African Voice newspaper 502 by African Voice Newspapers UK

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013 ISSUE 502

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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 Plane leaving Lagos crashes and explodes SEE PAGE 13

£1.00

Gambia quits commonwealth SEE PAGE 6

Nigeria places ban on overseas cash Paper must be eliminated for proper e-health in West Africa

SEE PAGE 22

Central Bank acts to combat ‘dollarisation’ By Alan Oakley

Following its revocation of the operating licences of 20 Bureaux de Change last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has banned the importation of all foreign currencies without prior approval.

The 20 Bureaux de Change are alleged to have purchased unusually large sums of foreign exchange, reported to be US dollars, from deposit money banks in clear contravention of money laundering and terrorism prevention legislation amended in 2011. Announcing the revocations, a letter to all authorised Bureaux warned that the CBN hopes that the move will “serve as a deterrent to others and demonstrate Government’s resolve to stamp out money laundering and also the Bank’s zero tolerance for regulatory infractions.” Speaking in Abuja, CBN Deputy Governor of Economic Policy, Ms. Sarah Alade, said that if the trend for large undocumented transactions was not contained, it could pose grave threats to the value of the naira as well as the Nigerian economy which had gradually become “dollarised”. Nigeria ranks as the largest importer of US dollars

globally, to the chagrin of CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi. Ms. Alade said Mr. Sanusi and his team decided to take immediate action to safeguard the naira and ensure its stability in the face of the aforementioned challenges. The Central Bank has also announced that the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) would take effect from Wednesday, October 2. This follows the suspension of the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) at the official foreign exchange market. The CBN said that the RDAS would allow only customers of deposit money banks to buy foreign exchange at the CBN through their banks. Under the WDAS, the deposit money banks bought foreign exchange at the CBN on their own accounts and in turn sold to their customers. The CBN statement explains: “The re-introduction of the RDAS is expected to prevent ‘round tripping’ of foreign exchange purchased at the CBN official window to unauthorised channels. “Also, a circular has been issued mandating all deposit money banks to redeem all inward money transfers in naira to the recipients at the prevailing inter-bank foreign exchange rate. This is in line with best practice.”

Continued on page 2

CBN Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, is keen to stamp out money laundering and maintain economic stability

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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Have You GotNews For Us

News Minister for Africa visits Bamako and Timbuktu

Newsdesk: 020 3737 3077

Email: africanvoicenews@gmail.com

Black businesses and entrepreneurs to be celebrated at City Hall

To celebrate Black History Month, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson will host a free event on Monday 7 October 2013 at City Hall exploring the history of Black businesses and entrepreneurs, and their contribution to London’s prosperity, past, present and future.

As well as the Mayor, speakers will include Ade Sawyerr, a founding consultant at Equinox Consulting; Damon Buffini, Investment Committee member and former Managing Partner at Permira; Natasha Faith, CEO and designer at Hatton Garden based luxury jewellery company LA DiOSA; Ric Lewis, Chief Executive, Tristan Capital Partners; Sonia Brown MBE, founder and director of the National Black Women’s Network. Chairing the event will be entrepreneur Tim Campbell, who is also a mayoral Ambassador for Training and Enterprise. To be attended by business leaders and entrepreneurs, as well as the general public, this timely event will include a question and answer session and be followed by a reception.

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 Ryan Holmes Legal Adviser Nosa Kings Erhunmwunsee London Office: Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP

Tel: 0203 737 3077

Email: africanvoicenews@gmail.com

African Voice is published by African Voice UK.

Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds

The Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds visited Bamako and Timbuktu on 1-2 October 2013 for discussions with the new Malian government, and to gain firsthand knowledge of developments in northern Mali. In Timbuktu, Mr Simmonds met local community leaders, NGO representatives, and the Grand Imam of the ancient Mosque of Djingareyber. The Minister also visited the Ahmed Baba Institute to witness the damage wreaked by jihadists upon Tim-

buktu’s historic Islamic libraries during their occupation of the city, and was later briefed by UN agencies including WFP and UNOCHA on the important work they are doing to provide food security and resilience, supported by UK Aid. In Bamako, he met the new Malian Prime Minister, the Minister for the North and Reconciliation, and the Minister for Urbanisation. He also received a briefing from the Commanding Officer of the EU Training Mission, which is helping to rebuild the Malian Army. Following his meetings, the Minister said:

“While significant challenges undoubtedly remain, security progress allowed me to be the first UK Minister to visit northern Mali since the recent conflict. I have seen at first-hand the destruction done to Timbuktu’s ancient monuments, which is an incalculable loss to the world’s heritage. It is remarkable that just a year ago, the black flag of Al-Qaeda flew in that city. I also had the chance to see the excellent work that the World Food Programme is doing with strong support from the UK. The humanitarian situation in northern Mali remains serious, and the weekend’s suicide attack against a Malian army base in Timbuktu shows that there are still acute security challenges. But I was encouraged both by the commitment to dialogue and reconciliation that is being shown by the Timbuktu community under difficult circumstances, and by the productive discussions that I had with members of the new government in Bamako. I hope that by working together, different communities in Mali can build long-term peace and stability. The UK will remain closely involved with the people Mali, and with our allies working in the wider region.”

Ukash and Moneygram launch money transfer online Ukash, the leading online cash payment provider, has launched the first service to offer domestic and international transfers online for people who don’t have or don’t want to use bank or credit accounts. Powered by global money transfer expert, MoneyGram, the new service makes it easy for consumers living and staying in the UK – and soon in France, Spain and the Nordics - to send money abroad simply and securely. For consumers who don’t want to put their financial details online it’s an ideal solution. And marking the launch of the unique service, Ukash is offering money transfer from just £2.99 to Poland, India and Pakistan for a limited period. With a Ukash code, up to £200 can be sent online at www.ukash.com for collection at any of MoneyGram’s 328,000

outlets in nearly 200 countries around the world, either as cash or direct to a bank account or e-wallets. Ukash believes the innovative new service puts safe money transfer within the reach of thousands of people living and working in the UK who, until now, have found it inconvenient to get money to family and friends because they didn’t have or want to use a bank or credit card account. Instead they had to visit a money transfer location which isn’t always convenient. “From foreign workers who don’t have a UK bank account and want to send money home to family, to relatives sending gifts for festivals and other celebrations, the new Ukash Money Transfer service offers people a safe, easy solution at the click of a mouse”, explained David Hunter, Chief Executive Officer, Ukash. “This is the first service to offer domestic and interna-

tional money transfers online with ‘cash’, it breaks down the barrier people often face if they don’t have a UK bank account or don’t want to put their bank or credit card details online. Once they have their Ukash code, which can be obtained at over 50,000 convenient UK locations, they can transfer cash instantly, and at a competitive rate.” “There are thousands of people living and working in the UK who don’t have access to conventional banking or credit facilities or prefer not to use them for online transactions” added Tim Summers, head of strategic partnerships, MoneyGram. “For these people, the only way to send money home to family and friends is to visit a money transfer location. By partnering with Ukash cash can be sent online instantly and securely to anywhere in the world. We believe it could be life-changing for some families”

Nigeria places ban on overseas cash Continued from front page

The statement said that apex bank would continue to support the operations of Bureaux de Change in line with existing guidelines, adding that they were still relevant in the foreign exchange market. “To guard against stifling the activities of the Bureaux de Change, the CBN has authorised all deposit money banks to

deal at the official foreign exchange market rate. It also warned that banks can only sell foreign exchange cash to Bureaux de Change subject to a maximum of 250,000 dollars per week per Bureau. “The CBN also advised all Bureaux de Change to continue to comply with the conditions of their operating licences,

including the proper rendition of returns with respect to the purchases and sales of foreign exchange.’’ The Bank offered assurances to members of the public of its commitment to maintaining price stability and the preservation of the value of the naira in accordance with its mandate.

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Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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News

Moneygram gives back to schools in Hackney and Newham councils in the UK

As the school bells rings across the UK for a new session for Back to School, MoneyGram is generously giving over 10,000 stationery packs and 10 brand new kindle e-readers to schools across the Newham and Hackney borough to encourage further reading amongst primary school pupils.

MoneyGram strongly believes that “Readers are Leaders” and want to encourage primary school pupils to continue reading whilst at home to improve attainment and creativity. According to National Literacy Trust, 57% of children and young people who engage in technology-based texts, such as blogs, enjoy reading and writing more and have more of a positive attitude towards writing. It is also found that technology based materials are the most frequently read, with almost two thirds of children and young people reading websites each week.

Oluwaseyi Oke, Marketing Executive for MoneyGram said “We are delighted to be giving out these Kindle e-readers and school supplies”. He adds, “MoneyGram is not just in the business of sending money, but we are also interested in giving back to the community and supporting education in particular”.

Names of Schools that benefited from the Campaign: 1 - Homleigh Primary School, Dunsmure road, London, N16 5PU 2 - Nightingale Primary School, rendlesham road, hackney London, e5 8ph 3 - North Beckton Primary School, Harrier Way, London, E6 5XG 4- Ellen Wilkinson Primary School 5 - Drew Primary School 6 - Star Primary School 7 - Vicarage Primary School 8 - Winsor Primary School 9 - Homleigh Primary School

Emmanuel invites all to Festival of Life A humble persona of the Christian

oversee in celebration of worship,

to meet all issues e.g. childlessness, fi-

Christian Church of God, Mr. A. A. A.

multitudes of congregation of both the

if one is able to attend the annual event

faith belonging to the Redeemed Emmanuel is notifying all and sundry

of the Church’s UK programme tagged the Festival of Life where the leader A.A.A Emmanuel (JP) “Nigeria’s future president”

and General Overseer of the church, Pastor E.A. Adeboye is expected to

praise and biblical teachings to the Christian and other faiths alike. Mr.

Emmanuel supports his message from Isaiah 55:6 ‘Seek the Lord while He

may be found; call Him while He is near’. He advocates that God is able

nancial open heavens, settlement, etc and join up in the ministration service.

Date is 18th October, 2013 from 8pm at the Excel Exhibition Centre, Docklands, London.

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Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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News

Gambia quits Commonwealth By Alan Oakley

Gambia’s government has issued a statement announcing the former colony is withdrawing from membership of the Commonwealth with immediate effect and vowing never to return.

Part of the statement reads: “[The] government has withdrawn its membership of the British Commonwealth and decided that the Gambia will never be a member of any neo-colonial institution and will never be a party to any institution that represents an extension of colonialism.” The Commonwealth bloc is a voluntary association of 54 countries, many of them former territories of the British Empire. A popular destination for British tourists, Gambia has been condemned in the past by the British government for human rights failings, including when it executed nine death-row inmates by firing squad in August of last year.

Gambia President and controversial figure, Yahya Jammeh

Rights groups such as Amnesty International have also criticised the government of President Yahya Jammeh for cracking down on dissent and targeting political opponents and sexual minorities for arrest and detention, among other alleged abuses.

Earlier this year, Gambia was singled out for its poor rights record in Britain’s annual Human Rights and Democracy report, which cited cases of unlawful detentions, illegal closures of newspapers and radio stations and discrimination against minority groups. Last year, President Yahya Jammeh warned foreign diplomats that his country would not be “bribed” with aid to accept homosexuality. “If you are to give us aid for men and men or for women and women to marry, leave it. We don’t need your aid because as far as I am the president of the Gambia, you will never see that happen in this country,” he said. No official confirmation as to what triggered the decision to leave the Commonwealth has been offered but there is speculation that the decision came after the government rejected a proposal by the Commonwealth last year to create commissions in Banjul to protect human rights, media rights and fight against corruption.

A spokesman at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said early Thursday: “We would very much regret Gambia, or any other country, deciding to leave the Commonwealth.” He noted however that “decisions on Commonwealth membership are a matter for each member government”. The Gambia is Africa’s smallest mainland nation. The Portuguese, French, and British empires have competed for colonial supremacy in the West African state since the mid-fifteenth century. It is estimated that well over three million people from present-day Gambia were sold into slavery during the transatlantic slave trade. Today’s Gambian boundaries were formed in 1889 as the area became a British Crown Colony known as British Gambia. It formed its own executive and legislative councils in 1901, and on February 18, 1965 Gambia gained independence as a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth of Nations.

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Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

Ghana’s ‘terrible’ economy angers donors The Multi-Donor budget support group which, contributes about 50 percent ﬁnancial support to Ghana’s annual budget, has issues with the country’s huge expenditure of 74 percent of revenue, on public sector wages, as well as the unstable local currency.

Economist and Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis, Dr Joe Abbey.

