively impact the workload on already struggling GPs. Plans to charge foreigners who come to the UK hundreds of pounds a year to access NHS treatment were revealed in July. The fee, which is likely to be around £200-a-year, will affect foreign workers and students staying in Britain longer than six months. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said at the time the changes were vital to

the future sustainability of the NHS. The consultation process is due to end on Thursday (August 29), after which the Home Ofﬁce and the Department of Health will assess the proposals’ viability and potentially set out in detail how the scheme would work. One option under discussion is the introduction of a levy payable before any visa over six months is issued. The Government also proposes the end of free access to primary care to all visitors and tourists and at the same time to improve the system by which the NHS can claim reimbursement from the home countries of patients who are visiting from within European Economic Area. The BMA said it agreed with the Government that care should not be denied to patients who require immediate treatment, but added that the proposals raised ethical concerns.

Continued on page 2

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Mark Porter wants the Government to rethink its approach to the issue of charging migrants for healthcare

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UK raised £547 million from voluntary disclosures HM Revenue & Customs campaigns have targeted offshore investments, medical professionals, plumbers, VAT defaulters, coaches and tutors, electricians, online traders and higher rate taxpayers with outstanding tax returns. Seven people have been convicted, with custodial sentences handed out of up to two years. They have between them had to pay over £550,000. People who have sold properties that are not their main homes, and have not told HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about any profit on the sale, have one week left to pay up. HMRC’s Property Sales Campaign is aimed at those who have sold second homes in the UK or abroad where Capital Gains Tax (CGT) should be paid. It includes properties that have been rented out and holiday homes. Taxpayers have until 6 September to pay the tax that they owe. By using the campaign to come forward voluntarily, they will receive the best possible terms, and any penalty will be lower than if HMRC approaches them first. Marian Wilson, Head of HMRC Campaigns, said: “Hundreds of people have come forward to take advantage of this campaign. It is not too late to contact us.”

News

Burnley named most enterprising place in Britain Burnley is celebrating after being named the most enterprising place in Britain. The Lancashire town received the accolade for its ongoing commitment to support small and medium sized businesses and for successfully reframing perceptions of Burnley.

The Burnley Bondholders scheme sets Burnley apart from the rest of Britain, an initiative that brings together over one hundred local firms that work together to promote Burnley as a place for business. Through the consortium’s combined passion and hard work to promote local enterprise through media channels they have attracted £10 million to the area. The Burnley Bondholder scheme stood out from other entries in this year’s ‘most enterprising place’ category of the Enterprising Britain Awards because it demonstrated how collaborative thinking can make a real difference to an area. This scheme was one of four UK winners from a record number of 44 entries to this year’s Enterprising Britain Awards. The awards honour and celebrate the best public initiatives and public-private partnerships that are working hard to promote business development in communities across the UK. Other UK winners in the awards were: • The Premier League for ‘Promoting Enterprise’, • Hackney Council for ‘Promoting Exports’ • Aberdeen College for ‘School/FE Col-

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lege Community Enterprise’ Business and Enterprise Minister Michael Fallon said: “The Burnley Bondholders scheme is reinvigorating the local economy and helping to change perceptions of Burnley. Initiatives like this are working hard to boost growth and thoroughly deserve recognition and the opportunity to represent the UK at the European Awards in November. “These awards showcase the entrepreneurial spirit that can be found in local authorities, businesses, schools and colleges across the country.” Councillor Julie Cooper, leader of Burnley Council, said: “This is fantastic news for Burnley. “We are punching above our weight and we have big ambitions. Burnley is well on its way to forging a strong international reputation as a centre of excellence for

manufacturing, particularly in the aerospace industry. “This award reflects Burnley’s growing stature in showing the way to the rest of the country in promoting manufacturing in Britain and puts us on the map as a place where enterprise and innovation are thriving. “It’s great that we’re the most enterprising area in the UK but it’s only the start. It reflects what’s happening in our town but it’s nowhere near the end of the story. Work which is underway to create an innovative aerospace ‘supply village’ in the former Michelin tyre factory is just one excellent example of how an old manufacturing site that was symbolic of Britain’s industrial past is being transformed into a shining example of our country’s high-tech manufacturing future. “Burnley - Britain’s most enterprising area – absolutely right.”

cost of setting up its own bureaucracy. The NHS does not need more administrators; it should be spending its money on caring for patients. “More worryingly, the proposals could have an impact on the care all patients receive. If non-EEA doctors are forced to make contributions to their healthcare, this could discourage them from coming to practice in the UK and working in key services, such as emergency departments, which are experiencing doctor shortages. This could exacerbate the current workload pressures already facing the NHS. “The Government needs to rethink it is entire approach to this issue as in their current form these proposals are unworkable and potentially damaging to the NHS.” Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the BMA’s GP committee, said: “GPs, like many other NHS staff, do not have the capacity to administer a complicated bureaucratic system that is of questionable benefit to taxpayers and patients.

“Asking patients to produce documentation to prove their residency faces a number of problems. It would mean all patients would have to have their eligibility checked each time they register with their GP. This would be a huge inconvenience to all members of the public and would take up valuable time that practices could be using to treat patients.” A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “No one expects health workers to become immigration guards and we want to work alongside doctors to bring about improvements, but we are clear we must all work together to protect the NHS from costly abuse. “We want a system that is fair for the British taxpayer by ensuring that foreign nationals pay for their NHS treatment. By looking at the scale of the problem and at where and how improvements can be made we will help ensure the NHS remains sustainable for many years to come.”

Healthcare levy under new attack Continued from front page

Publisher and Editor-In-Chief Mike Abiola Editorial Board Adviser Dr Ola Ogunyemi News Editor Peter Olorunnisomo Managing Editor Alan Oakley Sports Editor Abiodun Teriba Assist. Sports Editor Olubunmi Omoogun Arts Editor Golda John Columnists Ryan Holmes Photo Journalist Isaac Adegbite Graphic Designer African Voice UK Legal Adviser Nosa Kings Erhunmwunsee London Office: Unit 7 Holles House

Business and Enterprise Minister Michael Fallon

Healthcare Minister Jeremy Hunt

Mark Porter, chair of BMA Council, said: “The BMA believes that anyone accessing NHS services should be eligible to do so, but the Government’s plans for extending charging to migrants and short term visitors are impractical, uneconomic and inefficient. “The NHS does not have the infrastructure or resources to administrate a charging system that is not likely to produce enough revenue to cover the

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News

Support for working carers needed to help boost the economy

Better support for working carers would give businesses and the UK economy a much needed boost and would save taxpayers £1.3 billion a year, according to a new report.

The Supporting Working Carers Report is warning that as well as losing money, businesses risk losing valuable, experienced employees if action is not urgently taken to enable people with caring responsibilities to remain in work. There are more than three million employees who currently have to balance their work commitments and their family caring responsibilities; almost two million of those people work full time. New evidence from over 200 employers shows that providing these carers with better support in the workplace can result in cost savings for businesses. This is because better support of working carers: • Improves staff productivity; • Improves staff retention; and • Reduces sick leave and absenteeism Carers already have a legal right to request flexible working hours after 26 weeks of continuous employment, and a Bill is going through Parliament that will give everyone that same right. This will reduce the stigma among carers when discussing this issue with their place of work. The Government is also exploring other ways of supporting carers who want to stay in work or are trying to return to employment. The Care Bill will give carers new rights to support that put them on the same footing as the people they care for – they’ll have the right to get support from their local authority for the first time and councils will have to consider how they can work

Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb

with providers to develop care and support services that enable people, including carers, to work. But the report highlights the need for a cultural shift among businesses towards this issue; workplaces and services have shifted to help working parents to juggle family responsibilities and this shift in attitude now needs to take place for carers of older and disabled loved ones. This report, which has been produced by the Government, major employers and the charity Carer’s UK, recommends that: • Employers renew their commitment to flexible working and actively promote the benefits of this approach with other businesses; • Businesses “carer proof” their policies and procedures to ensure they are fit to deal

with the UK’s growing care responsibilities; and • Local authorities support the development of a care market that offers more flexible and affordable care and support services that enable carers to stay in work. With a rapidly ageing population, the number of people who will face the challenge of balancing work and caring responsibilities is set to grow; this is therefore a growing challenge that businesses will need to address. In launching this report, the Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb said: “Carers do an incredible job of supporting their loved ones but too many feel they cannot combine this important role with the jobs they have in the workplace. This has costly implications for businesses and the econo-

my, as well as for the carers themselves. “This report is a landmark statement from business and Government that more can and should be done to support working carers. There are already many employers who recognise the benefits of helping staff to balance their work and care commitments but we need to spread this good practice to make this the reality in every business.” Ian Peters, MD British Gas Residential Energy and Chair of Employers for Carers, said: “For business, the message is simple: unless workplaces provide better support for carers they will continue to see growing numbers of their most experienced staff forced to leave work. “By having the right measures in place we can keep UK businesses more productive, improve workers’ health and well-being, keep more of our employees working and keep contributions coming in to the Exchequer in terms of tax and insurance.” Caroline Waters, Co-Chair of the Task and Finish Group, Vice President of Carers UK and former Director of People and Networks for BT Plc, said: “We won the argument that supporting parents of young children to work was good for business and good for the economy – it is time that the same happened for carers of older and disabled loved ones. “But flexibility in the workplace can only go so far. Good quality, reliable and flexible childcare has been essential for parents to be able to work. We need the same vision and concerted commitment for families who care for adults and disabled relatives. “If we act now we can create a society that helps families care for their loved ones and an economy that is strengthened by a thriving care sector.”

Ministers deny Tony Blair money for Africa charity Senior Conservative ministers have rebuffed an attempt by Tony Blair to get millions of pounds of Government money to support the work of his personal foundation in Africa.

The Independent understands that Mr Blair met the International Development Secretary, Justine Greening, in May to discuss the former prime minister’s Africa Governance Initiative (AGI). Senior sources in Whitehall said Mr Blair raised the possibility of Ms Greening supporting a move to continue to expand the programme’s work. But Ms Greening rebuffed him and told him that he should not expect to get Government money. “It was a perfectly amicable conversation but the Secretary of State made clear that Mr Blair should not expect Department for International Development (Dfid) money,” they said. “Justine has personally to approve any funding programme over £1m and I think he understood this was not something 4

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair

the Government would look favourably upon.” But Tory MPs went further. Priti Patel said it was “astonishing” that Mr Blair should even be approaching Dfid about

Government support. “With all the money he’s made from consultancies, speeches and other work since quitting as prime minister, it is astonishing to see Tony Blair asking for

taxpayers’ cash,” she said. “Decisions on aid budget spending should be made carefully and transparently and the International Development Secretary was right to stand up to his request.” This is not the first time Mr Blair has tried to get funding for the AGI, which aims to improve the capacity of African governments to provide public services. In 2011, when Ms Greening’s predecessor Andrew Mitchell was running the department, AGI made two separate applications to become a contractor for Dfid and also applied for a grant from a £40m fund to fight poverty, but both were turned down. The latest Dfid accounts show the department spent £700m on “government and civil society” schemes across the world in 2011-12. At the time of the correspondence with Mr Mitchell, Mr Blair described AGI’s work as “a major part of a successful future for Africa” and repeatedly stated that he would like the chance to discuss his work “in person”.

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News

Policeman guilty of assaulting, spitting suspect A police officer has been found guilty of punching a suspect in the face after he spat in the officer’s mouth.PC Rohan Scarlett, 47, was accused of assaulting Andrew Uba as he put him in a police van in February.

Metropolitan Police officer Scarlett was transferring Uba from Islington police station to custody in Lewisham, southeast London. The officer who denied common assault, at Highbury Magistrates Court, is currently suspended from duties. Scarlett, from Croydon, south London, said he had struggled while transferring Uba to custody. But as he put Uba inside the van, without warning Uba spat at close distance in his face, Scarlett told the court. We do not accept that the defendant honestly believed that he needed to use force to defend himself in these circumstances” “A big lump went in my mouth and left eye and spray went over my face and vest. “Because I hadn’t heard him bringing it

PC Rohan Scarlett is he accused

up I thought he was going to spit at me again so I struck him in the face area.” Scarlett wiped his face of spit, opened the

van door and intentionally “launched” himself at Uba, punching him twice, the court was told.

Delivering the guilty verdict, chair of the bench Sue Rose said: “We do not accept that the defendant honestly believed that he needed to use force to defend himself in these circumstances.” The court was shown a photograph from the scene, with a pool of blood on the seat where Uba had been sitting. Another officer PC David O’Hara was present at the time of the incident. PC O’Hara claimed he tried to remove Scarlett from the suspect but he was not strong enough. He said he told the defendant after the punch “we don’t do that”, to which he said Mr Scarlett replied “yeah we do”. Sentencing was adjourned until 20 September and Scarlett was given continued unconditional bail. Scarlett’s defence barrister, Tom Godfrey, said his client would be appealing against the verdict. Commander �� Allan Gibson of the Metropolitan Police Service Directorate of Professional Standards said: “I appreciate there was alleged provocation in this case, but police officers are expected to remain professional at all times; irrespective of provocation.

