African voice newspaper edition 526 by African Voice Newspapers UK

Friday, 11 April – Thursday, 17 April 2014 ISSUE 526

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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 Nollywood helps power Nigeria into Africa’s largest economy SEE PAGE 12

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Sajid Javid appointed as new culture minister SEE PAGE 2

Visa reforms are harming UK’s soft power

SEE PAGE 6

Exposed: May’s magic missing migrants By Alan Oakley

Home Secretary Theresa May is reportedly considering a minor change to the Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer) (Short Term) visa rules aimed at reducing the perceived number of immigrants in the UK by as many as 20,000. The move, however, turns out to be little more than a ruse that will have absolutely no effect on the real number of immigrants in the country. By changing the maximum stay on the short term ICT visa from 12 months to a shorter term, even 11 months or 364 days, Mrs May would remove 19 - 20,000 people from the immigration figures at a stroke, since they will then no longer be classed as ‘resident’ in the UK and therefore be excluded from immigration figures.

According to the Financial Times, civil servants at the Home Office have proposed the change in order to reduce the bottom line immigration figure. The FT also reports that business opposes the change. It reports that Neil Carberry of the employers’ body the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said: “We are in a pretty dangerous place if we are redesigning the tiers of the immigration system in order to meet a political target (...) This would undermine the image of the UK as a place where we welcome highly skilled people”. David Cameron made what many now see as a rash pre-election promise to reduce net annual immigration to below 100,000 by 2015. Net annual immigration is calculated by taking the number of people who arrive in the country intending to reside permanently over a given year and subtracting the number of UK residents who leave on a long term basis over the same period.

Continued on page 2

Theresa May

Friday, 11 April – Thursday, 17 April 2014

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Review launched into support for victims of modern slavery

A major review into how victims of trafficking and slavery are identified and supported was launched by Home Secretary Theresa May.

Experts, charities and front line professionals are being called on to provide evidence to the review, which is due to report in the autumn. The aim is to make sure the current system, known as the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), is providing an effective and efficient means of supporting those who have suffered at the hands of slave masters and traffickers. The announcement comes as the Home Secretary attends an international conference on slavery hosted by the Vatican. The two-day event will focus on law enforcement and brings together representatives of police forces from over 20 countries. Home Secretary Theresa May said: “Strengthening support for victims and the targeting of organised criminals, who are behind the majority of slavery, form the two central planks of our work to stamp out this evil trade.

Publisher and Editor-In-Chief Mike Abiola Editorial Board Adviser Dr Ola Ogunyemi Managing Editor Alan Oakley News Editor Peter Olorunnisomo Sports Editor Peter Olorunnisomo Assist. Sports Editor Abiodun Teriba Arts Editor Golda John Columnists Milton Tella Yemi Dipeolu Henry Brefo Photo Journalist Isaac Adegbite Graphic Designer African Voice UK Accountant Fanla Agboola Legal Adviser Nosa Kings Erhunmwunsee London Office: Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP

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News

Sajid Javid appointed as new culture minister By Yemi Dipeolu

Sajid Javid has been appointed as the new culture minister following the resignation of Maria Miller on Wednesday.

The former Deutsche Bank director, who is one of five children of a Pakistani immigrant who worked as a bus driver to support his family, rose to political prominence while assisting George Osborne. Raised on Stapleton road, a place described as Britain’s worst street, Javid’s prospects did not seem too bright. He attended a comprehensive secondary school, who initially refused to allow him to take his math GCSE, telling him to instead take the CSE, until his father intervened by paying the £32 exam fee. Javid went on to study Economics and Politics at The University of Exeter, where he joined the Tory party, a party which he has supported since he was 11 years old, whilst watching Margaret Thatcher on television. After University, Javid began his career in the finance industry and went on to become the youngest Vice President of Chase Manhattan Bank in New York, and was later recruited to work for Deutsche Bank. At the height of his career, he was earning around £3 million a year, and it was at this

Sajid Javid the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Minister for Equality

point he wanted to “give something back to politics” and in 2010 he became the MP for Bromsgrove following another expense scandal. Two years later, he became the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and by 2013 he was the Financial Secretary to the Treasury earning £65,000 a year and thus taking a 98% pay cut.

Javid is married to Laura King, who he met during a summer job, and who he remembers telling her that he at aged 40 he would like to be an MP. They have 4 children, 3 girls and a boy aged 5-13, all of whom he has put in private education, which he believes is best. They live in a £4million flat and Javid has stated that he is proud of his accomplishments and the money that his hard work has earned him. His appointment as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Minister for Equality has made him the first Asian Secretary of State. The role, which previous included the Minister for Women’s title has been split with Nicky Morgan who is now the Minister for Women despite controversy surrounding her vote against gay marriage. Javid attributes his success to his parents who encouraged him to work hard from a young a young aged often making him and his siblings spend hours in the library reading. He believes that in the UK, cultural identity is not a barrier, and that any one can achieve what they want if they put their minds to it. Many MPs have stated that he has the potential to become the first nonwhite British Prime Minister.

Exposed: May’s magic missing migrants Continued from front page

According to the UN definition, to be classed as a resident on arrival in the UK, a migrant must be intending to stay for a year or more. Therefore, students who arrive for a three year university course are classed as residents. As most students are in the UK on a temporary basis, many universities and colleges have argued that it is misleading to include students in the immigration figures as permanent immigrants coming to the UK. Those arriving in the UK on shorter term student visas under a year, however, are not classed as residents and are not included in the migration statistics. By altering the maximum stay for short-term Tier 2 (ICT) visa holders even to one day under a year, Mrs May would remove all of them from the immigration statistics. About 20,000 short term ICT visas are issued each year. Under the previous Labour government, there was a significant increase in net immigration. Much of this rise was caused by the accession of eight new countries to the European Union in 2004. Unlike many EU countries, the UK did not place any controls on citizens of the new countries coming to live and work in the UK.

Home Secretary Theresa May

The Labour government said that they expected 13,000 people to come to the UK to work from the new EU member states each year. In fact, it is estimated that over 600,000 came in the first year. Under Labour there were also many immigrants from outside the European Union. By 2010, net immigration was about 250,000 per year.

Mr Cameron said in a BBC programme before the last General Election that he would reduce immigration to ‘tens of thousands’ annually. This was taken to mean below 100,000 a year. By 2012, the government had succeeded in reducing the net immigration figure by about 100,000 to an estimated 153,000 annually. However, it has since found reductions harder to come by. The latest figures showed that, in the year to September 2013, the net immigration figure is back above 200,000. Experts predict that the figure may well climb back up to 2010 levels making Mr Cameron ‘a failure’ on immigration. Mr Cameron is also facing the possibility of electoral defeat in the European elections this May. Conservative Party strategists fear that a rise in the net immigration figure could drive some Conservative supporters to vote for the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) in coming elections. UKIP is promising to cut immigration by taking the UK out of the EU, which would enable the UK to set its own immigration policy and to cut immigration. A rise in the net immigration figure might encourage more voters who would normally vote Conservative to vote for UKIP instead.

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News Cherry Groce inquest: family appeal legal-aid refusal Justice Secretary Chris Grayling is to review the decision to deny legal aid to the family of Dorothy ‘Cherry’ Groce, the black mother who was shot and crippled during the botched police raid in 1985 that triggered that year’s Brixton riots.

The announcement came hours after the family delivered a 136,000 signature petition to the Prime Minister in protest against the refusal. The family is seeking funding for a lawyer to represent them at their mother’s inquest. Mrs Groce was paralysed below the chest by the shooting, which confined her to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. She died in April 2011 at the age of 63. Pathologists for both the police and the family established that there was a link between the shooting and the medical conditions that led to her death, triggering an inquest. That hearing opens in June but the family are not able to afford a lawyer to represent them. Last month it emerged that a senior Met officer has apologised privately to the family for the shooting, which occurred when armed officers raided her home while looking for Mrs Groce’s son, Michael.

The blue plaque erected in Cherry Groce’s memory in 2011

The ensuing riots left dozens injured and caused hundreds of thousands of pounds in property damage. Days later, further disorder erupted on the Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham following the death of

another black woman, Cynthia Jarrett, who collapsed after police raided her home. Following Ministry of Justice cuts to civil legal aid last year, aid for inquests has become increasingly difficult to ob-

tain. Lee Lawrence, Mrs Groce’s youngest son, is hoping to persuade the government that the case is of public interest, which remains one of the grounds for granting legal aid. Mr Lawrence, who was 11 years old when he witnessed his mother being shot, told reporters: “I was in the room. I remember a big bang woke me up. I jumped up and saw my mum lying on the floor and blood coming from her side. I was screaming and shouting hysterically: ‘What have you done to my mum?’ At that point, an officer pointed a gun at me and said: ‘Someone better shut that kid up’”. Deborah Coles, co-director of Inquest, a body set up to assist families in Coroners’ court, said: “The government sees fit to use public money to fund teams of lawyers to represent the state at inquests to defend their policies and practices but not bereaved families. A family’s legal representation ensures proper public scrutiny of the conduct of police officers. There needs to be a fundamental rethink of the way decisions on legal funding for inquests are made.” The Groce family has been supported in their representations by Labour MP Chuka Umunna.

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News

Nigerian Centenary Awards UK to honour unsung heroes By Milton Tella Unsung heroes within the UK Nigerian community are to be honoured at a special gala dinner to be held at Waltham Forest Town Hall on June 27.

The organisers of the Nigerian Centenary Awards UK have begun receiving nominations for the most outstanding 100 diasporans in the UK over the last century who will be honoured at a special gala dinner at Waltham Forest Town Hall on June 27. Tagged the Nigerian Centenary Awards UK, the event is billed to be the diasporan awards ceremony of the year according to the organisers. It is expected to attract 450 guests including the Nigerian high commissioner to the UK Dr Dalhatu Tafida and Councillor Chris Robbins, the leader of Waltham Forest Council, the ceremony will involve plaques and certificates given out to awardees. Put together by a group of 30 community leaders, the event, which will kick off at 7pm, comes with entertainment, stand-up comedy and music. Organisers have started receiving nominations on their website www.nigeriancentenaryawardsuk.com and are calling on the public to enthusiastically come forward with suggestions. Ayo Akinfe, committee chairman, said: “There are a lot of unsung heroes within the UK diaspora who toil away day and night without any recognition and these are the people we want to honour. We are trying to break away from the discredited practice of people paying to get honoured, so are asking the public to only forward the names of people they believe are genuinely deserving of the honour.

Committee members on a visit to Dr. Dalhatu Tafida Nigeria’s High Commissioner UK

“On the night, we shall put together the best event the UK diaspora has ever seen, as apart from the handing out of awards, there will also be a lot of fun and entertainment. Our event has been received enthusiastically by everyone who has heard about it and has been endorsed by the high commission, the numerous diaspora organisations and several prominent Nigerians who will be coming over to grace the event.” Ronke Udofia, the chair of the awards sub-committee, added: “For us, ensuring the integrity of the awards is paramount, so we want the process to be as transparent as possible. We will painstakingly go through the nominations and ensure that only those who meet our set down criteria are honoured on the night. “Nominations opened on April 2 and will close by midnight on Sunday May 18, after which we will sit down and check the

validity of each entry. We will then write to nominees informing them about the fact that they have been nominated. Many of the committee members are deserving of the recognition in their own right but they are all prepared to sacrifice being nominated and recognised to enhance the integrity of the awards.” Among the prominent Nigerians who have said they will try to come for the event include Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka; Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chair of the House of Representatives Diaspora Committee; AIT news presenter Lara Owoeye-Wise; Nigerian Idol judge Yinka Davies and lawyer Bamidele Aturu. Several more are expected to confirm their attendance over the coming weeks. Dayo Olomu, the chair of the programmes sub-committee, added: “A lot of hard work has gone into the planning of this event to

ensure that it has everything. Not only will the awards ceremony itself be slick and smooth but our guests will also be entertained with a variety of treats including live music, stand-up comedy, exotic Nigerian cuisine and dancing.” DJ Abass Tijani, the chair of the marketing and branding sub-committee, added: “Now that we have the website up and running, we hope to get all our nominations through it. People can also buy their tickets through the site and we would recommend they do that as early online purchases will help with organisation on the day.” Committee secretary Jumoke Ariyo, said that tickets will be selling for £30 per head and although they are available online, there will also be a facility to purchase at the door on the day. She added that already, Waltham Forest Council has purchased 30 tickets which it plans to allocate to elderly Nigerians in the borough. Ms Ariyo added that anyone requiring more information about the event can either visit the website at www.nigeriancentenaryawardsuk.com or email info@nigeriancentenaryawardsuk.com. Alternatively, they can ring 07866 164 300 or 07529 982 313. Former Waltham Forest mayor Councillor Anna Mbachu, who serves as the committee’s assistant secretary, added that all the diasporan groups including the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK, the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, the Nigerian Women in Diaspora Leadership Forum, the Nigerian Council of Elders, the National Association of Nigerian Communities UK and the Nigerian Students Union UK are backing the event. According to Councillor Mbachu, Waltham Forest Town Hall with its serene setting will help make the event a memorable one.