The decision by the donors was reached after their annual review of Ghana’s economy. They came to a conclusion that there were disparities between the visions of the two parties and thus, decided to temporarily withhold their budgetary support. Economist and Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis, Dr. Joe Abbey, has told XYZ News the donors “have not been able to bridge a little bit of a gap in a shared vision, a shared assessment of where we are and where we are going and so they have not reached so called closure”. According to Dr. Abbey, “…the result is that these donors are not disbursing some of the aid to Ghana because they have not been able to come to the same page and so there is the need to resolve whatever differ-

ences in perceptions between the government and the donors as to where we are, ﬁrst of all, so that the donors will see their way clear to be able to disburse”. He suggests that Ghana institutes a homegrown two-year programme with clearly spelt our objectives, which the donors must be aware of, toward resolving the impasse. Dr. Abbey warns of dire consequences for Ghana’s budgetary outcome for the coming years if the Government fails to resolve the impasse with the Donors. “We need to…solve any problems that are lingering between us and the donors because if we don’t solve that, the budgetary outcome will be much much worse than we want and people who don’t know and sitting outside will form an even worse view of us than they already have”, he observed. He explained that one of the consequences could be a downward rating of Ghana’s economy by international ratings agencies whose “views matter in ﬁnancial markets” as far as borrowing is concerned “whether they are wrong or right”.

Togo Urges Africa to Emulate Chinese Development Model

Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey has urged African countries to learn from the Chinese experience on matters of development.

“Through the Chinese experience and China’s support, Africa should be able to craft its own development path and become a master of its own future,” he said on Saturday during a dinner hosted by the Chinese ambassador to Togo, Wang Zuofeng, on the occasion to mark the 64th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Dussey hailed the courageous economic reforms that China initiated for several decades and which enabled the country to become the second largest economy in the world. “The spectacular economic outcome 8

shows without any doubt that hard work, determination and discipline are the only ways that a developing country can achieve similar results,” he said, noting that China remains a model for Africa. The Togolese chief diplomat reafﬁrmed his country’s determination to continue supporting the principle of “One and Indivisible China.” Ambassador Wang said China and Togo are “traditional friends and China still remembers the strong support it got from Togo for several years on issues of vital interest to China.” He said China will continue working with Togo to consolidate and deepen the traditional friendship between the peoples of the two nations as well as strengthen the Sino-Togo cooperation relation.

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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FG adopts policy to purchase Made-in-Nigeria vehicles By Peter Olorunnisomo

Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan The Federal Government has approved the Automotive Industrial Policy Development Plan for the country.

The decision was taken at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan last Wednesday in Abuja. By implementing the policy, it is expected that government would be able to signiﬁcantly reduce the high vehicle importation bill which stood at $3.4bn (N550bn) in 2012.

Consequently, the Federal Government has said that all vehicles purchased by it will be from local assembly plants, except where they are specialised and cannot be produced in the country. As is the norm, brieﬁng at the end of the meeting was undertaken by the Ministers of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku; Federal Capital Territory, Bala Muhammed; and Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga. Aganga said the policy was aimed at transforming the Nigerian automotive in-

Privatisation Council endorses sale of 10 Discos

dustry and attracting investments into the sector. He pointed out that a situation where the nation spent N4.2bn on the importation of vehicles in 2010 was eating deep into the foreign reserves. In arriving at the policy which took about nine months to put together, the Hon. Minister, Mr. Aganga said government got the input of some car manufacturing giants like Nissan and Toyota. These companies, he added, would soon announce their investments in the country. He said, “A transformed automotive industry will realise its potential as a major driver of economic growth and diversiﬁcation, job creation, local value addition, and technology acquisition. “These recommendations were adopted at various conferences and consultations with stakeholders, including some original equipment manufacturers. After deliberation, the Council approved the Automotive Industrial Policy Development Plan. “Council also approved that the government should direct that all vehicle purchased by the government should be from the local assembly plants unless it is specialised in nature and the NAC has certiﬁed that it is not produced in Nigeria “The Council approved that the recommendation should be backed by appropriate legislation to give comfort to investors that

17 Boko Haram members charged to Court

The Federal Government has charged 17 suspected Boko Haropment the reserved bidder, Eastern Elec- am members before a Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged tric, is kicking against. Interstate is linked to businessman, Eme- involvement in acts of terrorism.

Arc. Namadi Sambo, V-President & Chair of NCP

As part of the reforms affecting electricity generation and distribution, ten (10) power distribution companies referred to as DISCOs under the aegis of the National Council on Privation policy endorsement. The National Council on Privatisation (NCP), which is chaired by Vice-President Namadi Sambo has ratiﬁed the sale of 10 electricity distribution companies (DISCOS) including the Enugu Disco, for which the reserve bidder is challenging the sale in court. The preferred bidder, Interstate Consortium, had reportedly failed to meet payment deadline but still secured the deal, a devel-

ka Offor, while eastern electric is linked to former minister of power, Barth Nnaji. Chairman of the NCP Technical SubCommittee on the sale process, Mr. Atedo Peterside, who conﬁrmed the eventual sale, however declined to give details of how the issue was resolved because it’s now before the courts. The announcement of the sale is coming at a time Nigerians have expressed concern over the Enugu Disco. Mr. Osita Okechukwu in a press conference gave the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) an ultimatum to furnish the Nigerian public on the sale in line with the freedom of information act or face legal action. Meanwhile, the bulk of the proceeds from the sales is being used for the payment of severance entitlements to about 49,000 workers of the Power Holding Company Of Nigeria (PHCN) According to the NCP all payments are scheduled to be completed by September 27, while the formal hand-over of the companies to the new owners will be done in October.

there will be no abrupt change in policy.” He added that his ministry had taken note of what led to the collapse of similar policies in the past and had taken measures to avoid the same fate for the new policy. According to the minister, highlights of the new policy include the establishment of three automotive clusters across the country, the revival of the metal/steel sector and the tyre manufacturing industry to support the sector. Aganga added that the government would work on tariff to encourage local manufacture and discourage importation of vehicles. Mohammed said the Council also approved the rehabilitation and expansion of the outer Southern Expressway in the FCT from the Villa Roundabout to the OSEX/ Ring Road 1(RR1) junction, including five interchanges, in the sum of N39bn. He said the project was aimed at ensuring free flow of traffic and significantly reduce travel time in and out of the city. The minister said, “The existing segment of the OSEX from the Villa roundabout to RR1 is only partially developed with a two-lane main carriageway and one twolane service carriageway as against the 10-lane expressway provided in the Abuja Master Plan.”

The accused are Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim Usman, Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala, Kadiri Mohammed, Mustapha Daura, Abba Duguri, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya, and Musa Audu. Others are Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani. The arraignment of the suspects, which was earlier slated for Wednesday, was stalled owing to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Musa Kurya. Justice Kurya was said to be out of Lagos for other ofﬁcial engagement. The case was, however, adjourned to October 9 and 10 for arraignment and commencement of trial of the suspects. The accused were charged by the Federal Government on an eight-count criminal charge bordering on conspiracy and acts of terrorism. At the last adjourned date, the accused were docked, but the charges could not be read to them due to the absence of an

interpreter to read the charge in the language understood by them. Justice Kurya had then adjourned the case to October 2, following an application for adjournment made by the prosecutor, Lawal Pedro (SAN). Pedro, who is the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Justice, had alleged in the charge that the accused committed the offence on March 21 at Plot 5, road 69, Lekki Phase 1 Housing Estate, and No. 24 Oyegbeni Street, Ijora Oloye in Apapa area of Lagos. It was further alleged that three packets of explosive packed in construction pipes, 15 detonators, and 11 AK 47 riﬂes loaded with 30 rounds of life ammunitions, were recovered from the accused at their hideout. The government also alleged that about 200 rounds of 7.6 mm life ammunition, 2 suit cases containing explosives, and one water container also habouring explosives, were recovered from the accused. The offences for which the accused are charged, are said to contravene the provisions of Sections 1, 8, 27 (1) (a), and (b) of the Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation, 2004. 9

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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Osun lawmakers endorse Aregbesola for second term Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration has been described as the reincarnation of the progressives in the Southwest.

The senator representing Osun Central District, Prof. Sola Adeyeye, spoke yesterday at a rally organised by the Osun State Forum of Legislators to mobilise support for Aregbesola’s re-election. The rally was held at the Freedom Park in Osogbo, the state capital. The forum comprises three senators, nine House of Representatives’ members and 26 House of Assembly members. The legislators said Aregbesola’s achievements in the past three years were visible to the public. They said Osun was lucky to have a visionary leader like Aregbesola, whose preoccupation is the well-being of the masses. The forum unanimously endorsed Aregbesola for a second term after a motion moved by Mr. Ayo Omidiran (Ayedaade, Irewole and Isokan Constituency) was seconded by Mr. Timothy Owoeye from Ile-

sha East Constituency. It said: “We endorsed Aregbesola for a second term because of his administration’s laudable programmes and prompt delivery of the dividends of democracy. We endorsed him for his vision and mission to develop the state. His achievements are visible to everyone. “His programmes are people-centred. Opon Imo is a unique e-learning tool all over the world. Osun is lucky to have Aregbesola as governor. This is why we endorsed him to continue his good work in office.” Aregbesola said it was the first time in Nigeria that all elective officers in a state, except the governor and his deputy, would endorse a governor for a second term. Noting that the programmes and policies of other parties could not be compared to those of the APC, he said: “We thank God and the people of the state for the opportunity they gave us to serve them. The past administration spent close to eight years, yet we did not see what it achieved. In our three years in office, things have completely changed for the better. “Our people are witnesses to the develop-

ment in the state and the progress we have recorded. We have the will to do more. I assure you that this our ﬁrst term is meant to lay solid foundations in all sectors. So what you are commending us for is just a tip of the iceberg. “Our second term will witness enormous developments, such that this state would be one of the best, if not the best, in the country.”

Also at the occasion were Deputy Governor Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salam; Secretary to the State Government Moshood Adeoti; the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; former Deputy Governor Chief Sooko Adeyemo; Senators Jide Omoworare and Mudasir Hussein; Elder Peter Babalola; Alhaji Fatai Diekola; Alhaji Sule Alao; Mr. G. O. Lawal and other APC chieftains.

Governor State of Osun , Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at the launch of Opon Imo

Photos: Taofeeq Adejare

From Left - Former Minister Aviation, Mr. Femi Fanikayode , Governor State of Osun , Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Barrister. Femi Faturoti during a Courtesy Visit to the Governor, at Ofﬁce of the Governor, Abere Osogbo

Students with Opon Imo (tablet of knowledge)

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed to probe private jet dope find The most powerful ﬁgure in British horse racing, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is said to have launched an enquiry into how one of his private jets was found to contain equine medicines that are unlicensed for use in the UK.

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

A beaming Sheikh Mohammed and junior wife HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein enjoying Derby day

Bangladesh

Nationalist Party MP sentenced to death for war crimes

Chowdhury’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party is calling his death sentence politically motivated.

A Bangladesh war crimes tribunal has sentenced opposition party MP Salauddin Quader Chowdhury to death for atrocities committed during the country’s 1971 war of independence with Pakistan.

Chowdhury was found guilty on nine out of 23 charges of rape, torture and genocide. He has been judged to have been responsible for killing some 200 civilians and collaborating with Pakistan’s army to kill and

torture unarmed people, as well as other crimes. Security was beefed up in Dhaka and Chittangong, Chowdhury’s home town, as a precaution against protests over the verdict. The tribunal’s decision on Chowdhury’s fate comes hot on the heels of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court deciding Islamist leader Abdul Quader Mollah, already given a life sentence for his role in the 1971 conﬂict, should now be hanged. Opposition parties have been criticising the war tribunal’s verdicts as a political vendetta. More than 100 people have been killed in protests against war crimes verdicts since the start of this year. Emerging from the courtroom, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said: “The verdict is justiﬁed...He was given death penalty on four charges which were heinous genocides.” One of Chowdhury’s sons said the judgement would be challenged in the Supreme Court. He claimed the verdict was prepared by the law ministry instead of the tribunal as it was leaked on the internet. Salauddin Quader Chowdhury is the son of former acting president and parliamentary speaker of Pakistan, Fazlul Quader Chowdhury, who died in prison soon after being sentenced for his role as a collaborator of the Pakistan army during the war of independence.