Ban Ki Moon awaits report into Syria

UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon says weapons inspectors investigating an apparent Syrian chemical attack will leave on Saturday and will then submit their report to him. Hundreds are reported to have died in the attack near Damascus last week. US President Barack Obama said he had not yet decided on a plan of action. Other nations are also considering the next move. The UK wants a UN Security Council resolution to take “all necessary measures” to help civilians. The UK prime minister’s office said in a statement that the UK could still take “exceptional measures including targeted military intervention” even if the Security Council could not agree. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said his country would defend itself against any aggression. The British parliament is voting later on Thursday on whether to back the principle of military intervention, but the leader of the opposition Labour Party has said MPs should not have to decide on what he called an “artificial timetable”. The Speaker of the Syrian parliament has written to his counterpart in Lon6

Ban Ki Moon

don inviting a British parliamentary delegation to visit Damascus as soon as possible. French President Francois Hollande has also yet to decide about a military intervention. But on Thursday, after meeting Ahmed Jarba, the head of the opposition Syrian National Coalition,

Mr Hollande said a political solution would only be possible if “the international community can put a temporary stop to this escalation in violence”. Meanwhile, a Chinese state-run newspaper has warned there are no excuses for air strikes on Syria.

The China Daily editorial accuses Western powers of acting as judge, jury and executioner before the UN has completed its investigation. Russia, President Assad’s main international ally, also says it opposes any foreign military intervention in Syria. The use of force without a sanction of the UN Security Council would be a “crude violation” of international law and “lead to the long-term destabilisation of the situation in the country and the region”, Mr Lavrov said. The US state department criticised “Russian intransigence” and said it could not allow diplomatic paralysis to serve as a shield for the Syrian leadership. The UK, US and France are continuing their discussions following the meeting of the five permanent members “This is the first use of chemical warfare in the 21st Century,” said UK Foreign Secretary William Hague. “It has to be unacceptable... or we will confront even bigger war crimes in the future.” More than 100,000 people are estimated to have died since the conflict erupted in Syria in March 2011, and the conflict has produced at least 1.7 million refugees.

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H&M looking to Ethiopia in quest for cheap labour Swedish clothing retailer H&M has expressed a desire to set up a production facility in Ethiopia, prompting fears that the Horn of Africa nation could become the next Bangladesh.

Ethiopia’s economy just keeps growing - since 2007 at times with double-digit

H&M outsources production to around 800 factories in Europe and Asia

leaps and bounds. “The Economist” projects that the country will experience annual growth of 7 to 8 percent up to 2016 at least. Ethiopia’s government is apparently placing special emphasis on the textile industry - by 2016, the country aims to export more than a billion dollars worth of apparel. Factories established by the likes of H&M are more than welcome. According to a supplier, the Swedish chain wants to produce more than a million items of clothing per month in the East African nation. A company spokesperson conﬁrmed that test runs have already been ordered from Ethiopian producers. Many producers have in the past relocated production to countries that offered cheap labour, like Bangladesh or China. But social standards and wages have risen in these countries, while the world seems to be examining production conditions increasingly critically. This has led producers to begin considering new options for cheap labour. On the African continent, Morocco and Tunisia are known as clothing production countries, mostly for discount apparel. Other African countries, like Ghana or Kenya, don’t play much of a role in the fashion industry, according to GermanFashion, a German industry association. Ethiopia offers a number of advantages, said Thomas Ballweg, a procurement and technical consultant at GermanFashion. “On the one hand are the lower costs - much lower than in China - with 80 million people living there. And, it’s near the sea - and quick to get to Europe via the Suez Canal,” Ballweg said. This could shorten delivery time by a third compared with coming from the Far East. In addition, Ethiopia’s climate and that of neighbouring countries is well-suited for the cultivation of cotton, Ballweg emphasised. As long as the cotton was of high enough quality, clothing producers could save on expensive import by using local materials. Apart from H&M, British supermarket chain Tesco and Ireland-based discount textile company Primark also produce in Ethiopia, according to GermanFashion. Observers warn that Ethiopia could become another Bangladesh, with tex-

tile factory workers labouring under scandalous conditions. Reports recur of Bengali factories burning down and causing numerous deaths. In April a textile factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing more than a thousand people. Christoph Kannengiesser of the German-African Business Association says he can’t imagine such a fate for Ethiopia - even discount apparel companies like H&M or Primark are concerned about their reputation. “For a company with a brand name that relies on its clientele’s approval, it would be a disaster for it to become known that social or environmental standards are not being kept,” Kannengiesser said. He said standards set by the International Labour Organisation and World Trade Organisation are high enough, adding that that numerous non-governmental organisations and other independent groups monitor production conditions in countries with cheap labour. Unlike in the electronics industry, workers in the textile industry do not need to be highly qualified, which Kannengiesser pointed out, allows members of lower social classes a working future - a benefit to all of society in the long term. “The more people who are working and the more people who are able to feed themselves, pay for health care and education for their children - the better the chances are for the educational level of society to increase,” Kannengiesser said. He pointed to such developments in Asia, which were only made possible by investment in the textile industry. Ethiopia’s textile industry goes back to 1939, when the first factories were established during Fascist Italy’s occupation of the country. During the Cold War, foreign communists collaborated with Ethiopia’s then communist government in the textile sector. Some of those plants are still in service. But the country’s infrastructure is poor: Roads are bad and only 15 percent of the population has electricity. H&M has said that it does not intend to reduce or close production at locations in Asia. And GermanFashion doesn’t think that Ethiopia will develop into a new textile hub - the country’s production is far too small relative to global production. H&M first opened for business in Sweden in 1947. The company has since risen to become the world’s second largest clothing retailer.

Friday, 30 August 2013 – Thursday, 05 September 2013

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Jonathan explains Youth Minister’s sacking

By Peter Olorunnisomo

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan refuted media reports that Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, as the Minister of Youths Development, was sacked earlier in the week for his alleged ‘closeness and loyalty’ to one of the governors perceived to be at loggerheads with Mr. President.

Jonathan explained that this was not so and that the reason for the Honourable Minister’s sack was because of his serial failure to provide the required necessary leadership to move the ministry forward in line with the presidential mandate expected of the holder of that position. The Presidential Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, stated that “While many media outlets erroneously attributed the minister’s sacking to his disloyalty or closeness to a particular governor or governors said to be opposed to the President, the most disingenuous and malicious speculation was by a national newspaper which claimed that Alhaji Abdulkadir was ﬁred for failing to ensure that a pro-Jonathan candidate emerged as president of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).” He added that nothing could be further from the truth as the President regards all

Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir Nigerian youths as his wards and constituents. Therefore, he said, claims that he had a preferred candidate in the NYCN elections were completely baseless and without justiﬁcation as there was absolutely no reason for him to prefer one candidate over others.

According to the statement, “President Jonathan remains sincerely and unwaveringly committed to doing all within his powers to promote the credibility and integrity of the electoral process at all levels in the country.

“He ﬁrmly believes that a culture of free, fair and credible election must be constantly nurtured and encouraged amongst Nigerian youth and all other sections of the country. “In point of fact, it was Alhaji Abdulkadir’s regrettable deviation from this presidential commitment in the management of the NYCN elections that led to the decision to relieve him of his appointment as Minister of Youth Development. “President Jonathan was very displeased with the mishandling of the NYCN elections in Makurdi and Minna by the Ministry of Youth Development which resulted in the unfortunate fractionalization of the youth council. “The President found the Ministry’s failure to provide appropriate leadership towards open and transparent youth council elections unacceptable. “President Jonathan is sincerely committed to doing everything possible to ensure that the Nigerian youth, on whom the country’s aspirations for a bright and prosperous future depend, are given the best possible upbringing and orientation. “The President therefore expects all ofﬁcials of his administration to exhibit greater rectitude and sensitivity on issues related to youth development, and comport themselves at all times in a manner worthy of emulation by Nigerian youth.”

Taraba State engulfed in power crisis

Governor Danbaba Suntai

Ever since the past days that the Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, returned to the country returning to duties has become quite a task against the run of expectation. This is because the State House of Assembly has not approved his request to resume ofﬁce. Notwithstanding that, the Governor has gone ahead on Wednesday to sack his commissioners and other ofﬁcials. The Tuesday before, the Speaker of the House, Haruna Tsokwa, insisted

that Suntai’s letter seeking approval to resume work after his medical treatment overseas would not be approved until he addressed the public in order to ascertain the state of his health. The position of the Speaker was said to have angered the governor who has not been seen in public so far since his return thus allowing fears and suspicion over the sate of his health.

A statement on the dissolution of the state executive by the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Media Matters, Sylvanus Giwa, directed the sacked commissioners and special advisers to hand over to their various Permanent Secretaries. Others affected by the Governor’s purge include the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Garvey Yaweh and the Chief of Staff, Ahmed Yusuf. Unlike the sacked commissioners who are yet to be replaced, a new SSG in the person of the former Commissioner for Justice and the Attorney General of the state, Gebon Timothy Kataps, was appointed while Alhaji Aminu Jika is to take the position of the Chief of Staff. According to the statement, “Governor Suntai has dissolved the entire executive of the state and the special advisers. “Governor Suntai has also approved the appointment of a new SSG in person of Gebon Timothy Kataps and Malam Aminu Jika as the new Chief of Staff.” According to Giwa, the decision of the governor to do away with the commissioners and the special advisers as well as the SSG and the chief of staff, was to “re-strategise governance in the state.” Before the dissolution, Kataps who was

then the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General had told journalists that the Speaker and his colleagues had no constitutional backing to stop the governor from resuming office. Citing section 190 sub-section 2 of the 1999 constitution as amended, Kataps noted that in as much as the letter to resume office had been transmitted to the House of Assembly by the governor, the members had no right to prevent him from performing his functions. At the time this report was filed, it was learnt that the sacked officials were in a closed-door meeting with the governor. It was also gathered that the non-intervention of both President Goodluck Jonathan and the national leadership of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has not gone down well in certain quarters in view of the crisis in the state. The Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Hamidu Suleiman, was reported to have noted that the refusal of the Presidency and the leadership of the PDP to intervene “in the crisis that is fast consuming this state is unfair to us and Nigerians at large.”

Friday, 30 August 2013 – Thursday, 05 September 2013

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Aregbesola creates 3,000 fresh jobs; establishes West Africa’s largest garment factory

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State’s efforts at creating jobs and revamping the economy of the state has recorded another leap as no fewer than 3,000 fresh employment opportunities are on the way through the establishment of the best equipped West Africa’s largest garment factory due to take off in Osogbo in August. Situated close to the State Secretariat, Gbongan road, the multi-billion naira garment factory which is a private initiative and the largest in West Africa with encouragement from the state government of Osun will employ at least 3000 people to be trained in stitching with modern machines. Governor Aregbesola, in order to encourage the investors, Messrs. Sam

& Sarah Garment Factory, to boost the sewing of school uniforms for public primary and secondary schools across the state’s 30 local governments, provided 6,000 square metres of land for the factory to take off in Osogbo and boost the state’s economy. The land which the government provided along with other ancillary incentives made available to Sam & Sara to establish what has now become the largest garment factory in West Africa has been used to serve as the 14 per cent equitable holding of the State of Osun in the venture. The project which equipment is largely ﬁnanced by the Bank of Industry, BOI, to the tune of almost N1.5 billion is designed to produce 100,000 dresses per day. Source: Vanguard Newspaper.

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola [middle], Special Assistant to the Governor, State of Osun on Youth, Sports and Special Needs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade[left], Chief of Staff to the Governor, State of Osun, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola [second left], representative of the President, Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Alhaji Maccido Garba [second right] and National President of Taekwondo Referee Association, Dr. Fergusson Oluigbo [right] during ofﬁcial presentation of the trophy won by the Omoluabi Pan-African Martial Arts International/National Taekwondo Championship[PANAMAI] to the Governor, State of Osun at the State Government House, Osogbo

Photos: Taofeeq Adejare

Brazilian Representative of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in the Afro-Identity International Conference, Sir Joe Monteiro in a stylistic presentation of a bulk of Compact Disc to the Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola during a gettogether dinner party organized by the Governor, marking the O.A.U & Afro-Identity International Conference while the Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori [left], State of Osun, Head of Service, Mr. Sunday Owoeye [middle] and Dr. Felix Omidire [ second right] watch at the State Government House, Osogbo

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola presenting a gift to the former Dean, Faculty of Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Dipo Salami while State of Osun, Head of Service, Mr. Sunday Owoeye and commissioner for Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Mr. Sikiru Ayedun look during a get-together dinner party organized by the Governo,r marking the O.A.U & Afro-Identity International Conference at the State Government House, Osogbo

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Israel

Israel adopts new ruse to expel Eritrea’s refugees

Protests about Israel’s alleged unjust treatment of Eritrean refugees are commonplace on the streets of Tel-Aviv

Israel’s Interior Ministry is challenging asylum claims by Eritreans who, it says, are Ethiopian and thus eligible for deportation. A Central District Court judge has ruled in favour of the state in 18 out of 19 petitions against the ministry’s classiﬁcation.

Eritrean citizens in Israel are granted collective ‘temporary protection’ and are not deported to Eritrea. There are currently 36,067 Eritreans in Israel, according to Border and Immigration Authority data.

