Friday, 20 September – Thursday, 26 September 2013 ISSUE 500
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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
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Round table meeting with PM David Cameron, interviews with Amb. Tafida and Prem Goyal OBE DETAILS INSIDE
500th
Dear readers,
We hope you will forgive us the indulgence of giving ourselves a hearty pat on the back for having achieved our 500th edition. We have withstood trials and tribulations that have seen other publications succumb and we have managed to not just survive but, dare we say it, surge forward with the support of dedicated staff and contributors, loyal sponsors and, most importantly, you. It is the support of our readers that spurs us on towards our mission statement, namely to inform readers about issues in the community, the Diaspora and Africa as a whole, to celebrate contributions made by Africans in the UK and to provide a vital link between African consumers in the UK and British-based businesses that offer products and services that are important to daily life. Bolstered by our additional web-based presence, africanvoiceonline.co.uk, we look forward to our next 500 issues with relish, knowing from the kind felicitations we have received from you that together we can continue to inform and transform government policy and serve as a conduit for dialogue between decision-makers and the community. Thank you for your unwavering support
EDITION
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Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
From the Editor
African Voice: our commitment to community service Since the first issue of African Voice hit the newsstands on 17th September 2001, the paper has moved from strength to strength; competing forcefully for retail space in the highly competitive market in the UK. It was initially hard to secure mainstream advertising patronage, which is the lifeline of all publications. Convincing advertising agencies was an uphill task, but as we garnered more leverage and readership the coast became clearer. We are excited by the opportunity we have seized to bring a British African perspective to breaking news. Our aim from day one was to bridge the gap between the mainstream media and hard-to-reach minority communities. With the milestone of the 500th edition, it is therefore important to take stock of this success story by taking a look at some of the forays the African Voice had made within the spectrum of media responsibility. African Voice has been at the vanguard of promoting equality and ethnic minority rights in the UK. Taking cognizance of the special role played by the ethnic minority population in the economic and social development of the UK, the paper has always highlighted issues of equality in terms of access to health and educational opportunities. We constantly reviewed the achievement of the defunct Commission for Racial Equality before it was transmuted into the Equality and Human Rights Commission under its able chairman Trevor Philips. We highlighted issues handled by the Commission over the slow process of change and reforms regarding equality and discrimination in the workplace. In tandem with this role was our constant campaign for more action against racial discrimination and the need for more empowerment for women in the workplace. We were elated with the introduction of the Equality Act of 2010 which, to a large extent, improved upon and embedded previous legislations, such as the Race Relations Act, the Disability Act and the Sexual Discrimination Act. Our coverage of issues bordering on race, immigration, disability and empowerment was borne out of the fact that all human beings should be free to exercise their rights and work in harmony in a civilized society. Flaunting of human rights laws should be detested by all civilised society. It is on this basis that we championed the campaign for the release of some of the mainly immigrant Yarl’s Wood detainees, who were detained indefinitely. It should be remembered that 70 refugees and migrants held at the Yarl’s Wood detention centre staged a massive hunger strike in 2010, demanding their release. The African Voice was very visible in calling for the release of these prisoners, most of whom were women that had suffered abusive treatment in detention. The cumulative efforts of lobbying by us and other sympathetic publications, as well as that of well-meaning residents in the UK, led to the release of prisoners such as Denise McNeil, while three others were kept imprisoned. This did not and will not diminish our efforts in this area. We continue to raise issues concerning the falling standards of education in certain areas of London, while at the same time we celebrate young people who have excelled in many fields. There is no doubt that there exists a correlation between environmental depravation and educational excellence. Minorities still continue to suffer in such areas such as lack of access to good quality education, quality healthcare and other social services. This has been attributed to poverty, unemployment and lack of linkage to credit facilities. Be that as it may, the ethnic minority population has continued to produce some of the most promising young people, many of whom can confidently be termed as future leaders. The African Voice has celebrated young people who have excelled at the GCSE, A-level and tertiary level examinations. This same goes for success in vocational and technical education (VTEC). These young boys and girls should rightly be regarded as role models. We believe that young people need to be encouraged in order for them to realise their full potential to contribute to society, since “the mind is a terrible thing to waste.” We have highlighted the achievements of young black boys and girls in the area of sports achievement – an indication that the ethnic minority is replete with untapped talent and potential achievers. Current women’s 400m World Champion and former Olympic and Commonwealth Champion, Christine Ijeoma Ohuruogu, is just one of the individual athletes that we have consistently celebrated. In the years ahead, we promise to continue to fulfil our role of providing a British African perspective to breaking news and to adhere to our mission statement - to inform, educate and entertain our readers.
Mike Abiola Editor-in-Chief 2
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
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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 Officers accused of stealing soldier’s food
Dr. Dalhutu Tafida bares more
SEE PAGE 17
SEE PAGE 26
Healthy living can turn our cells’ clock back
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SEE PAGE 22
I expect you to die, visa bond
Home Secretary to be urged to ditch controversial plan By Alan Oakley
Business minister Vince Cable has vowed to urge Home Secretary Theresa May to drop a plan to require some applicants for UK visas to pay ‘security bonds’ of up to £3,000 before being issued a visa. Mr Cable told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the bonds would provoke “outrage” in countries whose citizens could be required to pay the bond. The Home Secretary announced the scheme in June, saying that a pilot of the scheme would be launched in November. Few details of the scheme were revealed at the time or since, but a visa bond of “up to £3,000” was mooted and the six “high risk countries” that would be subject to the November pilot run were named. Reaction to being included in the pilot has been predictably hostile in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana. Since the announcement of the scheme, the response from various government quarters has served to muddy the waters, rather than provide clarity. Visa bonds will, it appears, be imposed on “some applicants” for visitor visas from “high risk countries”, though no detailed criteria have been set out. Neither did Mrs May stipulate whether holders of Tier 1 visas (for ‘high value migrants’), Tier 2 visas (for skilled workers) and Tier 4 visas (for students) would also have to pay. Angry reaction While the visa bond scheme was undoubtedly a hit with some right-wing elements of the British press, the reaction of Nigeria’s
media was ferocious. The UK’s ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Andrew Pocock, was summoned to the office of Olugbenga Ashiru, the Nigerian foreign minister, to be told of the Nigerian government’s displeasure. Nigeria threatened that a planned bilateral trade deal between the two countries was under threat. On 1st September, Dr Pocock told a Nigerian newspaper that the bond scheme was ‘not a policy’ of the UK government and said that there was therefore no existing plan to introduce the scheme (African Voice, Issue 498). He added that it would only be a pilot scheme and might not be permanent. He also offered an assurance that, even if it was made permanent, only ‘very small numbers’ of applicants would be involved. News of the bond was also met with indignation in India. The Indian trade minister Anand Sharma has asked for ‘clarification’ from Mr Cable’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Senior Indian business figures said that the bond would damage trade with the UK. Mr Cable, who resides on the LibDem side of the Coalition, told the BBC that he intended to ask Mrs May to reconsider her approach to the bonds because they would damage Britain’s relations with other countries. He was speaking shortly after a Liberal Democrat colleague, Sarah Teather MP, had announced that she intended to stand down because of her ‘dismay’ at some of the policies that the Liberal Democrats had voted for in government.
Continued on page 4
Business minister Vince Cable says the Conservatives have turned a benign policy into a negative one
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I expect you to Encounter die, visa bond Prem believes in the political healing
Continued from page 3
In particular, Ms Teather said that she had been depressed by the bond scheme, which had originally been proposed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg. Mr Cable said that he had ‘some sympathy’ with Ms Teather’s position but said that she had ‘overreacted’. Mr Cable said that the original scheme proposed by Mr Clegg had been intended to allow some applicants who had applied for UK visas but had been refused, to come to the UK. The business minister said that Mr Clegg’s scheme would have allowed these failed applicants to apply again and to pay a bond. It was hoped that with the payment of the bond the UK’s immigration authorities would be more likely to grant the visa. But, Mr Cable said, the Conservatives, the senior partner in the Coalition and the party of which Mrs May is a member, had taken this benign policy and turned it into something more ‘negative’. Mr Cable told the BBC: “The way some of our colleagues in the coalition interpreted it was in a much more negative way; of saying that everyone who comes here should pay this very large bond and that is what Sarah reacted against. “In government, certainly I and Nick and others will be arguing for a much more sensible and flexible approach to the bond, which is of course not policy and still only under discussion”.
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 Overton Road London SW9 7AP
Tel: 020 3737 3077
Email: africanvoicenews@gmail.com
African Voice is published by African Voice UK.
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of the ethnic minority through equality
Mr Prem Goyal OBE Mr Prem Goyal is a self-motivated, business and philantrophic personality whose experiences in life through several cultures in India, United Sates, Japan, Switzerland and the UK have liberated his consciousness for a limitless zeal to serving the community and focus on people development activities where the need is pronounced. This has led to foray into politics where his skills and experience and a veritable educational empowerment are brought to bear and share among the ethnic minorities in the UK. His charitable nature has brought into raising funds for charitable causes to the value of £150,000. Little wonder that he was bestowed the royal honour of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He a Southwark resident and community leader as well.
He visited African Voice offices and we were honoured to have a personality come to share with us his passion, vision, and the zeal to be of greater service. African Voice: What representation do you see of the ethnic minorities in Southwark and Indeed London and do you think they each have a fair representation to advocate for their needs? Prem Goyal: Absolutely not. And that is very, very shocking because the ethnic minorities are very talented. The reason that it is shocking is twofold: one is that in Southwark, we are about 45% ethnic minorities but when it comes to people working in the city, it is single digit. When it comes to people going to top universities or going to top positions in the educational world, we are not able to penetrate. More importantly in the political world,
for e.g. in Southwark we have top 14 political leaders, 3 MPs, I GLA member, 9 cabinet members, including the leader of the Southwark council. Out of these 13 members, there is one ethnic minority person. So you can see at the bottom, it is the reverse. We have more positions in the minority in the work places because they are all security guards. Even though they have the bachelors, masters and Ph. Ds. So in Southwark and around London, we are very poorly represented. African Voice: Do you think that is because the people are not educationally qualified to hold these positions? Prem Goyal: No, not so. This is because of two reasons. One is the people have moved from different parts of Africa and Asia and the Caribbean to this part. That movement has been seen as a task rather than an accomplishment. So nobody is celebrating their accomplishment that they have mastered two cultures, two languages, and two socio-economic levels. And so as a result they don’t feel that they have achieved something great and their self-esteem and confidence is very low. Rather than saying that they have achieved something good. The second part is, yes, they were among the top in their country - since this countries, the US and UK and advanced countries are operating at a higher level, this immigrants when they are coming to these countries they think automatically they should be at the top, and when they find themselves at the stop they just sit there at the bottom rather than saying ‘I need to sharpen my skills set’ and move to the top because I belong to the top. Our people do need to sharpen their skills set and acquire more knowledge and more talent and they have the ability. But if they don’t do it, because they get caught up in the material world or because of the first accomplishment, they get tired; they just settle at the bottom. So in my case, I didn’t want to accept the bottom. I told myself I
belong to the 1% of the top in England. If I am going to live in US or in the UK, I must be in the top 1% of this country or I must go back. And when I looked at myself, the simple thing is that I must more education, more things in the community and I am in the top 1%. One more thing our immigrants are not doing at all, and that is part of the vision, once they have found, themselves, that they are struggling at the bottom, they forget that their destination was to reach to the top. So what do they need to do? They need to master England; even by living in this country they are mastering Nigeria, Indians are mastering India, but they live in this country. They need to play by the rules of England not by the rules of Africa or India. And that is the problem. We have people here that are very successful but they are thinking of being politicians in those countries from where they came. You ask why? Because even after 25 years in this country, after becoming citizens of this country, after paying 40% tax, after producing children here, after finding social life here, they still want to be politicians back home because they are struggling. African Voice: The mind-set of the scene that you describe would seem a shock. In terms of culture, how do think these have impacted on the expression of their cultures? Prem Goyal: What is happening is that the ethnic minorities are living through two cultures: one culture at home and another outside the home. So if you can master two cultures then you are very talented. The normal ethnic minority person then struggles because he or she has to learn two languages; he has to learn about two different foods. The worst part is what they are doing inside their home, they can’t talk to about to someone outside unless they come from the same ethnic background. That means that the people who are running this country cannot necessary be approached y say someone from Africa to share understanding for example is asking to share opinions in a Nollywood movie or inviting someone to share a meal of jollof rice. As a result in Southwark where we have 45% minority there is not a single restaurant of African or ethnic minority background on Tooley Street which is the main High Street of the Southwark Council offices or in the heart of the city of London. African Voice: Would you say that the ethnic minority enterprise ship in Southwark is thriving? If not, what do you think they need to do to thrive? Prem Goyal: There are two or three things they need to do. One, going back to the first point: rather than fight with so called things in England, when they get here they need to sharpen their skills set by getting more talent and more education, and they have the ability. They need to aim higher. For example I got my MBA at the age of 25. They need to say that they need to go to the top universities to get a certi-
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fication. The second thing to do, especially those who have been here for more than 10 years, or have become citizens, they need to do things the way it is done in England. It is no more about Nigeria. They need to let go of that knowledge and master in England; what is available in England and the business opportunities in England. It could even be between England and Nigeria. They need to operate as a UK company and because most of them have businesses or properties back home. They are not able to see England as their home and this important for business. As a result they doing business with other ethnic minority people and the money is limited there instead of the white community. The one reason why my businesses have done very is that I do business with the Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, etc and have the white people work for me. African Voice: The Prime Minister recently launched an enterprise grant scheme. Do you think this will sufficiently impact on the residents of Southwark and ethnic minority? Prem Goyal: To be the honest this is going to be helpful but never going to be sufficient because out ethnic minority population is so big in Southwark that to start a scheme which is going to add 500 or 1000 people is something better than nothing. But in order to help our people, whatever government has to do is to facilitate very strong links now between Southwark and Nigeria and not Southwark and England.