Among the drugs were hypodermics which should only be given by a vet and 100 doses of Tildren, a drug which encourages regeneration of bone tissue, and which if prescribed would only be given to a horse once or twice a year. The extraordinary haul of medicines was seized and destroyed at Stansted airport by the UK Border Agency in May. The seizure was followed in August by a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs raid on Moorley Farm during which more unlicensed were found. The farm, near Newmarket, is owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s ¬Darley breeding operation and used as a summer base for his endurance racing horses, which

spend the rest of the year in Dubai. The Dubai ruler was banned from endurance riding for six months by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in 2009 after a horse he had ridden tested positive for a steroid, and horses trained in stables owned by the Maktoum family have been implicated in 24 doping cases in the sport since 2005. His junior wife, Princess Haya of Jordan, is FEI president and has campaigned since 2006 for a cleaner sport. She will meet former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Stevens on Tuesday to discuss the seizures. This year, Mohammed’s Moulton Paddocks stables in Newmarket was the site of the biggest doping scandal in British racing history when it emerged that trainer Mahmood al-Zarooni had administered anabolic steroids to 22 racehorses owned by the Sheikh. Al-Zarooni was banned for eight years by the British Horse¬racing Authority, which did not interview Sheikh Mohammed as part of its investigation into the affair.

Greece

Greek neo-Nazis cheered as they appear in court

Ilias Panagiotaros was deﬁant on his way into court Tuesday

Some of the arrested leaders of Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn appeared in court on Tuesday supported outside by dozens of protesters chanting Nazi slogans.

The preliminary hearing reviewed the allegations against party spokesman Ilias Kassidiaris, and MPs Ilias Panagiotaros, Yiannis Lagos and Nikos Mihos, who were among 22 members rounded up in a police operation targeting the group following the fatal stabbing of a Greek anti-fascist rap singer on September 17. Nikos Michaloliakos,

the party’s leader, is to appear in court for his deposition on Wednesday. Panagiotaros raised his handcuffed ﬁsts in the air and proclaimed his innocence, shouting: “This fairy tale has no end!” The court magistrate will decide if the suspects will be kept in detention pending trial. The killing of Pavlos Fyssas - who bled to death after being stabbed twice in the heart and chest in what prosecutors said was a premeditated attack - has prompted protests across Greece, a shake-up of the police and a broad investigation of the party. 11

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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News

Scores killed in another migrant boat tragedy

Rescued migrants look anxiously towards the peril still facing some of their colleagues

More than 200 African migrants are feared dead after a boat carrying about 500 people caught fire and capsized near the Sicilian island of Lampedusa.

On Thursday morning as African Voice went to press only 150 passengers had been pulled from the water alive, while the number of confirmed dead had reached 82. Rescue efforts were ongoing. Trying to hold back tears, Mayor Giuisi Nicolini said pregnant women

and children are amongst the dead and presumed dead. “The survivors are in a state of shock. They have been in the water since the early hours of the morning,” Ms Nicolini told Sky News. Ms Nicolini said the migrants - believed to be from Eritrea and Somalia - told her they lit a small fire on their boat around half a mile from the shore to attract the attention of coast guards after their vessel suffered engine failure. After the fire spread, the ensuing panic

caused the boat to flip over, she said. First on the scene were passengers on nearby pleasure boats who heard the screams, according to rescue workers. Shocked and grief-stricken survivors wrapped in thermal blankets were being treated on the scene and taken to a local hospital. Officials said the bodies were being taken to an airport hangar because of the large numbers. Prosecutors have already opened a multiple murder inquiry. In a tweet, Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta called the incident “an immense tragedy”. Lampedusa is an Italian island lying between Tunisia and Sicily and is a ma-

jor entryway for asylum-seekers into the European Union, with thousands arriving every year. Numbers have increased in recent weeks, leading to a number of tragedies. On Monday (September 30), 13 Eritrean migrants drowned as they tried to swim ashore when their boat ran aground off Sicily near the city of Ragusa. In a similar incident near Catania in another part of Sicily in August, six young Egyptian men drowned trying to reach the shore. Pope Francis visited Lampedusa in July on his first trip outside Rome as pontiff and called for an end to “indifference” to the plight of refugees. He said at a mass

Exhausted rescue worker survey a line of dead bodies from the stricken vessel

Minister for Africa concerned with violent developments in Sudan

Sudan Prime Minister

Commenting on reports of Sudanese security forces’ crackdown on demonstrations and use of excessive force against protesters in Khartoum , FCO Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, said:

“I am shocked and saddened by reports of Sudanese security forces’ use of excessive force against protesters in Khartoum and other Sudanese cities over the last five days, which has resulted in many deaths and injured hundreds of protesters. I want to offer my sympathy and condolences for all the victims and their families. “I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint and I call on the Sudanese Gov12

ernment to cease the use of live ammunition immediately. “I am also concerned at the large number of detentions, including of a number of journalists and political activists, and by the heavy censorship of the press and closure of international news agencies. The Government of Sudan must respect the right of its people to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. “These events demonstrate the importance of all parties in Sudan engaging in a meaningful comprehensive national dialogue to build a more prosperous, stable and peaceful Sudan. The UK is committed to helping Sudan work towards this vision.”

Meanwhile the UK welcomes first ever democratic legislative elections in Guinea, which are a big step forward in Guinea’s democratic development A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson said: “The UK welcomes the first ever democratic legislative elections in Guinea, held on 28 September. Although long delayed, they represent a significant step forward in the development of Guinea’s democracy and we congratulate the people of Guinea for voting peacefully and in such large numbers. We also congratulate Guinean politicians for coming together, facilitated by UN Special Representative

Protests in Sudan

Said Djinnit, to resolve their differences so the elections could finally take place. “As we await the results, we encourage Guinea’s politicians to maintain the same calmness and responsibility shown by the people of Guinea during voting. Peaceful legislative elections will make it easier for Guinea to attract more good quality international investment. Following the peaceful completion of these elections we will redouble our efforts to encourage more UK investors to join those already in Guinea, helping to develop its potential.”

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Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

News

Plane leaving Lagos crashes and explodes Eight passengers have been confirmed dead after a plane crashed on take-off after running into difficulties at Nigeria’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The charter plane, which conflicting reports suggest was carrying about 20 passengers and seven crew, hit a structure and burst into flames after the engine failed, according to a Nigerian Airspace Management Agency spokesperson. The Associated Airlines plane was bound for Akure in the south-west of the country. Assuring reporters that rescue efforts are continuing, Ibrahim Farinloye of the National Emergency Management Agency said: “We have recovered eight bodies so far, while one person who is badly injured is being taken to the hospital. Unconfirmed reports say the plane was chartered to transport the body of Dr Olusegun Agagu, former governor of Ondo state, who died suddenly at his home in Lagos almost three weeks ago. His funeral is due to take place on October 4th in the district of Iju-Odo. If this

speculation proves to be accurate, the plane is also likely to have been carrying several members of the governor’s family. Murtala Muhammed Airport was previously the scene of tragedy in June 2012, when 163 people were killed after Dana Air Flight 992 crashed into a furniture works and printing press building. News of the accident, which quickly spread to the nooks and crannies of the country, has left many people with speculations of who and who were truly on board the aircraft. It was thought that given the personality of the late ex-Governor, a number of dignitaries may have also been involved in the accident but it has not been clear yet those reported to have lost their lives. While the Federal Ministry of Aviation has taken steps in the last few years to sanitise the safety values and precautions at the nation’s airports, the cause of this airport which has been attributed to a failed engine by the aircraft exonerates, until proven otherwise, any possible lapse on the path of the management of the Murtala Muhammed airport.

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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CRIME

Man jailed for forcing Ofﬁcer sentenced for sex woman to miscarry offences against a child

The accused, Anthony Gayle

A South London gang member has been jailed for ﬁrearms and drugs offences following a proactive investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service’s Trident Gang Crime Command. 27th September at Woolwich Crown Court, Anthony Gayle, 23 (03.06.90) of

Peckham was giving sentences totaling over 30 years after he was found in possession of a submachine gun, a loaded firearm, a large amount of ammunition and Class A drugs, namely crack cocaine and heroin, with a street value of £3,000. At court Gayle also admitted that £29,065 recovered in cash from his previous address was derived from crime, specifically selling cannabis - the money was therefore forfeited by the court. Gayle was sentenced to 12 years for two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life; nine years for three counts of possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life, namely 101 rounds; and 11 years and three months for three counts of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply, namely crack cocaine and heroin. These sentences are to run concurrently. Gayle pleaded guilty to the above offences at the same court on 1 May 2013 and was remanded in custody until his sentencing.

A serving police ofﬁcer has today, Monday 30 September, been sentenced to 21 months in prison having pleaded guilty to sexual offences against a child.

Andrew Gouge, 34 (13.10.78), formerly based within Territorial Policing, pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday 2 September to: = Meeting a child following grooming; = Sexual activity with a child. Gouge, of Bromley, was arrested on Wednesday 24 April after witnesses saw him kissing and fondling a young girl in Orpington. Inquiries established that Gouge had ﬁrst met the victim, who was aged 13 years at the time, via an internet chatroom where he engaged her in conversation. After exchanging BBM details they then met up on a number of occasions, usually in public parks, where they would kiss. Following his arrest Gouge was taken to Lewisham police station and subsequently charged as above. DCI Pete Thomas, from the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse

Command, said: “Andrew Gouge has shown himself to be someone who has targeted, groomed and exploited a vulnerable young child for his own sexual needs. His conduct has caused signiﬁcant harm and the investigation highlights the need to remain vigilent to the risks posed by social media and the internet in order to safeguard children. The Metropolitan Police Service is committed to protecting children and bringing sexual predators like Gouge to justice.” Commander Allan Gibson, Directorate of Professional Standards, said: “Gouge signed up to protect and serve his community; but seriously failed in that commitment and has caused untold harm to the victim, her family and his own friends and colleagues. He has tarnished the reputation of both the organisation and his colleagues. All members of the police service are expected to behave impeccably whilst on and off duty. Gouge did no such thing.” He will also be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and a Restraining Order. Gouge will now be subject to a full misconduct hearing.

Thief snared in trap car operation

‘Smart security dye is invisible to the naked eye but shows up clearly under special UV light

A man has been convicted of stealing from a car after he was sprayed with a substance which proved his guilt.

Yafet Askale, 28 (21.01.1985), of Harlesden Gardens, Harlesden was sentenced to a community order for 49 hours and £400 costs at Brent Magistrates’ Court on the 27 September 2013 for theft from motor vehicle. Early this year a trap car with SmartWater traceable liquid was set up in

Harlesden. On Monday 10 June 2013, an activation was received indicating that the vehicle had been broken into and property taken. The suspect was later located where he was found to be in possession of the stolen property and arrested. When Askale stole items from the car, including a laptop, he activated a spray system where he was covered with the substance. Ultra violet lights showed that Askale

covered in the spray proving that he had broken into the car - which is illustrated in these images released by Brent Police. Askale was charged with theft and attended Hendon Magistrates’ Court on the 22 July where he pleaded not guilty to theft from motor vehicle. He stood trial at Brent Magistrates’ Court on 27 September where he was found guilty of theft from motor vehicle. Brent Police have recently been working with SmartWater using trap cars and trap houses equipped with technology to deter thieves from committing crime in Brent and also to catch those that do. Harlesden residents have also been provided with free kits to mark valuable property with the substance within their homes which has seen them enjoy an 80 percent reduction in burglary and a 40 percent reduction in street robbery. Detective Inspector Madeline Ryder of Brent Police said: “This is another excellent example of the thorough work completed by Brent Ofﬁcers. Using the trap car technology, we were able to charge Askale and put him before the courts. “The trap car forms part of an over-

all crime reduction strategy designed by SmartWater, which is an effective weapon in the armoury of tools that we routinely use in Brent. We will continue to target those who are insistent on committing these types of offence.” “Brent Police say very clearly to any would be thieves - Don’t come to Brent

Cyber bully arrested A 23 year old male has been arrested for cyber bullying after the IP address of the accused was secured.

According to the report, Allistair Middler had been harassing the victim for many years. The victim was a 19 year old girl who abused across a number of different social media sites. The victim was barraged with messages about her weight, gothic clothing and rat like facial features. Experts say cyberbullying can have a ‘catastrophic’ impact on self-esteem and have called for parents and regulators to recognise the seriousness of the issue. The accused will ﬁnd out his fate in the coming weeks.

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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Sounds of Diaspora People of America

Legend survives heart attack – thanks to Jesus (and asprin)

Smartphone maker may have to pay for its sins

rock ‘n’ roll pioneer told an audience of about 150 people that a tour bus with a hospital bed in it had brought him to the event for the local chapter of the Recording Academy.