USA

In recent months, the state has increased its efforts to expel Eritrean and Sudanese citizens. Most of the effort is focused on convincing migrants to sign controversial ‘consent’ forms stating they agree to return. Another method is to classify Eritreans as Ethiopian, in spite of their insistence to the contrary. Most African migrants do not have official documents, with the final citizenship determination being made by the Interior Ministry, based on a personal interview. Last month, Judge Avraham Yaakov, Deputy President of the Central District Court, ruled in 19 petitions against the classifications of the Interior Ministry. Only in one case did the judge accept the peti-

Man snared carrying uranium in shoes

tion and reverse the state’s classification. In four other cases, the judge determined that, while the state had not substantiated its classification of the petitioners as Ethiopian, the petitioners had not proved that they were Eritrean either. In the other 14 cases, Judge Yaakov accepted the state’s classification that the migrants were indeed Ethiopian and therefore not eligible for collective temporary protection. The only petition accepted was that of a 23-year-old migrant who entered Israel in June 2011 and was detained in the Saharonim detention centre for five months. Ministry officials determined she was Ethiopian on the basis of a number of interviews, arguing that she did not know details about her alleged village, did not present an official document, was inconsistent in her replies, could not give information about her spouse who was already in Israel and identified as Eritrean and knew almost nothing about Eritrea’s history. Judge Yaakov rejected the state’s arguments, including the claim that she knew little of the village of Monoxito, where she said she lived, pointing to testimony that detailed the names of villages leading to Monoxito, including the location of certain villages where medical treatment was available. Regarding the

Kyrgyzstan

‘Black Death’ community on lockdown after boy. 15, dies

Three people have been revealed in Kyrgyzstan as showing possible symptoms of bubonic plague following the death of a 15-year-old boy from the disease last week.

A Geiger counter measuring radiation from a man’s shoe

A Sierra Leone national has been arrested at New York’s John F Kennedy airport on suspicion of attempting to purchase uranium for export. Patrick Campbell was charged with attempting to broker a sale of 1,000 tonnes of yellowcake uranium to Iran. The deal was allegedly made with undercover agents who were impersonating representatives of Iran. Samples of raw uranium ore were found concealed in Campbell’s shoes. When enriched, yellowcake can be used in the manufacture of nuclear fuel and weapons. Campbell is accused of attempting to arrange the export of the yellowcake from Sierra Leone to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, packed in drums and disguised as the mineral chromite.

He presented himself as being afﬁliated with a company engaged in mining and selling uranium in Sierra Leone, according to the US complaint. Campbell allegedly responded to an internet advert for uranium placed by a Federal agent posing as an American broker in May of last year. When confronted, he admitted to having brought a sample of the raw uranium ore with him, the complaint says. It adds: “Campbell assisted the agents in removing the uranium from beneath the inside soles of his shoes and plastic bags containing uranium were recovered from two of Campbell’s shoes.” If convicted, Campbell faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1m (£642,000) ﬁne.

state’s claim that she knew little of Eritrean history, the judge noted that she had only four years schooling. Attorney Yadin Elam, who represented the woman, said that “this story reflects the arbitrariness of the ministry official’s classifications. She was held for five months because officials decided she was Ethiopian without any real justification. From her interview, one can learn that its purpose was not to reveal the truth, but rather to prove, by all means possible, that she was not Eritrean. The courts have repeatedly instructed officials to be extremely cautious during such interviews, saying that it is often a matter of life and death. It’s about time the officials understood and conducted themselves according to these directives.” One of the migrants whose petition was rejected by the judge has been recognised as Eritrean by the UN refugee agency. In the interview he said he was born in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa and lived in Ethiopia for thirteen years before living in Eritrea for nine years. The judge rejected his petition, saying that he was “born in Ethiopia and lived there for many years, does not speak Tigrigna, but does speak Amharic fluently.”

The easternmost district of Ak-Suu in the Central Asian country is on lockdown while police guard the hospital where 15year-old Temirbek Isakunov was treated and died last Thursday. The former Soviet republic’s emergency ministry said in a statement: “[Three] residents of Sary-Kamysh... came to the hospital at 12:30 am. They are now under medical care.” The three new patients, a woman with a toddler and a teenager, exhibited symptoms of bubonic plague, namely a fever and swollen lymph nodes in their armpit and neck areas, an informed Kyrgyzstan government source said on condition of anonymity. According to the source, all three had contact with the deceased 15-year-old. The Ak-Suu district, which borders Kazakhstan and China, lies close to the IssykKul lake and is a popular tourist destination. Kazakhstani ofﬁcials said on Tuesday that the country is stepping up preventive measures to stop any possible outbreak on its territory, introducing “special monitoring” of people crossing the border from Kyrgyzstan.

Kazakhstan’s health ministry also warned its citizens against travelling to Kyrgyzstan “until the epidemiological situation regarding the plague is stabilised”. Bubonic plague is a bacterial infection that is a strain of the “Black Death”, a virulent disease that killed tens of millions of people in 14th-century Europe. Primarily an animal disease, it is extremely rare in humans.

The 14th century outbreak of bubonic plague claimed tens of millions of victims

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News

S. African girl kills playmate A seven-year-old South African girl has shot dead her friend, aged six, with her grandfather’s revolver while playing at a farm, police say. A murder case has been opened after the dead girl, a daughter of a farm worker, was shot in the face. The alleged killer’s grandfather has been charged with failure to safeguard a firearm, police added. South Africa has tight gun ownership regulations but many people still possess firearms. The debate over gun ownership in South Africa is highly emotive, and sometimes takes racial overtones in a country where divisions between black

Guns in South Africa is one of the countries major problems

and white people still run deep, says BBC South Africa analyst Farouk Chothia. The pro-gun lobby argues that people should be well-armed because of high levels of crime, but critics say this merely escalates the violence. Police spokeswoman Ronel Otto told the BBC the alleged killer is in the care of her parents, while her 60-year-old grandfather has received bail of $50 (£30) after he was charged in court. “The seven-year-old was visiting her grandparents on a farm outside BelaBela [a small town in South Africa’s Limpopo province] when she allegedly shot her friend with a 0.38 revolver,” Ms

Otto said, AFP news agency reports. Her grandfather had apparently taken the weapon out of his gun safe on Friday after an attempted robbery, and forgot to put it back, local media reports say. Community leaders said there was a “great sense of shock” among residents, Ms Otto told the BBC. Police have opened a murder case but were waiting for clarity from prosecutors on how to proceed because the alleged killer was a minor, AFP reports. South Africa’s 50 million people own an estimated 5.95 million guns, with 3.73 million of them registered

Outspoken Lawmaker Gets 3-Year Sentence Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo should immediately drop the apparently politically motivated case against a member of parliament. Muhindo Nzangi was sentenced to three years in prison over comments he made on a radio program in proceedings that did not meet international fair trial standards. His prosecution reflects a broader government crackdown on free expression in the country. On August 13, 2013, two days after speaking on a radio program in the eastern city of Goma, Nzangi was tried, convicted, and sentenced for endangering internal state security. On August 20, police violently disrupted a peaceful sit-in by dozens of Nzangi supporters outside the North Kivu governor’s office in Goma. The police beat several protesters and arrested five, who were threatened with rebellion charges, though all were released by the next day. Nzangi is a member of the Movement for Social Renewal (Mouvement social pour le renouveau, or MSR), one of the largest political parties in the ruling presidential majority (Majorité présidentielle, or MP)coalition. “A member of parliament was arrested, summarily tried and sent off to prison solely for expressing his views,” said Ida Sawyer, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “This sadly is just the latest attempt by government officials to use the courts to silence dissent.” Congolese authorities should drop their questionable case against Nzangi and end the crackdown against his supporters, Human Rights Watch said.

40% rise in foreigners claiming benefits

THE number of jobless foreigners claiming benefits in Britain has leapt by 40 per cent in four years, official figures have revealed. Nearly 407,000 non-UK nationals were handed Jobseeker’s Allowance last year – a rise of more than 118,000 since 2008.

Five years ago, 12,600 Eastern Europeans claimed work benefits but the number shot up to just under 50,000 last year when people from Poland and seven other eastern European countries gained full access to the system. The rise has seen the total bill for handouts run to hundreds of millions of pounds. There is growing concern that Britain will face a new wave of Eastern European immigration when working restrictions on Romanians and Bulgarians are relaxed at the end of this year. Sir Andrew Green, chairman of MigrationWatch UK, said: “It is very 12

Job centre has seen a massive rise in claimants

striking that claimants from Poland and the other new Eastern European member states have increased by nearly three quarters in just one year since

they gained the same access to the UK benefit system as British citizens. “Furthermore, these latest figures do not include working tax credit or hous-

ing benefit for which most East Europeans, being low paid, would qualify.” The Department of Work and Pensions figures showed there were 102,000 claimants from Africa last year and 132,000 from Asia and the Middle East. Europeans were the largest group, at nearly 139,000. Matthew Sinclair, chief executive of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “It’s concerning that the bill for these benefits has ballooned so much in the last few years. “Benefits must be simplified to protect taxpayers and ensure help reaches those who really need it.” Last night a DWP spokesman said the Government was “tightening rules” to “protect the integrity of the benefits system and make sure it is not abused”. He added: “We are also working with our counterparts across Europe to address our concerns about the abuse of free movement.”?

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News

Tunisia opposition in rally against Ennahda-led government Thousands of Tunisians have come together to protest in front of the National Assembly in the capital Tunis calling for the Islamist-led government to resign.

The opposition party National Salvation Front has called for a week of protests over what it says is the government’s failure to assure security. The protests come a month after the assassination of a prominent opposition politician. It was the second such politically-motivated killing this year with the first coming back in wFeburary. The governing Ennahda party has offered to support an all-party government but has ruled out calls to dissolve the constituent assembly or remove Prime Minister Ali Laaraiedh. “The people want the fall of the regime,” chanted the crowds, repeating the slogan used when Tunisians ousted President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011. His downfall triggered revolts right through the Arab world. Correspondents say Tunisian opposition parties have recently been emboldened by the Egyptian army’s ousting of

Islamist President Mohamed Morsi. Witnesses said police monitored Saturday’s protests but there were no reports of violence. Protester Nejet Brissi, 41, said she wanted the government to step down and make way for a caretaker administration to oversee fresh elections. “Since Ennahda came to power we have been suffering,” she said. “We have been crushed by the rising cost of living. There is no security any more. We are living in fear of terrorists.” Opposition politician Mohamed Brahmi was shot on 25 July, almost six months after secular opposition leader Chokri Belaid, a fellow leftist politician, was killed. Tunisia’s powerful UGTT trade union has been mediating between the Islamists and the opposition. Ennahda said on Thursday it accepted in principle a proposal to form a technocratic government, but only after further negotiations. The UGTT plans to continue its mediation work next week. “We hope that we will find a solution

Tunisian people gathered together

Tunisian Protests

responding to the interests of the nation above all, and which satisfies the different parties,” said UGTT secretary general Hocine Abassi, after holding talks with President Moncef Marzouki. Since the revolution, Islamists of every stripe have emerged after years of oppression under the ousted regime of Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. They range from moderates like the ruling Ennahda movement to ultra-conservatives known as Salafists. No longer the target of state security agencies, they have founded political parties, charities and their leaders have become regulars on television talk shows. The majority of the Islamists are committed to non-violence, but there is a mi-

nority of jihadists who use violence. There are many authentic online videos showing hardliners calling for the assassination of prominent opposition leaders and taking pride in the desecration of ancient shrines, which they consider un-Islamic, and attacks on premises that sell alcohol. They have further held several street protests calling for the enforcement of Sharia and often chanted in support of Osama Bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader killed in a US raid in Pakistan in 2011. In February, Tunis was brought to a standstill by a general strike and mass protests over the assassination of political leader Chokri Belaid, a prominent secular opponent of the Islamist-led government.

FCO Minister for Africa condemns M23 militia attacks and urges those with influence over them to help end the violence in eastern DRC.

support to the M23 is unacceptable, damaging to the security of the region, and in direct contravention of the UN Security Council resolution “I was disturbed by reports that shells have landed in Rwanda, including UN reports that the M23 has fired into Rwandan territory. There must be a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into these incidents. I also urge the FARDC to ensure that shells do not unintentionally land in Rwandan territory. “The UK fully supports the Peace, Security, and Co-operation Framework. It is vital that the political process gets back on track. Only through all signatories working together to fulfil their commitment can lasting peace be brought to the region.”

UK condemns eastern DR Congo violence

Violence in the DR Congo has come under intense scrutiny in recent times

Commenting on reports of increased violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, FCO Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, said: “I am deeply concerned about the recent escalation in fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. I strongly condemn the M23 militia’s repeated and targeted attacks on civilians and peacekeepers from the UN mission, MONUSCO. I fully support MONUSCO’s mandate and I commend their work to protect civilians. “The M23 must cease all forms of violence and I urge those with influence over them to help achieve this. Any external

Friday, 30 August 2013 – Thursday, 05 September 2013

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CRIME

Man jailed for burglaries Police continue appeal targeting the elderly after Kilburn shooting

John Connors

A man has been jailed for a series of artiﬁce burglaries which targeted the elderly.

John Connors, 41 (25.04.72) of no fixed abode was sentenced to eight years imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday, 27 August following an operation by officers from Hammersmith Crime Squad. Operation Apate was set up following a spate of artifice burglaries which occurred in the East Acton and Hammersmith areas. A total of 11 linked offences were identified between 20 July and 11 August.

On each occasion the suspect tricked his way into the victims’ address after claiming to be from the ‘water board’. He would then distract them while he stole, or tried to steal, valuables and cash. Many of his victims were aged between 76 and 92 years and suffered from physical disabilities. Two of them were blind. Officers conducted extensive CCTV enquiries and identified Connors as the suspect. He was arrested in early hours of Sunday, 11 August following a 999 call to an attempted burglary in progress. Connors was charged on Monday, 12 August with eight counts of residential burglary and three further attempted residential burglaries where he had failed to gain entry. He subsequently pleaded guilty at court on 27 August. Detective Constable Andy Griffin, of the Hammersmith and Fulham Crime Squad, said: “We are committed to protecting local residents, and particularly the more vulnerable, from crime. “Connors is a ‘career criminal’ who preyed on the elderly to steal from them. The length of sentence reflects the risk that he posed.”