Thieving murderer gets life imprisonment for killing deaf friend A man who stabbed his deaf friend and former flatmate in order to steal his iPad has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 18 years.

On December 9th 2012, 23-year-old unemployed French man, Soufiane Essabri, broke into Andrejs Ivanovs’ home with the intention of stealing the gadget. When Ivanovs became aware of what was going on, he tried to stop his friend, and as a result a fight broke out. Essabri stabbed the deaf man several times before strangling him with the cord from an electric iron. Police soon arrived after phone calls from neighbours about a disturbance at the flat. However Essabri managed to escape through a back window with the iPad in tow. Ivanovs was found with several stab wounds and the 4

iron cord still wrapped around his neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Two days later on December 11th police arrested Essabri at his home after finding a bloodied iPad case with his fingerprints on it on the road where he fled the crime scene. In court, Essabri claimed that he was acting in self-defence. However Judge Christopher Moss stated that his attack was “deliberate” and said to Essibri that he had “strangled him...in order to make your escape.” Essabri was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder on April 9th at the Old Bailey. Detective Inspector David Reid of HMCC said: “I hope this verdict will provide some measure of consolation to the family of Andrejs Ivanovs.”

Frenchman Soufiane Essabri murdered his deaf friend and stole his iPad

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News

Visa reforms are harming UK’s soft power A report by a parliamentary committee has warned that the Government is harming the UK’s standing in the world because of the changes it has made to the visa system.

A report from the Select Committee on Soft Power says that changes to the Tier 4 student visa in particular are damaging the UK’s reputation. The tone of the debate on immigration too, diminishes the country in the eyes of people around the world. The government should also do its best to ensure that visa applicants receive a good service. The Soft Power Committee was established to examine how Britain could best wield soft power. Soft power, the committee says, is influence based not on military power or financial wealth or trade but on less tangible attributes such as cultural influence or interpersonal relationships. Education ‘a major contributor to the UK’s soft power’ The committee identified the UK’s educational sector as ‘a major contributor to the UK’s soft power’. Britain’s universities have an excellent reputation and attract

in China spreading British soft power and bringing export revenues.

Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-President of Universities UK

many able students from around the world. 18% of students at UK universities are foreign. They contributed £17.5bn in fees in 2011. In addition, those that study in the UK are likely to maintain ties with it in later life. Many national leaders studied in the UK including Bill Clinton of the US (Oxford), Manmohan Singh of India (Cambridge) and Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan (Oxford). In 2011, 27 serving heads of states had studied at some time in the UK. Many foreign children are educated at British independent schools bringing £750m a year in fees and some, such as Harrow, have established ‘daughter schools’

Government should encourage greater educational ties The report says that these educational institutions contribute to Britain’s soft power by increasing British influence amongst high level people overseas who have studied in the UK. It recommends that the government should encourage greater educational ties with the wider world. But, instead, the report finds, the Coalition government’s efforts to cut the ‘net immigration figure’ threaten to reduce British soft power by discouraging international students from coming to the UK. Before he became Prime Minister, David Cameron, as leader of the opposition, promised to cut net immigration into the UK to below 100,000 a year from the then level of 250,000 a year. Government policy is damaging UK’s education sector Home Secretary Theresa May presided over a crackdown on bogus educational institutions. The Home Office removed the Tier 4 sponsorship licences from 700 colleges thereby preventing them from teaching students from outside the European Union. Mrs May introduced a requirement that Tier 4 student visa applicants should be interviewed online by UK immigration staff to check their English language ability. She also introduced greater checks on academic qualifications for Tier 4 applicants. These changes all tend to make foreign students feel less welcome as do onerous requirements to report to the police before starting courses. The report says that the government has also allowed funding for its ‘Chevening Scholarship’ scheme to dwindle. Chevening Scholarships are designed to ‘build a strong, international network of friends of the UK who will rise to increasingly influential positions over the years’. Chevening Scholarships There is a network of 42,000 alumni in China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia and South Korea. The government spends £42m per annum on Chevening Scholarships which is less than a quarter of what Australia spends (AUS$334m (£185m) in 2011) and just over half what France spends €86m (£71m) in 2009. The report says that UK universities are also engaged in collaborative research with universities in other countries. This is useful in many ways, the report states. It is a form of ‘diplomacy’, according to the Association of Commonwealth Universities, allowing cooperation between the countries involved and can also produce technological or scientific breakthroughs. The UK has established 600 education and research partnerships in India alone since 2011. The report says that Britain has a strong competitive advantage over other countries because of the English language which is the most widely used language in the

World. It adds that the government is failing to properly exploit this advantage because it is underfunding the British Council. Visa and immigration regime is jeopardising UK’s competitive advantage The report says that the UK’s visa and immigration regime is putting all this at risk, as well as damaging British business. Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-President of Universities UK, told the committee ‘the changes to the visa regime since 2010 have had a distinct effect, in that our student numbers from overseas have been growing strongly for 16 years but this year have dipped by 0.4 per cent. ‘We could have expected growth rates of five per cent, 10 per cent, 15 per cent or even higher, which our rivals are enjoying at the moment. There are a couple of specific reasons for that, such as the increased cost of visas and the complexity of getting a visa to come here’. 30 changes to the Immigration Rules since 2010 John Dickie of the London First lobbying group told the Committee that visa changes are also affecting UK business in general. He said ‘We have seen something like 30 changes to the Immigration Rules since 2010 that make it very difficult for slightly smaller businesses to plan how they are going to bring highly skilled people in from abroad’. The report therefore recommends that students should be removed from the UK’s migration statistics so that the Home Office cannot reduce net immigration, a key government target, by cutting student numbers. This would prevent students from feeling unwelcome in the UK, as the committee says that many do now. Recommendations The report says that ‘managing immigration represents a highly complex challenge for any government’ but says that the government must • make every effort to ensure that legitimate visitors can access UK visas quickly, easily and cheaply • present and communicate their visa and immigration policies with a level of balance and in a tone that do not discourage those who would add to the UK’s prosperity by coming to the UK and supporting its business and trade’. The report seems to be saying that the government should consider the effect that ‘talking tough on immigration’ will have on audiences outside the UK. • consider the effects that their visa and immigration policies might have on the UK’s well-established reputation for academic and cultural cooperation • acknowledge the effects that tighter visa regulations might have on UK scientists’ ability to undertake international research collaboration The government has yet to respond to the report.

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Guinea corruption probe moves to strip billionaire’s concession

A government committee in Guinea has recommended stripping diamond billionaire Beny Steinmetz of one of the world’s biggest iron ore concessions on evidence his company bribed the president’s wife.

In a new report on what has been dubbed “the deal of the century”, Global Witness, an organisation whose mission is to ‘stop elites getting away with looting entire states’, examined the evidence on which the mining committee based its recommendation, including transcripts of FBI recordings and contracts underpinning the corruption. The key documents were published by the committee, along with its findings on the deal. Global Witness’s report also looks at other new evidence, including a corrupt contract with one of the former president’s relatives and testimony that Beny Steinmetz Group Resources pressured the Guinean media into hiding the involvement of the president’s wife in the deal. She told the committee that a top BSGR official bribed her with cars, jewellery and a bag containing a $1 million. Criminal investigations into BSGR’s Guinea deal are underway on three continents, including in the United States.

“The committee’s extraordinary evidence builds on the revelations about BSGR’s Simandou deal that we have been publishing since late 2012,” said Daniel Balint-Kurti of Global Witness. “It is rare that the mechanics of corrupt deals are laid bare so clearly, showing how opaque mining deals can short-change the world’s poorest nations.” BSGR says it “acquired its exploration and mining rights in Guinea after a fully transparent and legal process “ and claimed the huge project would “contribute to increased stability and peace” in the region. It says that the evidence released by the committee was “fabricated” and that the whole process is an illegal attempt to seize its assets. The contracts released by the mining committee show how BSGR and an affiliated offshore company promised millions of dollars in bribes to Mamadie Touré, one of then-President Lansana Conté’s four wives, in exchange for help in obtaining the concessions, at a time when they were already held by one of the world’s biggest miners, Rio Tinto. The Guinean government then took the rights back from Rio Tinto in 2008 and handed them to BSGR for nothing (although the company says it later invested $160 million). BSGR booked a phenomenal profit by selling half the rights on to

Israeli-French businessman Beny Steinmetz has interests across the globe in mining, diamonds, real estate and capital markets.

another major mining company, Brazil’s Vale, for $2.5 billion - equivalent to twice the Guinean national budget. After Guinean government-appointed investigators learnt of the corrupt contracts, BSGR adviser Frederic Cilins repeatedly travelled to Florida last year to meet Touré, who had moved there after the death of her husband. The transcripts of the FBI’s recordings of their conversations - linked to a wider US criminal inquiry into the Simandou deal - show that Cilins offered Touré $1 million to destroy the corrupt contracts, claiming that he was acting under instruc-

tions from Beny Steinmetz himself. Cilins has pleaded guilty in the US to obstructing a federal investigation, for which he could be jailed for up to 47 months. He could still be charged with other offences as the US inquiry into the Simandou deal continues. Global Witness’s reports on BSGR in Guinea can be found here, including our August report that showed how BSGR was intimately connected with the British Virgin Islands company, Pentler, that signed several of the corrupt contracts.

The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) announced the finalists of the prestigious Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) 2014.

cuss approaches to inclusive growth and job creation, the IPA 2014 innovators demonstrate that the best way to achieve equitable economic growth for all Africans is to invest in local innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais, founder of the African Innovation Foundation and the IPA. From South Africa to Niger, the IPA 2014 finalists are: • Ashley Uys (South Africa) OculusID Impairment Screening • Daniel Gitau Thairu (Kenya) Domestic Waste Biogas System • Elise Rasel Cloete (South Africa) GMP Traceability Management Software CC • Joshua Okello (Kenya) WinSenga • Logou Minsob (Togo) Foufoumix • Dr. Nicolaas Duneas (South Africa) Altis Osteogenic Bone Matrix (Altis OBM™) • Maman Abdou Kane (Niger) Horticultural tele irrigation • Melesse Temesgen (Ethiopia) Aybar BBM • Sulaiman Bolarinde Famro (Nigeria) Farmking Mobile Multi-crop Processor • Viness Pillay (South Africa) WaferMatTM The call for applications for IPA 2015 will be announced in July.