Little Richard is much older and tubbier but his stylistic excesses are scarcely diminished

Rock ’n’ roll royalty Little Richard has revealed that he suffered a heart attack last week. Speaking with Cee Lo Green on Sunday in Atlanta, the

The 80-year-old singer, who was born in Georgia, initially didn’t realise he was having a heart attack. “I was coughing, and my right arm was aching,” he told Green. “I told my son, ‘Make the room as cold as ice.’ So he turned the air conditioning on, and I took a baby aspirin. The doctor told me that saved my life. Jesus had something for me. He brought me through.” Born Richard Penniman in 1932, Little Richard was one of the most popular rock ‘n’ roll stars during the genre’s 1950s heyday. Artists then and since have cited his music, extrovert showmanship and gender-bending style as influential on their own careers. Others have quietly plagiarised the legend, whether consciously or otherwise. The piano-pounding rocker’s hits include Tutti-Frutti, Long Tall Sally and Good Golly, Miss Molly.

Is Tyra biting the hand that feeds her?

Nina Simone’s unusual vocals and arrangement may have inspired HTC to use Sinnerman in the company’s “You Are Different” campaign

Taiwanese mobile phone maker HTC is being sued by Nina Simone’s estate for the unauthorised use of her recording of Sinnerman in their “You Are Different” commercial.

Simone’s brought the lawsuit against HTC because they claim the smartphone company used the song in a commercial without getting permission or obtaining the rights to the song. HTC have yet to respond but Nina Simone’s estate has a good track record for getting payouts for the late singer’s intellectual property.

Though Nina Simone is inextricably linked with Sinnerman, the song is a traditional Negro spiritual of unknown origin. It has been recorded by several artists before and since Simone’s 1965 version, notably by 1960s folk trio, Peter, Paul and Mary. A slightly altered version with the title Downpressor was recorder by the Wailers, with Peter Tosh taking the lead, and later as Downpressor Man by Tosh on his own and by enigmatic Irish singer Sinead O’Connor.

Tyra Banks is acknowledged as one of the most successful models in history and one of the world’s 100 most influential people, according to TIME magazine

Model, actress and TV entrepreneur Tyra Banks has filed lawsuits against at least 10 wig manufacturers for using her name and image to promote and sell their products. Banks is renowned for wearing wigs and weaves to the extent that few could have said what her real hair looked like – assuming she had any – until she revealed all in 2009. She recently published photographs of her dressed and posed as 15 fellow supermodels (presumably with their permission) using various hairpieces. The 39-year-old tweeted: “NO PHOTOSHOP! Unretouched. Real. Raw.” and sent big thanks to ‘hours of hair & makeup!” The creator and presenter of America’s Next Top Model wants $10 million in damages and an injunction to prevent

companies selling hairpieces using her name, trademarks or likeness. According to TMZ, the Los Angelesbased companies are using photos of Banks to inspire several of their wigs. Whilst it would be difficult to legislate against this even in ultra-litigious America, the companies have also used her name, photographs, image, identity or trademarks without seeking the model’s approval. Websites for these wig companies feature photos of wigs for sale that come in various styles of Tyra Banks-inspired ‘hairdos’. Some items are priced as high as $300. To support the level of damages for which she is suing, Banks reportedly cited her 11 page-long profile on IMDb, the ubiquitous database of TV and film personnel, as evidence to prove the extent of her fame.

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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Gospel

WHAT YOU BELIEVE MATTERS A LOT

“Believe in the Lord, your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” 2 Chro. 20:20.

By Michael Adekoya One of the most significant messages I am hearing from the Holy Spirit right now is that God is looking for believers - readily available and dependable people around the world who will carry out God’s divine purposes on earth. But, what He is seeing instead are believers who have become like the nobleman mentioned in 2 Kings 7:2. The Scripture declares that there was a terrible famine in the City of Samaria at one time. It was so bad that food prices soared astronomically. The great famine lasted so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty pieces of shekels; a cup of dove’s dung sold for five pieces of shekel and the people were eating each other. The king of Samaria blamed this national economic crisis on God and on Elisha. He then sent his messenger to Elisha to kill him but later came to inquire of the Lord from Elisha. Elisha replied the king and said, “Listen to this message from the Lord! This is what the Lord says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel.” 2 King 7:1. And the Bible says, “The officer assisting the king said to the man of God, “That couldn’t happen even if the Lord opened the windows of heaven!” 2 King 7:2. My friend, can you imagine that? The man mentioned in the verse was a leader in Samaria a lord - on whom the king depended. Yet, he had trouble believing the words of the Lord, spoken by Prophet Elijah. Typical! Isn’t it? The man saw only the impossible. He didn’t see that tomorrow could bring change. Doesn’t that sound a lot like us today? Yes, we pray

and pray but do we really believe in the promises of God? Listen! In this day and age, it matters what and who you believe! Unbelief is the most deadly virus that can poison a human soul. It is the monarch sin, the parent sin, the deadly sin, the contagious sin and the masterpiece of Satan. It robs. It blinds. It grinds and dooms. And the devil is trying to chloroform even the Lord’s redeemed, even church leaders, with this pestilent potion. My friend, it might shock you if you could know how much unbelief there is in many Christian hearts. How many lands of promise we are prevented from entering because of our unbelief! Many of us, instead of trusting God and going forward, are being driven back from the border of the Promised Land of salvation, deliverance, healing, victory and blessing. Today, many Christians are excluded from the peace and joy which might be theirs, shut out from fullness of power, deprived of usefulness, disarmed for conquest, and robbed of physical and emotional healing! Because of our doubts, we look upon situations as though they can never be remedied; we look at problems as though they can never be solved, we look at conditions as though they can never be changed, we look at diseases as though they can never be healed, we look at troubled relationship as though they cannot be reconciled and restored. My friend, imperative indeed is the need of bringing our unbelieving hearts before the Lord Jesus Christ, crying out, “Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief!” Doubt is fatal. We cannot afford to waiver in faith. Jesus is leaning on us to do something supernatural,

Are you looking for a church?

Not settled in any particular congregation? Perhaps now is the time to pray about it If you are not yet saved try one of the following: Jubilee International Churchmeets at 2,30pm on Sundays at Kings Avenue, school, park hill. London SW4. Part of Jubilee International Churches worldwide. For information, you may call (020)8697 3354 New Wine Christian Church- 11am holds meeting at Ringcross Tennants club, Lough Road, Holloway, N7. a member of the Icthus fellowship

worldwide. For more information call 020 7609 959 or 07957 757 663. Praise Tabernacle- 10:30am holds meetings at 620 Western Avenue (A40), park royal Business centre, opposite Warner Bros. Cinema Complex, W3. part of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. For information you may call 020 8993 3010 New Life Christian Centre 10.30am & 6.00pm. meetings at Cairo New Road, Croydon. The church has

but we see only the impossible. This is why we quit praying and fail to accept our spiritual responsibilities in our homes, families, churches, schools, communities, city and nation. My friend, unbelief blocks miracles. The Bible says, “When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country. He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?”… Then they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own country and in his own house.” Now He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.” Matt. 13:53-58. The people of Nazareth recognized that Jesus had a reputation for performing miracles and speaking with extraordinary wisdom. But, although Jesus was present

in their midst, they didn’t receive His wisdom or experience His miracles in their own lives. Why not? The Bible gives two reasons: They looked at Jesus in human terms, as just a man, and they were filled with unbelief. They didn’t believe that Jesus could perform miracles for them. They didn’t have the faith or willingness even to ask Him to help with their problems. This lack of faith prevented Jesus from doing “many miracles there.” They missed their visitation and opportunity. Jesus had to move on to other towns where people had faith and didn’t allow their biases to block the work of God. Today, these two hindrances still keep many people from receiving God’s Word, God’s wisdom and experiencing His miracles. Instead of being filled with faith, they approach their problems with doubt and unbelief. They fail to realize that God is still the God of covenant and sudden miracles, and

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

His Word still is true. With Him, nothing and absolutely nothing is impossible (Matt. 17:20). My friend, God is looking at our hearts every time. Are you filled with faith or unbelief? Do you come to God with expectation or doubts? Are you blinded by your biases, discrimination or prejudice? Do you trust God and believe Him for miracles? Maybe you believe in God but do you believe in His prophets? Ask God to help you put aside your human limitations. Be willing to believe God boldly. Truly, He can do all things. He is ready to give you wisdom and miracles if you believe and don’t doubt. Jesus says, “If you will believe, you will see the glory of God.” John 11:40. You must not allow doubt or any form of unbelief to immobilize you this week, in this new month or this year. home, church, school, work-place,

Sunday Service: Sundays 10am - 1pm Winners Chapel London- part of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, at Unit B1 Galleywall Trading Estate, South Bermondsey, London SE16 3PB meets Sunday 7am & 9am and 11am and Wednesdays at 7pm. For details call 020 7237 7894 CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH GRAVESEND, ST. AIDAIN’S CHURCH, ST. AIDAN’S WAY, GRAVESEND, KENT, DA12 4AG TEL. 01474 355 841, 07956 38 38 70 TIME OF WORSHIP: Wednesday Bible Study: 7:30pm to 9:00pm Friday, Night Vigil: 9pm to 11pm Sunday Worship: 12:30pm to 3:00pm

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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Africa Newsround

Uganda

Uganda appeals for international support for refugee intake

Thousands of Congolese and Sudanese refugees are sleeping in overcrowded makeshift camps in Uganda

Uganda’s Commissioner of Refugees David Kazungu has declared the nation’s government “worried” over the

high number of refugees coming from neighbouring war-ravaged countries. Over 234,000 refugees have entered

Angola

Campaigners highlight poor Angolans’ latest plight

Street vendors are often made to leave their wares behind before being moved on

A human rights watchdog has said police in Angola are abusing impoverished street vendors in the capital Luanda.

Ofﬁcers are accused of attacking and demanding bribes of street sellers before moving them from their spots. Human Rights Watch ofﬁcials said this is a symptom of wider repression in the oil-rich southern African nation. For the last year, authorities in Angola’s capital have taken a so-called “clean-up” operation to what rights groups say is an abusive level -- harassing, attacking and brutalising the poorest of the poor in southern Africa’s biggest oil producer. That operation has impacted a group that has very little say in how things are run in Angola: street vendors who peddle their wares and are too poor to afford permanent structures. Leslie Lefkow, deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Africa division, said the clean-up itself isn’t the problem -- it’s the way it’s being done. “Many of these

street vendors are women and girls. They are among Angola’s poorest people, they are selling bags of water, or cookies, or roasted corn, or peanuts, things like this, making very little income -- dollars a day. And the street vendors are living in fear because the police are mounting almost daily operations. They descend on these street markets and beat everyone in sight, including pregnant women,” he said. The governor of Luanda announced the initiative in October 2012. Officials said the move would reduce the informal sector in a nation still struggling to piece itself together after a 27-year-long civil war that ended in 2002. Authorities at the time promised to build new markets for the vendors, though those have yet to appear. Lefkow said that there are other hurdles that the government seems unwilling to address. “The problem is, is that there are a number of obstacles for these people who are in the informal sector to actually work formally in markets. Even if they have the money to pay fees to get a licence, for example, many of them don’t even have identity documents,” he noted. “They’ve been living around Luanda for many years. Many of them fled the civil war in Angola and came from other areas. And the government has done virtually nothing to help these people get identity documents, which are key for them to be able to work and live legally and enjoy the benefits of working in the formal sector.” Despite the nation’s vast oil wealth, many Angolans remain desperately poor. The World Bank said the average life expectancy is just 51 years, and UNICEF said more than half the population lives below the poverty level - set at $1.25 per day.

Uganda; some 65 per cent have just crossed from Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. “Many Congolese refugees have crossed into Uganda in recent days following fighting between rebel groups. Their arrival has left the government and humanitarian agencies struggling to meet the refugees’ needs amidst funding challenges. “The situation is very dire. It’s overwhelming... given the massive arrivals of these refugees, and sudden number of this nature, in an area with very limited preparedness to extend humanitarian assistance,” he said. Mr Kazungu sounded the concern during the official commissioning of offices for the Department of Refugees in Kampala. State minister for relief and disaster preparedness, Musa Ecweru said they also face a challenge of land grabbing in areas gazetted for refugee settlement. “The land government allocated to help

settle the refugees when they come into the country in most areas has been either encroached on or grabbed by the locals. So this leaves the ministry with lack of adequate land to settle the incoming refugees,” revealed the minister. He said the refugee department lacks the necessary infrastructure to support the huge influx of the current scale, adding: “The villages were empty. They didn’t have any facilities. We are putting up water systems, sanitation, shelter, education, health facilities and providing food which is all at a cost.” Ecweru appealed for financial assistance from donors and the international community to support the influx of refugees, saying: “The international community and donors have a responsibility to help Uganda share this burden.”