In Southwark we have the best trained African workforce and Nigerians better than anywhere else in the world. And Southwark has 30% of the Nigerian population. So that means we need to do a lot of business between Southwark and Nigeria which is growing at the rate of 5% and which is going to be the capital of Africa by 2025. So we need to tap the skills and talents of our people. At this stage, there is not a single activity, venture or business link between Southwark and Nigeria. African Voice: We note that Councils usually facilitate programmes that have to do with enterprise solutions, business development skills enhancement, etc. Do you think the Southwark is doing sufficiently well in this regard to help the people? Prem Goyal: Not at all. The thing is Southwark is operating to look after 50% of white people and recently when we raised this issue of equality with the Council leader he replied that Council is already providing free school meals for their children so what else do they want? So we have to promote their business cultures, entertainment, and cuisine in order to give them the opportunity to the extent that we have to celebrate those. For example in the last 3 yrs, there has not been once in a hundred functions have I seen food or Caribbean food, or music etc. That means that whatever African children are doing inside for their families, that cannot be talked about outside. As a result, unless Council says that before start-
ing your business, we want to celebrate say the Nigerian Independence Day. Why don’t why they don’t want to celebrate when there are over 200,000 from the background in Southwark. Not a single politician has been to Nigeria in the last 9 years. They have no either about Africa. The last time, Harriet Harman went to Nigeria in 2004. Yet they have Nigerians as friends on their Face book. African Voice: Would you say that there is need for a socio-political platform to help re-educate and re-evaluate the role of ethnic minorities to impact and impress themselves and their number to give them recognition they deserve. Prem Goyal: I think the gap is used for us and it has to be reduced by both sides. Whatever the ethnic minorities have done, they have not come here to settle at the bottom. They must remember that they have to go to the top. If they are tired, they should ask their children to aspire to the top. That aspiration must not be forgotten because that is the goal of their coming. That has to change. The second is that the ethnic minorities think that they will just ask politicians for something and they will get it just like that or in the future. But now they have to take the responsibility on themselves and that is where we are and be the politicians. Obviously, the white politicians only want to give as little as they can, they don’t want to give to others. But in order to get their fair share and resolve the problems of the
Encounter
entire communities and develop them, we have to ask the representatives to dialogue. By having 50% population and giving 70% votes, we get only 10% power then we are workers. If we produce 70% and we get 70% power then we are leaders. We have 45 votes with 45% power then we are managers. If we have 70% votes and 10% power, we are workers. And that is what we can change. The white world is convinced that ethnic minorities /immigrants are workers and that is what we must change. African Voice: If you were to describe a path for the ethnic minority political and economic development, what would your prescription be? Prem Goyal: Each person should think about becoming a leader in his or her community. They don’t need to become politicians. Back home we all connected to different parts of the community. They should also do this here so that they can become school governors; participate in London marathon, volunteer with police or ambulance. The second thing they can do is to include in their community meetings a 15 minute or so slot where they learn about the British political system. They talk about a lot but don’t talk about these things in their meetings. And unless they start talking about this they will continue to be exploited. We have Indian associations, Caribbean associations, African association, etc and that has to be inculcated at the meeting points.
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News
Tough new approach to turn around NHS hospitals
MP Jeremy Hunt
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt today set out the Government’s plans to help prevent future failures of care and safety at NHS hospitals.
In the wake of the scandal over standards at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and subsequent Keogh Review which looked at 14 NHS Trusts with high mortality rates, 11 of those Trusts have already been placed in ‘special measures’. Now, the Health Secretary has set out a new approach to ensure progress at those NHS Trusts, which could be applied to any NHS Trust that is placed in special measures under a new, tougher inspection re-
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gime: · In future, NHS hospitals with the highest standards of patient care and safety will help those with problems. Each of the 11 Trusts will be partnered with one of the best NHS Trusts in the country in innovative improvement contracts. · The high performing hospitals will enter into contracts with the NHS Trust Development Authority or Monitor to support the special measures Trusts. They will be reimbursed for their time, and will have access to a special incentive fund, through which, where appropriate, they could be paid extra - if their help produces real results. · NHS Foundation Trusts placed in special measures will have their freedom to
operate as an autonomous body suspended. Exactly what form this takes in each hospital will be up to Monitor, but this could mean losing the freedom to appoint their own executive teams or to set their own operating plans. · NHS Trusts who aspire to become Foundation Trusts will in future no longer be able to do so unless and until they have achieved a ‘good’ or an ‘outstanding’ rating under the new Care Quality Commission inspection regime. · The capability of leaders of all 11 Trusts is under ongoing review. Changes to the management of failing trusts will be made if necessary to ensure that the leadership is best placed to drive the required improvements to the quality of services throughout the special measures period and beyond. Improvements will not be held back by leaving weak leaderships in place. · Each of the 11 Trusts will also have an Improvement Director, appointed and accountable to either Monitor or the NHS Trust Development Authority, depending on whether they are a Foundation Trust or not. The Improvement Directors will work with each of the 11 Trusts and their high performing partners to monitor improvement against the Trust’s action plan. · Starting today, each of the 11 Trusts will publish their improvement plans via NHS Choices, and will update them on a month-
ly basis so the public can see what progress is being made. The Health Secretary will also give updates to the media as part of the Government’s commitment to a new era of transparency over care failures. · More senior clinicians, as well as fresh talent from outside the NHS, will be recruited to manage NHS hospitals under a new fast-track leadership programme to include time at a leading business school. Graduates of the programme are expected to go on to make rapid entry and promotion to be NHS senior managers and Chief Executives. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said:“Turning special measures hospitals round is my top priority as Health Secretary. For too long, patients have had to put up with poor care because it was inconvenient to expose and tackle failure. So today I am committing to total transparency on progress in these hospitals, and to leave no stone unturned in our mission to turn them round. “In place of the old approach of paying management consultants to analyse the problems, we are giving contracts to the best in the NHS to implement solutions they have tried and tested. With the help of inspiring NHS leaders and their teams from our leading hospitals, I am confident that we can get these hospitals out of special measures and on the road to recovery.”
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2 Year Fast Track Undegraduate Degrees in Law, Oil & Gas Business
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David Cameron celebrates new start-
African Voice newspaper was invited to a Round Table meeting with the Prime Minister, David Cameron at 10 Downing Street on Thursday, 12 September to discuss the day’s announcement on ‘enterprise’, and also for an opportunity to speak about key issues affecting Britain’s diverse communities. The Round Table was strictly and exclusively for a small number of editors and news editors of ethnic media.
Prior to the Round Table, an invitation was extended to attend a reception to celebrate new start-up businesses and entrepreneurs. About 70 people from a diverse range of backgrounds, who have recently set up their own business thanks to support from various Government’s schemes, joined the PM at Number 10 for the event. The Prime Minister made clear his government’s determination to help people who want to strike out on their own, helping small businesses to get on, while cre-
PM David Cameron with Adetokunbo Oladipo and Demi Owoseje, owners of Majeurs Chesterfield Ltd
ating jobs and a boost to the economy. Over 30,000 new businesses have been created with support from Government schemes in the last two years alone. Mr Cameron promised that aspiring en-
trepreneurs from across Britain will get financial backing from the Government under a £69m package of support that will help create tens of thousands of new businesses.
Speaking to entrepreneurs and new business owners, the Prime Minister said: “I think it’s an exciting time for our economy, it’s an exciting time for our country. It’s always daunting starting a business
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PM David Cameron with Mike Abiola editor in chief African Voice Newspaper and Henry Bonsu CEO of Colourful Radio
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News
up businesses and entrepreneurs
PM David Cameron with Dragons’ Den star Levi Roots and Minister for Employment Mark Hoban
and setting out but this is a government that wants to help you every step of the way. That’s what Start-Up Loans is about, that’s what the New Enterprise Allowance is about. But the biggest congratulations to those of you who’ve taken this big, sometimes quite frightening decision, to step outside the typical job or to step outside the typical career and say ‘I want to do this by myself, I want to make my dream a reality’ and I have massive respect for that. You’re doing a great thing for yourself; you’re doing an even greater thing for our country. Thank you very much indeed.” Among the selected entrepreneurs present were Alvin Arscott from Birmingham, owner of Caribbean food producer
Tasty Pastry; florist Richard Bothamley from York; Jessica McLean from Newcastle, owner of Baggers Originals, makers of kids’ clothes and outdoor wear; Jennifer Onah from London, owner of Ferona Bespoke Dresses & Bridal wear and Demi Owoseje, owner of Majeurs Chesterfield Ltd, a vintage furniture restorer. Majeurs is a Chesterfield Furniture company with a difference. Speaking with African Voice, Demi said: “Our ideology has always been that old means history, dated means classic and worn means vintage and that’s reflected in many of the pieces of furniture we have. “We have a passion for sourcing pieces of furniture that don’t just compliment a surrounding but are the immediate focal
PM David Cameron with Jessica McLean, Baggers
PM David Cameron with Jennifer Onah, Ferona (bespoke dresses & bridal ware)
point of that space. We then carefully restore each piece. This is what makes us different; we have a wide variety of pieces for you to choose from. “Some of our previous clients include
PM David Cameron with editors
Jamie Oliver, Jimmy Choo, and we have been asked by 10 Downing Street to restore some pieces as well.”
of various ethnic media 9
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Comment Readers celebrate African Voice 500th edition WOH!!!!!!! I welcome the success of African Voice Newspaper on reaching it’s 500th edition.
Kudos to African Voice
I think it is fair to say that the African Voice has earned its place in journalism history. It has been documenting the collective memories of the African diaspora in the host country while reconnecting them to their home country since 2001.
As it commemorates its 500 edition, the newspaper should be proud of its achievement in upstaging other competitors to satisfy the information, education and entertainment needs of the African diaspora. Its news content helps the readers to make sense of the world and their position in it. Its education content helps them to understand how the system works and to appreciate and be proud of the positive contributions of black people to Britain. Its entertainment content helps to reinforce a sense of belonging by reconnecting them to their music, films and cultural activities. The African Voice has not only established itself as a platform for projecting black perspectives on civic issues,
Dr Ola Ogunyemi but also as a resource for research. It is a resource for collating empirical data about the appropriation of journalistic practices by the African diaspora and about how they engage in self-representation and contest the negative and stereotypical representation of black people in the mainstream media. Dr Ola Ogunyemi Director of College Academic Affairs Principal Lecturer in Journalism
The Sickle Cell Society and NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme (NHSSCTSP) congratulate African Voice newspaper on publication of their 500th edition! In these times of austerity newspapers and magazines particularly in the African and Caribbean communities are struggling to survive and African Voice must therefore be applauded for achieving this milestone. ‘Britain’s No 1 African Newspaper’ has indeed provided weekly news and feature articles of relevance and interest to its mainly African and Caribbean readership. In particular, I am happy the team has always been receptive to working jointly to raise awareness of sickle cell disease, a condition more prevalent among its readership. From reporting on the launch of the first ever UK Standards of Care for Adults with sickle cell disease in 2008 to taking part in our 2013 Valentine media campaign to raise awareness of couple testing for haemoglobin genotype, African Voice has covered it all.
“The African Voice Newspaper came into the scene when none of the media gave direct regular coverage to issues that were really relevant to Africans themselves. It came to cover that despicable gap and has consistently tried to offer a coverage that is both relevant and regular, and it has done so in the face of sometimes very difficult circumstances and in a socio-cultural and political context that is generally adverse to the point of stultifying. That it has consistently published is something to cheer, but that it has fought 10
Iyamide Thomas Additionally team member and actress Golda John stars in our ‘Nollywood’ film ‘The Family Legacy’ which is being successfully used in our sickle cell awareness outreach programme! Once again congratulations team and long may you continue educating and entertaining your readership! Iyamide Thomas, Sickle Cell Society/ NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme Outreach Project Lead doggedly on so long to its 500th edition, and that in forbidden territory, is a truly remarkable achievement. As we celebrate this event, we all ought to also pray and work to see that it stays on to celebrate its 1000th and indeed it’s 1,000,000th edition. May it become part of the history of the African success especially here in the United Kingdom when that history is written in the ages to come. Revd Greg Obong-Oshotse Pastor of The Living Lighthouse
I have always looked forward to reading African Voice, which is without doubt informative and current. It features and highlights many exciting headlines from Nigeria and other African countries, which keeps us well informed. I remember when this newspaper was launched, and I take pride in announcing that I was among the early readers of African Voice and also introduced it to Enfield Council for Nigerian and other interested readers. It is the determination, hard work and efficiency of the publisher & Editor-inChief that has brought forth the success of this long journey. It must have been a challenging period, yet you worked with effective strategies to secure a sustainable improvement and outcome.
Since the year 2000 we have witnessed an unprecedented change in the context of our humanity. We are now quite literally connected to almost every part of the planet in an instant! More information has been generated in the past two years than all the data collected since writing began. The 21st century’s digitised, computer age has heralded hitherto unimaginable access to information and images that can be streamed, beamed or googled live into our screens or whatever device we have.
Cllr Kate Anolue That is fantastic, what a great achievement. CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! We look forward to its 1000th edition!!!! Kate Anolue
Revd Claudette Douglas
During that time the AFRICAN VOICE newspaper has stood out as an objective beacon that has enlightened, educated informed entertained and provoked us into action- it has built a global audience with thoughtful debate and incisive articles that look at the world’s issues through the perspective of the largest continent on earth. The African Voice has managed to remain original and cutting edge because of its broad base or articles and global contributors that has given depth and understanding to often complex issues. Objective and rigorous journalistic practice has meant that the paper has gained a reputation-for integrity and accuracy, which are much needed commodities in the world of 24 hour news
bombardment. With the proliferation of so many news providers, finding a source that is accurate and fair is not always easy. For those of us who wish to gain knowledge and wisdom from the African perspective as well as understand the challenges that face the Continent, The African Voice remains unsurpassed as a beacon of light in these challenging times; and its 500th issue is a testimony to the tenacity and dedication of Mike Abiola, Golda John and all those who have contributed to the growth and sustainability of this important enterprise. Revd Claudette Douglas Pastor, Poet, Performer. SPIRIT FIRST ENCOUNTERS
According to a Chinese proverb, the journey of a thousand years begins with a single step. However, in the newspaper industry, not every publication that takes the first step has the staying power to look back with pride and celebrate it’s 500th edition. That the African Voice ha achieved this landmark is a huge testimony to the commitment of the Publisher, Mike Abiola, his dedicated team and the support of the African community.