Mobile - Software: Innovation Prize for Africa 2014 Finalists Announced Ten African innovators have created practical solutions to some of the continent’s most intractable problems, from a domestic waste biogas system to a wafer matrix for paediatric antiretroviral (ARV) drug treatment. Chosen from almost 700 applications from 42 countries, the finalists for the IPA 2014 represent Africans’ potential to address the challenges that are unique to the continent. The winners of the IPA 2014 will be announced at an awards ceremony on 5 May in Abuja, Nigeria, where keynote speaker, the Honourable Minister Ngozi OkonjoIweala, Nigeria’s Minister of finance, will highlight the importance of innovation to unlock Africa’s potential for sustainable development and economic growth. The winner will receive USD 100 000 for the best innovation based on marketability, originality, scalability, social impact and clear business potential. A runner up will receive USD 25 000 for the best commercial potential and another winner will receive USD 25 000 as a special prize for innovation with the highest social impact. Prior to the awards ceremony, a roundtable featuring innovation experts will take place, to address the theme “A Path to Building Industrial Nation Skillsets in Africa”. “As global leaders gather for the 2014 World Economic Forum on Africa to dis-

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Feature

Walking with Nollywood

The development of Africa’s greatest movie industry, the Nollywood, looking at the way it has propelled itself, certainly needs a different approach to take it to the truly epic Olympus it needs to be. A recent survey of the wealth of nations leaps Nigeria to the 26th wealthiest in the world when the industrial stock of the telecommunications, and movie industry was included in the assessment with oil still the spine of the nation’s largesse. By Peter Olorunnisomo

Nollywood probably has been waiting to break out for a while given the infrastructure that has slowly been built up over decades and more importantly the array of talents the country has thrown up largely thanks to the cultural diversity and philosophical vibrancy of the many tribal nations therein.

Though recently, the steps taken have induced the government to endow the industry with funds and land in support but it does appear that aside from the bonding which should hallmark the rate of growth, a sense of unifying creative vision which in today’s world cannot but include technical artistry. Let it not become a fad to blame ‘what they have in America’ or ‘what they have in India’, rather let the fad be ‘what we have to get what we need’. To this end a sense of purpose requires to be most adequately defined and a bonding similar to the raw rubber which the country once produced should facilitate the connection to have a collective fate. From outside the country, a lot is expected and breaking out of the mould to wear the gloves on the world stage is a sight many are expecting to see. Nigerian artistes in diaspora are also doing what they can to fill in, possibly, the diaspora quota. Great! However, in terms of what value, is added that rubs off at ‘home’ and accounts for an additional step is waiting for manifestation. While it is good to say film productions cut from America and produced from England, the challenge to all should be how that goes beyond the announcement of Nollywood on widescreen cinema in the West in much the same manner that ‘Eze Goes to School’. The story of Kola Oyewo’s transition into what he has become today did seem microcosm of the Nollywood from the artistic perspective. He operated a delicate balance between transition and re-positioning for acceptability. Most importantly, is how he has handled criticism not as a notion of negativity but as a concept of objectivity. This is not to say that artistes of the Nollywood industry are not doing anything but while movement or progress can be vertical or horizontal, both are simply not the same: for the former we look up until we bring down our heads in respect in a nod; for the latter a move of head from right to left or vice versa is more indicate of a ‘no’ 10

than an awe. I want to mention the enterprise Akin Salami, CEO of OHTV in this regard and the dogma of Obi Emelonye. They are by no means the only ones and shouldn’t be. I hope to see the others pretty soon. Enjoy Kola Oyewo’s experience as reported by Yinka Olatunbosun to mark the World Theatre Day Of all the actors in Nigeria’s movie industry, there are just a few whose acting is believable. Kola Oyewo is one of them. He internalises his role and lives the character through his performances. For him, natural talent is not enough to make an actor. Much is required. His sojourn into theatre began as a secondary school student in Osun state where he hails from. “There was a cousin of mine, Kunle Olaniyan who was a teacher at the time but is now a politician. He started Oba Dramatic society. During long vacations, when I returned to Oba from Oshogbo where I schooled, he would organise us for performances in Oba; we’d go to small towns and villages. Once school resumed, that would be the end of the performances. That was where I developed my interest in acting. Immediately after my secondary modern school, I saw that Oyin Adejobi was looking for actors and actresses so I applied and was auditioned. I was seen as an intriguing actor. “That was how I started in January 1964. We were performing on stage and later we began performing on TV. I spent about 9 years at the Oyin Adejobi Theatre before I moved to the University of Ife Theatre under the late Ola Rotimi. That was 1973 at the Ori Olokun Cultural Centre, Arubidi, Ile-Ife. We started at Ori Olokun and that was when I first took part in a play that is scripted and written in English. At Oyin Adejobi, Yoruba was the medium of communication and the scripts were not written. The lines then were mostly sung. It was called “Native Air Opera”. But later, when we started performing for TV, we were told, ‘How can you be singing all your lines? You have to restrict your songs to the opening and closing glee. The rest should be dialogue’. We quickly adapted to the new style,” he recalled. Whether onstage or offstage, Oyewo has a remarkable sense of humour. Even as a teacher, his students find him approachable and fondly call him, “Uncle K’’. That quality must have been acquired through his years of communal performances. “We started what we called the Yoruba Photo Play Series, Atoka which was a magazine published at Ilupeju. Segun Sofowoteyin was the editor. Then, there was no film. Soyinka started films with Kongi’s

Kola Oyewo Harvest in early 70s. At Ife, the Institute of African Studies building was under construction. When the building was completed, we had an amphi-theatre and a Pit Theatre. We moved from the Ori Olokun Cultural Centre to the Institute of African studies at the OAU Campus. We used to tour the whole country. We were being paid and funded by the university. We were on salary which was paid by hand. Later, we fought for and got our own artistes’ cadre which was different from the academic, administrative and technical staff’s. In that way, we could be promoted. Before I moved to the academics, I was a Senior Artiste I. After my first degree, I crossed to the academics”, he recounted. He could have simply continued as an actor because he was doing financially well. He had a family and Professor Wole Soyinka was his director. But when Soyinka left and handed over to Yemi Ogunbiyi and Kole Omotosho, his feet were shaken. Omotosho proposed to disband the Awo Varsity Theatre because they were “a pack of illiterates”. Quickly, he and other members of the theatre met with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Wande Abimbola to wade into the matter. The VC assured them that it would not happen, at least not during his tenure. Still worried, Oyewo approached Professor Femi Osofisan who was on sabbatical at Ife and that was the turning point. “He asked what our offence was, I told him “They said we didn’t go to school.’’ His response was,“ Then, go to school”. I told my wife that her Ijebu comrade, Osofisan said I should go to school at this age. My wife went ahead to buy a GCE form for me. Having passed five O’ level credits requirements and added to my certificate in

Yoruba Oral Literature, I applied for a direct entry at 200 level. That was when I got into the same class with my son. To me, it was all fun. So, it was on record that I graduated with my second son in the same class at the age of 49”, he said. That move paid off. Professor Ola Rotimi had left for Port Harcourt and the HOD, Dr. Komolafe needed someone with almost the same expertise to run the theatre. Oyewo was his pick. He encouraged him to apply as a graduate assistant and was advised to study for his Master’s degree. “Dr. Olu Komolafe said I should go to New York but I tried, I gained admission but there was no sponsor. I went to UI for my masters in 1997. When Professor Osofisan saw me, he was very happy. He took me to the Alumni Centre and gave me a fine lunch. While we were talking over a bottle of beer, he asked why I returned to school. I reminded him that he was one of those who said I should go to school. He was my supervisor for the Master’s thesis and I made a PHD grade. I continued with PHD in 2005 and he was still my supervisor. I saw the need to acquire knowledge. I saw people who I was much older than who were professors,” he said. When asked if theatre practice will become as lucrative as music in Nigeria, he argued that theatre arts had always been lucrative and had enjoyed corporate sponsorship, citing the example of a Femi Osofisan’s adaptation of D.O. Fagunwa’s novel that was sponsored by Chams Plc. One argument that has been within and beyond the circle of actors is whether acting can really be taught or just inherent.

Continued on page 20

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Africa Newsround

Rwanda

Rwandans light ﬂame for victims of genocide The atmosphere was palpable at Sainte-Famille Catholic church in Kigali on Sunday, where hundreds attended a Mass in a place of worship that should have provided sanctuary for several of the victims who were slain within its walls regardless during 100 days of genocide that started exactly 20 years earlier.

On April 6 1994, a plane carrying authoritarian leader Juvénal Habyarimana was shot down over Kigali, killing twelve, including both Rwanda’s president of 21 years and his counterpart from neighbouring Burundi. Few envisaged that day that, in just over three months, an estimated 800,000 to 1 million Tutsi, Twa and moderate Hutu would have been slaughtered at the hands of Hutu extremists in reprisal attacks.

A moderate Hutu, attacked for being a Tutsi sympathiser; one of the iconic images from Rwanda’s 1994 genocide

Sunday’s anniversary of what has become known as the Rwanda Genocide marks the beginning of a week of mourning, kicking off with a wreath-laying ceremony at the national genocide memorial followed by

Kenya

Kenya Airways takes delivery of Dreamliner

Kenya Airways’ first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner prepares to touch down Kenya Airways has taken delivery of its which departed Boeing’s Paine Field site first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in front of in Everett, Washington State for a 7,800 an enthusiastic, sun-drenched audience nautical mile (14,456 km) nonstop flight of media reporters, airport staff and dig- to Kenya Airways’ home base in Nairobi’s nitaries led by President Uhuru Keny- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. atta. The Dreamliner is expected to form “The delivery of our first ever 787 Dreamthe backbone of the airline’s future long- liner not only opens a new chapter for our haul fleet, in the airline’s words provid- airline, but also for Kenya,” said Dr Titus ing greater range, improved efficiencies Naikuni, CEO Kenya Airways, who added: and outstanding passenger comfort. “The 787 will enable Kenya Airways to exTransport secretary Michael Kamau drew plore new markets, improve its economic laughter when, in his brief address to intro- performance, provide passengers with duce President Kenyatta he said: “I have a revolutionary comfort, while continuing to written speech Mr. President, but because contribute towards the sustainable develof the excitement that I have, I will not read opment of Africa.” it.” This delivery is the first of nine 787 Hailing Kenya Airways as “the best in the Dreamliners set to join Kenya Airways’ whole world”, Mr Kenyatta told an excited fleet. The deliveries of additional 787s, melee: “And this is as far as commercial along with 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes are concerned. The only people aircraft, forms part of the East African carwho beat Kenya Airways are the Kenya Air rier’s ten-year strategic plan called “Project Force pilots and crew, who indeed are the Mawingu.” The plan is focused on increasbest that the world has to offer,” he said, ing the airline’s fleet size from 44 aircraft paying tribute to his official air travel crew. to 107 by 2021 and destinations from the He then showed his transport secretary 62 to 115. Currently the Nairobi-based his own stand-up credentials by adding: carrier operates an all-Boeing long-haul “That is why Titus Naikuni (Kenya Air- fleet of six 767-300ERs, four 777-200ERs ways’ managing director) keeps on ‘poach- and one 777-300ER. ing’ them,” which had them ‘rolling in the Kenya Airways’ first 787 is scheduled to aisles’ as they say. begin flying regionally within Africa in the Kenya’s flag carrier has ordered a further coming weeks, before beginning long-haul eight of the high-tech aircraft, the first of service to Paris in early June.

the lighting of a ﬂame at the Amahoro Stadium in the capital, Kigali. The torch has been carried across the country for the past three months, visiting 30 districts and passing from village to village to eventually

light a ﬂame that will burn for 100 days. Thousands sang mournful traditional songs, while others wept or succumbed to seemingly involuntary body gyrations during the moving stadium tribute attended by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, British former prime minister, Tony Blair and current Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, who was once thought to have orchestrated the shooting down of the aircraft carrying Habyarimana. Lighting the ﬂame with president Kagame, Ban Ki Moon apologised on behalf of the UN for failing to prevent the 1994 genocide. Ban told the crowd he was proud of the bravery shown by UN personnel during the killings, “But we could have done much more. We should have done much more,” he said. “In Rwanda, troops were withdrawn when they were most needed,” he added.