Kenya

Shopkeepers accuse Nairobi mall rescuers of looting

Owners claim abandoned stores were looted by security forces

Soldiers sent in to end the Westgate shopping mall siege in Nairobi are being accused by shop owners returning to their units of looting goods worth thousands of pounds.

The business owners are returning to ﬁnd jewellery, mobile phones and other valuable items have been taken and cash tills have been ransacked. Owners spent Monday removing merchandise and other valuables from their stores and restaurants to prevent any more thefts. Soon after the attack began on September 21, ofﬁcials put a cordon around the mall, allowing only security forces and a few government personnel to pass through. One business owner said money and mobile phones were taken

from bags and purses left behind in the mayhem. Employees of a book shop on the second floor returned to find cash registers yanked open and cash gone. The store’s laptops were also stolen, although none of the books were touched, said owner Paku Tsavani. It is the second time in two months that Kenyan security forces have been accused of robbery after an emergency. There were also reports of looting during a huge fire at Nairobi’s main airport in August. Acknowledging the Westgate thefts, Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku promised: “Those responsible for looting will be prosecuted.” Meanwhile, Kenyan intelligence officials are to be questioned by the country’s MPs about whether they had advance warning of the attack. 17

Friday, 04 October 2013- Thursday 10 October 2013

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African Entertainment News Travelmusic artist

In association with

Celebrities from the world of film, TV and music stormed London It has surely been a very busy few weeks for actress Joselyn Dumas otherwise known as JCD. The Ghanaian beauty who is currently on the set of Lekki Wives in Nigeria flew into London last week.

The screen beauty was interviewed in London on BBC Focus Africa TV and BBC World radio on the same day and left for Accra a few hours later. Sync lens caught up with her at Heathrow Airport as she boarded her flight to Ghana. Fatima Jabbe was among the stars from the film industry that attended the 2013 NAFCA (Nollywood and African Film Critics Awards), also known as the African Oscars. Fatima won the Female Favorite Leading Actor category. The award ceremony was held at the prestigious Warner Theatre in Washington, DC. See page 19 for other celebrities at different locationsâ&#x20AC;Ś Celebrity blogger Linda Ikeji was seen at London Heathrow airport on the eve of her birthday weekend celebrations in London and Manchester.

Fatima Jabbe

Jocelyn Dumas and friends

Credit: Daniel Sync/ Sync PHOTOS

Attendees at the 2013 NAFCA (Nollywood and African Film Critics Awards) in Washington DC USA

Fatima Jabbe with another receipient 18

Fatima Jabbe accepts her

Friday, 04 October 2013- Thursday 10 October 2013

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Entertainment News

18th annual African Film Awards 2013

Other celebrities at different locations…

CALL FOR ENTRIES / NOMINATION OF OUTSTANDING ACTORS!

Are you a filmmaker looking to submit your film?

Are you a member of the film industry and want to come to this year’s African Film Awards? The 18th annual African Film Awards (AFA) is launching its 2013 Call for Entries, inviting filmmakers around the world and especially Nollywood UK to submit feature films, documentaries, shorts and animation works. The AFA 2013 will run November 1-9, and the deadline for submissions is Friday, October 18, with an extended deadline of Friday, October 25. Accepted films will be eligible for category-specific awards. Filmmakers will be notified of their acceptance status by October 25. All materials must be clearly labelled with the name of the film and the person submitting. If you have any questions, please contact Milton Tella at info@africanvoice. co.uk or 020 3737 3077. GUIDELINES Submission packages must be mailed to:Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road

London SW9 7AP Films not in English must include English subtitles. The cost of shipping entries must be paid by the entrant. Submissions will not be returned. If a film is accepted, press materials for the film will be required, which can include but are not limited to: high-resolution publicity stills, filmmaker bio, or online trailer.

London to hold Awards

The 18th African Film Awards aka Afro Hollywood Awards will take place in London Saturday 9th Nov. 2013. The awards will be celebrating excellence in Nollywood & the best of African Cinema. Recipients will include your Nollywood favourite actors and actresses. Buy Your Tickets Now : For tickets send text to 07525 209 154 or email:info@africanvoice.co.uk VIP Tickets £100.00 per head Reserved seating area with diplomats, film stars or celebrities and important personalities with champagne and other assorted drinks plus take away goodies bag. Standard Tickets £50.00 per head Entertainment plus food, soft drinks and water included.

Celebrity blogger Linda Ikeji at London Heathrow airport

Linda Ikeji with a friend

Davido at London Euston Station

Joselyn Dumas at Heathrow Airport as she boarded her flight to Ghana.

Events calendar What’s On & When Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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Arts

Theatre, Shows and Musicals By Ryan Holmes

When three witches tell Macbeth that he is destined to occupy the throne of Scotland, he and his wife choose to become the instruments of their fate and to kill the first man standing in their path, the virtuous King Duncan. But to maintain his position, Macbeth must keep on killing – first Banquo, his old comrade-in-arms; then, as the atmosphere of guilt and paranoia thickens, anyone who seems to threaten his tyrant’s crown. 21 New Globe Walk, London, Greater London SE1 9DT Lenny Henry as Troy and Tanya Moodie as Rose

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Now- November 16th

Always first in line to play the ass, David Walliams hee-haws crowd-pleasingly as donkey-headed Bottom in this sultry reimagining of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, mingling with Sheridan Smith’s lusty Titania and a string of exceptionally chiselled fairies. Set against the backdrop of fairyland’s glistening moon, Shakespeare’s tale of mischief and misplaced devotion is adeptly retold by a talented cast, whose comedic skills bring pace and energy to director Michael Grandage’s turbocharged interpretation. The high octane drama, mirth and calamity of this heady ‘Midsummer Night’ are riotously unpicked as Gavin Fowler’s naughty fairy, Puck, stirs up a love-fuelled frenzy on stage. Noel Coward Theatre. St Martin’s Lane London, WC2N 4AU

Chimerica Now-October 19th

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

record of the truth. Harold Pinter Theatre,6 Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4DN

The 39 Steps Now- March 2014

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

Pride Now-November 9th

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

Macbeth Now- 13th October

The Ladykillers Now- October 25th

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

One Man, Two Guvnors Now-March 2014

Fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall becomes minder to Roscoe Crabbe, a small time East End hood, now in Brighton to collect £6000 from his fiancee’s dad. But Roscoe is really his sister Rachel posing as her own dead brother, who’s been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers. Holed up at the Cricketers’ Arms, the permanently ravenous Francis spots the chance of an extra meal ticket and takes a second job with one Stanley Stubbers, who is hiding from the police and waiting to be re-united with Rachel. To prevent discovery, Francis must keep his two guvnors apart. Simple. Haymarket Theatre,18 Suffolk St, London SW1Y 4HT .

Much Ado About NothingNow-November 30th

Age is the theme and the big talking point at the Old Vic as it plays host to two great theatre pros in Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy. Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones are Benedick and Beatrice: reluctant older lovers, grouchily bickering their way into each other’s hearts. The play is reimagined in a Britain of old too. It’s 1944, and we get a wartime view of the country that perhaps only ever existed in our imaginations. A land of comedy policemen, dashingly handsome GIs and naughty boy scouts – it conjures up images of a particular kind of British

sitcom or BBC radio play, a sort of ‘Archers’ does Shakespeare. 103 The Cut, Waterloo Rd, London SE1 8NB

Lutz Bacher: Black Beauty Now- November 17th

Get ready to be manipulated by an eclectic display of works by the elusive American artist for her first major UK show. Varying degrees of black will dominate with tons of coal slag being emptied into the lower gallery for ‘Black Beauty’ along with pulsating astrotuf in ‘Black Magic’. Accompanying these is an audio of the Shakespearean character, Puck from ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ that adds an enchantingly devious tone to the premise of Bacher’s exhibition. ICA, The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH

CROWNING GLORY A new play by Somalia Seaton

17 Oct - 9 Nov 2013

“In a world saturated with images of unrealistic and unobtainable beauty, how do women see themselves?” Join our all-female cast of fun and feisty modern women as they share the trials and tribulations of their hair, and try to uncover what true beauty means. This current, funny and thought-provoking show will undoubtedly get you talking. Come along with friends or family and take part in the conversation!

Theatre Royal Stratford East, London

JOAN LITTLEWOOD SCULPTURE Donation deadline 5 Oct 2013

Theatre Royal Stratford East’s public appeal to raise money for a sculpture to remember the legendary theatre director Joan Littlewood is closing soon. If you haven’t made a donation, now’s your chance! Created by internationally acclaimed artist Philip Jackson, the sculpture is set to be placed in Theatre Square, Stratford.

The Scottsboro Boys 18 Oct - 23 Oct

Young Vic Nominated for a remarkable 12 Tony Awards, the legendary creators of Cabaret and Chicago bring their bold and exhilarating musical to the Young Vic for its UK premiere.

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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Arts

Poet of the Week; Mazisi Kunene

Mazisi & Mathabo Kunene

The heritage of Kunene, this great spokesman, is without a doubt indispensable to the restructuring of the foundation of the reconstruction of the identity of the African continent. — Aimé Césaire Mazisi Kunene was one of Africa’s greatest poets and literary icons. He was a talented writer whose inspiration was the history of Zulu people, the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and the oral tradition of African literature. Kunene stressed that his literary goal is the re-telling of African history in a way he believed would make it relevant and authentic to the non-African. In 1972, Kunene became ANC director of finance in London, establishing the South African Exhibition Appeal which raised funds for the organisation. He received significant support from notable figures in the art world, including Pablo Picasso, Chagall, Giacometti and Rauschenberg. He later left London for America, first teaching at the University of Iowa and Stanford University before joining the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1975 as a lecturer in African literature and Zulu. As apartheid began to crumble, Kunene decided to return to South Africa in 1993, the very year that UNESCO honoured him as Africa’s Poet Laureate. In 2005, he was named South Africa’s poet Laureate. He died on August 11, 2006. The literary achievements of Mazisi Raymond Fakazi Mngoni Kunene

(1930-2006) were among the most remarkable to have come from Africa in the twentieth century. Although his death at the age of 75 seems to have signified the closing of an extraordinary literary tradition in South Africa, that of African Literature in the African Languages, his practice of it in five decades, throughout the political tribulations of the country in the second half of the century, brought about its greatest efflorescence. This tradition has given the country major poets across the twentieth century: Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi (1875-1945), Nontsizi Mgqwetho (dates unknown), Benedict Wallet Mbabatha Vilakazi (1906-1947), K. E. Ntsane (dates unknown), David Livingstone Phakamile Yali Manisi (1926-1999) and Kunene himself. The first two poets and the fifth in this lineage wrote in Xhosa; the third and the sixth in Zulu; and the fourth in Sotho. Mazisi Kunene’s contribution has been in the form of two epics: Emperor Shaka The Great, 1979, and Anthem of the Decades, 1981, two anthologies: Zulu Poems, 1970, and The Ancestors and the Sacred Mountain, 1982, and a seminal MA thesis: An Analytical Survey of Zulu Poetry: Both Traditional and Modern, 1958. Although these publications have established his reputation in African literary history, they do not compare with what remains unpublished: over thirty epics and voluminous anthologies, which assuredly will keep South African literary scholars preoccupied throughout the twenty first century with his legacy.

The rope of iron holding the neck of young bulls Shall be avenged? Was I wrong When I thought the orphans of sulphur Shall rise from the ocean? Was I depraved when I thought there need not be love, There need not be forgiveness, there need not be progress, There need not be goodness on the earth, There need not be towns of skeletons, Sending messages of elephants to the moon? Was I wrong to laugh asphyxiated ecstasy When the sea rose like quicklime When the ashes on ashes were blown by the wind When the infant sword was left alone on the hill top? Was I wrong to erect monuments of blood? Was I wrong to avenge the pillage of Caesar? Was I wrong? Was I wrong? Was I wrong to ignite the earth And dance above the stars Watching Europe burn with its civilisation of fire, Watching America disintegrate with its gods of steel, Watching the persecutors of mankind turn into dust Was I wrong? Was I wrong?