But beyond the longevity is the incredible work of giving voice to the African community in the United Kingdom. The newspaper has, over the past years of it’s existence, been at the forefront of not only giving a voice to the African community, but equally at the forefront of bringing to light the unsung heroes of the community and stories which the mainstream media often overlook. Long live, African Voice and hope to see you on the newsstand when you publish your 1000th edition. Tunde Oyedoyin London
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Comment Readers celebrate African Voice 500th edition I recall attending a brainstorming
I wish to congratulate African Voice on the occasion of their 500th edition. Africa needed a voice in the Diaspora and African Voice has delivered on a grand scale. You have been truly our voice and gateway into the attitude and achievements of the new African Diaspora. I am sure that you have also created a link between Africans in Diaspora and many of their home governments, thus availing them the opportunity to have a say in how their countries are run while providing the much needed support to their governments. Well done!” Jenny Okafor.
event on Nigeria’s future around 1995, organised by Shell Petroleum at their London headquarters. I remember it because of an insight into Nigeria that was given by someone who was looking at Nigeria from the outside rather than from “on ground” as our people say. What this Indian gentleman shared with us was the most profound insight into Nigeria that any individual has given. Jenny Okafor
A uniqueness aspect of the African Voice Newspapers contribution to the African community in the United Kingdom is that the newspaper has served the African and local community by giving them a voice where other mainstream newspapers have failed. In my view, they have a team of professional writers for both local and international news, sports, business and other events; who at all time have exceeded my imagination as a writer and analyst myself, living in Britain. I recently had the good fortune of reading many of their articles regarding politics, sports and investment strategies back home in Nigeria, and at all time, I must say it was well-written, well-informed and also contained sound, practical advice.
What particularly impress me about the level of service provided to the African community by the African Voice Newspapers was years ago, when I was looking to advertise an event with a leading newspaper within a specific time-frame. I remember very well that the particular event was few days away at the time. I approached few other African newspapers based in London, but because of the time constrain I was told that it was too late to do any advertisement for my organisation and if they have to, then the financial ultimate is looking very high. However, I rang the African Voice land line to inquire about the possibility of advertising our event within the short timeframe, simply because I was so particular about the exact day of the advert. To be honest, I have never been so happy, not only that the African Voice agreed to print the advert for us; it was done at the time without any extra financial extortion. I must also mention that their contribution through the advert provided an enormous and a positive outcome on our event. I must also commend the act of professionalism exhibited by the CEO Mr. Mike Abiola and the entire staff of The African Voice Newspapers at all time, their contribution and display of loyalty to the African community and the media world prompted my decision to become a part time writer with the glorious African Voice. I also believe that all the staff and CEO of African Voice Newspapers deserve to be congratulated and also rewarded for providing an excellence of coverage’s at all time. A motivation to others and a sign of pure quality
In 2002 I did my industrial attachment in the African Voice but after completing my course in Journalism and computing, I returned to the newspapers to start a writing career which I love so much. I realised that the African Voice newspapers occupy a premier position in the ethnic media in the UK and as the name suggest, it is the voice of the Africans living the UK without hope or voice, and whose activities and events are largely unreported. I decided to
remain with the paper since then. The paper brought fresh air to the ethnic media in the UK in the early days. People looked forward to every Friday when the paper hit the newsstand. The coverage was and is still embracing African news and events but this has been enlarged to incorporate some of aspects of news from the British isle as well as other parts of the world. From 2005 to 2010 African Voice newspaper transformed its presentation, paper
Gbenga Adenuga
I have been privileged to be associated with one of the leading ‘Britain’s Best African Newspaper’, The African Voice.
What he said then as to why he was not optimistic for our future was “the absence of institutions of any age”. Pointing to the Congress Party of India (formed in 1885) and the African National Congress of South Africa (formed in 1910), he challenged anyone of us to name a socio-political institution in Nigeria that was more than 50 years old. This short lesson in the importance of staying power to the growth and develop-
Pastor Casey Badejo
Viva African Voice! For a long time, Africans in Great Britain were devoid of credible information about events revolving around ‘our’ issues. The little you heard came from The Voice, a newspaper that spoke more to the Caribbean than the African. I remember the days of old when it took a while to glean credible news from Africa by phone or internet.
Dele Ogun ment of a people that was given to us by this Indian national has remained with me ever since. It seems an apt lesson to share as we congratulate Mike Abiola and his team at the African Voice on this 500th edition of their publication.
Dele Ogun Author of The Law, the Lawyers and the Lawless How you longed for new arrivals from ‘home’ to hear the latest gists from the motherland! Then came African Voice to break this accustomed silence through its launching five hundred editions ago. In so doing, it did not only give us a hearing, African Voice gave Africans a voice too! The paper and its eye catching editorial had since become a beacon, a shinning silver light in the midst of greys, a way out of myriad of confusion. Its mixture of well researched issues affecting the Africans in UK; the timely delivery of relevant news from home, the educational gospel page, the informative business sections, the much respected sports review and the coveted entertainment columns remain unmatched by its competitors in this ever increasing market. It is my belief that this newspaper will keep growing in stature and influence beyond the coasts of this island, into lands far and wide, breaking language and national barriers. I wish the Management and staff every success in future and long may African Voice rule the waves. Viva African Voice!
Pastor Casey Badejo
Gbenga Adenuga
quality, news input, editorial stuff and photo quality. From being a features writer, I moved up to become Chief features writer and later News Editor. With many professional hands on boards, and editorial board chairman from the academia, the paper entered into a phase where it has been able to meet the tempo of commercialisation and professionalization in the media age. Readership was enlarged by an enhanced distribution network which saw the
paper being read in UK restaurants, hotels, the Nigeria High Commission, as well as other embassies in the UK. Africans face various problems in the UK ranging from discrimination, victimisation and low pay. African Voice has been in the forefront in highlighting these issues and to the best of my knowledge, it will continue to do so in the following years. Welcome to the 501 edition! You are blessed. Emmanuel Urhiofe 11
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
News
Readers celebrate African Voice 500th edition Flamboyant style leaders and innovators, in a few short decades since the 60’s, Britain’s ethnic minorities have changed the complexion, the culture, the language, the fashion, the hairstyles, the dance styles and the church attendance of the United Kingdom, as well as introduced a preference for all-year round tans.
Whether it be the adoption of the canerow by global celebrities like David Beckham, to the wearing of hair extensions by female celebrities (from his wife, Victoria, to Paris Hilton to the girl next door), Black hairstyles have crossed over into the mainstream and are all the rage. Street slang has also insidiously crept into both the Oxford English Dictionary and the mouths of the news anchors on prime time news. It is now nearly impossible to orally distinguish between the youth who all speak the same street dialect, regardless of colour. Britain’s ethnic minorities are also forging ahead in all the main pillars of UK society. In politics, old stalwarts like Diane Abbott and Keith Vaz have been joined by a new crop that boasts Chuka Umunna as Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary. In the House of Lords, tried and true peers like Baroness Valerie Amos and Sir Herman Ouseley have been joined by Lord Victor Adebowale and Baroness Lola Young. In October 2010, the Mayor of London’s office published a report that confirmed that the Black pound is now worth a cool
Dr Sunday Popoola
I write on behalf of myself and that of the organisation I represent, The Engineering Forum of Nigerians (UK). Firstly, we say a big congratulations to African Voice and its Editor-in-Chief/ CEO, Prince Mike Abiola for a job well done over the years since we started our involvement with the newspaper.
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Once upon a time, Africans arrived on the shores of Britain through trading and slave routes. Now we voluntarily come into the UK for various reasons.
Khami Alexander £300 million pounds to the UK economy. With the surge in the growth rates of Africa, Asia and China the future looks even brighter for Diasporans who want to trade with their motherland. Khami Alexander Founder and Principal Consultant of Kaytime Consulting: an award-winning UK Management & International Marketing Consultancy. For over 10 years, Kaytime has been providing Diversity Change Management & Career Development for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic professionals working in FTSE 100 companies like Shell, EDF Energy, Thomson Reuters etc. Kaytime also provides Leadership Development and Women Empowerment Training for Governments across Africa, from the largest to the smallest.
We have found African Voice to be a genuine newspaper for the people that it represents. It possesses an ability to carry and project the voice of us British Africans in the UK and allows us to express ourselves openly without any hidden agenda. We are grateful to African Voice for helping us to promote our organisation’s aim to bring Nigerian engineers together and for supporting all our event, both in the UK and in Nigeria. We wish African Voice newspaper and all of its staff a successful 500th edition celebration and hope that it will continue to grow stronger for many more editions to come. Happy Celebration, Long live African Voice Newspaper !
Dr Sunday Popo-Ola MEng, PhD, DIC, FHEA, MNSE, COREN President, Engineering Forum of Nigerians EFN(UK)
There are a number of key areas in which Africans are making enormous contributions to the UK economy and society, such as healthcare, law, education, social care and many others. Particularly in London, and most UK major cities, Africans are employed in a range of jobs in healthcare (NHS) and the sales industry. These vary from top consultants and specialists in various hospitals to nurses and auxiliary workers. Africans have opened up their own businesses in many sectors of the economy. Opening businesses that cater to our need has offered employment to thousands of people, thereby helping the UK economy. Through business activities, Africans are supporting and encouraging trade between the UK and other European and African
Dr Peter Ozua
countries. Trying to succinctly express my thoughts on the vast contributions of British Africans to the UK economy is no easy feat, but it is evident that Africans have a lot to offer and are contributing immensely to the growth of the UK economy. Dr Peter Ozua
I have been involved with African Voice Newspaper since 2003 when they published an article about me being the first black person to be a First Citizen of the London Borough of Newham.
Cllr Joy Laguda MBE To God alone be the glory for His mercy and faithfulness in bringing the African Voice Newspaper to its 500th edition against all odds. I felicitate with and congratulate Mr. Mike Abiola, the Editor-in-Chief of the Newspaper, the editorial board members and the entire staff of the African Voice on this great occasion and wish them greater heights on this laudable enterprise. By its name, the newspaper may sound regional, however by it content and activities, I make bold to say it is not. I have been privileged on a couple of occasions to attend the annual award night of the African Voice in which people from parts of the world other than Africa were usually in attendance. The company’s effort at recognising and rewarding notable and upcoming talents in African movie industry is worthy of note and highly commendable, so also is the broad and diverse issues reported in the Newspaper. Without doubt, the Newspaper is truly the voice of Africa in projecting the image
Since then I have followed their news and events as they give a very good account of the successes of the Africans in Diaspora and put them in the limelight. They keep abreast of the latest developments both here and abroad. African Voice has been an interesting newspaper that brings us news and developments that happen all over the world from an African perspective. I do wish African Voice all the best in the future as they publish their 500th edition
Cllr Joy Laguda MBE
Pastor Jide Siwoku of the continent in UK. I wish to commend it for further patronage not only by Africans in UK, but by all lovers of Africa and African culture. I wish the organisation more successes.
Pastor Jide Siwoku
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
News
Readers celebrate African Voice 500th edition
Chief Adebayo Oladimeji
This is an era when digital media of all sorts are more and more the predominant news force and with thier child-like capacity, as if throbbing for constant attention of readerships with their bold insouciance, especially for facts and realities, can make newspapers seem as dated as old television reruns.
Without doubt African Voice Newspaper has overcome the onslaught of competition due to its appeal in bridging the gap between the mainstream media as a result of its deep-rooted knowledge in interpreting British Government Policies. This invaluable newspaper must avoid the fate of the dinosaur.It must continue to be a particular weekly newspaper which is special for particular reasons. I am glad to note that despite the Internet clutter and jazz the African Voice Newspaper has become our source of particular news that we yawn for weekly. I congratulate my friends and colleagues at the African Voice Newspaper. This weekly paper is a wondrous thing. I am moved by this 500th Edition Celebration. MAY IT PUBLISH FOR EVER.
A. Oladimeji CHAIRMAN, NIGERIAN COUNCIL OF ELDERS.
A true voice of the Africans in the UK
mentaries, as well as entertainment. The newspaper has also through its publications from inception promoted small and medium sized businesses within the African community here in the UK.
Tajudeen Obafemi Adenuga
It is quite unbelievable that the 1st edition of African Voice Newspaper was published in 2001, and is now ready to roll out its 500th edition. That is twelve years ago. How time flies! While I cannot vividly recollect any particular article or topic of the first edition of the newspaper, I have been an avid reader and supporter of the newspaper since its inception. As its name rightly proclaimed, the newspaper has been a true voice of Africans both in its editorials, sports, political and social com-
Congratulates African Voice Newspaper as you celebrate this landmark achievement with your 500th edition MoneyGram’s money transfer platform is now integrated within the Lebara Money iPhone and Android mobile payment platform solutions and the Lebara Money website, enabling customers in the United Kingdom -- and soon, in Spain, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark and Switzerland -- to send international transfers from a mobile phone to more than 320,000 MoneyGram locations in 198 countries worldwide.
In terms of entertainment, African Voice Newspaper has been the pillar and main promoter of the Afro Hollywood Award also known as African Film Award both in Africa and in the UK. The award, now in its 18th year has brought into the UK notable actors and actresses from across the African continent. The actors and actresses who are of African descent were brought into the UK for various awards and recognitions with the full support of the newspaper. Based on my association with the publishers and the newspaper, the publication has truly been the voice Africans and I would like to implore them to carry on with the good cause by continuing in the natural tradition of being the true voice of Africans in the UK. In commemoration of its 500th edition, I wish the newspaper and its publishers many continued successes and good service delivery to its numerous readers and supporters.