Somalia

Uniformed assailant kills British investigator

Galkayo is 370 miles (575km) north of the capital Mogadishu and lies on the border with Puntland

A British UN worker has been killed in Somalia, according to a statement issued by the government of the northern breakaway state of Puntland. Simon Davis, who worked with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), was shot dead on Monday (April 7) along with a French colleague on arrival at Abdullahi Yusuf International Airport in Galkayo. Nicholas Kay, special representative of the UN secretary-general for Somalia, said: “Our UN colleagues were working in support of the Somali people’s aspiration for a peaceful and stable future. There can be no justification for such a callous attack. I call on the authorities to conduct a full investigation immediately and bring the perpetrators to justice without delay.” The UK Foreign Office said it was aware of the death of a British national in Somalia and was ready to provide consular assistance to the family.

Local security official, Mohamed Mire told reporters: “Two white men have been shot inside the airport as they got off a plane.” An airport official said the attacker was dressed in a police or security guard uniform. The two men were in Puntland State to meet Somali officials on the issue of regulating the money transfer services that replace a formal banking system in Somalia, and were looking at the financial flow of money related to Somalia’s pirate attacks, according to reports. UN staff members have been regularly targeted in Somalia, where the fragile internationally backed government, supported by African Union troops, is battling al-Qaida-linked al Shabaab rebels. In February, at least six people were killed in a suicide car bomb attack targeting a UN convoy close to Mogadishu’s heavily fortified international airport.

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Jonathan commissions Police Peace-keeping directorate By Peter Olorunnisomo

While the Nigerian Police Force was acknowledged as the lead agency of government in the maintenance of internal security, there has been further call for it to redouble its efforts in the ﬁght against terror and in the provision of security for the Nigerian people.

This call was made by President Goodluck Jonathan while commissioning the International Peace Keeping Centre and Force Museum at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. In commending the efforts of the Police in peacekeeping, which dates back to the 1960s, the president noted that the times were changing and the Nigerian Police must brace up to the challenges of the moment. He said that the peacekeeping role was compelling now more than ever before. He described terror as inimical to the progress of the country, pledging the determination of his administration to confront it.

To this effect, he ensured the establishment of the centre which would serve as a training hub in the West-African sub region for Police ofﬁcers being deployed for peace keeping operations. The centre has facilities which include a parade ground, accommodation tents equipped with bedding facilities, a visual shooting range and a 250-seater auditorium, one of the facilities at the centre named after the President. The event attracted ministers, other arms of the law enforcement agencies, including service chiefs, lawmakers, the judiciary and senior Police ofﬁcers. The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and the Director, Directorate of Peacekeeping, Kayode Aderanti, both expressed appreciation for the efforts of Government to encourage the Force, describing the centre as an addition. More experts at the event also poured accolades on the Force for the works they do abroad even without facilities, which many do not know about. They said that with the facilities, one could only expect the best from them.

Mohammed Abubakar, IGP

Nollywood helps power Nigeria into Africa’s Largest Economy Nigeria’s movie industry, Nollywood, is a certiﬁed $5.1 billion (£3bn) industry and along with other star performing sectors like music, telecommunications and Information technology, combined to muscle Nigeria’s economy into a $509.9bn (£307.6bn) powerhouse thereby over taking South Africa as Africa’s largest basin of economic activity.

The figures validated by the IMF and World Bank captured Nollywood under “Motion pictures, sound recording and music production valuing the county’s vast new entertainment sector at $55bn (£33bn). This sector is one of thirteen new activities that have just been included in Nigeria’s new GDP figures. What is surprising, especially for financial observers and analysis is that most thought Nollywood was a $600m industry growing at 14% a year, some even thought it was still a $250m industry, the value given to it by UNESCO in 2009 but being validated as a $5.1bn industry has taken even the most optimistic observer by surprise. For Nollywood and the Entertainment sector to reach a value of $55bn in just over twenty years is nothing short of a miracle, especially if you consider that the sector has been mainly driven by very small private sector organisations and received little to no support from Government. 12

From L-R Chuks Chukwujekwu, Desmond Elliot, Oge Okoye, Her Excellency First Lady of Cross Rivers State Barrister Obioma Liyel Imoke and a guest

Many stakeholders now hope that the Nigerian Government will stop paying lip service to this very important industry that employs over a million Nigerian’s and is a major foreign exchange earner for the country. Hoping the government will formulate and implement an effective strategy using the enormous talent the country has

at home and abroad to drive this valuable industry forward to even greater heights. Nollywood is fast growing into a global ﬁlm industry with very strong historic, cultural, economic and political footings in the USA and UK. This is good news for companies like Talking Drum Entertainment and others based in the UK who earn sub-

stantial income from doing business with Nigeria’s ﬁlm sector. The UK Government along with its lead agency the British Film Institute should take a very careful look at the opportunities this fast growing industry affords the UK with the aim of exploiting them effectively.

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Confab react to one-minute silence for B/Haram victims By Peter Olorunnisomo What turned out to be a dramatic nuance happened at the ongoing National Conference on Monday and it took the diplomatic skills of the Deputy Chairman of the confab, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi to avert what could easily have degenerated into needless controversy, when almost all the delegates rose to protest against the call for the observance of a one-minute silence in honour of victims of the recent Boko Haram attacks in Zamfara State. Col. Bala Mande (rtd.), delegate from Zamfara State and former Military Administrator of Nasarawa State, representing the North West geo-political zone, occasioned the drama, in his submission to the debate on the speech by President Goodluck

Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi

Senate passes 2014 budget The much awaited passing of the national budget by the Federal Government has eventually been passed by the Senate last Wednesday. The Senate considered and passed a budget of 4.695 trillion Naira (about 29.3 billion dollars) for the 2014 ﬁscal year.

This amount represents an increase of 53 billion Naira of the initial 4.642 trillion Naira presented to the National Assembly on December 19, 2013 by the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan. Of the amount, 408.7 Naira was approved for statutory transfers, as against the 399.7 proposed by the executive. The sum of 712 billion was approved for debt service as proposed. The Senate also approved the sum of 2.5 trillion Naira for recurrent non-debt expenditure while the sum of 1.1 trillion Naira was approved for capital expenditure for the 2014 ﬁscal year. In the proposal presented by the executive, the recurrent expenditure was 2.4 trillion Naira and the capital expenditure was 1.1 trillion Naira. The approval was based on an oil price benchmark of $77.5 per barrel, Crude oil production of 2.3883 million barrels per day, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 6.75 per cent, Inﬂation rate of 9.5 per cent and Exchange Rate of 160 Naira to $1.00. A third reading passage is expected by the House of Representatives before a harmonisation of the bill and further presentation to the president for assent.

Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

While presenting the budget Okonjo-Iweala said: “This budget is the budget for job creation and inclusive growth; meaning that it is a budget which will continue the president’s transformation agenda for several sectors of the economy. “The budget is going to support the push in agriculture. It will kick-start the housing sector where we can create more jobs. It is designed to promote our policies that would support manufacturing because jobs would be created there. “Industries will also be created in solid minerals. All these support will continued to be unleashed. Job creation is the key to really solving the problems of the Nigerian economy.”

Jonathan, requested the observance of a one-minute silence for the victims. While condemning the wave of attacks in some parts of the country, especially in northern parts, he stated that since the conference was convened to determine the future of the country, victims of the Zamfara attacks should be remembered through observance of a minute silence. His suggestion was immediately countered by a delegate from Nasarawa State and former Minister for State, Mr. Musa Elayo. Mr. Elayo said it would be wrong to single out some victims for such honour since many people had been killed in various attacks across the country. He particularly made reference to recent attacks in Nasarawa and Benue states, where he noted many people were killed by Fulani herdsmen, insisting that if Col. Mande’s prayer was granted, the conference would have been unfair to other crises victims.

His comments immediately generated tension in the plenary, as all the delegates rose spontaneously to show support for Mr. Elayo. A few others were also seen supporting Col. Mande. While some were loudly shouting ‘yes’ in support of Elayo, others, mostly from the far North, supported Mande. The drama occasioned as a result of the development was brought under control when Prof. Akinyemi, presiding over the afternoon session of the conference, decided that rather than observe the minute silence for the Zamfara victims, other victims would be included in recognition of others from other states. His statement met with general applause. A one minute silence was then observed for victims of all crises in the country, thus burying the issue.

Nigeria military foils terror attack in Lake Chad Reports reaching us state that the multi-national Joint Task Force ﬁghting insurgents in Nigeria’s north east has foiled a planned attack on communities around the Lake Chad area by terrorists believed to be members of the Boko Haram sect.

A statement by the Director, Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, says a timely distress call saved the communities already besieged by terrorists in search of food. The terrorists, who were said to be heavily armed, scampered for safety on sensing the approach of troops before they could carry out their mission, the statement read. Arms left behind by fleeing terrorists were recovered by the troops which had started a cordon and search operation in the area, with a view to apprehending any of the terrorists that could be lurking around. Meanwhile, Major-General Olukolade said the assault on terrorists’ enclaves in Sambisa forests and surrounding locations is continuing. “Operational activities around Wala, Gwoza, Pulka and environs have been intensified. “Encounters resulting from air and land strikes and an ambush of troops on patrols in the area have resulted in the death of scores of terrorists and loss of five soldiers including an officer,” he said. The forces are gaining more ground in the counter terrorism operation in the north east that had witnessed series of attacks by the Boko Haram group, a development that had resulted in the declaration of the state of emergency in three states.

Major-General Chris Olukolade

The Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, last month, ordered the troops to rid the forests in the region of terrorists and had also stressed the need for Nigeria and neighbouring countries to review treaties on border control to empower the military more in the ﬁght against the insurgents who penetrate Nigeria through the border countries. 13

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CRIME

Prisoners found guilty of running firearms scheme from the inside By Yemi Dipeolu

A pair of prisoners have been found guilty of orchestrating a massive ﬁrearms operation, from behind bars.

Paul Alexander (58) and Carl Gordon (27), both convicts at HMP Belmarsh who previously met at HMP Swaleside, Kent, used mobile phones illegally smuggled into prison to communicate with their cronies in the outside world. Alexander, who was originally imprisoned on other firearms offences and Gordon, who was convicted of murder after stabbing someone over a vandalised car in 2002, used these phones to instruct their gang on how to convert old obsolete firearms into working guns. They also taught them how to make ammunition for these guns, using Alexander’s knowledge of weaponry. In 2011, the Special Intelligence Section of the Metropolitan Police caught wind of the Gordon and Alexander’s activities and launched Operation Propus, which resulted in 12 firearms being seized.

Paul Alexander This week on April 8th, following further more complex investigation into the crime, Gordon and Sherika Abbott-Holder (27) were found guilty of conspiracy to supply ﬁrearms with intent to endanger life, while another defendant Emma Jones (26) was found guilty of conspiracy to supply ﬁrearms. DI Richard Mills of SCO7, Special Intelligence Section, stated: “During the period

Sherika Abbott-Holder

that Gordon and Alexander met in prison, they effectively became business partners, dealing in deadly weapons and ammunition. The ﬁrearms and ammunition they converted had the potential to cause great harm on our streets and there is no doubt London is a safer place as a result of this network being dismantled. “This was a complex investigation by the Met’s Special Intelligence Section, which is committed to targeting criminal networks and bringing a successful prosecution. I

Carl Gordon would like to pay tribute to the detectives who have worked tirelessly to see this case to its successful conclusion.” Five others also previously pleaded guilty to various charges, including Alexander for conspiracy to supply ﬁrearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life, his wife Caroline Hunter-Mann-Purdy (64) for conspiracy to supply ﬁrearms and his step-daughter Lullabell Purdy (26) for money laundering offences. Sentencing will take place at a later date.