Return Of The Bird Of Exile Our regiment haunched heavily on the pure sands of the sea Watching without a murmur waves and spray on the banks Inert and silent as the albatrosses gamboled on the dunes United in spirit, in anxiety to strike the blow for freedom Our sunset eyes espied a giant honey bird charting the route Meandering along a silver line of those ominous clouds An evident cue to resume our nocturnal march Each man longing for the warm hearth of home The silhouette of the bird of liberty taking us South

Was I wrong

They Also Are Children Of The Earth

Was I wrong when I thought All shall be avenged? Was I wrong when I thought

Cursed shall be the one whose passage in this world Evades humaneness, engenders greed

and hoarding Cursed is he wallowing alone in caskets of wealth and Counting rosary beads of accumulated cars To be human is to humbly cherish the sweat of your toil In measured style of decency and appreciation To be human is to consider the plight of the needy As they also are children of the earth Yes, men and women of this blessed land In writing about dancing to the ‘forefathers’, he was voicing his responsibility in acknowledging the poetic heritage of which he was the latest representative. One of his beloved ‘Ancestors’ was Mshongweni, the great nineteenth century Royal Court poet of Shaka, of whom he had this to say in ‘Tribute to Mshongweni’: Your dreams shall invade our earth Creating an endless line of horizons We too shall follow the song of the night-bird to the hill The whole earth shall see the falling star The time that bears the glorious seasons Shall stampede to the valley of fruitfulness The processions of the first-fruit shall come from all nations The mountain springs shall burst open their freshness. In “A Meeting with Vilakazi, The Great Zulu Poet”, he recognized the achievements of his master and mentor, Vikalazi who was an elder poet and an accompanying guide on the spiritual and poetic journey of the younger poet, Mazisi. And the old dancing arena was filled with festival crowds. Your great songs echoed to the accompaniment of the festival horn It was the beginning of our ancient new year Before the foreigners came, before they planted their own emblems. I came to the arena and you held my hand. Together we danced the boast-dance of our forefathers We sang the great anthems of the uLundi mountains.

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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Health

Indigenous peoples have more health problems A new report says the world’s minorities and indigenous peoples suffer more ill health than other segments of the population. It says decades of marginalization, poverty and displacement have led to profound health inequalities.

Indigenous people are paying the price with their health for living in such isolation

Minority Rights Group International has released its annual report: State of the World’s Minorities and Indigenous Peoples. “The right to health, as you know, is a precondition for all other rights. It’s essentially the right to survive. We found that health outcomes generally are far worse for minorities and indigenous peoples worldwide,” said Carl Soderbergh, the group’s director of policy and communications. He said no one region is worse than another. “We see this right across the board whether we’re talking about Roma in Europe with higher infant mortality rates to indigenous communities and Afro-descendant in the Americas. Indigenous children in Guatemala, for example, suffer chronic malnutrition nearly twice the rate of majority children. In south Asia, also, we see

high child malnutrition rates among the Dalit community -- and in many countries in Africa, also, worse health indicators for minorities and indigenous peoples,” he said. Soderbergh said the report cites the main cause of marginalization. “Essentially, it boils down to one word exclusion. That minorities and indigenous peoples do not get to be involved in the design and implementation of major national healthcare initiatives. For example, very often healthcare campaigns are not conducted in minority or indigenous languages. This is a particular problem we’ve seen in Africa.” He gave an example of exclusion in Namibia. “We understand that no health campaigns have been conducted in the San indigenous languages. And so therefore San communities are excluded from the very vital knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention. That’s just one example, but there are many right across the continent,” he said. The Minority Rights Group International report says that loss of land and displacement have contributed to poor health.

Paper must be eliminated for proper e-health in West Africa

Doctors at work in Ghana

Samuel Quarshie, head of the ICT department at Ghana Health Service, believes it is possible, but will be difficult to eliminate paper completely from the healthcare system in West Africa.

Speaking to HumanIPO, Quarshie said the task was made harder by the central nature of paper applications for 22

hospital care. “For proper implementation of e-health, paper must be eliminated,” he said. “Yes it is possible to eliminate paper from West African healthcare system, but it is going to take a while because most of our training is based on paper. “When you get to a health facility,

the first thing you do is you register with papers. The doctor writes on paper, drug prescriptions are written on papers, x-ray requests are written on papers – papers everywhere.” On the current state of e-health in the Ghanaian healthcare system, he said several processes have been digitised. “e-health is big, you cannot confine it. An important aspect is the health information management component that involves the use of an electronic medical report; we are using mobile phones to collect data and spread awareness on disease outbreaks. We also use tablets to collect data to feed into the health management system.” Quarshie said that while personal interaction between patients and health professionals remained important, ehealth solutions could help solve the challenge of having a shortage of qualified and trained doctors and nurses. “Currently we have software for patient registration and management, we have mobile platforms for data collection especially for maternal and child health, logistics and supply management system,” Quarshie said.

“What we haven’t implemented fully is back-to-back telemedicine because of networking and bandwidth.” He said the ministry is currently carrying out network upgrades in hospitals. Quarshie added: “We are currently networking consulting and nurses’ rooms, mortuary and diagnostic centers. Without back-to-back networking of your medical facility, e-health can’t work. “The Ministry of Communication is sending regional fibre connectivity to most regional hospitals with distinct wide area network (Wi-Max) which is currently being upgraded to the LTE connectivity. We have connected all the ten regions. “What hospitals need to do is to request from the national IT agency and they will give you connectivity from the Ghana government backbone which is riding on MainOne’s submarine cable. “The whole idea is to promote e-health because in this twenty-first century, you can’t do anything without technology.”

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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The Luba of Congo

Luba Hairstyles

The Luba first appeared as a people around the 5th century AD, in the marshes of the Upemba Depression, in what is now the southeastern portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo known as the Katanga region. In the marshes of the Upemba Depression, large scale cooperation was necessary to build and maintain dikes and drainage ditches. This kind of communal cooperation also made possible the construction of dams to stock fish during the long dry season. By the 6th century the Luba were working in iron and trading in salt, palm oil, and dried fish. They used these products to trade for

Wood and Iron Axe of the Luba 22

Ocean. Cross-shaped copper ingots and raffia cloth served as currency in a trading network where arrow poisons, drums, animal hides, ivory and dried fish were bartered for cattle, cotton, beads, iron, tools and implements. From around 1870 on the Luba kingdom went into decline. The kingship ultimately had no clearly worked out means of succession, so the kingdom was vulnerable to factional infighting. The Luba were also threatened by pressure from the Nyamwezi, a tribe from what is now Tanzania, moving around Lake Tanganyika, and by Swahili-Arabs, moving inland from the East African coast. The Nyamwezi and the Swahili-Arabs had access to guns and were allies, and this proved decisive. The Luba were not conquered, but the Swahili-

copper, charcoal (for iron smelting), glass beads, iron and cowrie shells from the Indian Ocean. Around 1500, possibly earlier, the Luba began to coalesce into a single, unified state, under the leadership of kings ruling by divine sanction. The mulopwe, or king, was drawn from the balopwe, a group who acted as intermediaries between the world of mankind and the world of spirits and ancestors. The mulopwe had three sources of power: 1. He headed a secular hierarchy of governors and under-governors, running down to local village headmen. 2. He collected tribute from local chiefs, which was then redistributed in the form of gifts to loyal followers. In practice this tribute system amounted to a network of state controlled trade. 3. The mulopwe commanded significant spiritual prestige. He was the head of the Bambudye (or Mbudye) secret society, to which all kings, chiefs and officials belonged. The Bambudye society, which included both men and women, transcended kinship lines and helped knit the realm together. Bambudye “Men of Memory” preserved the tribes oral tradition. The Luba system of ceremonial kingship proved durable enough to spread across much of Central Africa, being adopted, with modifications, by the Lunda, Lozi and other peoples. From around 1585 the Luba expanded rapidly, securing control of copper mines, fishing, and palm oil cultivation. After c.1700, the Luba acquired maize and cassava (manioc). These new crops allowed a substantial increase in population and stimulated economic growth. This in turn added to the power and prestige of the royal authority. Between c. 1780 and 1870 the Luba king dom reached its height under three strong rulers: Ilunga Sungu (c. 1780-1810), his son Kumwimbe Ngombe (c. 1810-1840), and Ilunga Kabale (c. 1840-1874). Via intermediaries, the Luba traded from the Portuguese outposts in Angola to the Indian

Luba carving - the Human elemental

Arabs were able to cut their access to trade with the jungle tribes to the north, while the Nyamwezi, under the leadership of the energetic Msiri, encroached on Luba trade to the south, where he set up his Yeke/Garanganze kingdom. Hemmed in, the Luba now desperately needed guns, just as their economic position was eroding. To try to stem the decline, the Luba went into slave trading on a major scale, selling to the Portuguese in Angola. But the slave trade was slowly dying down, and slaves fetched less and less of a price. Also the Luba were less capable of raiding other peoples, so they began slave raiding among themselves, which sped the disruption of Luba society and the disintegration of political unity. In 1874 Ilunga Kabale was assassinated, and thereafter the Luba royal line was divided into quarreling factions. In the 1880s, much of the eastern Congo fell under the control of the Swahili-Arab adventurer Tippu Tib (Hamed bin

Culture Mohammed al-Marjebi), whose men incidentally brought smallpox with them. Culture The Luba tended to cluster in small villages, with rectangular houses facing a single street. Agriculture was based upon slash-and-burn cultivation in areas with good soil (usually by rivers), supplemented by hunting and fishing in the surrounding bush country. Kilolo, patrilineal chieftains, headed local village government, under the protection of the king. Cultural life centered around the kitenta, the royal compound, which later came to be a permanent capital. The kitenta drew artists, poets, musicians and craftsmen, spurred by royal and court patronage. The Bambudye secret society had an important mnemonic device to help them keep straight the complex history and ritual life of the Luba nation. It was the lukasa, or memory board. Colored beads and shells set into a carved wooden board gave those who knew how to interpret it a spatial representation that would be used to help them remember important facets of Luba culture and history. The Luba were famous as wood carvers. Particularly noteworthy were ceremonial masks, and such symbols of kingship as ceremonial canes, bracelets, and axes. Another significant feature of Luba culture was kibuta – divination. The Bilumbu were spirit mediums who would enter a trance state, gazing into mboko, sacred baskets or gourds, within which ritual objects were placed. The diviner would use the objects within the mboko as an oracle, reading the will of the spirits through the position the objects took within the bowl. Creation Myth The Baluba creation story makes a connection between God’s invisibility or unavailability, and the endowment of humans with a soul or divine component longing for God. In the creation story, Kabezya-Mpungu decides to become invisible after creating the world and the first humans who did not yet have a heart. After balancing the rain, sun, moon, and darkness, he leaves. To replace the visible god, he sends the people Mutshima (“heart”), the life-giving or divine part of humans. ..I don’t want that humans will see me any more. I return into myself and send Mutshima...Then Kabeza-Mpungu disappeared. Thereafter, the heart appeared, in a small, hand-sized vessel. The heart cried and turned towards Sun, Moon, Darkness and Rain: “Kabezya-Mpungu, our father, where is he!” “Father is gone, we don’t know the way he went”. “Oh how much I am longing to see him” the heart replied, “to talk to him. Since I cannot find him, I will enter into this man. So I will wander from generation to generation”. Since then all humans have been endowed with Mutshima, the heart.

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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News

Rolling power outages plague Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe men play cards by candle light

The ongoing spate of power outages in the country has created anger, frustration and much debate as to the nature of these energy cuts.

In the heat of this frustration and anger the ruling ZANU PF government has come in for much criticism for its inability to deliver power to the country.

Fighting in Mali prompts Keita’s return

Lionel Saungweme, our Bulawayo correspondent, told us that while the power utility company ZESA has the responsibility to generate electricity for commercial and residential use, they are not entirely to blame for the current crisis. Saungweme told our weekly Speak out-Padare program that if anyone is to be blamed it is the government, for failing in their collective responsibility to plan effectively and strategize for electricity provision. ‘If ZANU PF can pay Nikuv $10 million to rig the elections, what stops them from investing the same amount of cash to repair and perform maintenance on existing infrastructure,’ he said. The problem is however not new. The country’s power supply has been stagnant since independence. In the last three decades there was no investment in electricity supply, despite surging demand. Saungweme said the recent unprecedented outages have paralysed social and economic activities in most parts of the country.

Mali’s newly-elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has cut short a visit to France and returned home amid renewed ﬁght between government forces and Tuareg rebels. They pulled out of peace talks last week.