Tajudeen Obafemi Adenuga Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Femade (UK) Limited
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Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
CRIME
Man jailed for 15 years for rape of clubber
Frederick Ehouni
Frederick Ehouni, 39, targeted his victim after she left The Venue nightclub in New Cross in the early hours of Sunday, 24 February 2013.
The 27-year-old had left the club alone and was followed onto a nightbus by Ehouni - originally from the Ivory Coast but of no fixed address in the UK - who sat next to her and started a conversation. After their 45-minute bus journey, the defendant and his victim got off the bus and Ehouni insisted on walking her
home, despite her insistence that she did not need his help. Once outside her front door, Ehouni forced his way in and then attacked the woman in the hallway. Before leaving, he took the victim’s phone so that she could not ring police and then ran from the scene. An urgent forensic analysis identified Ehouni as the attacker and he was arrested on 1 March, following a manhunt, and taken to Lewisham police station for questioning. He initially claimed the encounter had been consensual but was subsequently forced to admit that he had stolen the victim’s phone to prevent contact with the police. Charged with rape and theft, Ehouni pleaded guilty to the latter before his trial but denied the former. He was found guilty, however, on 13 August following a seven-day trial at Woolwich Crown Court. Ehouni was given a six month sentence for the theft to run concurrently. In addition, he will be required to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Man who stabbed victim 54 times jailed for 20 years Thomas Kearney, 39 (31.7.74) was convicted at the Old Bailey of killing 35-year-old David Remmer at the hostel they both lived at in Talgarth Road, West Kensington.
On Thursday 13 December police and the London Ambulance Service were called to the hostel to reports of a man injured in a bedsit on the top floor. David Remmer, who worked for a removal company, was pronounced dead at the scene. The court heard that Mr Remmer had been planning to go on a holiday of a lifetime to Thailand to visit his uncle. He was due to fly from Heathrow at 22:00hrs on Thursday 6 December. He left his flat that afternoon and met two friends in a local pub. He had a lot to drink, telling his friends he was nervous about flying. He later boarded the flight but was asked to leave due to his intoxicated state. CCTV footage shows he had trouble getting back into the building as he did not have his keys and ended up trying to force a door. Kearney , who lived in the top floor bedsit, came downstairs to investigate the noise. The two men then went out, return-
ing at 03:28 and going up to Kearney’s flat. Mr Remmer was never seen alive again. Kearney left the address at 06:00hrs and didn’t return. The alarm was raised by Mr Remmer’s sister who was concerned that he had not arrived in Thailand. Mr Remmer’s his body discovered by hostel staff who alerted police and a murder enquiry was immediately set in place. A post-mortem examination showed the victim had 54 stab wounds to his torso, back and head. A large amount of cash £3,000 - that he had been planning to take to Thailand, was missing. A large blood-covered kitchen knife was found at the scene along with shoes Kearney had been seen wearing on the CCTV, also covered in Mr Remmer’s blood. Enquiries revealed Kearney had fled to Ireland via ferry on 9 October. Further investigations revealed he had been seen with a large amount of money as he bought a mobile phone, clothes and toiletries before he left London. He was detained on a European arrest warrant in Dublin on 2 January 2013 and extradited to the UK on 24 January 2013. He was immediately charged with murder.
Man is jailed for manslaughter of 25-year-old mother of two
Dare Adejugbe
Dare Adejugbe, 41, a care worker was sentenced to five years in prison at Southwark Crown Court having pleaded guilty to two counts of acquiring criminal property contrary to s329(a) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and one count of transferring criminal property contrary to s327(d) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
An investigation by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service led to the discovery that Adejugbe had received a substantial amount of money into his bank account over a nine month period. This money was taken from a number
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of victims by using a series of advanced fee frauds. The frauds were a combination of ‘Romance Scams’, offers of employment, inheritance scams and ‘black money scams’. The victims paid money into accounts believing that they were paying for various fees and flight tickets. Adejugbe would empty the accounts before laundering the proceeds. One of his victims, an American widow, was targeted online and duped into believing that she had a multi-million dollar inheritance. As part of the fraud, she was conned into paying almost £10,000 into Adejube’s account to secure the money. She was left bankrupt. Another victim believed that he was paying money to secure employment for his daughter in London. He was defrauded of over £31,000. During the course of December 2011 to August 2012, 29 individual payments were paid into his account. These totaled over £320,000. Much of this money was taken from people who believed that they were helping people that they were having online relationships with. Adejugbe was arrested on 26 September 2012 and questioned about the flow of money through his account. He claimed that he ran a business with
relatives and helped provide funds to friends. However, his computer contained details of his victims Detective Superintendent Nick Downing, of the Specialist Crime and Operational Command,.said: “This conviction and sentence of five years imprisonment of Dare Adejugbe sends a strong message to those people who believe that they can prey on the vulnerable whilst hiding in the shadows of the online world. “Mr Adejugbe, along with others, used several methods to hook the victims, firstly using the guise of inheritance scams, asking victims to put that the money was for accommodation in and around the Olympic Stadium during the London 2012 Olympics to avoid suspicion by the banks, secondly the offer of a romantic relationship where funds were later requested. “The victims were based in the USA and Slovenia, and sent substantial funds through bank accounts under Adejugbe’s control. This type of “Romance Fraud” is a challenge to investigate as the victims often don’t wish to believe what the police are telling them. “Through detailed and professional liaison with the victims and our overseas law enforcement partners, we were able
to secure these convictions and place Mr Adejugbe behind bars.” Adejugbe was charged on Tuesday 30 April. The investigation was led by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Operation Podium - the response to organised crime seeking to target the London 2012 Olympics.
Police track Hampstead sex attacker Police in Hampstead are appealing for assistance from the public to trace a man they would like to speak to in connection with a serious sexual assault. The incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, 4 September 2012 at an address, after the victim met the male suspect at a bus stop. He started a conversation showing her music he had made with his band “2Tall” before he threatened her and forced her in a taxi to his home address where the offence took place. Having managed to escape the address, the victim alerted police and an investigation was launched The suspect Charlie Warcup is a caucasian man, aged around 24 years, approximately 6ft 8ins tall, of large build, with a pierced left eyebrow.
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Sounds of Diaspora People of America
Italy hosts the Legend of the three gowns
This grainy image, taken with a telephoto lens, is a sure sign there’s a signed exclusive deal somewhere in a magazine editor’s desk drawer.
John Legend married his supermodel girlfriend by Italy’s Lake Como at the weekend and Chrissy Teigen, the Ordinary People singer’s bride, wore an extraordinary three different Vera Wang wedding gowns on her big day. Justifying the excess, Teigen said: “Every time I went in (to Vera Wang) for a fitting, I couldn’t stop getting one. It’s just too pretty.” She first wore an ivory strapless open back, V-neck ball gown with lifted tulle skirt and tiered flange, with hand-cut
petal embroidered detail for the actual ceremony, before changing into a mermaid ivory gown that had a micro pleated bodice and sheared organza full skirt for the reception, and then later switched up her look again for the after party, donning a crimson strapless mermaid gown. The 34-year-old singer and his 27-yearold bride also shot some footage for his upcoming video, “All of Me”, while in Italy, posting an image of themselves in a spa by the lake. “Another pic from the #AllOfMe video shoot. Video coming soon!” Teigen wrote with the image. Last week a photo of the couple lying naked in bed was released, causing a stir because one of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model’s nipples was exposed. Mounting controversy prompted Teigen to tweet: “Literally everyone has a nipple. Get over it. #nipple #get #over #it #getoverit.”
MKS provide a second spoonful of Suga’
‘Marvin from JLS’ gets a Voice (and proper surname)
A not even remotely gratuitous photo of Marvin’s wife, Rochelle, who appears alone as Marvin was not available – nor will he be until I release him.
Former JLS singer Marvin Humes has been announced as cohost with Big Brother presenter Emma Willis on the next season of The Voice. The pair will replace former children’s TV presenter Reggie Yates and seasoned presenter and national treasure Holly Willoughby.
Confirming his appointment, Humes said in a statement: “I’m so excited to be a part of the new series of The Voice. I have always been a big fan of the show and love that musicians are given such a great opportunity to reach such a wide audience. “I’m thrilled to be working alongside Emma and be part of a new team on The Voice. It’s going to be even bigger and better with this new series. I can’t wait to start.” The BBC’s controller of entertainment Mark Linsey expressed his belief that Humes “is perfectly placed to encourage the acts through the competition”. Humes made an acclaimed one-off appearance alongside wife Rochelle (cue masculine swoon) of girl group The Saturdays as guest host of This Morning just a few weeks ago – coincidentally also a show Holly Willoughby has called home. Ms Willoughby will be filling Cilla’s legendary boots as new host of a revamped for the 21st century Surprise Surprise. The Voice will return to BBC One in early 2014 with Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue and will.i.am as coaches.
Besties again - L-R: Mutya, Siobhan and Keisha were in LA to film the video for Flatline
The convoluted and ever-changing history of the Sugababes has taken another turn, sort of.
Just as the most recent line-up appears to have decided the split that many suspected happened long ago is to be forever – or at least until they get a call from the producers of The Big Reunion a decade from now – the three original ‘babes have announced a tour and forthcoming album. Siobhan Donaghy, Mutya Bueno and Keisha Buchanan, who left the Sugababes in that order, have reunited as MKS. The trio headlined Diesel’s Reboot party at the Serpentine Gallery in London’s Hyde Park on Monday night (September 16). They performed their latest single, Flatline, as well as signature numbers from their days together as Sugababes, which obviously included Overload, the track that launched them into the limelight as 15 and 16 yearolds. The girls appeared on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday morning to explain what
led to their reportedly “acrimonious” split. Each implied that outside forces conspired to sow seeds of mistrust and, being teenagers, they never understood how to deal with it. Now, the friends who grew up together understand the “business” and call the shots to the extent they cherry-picked the musicians and production team for the album they plan to release next year. Tickets for their November tour went on sale last Friday (September 13). Tickets are priced £17.50, and £19.50 in London. Take a look at the tour dates in full below: November 8 - Norwich, UEA November 10 - Glasgow, O2 ABC November 11 - Manchester, Ritz November 13 - Bristol, O2 Academy November 14 - Birmingham, Institute November 15 - London, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire 15
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
North Korea
Rights inquiry determines N Korea has case to answer
Former-president Kim Jong-il is believed to have knowingly presided over tens of thousands of atrocities
A long-awaited report by UN rights investigators has revealed starvation and torture is being suffered by inmates of North Korea’s prison camps on an almost routine basis. Internationally, there have long been concerns about reports of atrocities including executions and torture, but they have largely been overshadowed by alarm about North Korea’s nuclear weapons. Tuesday’s report came after pressure by Japan, South Korea and Western powers to investigate and begin building a case for possible criminal prosecution.
Inquiry head Michael Kirby said the findings were based on testimony from North Korean exiles, including former political prison camps inmates, given at public hearings in Seoul and Tokyo last month. “They are representative of large-scale patterns that may constitute systematic and gross human rights violations,” Kirby added. The former justice of Australia’s top court told the council: “I have been a judge for a very long time and I’m pretty hardened to testimony. But the testimony that I saw in Seoul and in Tokyo brought tears to my eyes on several occasions, including testimony of Mr. And Mrs. Yokota.” Their daughter Megumi Yokota, 13, vanished on her way home from school in Japan in 1977. She was one of 13 Japanese that Kim Jong-il, the late father of the current leader Kim Jong-un admitted in 2002 to having kidnapped in the 1970s and 1980s to help train spies. Pyongyang has said eight of them are dead, including Megumi. Some North Korean exiles testified that they had faced torture and imprisonment “for doing nothing more than watching foreign soap operas on DVDs”, Kirby said. A North Korean woman testified how
Cuba
50 years on, Cuba and US discuss resuming mail service
The circuitous postal route means current US visitors to Cuba often arrive home before their postcards
Cuba is in talks with the US over the possibility of re-establishing a direct mailing link severed 50 years ago. The close neighbours fell out over Cuba’s support for communist Russia during the Cold War era. Since that time, mail has been directed via other territories, in spite of the fact Florida’s southern tip and Cuba’s north are closer than London is to Peterborough. 16
A US State Department communiqué described the talks as “fruitful” and said delegates would tour Cuban mail facilities this week. “The re-establishment of direct transportation of mail between the United States and Cuba is consistent with our goal of promoting the free flow of information to, from and within Cuba,” it said. Cuba said in a statement that the discussions were “respectful” and both sides agreed to meet again in the coming months.
she “witnessed a female prisoner forced to drown her own baby in a bucket”. Kirby cited testimony of torture, starvation, and punishing generations of families under the so-called practice of “guilt by association”. Kirby said the independent inquiry would seek to determine which North Korean institutions and officials were responsible. The report did not say what kind of prosecution might be considered. North Korea is not a member of the International Criminal Court, but the UN Security Council can ask the Hague-based court to investigate alleged abuses by non-signatories. North Korean diplomat Kim Yong Ho said the inquiry was a fake and defamatory “political plot” to force regime change in North Korea. It had been politicised by the European Union and Japan, “in alliance with the US hostile policy”, Kim said. “We will continue to oppose any attempt of regime change and pressure under pretext of ‘human rights protection’,” he said. North Korea’s main ally China, joined by Belarus and Syria, were among countries defending it during the 90-minute debate. “Politicised accusations and pressures are not helpful to improving human rights in any country. On the contrary they will only
provoke confrontation and undermine the foundation and atmosphere for international human rights cooperation,” said Chinese diplomat Chen Chuandong. Recently the situation of the Korean Peninsula had shown a “positive trend of relaxation”, he said. The commission of inquiry was launched by the Geneva forum in March to investigate reports of violations in the secretive state, including possible crimes against humanity. Shin Dong-hyuk, North Korea’s bestknown defector, who escaped a political prison camp where he was born, was among those who testified in South Korea. Kirby, referring to Shin, said: “We think of the testimony of a young man, imprisoned from birth and living on rodents, lizards and grass to survive and witnessing the public execution of his mother and his brother.” The investigators, who have not had access to the country despite repeated requests, said the testimony by defectors and other witnesses and “extensive evidence” stood unanswered. Kirby challenged (capital) Pyongyang to produce “an ounce of evidence” in its defence.