18 arrested over gang-related offences A group of 18 suspected gang members aged 16-28 have been arrested in Haringey after a series of raids under operation Trident.

On Tuesday evening, police arrested 10 individuals on suspicion of supplying class A and B drugs. By early Wednesday morning, police had made eight more arrests for similar offences. As part of their investigation, a team of around 150 ofﬁcers discovered a large amount of drugs, including what is thought to be cocaine, a kilo of what is believed to be cannabis as well as some money. Those arrested are believe to be ‘high harm’ individuals who have been part of other gang activities and are suspected of criminal offences such as GBH and robbery. The suspects have been taken to a police station in North London where they remain in police custody. Detective Chief Inspector Tim Champion of Trident Central Gangs Unit, stated: “Today’s operation is another example of how we act upon information given to us about those involved in gang-related criminal activity. “The criminal activity of those arrested has blighted the local area, caus14

ing misery to residents and creating a hostile place to live due to the level of violence and anti-social behaviour displayed by these gang members.” Over the last three months, Trident officers have seized class A drugs including crack cocaine and heroine and have also recovered knives and ammunition. Inspector Champion added: “Working with officers from Haringey for the past three months, we have conducted a total of 40 warrants and made 100 arrests of which 70 are known gang members. This has resulted in a significant reduction of serious youth violence, robbery [and] gun and knife crime.” Safer neighbourhood teams will continue to patrol the area and will speak to locals and businesses about the raids.

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Sounds of Diaspora People of America

Carmen to reprise Mrs MLK role for big screen British actress Carmen Ejogo is in talks to play Coretta Scott King, the wife of Martin Luther King Jr in ‘Selma’ a drama about Dr. King’s 1965 landmark voting rights campaign. David Oyelowo has already been cast to play Dr. King in the film. Ava DuVernay (Middle of Nowhere) is directing. ‘Selma’ details the attempts of black marchers to walk from Selma to Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, in order to gain voting rights, only to be beaten back by police. It took the organizers three attempts to make the journey, which swelled in numbers each time. It was also a critical time in MLK’s life. Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King Jr. were married on June 18th, 1953, and she was an influential activist during the African-American civil rights movement in the 1960s. She marched with her husband during the Selma Voting Rights Movement. ‘Selma’ has a strong collection of producers working on it, including Oprah Winfrey and her Harpo banner, Plan B’s Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner (who produced Steve McQueen’s Oscar-winning film ’12 Years a Slave’), along with Christian Colson. Carmen, 40, has played Mrs. King once before on screen, in the made-for-TV movie ‘Boycott’ for HBO. Playing oppo-

Carmen Ejogo met her future husband while playing his wife on screen

site her as Dr. King was American actor Jeffrey Wright. The pair married for real in 2000 and live in Brooklyn with their two sons, Elijah and TK. The daughter of a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother, London-born Carmen has recently appeared on British TV as the putupon black Geordie, Rose-Angela, in the often-repeated period drama, Catherine Cookson’s Colour Blind.

The Voice winner Jermain still focussed on change The Voice UK winner Jermain Jackman has discussed his “overwhelming” victory in the popular BBC One singing contest. The 19-year-old became the show’s first male winner when he was crowned the series three champion in Saturday’s final, fighting off competition from favourite Sally Barker and Christina Marie. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live the following morning (April 6), Jermain revealed that his victory had not yet sunk in and spoke excitedly of his plans for the future. He said: “It’s just been so overwhelming. It still hasn’t hit me yet - just what happened last night, on stage and the partying, seeing all the other contestants of the whole series has been so overwhelming. “And having to go to bed late and then waking up early is something else, but I’m looking forward to working hard and getting all these things done.” He added: “It’s going to be an experience that I’m going to cherish and going to love.” Londoner Jermain - a youth politician for the Labour Party - also explained why politics is so important to him, saying that he hopes to create change in his local community.

Jermain broke through onto The Voice’s female dominated winners roster in taking the series three crown

“Growing up you would see everything that’s happening in your local community,” he said. “You will see the lack of opportunities, you’ll see the social injustice, you’ll see the crime - and you want to have a role in that. “You want to have an impact in the change in that. You want the generation below you to grow in an environment that is better. That’s the whole thing why I got into politics, and I just joined my youth parliament and decided to do much more.” On whether he still hopes to become prime minister one day, the star added: “I want to use my success in music to give back to my community. “Whether that’d be being prime minister or any other politician, I don’t know, but I want to use my success in music to give back to my community.”

Joe opens up on R Kelly beef

Veteran R&B crooner Joe has alleged that rival R Kelly attempted to sabotage his career.

During a recent interview with DJ Vlad, Joe said the hostility started back in the day after Kelly refused to work with people who played Joe’s music. “It’s funny because I was getting credible information from [program directors] and friends of mine as well. This guy had no idea these were my friends as well that you are talking to. And, as if they are really going to stop playing my record because you said if you don’t stop playing his record I’m never going to come back to this show,” he explained. “It was really one of those things like you can’t really be serious. “To me though it’s still alleged,” he added, “because I have facts on it, But… there’s no possible way I would allow that to happen because of the relationships I built in the industry as well. No one man has all that power. Trust me when I tell you.” On how the beef started, Joe opines: “I think sometime when you feel a little bit of that threat, someone in that lane. When you got that lane wide open you can drive how you want to. It’s like you’re the only on that lane and only allowed to drive on that lane. But, then here I am on that bumper and I’m tapping you a little bit like, ‘Move!’ Like, ‘You’re not the only one here. You’re hogging the lane up.’

The Joe vs R Kelly rivalry is unlikely to abate following the former’s latest claims

I think that was what it was. It was a little bit of a threat on that side.” Despite the long-running tension, Joe concluded the interview by saying he has much respect for the Chocolate Factory singer and his career. 15

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Gospel PRAY FOR THE LOST, HIGH AND MIGHTY

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness, in humility, in integrity, in dignity and in purpose” 1Tim. 2:1-2.

By Michael Adekoya Dear Readers, before Jesus gave up His spirit as He hung on the cross, He took time to pray for those who were crucifying Him. He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” Luke 23:34. God began to answer His prayer on the Day of Pentecost as some three thousand people repented and were baptized that day, and there have been countless multitudes that have been saved through the centuries ever since then. In response to Jesus’ intercession for the transgressors (Isa. 53:12), God has snatched many souls from eternal death and hell. My friend, do you have a heart to pray for your family, friends, work-mates, school mates; those who are in authority (leaders); people in your community, city and nation, even for the lost souls, like Jesus did? Do you have the same passion that inspired John Knox to plead to God and said, “Give me Scotland or I die?” Is your attitude like that of George Whitefield, who prayed, “O Lord, give me souls or take my soul?” God used faithful men like John Knox, George Whitefield, Billy Graham and He’s still using people like Morris Cerullo, Reinhard Bonnke and many more as powerful tools to bring salvation to lost, dying and backslidden souls. Each of them had a clear and vivid understanding of what is at stake in the Gospel. They knew it’s an issue of life or death, an eternity in heaven or eternity in hell. My friend, do you realize that your unbelieving spouse, children, parents, family members, boss, co-workers, friends, neighbors, president, traditional and political leaders will spend eternity in hell forever away from the presence of God if they don’t embrace Christ? This realization should drive you to your knees today to plead, not only with them to believe the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, but also plead with God to save their souls. My friend, do you pray for the repentance and salvation of people like - those who advocate and administer ungodly laws and

University of Maryland Eastern Shore Gospel Choir agendas; those who openly embrace and proYears later, the Apostle Paul communicated mote sins and reject the Scripture; those who the depth of his concern for his people, and in deceive, manipulate and control people for Romans 9 he sounds very much like Moses. their selfish gains; those who drift away the He said, “I am telling the truth in Christ; I am populace from propriety of worshipping God not lying, my conscience bearing me witness and from holiness of conduct; those who sup- in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow port and practice homosexual, abortion, drug and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could trafficking etc? wish that I myself were accursed, separated The Bible has several examples of radi- from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my cal evangelistic prayers, and for the worst kinsmen according to the flesh. Brethren, my of sinners. Here are a few examples: Moses heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them interceded for Israel after catching them in are for their salvation”. Rom. 9:1-3; 10:1. His idolatry at the foot of Mount Sinai. After he people according to the flesh, fellow Jews, confronted and dealt with their sin, he turned were the very ones who persecuted him so seto the Lord and prayed, “Alas, these people verely, disrupting his work, stirring up mobs, have committed a great sin, and they have even plotting his assassination. And yet, he made a god of gold for themselves. But now, if loved them and prayed that God would show You will, forgive their sin…and if not, please them mercy and save them. What an example blot me out from Your book which You have of a true Christian! written!” Exo 32:31-32. Moses was willing My friend, God who honoured those men’s to forfeit his life for his people, even though prayers for the souls of the lost; He’ll honthey were guilty of wicked rebellion! our ours too. Whether friend or foe; whether While being stoned to death, Stephen fol- moral or immoral; whether we know them lowed the Lord’s example by praying for or not, we must pray for the lost, dying and the salvation of his executioners: “And they backslidden souls. We must pray for both sinwent on stoning Stephen as he called upon ners and saints in our respective family, comthe Lord and said, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my munity, city and nation. God will do nothing spirit!’ And falling on his knees, he cried out except we pray to Him. For every person that with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin God brings your way, open your mouth in against them!’ And having said this, he fell love and compassion to tell them the truth no asleep” Acts 7:59-60. Standing among those matter what. Warn them of God’s judgment who killed Stephen was a young man named for their personal sins against His holiness, Saul of Tarsus. His salvation was an answer but then tell them the Good News. to Stephen’s prayer. You only need to look at the world today

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

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

to agree that things are desperately wrong. The earth appears to be on self destructive course. Life has become unpredictable and dangerous with death through hired assassins, through terrorists and through knife and gun crimes. The family system is breaking down with high divorce rates everywhere. Abortions, children slaughtering, human trafficking, injustice, drug and alcohol addiction, sexual immorality, oppression, sophisticated fraudulent practices, professional prostitution, suicide are accepted norms in our churches and society today. As a nation, we seem to be losing our battle for morality and integrity in both high places and other places. But there’s a way out! God doesn’t want any of us to perish but to come to His saving knowledge. He loves us so much that He gave us His only Son for the salvation from our sins (Matt. 1:21). There is grace, mercy, forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ from God’s eternal wrath, if we will only repent from our sins; believe in the Lord Jesus and confess Him with our mouth as our Lord and Saviour. My friend, are you saved? Do you wish your loved ones to be saved? Tell them the truth, keep praying for them and trust God for their salvation. I guarantee you will rejoice as you see God use you to save people from their sins and grant them New Life and Liberty in Christ Jesus. God wants to work through you. Are you ready? It is time to pray the lost, rebellious, backslidden, compromised, corrupt and dying souls into God’s Kingdom. Jesus is coming back again, not as a Saviour but as a Judge. The Bible says, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men and women to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim 2:3-4. That’s the God I serve - so loving, affectionate, gracious, kind, merciful, forgiving, powerful and faithful. He is calling you unto Himself today. He wants to have intimate relationship, fellowship and friendship with you. Come to Him today. Remain blessed!