Detectives investigating the murder of Sabrina Moss in Kilburn in the early hours of Saturday morning, 24 August are continuing to appeal for witnesses and information. A post-mortem examination held at Northwick Park Hospital Mortuary on 25 August gave cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest. The second victim [2] remains in hospital and her condition is described as stable and non-life-threatening. Two men, [A] and [B], arrested in connection with the incident were taken into custody and subsequently released without further action. On Saturday, 24 August police were called at 04:12hrs to reports of shots fired in the street in Kilburn High Road. Officers and London Ambulance Service attended the scene to find two women suffering from gunshot injuries. Both were taken to London hospitals. Sabrina Moss, 24, from Neasden [Victim 1] was pronounced dead later on Saturday morning. Next of kin have been informed. A second 24-year-old woman [Victim 2] remains in hospital.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating and an incident room has opened at Hendon. It is understood that Sabrina had been out that night celebrating her 24th birthday with friends. Acting Detective Superintendent John Sandlin from the Homicide and Major Crime Command said: “Enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances of this tragic incident. “At this early stage, I believe the two women were innocent parties who were caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. “I am appealing for anyone who witnessed the shooting, or who saw anything suspicion in the Kilburn area early this morning, to call police. “In particular, I need to hear from anyone who saw two males who came into the High Road from Messina Avenue and, after the shooting, made off on foot back along Messina Avenue.” Anyone with information that may assist the investigation should call the incident room at Hendon on 020 8358 0300 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Men arrested of Portobello robberies

Adam Stefanowicz is just one of the four men arrested

Four men who carried out a series of violent robberies against Portobello Market antique jewellery dealers, stealing goods totalling more than £240,000, have been jailed.

Adam Stefanowicz, 28, a Polish national jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. Jan Kowal, 52,, a Polish national- jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. Ireneuusz Szawkalo, 45, a Polish national, jailed for eight years after pleading 14

guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. Mirusz Golait, 39, a Polish national of no ﬁxed address - jailed for three years after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. All four men were jailed at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 23 August 2013 having previously pleaded guilty at earlier hearings. Their convictions follow a proactive, intelligence-led investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s London Crime Squad into a series of robberies committed between October 2012 and February 2013. The victims, aged between 50 and 70 years, were singled out by the defendants who scoured Portobello Market for stalls selling the most lucrative goods. They planned their offences meticulously, carrying out surveillance on their victims to establish mode of travel, home address and work travel times. Wearing balaclavas or masks, the defendants targeted their victims as they set off from home to trade at Portobello Market, using various methods to overpower them, such as cable ties, incapacity spray or by physically trying to choke them. On Saturday, 13 October 2012, two traders - a husband and wife aged in their 50s - from East Sussex, were targeted as they packed up their car to travel to the market. A masked group approached the trader’s

husband, grabbing him violently around the neck, applying what is described as a ‘military choke’, before making off with jewellery worth £200,000. The jewellery included gold, silver, platinum and diamond rings, along with a pair of Bulgari multi-gem earrings worth £3,000 and an early 19th Century flame-cut garnet gold necklace worth £4,500. On Saturday, 1 December 2012, a 63year-old man left his home in Islington and was attacked by a masked man who sprayed a canister of unknown gas/liquid into his face. The victim fell to the floor whilst a second masked man grabbed the victim’s throat, making off with the victim’s bag containing cash, jewellery and antiques to the value of £31,500. The goods included assorted collections of bracelets, necklaces, rings and an 18th Century Agate stone box. On Tuesday, 29 January 2013, masked men targeted a trader at Hatton Garden. The victim, normally based at Portobello Market, was approached from behind by suspects who spun him around before spraying CS spray in his face. They made off with a bag of silver cutlery worth £9,000. On each occasion the men made off with their goods in a waiting car. On 23 February 2013, officers from the MPS London Crime Squad investigating

the three robberies arrested the men, as they set out to force entry of a communal door of a block of ﬂats in St John’s Wood, north-west London- home to a 67-year-old female trader.

Man shot by police charged with firearm offence A man shot by police in Hale End Road, E17 on Tuesday, 20 August has been charged.

Gheorghe Anitoaie, 43 (14/04/70) of no ﬁxed address appears in custody at Thames Magistrates Court on Monday, 26 August charged with possession of an imitation ﬁrearm with intent to cause fear of violence. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is conducting an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in line with established procedures.

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Sounds of Diaspora People of America

Rihanna set to play her risqué 1930s counterpart

Josephine Baker Rumours abound that Rihanna is on the verge of landing the leading role in a biopic about legendary performer Josephine Baker. Reports suggest that the Barbadian almost singer heads a shortlist of candidates to portray the pioneering and often troubled life of the multi-faceted early 20th century star of stage and screen. Producer Lance W. Reynolds says in a statement, “Rihanna is one of the most talented performers of this millennium and with her unique acting and performing abilities, I have no doubt she will bring Josephine back to life on the big screen.” The film about the life of Baker, who became infamous for dancing in nothing but a tutu made from bananas in the 1920s, is set for release next year.

Kanye West and Miley Cyrus to mix a strange brew Miley Cyrus is clearly on a mission to completely obliterate her kids’ TV star roots . . . . and her racial roots, if her performance at last weekend’s MTV Video Music Awards is any guide.

Above: Kanye West Below: Miley Cyrus performing at the VMA’s With her role in Zouzou (1934), Josephine Baker became the first black American female to star in a major motion picture. As a ‘negro’ performer, she struggled to gain acceptance in her native USA and was forced to travel to France, where her race and risqué performing style were less of an issue. Ultimately she would take up French citizenship and, although she subsequently performed in the US, where her acquired sophistication proved at odds with American audiences’ expectations of a negro performer, she considered France to be her home and died there in 1975 (aged 68). She remains the only American-born woman buried in France to receive full French military honours at her funeral. Rihanna made her film debut in 2012’s Battleship, which sunk without trace.

Now Hanna Montana – for she may need to go even further to make her former child fans forget – is teaming up with similarly increasingly strange Kanye West to record a remix to his song Black Skinhead, according to US reports. Cyrus skipped her own VMA after party on Sunday to head to the studio with the man who thought it might be fun to burden his child with the name North West, according to the New York Post. The singer left the awards show early after realising she wasn’t going to be among the winners, but she still grabbed all the headlines for her sexually-charged dance routine during a Blurred Lines duet with Robin Thicke. Cyrus stripped to latex underwear and ‘twerked’ and grinded her way through the raunchy performance, while making strange and obscene gestures to the audience. Even Rihanna was slack-jawed in the audience. It’s hard to imagine Miley’s dad Billy Ray is amused at his daughetr’s recent antics.

Lyin’ Mike admits his life is on a precipice

Tyson has struggled to come to terms with life after boxing

Iron Mike Tyson deserves to be re-christened ‘Lyin’ Mike Tyson’ after he has admitted what many close to him have suspected for years. Tyson revealed that he is on the verge of dying from alcohol and drug abuse after years of lying about being sober. Appearing on TODAY, the former world heavyweight champ elaborated on the startling confession he made at a New York press conference to promote ESPN’s Friday Night Fights on August 23. “It’s a real challenge because...I don’t know if I like this sober guy.’’ Tyson told interviewer Matt Lauer. “It’s hard for me to live normal. Straight is hard. Livin’ straight life is hard.”

Tyson confirmed he was still sober a week after the New York press conference, when he admitted: “I’m a bad guy sometimes. I did a lot of bad things, and I want to be forgiven... I wanna change my life, I wanna live a different life now. I wanna live my sober life. “I don’t wanna die. I’m on the verge of dying, because I’m a vicious alcoholic.” He then revealed that he had experienced an epiphany and had not drunk alcohol or used drugs in six days, which he referred to as ‘a miracle’. He went on: “I’ve been lying to everybody else that think I was sober, but I’m not (..) This is my sixth day. I’m never gonna use again.” Put on the spot regarding his admitted failures, Tyson has tried to come to grips with his personal pain. “Oh, 100 percent,’’ he told Lauer. “No one failed more than I did. Nobody’s seen more than I’ve seen. I’m the king of the barbarians. There’s no one that could surpass me, and the pain I’ve endured. But I can deal with it. I can handle it.” Tyson has been in and out of rehab three times and admitted that, around five years ago, he was overdosing and contemplating suicide. The death of his 4-year-old daughter in a tragic domestic accident in 2009 brought him back from the brink, but his substance abuse has been ongoing.

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Gospel

ARE YOU SURE OF YOUR ETERNITY? “If mortals die, can they live again? This thought would give me hope, and through my struggle I would eagerly wait for release.” Job 14:14.

By Michael Adekoya Dear Readers, in the Book of Job, one of the oldest Books of the Bible, the question is asked, “If mortals die, can they live again?” My friend, here are two questions which every one of us should ask everyday: “What’s going to happen to me when I die?” “What is there beyond this place called planet earth?” By His grace, I was born in a Christian home but before I gave my life to Christ and became a Christian, I thought about these questions quite often; not that I was obsessed with death or that I wanted to die but it was sort of a heavy subject to be contemplating. My belief at that time was that once people stopped living, they simply ceased to exist. I was not certain there was a place called heaven. I was definitely hoping there wasn’t a place called hell either and my conclusion was that when you’re gone, you’re gone. It’s all over! But, after I gave my life to Jesus Christ and became a Christian I was thought and I new better. My friend, there is one thing you and me cannot avoid in this world. Its name is “Death”. It is a necessary end. The rich, poor, black, white, Christians, Moslem, Hindus, Buddhists, occultist, witches, famous and unknown, young or old will die. We all know that death is coming, but what happens beyond the grave? This is a question that most people in the world today are afraid to answer. It is a reality that they fail to face. Are you one of them? Even, our preachers are scared to talk about it. According to the Bible, there is life beyond the grave. Because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross, and because He rose from the dead three days later, we, as Christians, have the hope that when we die,

we will be resurrected too and go into the presence of God in a wonderful place called heaven. That is why the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is one of the most important biblical truths in life. The resurrection of Christ from the dead, next to the crucifixion itself, is the most significant event in church history. It is not a peripheral issue. It is foundational. It is bedrock. It is the bottom line. My friend, have you ever thought that one day, at your full age by the grace of God, your heart will stop beating? That will be the end of your body, time, race and pursuit on this earth, but it will not be the end of you because God has made you in His image to live for eternity (Eccl. 3:11). While life on this earth offers so many choices, eternity offers only two: Heaven or Hell! After death, you’ll be invited to spend the rest of eternity with God in heaven only if you are saved and have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, otherwise you’ll spend eternity in hell with Satan. But, the Good News is that God loves you so much and He desires you to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:3). The choice is yours today. There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. Jesus is the only Saviour! He is the only way to heaven where you will spend your life in eternity without tears or sorrow. Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. Did you hear that? There are many voices in the world today. Materialism says, “Buy your way out.” The politician says, “Legislate.” The army says, “Fight.” In-

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

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

Only true Christians will be welcomed into the afterlife

dustry says, “Work.” The philosopher says, “Think.” But Jesus says, there’s no way to God…to salvation and eternal life…but through Me. My friend, Jesus will save you by His grace, and He’ll save you all by Himself or you won’t be saved at all. When you are saved by the grace of God, you are saved instantly, and you are saved eternally. Your goodness is not enough to save you, and your badness is not enough to keep you away. Jesus loves you so much that He died to save you. My friend, if you want to spend your eternity in heaven, and not in hell, you need to take Jesus at His Word and follow His way of salvation today. Maybe you have been saved but you have a friend who needs this truth today, share it; don’t suppress it. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His

Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:1617. The Bible says, “Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” 1 John 5:1. What is salvation? It’s not a creed. You may say, “Well, I believe the plan of salvation.” You can believe the plan of salvation and go straight to hell. You’re not saved by the plan of salvation; you’re saved by the Man of salvation. Salvation is not a creed. It’s not a code. You may say, “Well, I believe if you live right, you’ll go to heaven.” If you could be saved by living right then Calvary was a blunder. My friend, salvation is not a cause. You may say, “I’m a member of a good, fundamental, Biblebelieving church and I attend every church service, seminars and conferences regularly.” Listen! Salvation is not any of these things. It’s Christ. Salvation is not believing something; it is receiving Someone. The true gospel is the one that

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

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 Forthnightly 12am

centers in Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Rom 10:9-11. If you want to spend your eternity in heaven and avoid hell, that’s what you need to do today! God’s word says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.” Acts 16:31. That’s what you need to do to become a Christian and avoid going to hell. A Christian is not somebody who merely believes that Christ died for our sins. The devil believes that. A Christian is somebody who has repented of his sins and invited Christ into his heart to be his Saviour and Lord.

Sunday Service: Sundays 10am - 1pm Winners Chapel London- part of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, at Unit B1 Galleywall Trading Estate, South Bermondsey, London SE16 3PB meets Sunday 7am & 9am and 11am and Wednesdays at 7pm. For details call 020 7237 7894 CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH GRAVESEND, ST. AIDAIN’S CHURCH, ST. AIDAN’S WAY, GRAVESEND, KENT, DA12 4AG TEL. 01474 355 841, 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

Friday, 30 August 2013 – Thursday, 05 September 2013

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Africa Newsround

Uganda

Critic of Rwanda’s alleged role in DRC found tortured 27) after he had accused Rwanda’s army of forcibly recruiting him to ﬁght in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The incident comes as the government of Rwandan President Paul Kagame faces renewed accusations over its alleged support for the M23 rebel group, currently mounting a ﬁerce resistance campaign against a new United Nations intervention brigade in the eastern DRC.