Bangladesh
Jailed for life Islamist leader now to hang
Abdul Quader Mollah opposed separation from West Pakistan during the 1971 liberation war
Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has increased the life sentence given to a senior Islamist leader, who will now be executed.
Abdul Quader Mollah, a senior official of the Jamaat-e-Islami party was initially sentenced in February for crimes related to the 1971 liberation war waged by East Pakistan against West Pakistan, which gave the East its independence as Bangladesh. Described by prosecutors as the “Butcher of Mirpur”, Mollah, now 65, was convicted
of rape and mass murders committed during the nine month long 1971 conflict, including the slaying of 344 unarmed Bengali civilians. A noted poet and a highly regarded journalist were amongst his victims. Defence lawyer Tajul Islam said: “We are stunned by the verdict. This is the first time in South Asian judicial history that a trial court sentence has been enhanced by a Supreme Court.” Islam said the defence would seek a review of the verdict in their final attempt to avoid hanging, which the prosecution said could be carried out later this year once all legal appeals have been exhausted. Mollah’s Jamaat-e-Islami party has been declared illegal and is banned from contesting next January’s general election. The party has accused the country’s secular government of trying to execute its entire leadership, three of whom have been sentenced to death by the war crimes tribunal that sentenced Mollah to life imprisonment. A dozen others are being tried for their roles during the war. The government maintains the trials are needed to heal the wounds of the conflict. Mollah’s increased sentence could further inflame political tensions in the country, just four months before it holds elections. The main opposition party, an ally of Jamaat, leads in opinion polls.
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
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Africa Newsround
Uganda
Officers accused of stealing soldiers’ food fuel in order to sell make money on the black market. The officers have been placed on “open arrest” while investigations into the allegation take place
Brigadier Michael Ondoga has been placed under “open arrest”
Twenty-four officers from Uganda’s peacekeeping force in Somalia, including its commander,
have been summoned back to Kampala on suspicion of involvement in stealing food and
Kenya
Ruto trial witness has anonymity compromised online
Deputy President William Ruto
A Kenyan woman is said to be in fear for her life after being exposed on social media as the first witness to testify against William Ruto at his trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Rahab Muthoni, whose identity had been protected, reported to police on Wednesday (September 18) that her image had been circulated on the Internet. The revelation of the identity of the first witness prompted the presiding judge in the ICC trial of the Kenyan deputy president to issue a stern warning against witness intimidation and revealing the names of protected witnesses testifying in the case. Ruto, Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta and broadcaster Joshua Sang face crimes against humanity charges for allegedly orchestrating the postelection violence in 2007-08 that killed more than 1,000 people.
Ghana
Employer slashed and left for dead in failed rape A 48-year-old market seller is fighting for her life after a teenage employee slashed her several times in a failed rape attempt.
The 17-year-old attacker, a porter who often carries oranges from the bush to the market for the victim, has reportedly gone on the run. The victim had gone to Abankro near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region with the
teenager when the incident occurred. In the ensuing struggle, he slashed the woman in the leg, on the forehead and in the stomach. In pain, the woman was said to have crawled from the bush to the nearby road where she was helped by a Good Samaritan who took her to Ejisu Government Hospital.
“(Brigadier Michael) Ondoga and 23 others have been brought back from Somalia,” said Lt. Paddy Ankunda, spokesman for the Uganda People’s Defence Force. “Their travel documents have been withdrawn as investigations into allegations of selling fuel and food in Somalia commence.” Ugandan troops form the backbone of the African Union’s 18,000-strong peacekeeper mission in Somalia which has spearheaded the offensive against al Qaeda-linked militants in the Horn of Africa country since 2007. It has not been made clear how long the alleged
scam had been running, nor how much money had been netted. The European Union, which pays troops stipends, told Reuters news agency it had “taken note and (was) looking into the allegations”. Uganda’s leading daily, the Daily Monitor, said some Ugandan soldiers had received only one meal a day because of the scam. In the early 2000s, some top Ugandan army officers were implicated in a “ghost soldiers” scandal in which salaries were drawn for dead or retired soldiers then allegedly stolen. In another high profile scandal, President Yoweri Museveni’s brother was also accused of receiving a large bribe in the purchase of military helicopters that turned out to be junk. Convictions as a result of internal probes are rare in Uganda’s military.
Zimbabwe
MDC snubs opening of parliament
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai refused to legitimise ZANU-PF’s election victory by attending the opening of Parliament
Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) boycotted Tuesday’s ceremony to open a new parliamentary session, during which President Robert Mugabe appealed to the West to lift sanctions on him and his ZANU-PF party leadership. “With the elections now behind us, we look forward to meaningful and effective collaboration with all progressive members of the global community,” said the 89-year-old leader, adding: “We indeed stand ready to work with those who, before, were at odds with us; our detractors. On the other hand, Zimbabwe will continue to demand the immediate and unconditional removal of illegal sanctions imposed by some Western arrogant countries.” On the same day, the EU announced the lifting of sanctions on the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation
(ZMDC), meaning Zimbabwe’s most prominent diamond supplier, Marange, could soon be allowed to sell diamonds in Europe. Mugabe’s 33-year rule of Zimbabwe was extended by another five years when he won the July 31 elections. Former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC regards those elections as a “monumental fraud.” “We would have recognised a stolen election had we attended the ceremony,” said MDC spokesman Douglas Mwonzora of the parliamentary opening. Last week, Mugabe appointed a new cabinet that maintained a controversial policy of seizing a majority stake of foreign-owned firms and giving them to black natives of Zimbabwe. He said the program will be “reviewed and strengthened,” adding Zimbabwe’s economic recovery would be anchored on financial assistance from countries such as India and China.
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Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
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African Entertainment Travelmusic artist Lola Rae, Davido, Mo Eazy puts on an electrifying performance at o2 indigo
1. Fatima Jabbe and Yvonne Hays Jetted off to the African Oscar Award, Washington DC. 2. Davino on stage at Lola Rae, Davido, Mo Eazy puts on an electrifying performance at o2 indigo 3. Mo Easy excites crowd 4 & 5. Crew of Heartless Carer, a film about infidelity among Nigerian couples in the London. Based on a true story, Joy, played by Yvonne Hays, came from Africa to join her husband, Samba, in the UK but could not resist the temptations and highflying lifestyle and very soon fell into the clutches of a notorious womaniser. Written and produced by Francis Uwadi and Sibongile Radebe
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Fatima Jabbe and Yvonne Hays
In association with
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
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Event
Meet Assumpta Ozua, a London based Beauty Consultant
Assumpta and Mum Elizabeth Ozua 20 months ago, I began a journey that has changed, enriched and filled my life beyond that which I ever could have imagined. That journey is called Mary Kay. Most people who start a Mary Kay business tend to do so for one of six reasons: to make more money, receive recognition, enhance their self-esteem, earn the use of
a career car, advance at their own pace or finally, to be their own boss. I, however, did not fall within any of these categories. At University, I studied Law and after graduating, I worked in a law firm for a year specialising in the criminal sector. While it was interesting and fun getting to put the theory I had learnt into practice, writing had always been my passion. With that in mind, I changed my focus and started working part-time at the law practice in order to go back to full-time study and get my Masters in Creative and Professional Writing. I loved my Masters and quickly got a job as a creative copy writer for a multinational company in the city once it was finished. After a few months, I was made an editor and all seemed well. At the time I had no skin care regime and did not wear makeup – except eyeliner and mascara on ‘special occasions’. I finally thought it was about time that I learnt to take better care of my skin and given that my mother had been running a Mary Kay business for most of my life, it seemed like the best place to start. I will never forget the day that I told my mum that I wanted to start a May Kay business. To say that she was shocked would be an understatement. While I could have just purchased products from her, I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to earn money while I got to grips with my new beauty regime and correctly apply make-up as I knew many other women in a similar position to me. After 7 months of running my business alongside my full-time job, and seeing what it had to offer, I decided that I wanted to promote myself and become a Sales Director. Usually anyone who would like to achieve this position is given four months to
meet the criteria but I did it in two months and on 1st September 2012, I became the youngest Sales Director in Mary Kay UK and quit my full-time job as an editor and make Mary Kay my career (as of August 2013, someone younger has now become a Sales Director). Helping women (and men) to take care of their skin in order to look and feel good is something that I am passionate about. Physical appearance, although not the be all and end all in life, is important for overall wellbeing and can mean the difference between making a good or bad first impression. As a Sales Director, I have my own team and I love that I get to positively impact my team members lives and the lives of my customers. I fell in love with the company’s principles, products and ethos and fully understand why my mum Elizabeth Ozua (the number 1 National Sales Director in the UK) has been running her Mary Kay business for the past 19 years. Apart from ministry, no other line of work that I know of allows you to put your faith first, family second and career third, and all while working according to the Golden Rule Principle: ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. Now that I am self-employed, I get to make my own schedule and can therefore choose to indulge my passion and write, if and when I want to. Contrary to popular belief, Mary Kay is not a get rich quick scheme, it is a build wealth over time career, as one of my fellow Sales Director friends in the US pointed out. I know the type of lifestyle that I want for myself and my future husband and children. I want to be a work from home mum while earning an executive income and Mary Kay will provide that for me – just as it did for
my mother. Mary Kay Cosmetics is frequently referred to as a company with heart because we care, not just about customers but also communities. Whether you become a customer or a Mary Kay beauty consultant, the company cares about people. I love meeting new people and impacting their lives in some way which is why I believe that all women – especially young ladies, should try Mary Kay for themselves as they never know how it can improve their existence. Running a Mary Kay business allows you to be an active participant in your life while shaping your future and exerting your independence making it a fantastic opportunity for the modern woman (or man). As African Voice celebrates its 500th edition, globally (in the 36 countries with a Mary Kay presence) we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of our founding and its 20th anniversary in the UK. These milestones have made me even more determined to share the Mary Kay opportunity and products with as many people as possible because I truly believe that what we send out into the lives of others will come back to us tenfold. This year alone, I have travelled abroad more than four times as a result of my business and I now have Mary Kay friends across America and Canada; powerful and remarkable women who I probably would not have had the pleasure of meeting if not for Mary Kay. I am excited for the future and look forward to working with exceptional women who want more for themselves and their families. I cannot thank Mary Kay Ash (our founder) for having the courage to to start this phenomenal company and proving that one woman can change the lives of millions.
Princess Erhunmwunsee celebrates 16th birthday in style
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Events calendar What’s On & When Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
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Business News
Nigeria’s answer to Amazon is finally here
Jumia co-founders, Raphael Afaedor and Tunde Kehinde
There’s an old saying in Nigeria that one can outfit an entire home in a single drive across Lagos, buying everything from cutlery and furniture to food and decor from the thousands of hawkers that aggressively sell their wares along -- and in the middle of -- the congested city’s potholed streets.
Now Nigerians have another option for comprehensive shopping. It’s a website called Jumia, and because it’s based online, shoppers don’t have to brave mindnumbing traffic to get their goods as the budding retail portal handles nearly all the schlepping with its nationwide network of 120 delivery trucks.
Jumia co-founder Tunde Kehinde sat down with International Business Times at the company’s massive Lagos campus earlier this month to discuss the company’s humble beginnings, its massive growth and the goals and challenges that lie ahead for the site, which is the country’s most popular online retailer. Jumia is not a name known to many Westerners, but it can best be described as Africa’s answer to Jeff Bezos’ multibillion-dollar Amazon empire, though its tale of ascendancy tracks to a much shorter timeline. Officially launched under the name Kasuwa in June 2012, the company that was later rebranded as Jumia has definitely captured the attention of investors, as top firms including J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Summit Partners have already backed the start-up to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, though Kehinde declined to discuss its balance sheet.
“We launched in a small conference room in Lagos with initial funding from Rocket Internet, a German tech incubator, and we simply went about getting as many local suppliers as we could and building a quality team to create an amazing shopping experience,” said Kehinde, a tall, mild-mannered man who wore dark-blue traditional batik clothing for our interview. From that low-key start, the company has quickly grown to become a major player in the continent’s retail industry, currently offering more than 100,000 different products from computers and books to makeup and clothing to consumers in six countries across Africa. The company -- which grows and changes at lightning speed, meaning this information will likely soon be outdated -- currently promises to deliver any item in its 90,000 central warehouse in the Ikeja district of Lagos to any location in the city within a single day, and anywhere in the entire country within five days.
South African businesses infiltrate into Ghana
An example of South African businesses helping out in Ghana
Exports of goods and services from South Africa into Ghana have grown from about US$138 million in 2010 to US$516 million in 2012. Products such as vehicles, machinery, mechanical appliances; electrical equipment, base metals, aircraft, vessels and associated products have contributed to the increased exports to Ghana.
This makes Ghana the second largest export market for South African goods in West Africa after Nigeria. At the moment, Ghana is currently ranked 7th in attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) according to the World Investment Report and is 2nd only to South Africa and Nigeria. 20
Foreign Direct Investments accounts to 11 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the country is nursing bold ambitions to position itself, not just as a destination to do business but as the hub for business for West Africa. The news is simple, South Africans are pouring into Ghana, one of the world’s best performing economies growing at about 14.4 per cent in 2011. For the casual observer, just take a stroll through any town in Ghana and it will be impossible to miss a South African presence. There are Engen garages, Stanbic branches and ATMs in all the major towns and MTN signs are as ubiquitous as CocaCola. Ghana’s economic miracle is generally credited to surging cocoa and gold prices – the country’s two biggest export commodities – and newly discovered oil 60km off the southwest coast.