Church Street, London SE5 Christ Apostolic church (Full Gospel & Pentecostal) Surrey Docks District 163 Ilderton Rd South Bermondsey London SE16 2UT. Tel. 020 7252 2086. Time of worship: Sunday English service 9- 11.30am. Yoruba service 11.30 -2.30pm. Prophetic counselling: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 12noon- 5pm, Saturday only 5- 7pm. Holy Cross Church InternationalSunday 10.am- 1 pm at Crown House 71-73 Nathan Way London SE28 0BQ Tel: 07904 234 126, 07809 381 886 Times of service:Bible study: Thursdays 8pm. Night Vigil: Friday Forth-

nightly 12am Sunday Service: Sundays 10am - 1pm Winners’ Chapel London- part of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, at 1 Churchill Close, Green Street, Green Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1QE meets Sunday 7.30am, 9.15am and 11am and Wednesdays at 7pm. For details call: 01322 292097 Christ Apostolic Church Gravesend, St Aidan’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, 11 April – Thursday, 17 April 2014

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Indonesia

Millions vote to whittle down presidential hopefuls Wednesday 9th April, marks Indonesia’s national legislative elections, the outcome of which will determine the ﬁnal candidates for a highly anticipated presidential election in July. More than 186 million Indonesians are eligible to vote for 6,600 candidates who are vying for 560 parliamentary seats. In what is a fearsomely complicated logistical undertaking costing the thick end of £1 billion, half a million polling stations are spread across three time zones in the Southeast Asian archipelago nation, often in remote locations, to accommodate the nation’s electorate. Polls have put the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in the lead with 37 per cent support. The rival Golkar and Gerindra parties are trailing with less than 20 per cent support. The

incumbent Democratic Party has seen its support drop to single digits over a series of high-profile graft scandals. There are in total 12 political parties competing in the parliamentary elections. In order to run for president, the candidate’s party must win 25 per cent of the national vote or 20 per cent of the 560 seats in parliament. The PDI-P has not placed first in an election since 1999, when Indonesia held its first free and fair polls in more than 40 years. The PDI-P’s declared presidential candidate is Joko Widodo, the popular governor of Jakarta, who is leading in national polls and has promised a “more people-centric” style of governance in a country that, while belonging to the Group of 20 major economies, still has more than 100 million people living on $2 a day or less. Known as Jokowi, he is perceived by many Indonesians as being an honest politician amongst a group that is seen by many as irredeemably corrupt.

Italy

Overstretched Italians call for EU assistance

Some 15,000 migrants have already arrived in Italy by sea this year

Italy says it has intercepted 4,000 migrants from boats trying to reach European shores in the ﬁrst two days of this week in a deepening immigration crisis.

Better sea conditions and turmoil in Libya have increased the numbers risking the perilous sea journey from North Africa to try to reach Europe. “The emergency is getting worse and there is no halt to the boats arriving,” Interior Minister Angelino Alfano told stateowned RAI radio, adding: “This issue is serious and Europe must take it in hand, immediately, because this is not a Mediterranean border but a European border.” Rome has repeatedly urged the European Union to take a greater role in policing the seas as two-thirds of migrants who reach Italy travel onwards to other countries in the region. The interior minister said 15,000 migrants had arrived in Italy by sea since the start of 2014. Intercepts on Monday (April 7) included one group of 1,049 migrants containing 91

women and three babies, who were spotted by a navy helicopter and a drone as their boats ran into difficulty. They were rescued by ships and brought to ports on the island of Sicily. Mr Alfano said that two commercial vessels alerted by Italian forces were aiding 661 people in distress and that at least one migrant on the boats had died during the journey. “As we speak, there are people-smugglers - merchants of death - earning and profiting from human beings, from the death of other men and even from our timely sea rescues, because it makes their trips shorter [and] therefore more profitable and less risky,” he said. Italy is a mayor gateway into Europe for migrants who cross the Mediterranean, often in overcrowded and flimsy vessels. Two shipwrecks last October, one in which 366 Eritreans drowned and another in which 200 mostly Syrians died, prompted the Italian government to put its navy on permanent patrol in the waters between Sicily and North Africa.

A strongly favoured Joko Widodo and his wife, Iriana, proudly display their inked little ﬁngers after casting their ballot on Wednesday Former general Prabowo Subianto of the Gerindra party has 15 per cent support, while tycoon Aburizal Bakrie of the Golkar party trails with 11 per cent support in the polls. Incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is not eligible to run again, as

he has already served two terms. Indonesia is the world’s third largest democracy and the most populous Muslimmajority nation. The country emerged from decades of authoritarian rule with the overthrow of strongman Suharto in 1998.

Norway

Police seek clues to man with no history

Norwegian police have made a public appeal in the hope that it will help them to identify a young man found in a snowdrift apparently suffering from total amnesia.

The man, who has adopted the name John Smith, was found in an industrial region of Oslo and is believed to have been a victim of crime. He speaks at least four mainly eastern European languages and English with an eastern European accent but has no idea how and why he came to be in Norway.

Oslo police on Tuesday published a photo of the man, who is 6’ 2” with blue eyes, dark blond hair and probably in his twenties. A police spokesman said: “The man did not possess any form of identiﬁcation, and did not remember his name, origin, how he ended up in Norway or any other details of his life.” The mystery man is quoted as saying: “I think I’m Czech, it is the language I understand best. I also understand Polish, Slovak, and Russian. But I think and dream in English.” He says that he believes he was drugged before he ended up in the snowdrift and he had deep cuts on his wrists that suggested he had been tied up.

‘John Smith’ speaks Czech but thinks in English

Friday, 11 April – Thursday, 17 April 2014

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Arts

Poet of the Week: PHILLIS WHEATLEY

“Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, Taught my benighted soul to understand, That there’s a God, that there’s a Saviour too: Once I redemption neither sought nor knew. Some view our sable race with scornful eye, “Their color is a diabolic die.” Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.”

“Through thickest gloom look back, immortal shade, On that confusion which thy death has made.” —Phillis Wheatley Born in Senegal about 1753, poet Phillis Wheatley was brought to Boston, Massachusetts, on a slave ship in 1761, and was purchased by John Wheatley as a personal servant to his wife. The Wheatleys educated Phillis, and she soon mastered Latin and Greek, and began writing poetry. She published her first poem at age 12, and her first volume of poetry, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, in 1773. She died in Boston in 1784.

A pioneering African-American poet, Phillis Wheatley was born in Senegal around 1753. At the age of 8, she was kidnapped and brought to Boston on a slave ship. Upon her arrival, John Wheatley purchased the young girl as a servant for his wife, Susanna. Under the family’s direction, Wheatley (who, as was the custom at the time, adopted her master’s last name) was taken under Susanna’s wing. While Wheatley suffered from poor health, her quick intelligence was hard to miss, and as a result, Susanna did not train her to be her servant. Instead, Wheatley received lessons in theology, English, Latin and Greek. Ancient history was soon folded into the teachings, as were lessons in mythology and literature. Additionally, Wheatley, while still a slave, enjoyed limited restrictions on her life and became a part of the family. At a time when African Americans were discouraged and intimidated from learning how to read and write, Wheatley’s life was an anomaly. Wheatley wrote her first published poem at age 12. The work, a story about two men who nearly drown at sea, was printed in the Newport Mercury.

Statue of Phillis Wheatley

Other published poems followed, with several also being published, further increasing Wheatley’s fame. In 1773, Wheatley gained considerable stature when her first and only book of poems, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, was published. Susanna Wheatley helped finance its publication. As proof of her authorship, the volume included a preface in which 17 Boston men claimed that she had indeed written the poems in it. Poems on Various Subjects is a landmark achievement in American history. In publishing it, Wheatley became the first African American and first U.S. slave to publish a book of poems, as well as the third American woman to do so. Following the publication of her book, Wheatley travelled to London to promote her poems, and received medical treatment for a health ailment that she had been battling. After her return to Boston, Wheatley’s life changed significantly. While ultimately freed from slavery, she was devastated by the deaths of several Wheatley family members, including Susanna (d. 1774) and John (d. 1778). In 1778, Wheatley married a free African American from Boston, John Peters, with who she had three children, all of whom died in infancy. Their marriage proved to be a struggle, with the couple battling constant poverty. Ultimately, Wheatley was forced to find work as a maid in a boarding house. 18

Wheatley did continue to write, but the growing tensions with the British and, ultimately, the Revolutionary War, weakened enthusiasm for her poems. While she contacted various publishers, she was unsuccessful in finding support for a second volume of poetry. A strong supporter of America’s fight for independence, Wheatley penned several poems in honour of the Continental Army’s commander, George Washington. It’s not certain whether Washington ever read her work. Phillis Wheatley died in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 5, 1784.

A Rebus

A bird delicious to the taste, On which an army once did feast, Sent by an hand unseen; A creature of the horned race, Which Britain’s royal standards grace; A gem of vivid green; A town of gaiety and sport, Where beaux and beauteous nymphs resort, And gallantry doth reign; A Dardan hero fam’d of old For youth and beauty, as we’re told, And by a monarch slain; A peer of popular applause, Who doth our violated laws, And grievances proclaim. Th’ initials show a vanquish’d town, That adds fresh glory and renown To old Britannia’s fame

Friday, 11 April – Thursday, 17 April 2014

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Culture

The Chewa of Malawi The Chewabelieve that living things were created by God — Chiuta — on the mountain of Kapirintiwa, which borders present day Malawi and Mozambique. Ancestors and spirits of other living creatures play an important part in present day society by being in constant contact with the living world, predominately through dance of those initiated to “Nyau”, or secret societies. “GuleWamkulu”, literally meaning “big dance”, have become a sort of title for secret societies of traditional Chewa religious practices. The GuleWamkulu ceremonies consist of formally organized dances to admire the remarkable physical abilities of these individuals — considered to be adept at their dance as a result of their spiritual state. Informally, GuleWamkulu, or “Gule” is a term associated with anyone who participates in the rituals of these secret societies. The peak season for Gule occurs in July, with young men dressed as ancestral animals, trees, or in masks of ancestral spirits. The Gule themselves are initiated through formal ceremony into this society. Gule are considered to be in ‘animal state’ when they are dressed in such attire, and are not to be approached. If one has the misfortune of passing a Gule on the road, traditional behavior consists of dropping a few coins for the Gule — never handing them the money directly for fear they will grab you and take you to the cemetery for ritual purposes. Generally, it is best to avoid Gule in informal situations. In their animal or ancestral state, they are unpredictable. Within the village, Gule may appear in small groups of 4 or 5 and villagers do their best to avoid any encounters. Gule are common in the afternoons, a strong incentive for tending to all business outside the home in the early hours. These secret societies have allowed for a close knit kinship between members of the Chewa — and equally divided them from neighbor groups. Formally, the Gule-Wamkulu dance is performed when the headman requests such festivities, generally corresponding with weddings, funerals, or initiation rite ceremonies. The dances are a great source of celebration, and although the mystery and excitement still surrounds the presence of the GuleWamkulu, the community reacts to their show with great giddiness and giggles. There are a number of traditional dances of the GuleWamkulu, all performed for various events. The “Zilombo”, or masked dancers, perform with extraordinary movements and energy, wearing elaborate traditional masks and attire. According to local folklore, It is said that the Queen of England witnessed a traditional GuleWamkulu celebration, and was so cap-