President Paul Kagame’s government is accused of supporting M23 rebels

A Rwandan refugee interviewed last month for BBC News was found tortured and unconscious in Uganda’s capital Kampala on Tuesday (August

Pascal Manirakiza was one of four Rwandan asylum seekers in Uganda to grant the BBC an interview in July making allegation about the Kagame government’s recruitment practices in support of the M23 movement and accusing the president of being “commander-in-chief” of the rebel group. Manirakiza had been missing for a week before he was found by Ugandan police in a cemetery with evidence of

Sudan

UN peacekeepers caught in ambush: three shot

torture on his body. While he has yet to regain consciousness to give an account of his abduction, ﬁngers are being pointed at Rwanda’s security services, who have a reputation for aggressively pursuing defectors over international borders. Manirakiza’s is one of several recent cases highlighting Rwanda’s tough pursuit of exiles, including the high-proﬁle defection of Lt. Joel Mutabazi, who formerly served as Kagame’s bodyguard. Kigali, Rwanda’s capital and administrative centre, has vehemently denied the claims of these exiles while issuing Interpol notices for their arrest. Despite being under the protection of the UN High Commission for Refugees, Mutabazi was arrested by Ugandan police last week. The recent spate of abductions of Rwandan exiles prompted an outcry from the UN, which intervened on Mutabazi’s behalf, forcing Kampala to block his extradition back to Rwanda last Thursday.

Djibouti

Japan announces ship and energy deal

Prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe In ten months, thirteen UN peacekeepers have lost their lives in Darfur

In the second such attack this month, three United Nations peacekeepers have been shot and wounded in Sudan’s East Darfur region. The most recent incident occurred on Monday (August 26) in the region where, according to the UN, fighting between two Arab tribes this month killed 190 people. An “unknown armed group” attacked a patrol of the African Union-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) about 36 kilometres (22 miles) northeast of the East Darfur state capital Ed Daein, said Rania Abdulrahman, a UNAMID media officer. “During the firefight, three peacekeepers sustained gunshot wounds,” she told Agence France Presse. Reinforcements from the UNAMID base in Ed Daein “repelled the attack-

ers,” while the wounded peacekeepers were taken to Ed Daein for treatment, Abdulrahman added. On August 12 a UNAMID police patrol was ambushed in Ed Daein but there were no injuries, UNAMID said earlier. The region surrounding the town was the scene of fighting between the Rezeigat and Maaliya tribes this month. Last Friday, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that aid groups “remain deeply concerned about the insecurity in East Darfur.” Thirteen peacekeepers have been killed in hostile action in Darfur since last October. Tribal disputes have been driven by conflicts over resources, including land, water and mineral rights.

In light of UN’s new mission next door, international attention has been renewed around the M23 issue and Rwanda’s role in fomenting instability in the eastern DRC. With parliamentary elections coming up in Rwanda this September, this could hardly be a more inconvenient time for the Kagame government to face the heightened scrutiny, perhaps explaining the ramped up pressure on its opponents domestically and abroad. However, cases like Manirakiza’s and Mutabazi’s only seem to underline the Kagame government’s authoritarian tendencies and reinforce the accusations they continue to deny so vociferously. Unfortunately, with their Ugandan allies playing reluctant host to many of these exiles, Kigali may have some latitude to go after its ﬂeeing opponents without fear of major blowback from any party more threatening than the UN – bad news for Manirakiza and his fellow Kagame-critics.

Japan is to provide patrol ships that will allow Djibouti to improve its maritime security.

The announcement came during the Japanese prime minister’s visit to the Horn of Africa nation on August 27. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was taken by Djibouti’s Prime Minister Ismail Omar Guelleh to the operating base of Maritime Self-Defence Force personnel stationed in the country to ﬁght piracy, built on the

northern side of Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport in 2011. “It is vital for Japan to protect waters in the region. And it is essential for the international community to ensure peace, stability and prosperity,” Abe told MSDF personnel as he stressed the importance of Japan’s contribution to maritime security. Abe also said Japan will provide support to Djibouti to develop geothermal power generation and secure stable electricity supplies. The provision of patrol ships to Djibouti would help commercial vessels and tankers to pass through the area smoothly, as Tokyo aims to ensure the security of sea lanes that are vital to transporting crude oil and natural resources. Abe has a strong interest in maritime security. In July, he unveiled a plan to provide 10 patrol ships to the Philippines, which is involved in a territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea. The Japanese prime minister is on a six-day trip to oil-producing nations in the Middle East and Djibouti.

Kenya

Three-up motorbike ride ends in tragedy One youth is dead and two others are ﬁghting for their lives after the motorcycle they were riding crashed into a river in Gitiri, Kenya. All three had been aboard the motorcycle when it hit a pothole on a bridge crossing the River Kinja, causing it to change

course. The driver, who like his passengers had been out drinking, was unable to regain control. A search for the victims ensued, which revealed that recent high school graduate, James Gitau, had drowned. The survivors, who have not been named, were taken by ambulance to hospital in Kinangop, Nyandarua County. 17

Friday, 30 August 2013 – Thursday, 05 September 2013

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African Entertainment Travelmusic artist

Shameful Deceit premiered in Manchester

In association with

Nollywood films now have regular screening in the UK, mostly in London Odeon Cinemas but the lastest Shameful Deceit premiered in Manchester on 24th August 2013; there was a good turnout. People came from far and wide to support PR Guru and Producer, Theodora Ibekwe who wore patrick Ernest design made with Ankara fabric and make up by stephy makeover . Celebrities galore turned out, including Pauline Long (Pauline Long Show); DJ Deoba Authentic; Heartless Carer Producers, Sibo Radebe and Francis Uwadi; Gospel singer and Pastor, JahMain King, came in from Leeds; Wale Bakare, from Bradford. Most of the Shameful Deceit stars also travelled up, including Marie Gomez; Ikenna Obi; Eleanor Agala; Ene Oloye Gez; O’Tega Oyovbaire; Jedidah David; Associate Producer, Ayo Oyebade; our host, Kevwe Ogunje; Margaret Opara; Riyike Alayande; Florence Okonkwo; Seyi Akinosho. It was another night of glitz and glamour beautifully photographed by the legendary Daniel Sync and Manchester based Ed O’Hene. Shameful Deceit was produced by a UK based actress and producer Theodora Ibekwe Credit: Daniel Sync/ Sync PHOTOS

Theodora Ibekwe with a member of the cast of Shameful Deceit

Friday, 30 August 2013 – Thursday, 05 September 2013

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Event

Nollywood babe Ini Edo storms London with hubby When Hollywood couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones decided to separate as they ‘evaluate and work on their marriage’ as reported by London Metro Newspapers, Nollywood A – star actress Ini Edo arrived London city on a renewed honeymoon with her heartthrob Phillip.

Tantalizing Ini as her fans popularly call her is to announce she is back to business after a break. Well, having been treated to a sizzling makeup session by celebrity makeup guru Princess Amayo and her to die for hairstyle, sorted; she romantically stepped out of her central London hotel with husband Phillip Ehiagwina for a night out with Egor Efiok (E4 PR), Actress Roseline Sanni and Mike Larry at the famous Doll House club. The champagne was flowing, the dance floor was rocking and Daniel Sync was at hand to capture the fun. Ini Edo met her husband during one of his trips to Nigeria. One thing led to another and marriage talk began. It was alleged that she had fought many ladies before and after their wedding to stay off her man. Many still wonder how she was able to win Philips from his first marriage to Ruth Okoro. Amidst all odds, Ini Edo got married to her US-based husband, Philip Ehiagwina in 2009 in the United States of America after their traditional marriage in 2008. However, tongues are currently wagging that the actress is under serious pressure by her in-laws. According to Nigeriafilms.com, Ini Edo’s in-laws are not happy that the glamorous actress hasn’t given them a child after about four years of marriage. It was also revealed that her husband, who is based in the US, has of late not been regular in the country. Ini Edo began her acting career in the year 2000, and has featured in more than 50 movies since that time. The Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Calabar hails from Akwa-Ibong State. She is a Glo ambassador and also recently turned producer with her hit movie ‘I’LL Take My Chances.’ She has a lot of endorsements deals and award winning movies to her credit. Nollywood star Ini Edo was reported by Bella Naija, an online blog to have arrived London on Friday 23rd August with her husband Phillip Ehiagwin. The couple decided on a much needed vacation. “According to her Instagram page, they plan on visiting the UK as well as Monaco and Paris, France.”

Actress Ini Edo and Phillip Ehiagwina

Credit: Daniel Sync/ Sync PHOTOS 19

Events calendar What’s On & When Friday, 30 August 2013 – Thursday, 05 September 2013

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Arts

Theatre, Shows and Musicals By Ryan Holmes

King Duncan. But to maintain his position, Macbeth must keep on killing – first Banquo, his old comrade-in-arms; then, as the atmosphere of guilt and paranoia thickens, anyone who seems to threaten his tyrant’s crown. 21 New Globe Walk, London, Greater London SE1 9DT

The Ladykillers Now- October 25th

Lenny Henry as Troy and Tanya Moodie as Rose

Fences Now- Sept 14th

Troy Maxson was once an extremely gifted athlete who was deprived of his shot at the big time and now struggles within regular society in Pittsburgh. Indignant of a world he believes has denied him chances at every turn, he vents his anger on his loyal wife and sports-obsessed son. Fences, is one of the eminent American dramas of the 20th century, and winner of the New York Drama Critics’ Award, two Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Set between the Korean and Vietnam wars, it is essentially the story of a family trying to claw themselves from despair and what happens when a strong man is robbed of his dreams - a universal story which will strike a chord in everyone of us. The Duchess Theatre, 3-5 Catherine St, London WC2B 5LA

Chimerica Now-October 19th

Chimerica is a fragile web of shifting human relationships, which are sometimes severed by corporate greed, state cruelty, or individual selfishness, but achieve moments of connection which transcend their inhospitable environment. It’s staged with a film-like fluidity and flair by brilliant director Lyndsey Turner and designer Es Devlin inside a spinning cube, whose sides open to reveal the squalid Beijing flat of Zhang Lin, Joe’s kindly Beijing contact and friend, and the office of his genial, morally compromised New York newspaper editor. But the only things that are black and white here are Joe’s photographs of China, which are projected all over the set as newspaper contact sheets, crossed out or reframed by the editor’s red pen – a subtle reminder that a photograph is an opinion, not a simple record of the truth. Harold Pinter Theatre,6 Panton Street, 20

London, SW1Y 4DN

The 39 Steps Now- March 2014

When Hitchcock adapted Buchan’s ‘The 39 Steps’, however, he introduced a love interest in a version which Buchan later conceded was better than his own. In this stage version, Patrick Barlow has continued the honourable tradition of mucking around with Buchan’s original, keeping the love interest (now elegantly played by new cast member Rachel Pickup) and adding a whirligig of self-conscious theatrical effects in a production where four actors evoke everyone from lingerie salesmen to a housekeeper who screams like a steamtrain.. The Criterion,218-223 Piccadilly, London, SW1Y 4XA

Pride Now-November 9th

Set in both 1958 and 2008, ‘The Pride’ sees what appears to be the same love triangle play out in two very different eras. In 1958, closeted married man Philip (Harry Hadden-Paton) grapples violently with his feelings for writer Oliver (Al Weaver), while his fragile wife Sylvia (Hayley Atwell) looks on in impotent despair. And in 2008, the three seem to have been given their time again in a more liberated age… Yet they’re not happy – promiscuous journalist Oliver has scewed up his relationship with straight-laced Philip, and Oliver’s chronic neediness is seriously bringing his BFF Sylvia down. Trafalgar Studios,14 Whitehall SW1A 2DY

Macbeth Now- 13th October

When three witches tell Macbeth that he is destined to occupy the throne of Scotland, he and his wife choose to become the instruments of their fate and to kill the first man standing in their path, the virtuous

‘The Ladykillers’ is back in town. Now on its third cast of bumbling, murderous crims, it’s as anarchic and free-wheeling as anything you’ll see on a West End stage. Graham Linehan’s script takes the setup of the 1955 Ealing comedy, in which five crooks hole-up in a little old lady’s lopsided house to plan a robbery, and cranks up the contrast. The gags come faster, the killings are crueller and there’s a delicate knowingness to the dialogue that never oversteps the mark. Vaudeville Theatre, Strand, London, WC2R 0NH

The Color Purple Now-September 14th

An unforgettable story of enduring love and triumph over adversity, The Color Purple is a landmark musical from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker. This stirring family chronicle follows the inspirational Celie, as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of love and life. With a fresh, joyous score of jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this European premiere is directed by John Doyle (Road Show at the Menier Chocolate Factory), adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony award winner Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Grammy award winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. The Menier Chocolate Factory, 53 Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU .