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
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Finance
How to Develop Multiple Streams of Income By Dayo Olmu
I recently spoke at a seminar on “How to Develop Multiple Streams of Income” and during the question and answer session, a member of the audience asked, “Dayo, how can I attract multiple streams of income when I can barely take care of my bills and family expenses”? I replied, “You can use your skill, hobby, interest or talent.” I know most of you will be wondering what I am talking about, but please do indulge me for a few minutes. Multiple Streams of Income (aka MSI) is a concept, which has been adopted by almost all very wealthy people. It is exactly what it says; it is “income from multiple streams.” MSI is not another job neither is it a better job nor a job. Multiple Streams of Income is other source(s) of income aside your primary source of income. MSI is a way of adding a new dimension of excitement and fun to your everyday life, while you are becoming wealthy. For example my primary source of income is Corporate Training while my MSI is keynote speak-
ing, events hosting, coaching, consultancy, publishing and presentation. When I write a book and it is resold time and time again in various countries, I have created the perfect MSI. I do the work once but I am paid for it over and over again. Also when I develop a presentation once I can present it over and over again. This allows me more time and space to create more income generating projects. Let me share with you what sort of things I’m personally interested in as far as MSI’s go, in case you may want to create your own interest list. The point here is that I start from my own life and my own interests. This is what I am suggesting you do. I am very interested in MSI’s in the following areas: Information Technology, TV Presentation, Branding, Public Relations, Selling Information Products and Services, Internet Marketing, Publishing, Speaking and Coaching, Organising Events, Artiste Management and Music Promotions. What are the benefits of MSI? Money comes into your pocket in so many ways; you do not depend on one source of income and thereby you avoid risk. You are practising the art of diversification by not putting all you eggs in one basket, and you are leveraging your time. You can create some products, programs or services only once, and then market them over and over again. The major downsize is that if care is not taken, you will tend to lose focus. Here are the four top general streams of income of most millionaires today: real estate - rental income, home appreciation, proceeds from sales; financial Markets - stocks, bonds, IRAs, CDs, money market accounts, generally any interest income; business - brick and mortar or Internet based and finally general Employment - trading labour for a pay check. According to one of my teachers, Bob Proctor, “There are three income earning strategies. The first is trading time for money which is by far the worst of the three
income earning strategies. It is employed by approximately 96% of our population including doctors, lawyers, accountants, labourers, etc. There is an inherent problem with this strategy – saturation. You run out of time. If a person accumulates any degree of wealth employing this strategy, it will be at the expense of a life. They compromise on the car they drive, the house they live in, the clothes they choose and the vacations they take. They rarely, if ever, get what they want. The second is investing money to earn money: this strategy is used by approximately 3% of the population. The number is small for the obvious reason – very few people have any money to invest. Many people who effectively employ this strategy follow the advice of a trusted, knowledgeable advisor. And lastly, leveraging yourself to earn money: this is where you multiply your time through the efforts of others by setting up Multiple Streams of Income (MSI). This is, without question, the very best way to increase your income.” Make a decision to have many streams of income; it is the strategy that wealthy people have used dating clearly back to the ancient Babylonians. Unfortunately, this strategy is only used by approximately 1% of our population, yet that 1% earns approximately 96% of all the money that is earned! According to Lao Tze “Find something you like and you will not work for the rest of your life”. Your MSI should be as follows: be low-risk, have low time involvement, require low management, demand only low personal energy, require low capitalisation, need high thinking, deliver high service, reward with high personal satisfaction, and must be unique. You can turn your interest, hobby, passion, talent or skill into income stream if you do not have the money to go into real estate, financial market or business.
Here are possible MSI’s to help you decide: give speeches, publish a book, provide marketing materials, proofreading, start an association of achievers, organise an award ceremony, start a networking event, create a website, exporting, tell people how to dress (fashion designing), organise a retreat and get the rights to a product. Make a list of your interests, skills, hobbies, and anything that interests you on a paper. My question to you is, can you turn anyone of them into another income stream? Which one of them can you take action on NOW? Take Action – There are endless possibilities for MSI. Do not procrastinate. According to Robin Seiger in his book “42 Days to Wealth, Health & Happiness” he said “they procrastinate. Tomorrow, next week, next month, next year and it never comes. So many people wake up one day and discover they are old. And their youthful dreams are gone forever.” Here is my final question to you: would you like to have a stream of income or multiple streams of income? Start today on your journey to financial success and do it the M.S.I way. From our fingerprints to our thoughts pattern, each one of us is a unique creature. Human beings are incredible people, you can turn penny into fortune, you can turn nothing into something. You are endowed with the seeds of greatness. Dayo Olomu is a UK-based Motivational Speaker, TV presenter, Peak Performance Coach, Event Presenter, Human Capital Development and Business Transformational Strategist. His core belief is that we are all endowed with seeds of greatness, and his mission is to inspire and empower individuals and organisations to higher levels of achievement and peak performance. He is the best selling of “4 Indispensable Strategies for Success” and the President of African Business Success Forum. Visit his website at www.dayoolomu.com or send an e-mail to info@dayoolomu.com
Agbaje wins ‘World Finance 2013 Banker of the Year – Africa’ award The Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Segun Agbaje has been announced the 2013 Banker of the Year – Africa by the World Finance Banking Awards.
Segun Agbaje, has been the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc since July 12, 2011.
The World Finance Banker of the Year - Africa Award is conferred on outstanding bankers who have achieved the most with regards to innovation, profitability and sustainability of their organization. The award also takes into recognition an individual that has been an influential and inspirational leader, has overseen strong financial performance for his organization and has successfully guided his institution to new heights in its industry. According to World Finance, Segun
Agbaje has won the coveted “Banker of the Year – Africa 2013. This category was one of the most sought after categories in the 2013 Banking Awards, however someone has to win and the judging panel confirmed that Mr. Agbaje is at the vanguard of African Banking and has deservedly earned the reputation and recognition as a truly accomplished and highly respected Banker, locally and internationally. Segun Agbaje’s first class commitment to leading an efficient institution has ensured that GTBank maintains higher margins and the lowest cost to income ratio amongst its peers, despite a relatively smaller branch network when compared to its peers in the country.
According to World Finance, “Our judging panel boasts over 230 years of financial and business journalism, supported by a research team that works round the clock to ensure our award winners are the most deserving in their sector”. Commenting on his award, MD/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Segun Agbaje stated that the award he received is in recognition of the hard work and dedication of the Management and Staff of the Bank. He also thanked the Bank’s customers for their trust and continued support and promised to continue to strive to deliver beyond their expectation. Segun Agbaje further stated that the recognition is a challenge and a call to do more in order to promote the global relevance of the African Banking industry. 21
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
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Health
Healthy living can turn our cells’ clock back Healthy living can reverse the telltale signs of ageing in your cells.
By taking up a healthier lifestyle we can turn back the ageing on our cells
The finding relates to telomeres, the caps that protect the tips of chromosomes when cells divide. With each cell division these get shorter, so as we age they wear away like a candle wick burning down. Now there is evidence that telomeres can regrow if people switch to, and maintain, a healthy lifestyle. The study involved 10 men in their early 60s, who were asked to follow a strict healthy living regime. They ate a meat-free diet, exercised for 30 minutes a day, did an hour of yoga and meditation a day, and attended group therapy sessions each week. After five years, the telomeres on a type of white blood cell were on average 10 per cent longer in these men than at the start of the study. In contrast, 25 men who kept to their usual lifestyles saw telomeres on the same cells shrink by an average of 3 per cent over the same period.
The researchers also found that the more strictly the 10 men stuck to the healthy regime, the longer their telomeres became. “It’s a very encouraging finding,” says Dean Ornish of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California, who led the study. “In a biological sense, they are getting younger, but what the long-term implications are we don’t know,” he says. Previous studies comparing telomere lengths in individuals against the population as a whole suggest that shorter telomeres are linked with ill health, including heart disease, dementia and cancer, and also with a shorter lifespan. Telomeres are known to regenerate in stem cells and in some cancer cells, but this study is the first to show that a specific lifestyle change can make them do so in ordinary cells. “These results are very nice, and hold promise for preventive medicine,” says Maria Blasco, head of the telomere group at Spain’s National Cancer Research Centre in Madrid
Terrence Higgins hosts African HIV prevention summit in HIV prevention among Africans in the UK.
Shadow Public Health Minister Diane Abbott
Shadow Public Health Minister Diane Abbott will give the keynote speech at HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust’s ‘African Health Promotion Summit’ this autumn. The event, which takes place on 30th October at the Hotel Russell, London, is an opportunity for HIV organisations, health commissioners and African business or faith leaders, to come together and share best practice 22
Africans are one of the groups most at risk of HIV, accounting for nearly a third of all UK infections in 2011. The latest research suggests that the proportion of Africans infected with the virus in the UK, as opposed to overseas, is now higher than ever. Africans are also the group most likely to be diagnosed with HIV late, when they should have already started treatment. The event will address some of these challenges by giving delegates the opportunity to share knowledge and experiences. Speakers will include: • Diane Abbott, Shadow Public Health Minister • Naana Ottoo-Oyortey MBE from the Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development (FORWARD) • Evelyn Asante Mensah OBE, interim CEO of BHA for Equality and member of the board of the Equality and Human Rights Commission • Ike Anya, Public Health Consultant • Thandi Haruperi, founder of crosscultural training consultancy restorEgo
• Mohammed Osman, Head of Grants, Elton John AIDS Foundation Delegates will also get an get an insight into innovative health promotion projects, such as Terrence Higgins Trust’s Play It Safe community football HIV testing initiative, through workshops and breakout sessions. Diane Abbott, Shadow Public Health Minister, said: “Africans are one of the groups most at risk of HIV in the UK and tackling the epidemic among the community poses unique challenges. There are so many exciting projects and innovative health improvement programmes going on all across the country and this summit is all about sharing that experience, forging new partnerships, finding leaders and replicating success. I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak to delegates at this event, which promises to set the stage for HIV prevention among Africans in years to come.” Marcy Madzikanda, Terrence Higgins Trust Health Improvement Specialist for African Communities and event coordinator, said: “With the proportion of Africans contracting HIV in the UK as
opposed to overseas now higher than ever, it is vital that we build a strong response to stop the epidemic taking root among our communities. Our speakers will bring together expertise across a range of topics and we hope that the summit will help to shape the way we tackle HIV among Africans in years to come. I would encourage anyone with an interest in HIV, or anyone who wants to become more involved in HIV prevention work, to register today.” Organised in partnership with the BHA for Equality and TB Alert, the African Health Promotion Summit is the culmination of the Barclays Health Promotion Skills Training Programme, a three-year programme that trains African community organisations and individuals to talk to other members of the community about HIV and staying healthy. The summit takes place on Wednesday 30th October from 9am to 4.30pm at Hotel Russell, Russell Square, London, WC1B 5BE,
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
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Culture
Culture: The Shona of Zimbabwe to freely express their true artistic feelings. In doing so they create the most amazing pieces of art and give us a freedom of artistic skill has impressed art collectors and dealers world wide. There is mounting evidence that the presence of Shona sculpture in the 20th century began not in the 1950s as is popularly believed, but as early as the turn of the century and some would say as far back as the times of Great Zimbabwe over 2000 years ago. The artists that we now see creating in Zimbabwe and South Africa have come a long way from the beginnings of their craft many years ago. We now refer to what
Shona witch doctor
The Shona tribe is Zimbabwe’s largest indigenous group, their tribal language is also called Shona (Bantu) and their population is around 9 million. They are found in Zimbabwe, Botswana and southern Mozambique in Southern Africa and bordering South Africa. Representing over 80% of the population, the Shona tribe is culturally the most dominate tribe in Zimbabwe. There are five main Shona language groups: Korekore, Zeseru, Manyika, Ndau, and Karanga. The Ndebele largely absorbed the last of these groups when they moved into western Zimbabwe in the 1830s. Traditionally, Shona people live in isolated settlements, usually consisting of one or more elder men and their extended families. Most decisions are made within the family, although organized political states were recognized as a source of centralized
Shona family 22
power. A principal chief who inherited his position and power in the same divine manner as a king headed them. He usually lived in a centralized location and was complemented by his court that advised him about most important decisions. The head chief often received substantial payment in the form of tributes from his constituency. The term Shona did not exist to describe any ethnic grouping before the advent of colonialism. The term Shona originates from the Ndebele ‘abetshona’ meaning ‘those from over there’ and was popularized by use during colonial times. Otherwise the people now collectively known as the Shona do not belong to one ethnic origin. What the Shona do is share a set of very similar language dialects but not a common ethnic background. While it is true that the builders of Great Zimbabwe have their descendants among today’s Shona people, those not in the know often ignore other tribal groupings not referred to as Shona today but also descendant from the builders of great Zimbabwe. Such a tribe are the Venda who are found in southern Zimbabwe and parts of South Africa. So referring to the Shona as the oldest tribe, without specifying which particular clan of the Shona you are referring to is wrong. Some of the people now called Shona came into Zimbabwe even after the coming of the Ndebele. The people that we now consider the Shona because of the name given to this grouping of people have been said to have started carving to express personal feelings and tribal beliefs more than 2000 years ago, during the times of Great Zimbabwe. The stone sculptures produced by these artists display great individuality of form and content. Every piece is an original and is valued by even the most astute collector. The art is extremely seductive and amazingly beautiful with each stone containing rich colors and textures which invite one to explore and touch visually, emotionally, physically and intellectually. For the mostpart, today’s Zimbabwean stone sculptors are self-taught and for this reason, still able
Shona sculpture
was originally called “Shona Sculpture” as Zimbabwean Stone Sculpture. The reason being that to just say the “Shona people” are the only sculptures today would be false. In fact there are many different men and women from all over Africa that have come to Zimbabwe to study from the masters over the last 50 or so years. These talented artists have now become some of the best sculptures in the world and have in fact launched the traditional Shona Sculpture into being the biggest contemporary art movement to ever come out of Africa. We can debate the origin and outcome of this amazing art until the end of time but one thing we can all agree on is that there is a mysterious, powerful and positive presence in all true Zimbabwean Stone Sculpture that could never be manufactured or replicated. It has to come from long standing traditional beliefs and true artistic expression. For this we are truly grateful to be able to enjoy this wonderful, refreshing work in today’s upside down world. The Shona believe in two types of spirits. Shave spirits are most often considered to be outside or wandering spirits and vadzimu are ancestor spirits. Shave spirits are connected to populations living outside of Shona territory and may be connected to neighbouring people. These spirits may be either malevolent or benevolent. Bad
spirits are associated with witchcraft, while good spirits may inspire individual talents associated with healing, music, or artistic ability. Vadzimu represent all that is ideal and moral about a Shona way of life. They are usually associated with recent ancestors or with more remote culture heroes whose exact genealogy has been forgotten. They serve to protect society, but may withdraw this protection if the Shona moral ideals are not respected It was in the late 19th century that the peoples of this area speaking several mutually intelligible languages were united under the Shona name. Although known for their stone sculpture, the Shona Tribe of Zimbabwe has a rich artistic heritage, which includes decorative fabric painting using sadza too. Sadza (pronounced sudza) is Maize, a primary basis of their diet. Maize (corn) is ground into a fine meal, which is then cooked with water until it is the consistency of mashed potato. Although eaten plain, sadza is often served with a vegetable or meat sauce to give it flavour. This painting technique uses the sadza instead of wax as a masking between the different paint colours. After painting, the canvas is left to dry in the sun. Finally, the fabric is washed to remove the sadza leaving it with a unique finished appearance. Designs often use traditional geometric patterns mixed with stylized objects from everyday Shona life Shona artist are well known for their stone sculptures and are typically called “Shona” sculptures because it is the name of the tribe in Zimbabwe that has traditionally created these works of art. The stone carving has been part of the Zimbabwean culture since 1200 AD when Great Zimbabwe, an archaeological masterpiece of their early ancestors, was built. The re-emergence of this stone carving tradition in the 1950s, the solid forms and beautiful surfaces of Shona sculpture express an extraordinary emotional power”. Today the art form commands worldwide recognition with the world’s most talented carvers being recognized in Zimbabwe The Shona sculptures are produced from a variety of stones. Serpentine stone, with its considerable range of colours and hardness, is the material most commonly used by the sculptors. Most serpentine stone used was formed over 2.6 billion years ago. Serpentine stone exists in a diversity of colors including black (the hardest and least common), browns, mauves, greens, and yellows. Sometimes sculptures are also made semi-precious stones like “Leopard Rock” and verdite. Drawing on ancient sculpting traditions they have produced a modern art movement of dignified, exquisite works. Reminiscent of Picasso and Henry Moore, these extraordinary, intense works speak to all humanity
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
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Osun state selling Nigeria’s first Islamic bond – bankers Nigeria’s Osun State has begun offering the country’s first Islamic bond, taking a major step towards developing an Islamic finance industry in Africa’s most populous nation, bankers said on Thursday.