Rwandan genocide survivor shows severe scaring

The Malian embassy in Paris said on Tuesday that President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita had headed home prematurely after talks with his French counterpart Francois Hollande because of fresh ﬁghting in the north of Mali. “Obviously it has to do with the situation in the north,” an embassy ofﬁcial told the German news agency DPA. Keita’s return shortened his intended four-day France visit to two days. 24

On Sunday night, government forces and rebels traded heavy gunfire in Mali’s northeastern town of Kidal after rebels allegedly ambushed soldiers at a bank. Two weeks after being sworn in, Mali’s new president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, is to be officially inaugurated at a ceremony in Bamako at the start of a difficult journey to national recovery. (18.09.2013) Those clashes ebbed on Monday when troops of the UN peacekeeping force MINUSMA intervened. On Saturday, four suicide bombers had detonated a car bomb outside an army barracks in Timbuktu, killing two civilians and wounding six soldiers. The unrest comes less than two months after Keita’s election.

Businesses have also been forced to work by candle light

Rwandan genocide survivors get free plastic surgery

Workers laying the underwater “high speed” Internet cables

Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita

‘Recently I travelled from Harare to Bulawayo and the towns and cities were in darkness due to total power cuts, a situation which has affected the livelihood of the residents, who now rely on generators for homes and businesses. ‘The constant power cuts have brought untold hardships to many people, especially in urban areas. Currently, lack of electricity supply is one major crisis facing the country and it seems the government is clueless to rectify the crisis,’ Saungweme added.

More than 200 genocide survivors are scheduled to receive free plastic surgery from Indian and Nigerian Rotary club sponsored specialists in a ten-day activity dubbed the 2013 Rotary Medical Mission to Rwanda for Plastic Surgery at the University teaching hospital of Kigali (CHUK). The mission has been organized by the Government of Rwanda in partnership with the Rotary International and the Rotarians from Rwanda and Indian Rotary clubs. Speaking at the ofﬁcial launch, Dr. Théobald Hategekimana, CHUK director, said that this activity is the result of advocacy by Assistance Fund for Genocide Survivors (FARG) and Genocide Widows Association (AVEGA). He said ben-

eficiaries are genocide survivors who after screening, were found in need of special plastic surgery. He added, “This is a great initiative since the country is in shortage of specialists in plastic surgery because we have only one specialist in this domain” Local leaders select beneficiaries who are admitted to the surgery. They are requested to present FARG documents testifying that they are vulnerable genocide survivors and a health insurance card. Beneficiaries have appreciated the initiative, as they would normally not be able to afford the operation, but expressed worries over the necessary requirements. “We were only selected and told that we have to show up here today. They did not tell us what we are supposed to bring”, says one of the beneficiaries who argued that they were not informed ahead of time about the requirements and are may miss out the chance to present the correct documents within the ten days. Officials from FARG say that they have been informed and emphasized that none will receive the operation if he or she does not present the ‘genocide survivor vulnerability’ document and a health insurance card. There are at least 3,000 genocide survivors who need such an operation, but only around 200 are able to receive it in this year’s partnership. Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the ‘correction’, or restoration of appearance and function.

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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News Concern at escape of two convicted army ofﬁcers Govt to create 1.8

Benin was hit with its worst ﬂooding since 1968

In the night of 21-22 September 2013, one FARDC colonel escaped from Bukavu prison less than two weeks after he was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Military Court of South-Kivu province.

The colonel escaped along with another inmate, an FARDC Major. The two military ofﬁcers were sentenced by a mobile court hearing organized with the support of MONUSCO for gross human rights violations including rape and murder.

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the DRC and head of MONUSCO, Martin Kobler, said he was “deeply concerned” by their escape: “I am appealing to the Congolese officials to take the necessary actions to provide security for the witnesses, lawyers and magistrates who participated in the trial that led to the conviction of the two fugitives as well as to open judiciary investigations with a view to determining the exact circumstances of the escape and the responsibilities of the suspected accomplices. I also urge them to take the necessary actions to arrest the escapees,” he said. While welcoming the mobile court hearings and the verdict rendered by the court, MONUSCO deplores, however, the escape, which represents a step backward in the fight against impunity for the perpetrators of gross human rights violations. MONUSCO is also concerned over the faulty security and surveillance system of the prison, which led to the escape of the two FARDC officers.

million new jobs

The Federal Micro & Small Enterprises Development Agency (FMSEDA) in Ethiopia plans to create 1.8 million job opportunities this ﬁscal year. The new target follows the Agency’s last year’s performance which exceeded its goal by a whopping 197%, creating over 1.2 million jobs.

“The reason for the achievement in job creation is mainly attributed to the expansion of large scale government projects,” said a communication officer at the Agency on condition of anonymity. In a bid to reduce the unemployment rate, the government drafted the first Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) development strategy in 2004. The strategy focused on linking MSE’s with microfinance institutions, aiming to drive down the rate of urban unemployment to less than 20%. However, the urban unemployment, which stood at 12% in 2004, has now reached 21%, according to the Central Statistics Agency (CSA).

Mysterious helicopter landing sparks confusion

The helicopter landed only for a short time before mysteriously taking off

The chief and people of Mepasem near half Assini on the Ghana Cote d’ Ivoire border have appealed to the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Air Force to conﬁrm to them whether a helicopter that landed in the community on September 24, 2013, came from their outﬁt. An elder of the town, Mr. Sylvester Awotwe, told the GNA that fears had gripped the people as a result of the incident. He said at about 0700 on that day a helicopter painted blue and ash

landed on the primary school park and when he and some people approached it the pilot, who was the only person on board, refused to give his identity and told them that bad weather forced him to land. Mr. Awotwe said the pilot, who was in white shirt with khaki trousers, later read a map and took off. He said a member of the local Unit Committee, Mr. Daniel Segbawu, telephoned the District Chief Executive, Mr. Sylvester Daddieh and the Police at Half Assini but before they arrived, the helicopter had left. 25

Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013

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Black History Month Special Krio Descendants Union – London Inaugural Thanksgiving Service 2013

On Sunday, 29 September 2013 most roads led to Southwark (especially if you saw groups of women and a few men in turquoise!) for the Krio Descendants Union-London (KDU-London) held their first ever Thanksgiving Service at St Peter’s Church in Liverpool Grove, SE17. KDULondon is a unique heritage organisation launched in September 2011 as the first chapter of its kind in the United Kingdom for people descended from a common Krio heritage. It aims to provide Krios with a forum for preserving, learning and promoting their history, culture and heritage which can be passed on to the next generation and to help in the development of Sierra Leone through fundraising and other projects. Who are the Krios?

The ‘Krios’ are the descendants of various African American, Caribbean, and African ex-slaves and freemen who the British resettled in Africa in the modern day West African country of Sierra Leone. They are descendants of these four main groups: The ‘Black Poor’ who came from Britain and were the first group of settlers in 1787, the ‘Nova Scotians’ who were mainly Black Americans who had gained their freedom after fighting on the British side during the American Revolution, the ‘Maroons’ who were from Jamaica and the ‘Liberated Africans’ who were liberated at sea from ships intent on carrying them to slavery in the Americas. This latter group of settlers came from along the coast of Africa and included people from Nigeria, Cameroon and Congo. The Liberated Africans were mainly Igbo and Yoruba and their traditions contributed greatly to the Krio culture that evolved in Freetown. One such Krio tradition is the ‘Awujoh’ a ritual feast in which

By Iyamide Thomas

the chief feature involves the enactment of communication with the dead. Notable Krios of Nigerian descent include Dr Africanus Horton whose father was an Igbo receptive and Bishop Adjai Crowther who was of Yoruba descent. Krios traded and worked throughout West Africa and some settled in countries like Gambia, Nigeria and Fernando Po. The Krio Diaspora is therefore far and wide. Krios who settled in Nigeria were known as ‘Saros’, those who settled in Gambia were ‘Aku’.

KDU Member Leah Hammler in Krio headgear to complement her costume

The Thanksgiving The Thanksgiving service was a colourful joyous occasion attended by almost 200 people. Members of the KDU-London looked a picture in their blue uniform known as ‘Ashiobi’ with many wearing the traditional ‘Kabaslot’. The ‘Kabaslot’ which is a Krio cultural dress combines nineteenth century Victorian dress with adaptations from the American and Jamaican Maroon slaves and freemen. The theme of the church service was ‘Unity is Strength’ and this was ably reflected in Rev. John Macauley’s address. Hymns were song both in English and Krio including a Krio rendition of ‘How Great Thou Art’ entitled ‘Mi Sol Kin Sing’. A lesson was also read from the Krio bible! After the service a reception followed in the church crypt and there is no doubt KDU-London’s inaugural Thanksgiving Service had been a resounding success!

Krio gentlemen show aspects of British Heritage!

Dr Wilfred Wright KDU-London Chair gives the ‘Vote of Thanks’

Ladies in Blue - KDU-London members Josephine Macauley and Cordelia Stronge show off their fashionable KDU ‘Ashiobi’

London members in traditional ‘Print’ dress including ‘Kabaslot and Kotoku’

Friday, 20 September 2013 – Thursday, 26 September 2013

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Black History Month Special

Migrants did so much for our country - PM In a message to the Official Black History month magazine, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “I’m delighted to support this year’s Black History Month now in its 26th year of celebrating the achievements, culture and history of African-Caribbean people in the UK. Coming in the same year as the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech it is fitting that this year’s themes are social mobility and young people.

Prime Minister David Cameron

Black History Month “Must be used to build bright futures” says leading life coach

Black History Month must be used as a platform to build bright futures ‘now in the present not just to learn about the past’ if we are truly progress and individually and collectively, says leading UK based life coach and motivational speaker Rasheed Ogunlaru.

“The invitation of the past - and Black History Month - is learn from it, be inspired by those who have positively shaped it and changed it and to apply that inspiration and mind-set and take charge of our own lives, careers, relationships and possibilities to create a brighter future for one and all,” says Rasheed author whose clients include Chief Executives, entrepreneurs, entertainers and the public highlights that self-responsibility, mind-set and

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg

working collaboratively is the key to progress. “If you look at any inspirational figure be it a Seacole, King, Mandela, Winfrey, Obama they tend to share three key qualities vision, self belief and action. They learn from the past but shape the future by being proactive in the present, not passive and stuck in backward-thinking.” “This Black History Month as we celebrate the 50 Anniversary of Dr King’s famous I have a Dream Speech’ the best thing we can do is to take up his call to dream – and to dream new dreams, take responsibility and to work individually and collectively to bring them to reality for all of humanity.” says Mr Ogunlaru whose books include Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business.

“Half a century on from that historic and inspiring speech we, as a nation, must ensure that young people, regardless of their ethnicity or background, have the opportunity to reach their full potential. “I passionately believe that everyone should have a fair chance at life in Britain today. We are in a global race and we need to nurture all our brightest and best talent so that we can succeed as a nation.

“I’m pleased to see that so much of that talent is being realised by Britons of African-Caribbean heritage, whose young entrepreneurs and businessmen and women are spearheading our country’s economic recovery at the ground level. It’s no surprise that over a third of all new business set up under out Start Up loans initiative in the past 12 months have come from black minority ethnic entrepreneurs. “This year also marks the 65th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948. I pay tribute to the Windrush generation and praise their fortitude and determination in overcoming those unjust hardships and challenges. “Those early migrants did so much for our country, and paved the way for their children and subsequent generations to make enormous contributions to Britain in the 21st century. “I wish everyone taking part in fantastic events up and down the country all the best “

Dr Martin Luther King

Whatever our background, this is our history. This is Britain’s history – Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg

As Black History Month begins this October, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has celebrated the occasion by saying: “Black History Month reminds us that remembering the past is about more than just memorising important dates and facts. It is about recognising and understanding the kaleidoscopic mix of people, events and influences that have shaped the country we live in and make us who we are. “Over the last 26 years, Black History Month has helped inform and educate men, women and children across Britain, highlighting and celebrating the powerful contribution of African and Caribbean people in every area of British society, across centuries of our history. “Black History Month is built around the belief that people who are aware of their roots and the achievements of their ancestors – with stories passed from generation to generation – can look to their future with ambition and confidence. Importantly, it is also a reaction to the fact that historians in decades past have failed to acknowledge Black historical figures.