The Kulumba traditional Ceremony in process

tivated she asked to take some home; a request that was unfulfilled. Masks worn by the GuleWamkulu include thousands of different representations — generally each developed hundreds of years ago by unique tribes, and accented with their own individual touch - for example one accenting bright colors, one dark. Today, these masks, with their different origins, are part of what is now the Chewa culture. The female version of GuleWamkulu, called Chisamba, occurs for female initiation rituals. During this ceremony a woman is taken into a private room, and instructed by her elders of how to be a proper woman. The solidarity of these women does not diminish after the ceremony, but rather is rooted during this event. The celebratory Chisamba dance accompanies this event. Historically, a number of initiation practices have been involved — today these words of wisdom and celebratory event comprise the event. Within a Chewa village the chiefs are a central unit of rule. Village life is somewhat self-contained, although not independent. Typical homes have numerous commodities that are purchased or obtained through bartering. Lamps, chairs, oil, salt, mats for sitting, pots and pans, and jewelry are commonly seen within the homes of some villagers. Chewa communities cover a vast land area and individual communities have progressed at their own pace. Those near the main road, for example, have increasingly adjusted to outside influence while those closer to the lake have developed a dependency and connection to utilization of this body of water. Chewa rural life revolves around agricultural activities geared towards increasing production of maize (corn), vegetables, and groundnuts. All of these crops are used for consumption, and any excess is sold either within the village or occasionally at the increasing markets scattered along the roadside. The only crop produced predominately for sale in Chewa villages in central Malawi is tobacco. Tobacco is started slightly before maize, however the two crops are produced during the same season. This time of year, during land preparation,

planting and maintaining crops, and of course the tremendously important harvest, provide focal points for the year. Land ownership is determined by the village headman, and is constantly changing. With births, marriages, and deaths come changes in one’s land allotment. Sometimes a husband and wife will have their own land, while sometimes they will share, in which case the husband decides if and how to sell the excess. Traditionally, the Chewawere described as a matrilineal society, however the Chewa today include influences of both matrilineal and patrilineal leadership. Landowners are considered to be of higher status, however owning more land means working more land, and this often requires hiring additional labor. This informal employment consists of hiring neighbors to work as “Ganyu” or informal laborers. Women and men are hired as Ganyu labor, and payment is usually made in maize itself, and is often given upon completion of a particular project. Ganyu labor is essential to the functioning of the village, and creates a strong interdependency on one another. Children are also a valuable source of labor, with young boys beginning to assist in farm activities. Young girls are also valuable to the functioning of these activities, as they are responsible for the laborious chores of fetching water, caring for younger children, helping their mothers cook, clean, take maize to the mill, and look after the sick. In addition, women and children laboriously process the staple crop of maize into the commonly eaten “Nsima”.

Nsima requires much preparation; first the maize is dried, sorted, pounded, and finally cooked into a pasty patty. Routinely prepared with whatever vegetables are available, Nsima is eaten with the hands and used as a palate with which to scoop up the rest of the meal. Since planting generally occurs around November, with the harvest seen near June, the days in between are filled with laborious work for adults and children. From June to October, however, the days are sometimes long and filled with much more free time. All households are required to spend a certain amount of time participating in activities that enhance village life — sometimes construction of the church, work on an elderly person’s land, or simply assisting as instructed by the village headman. In today’s modern day Chewa villages, the option exists to replace the community service hours with a simple payment to the village headman, intended as a contribution towards the community project. Aside from community service, some village women will engage in additional income generating activities, such as the sale of small goods (usually from the house garden), or occasionally crafted or handmade goods. Formal village events generally include typical celebratory and mourning activities — birthdays, weddings, ritual transitions into adulthood, and the ever increasing funerals. All celebrations are elaborate, and it is at these events that the spirit of traditional Chewa culture comes to life — that is, the spirits of Chewa ancestors, and revered animals — come to life. Just before planting season, the Gule Wamkulu presence is most abundant and the festivities are ablaze. In this village, not even the teacher, pictured below, could confront these students, her own students, about their absence from school that very day. Presently, schools do not formally consider the schedule of the GuleWamkulu in curriculum design. Chewa children are responsible for a number of important household responsibilities. They are also responsible for a number of cultural activities — and wouldn’t consider rejecting these responsibilities

Masquearde of Chewa ancestry at the Great Dance

Events calendar What’s On & When Friday, 11 April – Thursday, 17 April 2014

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Feature

Walking with Nollywood Continued from page 10

He, who has experience in acting spanning 50 years, shared his view with this reporter. “There are two dimensions to it. First of all, you have to be talented but talent alone cannot do it for you. You have to acquire knowledge so that you can have the techniques. If you are talented and somebody discovers that potential in you, you’ll be told to study theatre arts. That will work together. “There are different types of casting and different approach to directing. A director is free to choose his own style. Some people will look for actors that are versatile. The director is free to use his approach. Some directors look for actors that will not give them problems. But if you have a lot of time, you can use the greenhorns and if they are ready to learn from you they will make good performers. In fact, some well-established actors give directors problem. When the director says do it this way they will say no, I have been doing it this way before you became a director’’, he said. In truth, Hugh Grant who co-starred with Julia Roberts in Nutting Hill (1999) is reported to have limited his career with that haughty trait. Back here in the film industry, rivalry and ethic colouration have slowed down the development of the industry, paving the way for all sorts of segmentation like Nollywood, Kallywood, Gbollywood and other ‘wood-like’ tendencies that obstruct the way to achieving an industry consensus. He said it is high time the stakeholders thought of development. When asked if he could be rightly described as a Nollywood actor, he was very emphatic in rejecting that title. “I am an actor. I am not a ‘Dollywood’ actor. I am a Nigerian actor. Go to the US now and say take me to Hollywood and they will take you somewhere. But where is Nollywood? Is it at Lalupon where we shoot our old Yoruba movies or Enugu? I am a hybrid product of two theatrical forms the Yoruba Popular Theatre where I trained and worked for 9 years and the Academic theatre. I find it easy to straddle the worlds of practice and academics. One complements the other. When I go to location, I will gain some experience that I will gather in class. In the process of teaching my students, I have to research. I have to read and I will take that back to the film location. I find the two complementing each other. There is no clash of interest. It is not that I have abandoned theatre to take up cement selling or register as a contractor and be chasing contracts at Abuja”, he said amusingly. In 2013, the Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Professor Aina, invited Dr. Oyewo to the school to pioneer the department of Theatre and Media Arts. The programme is designed to accommodate the film aspect of Theatre studies. Oyewo told THISDAY the prospects that await the students. “There are various aspects of the media that we are going to teach. These include handling cameras, editing, writing film scripts and the rest of it. We are also going 20

Ramsey Noah & friends

Mahmood Ali-Balogun & Nigerian Director’s Guild head Andy Amenechi

to teach dance, playwriting, directing, film editing, acting for the stage and film, event management”, he assured. The industry is full of his students such as Rogers Ofime of the Tinsel Fame, Sola Fosudo, Tunji Azeez, Ruke Amata, Segun Arinze, Yemi Sodimu, Yemi Solade, amongst others. He said theatre graduates can excel beyond theatre practice. “Look at yourself too. You are into journalism. That is what I tell people. When they hear you are studying Theatre, they think the only thing you can do is to act. Look at Dr. Reuben Abati. He had his First degree, Master’s and Ph.D in Theatre arts. He was

Editor at Guardian for so many years before he became the presidential spokesman. You can become whatever you want to be after studying theatre arts. You can begin a makeup company. Make-up artists make good money. We teach costume design. You can become self-employed and that is what we are aiming at. “We want to start a two-year diploma course after which you can continue and have a degree. You can be working and have your own company with that diploma certificate. But from next year, it will be listed in the UME courses for first degree programme. The programme has been designed

Star Actresses: Lynn Whitfield, Rita Dominic & Vanessa Williams

such that the students will go for internships at media houses and renowned film production outfits like Mainframe Productions and that would be part of the course unit’’, he explained. On the dearth of theatre scholarship in recent times and the lack of preservation of cultural heritage, he promised to publish a book soon and expressed his concern for the cinema culture. “What pains me most was that Baba Ogunde’s film village at Ososa in Ogun state was abandoned and has become a thick bush now. I think the government should have taken it up when the man died and maintained it. ‘’I was in Ibadan and the site, where Scala Cinema was, is now a big shopping mall. Even Queens Cinema has become a big shop too. People prefer to watch their films in their house for so many reasons including security reasons. At 68, Oyewo described himself as a happy man with job satisfaction and a lot more to give. His face now shows on TV series; from Adenuga’s Super Story to AK Productions’ Family Ties. He however pointed out that popularity comes with a price. “When I arrived in Ado-Ekiti, so many people thought I came to shoot a film and the area boys started extorting money from me because I am very popular. If I am just a university professor, nobody will ask me for money. Even if Professor Osofisan, who had written many plays, walks on the streets, many will pass him by without recognising him. But I am happy for the way people admire us in theatre. Acting is acting, whether on TV, stage or film provided I get my pay. That’s an addition to my salary’’, he said. This reporter who happened to be his former student at Ife satisfied the curiosity to know the meaning of “Ham male patle ham,” a vocal routine in theatre workshop that had become Oyewo’s signature. He explained that he inherited the tradition from a British actor, Christopher Bugget who was invited by Ola Rotimi to train the members of the theatre for three weeks on Speech Arts while his whistle was a replica of Ola Rotimi’s. “Rotimi was a very strict man when it comes to discipline and we imbibed that. For him, theatre is like military and medical fields. Wole Soyinka was my director after Ola Rotimi. He became my teacher when I studied for the certificate in Dramatic Arts. In fact, he was the one who started the department. If you tell Wole Soyinka that it is rain that made you come late for class or rehearsal, he’d ask, “Do you have a hole in your head or are you salt that can melt in the rain?” Kola Oyewo was the former Head of Theatre Arts Department at the Redeemers’ University and is now an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Arts, Ekiti State University. He has featured in movies such as Odun baku (2006), Sàngó: The Legendary African King (1998), Saworo Ide (1999) amongst others. Additional report from THISDAY Live

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Jackson: Colombia have more talent than we did in ‘94 Leading marksman in the 2012/13 Portuguese Liga and leading the scoring chart this term too, Jackson Martinez’s eye for goal is clearly beyond doubt. Ready and determined to unleash that killer instinct on the FIFA World Cup stage, Martinez also has silverware aplenty to aim for with club side Porto prior to Brazil 2014. In fact, the Colombia striker could barely have made a more immediate impact on the Portuguese football scene. Snapped up ahead of the 2012/13 campaign from Mexican outfit Jaguares, Martinez needed just one match to fire Os Dragões to a trophy – scoring the only goal of the game in the Portuguese Super Cup. The goals have not stopped flowing since either, with Martinez’s start to life in the azul e branca jersey echoing that of Colombia’s principal icon Radamel Falcao. It was Os Portistas who first loosed El Tigre on European defences and the now Monaco striker returned that faith with goals in industrial quantities. Indeed, his prolific displays played a major role in Porto’s allconquering 2010/11 season – one in which they won every possible trophy, including the UEFA Europa League. On the day when Porto play the second leg of their UEFA Europa League quarterfinal away to Sevilla, FIFA.com brings you an exclusive interview with Martinez, who has every faith he can continue to emulate the exploits of his fellow Cafetero frontrunner. FIFA.com: Jackson, Porto are 1-0 up from the first leg, yet you are set to miss out on the return in Sevilla through suspension. Does that make the team’s task harder? Jackson Martinez: The team doesn’t depend on me, it’s about how we play as a unit. It was important to win and keep a clean sheet at home, as we can breathe a little easier during the match in Spain. [Nabil] Ghilas has been playing well and I’m sure he’ll rise to the challenge [of replacing me]. 22

Porto clinched the 2010/11 Europa League thanks to a goal from Falcao in the final against Braga. Could you see yourself doing the same? To get the chance to repeat that feat, we have to reach the final first. Of course it’d be a dream come true to get to the final and win it, but it’s really important not to think of just myself. Porto are always stronger when we pull together rather than playing as individuals, though I do feel this team could go very far. Staying on the subject of Falcao, he’s not given up hope of recovering from his knee injury Iin time for Brazil 2014. Have you spoken to him since it happened? I’ve spoken to him several times since. The injury was a real shock, but as soon as I found out I called him to ask how he was feeling. He came across as really well, really strong and extremely determined to get back to fitness. To be honest, the way he’s going about his recovery is very impressive. He’s always been very dedicated, he’s worked very hard and this is just a phase that he’ll come out the other side of. Do you think he’ll be fit in time to be selected for Brazil 2014? Yes, I do. In circumstances like these, you have to put your faith in both medical professionals and God’s will. All of us Colombians are willing him to be able to play at the World Cup, but first and foremost he needs to be totally recovered and that’s always what matters most. Given that Colombia haven’t appeared at a World Cup since France 1998, what are your expectations for Brazil 2014? This World Cup gives us a massive opportunity to try and take Colombia to the very top. After putting in so much effort in