The issue makes Nigeria the first big economy in sub-Saharan Africa to market a sukuk, although Gambia has been selling small amounts of Islamic bonds for several years. Other African countries including South Africa, Kenya and Senegal have been laying plans to issue sukuk seeking to tap into growing global demand for Islamic debt, particularly among cash-rich Islamic funds in the Gulf and southeast Asia. Osun’s issue of up to 10 billion naira ($62 million) of seven-year sukuk, denominated in local currency, will pay investors a fixed return of between 14.25 and 14.75 percent, according to a prospectus seen by Reuters. The offer will close at the end of
this month, the bankers said, declining to be named under briefing rules. The sukuk is based on an ijara structure, a common leasing arrangement in Islamic finance, which bans the payment of interest. Local credit rating agency Agusto & Co gave an A rating to the sukuk, suggesting it will attract ample investor demand. Bankers said earlier that Osun hoped the issue, which is expected to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, would be bought by local pension funds and international investors. In March this year, Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission approved new rules facilitating issues of sukuk. About half of Nigeria’s 160 million people are Muslims, giving it sub-Saharan Africa’s largest Muslim population. The cocoa-producing, southwestern state of Osun has a population of about 3.5 million people. The proceeds of the sukuk will be used to build schools, the prospectus said. (Editing by Ruth Pitchford)
From Right - Former Governor Old Ondo State, Bamidele Olumilua; Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola , Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Chairman All Progressives Congress [APC],Chief Jide Awe during the Flag of All Progressives Congress [APC] in Ekiti State at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium Ado- Ekiti.
Photos: Taofeeq Adejare
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola [middle], President Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy &Strategic Studies Kuru, Jos, Major General Lawrence Anebi Onoja [ second right] Secretary General Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy &Strategic Studies Kuru, Jos, Comrade Isa Aremu,[right], Vice President Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy &Strategic Studies Kuru, Jos ,Dr. Garba Tetengi [second left] and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola during a Courtesy visit to the Governor, at Governors Office Abere, Osogbo
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From Right – Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Commissioner for Finance, Economic Planning and Budget, Dr Wale Bolorunduro; Managing Director Lotus Capital Limited, Mrs Adeola Hajara and Chairman Osun School Infrastructure Committee (O-School), Otunba Lai Oyeduntan, during the State of Osun Ten Billion Naira Sukuk Bond Investors Forum, at Oriental Hotel, Lagos State
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
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Boko Haram’s force is broken, as SSS graduands parade Boko Haram in the country.
Lt. Col. Sambo Dasuki, National Security Adviser
The Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Ita Ekpeyon, claimed over the weekend at the official passing out parade and commissioning of 385 new officers of the service, that the SSS and other security outfits have succeeded in breaking the force of
The Director-General stated that “We can confidently say that we have decimated the terrorists’ top and middle level leadership, its foot soldiers, thereby dislodging its centre of gravity.” He added that ‘There is no doubt that our strategies have invariably affected the cohesion of the group as well as the chain of command, to the level that the group, for now does not possess the capacity to direct and launch simultaneous attacks on several cities/targets in Nigeria as had been the situation in the past two years’. “We intend to build and consolidate on our successes in this war against the terrorists in order to create a conducive environment for democracy and development,” he said. Speaking about the new officers, he noted that “With the passing out and formal commissioning of these cadets, the Service has added to her pool, a crop of officers who have been trained to be loyal, dedicated and committed to the nation and the ideals of the Service.” President Goodluck Jonathan’s representative at the event, Nyeson Wike, Hon.
Minister of Education, stated at the occasion that the Federal Government has, between 2011 and 2013 spent over one billion naira on training and retraining of officers, and providing necessary equipment for the State Security Service. Mr Wike then commended the D-G, SSS for putting the funds in good use and pointed out that the training and retraining of SSS officials is necessitated by the prevalent security situation in the country. Other governors at the occasion were Governors Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom). In a related development, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika, has said that the Nigerian Army will not rest on its oars until the activities of the Boko Haram sect, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country have been effectively curbed. Speaking at the 9th Nigerian Army Finance Corps Biennial conference 2003 in Umuahia, Ihejirika said “with the support of Mr President and the transformation the Nigerian Army was undergoing, let me assure that challenges of insecurity, includ-
ing Boko Haran menace, kidnapping and threats of violent crimes will be stopped from rearing their ugly heads in the country.” The Army chief, who was represented by the GOC, 82 Division, Major-General A.A.Olaniyi, assured that the Nigerian armed forces were on top of the security situation in the country contrary to what it was when the president declared the state of emergence four months ago, adding that the army was winning the war against terrorism. The same way he issued a directive that issues of kidnapping and violent robberies be brought down in Abia State through the Operation Jubilee, which was achieved, is the same way the security challenges we are facing today will be brought down,” he said. Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, in his remarks, commended the Nigerian Armed forces for the dogged collaboration in blending the necessary force elements that assisted the state to banish kidnapping and kidnappers in the state.
Nigeria invests $200m in US bonds FG loses N1.45tr in oil revenue
UChe Orji, CEO (NSIA)
Nigeria’s has invested more than $200 million in the United States bond market through the Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF. The fund was given by the SWF to UBS, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs, to manage a fixed income portfolio.
The investment, though relatively small, adds Nigeria to the small cadre of commodity-rich countries that over the past decade have become one of the most powerful forces in global financial markets through their sovereign wealth funds. Chief executive of the $1billion Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, Uche Orji, said the fund gave UBS $50 million last week to invest in US Treasuries. A further $150 million is being transferred this week to Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs to build a US corporate bond portfolio. Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, Orji, a former banker who was recruited to set up the fund last year further said, “This is a major mile-
stone for us. ”Orji who had earlier in June said that he had delayed making any initial investments due to the volatility in global markets noted that he felt the bond market was now “fairly valued”. The first investment comes ahead of this week’s crucial meeting of the Federal Reserve. The US Central Bank is likely to start phasing out its bond buying programme that has kept interest rates at ultra-low levels. “There is more optimism now,” Mr Orji said. The Nigeria sovereign wealth fund is the third largest in sub-Saharan Africa, after the $6.9 billion Botswana and $5 billion Angola funds, though tiny compared to those of oil producers such as Saudi Arabia, Norway and Abu Dhabi, which have more than $600 billion in assets each. Mr Orji acknowledged that new inflows were not guaranteed, but said that the seed capital was enough for now. “$1bn is not inconsequential,” he said. “Not many sovereign wealth funds have started out with that amount.” Under the investment policy approved by the NSIA earlier this year, the fund is split into three pools. The stabilisation fund has a 20 per cent share – the $200m handed over to banks this week. Capital preservation is the main aim, with the fund acting as a buffer against shortterm economic instability. Mr. Orji said he hoped this fund would be running by the end of March 2014. But he expressed concern about rising valuations in the developed world stock markets. “We find quite a few asset classes, such as US equities, to be a bit rich at the moment,” he said. “We see more value in emerging markets.”
Engr. Andrew Laah Yakubu, GMD
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data on revenues from oil exports have shown that the Federal Government has lost no less than N1.45 trillion from exportation of crude oil to the international market in the last nine months. The data on external trade for the second quarter of 2013 shows a drop of N2.7 trillion in the second quarter of 2013 to the international market compared to the N4.16 trillion realised from the sale of crude oil in the third quarter, 2012. The estimated revenues from the sale of crude oil have continued to fall in recent times due to issues of oil theft and pipeline vandalism, despite improvement in oil prices in the international market. Accord-
ing to the data, crude oil export figures fell from the two-year high of N4.6 trillion in the third quarter of 2011 to N4.16 trillion one year later and has remained consistently on the decline since then. As at fourth quarter of 2012, revenues from crude oil stood at N4.10 trillion, then fell to N3.03 trillion in the first quarter of 2013 before hitting the lowest figure of N2.7 trillion in the second quarter. The data also showed that total value of Nigeria’s external merchandise trade amounted to N5, 341.1 billion in the second quarter 2013, an increase of N242.3 billion or 4.8 per cent from N5.09 trillion recorded in the previous quarter. This change resulted from an increase in the value of exports from N3.45 trillion in the first quarter of 2013 to N3.7 trillion in the second quarter (an increase of N290.8billion or 8.4 per cent), and a 2.9 per cent decline in the value of imports from N1.6 trillion in the first quarter of 2013 to N1.59 trillion in the second quarter. Furthermore, the increase in exports and decrease in imports resulted in a favourable trade balance of N2, 144.7 billion in the second quarter, an increase of N339.3billion or 18.8 per cent from levels recorded in the first quarter of 2013. Further analysis with the second quarter of the preceding year indicates that the value of the nation’s total merchandise trade decreased by N1,742.8billion or 24.6 per cent, while the trade balance also declined by 49.7 per cent as imports increased by 13.5 per cent while exports decreased by 34.1 per cent year on year. – 25
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
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Special Interview
Tafida bares more:
By Peter Olorunnisomo
• lost passports are now issued in London • the mission is not a Pandora box • time specification for immigration matters, etc The African Voice had the privilege of an interview window with (Dr.) Dalhatu Tafida, OFR, CFR, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Great Britain at the Nigeria House office Northumberland Avenue recently. The Ambassador was very welcoming as we were ushered into his presence in the very serene office which had the ambience of personality and experience belying the onerous responsibilities which he shouldered with the able support of his Deputy, Ambassador O.K. Lawal and other tried and tested Ministers and staff of the High Commission. His welcoming smile encouraged anyone to want to engage him in conversation and would always reveal his depth of experience in the political sphere and an attitude that readily diffuses every tension which a medical doctor usually has. And he is. We soon settled to the business of the day and after appreciating the opportunity of the interview, Mike Abiola, Publisher of African Voice set the ball rolling. African Voice: Is there a standard charter of service delivery relative to the issuance of visa and passports specifying prompt delivery dates relative to processing fees and yet not an express service with the Nigeria High Commission? Ambassador Tafida: There are online payments made for the service required and $65 for the passport and a processing fee of £20 (when you have an old passport). When you are trying to obtain a passport occasioned by loss of passport, you are required to pay about £100. The fee varies. But this is subject to certifying that the applicant is a Nigerian. There is a service charter whose protocol requires that you make online payment and then there is a computer generated date for the applicant to visit the mission for further processing of the application. The number of Nigerians, being so many, that apply for the service reflects the time gap that occurs before the date of invitation to the mission. African Voice: Is there a statutory 26
(Dr.) Dalhatu Tafida, OFR, CFR receiving diplomats
number of days regulated for the processing of this service? And can one seek refund where this is not met. Ambassador Tafida: Ideally, 8 - 10 days is envisaged but there can be situations, depending on individual circumstances, that may warrant otherwise. This is also subject to the computer capturing on an applicant’s document processing from a date is generated. After this period, of days predicated upon the captured date, an applicant may wish to seek a refund of the processing fee paid. I however do not see anything that should prevent anyone from getting his/her passport and a refund if the need arises. African Voice: Nigerians complain about how this service operates particularly through service providers working with the mission particularly at Fleet Street.