Thark-Now-September 22nd

Thark’ is as preposterous a comedy as you’ll ever see. In it, lecherous old duffer Sir Hector Benbow (a splendid turn from Francis himself) accidentally arranges to have an intimate supper with three different women. So far, so farce, but this all unexpectedly gives way to something bizarrely reminiscent of an episode of ‘Scooby Doo’, as the entire gang decamps to the titular haunted house. It makes very little sense plot-wise, but as farce it ticks along like clockwork, and certainly doesn’t outstay its welcome. Given a big budget West End production and the weight of expectations, ‘Thark’ would flounder. One doesn’t so much admire – or even laugh – at the play itself, so much as enjoy it as a nicely crafted period curio, like a joke that we’re all in on with the cast, who attack it with well-drilled chutzpah. Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, London, N4 3JP

Meschac Gaba: Museum of Contemporary African Art Now- September 22nd

Meschac Gaba’s Museum of Contemporary African Art is an immersive twelve-room installation, a ‘museum within a museum’, which is currently sprawling through Tate Modern Gaba has claimed that the Museum of Contemporary African Art is ‘not a model… it’s only a question.’ It is temporary and mutable, a conceptual space more than a physical one, a provocation to the Western art establishment not only to attend to contemporary African art, but to question why the boundaries existed in the first place. Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG

Friday, 30 August 2013 – Thursday, 05 September 2013

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Arts

The Salt Dissolves… By Pete Godismo

This old man had been a soldier. So for his age – which was over 63 years – he still felt comparatively strong. So strong his movements were stiff and jerky. He had lost the fluidity of youth. And his gait bore that proud defiance of an aging war veteran. Not minding his crumpled-stiff clothed frame, he was always willing to sing his daring acts, and mourn the hapless, suicidal heroes in his ‘company’ with dry tears. He would pick a bone with anyone that discussed ‘anything’ military in his vicinity without due reverence to his person. What a cheek to discuss wars without reference to his encyclopaedic knowledge or his heroic deeds. How dare you give a comprehensive war report from some pages and sanctify the authenticity of your story without this warlord’s practical experience? “Unthinkable! Unfathomable! Preposterous! Such heinous disrespect! When were you born? You were not in this planet when soldiers fired ‘one for the Kaiser’. A toddler you must be during Burma! Your hand could not yet over-reach your head to cover one ear by the time of the Civil war!” And at this court-martial, all you needed to do was to snap to attention with a sharp, noisy click of your heels coming together, raise your head, and pronounce your guilt in military gusto. A final, ‘sorry sa!’ would earn you your pardon and a dozen swearwords from his dictionary of war jargons. ‘Dismiss!’ would imply that you can relax. An eruption of laughter and hailing would ensue from the usual small crowd of the courtroom cum on-lookers. Some congratulated you for winning your war, and a good display. Others, impressed by the flawless fluency with which the jargons were barked, would start to inquire their meanings and context in usage. These would engage the old soldier’s next half hour. He would, of course, seize this opportunity to tell tales of minor incidences. Either with himself as the hero or of some hapless fellow who believed he had nine lives. Whichever way, he got his commendation all the same; from his military superiors or his attentive audience. And he had his medals as proof of truth. What’s more? Indication of a break would portend upon a generous wife’s offer of a meal. After all ‘you wouldn’t have come visiting had my son not shouted your name as you passed by. And you would have passed on had you not seen me through the window’. A stream of reasons would readily flow out in soft, passioned voice. The aroma of the food willfully trespassing into the territory of his nostrils; his vision sending signals to proliferate saliva in his mouth. And his eyes would go misty. Why? Nobody ever knew. Or perhaps nobody would ask. As if

The South African Army Band Cape Town

that question itself was capable of breaking old soldier’s stoic heart and occasioning that stream of tears which must never be seen on an old man’s face. How much more being the one that gave spirit to the tears. Woe unto thee for that singular act. The task of eating was dutifully done, with military precision though. Yes, he loved food - good food. But there was something methodical and mechanical in the way he ate. The spoon scooped – if it was rice or beans, and his fingers meticulously rolling balls of eba, amala or pounded yam as the case may be; so dutifully you were not sure if he was hungry or not. Yet when it arrived in his mouth, it was bolted down too quickly without the privilege of a good chew. And there never were any left-overs for the kids whose duty it was to wash the plates. Rather the children gathered eagerly to watch him. Their fascination was the speed it took the morsel to receive its banishment in the mouth to the stomach and the spirited hurry through the skeins of his prominent Adam’s apple. At each journey, the children giggled excitedly and compared speed. Older folks around would try to send the kids away for two reasons. It is bad manners for children to watch an elder eating: a pointer to greed and gluttony. The old man could be distracted, and thus have the food go the wrong way: and who wants to choke an old soldier to death? His reason notwithstanding, people were never sure what to believe. That it was as a result of adaptations to war situations (or because he had not much teeth left to do any serious chewing). However, one thing was certain: he wanted intact whatever was left in his gums. He was as sure to refuse an offer of meat as to be called a ‘coward’. Soon the eating would be done with, the plates packed away for washing, and the crowd of neighbours thinned out. Then would the old soldier pick up his almost out-worn green, military, khaki cap usually lying on the bench on which he sat to eat his meal. And while his free hand gives the cap a few slaps to un-dust it, he murmurs

his appreciation once again. He would set out, as his name rent the air, onto that familiar terrain that coursed the radius of his trekdom. That would, as automatically, end an episode as begin another. I felt the drain of mournful sympathy on my face, and my glance fell. Directly on the lips. Those too were blocked with cotton wool. I must have stared a while, maybe a little longer, possibly just some moments longer. Or so I thought. Thought what? A little smile-line had creased into place on the left side of the upper lip. A similar smile could have played on his face when… At the beginning of each day, the old soldier could always be seen – jerky movements and all – trudging into town to inspect his constituency; and perhaps, more importantly, to prospect the day. Some minutes would take him to the over-head bar of the T-shaped road and standing at the junction, would control traffic milling in and out of the town. Though he couldn’t have been the best traffic cop but because motorists loved him, they obeyed his command. Albeit, every once in a while an irate driver would dare express his impatience by long consistent hoots or screaming abuses at him, or both. Old soldier would become invigorated. His faded, rumpled fatigues would somehow stand out defiantly on his frame. Proud military discipline rearing its impressive head. And being one of those few occasions since his retirement from active service, his ‘quick march’ towards the fellow would be wholesome, devoid of disabling age. Right before him, orders of reproach are angrily barked out – confrontational and discomfiting. The driver, looking up from his seat in the car at the old soldier, would be torn between sending off this caricature of an enforcer with a push or giving cultural recognition to his grey hairs and re-coursing to enjoy the drama at his own expense. If the latter option is chosen, there is one usual marker in the face. A sheepish grin. No sooner does the grin appear accompanied by a new apparel of humble coun-

tenance than observers break into an admixture of laughter and commentaries. Of course, this indicates the subjugation of the driver but for the old soldier, the moment of glory cannot be too sweet to last. Out comes a hail of military swearwords, still-born. Anyway they are not intended to be live. These are intended for the witnesses. And what are they to do? Very obvious. Begin to appease the god of the hour, bask him in heroic apparels, and enumerate the social values of his role. He would, of course, play obstinate but that is just a mere façade. Vituperations poured on the driver would kindle the flames of joy inside him to ecstatic heights. This is not, all the same, to be seen on his face. Somehow, an anticlimax is achieved as currency notes appear into empty hands that are all eager to locate the pocket compartments of the old man’s garb. And as they do, the old man seeing some of the handy contents, his nerves begin to relax. Only then does the victory smile anoint the occasion on his age-old face. Then follows an offer of a cushioned breezy ride into town. For him, life has been a spate of battles; fought on different fronts. Whichever type, they harped on his psyche and physique. Somehow, he had always won: in his own way. But he always won to lose. The old man felt that the glorious end to every battle was the end of the very last battle. He was wrong. Here he lost. There was always a fresh assault. Nobody ever saw him spend such money he got on anything else but spirits. He easily got spirited on alcohol. Though this was not frequent, everybody knew it and they indulged him. On these rare episodes, he alone can tell the intensity of the wars. No one ever knew. And no one would ever know. Because one morning after a similar bout, he was found dead. At least there would be no more wars. He had won. My lids fluttered and fell on my watch. I had been with him seven minutes. My legs ached, especially at the knees. I needed to sit. 21

Friday, 30 August 2013 – Thursday, 05 September 2013

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Health

How 80 per cent of adults don’t do enough to keep ﬁt Almost eight out of ten people in England fail to do enough exercise, research suggests.

80% of adults are still not getting the reccomended daily exercise

People who are poorer and less educated are least likely to exercise, but most adults do far below the recommended amount of activity needed to stay healthy. The study, led by researchers at the University of Bristol, examined data for more than one million adults from the Active People Survey – which covers socio-economic position and factors such as the weather and access to sport facilities. It found only around 20 per cent of people carried out moderate exercise at least 12 times in a four-week period. More than 8 per cent of those physically able to walk had not done so for even five minutes continuously in the past four weeks and experts said participation in the most common activities was also ‘very low’. Some 46 per cent had walked fewer than 30 minutes continuously during leisure time, 88 per cent had not been

swimming and 90 per cent had not visited a gym in the previous four weeks. Those with a degree had only a 12 per cent chance of not exercising enough but adults with no qualifications were three times as likely to be inactive. Unsurprisingly, the blue skies and warm weather of summer prompted people to be more active than in winter. Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said the results showed a failure to deliver pledges – made by the Blair government during Britain’s Olympic bid – to encourage participation in sports. She said: ‘The bid pledged that two million adults, let alone millions of children, would be inspired be to be active in a commitment to grassroots sports as an Olympic legacy.’ She said most people were ‘as uninspired to be active as ten years ago’. The NHS recommends moderate exercise for 2.5 hours a week.

Too much screen time ‘causes depression in children’ British children who spend most time in front of televisions and computer screens have poorer self-esteem and greater emotional tribulations, according to a study released by Public Health England. The information explains that excessive “screen time” (more than four hours a day) was linked to anxiety and depression and was responsible for limiting a child’s opportunity for social interaction and physical activity. “The greater the time spent in front of the screen, the greater the negative impact on both behavioural and emotional issues relating to the child’s development,” said Professor Kevin Fenton, director of health and wellbeing at PHE. Professor Fenton said that too much screen time limited a child’s opportunities for physical activity and face-toface social interaction with friends and family, which are key factors in reducing childhood anxiety. British children spend excessively large amounts of their time in front of screens, compared to counterparts in other Western European countries, the report observed. “In the UK, 62 per cent of 11-year olds, 71 per cent of 13-year olds and 68 per cent of 15-year olds report watching more than two hours of TV a day 22

Too much screen time is damaging children in more ways than one

on weekdays, compared to Switzerland where the figure is less than 35 per cent across all three age groups.” Professor Fenton said there was a clear “dose-effect” in the impact of screen time on a child’s emotional state, and that “each additional hour of viewing increases children’s likelihood of experiencing socio-emotional problems and lower self-esteem”. The report, titled ‘How healthy behaviour supports children’s wellbeing’, found that: “Higher levels of TV viewing are having a negative effect on

children’s well-being, including lower self-worth, lower self-esteem and lower levels of self-reported happiness.” The amount of time British children spend in front of televisions, computers and other screens is also increasingly rapidly, driven by the popularity of computer games. Between 2006 and 2010 “the proportion of young people playing computer games for two hours or more a night during the week increased from 42 per cent to 55 per cent among boys and 14 per cent to 20 per cent among girls”, the report said.

The study was based on research conducted by the Children’s Society among 42,000 eight to 15 year olds, and on other data. Lily Caprani, its director of policy, said that the children who were least likely to be happy with their lives tended to be the ones who spent longer in front of screens. She said that social interaction via a computer or mobile phone did not deliver the same benefits in emotional well-being. “It’s nowhere near,” she said. “You have to be physically present with your friends to get the benefits of social interaction. Texting, Facebooking or even chatting on the phone has a remoteness that means you lose a lot of the positive impact.” But the television industry last night rejected the idea that it impacts negatively on children. “We are proud that there is so much carefully created and curated TV content for children – to watch alone or with their families – that excites and inspires them. That might be watching Professor Brian Cox, Dora the Explorer or Hannah Cockcroft,” said Lindsey Clay, Managing Director of industry body Thinkbox. She added that TV is “one of the main sources of learning what exactly constitutes a healthy lifestyle.”

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Culture: The Tuaregs The Tuareg inhabit the Saharan regions of North Africa - Niger, Mali, Libya, Algeria and Burkina Faso. Tuareg is an Arabic term meaning abandoned by God. They call themselves Imohag, translated as free men. No one knows the true origin of the Tuareg, where they came from or when they arrived in the Sahara. Reputedly of Berber descent, the language of the Tuareg is Tamachek, with their own script known as Tifinagh, thought to have ancient Libyan roots. Their numbers are unclear, but estimates run between 300,000 and 1 million. The Tuareg were recorded by the Greek historian Herodotus in the 5th Century BC. Tuareg pastoralists are indigenous to three African countries: Algeria on the northern side of the Sahara, northeastern Mali and central and northern Niger. There are negative connotations associated with the term Tuareg, an Arabic word meaning ‘the abandoned of God’, and they call themselves, Kel Tamashek, the people who speak Tamashek. Tamashek is related to ancient Libyan. The greatest number of Tuareg, around one million, live in Niger, mostly south and west of Air Massif, with smaller populations in Algeria, Mali and Libya.