Jackson Martinez

qualifying and after so many years working towards this, we can’t let ourselves get fixated on thinking we’re going to reach the Final. We must take things step by step and, if we do, I’m sure we’ll get good results. At a World Cup, winning your opening game is always important too. Having been drawn in a group alongside Greece, Côte d’Ivoire and Japan, is it hard to pick out the favourites to qualify for the Round of 16? I think that it’s one of the most evenly matched groups at this World Cup. Ivory Coast have very experienced players with a lot of quality, Japan are always at the World Cup and cover every blade of grass, and Greece are tactically very strong. All the teams are in with a shout of reaching the last 16, but we mustn’t think that we can only aspire to getting through the group phase. When you’re at a World Cup, the first thing you say to yourself should be, ‘We don’t know how far we’re going to go, but we do know how far we want to go’. Many experts have stated this could be the strongest ever generation of Colombian footballers. Do you agree, or do you feel that puts too much pressure on the squad? We can’t stop people talking about us, nor should we duck away from positive opinions. This national squad, with a new generation of players, is making history. Nowadays nearly all of us are playing in Europe and I think we’ve got a wider variety of players and talent than we did at the 1994 World Cup, when this pressure was on them too. But we can’t afford to get too carried away with what people say. Of course we want to have a great tournament, but we mustn’t let ourselves get weighed down by external pressures. On a personal note, how much will it mean to you if, as expected, you are

called up to the World Cup squad? It would be the biggest step in my career. It is what everybody says, of course, but playing at a World Cup really is a childhood dream of mine and one I hope comes true in Brazil. Having watched them from so far away on television, now it feels like I’m getting closer. In your view, who are the favourites to lift the Trophy? Spain and Germany above all, because they’re always so strong, while it’s never wise to write off Italy – they always find their best form at major tournaments. Portugal are very strong too and the fact they had to go through the play-offs shouldn’t take anything away from them. On the contrary, it might mean the players are even more motivated come the finals. How about host nation Brazil, are they not in with a chance? Oops, I forgot about Brazil! As well as playing really well, they’ve got some spectacular players… So, in fact, I’d say that in my view Brazil are favourites for the title. One final question: you’re battling it out for the league top scorer’s honours with another Colombian, Fredy Montero of Sporting Lisbon. Are you surprised he’s not in the national squad? The fact he was playing in the USA made it quite difficult for him to be regularly selected for the national squad. It comes down to coaching decisions, which are never easy to make of course, and the Colombia coaching staff have assembled a strong squad with a solid core. That said, there’s no doubt Fredy’s got enough ability to be in the national team. But it comes down to [Jose] Pekerman, who’s the main reason behind our success, to make the decisions. He’s got World Cup experience already and we’ve got 100 per cent faith in him.

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African football fast reaching the new frontiers African football is fast reaching the new frontiers, Confederation of African Football (CAF) VicePresident and COSAFA President, Suketu Patel has proclaimed.

Speaking at the Closing Ceremony of the three-day FIFA seminar at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Friday, 4 April 2014 Patel said football is a teamwork and the seminar which brought together 28 Confederation of African Football Association Presidents, Secretary Generals and Technical Directors was a massive success. “This was a ground-breaking workshop as it brought together the political, administration and technical aspects of the game in one room. There was enormous networking and plotting the way forward for African football. “I would like to thank the South African Football Association (SAFA) for hosting such a watershed seminar. As the most resourced country on the continent, I think South Africa is really playing its part in growing the game of football on the continent. “For this, I would like to thank SAFA

Eritrea has pulled out of the qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football has confirmed. The East Africans had been due to face South Sudan in the first round of the preliminary phase over two legs in April. Suketu Patel is president of COSAFA and vice-president of CAF

President, Danny Jordaan and his Executive for the good work they have done – from hosting the FIFA 2010 World Cup, 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and recently the CHAN tournament,” said Patel. SAFA President Jordaan said critical issues which were deliberated during the three-day workshop comprised integrity matters, good governance and transparency. “There are a lot of issues which were deliberated here; issues such as reforms with-

in football and we will take these matters to the FIFA Congress in Brazil. “We also touched on the need for Africa to have highly qualified Technical Directors as these are individuals who charts the way forward in terms of football development. He/she is the one who crafts the playing philosophy for respective national teams,” said Jordaan. The SAFA President paid tribute to FIFA for the world football governing body’s unwavering support of African football.

Will Senegal see Demba?

The Demba Ba goal that put Chelsea into the semifinals of the Champions League gave him a chance to disprove Jose Mourinho’s. But this could mean much more than just European glory and a few smart quips. Indeed, it could show Senegal coach Alain Giresse what he wants to see ahead of African Nations Cup qualifying later this year and secure the striker’s presence in his national side after a whirlwind year.

The raw truth is that Senegal have to do something of significance on the international stage, and they have to do it soon. They will not participate in the 2014 World Cup and did not turn out at the most recent edition of the continental championship, played in 2013, either. They finished at the bottom of their group at the 2012 event, losing all three of their group matches. Despite having a wealth of talented players, Senegal have struggled to get them to perform in recent months, and one of the reasons for that could be the treatment of one of the headline players: Ba. He was left out of the squad for over a year between March 2013 and March 2014. Giresse said it was because of a lack of game time at his club -- where Samuel Eto’o and Fernando Torres were given opportunities ahead of him -- but there appeared to be deeper issues.

Eritrea withdraw from AFCON amid defection fears

Demba Ba

In a World Cup qualifier in Conakry, Guinea, in March 2013, Ba missed a penalty against Angola. At that stage, Senegal had won one of two matches they had played, and victory would have separated them even further from the chasing pack. Ba’s miss confirmed what Giresse suspected: He simply wasn’t playing regularly enough to stay on top of his game, so he decided to do without him and “give chances to others.” Ba did not play in the return match against Angola or the victories over Liberia and Uganda, which put Senegal on top of the group. He described his omission as “painful.” He also took no part in their playoff tie against Ivory Coast, the final step to

Brazil. Senegal lost the first leg 3-1, making it difficult but not impossible to get to the World Cup. They drew the return match 1-1, which ruled them out of contention. Who knows if they would have had a better chance with the speed, agility and placement of Ba, especially as his scoring rate at international level is significantly less than it is for European clubs. In 17 appearances for Senegal, Ba has found the back of the net just four times (23.5 percent) while he netted 29 times in 54 games for Newcastle United (53.7 percent). By February, Ba had played a little more for the Blues and scored in Champions League matches against Schalke and Steaua Bucharest and Senegal needed him. He was recalled for their friendly against Mali, which was drawn 1-1, but it was not quite the result Giresse wanted, even with the striker back in the side. Before his Champions League heroics, Ba hinted he may seek a move to Italy at the end of the season. Giresse was in favour of him looking for a club where he could play more regularly, but that place could turn out to be Chelsea if he can build on his last showing. After lamenting his lack of proper front men when Chelsea went down 3-1 to PSG in the first leg, Mourinho didn’t have much to complain about when they won 2-0 on Tuesday night. He even had something nice to say about Ba, calling him a “good guy, a professional, a good group man.” Just the kind of thing Giresse wants to hear.

South Sudan, entering the competition for the first time, will now go though to the preliminary phase second round. No reason has been given for Eritrea’s withdrawal, but recent defections by players may have led to the decision. Seventeen players from the Eritrean squad, plus the team doctor, absconded at the 2012 East and Central Africa Senior Challenge Cup in Uganda. In 2011, 13 Eritrean players sought asylum in Tanzania after the same tournament, while 12 members of the Eritrea squad disappeared and sought asylum in Kenya during the regional tournament in 2009. Four Eritrean athletes also left their base and sought political asylum in Britain after the London Olympics in 2012. Between 2,000 and 3,000 Eritreans flee the small east African country every month, a United Nations report said last year. South Sudan will find out who they will play in the second round when the draw is made on Sunday, 27 April in Cairo.

FIFA ranking: Nigeria now 45th in the world

Nigeria has moved two spots up in the FIFA ranking in the month of April to be the 45th in the world. In the ranking table on the world governing body’s Website on Thursday, Nigeria has 620 points as against 616 points and 47th position it occupied last month. With the latest ranking, Nigeria is now the sixth placed country in Africa as against the seventh position it occupied in March ranking. Nigeria displaced Tunisia who went down by nine spots from the sixth position in Africa to the seventh position. The first five African countries are Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana and Cape Verde who have 830, 798, 795, 713 and 665 points respectively. Cote d’Ivoire, which placed first in Africa, is now the 21st, Egypt is the 24th, Algeria maintained the 25th position, Ghana dropped to the 38th and Cape Verde also dropped to the 42nd position in the world. On the global stage, there was a change in the first five positions with Portugal, Colombia and Uruguay climbing up by one spot each for Argentina to drop to the sixth position from the third. The ranking shows Spain retaining the first position with 1,460 points, followed by Germany, Portugal, Colombia, and Uruguay who have 1,340, 1,245, 1,186 and 1,181 points respectively. The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on May 8. (NAN)

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Will Senegal see Demba?

SEE PAGE 23

AFCON duel as Mauritania/Mauritius clash for qualifier

The Mauritius national team with Fulham FC

By Peter Olorunnisomo

The African Cup of Nations for 2015 begins to hot up with Mauritania playing host to Mauritius on Saturday in the first leg of a preliminary round qualifier for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. The match, which will be held in Nouakchott and kick off at 1600 BST, throws together two teams just two places apart in the FIFA rankings for African sides. But Mauritius, sitting at the lower of the two in 45th place, will be miss two of her key players. Midfielder Kevin Bru has not been released by his Bulgarian club Levski Sofia because of their major championship matches and fellow midfielder Fabrice Pithia has opted to play for the Reunion Island team Jeanne d’Arc.

“It was quite difficult to finalize the selection but we will deal with it even though it would have been interesting if these two players were in the team, but we’ll do without them”, coach Akbar Patel said. Both Mauritania and Mauritius are aiming to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history “We need to play these international matches as last year we had only five games; two in the Cosafa Cup, two against Zimbabwe in the CHAN and a match in Qatar. “We had two preparatory games before leaving Mauritius; one against foreigners playing in the local league and the other against AS Port Louis 2000. “We hope to pass this preliminary round and attain at least the group stage. But to get there we will still have to play two preliminary matches.”

Hosts Mauritania will be keen to make the most of home advantage and England-based left-back Ahmed Ahmedou was reported to say that the country is experiencing a football revival, with bigger crowds attending the national team’s recent matches. Ahmedou is confident Mauritania has the players to achieve a good result and make those fans happy. “I don’t really know a lot about Mauritius, I think they have one or two good players... but I am more concentrated on our team and how we will play,” he said, “I’m sure it will be a good challenge for us. “We have a young player, Adama Ba (pictured top), who plays for Bastia in the French first division - I think he is going to be a key player - and we have our captain, Dominique Da Silva, who plays for Zamalek in Egypt. He is a great player and a great captain.

“We have a few players from Mauritania as well, one of whom, Ahmed Djiby Samb, was one of the best players at the CHAN 2014 tournament. “I think these players have the ability to get Mauritania through the qualifiers. “I am confident that we can qualify for the Nations Cup. We have good payers and a great coach in Patrice Neveu. The fans are behind us. I don’t see why we can’t make it.” The return leg will be played between 1820 April.

African Voice Newspaper is published by African Voice Communications. Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP. Tel: 020 3737 3077 Registered at the British Library as a newspaper. ISSN 1475-2166.Email: africanvoicenews@googlemail.com