Ambassador Tafida: Nigerians usually complain. They complain about not being able to pay online and we even had to allow the establishment of a business centre here to facilitate the ease of the complying with the procedure. The issue of payment was taken up with the Office at home and the Federal Government allowed that payments could be made through them here while the staffs here screened the applications and issued the passports African Voice: The office use arrangement at Fleet Street; is it a Public/Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement or is the building rented? Ambassador Tafida: The building is rented. And I think that the rent should be expired in about 4 -5 months’ time. This should then be renewed. The place was advertised for rent and the rent accrued has
(Dr.) Dalhatu Tafida, OFR, CFR receiving diplomats
been paid into government coffers. African Voice: Who is responsible for situations when people are espoused to Nigerians with their offsprings given Nigerian passports and find that they have to be subjected to visa conditionality when they travel in this instance? Claims that visas are denied them particularly when a Nigerian seeks a visa with British passport. Ambassador Tafida: There must be some conditionality that has not been fulfilled otherwise visa denial will not just happen that way. The procedure for visa application is spelt out on the Mission’s website and this has to be followed. I do believe that there are rules guiding the application for visas and whatever grievances are had on this account should be brought to the mission for the necessary officials to deal with. If necessary bring them to me. African Voice: Nigerians growing up in the UK are concerned about passport entitlement when they are married to foreigners and have been issued passports but are refused renewal. Ambassador Tafida: I do not see why this should be refused. I know of a situation that the passport qualification of a spouse was also in question. But this is an issue that has to be followed according to the laws governing the relevant aspect as laid down by government. The experts interpret and their verdict will not contradict the rules laid down. I know that one of the conditionalities that may be requested of a person is that such a person would need to show evidence of having lived in Nigeria for a good while in that marital capacity. African Voice: The issue of bank accounts also comes to reckon as a criteria for this class of people who are actually supposed to be kin to Nigerians in the least. Ambassador Tafida: The bank account requirement is stated on our website and is similarly a requirement by other governments even the British. So we are not talking about anything very different from what others also state as a condition to be met. African Voice: What do you have to say concerning those who are requested to have their birth certificates authenticated (when the names and dates of birth agree in both their passport and birth certificate) from here being Nigerians some of who want to attend schools particularly in Europe and such similar ventures? Why is such a service being charged for at the mission? Ambassador Tafida: Well, we are not the ones who are making this request of these Nigerians and there is nothing we can do to influence what their requirements are. However, with regards to the charges, it is necessary to note that the charge is not made indiscriminately but a rule and the revenue is remitted to the Federal Government. If it was a policy instituted before my tenure, I cannot singly abrogate it when this is a core prerogative of government. A revenue charge has been determined here
Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
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Special Interview
(Dr.) Dalhatu Tafida, OFR, CFR receiving diplomats and anyone who comes in to state that he or she is abrogating that revenue charge may have to pay from his/her pocket. I cannot therefore interfere with certain issues of this nature particularly when it concerns immigration matters. I believe this is the same with other missions. It is technical though I have a responsibility to oversee the smooth running of all departments. African Voice: The mission had a programme for the 5oth anniversary of Nigeria’s independence, which took some time to be made public. Does the mission have any similar plans for the centennial event of what has come to be the Nigerian state? Ambassador Tafida: The country has stated that it has no plans to fund any activity and therefore the missions too. But we will support any organisation having programmes. A few organisations and people have notified us of their intention to host certain programmes for example art exhibition and we will do our best to attend in the least. We have no budgetary provision to support any activity in this regard financially. So if people or organisations have events and come forward to let us know, we will attend even if we are not invited but we will because we are Nigerians. Notwithstanding these, the Mission will be hosting its usual anniversary events to celebrate our independence day in October, 2013. We will host our diplomatic friends and Nigerians alike at different venues thereabout the 1st and 5th of that month. African Voice: What is your take on democracy in Nigeria particularly the issue of rolling armoured personnel carriers against the faction of the new PDP in Abuja? Ambassador Tafida: I don’t know so much about that but I think that a country that is trying to become democratic should try to accommodate everyone across board and absorb all the insults and problems that people have against it or for it. That is how
political parties grow. You don’t fight people but the more you fight the more problems you face. However there must be a reason but I don’t know. African Voice: Your Excellency, you are very strategic man l in the political sphere in Nigeria and with the President such that you served as the Director-General of the President’s campaign team. Would you advise that the President should contest the next elections? Ambassador Tafida: I am not here to decide for the President. If he wants to contest, he is entitled to contest. I would not go into that. And as you ask if I would serve as D-G again, I would say I am too old to do that now. Ambassador Tafida: From your span of diplomatic service, we would like you to share what challenging experiences you
have experienced as an Ambassador. African Voice: Don’t be deceived that I am an ambassador in the UK. My experiences here are limited but are much grounded in other fields of human endeavour. I am here as a politician with the trust of the Presidency to an effective ambassador of the Nigerian state to the United Kingdom. African Voice: Similarly, we can look at your public service to Nigeria. What would you say has been the most challenging time you have had? Ambassador Tafida: I think it is to be the Director-General of the President’s campaign organisation. It was very challenging. Looking back, it was something very dangerous but I was lucky I did it. I did two elections; the primary and the general elections and I did them very successfully. But all that time there was a lot of tension and people were always looking for money
(Dr.) Dalhatu Tafida, OFR, CFR receiving diplomats
from me. Every day, I would get 4 to 6 text messages from those that I met saying that,’ we finished the campaign and you didn’t tell us anything, now they are sharing this, they are sharing that, but I tell them that I don’t share. I was just asked to go and be part of the team. Up till today people still ask me for something to be given for being part of the campaign whether from the US, UK, other parts of the world and particularly Nigeria. It was very challenging. African Voice: There are people of Nigerian descent who feel that they have skills in various endeavours that needs to be harnessed. They feel they are not head-hunted and so usually find themselves giving their skills/talents to the government here. Does the mission have any scheme or policy to bring in these people? Ambassador Tafida: I do not think this assessment is fair. I do not see myself as a boss and I have my doors open to anyone even you at just a few days notice. None of my officers see himself or herself as a boss. We have always served the people. Once someone speaks in ignorance about us, please tell them the truth. We are very open to our people and other missions may not look so accessible. I have done quite a lot for people in diaspora going to Nigeria and unless I am dissuaded to. The mission is certainly not a Pandora box. African Voice: Recently, a British expatriate who served in Nigeria for about three years wrote a lengthy article in a Nigerian daily (The Herald) recounting corruption as rife and covering all aspects of public life in Nigeria. As a Senator and leading light, what do you recommend to the government? Ambassador Tafida: This has been the talking point may be before I became a senator, may be for a much longer time. Corruption has more or less become the in-thing in Nigeria and if I were to be at the point where I can dictate, I will make sure that everything that I do is clear even with all those around me, the ministers, etc. When you are able to display what is beyond you, it is an evidence of corruption. But there is corruption everywhere but the rate in which journalists report corruption hypes it. There are countries with hundreds of year’s democratic experience and we can’t compare to these. Sooner or later, there won’t be any money to steal. People steal because they find money to steal, easy money from petroleum etc. You find people struggle to get a letter to the Minister of Petroleum or an establishment like NNPC so that they can get a document that gives them quick money in millions. Naturally they don’t want to be left out. But I have never done that, even as a simple medical doctor, and I will not do that. African Voice: What is your final word to Nigerians, readers of the African Voice Ambassador Tafida: It is the oldest African newspaper and widely circulated. You will need to increase your circulation to reach more people and Nigerians; and you may give it freely, though I know and commend your ability to sustain your continuity. I know hundreds of papers have started out like that but have not been able to remain in production. 27
Events calendar What’s On & When Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013
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IT WILL SURELY HAPPEN “…Every purpose of the Lord shall be performed…” Jer. 51:29.
By Michael Adekoya
Dear reader, every purpose of the Lord shall be performed in your life in Jesus name. This is my prayer for you today. It was a declaration that I gave to a Christian Sister recently. She was wondering and asked, “But Pastor, how can it be? I had been written off, declared rubbish and dumped. I’m going through serious hurt and pain at the moment.” My friend, is this where you are today? The Good News is that the same God who answered that sister will answer you too! Even in the midst of abandonment, hardship, disappointment pain or hurt, you’re still in God’s protective custody. He is still in control of your life. With Him nothing just happened. Whatever has happened, whatever is happening or will ever happen to you, He knows about it and He will make a way for His glory. Coincidence is what takes place when God decides to remain anonymous. That is why you can’t afford to ignore Him because nobody ignores God without consequences. I’m sure you know the story of Jonah. God sent him to Nineveh, but instead he boarded a ship headed in the opposite direction. Typical of us, isn’t it? We choose to do our own thing in our own way! Now it just happened that the storm blew up. Jonah was dumped overboard, a great fish swallowed him, threw him up three days later, and the first words he heard when he hit the beach were, “Go to Nineveh!” My friend, every Christian is called to a relationship and to a purpose. It is wise to discover who God has connected you with and the assignment He has for you. When God connects you with a person or gives you an assignment, you can go the easy way or
the hard way but one thing is certain; every purpose of God shall be performed! A little girl was running to get to Sunday school on time, praying, “Lord don’t let me be late.” Suddenly she tripped, fell and got her dress dirty. Getting back up she brushed herself off and said, “Lord, You know I don’t want to be late – but You don’t have to shove.” My friend, sometimes God gives us a shove – a push - to (a) get us out of our rut (b) get us over our fear (c) to get us back on track or (d) reposition us for a new thing. That is because He is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He is in charge of our lives. Whatever He ordains, He sustains! God will take you, break you and make you in order to carry out His will. God wants fruits from you and He’ll shake your tree to get just that. Listen! Satan and all his agents have never once been able to abort God’s plan. The only person who can is you, not even your spouse or friend can. In sickness, abandonment, poverty, hardship, betrayal, mistreatment, criticism, disappointment, nothing ever just happens. Behind the scene, God is orchestrating everything. The Bible says in Rom. 8:28 that, “All things work together for good for those who love God and those who are called according to His purpose” My friend, that includes you. You are created to love Him and worship Him. Once you do these, you’re a candidate! Jesus says, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you and be with you.” John 14:18. My friend, do you know what happens when the fire of intimacy in relationship dims or goes out altogether? It’s loneliness, even in the midst of the crowd. Today, many people are experiencing loneliness
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
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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
in their lives. Millions are involved with relationships that create deep ache, pain and hurt in their souls. Many have experienced such great rejection or disappointment that they have vowed never to enter into any friendship or any relationship again. Instead, they prefer to live lonely life. Many have been deceived, misled, betrayed or rejected in the past and they decided to stay lonely and live a withdrawn life. Many people are so battered, wounded and full of bitterness. My friend, is this where you are today? Listen to the word of Jesus for you today, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you and be with you.” John 14:18. “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans ... to give you a future and a hope ... You will find Me when you seek Me, if you look for Me in earnest.” Jer 29:13. My friend, are you faced with uncertain future? You are not alone. We all do! But the Good News is that we
have a Father who knows the end from the beginning. All we need to do is to set our goals according to His direction. It’s foolish to make plans without first consulting God. He’s the only One who knows the future - and He’s eager to guide you through it. The Bible says, “We may make our plans, but God has the last word.” Pro. 16:1. In other words, planning without praying to know the mind of God concerning the person or matter is presumption. God wants to save you, heal you, restore you, fight for you, prosper you, bless you and lead you but you should ask Him how? The purpose of God for your life will be fulfilled; therefore, you should live one day at a time and seek God’s face before you do anything. While you can plan for tomorrow, you can’t live it until it arrives. Today, most people spend so much time regretting the past and worrying about the future, they have no time to enjoy today! Does this describe
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
you? John Lennon, the pop icon, once wrote, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Hear me! Decide to make the most of each moment today, this week, this month and this year. Jesus said, “Don’t be anxious about tomorrow - God will take care of your tomorrows. Live one day at a time.” Matt 6:34. However, don’t procrastinate. Whatever God tells you to do, do it now! Don’t boast about what you’re going to do tomorrow, for you don’t know what a day may bring forth (read Pro. 27:1) My friend, your life has not expired. The call of God and His purpose for your life has not been aborted, no matter what you are going through today. Don’t push away what He’s pushing toward you and don’t embrace what He’s pushing away from you. God has not created you to live alone, fail, and be depressed, frustrated, confused or live without fulfilling your divine purpose. 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
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Cape Verde Ruled out of World Cup, 2014
Cape Verde
By Peter Olorunnisomo Cape Verde has been disqualified from the African play-offs for the 2014 World Cup.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee took the decision to sanction the Cape Verdean Football Association (FCF) for fielding an ineligible player in the preliminary competition match for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ between Tunisia and the Cape Verde Islands on 7 September 2013. The match has been declared to be forfeited and awarded 3-0 in favour of Tunisia, meaning that the Cape Verde Islands will not progress to round three of the FIFA World Cup™ African zone qualifiers having dropped to second place in Group B with nine points while Tunisia finish first 30
with 14 points and will now advance. The sanction relates to the Cape Verde player Fernando Varela failing to serve the full four-match suspension imposed on him after receiving a red card for unsporting conduct towards a match official during a FIFA World Cup™ qualifier on 24 March 2013. The Carthage Eagles will now be in the draw on 16 September instead of the Blue Sharks. FIFA ruled that Fernando Verela should not have played in his side’s 2-0 win as he had not completed a suspension. The Blue Sharks had caused a major upset with their victory in Rades on last Saturday to edge ahead of Tunisia, who had only needed a draw to advance.
Ironically, Cape Verde were awarded the points from the match in March, when Varela was sent off, after FIFA ruled opponents Equatorial Guinea had used an ineligible player. Equatorial Guinea originally won the match 4-3 only for the result to be overturned when FIFA decided Emilio Nsue Lopez did not meet eligibility rules on nationality. The decision means Tunisia finish top of Group B with 14 points, with Cape Verde second on nine points. FIFA said Verela “failed to serve a four-match suspension imposed on him after receiving a red card for unsporting conduct towards a match official during a World Cup qualifier on 24
March”. Cape Verde Football Association has also been fined $6,400 after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee considered the FCF liable for having breached art. 55 par. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and art. 8 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Regulations.
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