“But it’s not just the impact of more wellknown African and Caribbean people on Britain’s history that we recognise throughout this month, like the abolitionists Olaudah Equiano and Mary Prince, Victorian Crimea War nurse Mary Seacole and composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, as well as Claudia Jones who brought us the Notting Hill Carnival, Jazzie B who revolutionised the British music scene, Arthur Wharton and Viv Anderson who achieved significant ‘firsts’ in football, Benjamin Zephaniah the celebrated poet and Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Floella Benjamin. “It’s also those ordinary people, who – in their every day lives – continue to do extraordinary things to ensure a better life for their families and their local communities. This includes the Windrush generation. Sixty five years ago, this pioneering group of men and women arrived at Tilbury Docks with little more than a suitcase in their hand. Yet, ever since, the transformative and remarkable effect they’ve had on British business, politics, culture, arts, sport and elsewhere, is clear to see. “For all of us, whatever our background, this is our history. This is Britain’s history. 27

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Patrick Vieira: My new challenge progressed from an initial ambassadorial role to that of football development executive in England and abroad. Then, following the resignation of Italian coach Attilio Lombardo last May, he was offered the role of head of the elite development squad while studying for his coaching badges. “It’s a great opportunity to get started with my career on the touchlines,” said the delighted Vieira, who still has several exams to pass before fully qualifying as a professional coach. Yet despite amassing a plethora of titles during his playing days, Vieira knows full well that past accomplishments are not an automatic indicator of future triumph: “A good playing career is not necessarily a synonym for success as a coach,” he says, fully aware of the scale

pundit, the retired defensive midfielder pays particular attention to the performances of his employers, Manchester City. “Last season was quite frustrating,” he admits. “We ended up a long way behind Manchester United and lost to a lastminute goal in the FA Cup final. All in all it wasn’t a great year in terms of results.” Yet Vieira remains positive that the Citizens will enjoy a successful 2013/14 campaign: “The team have recruited well and I have great confidence in Manuel Pellegrini,” he declares. “City have the potential to do well in all competitions.” The former international’s face lit up as he spoke about the France national team. Having captained his country and been a part of France’s memorable victories in

Patrick Vieira holding the Premier League trophy during his time at Arsenal

Over the course of an impressive 18-year career, Patrick Vieira became a global household name. Following spells at Cannes and AC Milan, Vieira shone in the colours of Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan and Manchester City, yet despite his success the genial Frenchman remains modest, claiming in interview with FIFA. com: “I just tried to give my best to this magnificent sport.”

Adept at both regaining possession and creating chances, the talented midfield enforcer was also blessed with leadership qualities that saw him entrusted with the captain’s armband at almost every club he represented, as well as for the France national team. Having called time on his glittering career in July 2011, Vieira has since set his sights on succeeding as a coach. “It’s my new challenge,” he says of his role

as manager of Manchester City’s elite development squad. “I’ve found myself back in this world of youth training centres that I left nearly 20 years ago, and in some ways it’s like a return to my roots.” Learning from the best  “It was a decision that I thought through carefully,” the 1998 world champion says. “The idea of becoming a coach had crossed my mind during my playing days, but it took me a while to finally make the leap.” In fact, it was not long after retiring that Vieira set his career change into motion, familiarising himself with the innerworkings at Manchester City. “For two years I worked in all different areas, from management to supervision and of course training,” says Vieira. “I learned so much from experiencing how a club works behind the scenes on a daily basis.” During this formative period Vieira

Vieira played for both Milan clubs, here playing for Inter towards the end of his career

of the task ahead. “A manager’s job is extremely complex and I’ve still got a lot to learn, but I’m steadily getting there.” Furthermore, while his coaching career is still in its infancy, the Dakar native does have the significant advantage of having rubbed shoulders with such worldrenowned coaches as Arsene Wenger, Fabio Capello, Roberto Mancini and Aime Jacquet during his playing days. As he explains, “I had the opportunity to work under some of the best coaches around and I’ve been inspired by the methods of every one of them.” A keen observer

Patrick Vieira with his French compatriot Emmanuel Petit holding the FA Cup, World Cup and Premier League tite back in 1998

Despite hanging up his boots in 2011 Vieira remains keenly interested in the on-pitch action. Also working as a TV

the 1998 FIFA World Cup France™ and UEFA EURO 2000, Vieira is still a fervent supporter of Les Bleus. With the national side under the guidance of his former France team-mate Didier Deschamps, Vieira confidently asserts: “I’m convinced France will qualify for the next World Cup.” And Vieira has seemingly found yet another source of inspiration as he looks to establish himself on the touchlines: “Didier is the man for the job. He’s someone who gives his all and knows how to balance patience and discipline. And that will be perfect to instil a sense of cohesion into this young France team that has often been criticised in the past.”

Friday, 04 October – Thursday, 10 October 2013

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Ba snubbed for Elephant clash

Demba Ba has been left out of the Senegal squad, as he is not playing regular football at club level for Chelsea

Chelsea striker Demba Ba has again been snubbed by Alain Giresse for Senegal’s away clash against Cote d’Ivoire on October 12. Ba has been overlooked by Giresse for the last four games and his previous outing with Senegal was a 1-1 home draw against Angola on March 23. Giresse however has renewed his confidence in the squad which defeated Uganda 1-0 in Marrakesh in early September to make the trip to Abidjan in the first leg of their 2014 World Cup play-off against Cote d’Ivoire.

The only change will see the return of Newcastle striker Papiss Demba Cisse who missed the Uganda clash due to suspension. Cisse takes of the place of Hannover 96 striker Mame Birame Diouf who miss the trip to Abidjan due to injured. Team: Goalkeepers : Bouna Coundoul (Ethnikos, Cyprus), Cheikh Ndiaye (Rennes, France), Issa Ndiaye (Créteil, France) Defenders : Lamine Gassama (Lorient, France), Issa Cissokho, Pape Mison Djilobodji (Both FC Nantes, France), Lamine Sané (Bordeaux, France), Cheikh Kouyaté (Anderlecht, Belgium), Kara Mbodj

(Genk, Belgium), Cheikh Mbengue (Toulouse, France), Pape Ndiaye Souaré (Lille, France) Midfielders : Mouhamed Diamé (West Ham, England), Idrissa Gana Guèye (Lille, France), Salif Sané (Hannover, Germany), Stéphane Badji (SK Bramm, Norway), Alfred Ndiaye (Eskishirspor, Turkey), Sadio Mané (Salzburg, Austria) Forwards : Henri Saivet(Bordeaux, France), Moussa Sow (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Dame Ndoye (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Papiss Demba Cissé (Newcastle, England), Modou Sougou (Evian, France) Ibrahima Baldé (Kuban Krasnodar, Russia)

Hour of truth nears for Atlas Lion Cubs

Abbubaker Mobara

Moroccan football team celebrate Morocco had to scrap every inch of the way to secure their place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup United Arab Emirates 2013. The Atlas Lion Cubs made sure of their maiden world finals appearance at

this age level when hosting and competing in the African U-17 Championship for the first time at the start of the year. Drawn into Group A at the continental finals, the hosts surprised everyone by picking up seven points to top a section that also featured Tunisia, Botswana and Gabon. Their place at UAE 2013 duly secured, they then lost to Côte d’Ivoire in the semi-finals before going down to Tunisia in the match for third place. Though the home supporters we disappointed the young Moroccans did not fare even better, coach Abdallah El Idrissi was happy with their efforts: “We can take a lot from that competition. The boys showed plenty of good things and reached the objective we set for ourselves, which was to qualify for the U-17 World Cup.” Of the 25 players El Idrissi called up for the training camp in Morocco at the start of the month, 16 play in Europe. And while

that high number points to a bright future for Morocco, it is also true that several of the coach’s star players missed the get-together due to their clubs’ unwillingness to release them, making his job all the harder. El Idrissi’s task now is to get the personnel he does have at his disposal, some of them little known to him playing as a unit. He can at least count on Hamza Sakhi to help him achieve that. Tracked by a number of European clubs, this rising star of Moroccan football excelled in the African championships and has just signed a threeyear contract with French Ligue 2 side Chateauroux. Voicing his determination to succeed, the coach said: “Our goal is to play our very best football, no matter who we’re up against. We’re preparing as hard as we can for each match and we want to qualify from the group.”

Kalu Uche debuts for new club

Nigeria striker Kalu Uche is expected to debut for new Qatari club El Jaish on Friday against Al Kharaitiyat.

Razvan Lucescu’s side signed the powerful striker from Turkish Super Lig side Kasimpasa following a medical at Doha’s top sports medicine facility Aspetar. The 30-year-old hitman has been brought to the club as a replacement for Christian Benitez, known as ‘Chucho’, who died suddenly in July after playing just one game for El Jaish. Uche, who netted 19 times in the Turkish Super league for Kasimpasa last term as second best striker in the league arrived Qatar on Monday to join his new club. Kasimpasa thanked the Nigeria star for his great service to the club and wished him well. “Thank you for the services of the former player of Kasımpaşa Uche Kalu, wish you success in future,” a statement on the club website read.

Drogba gets the last say in Turin

Didier Drogba scores and creates goal to help Galatasaray snatch its first Champions League Group B point in 2-2 draw at Juventus. The game also marked Galatasaray coach Roberto Mancini’s first game. Galatasaray looked the mostly likely to score in the first half away in Turin and Drogba led the way. Three minutes later, Buffon again foiled another attempt this time off Bruma. Juventus had a chance in the 27th minute from Fabio Quagliarella wasted after he was tackled before he could fire and five minutes later, Carlos Tevez’s shot was blocked by Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. Drogba made no mistake with his second chance of the night after stealing the ball off Leonardo Bonucci before beating Stephan Lichtsteiner and rounding Buffon give Galatasaray a 1-0 lead into the break. ahead. The Turks took their feet of the pedal in the second half seemingly comfortable to defend the 1-0 lead. However, Juventus levelled in the 76th minute from the penalty spot after Nordin Amrabat tripped Quagliarella and Arturo Vidal later stepped up convert the resultant spot kick. Four minutes before full time, Quagliarella stunned the visitors when he headed in an Andrea Pirlo cross to put the Italians 2-1 ahead. But Galatasaray spoilt the party just a minute later when Drogba assisted on substitute Umut Bulut’s equalizer. 31

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Patrick Vieira: My New Challenge

SEE PAGE 30

Kipsang breaks world marathon record in Berlin By Peter Olorunnisomo

The world marathon record took a shave of 15 seconds to be broken in Berlin title on Sunday. Wilson Kipsang, 31, of Kenya clocked a time of two hours, three minutes, and 23 seconds to better the previous mark set by his country man Patrick Makau two years ago in Berlin. Then Makau ran 2:03:38.

Wilson entered into the sport of domain of Kenya’s sporting excellence in 2007 when he ran 10,000m before moving on into the longer distances of 10km and 15km respectively. His participation in a series of half marathons prepared him well for his first debut marathon race in 2010 in Paris and he finished in third place. His first victory in the marathon event symbolically took place in Germany, Frankfurt precisely in 2010 and has since added six more victories in the event. At the last Olympics games, he came third in the same event and has enjoyed a fairly good season so far this year. In Berlin, Wilson beat his countrymen Eliud Kipchoge (2:04:05) and Geoffrey Kipsang (2:06:26) to second and third respectively in this year’s marathon. He was reported to have trained specifically to break the world record in Berlin. His training, tactics and desire were on their way to reality as he took control of the race in the final 10km, breaking away from the leading pack as the tempo dropped. “I’m very happy that I have won and

No World Cup special bonus Maigari The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Aminu Maigari has stated that there will be no special bonus for the Super Eagles in the two-legged World Cup play-off against Ethiopia. He added that the players would be paid the “usual $5,000” win bonus for the two games.

It will be remembered that determining the value of bonuses to be paid and when they

are paid had threatened the Super Eagles

as team during tournaments and even pretournaments mid year.

“The players will receive the usual $5,000

if they beat Ethiopia this month. There has

been no change in the bonus structure for now,” he said.

“There are no issues at all. We have been in contact with the players and coaches and

no one has any problem with what we pay as bonus.

“The players were paid $5,000 after the last

World Cup qualifying game against Malawi in Calabar and no one complained.

“It’s about honour, patriotism and the col-

lective zeal to see that Nigeria’s flag is hoisted at the gathering of elite football nations in Brazil next year.

“Money is the last thing on anyone’s mind right now because they are top professionals who know what it means to represent Wilson Kipsang broken the world record,” Kipsang said. “I was really inspired by [fellow Kenyan] Paul Tergat when he broke the world record here 10 years ago and I’m very happy that I was in a position to break the record on the same course.” His victory takes his total marathon wins to seven since competing in his first in Par-

is three years ago. Kipsang won the London marathon last year. The Berlin win was his first marathon victory this year. Despite being among the favourites, he only managed to finish fifth in the London event in April.

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