Tuareg women in a market 22

Nomadic Tuareg merchants

The most striking attribute of the Tuareg is the indigo veil, worn by the men but not the women, giving rise to the popular name the Blue Men of the Sahara, or Men of the Veil. Men begin wearing a veil at the age 25. One of the traditional dances of the nomadic Tuareg is the ‘Tam Tam’ where the men on camel circle the women while they play drums and chant. The huts of the Tuareg nomad are easily constructed, and comprised of weaved matting and tradition fabrics on a timber frame. Tuareg society is highly stratified and consist of several castes; nobles, imajeren ‘the proud and free’; imrad, ‘free but subordinate’; ineslemen, the religious caste; ikelan, slaves who today

Culture Tuareg camel caravans played the primary role in trans-Saharan trade until the mid-20th century when European colonial infrastructure - railways and roads - were introduced. Until then, there were five principal trade routes which extend across the Sahara from the northern Mediterranean coast of Africa to the great cities on the southern edge of the Sahara. Tuareg began a continuous migration south-west in the seventh century with the Arab conquest of the Maghreb, arriving in Niger from the eleventh century onward. As the result of intense population pressure from this continuous migration they pushed resident Hausa communities southward and overran more sedentary groups. Extremely in-

Tuareg on horseback travel

live in neo-peonage, tending the palm groves and vegetable gardens of their masters. Inadin are an artisan caste of silversmiths living outside regular Tuareg society, which looks down upon their lifestyle. They wander from Tuareg encampment to encampment also serving as fortune tellers and medics. Additionally, the Tuaregs are split into various tribes: the Kel-Air, Kel-Gress, Iwilli-Minden, and the Immouzourak. Although most Tuareg now practice some degree of Islam - the Maliki sect of Islam, resulting from the teachings of the great prophet El Maghili from the early 16th century - they are not considered Arabic. They have preserved many pre-Islamic traditions and do not strictly follow many Islamic rituals. Among the Tuareg the women have a great freedom and participate in family and tribal decisions. Descent and inheritance are both through the maternal line.

dependent, the Tuareg formed a number of sultanates and converted to Islam but retained pre-Islamic customs. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the Tuareg extended control over desert trade and led resistance to French rule, and in the early twentieth century instigated a number of rebellions. At independence several top Tuareg chiefs in Niger and Mali attempted to form a federation to keep themselves outside the political control of the ‘black south’ but unlike in Mali, this agitation was not sustained in Niger. Tuareg merchants were responsible for bringing goods from these cities to the north. From there they were distributed throughout the world. Because of the nature of transport and the limited space available in caravans, Tuareg usually traded in luxury items, things which took up little space and on which a large profit could be made.

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News Big Brother Africa – Namibian beauty wins ‘The Chase’ For the ﬁrst time in a decade of Big Brother Africa – the show ﬁrst aired in May 2003 - the winner this year is from perennial underdogs Namibia.

BBA 2013, codenamed The Chase, crowned 22-year-old Dillish Mathews queen of the reality show at the weekend, although the prize was not easily earned. Speaking to The Namibian on Sunday night she said she was going ‘cuckoo’ in the house, “even starting to talk to the ﬁsh” and was “happy to be out.” No doubt, one of the reasons Dillish warmed her way into the hearts of millions of fans across the continent was her steadfast commitment to her boyfriend. “Of course there were times when I saw some guys with their six packs and thought, wow! But I didn’t want to be the reason for a break up with my boyfriend. If anything should happen, it should be from his side, so I know my conscience is clear”, said Dillish of her ﬁdelity. Boyfriend Steven Gaeseb, who became well known to viewers of the show, was understandably beside

Dillish Mathews wins $300,000 in prize money and whatever her new-found fame, gained without sacriﬁcing morals, can generate

himself after his girl was announced the winner. Getting on to the live show stage, he crowned his princess with a tiara. “I am 101 percent happy that Dillish won. When she ﬁrst went into the house, I knew that she would make it far but I never knew it would be this far. I still had faith in her and that she will do us proud,” he later told The Namibian. Gaeseb is one of many Namibians who

East Africa must speed up training of oil and gas engineers

East Africa is set to become one of the future oil and gas hotspots

East African countries are grappling with the challenge of how to fast-track training of oil and gas engineers after unexpected and continuing discoveries have positioned the region as a future global oil hot spot.

Tanzania may have 40-billion cubic metres of gas, expected to double by 2015, while Uganda has an estimated 3.5-billion barrels of oil. Kenya’s deposits may be up to 10-billion barrels, according to Tullow Oil’s chief operating officer Paul McDade. Authorities in the region, in need of new revenue sources to cover widening budget deficits and finance infrastructure, have been putting pressure on exploration companies to start pumping oil and gas. The lure for money and agitation for equity in distribution of oil and gas wealth by local communities have reduced focus on the priority issue of training local oil and gas human resources, industry players said. The dearth in local experts has paved 24

the way for skilled labour from the Middle East and West Africa where oil and gas extraction is already established. In the meantime, locals will have to watch from the sidelines as expatriates take dominant positions when oil and gas pumping starts by 2016 “The ﬁrst steps we should be taking are on how to build local human capacity. “Our universities rarely teach oil and gas courses. We need international partnerships to start such training here,” said Petroleum Institute of East Africa CE Wanjiku Manyara. The exact number of qualiﬁed oil and gas engineers in three East Africa countries — Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania — is not known but engineering associations say it is less than 20. Engineer registrations boards of the three East African countries also do not recognise oil and gas engineers in their registration categories, according to members of the respective boards. But this will need to change as oil and gas are promising to be a major economic sector, based on the volume of discoveries made.

are in celebratory mood about the win. The country has reason to be happy, not only for the US$300 000 that will make its way into the economy, but also for the conduct of Dillish during her 91 days in the house. The winner said she would party for now until everything sinks in but is planning to buy a house for herself and her siblings. “From the beginning, I always said I would buy a house for me and my siblings

and I told them before they turned 18 we would all be living in the same house. I am happy for it,” said the beaming beauty. Dillish was only the third woman to win the Big Brother Africa grand prize since the programme started. It is thought males enjoy an advantage, since most of the voters are female. Nominated for eviction ﬁve times (more than any other housemate this season), Dillish’s game was ﬂawless. She avoided romance, traditionally the harbinger of the sounding of the death knell for female contestants. She did nothing remotely scandalous, as many before her have done in an ill-considered tilt at celebrity (Nigeria’s Beverly take note!). Dillish got along with most of her fellow ‘Chase’ mates and, although she wasn’t the zaniest of a typically rowdy bunch, she carried enough entertainment value and charmed viewers across Africa into keeping her in the house every time she was up for eviction. She has proved that the game can indeed be a clean one and happened to do so in a month during which women are being celebrated.

Liberian University fails all 25,000 applicants

Liberia University

Liberia’s education minister says she ﬁnds it hard to believe that not a single candidate passed this year’s university admission exam.

With a freshman class of zero after nearly 25,000 school-leavers failed the test for admission to the University of Liberia, one of two state-run universities. The students lacked eagerness, while also they did not have a basic grasp of English, a university official told news sources. Liberia is still in the grasp of recovering from a brutal civil war that ended a decade ago. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Nobel peace laureate, recently acknowledged that the education system was still “in a mess”, and much needed to be done to improve it. Many schools are short of basic education materials and teachers are more often than not, poorly qualified. However, this is the first time that every single student who wrote the exam for a fee of $25 (£16) has failed. It means that the overloaded university

will not have any new ﬁrst-year students when it reopens next month for the academic year. Students have told the results were unbelievable and their dreams had been shattered or put on hold. Education Minister Etmonia DavidTarpeh vows however, that this issue will be looked upon. She intends to meet university ofﬁcials to discuss the failure rate and talk of steps for the future. “I know there are a lot of weaknesses in the schools but for a whole group of people to take exams and every single one of them to fail, I have my doubts about that,” Ms David-Tarpeh said. “It’s like mass murder.” University spokesman Momodu Getaweh told Focus on Africa that the university stood by its decision, and it would not be swayed by “emotion”. “In English, the mechanics of the language, they didn’t know anything about it. So the government has to do something,” he said.

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News

Victoria Falls could be the home of a new theme park

Victoria Falls

Zimbabwe Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi took complete advantage of the present U.N. World Tourism Organization summit his country is co-hosting with Zambia this week to announce the government’s audacious plan, to build a $300 million theme park by Victoria Falls. This would make the world’s largest sheet of falling water and the nation’s biggest tourist attraction a haven for white-knuckle enthusiasts. “We have reserved 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) of land near the Victoria Falls International Airport to construct hotels and convention centers,” Mzembi told Zimbabwe’s ofﬁcial government news agency New Ziana from the sidelines of the summit, which runs through Aug. 29. He

likened the theme park to a “Disneyland in Africa” which would house shopping malls, exhibition spaces and entertainment facilities including casinos. Yet, Mzembi’s ambitious plans don’t yield there. “We want to create a free zone with a banking center where even people living outside Zimbabwe can open bank accounts there,” he added. Though the plans also spread to include modernising the Victoria Falls International Airport. This expansion will allow the government to provide better access for wide-body aircraft using a $202 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of China. By 2015, the government hopes too have a longer runway and larger aircraft in place, which will hopefully increase and double annual passenger capacity from 500,000 to 1.2 million. Mzembi said most current visitors use the airport for whistle-stop tours, simply ﬂying in and out of Victoria Falls, using

it as a transit zone instead of an outright destination. The few magnetisms beyond the natural wonder include an open-top bus tour and a bungee jumping operation that made headlines for the wrong reason last year after the cord snapped on an Australian tourist, who just managed to survive. The tourism minister said he hoped that the proposed $300 million theme park would entice people to stay longer and spend more money in Zimbabwe. Mzembi released a statement last month ahead of the Unwto summit saying that the tourism sector grew 17 percent in the first quarter of 2013, compared with 2012 figures, and would contribute 15 percent to the GDP and employ one in every 12 Zimbabweans by 2015. “I project that the country’s tourism sector will rake in $5 billion by 2015, if the correct peace and stability prevails,” he noted. In 2012, Zimbabwe earned $300 million in tourism revenue, according to official figures. Zimbabwe’s economy is largely sustained by the work of those within the mining and agriculture sectors, but the government has made a big push in recent years to increase its attractiveness as a tourist destination. Yet, systemic issues and a reputation for violence and political instability threaten to

undermine any sustainable growth. The Unwto summit at Victoria Falls this week, which is meant to highlight Zimbabwe as a global destination, comes on the heels of the bitterly disputed July 31 elections, which critics believe were rigged in Robert Mugabe’s favor. The nongovernmental human rights group U.N. Watch expressed “grave disappointment” at the U.N. decision to make Zimbabwe a co-host of the global tourism summit, saying it was a “disgraceful show of support -- and a terribly timed award of false legitimacy -- for a brutal, corrupt and authoritarian regime.” “Zimbabwe is a country that often struggles to do the basic things it needs to do and this cannot be a sensible suggestion,” said Chris McIntyre, managing director of specialist tour operator Expert Africa. He went on to proclaim that tourists prefer authenticity to a canned theme park experience. However, during opening dinner celebrations, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe extolled his nation as “a safe and secure destination for world tourists,” while at the same time bemoaning Western nations “demonic tendencies” towards him and his oft-controversial leadership.

Solar powered car to help pregnant African women

A prototype of the car

In many parts of Africa, pregnant women must walk miles to get to the hospital for checkups and - even worse - when they go into labor. It’s a health issue that former super model Christy Turlington, has been trying to draw attention to for years through her non-proﬁt Every Mother Counts. Recently, an Australian teen took it upon himself to help by creating a solar-powered car that could be used to transport pregnant women in rural parts of Africa to a hospital. It all started when high schooler Vaib-

hav Sekhar and his mentor Dr. Peter Pudney were contacted by a non-government organization in Zimbabwe asking if they coulddesign a car that could be used to transport pregnant women to hospital. Sekhar’s solution is a rugged, open-air three-seater that is powered by the sun and requires little maintenance, preventing the need for costly fuel and repairs. So far, the car is still in the planning stages, but health experts are hopeful that this car of the future will be a good ﬁt for the needs of pregnant women in rural parts of Africa. As for Sekhar, he has earned an A for his efforts and is pleased to know that his design might truly make a difference. 25

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Travel Travel

In association association with with In

Arik Air strengthens service between London By Milton Tella

Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest airline is enjoying increased patronage from the Diaspora community as a result of its delivering the highest standards in air travel experience between Lagos and London.

August is peak period of the summer and one of the busiest months for the travel industry. Air travellers from Heathrow to Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy confirmed that air tickets are extremely high this season with airlines taking advantage of increase number of passengers. African Voice spoke with travellers from Nigeria to Europe’s biggest street party, the Notting Hill Carnival and those departing London to Nigeria for the Osun Festival, majority said, “Arik Air provided value and satisfaction for the money spent.” Dr. Michael Arumemi, Group CEO, Arik Air said, “Arik continues to lead the way in setting international standards within the aviation industry and we continue to develop convenience for our guests.”

Travel experiences to most Arik Air destinations during this busy period were not just fascinating but hitch free. According to D J Abass, the organiser of the 2013 edition of the Nigerian Corner at the Notting Hill Carnival lived up to the tag that describes it as the largest gathering of Nigerians in the UK. Thousands thronged the Adela Street West London location to savour the very best of Nigerian food, drinks, dance, music and live performances by Nigerian acts. Acts that performed include Tillaman, Nikki Laoye, Breis, African Boy, Moelogo, Dizzy VC, Honey B and many more. Some of the invited celebrities in attendance at the Nigerian Corner this year were Mavin Records Dr Sid, Alex Amosu, Dayo ‘D1’ Adeneye, Teju Babyface, Ayo Shonaiya, Wale Gates, Naeto C, Alariwo of Africa, Eddie Kadi and a host of others. The event, which was sponsored by Western Union, was hosted by DJ Abass & Gbenga Adeyinka and produced by RMG and G.I Roadshow. Credit: Daniel Sync/ Sync PHOTOS

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Win A Return Flight Ticket Courtesy Arik Air HOW TO ENTER To be in with your chance to win a return ticket to Lagos, simply answer this question: Why do Nigerian passengers prefer Arik Air over other airlines on American route. a) Arik offers the only non-stop service between Nigeria and New York b) Arik is supported by America government c) Arik has monopoly at designated airports in America Send your answer with full name, telephone number and postal address on an email to africanvoicenews@gmail.com or postcard to the Promoter: African Voice Newspapers Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP. Winner will be picked at random.

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Last month’s competition winner: Mr. Yomi Oyekanmi from London Answer to question: b) Wings

1.Competition is open to UK residents only aged 21 years or over. By entering this competition you are agreeing to receive marketing communications from Arik Air. 2. The ticket prize is for a return economy flight from London Heathrow to Lagos for one passenger. (Taxes to be paid by winners). 3. Winning tickets must be redeemed during off peak period. Black-out dates apply (including Easter, Summer, Christmas – please check with Arik Air reservations). 4. Competition closing date: Midnight 20th September 2013. 5. Entry is restricted to one entry per person. No purchase is necessary. An independent person will randomly pick one winning entrant from the pool of all eligible entries within 48hrs of the closing date. The winner will be notified within 7 days of the draw date by telephone or email. 6. Travel insurance and travel documents such as valid passports and visas are the responsibility of the winner. 7. Prize is non transferable, non exchangeable and non changeable. There is no cash alternative offered. 8. All expenses, including but not limited to, hotel accommodation costs, transfers from airport, fuel costs, parking, meals, beverages and items of a personal nature are not included in the ticket prize and will be the responsibility of the ticket winner. Ticket prize excludes travel to and from departure airport in the UK. 9. Once travel dates have been confirmed changes cannot be made. 10. The prize is subject to availability and restricted travel dates to be advised to the winner at the time of booking. 11. The promoter is not responsible for any delays or cancellation of the ticket or for any inability of the ticket winner to take up the prize. The promoter reserves the right to suspend, change or terminate the competition at any time, and for any reason, without notice. 12. Entry to the competition implies acceptance of all relevant terms and conditions by the entrants. 13. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the partners in this promotion accept no liability for any loss, damage or injury caused by, or to, the prize winner or their guest whilst taking the ticket prize. 14. If the winner cannot be located within 21 days of the drawing of the prize, then the runner-up from the draw will be selected as the new winner. 15. Events may occur that render the ticket prize draw itself, or the awarding of the ticket prize impossible, due to reasons beyond the control of the promoter and accordingly, the promoter may, at its absolute discretion, vary, or amend the promotion and the entrant agrees that no liability shall attach to the promoter as a result thereof. 16. The draw is not open to employees, agents, contractors of The African Voice or their families or anyone professionally connected with the prize draw. 17. The Promoter is not responsible for the entrant’s submission of incorrect telephone numbers, e-mail or postal addresses or for problems with entries caused by any factors outside their control. 18. Ticket prizes are subject to availability and the Promoter reserves the right to substitute alternative prizes of similar value. Promoter: African Voice Newspaper UK. 19. Any other conditions will be advised at the time of booking. 20. Promoter: African Voice UK, Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road, London SW9 7AP, England.

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Mawejje aims to fly high with Cranes

Tonny Mawejje representing Uganda

Tonny Mawejje, who plays his club football in the Icelandic first division for IBV, has played an integral part in Uganda’s quest to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. In the two qualifiers that the Cranes played in June, Mawejje scored twice, first netting the only goal of the game against Liberia. A week later, Uganda were drawing 1-1 with Angola with just a minute to go and again the hard-driving midfielder came to the rescue, claiming the winner in the last minute. The two home victories moved the side back into contention in Group J, and they are now just a point behind favourites Senegal, who Uganda will meet away in their final group match knowing that a win will see them advance to the final round of CAF qualifying. “The feeling in the team is very high and everybody is motivated and looking forward to the game,” said the 26-yearold Mawejje, who has played in qualifiers for the last three FIFA World Cups. “This is a chance for us to send a message to the world that Uganda has got talent at home.” Despite just taking two points from their first three matches, which saw a change of head coach, Mawejje says that the team is not surprised to be in with a chance to be one of the ten group winners. “Every game we play, we play with the belief that we can win. We are in the group to win games. And we believe that 30

one day we will qualify for the World Cup.” Following fan violence at a previous match, Senegal have been ordered to play their home games at neutral venues for a year, and Mawejje believes it is a big advantage for the Cranes not to have to play in Dakar. “We have a fifty-fifty chance as they will not have the home crowd, which plays a big part for a team.” Compounded with their return to form on the road to Brazil 2014, Uganda’s strong qualifying runs for South Africa 2010 and the last two CAF Africa Cup of Nations have created a feeling that the side, who have not reached the African finals since 1978 and have never gone to a World Cup, is on the edge of a breakthrough. “I think the governing body has much to do with the improved fortunes,” explains Mawejje. “They have started putting in more effort in discovering young talent in schools and clubs. These players are being brought up in academies. This is what has brought change in Ugandan football, but to sustain it, we need the government to come up with resources. “I think we have a bright future. For many years, we have not been in big competitions, but now we are getting close and it shows the kind of possibilities for us if we are competing for qualification in the big competitions. If we qualify for the playoffs, it will show everybody that Uganda has got talent.” Mawejje, who was born in Masaka, started playing football for the Masaka Local Council club, before joining Kampala City Council FC. He then played for two other clubs in the Ugandan Super League before joining Icelandic side IBV

in 2009. “Our national team captain, Andrew Mwesigwa, was playing for the club then, and he convinced the manager at the time to come to Uganda on holiday. It so happened that we had a regional tournament, the CECAFA tournament, and he saw me playing me for the national team and spotted me there.” The unmarried international, whose immediate family is all in Uganda, admits that it was not easy to settle. “It is the first world and coming from Africa was difficult at first. Also it was very cold. But now I have adapted. This is my fifth season, and I am here so long that I am used to things. It is no longer a shock. I don’t speak Icelandic yet, but I understand the language.” The club has recently signed another Ugandan in Aziz Kemba, who brings the number of players from the east African

country who have donned the IBV jersey to four. “The team believes in us as we have given them our best. They believe that Ugandans can make a difference when they come here. They have that trust in us.” Another one of Mawejje’s team-mates in Iceland is former England goalkeeper David James. “It is quite a big thing for me to play alongside David. He is a very experienced guy, having played in Europe and the Premier League. He is a person to learn many things from.” Like most African players in Europe, Mawejje dreams of playing in a larger league, for a big club. “I would love to move to another level. I hope to have a chance to play for a big team. I am using Iceland as a stepping stone to go somewhere big. Chances are, in time, that opportunity will come.”

Mawejje now plays club football with IBV in Iceland

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UAE draw Brazil, Mexico to face Nigeria

Nigeria U-17s

As the sun slowly dipped below the horizon on Monday 26 August 2013, the contenders for the FIFA U–17 World Cup UAE 2013 discovered the names of their group opponents in the preliminary draw, held in the Al-Saqr conference suite at Fairmont Bab El Bahr Hotel. The draw ceremony began at exactly 19.00 local time, and featured video clips introducing the United Arab Emirates, the host cities and players who have starred at the tournament in the past. H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth & Community Development and chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013, and Rafael Salguero, Chairman of the Organising Committee for the FIFA U–17 World Cup, introduced the draw in short speeches. The ceremony concluded with folk dances performed by local artists, reflecting the history and cultural treasures of the host nation. H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Na-

hayan welcomed the guests and said “This tournament will be one of a kind for the players and for all football fanatics. It will be a unique and fun experience for everyone. The tournament will bring together people from all around the world. Sport brings people together and has the power to unite people of all backgrounds, of all colours, all races ... of all shapes and all sizes.” Meanwhile, Rafael Salguero said that “Football unites people all over the world as we can see right now here in this room. Representatives of at least 24 nations are here tonight, attending the first official step of the main event, the Official Draw for the FIFA U17 World Cup. It’s great to see you all here and I wish you all a great evening and I hope to see stars out of this tournament which will shine in the sky of football and enrich our game even more.” After the words of introduction, the teams were divided into four pots for the draw, with the continental champions from Europe, Africa, South America, Asia, North and Central America and the Caribbean all seeded, and the host nation assigned the seeded position as team one in Group A.

The teams were then drawn into six groups of four. In Group A, the United Arab Emirates will meet Honduras, Brazil and Slovakia. The opening match at 17.00 local time on 17 October sees the Brazil and Slovakia face off at Mohammed Bin Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi. CONCACAF champions Mexico start the defence of the trophy they won two years ago on home soil in Group F against Nigeria, Iraq and Sweden. This group is based at Al Ain stadium, with the Mexicans opening their campaign on 19 October against Nigeria. Nigeria and Brazil, the most successful nations in tournament history, are once again present at the 2013 edition, ensuring a spectacular tournament for the fans. Nigeria, as aforementioned, were drawn into Group F, with Brazil seeking to lay the foundations for their fourth triumph at this level in Group A against the hosts. The 52-match FIFA U–17 World Cup UAE 2013 will be played between 17 October and 8 November in the six host cities of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Sharjah and Al Ain. Group stage draw for the FIFA U–17 World Cup UAE 2013: Group A (Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah): United Arab Emirates, Honduras, Brazil, Slovakia Group B (Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi): Uruguay, New Zealand, Côte d’Ivoire, Italy Group C (Fujairah, Sharjah): Croatia, Morocco, Panama, Uzbekistan Group D (Sharjah, Fujairah): Tunisia, Venezuela, Russia, Japan Group E (Dubai, Al Ain): Canada, Austria, Iran, Argentina Group F (Al Ain, Dubai): Mexico, Nigeria, Iraq, Sweden

Inter to lose out on Eto’o

lnter are expected to lose out on bringing Samuel Eto’o back to the San Siro as he is set to meet with Chelsea on Wednesday in order to finalise a deal.

The 32-year-old is certain to leave the Russian side, Anzhi Makhachkala, and it was reported that Inter were holding on a fragment of hope to lure him back to the Italian peninsula. However, Sky Sport reports that his agent will meet with Chelsea officials on Wednesday in order to finalise a deal, with the Blues struggling to pin down their transfer targets of Wayne Rooney, Jackson Martinez and Luis Suarez. Eto’o spent two seasons with Inter, from 2009 to 2011, and scored 53 goals in 102 appearances with the club. He was also part of the treble winning team in 2010.

Samuel Eto’o playing for Inter Milan

Juve’s Ghanaian heading to Spain

Juventus have reportedly agreed to loan out their Ghanaian, Richmond Boakye, to newly-promoted La Liga side Elche.

The 20-year-old spent last season on loan with Sassuolo in Serie B, scoring 11 goals in 32 games and providing seven assists. Boakye is currently co-owned by the Bianconeri and fellow Serie A outfit, Genoa, but made a return to the Bianconeri headquarters where he took part in preseason with the team. Sky Sport Italia claim Boakye will move make a loan move to Spanish soil with a contract worth €250,000. He was also part of Ghana’s Under-20 World Cup squad which made it through to the semifinal.

Demba Ba suffers Senegal’s chills

Continued from page 32

Perhaps that is not the case with Demba Ba. But it becomes examinable when a club of such standing as Chelsea makes a move to acquire him for about £7m (if that is appropriate valuation for his services) for his demonstrable abilities on arguably the greatest league in the world but his country’s coach does not think it fit for him to don his national colours towards the march for the world cup then questions must be asked. From reports, Frenchman Giresse had told a Dakar news conference he would continue the policy of only selecting footballers who were “competitive and playing at their clubs”. It would therefore seem that Demba’s major challenge for inclusion is that he needs to find a way to ‘whip’ the Special One (Jose Mourinho) and let him understand that he should have regular play in the first team even though he is one of the least paid footballers in the squad. Perhaps a word of advice to Demba is to seek the help of a village magician to ‘cripple’ all Demba’s attack minded team mates so that he can have a regular place in the Chelsea first team and get Giresse to call him up. While one is not making a spectacular claim for Demba, the case of Italian, Paulo Rossi who came from prison and didn’t do well in the preliminary games but singlehandedly won theworld cup for Italy here is a reference point. I wonder why the Italian coach then had to stick with someone who just left prison and didn’t as much as have a football club where he was displaying fantastic skills before the world cup. Experience is the best teacher but you don’t necessarily have to experience all yourself! 31

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ISSUE 497

Mawejje aims to fly high with cranes SEE PAGE 30

Demba Ba suffers Senegal’s chills

Demba Ba

By Peter Olorunnisomo

Demba Ba was again left out of Senegal’s 23-man World Cup squad on Thursday for next week’s qualifier against Uganda as coach Alain Giresse continued to pick only players who regularly feature for their clubs.

Striker Ba has struggled to win a regular place in Chelsea’s team since joining the Londoners from Newcastle United in January. He was also omitted for two World Cup qualifiers in June. Girondins Bordeaux forward Henri

Saviet, a former French junior international, is likely to make his senior debut along with Nantes defender Issa Cissokho whose younger brother Aly is a French international and recently moved to Liverpool. Ba’s former strike partner at Newcastle United, Papiss Cisse, misses out because of suspension. Frenchman Giresse told a Dakar news conference he would continue the policy of only selecting footballers who were “competitive and playing at their clubs”. Senegal must avoid defeat to clinch top spot in Group J and advance to the final phase of Africa’s qualifiers for next year’s

World Cup. The September 7 match is being played in neutral Morocco because Senegal have a ban on home matches. The Views: The ‘sweet’and passionate game of football has become so much of a global panacea for friendship and goodwill as much as a ‘drug’ to incense hostilities. But the thoughts here are usually attributed to the interplay of the football administrative offices and officials largely in contexts where a lot of money, prestige, influence, economy, and political power can be demonstrable. But it is also known that where this happens with local clubs

and national teams or rather domestic relationships that ‘kick off’ the game, a lot of these influences play out to mask what the ego vaunts.

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