African voice newspaper edition 527 by African Voice Newspapers UK

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014 ISSUE 527

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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 6

£1.00

Remittance ‘super tax’ costs Africa $1.8bn a year SEE PAGE 7

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Immigration removal centre refuses observer access following death of inmate By Alan Oakley

Another human rights group has raised concerns about the regime at one of Britain’s most infamous immigration removal centres. Natasha Walter, director of Women for Refugee Women, a London headquartered organisation set up to ensure that women and children seeking asylum in the UK are treated with justice and dignity, expressed her concern after a UN human rights investigator revealed she was

denied access to the controversial Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre near Bedford. After being refused access, Rashida Manjoo, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women said: “I regret that, despite my repeated requests, a visit to Yarl’s Wood [IRC] was not facilitated by the government and that my access to the centre was denied when I tried to visit it independently. Well-wishers hold an impromptu memorial ceremony for Christine Case outside Continued on page 4 Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre, where she died on March 30.

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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Have You News Got News Fake nurse jailed for circumFor Us Newsdesk: 020 3737 3077

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Sexism in Britain

Britain’s “boys’ club” culture, with wolf-whistling and Page 3, makes sexism more prevalent than in other countries, a senior UN official has warned.

Speaking at the end of a 16-day visit to the UK, Rashida Manjoo said: “Have I seen this level of sexist culture in other countries? It hasn’t been so ‘in your face’ in other countries. “I haven’t seen that so pervasively in other countries. I’m sure it exists, but it wasn’t so much and so pervasive.” She said she was unsure what it was about Britain that gave rise to more visible “sexist portrayals of women” than elsewhere. “What is clear is that there is a boys’ club sexist culture that exists and it does lead to perceptions about women and girls,” she added. Ms Manjoo also talked about “the easy availability of porn” and said social media could influence children. The South African law professor was responding to a question about a Facebook group called “Women Who Eat On Tubes”, which displays photographs of women eating while travelling.

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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cising 2-month-old baby By Yemi Dipeolu

A woman claiming to be a nurse from Nigeria has been jailed after circumcising and nearly killing a 2-month-old baby. Taiwo Shittu, 55, known to her patients as ‘Ms Alhaja’ received a £100 payment from the parents of the baby to perform the surgery at their home in Islington. However, the child lost a large amount of blood during the procedure and the concerned parents rushed the child to a nearby hospital, where upon examination doctors found his condition to be life-threatening. He was taken to Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital in Lambeth where he underwent emergency surgery. Specialist detectives from Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Command launched an investigation into the incident and, after Shittu refused to hand herself over to police, she was arrested at her home in Dulwich. Police found medical instruments in her residence, including surgical scissors and hospital grade antibiotics.

Taiwo Shittu nearly killed 2-month-old baby boy after performing an unauthorised circumcision at his home.

When questioned by police, Shittu claimed that she was a nurse and midwife in Nigeria before arriving in the UK in 2004 and insisted that she had previously conducted

successful circumcisions in both Nigeria and the UK. However, after further investigation she was found to be a fraud with no medical qualifications in the UK. On Friday April 11th Shittu pleaded guilty to Grievous Bodily Harm and was sentenced to 30 weeks imprisonment. Detective Sergeant Kam Sodhi of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: “Shittu claimed to be an experienced nurse but she has no medical qualifications either as a nurse or midwife in the UK. “The care she provided in the course of the procedure was so bad that it not only put a very young baby in a life-threatening condition but it amounted to a serious crime. “This was a medical procedure which, like any other, carries a risk. She failed to properly manage it and because of this caused the baby a serious and permanent injury.”

Unemployment drops below 7 per cent

Unemployment has dropped below 7 per cent for the first time since the recession and employment has seen the biggest annual jump in a generation, figures published by the Office for National Statistics show.

Unemployment fell by 77,000 in the last three months, taking the unemployment rate to 6.9 per cent for the first time since 2009. In the largest annual rise in nearly 25 years, the number of people of people in a job rose by 691,000 – more than double the population of Newcastle - bringing the record number of people in work to 30.39 million. Wages also rose on the year by 1.7 per cent, against yesterday’s announcement that March’s inflation had dropped to 1.6 per cent, and job vacancies rose again, up 108,000 over the past year bringing the number of vacancies in the UK economy to 611,000. Minister for Employment Esther McVey said: “More young people are in work, more women are in work, wages are going up, and more and more businesses are hiring - and it’s a credit to them that Britain is working again. “But there is still more to do - which is why I’d go even further and call on more employers to work with us to tap into the talent pool the UK offers.”

Minister for Employment Esther McVey

The number of people in work has increased by 1.5 million since 2010 - over a million of these jobs are full-time – and the employment rate is now 72.6 per cent, showing the Government’s long-term economic plan to back enterprise and businesses so they can create jobs is working. The proportion of women in work also hit a new record of 67.6 per cent - the highest since records began. Long-term unemployment is down 93,000 on the year, which is the largest annual fall since 1998. The number of unemployed young people also fell, by 38,000 over the last three months, and has been falling now for the last seven months. The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance fell by 30,400 last month and is down 386,100 on the year. The number of young people claiming JSA has been falling for the last 22 months. Today Employment Minister Esther McVey is visiting the North East, where employment is increasing and unemploy-

ment is falling. She will be seeing first hand Government schemes in action, such as the event training scheme that produced Jesse J’s make-up artist, and Jamie’s Italian restaurant in Newcastle, which are helping young people increase their skills and find jobs. Background to labour market statistics: April 2014. This month’s Labour Force Survey covers December 2013 to February 2014. The claimant count is for March 2014 and the vacancy count for January 2014 to March 2014. The number of people in work rose this quarter 30.39 million people were in work in December 2013 to February 2014. The employment level rose 239,000 on the previous quarter and 691,000 on the year The employment rate is 72.6%, up 0.5 points on the quarter and up 1.2 points on the year.

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Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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News

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO HIDE?

Immigration removal centre refuses observer access following death of inmate Continued from front page

“The State has a responsibility to act with due diligence to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, and it is imperative that the best interests of all women and girls should guide the response of the UK government.” According to Ms Manjoo, she was given the go-ahead for the visit by the Prisons Inspectorate and was accompanied by one of their staff. She said she was told the decision to deny her access had come from the “highest levels” of the Home Office. Expressing “deep concern” at not being allowed in to verify alleged human rights violations of the women detainees, Ms Manjoo said: “if there was nothing to hide I should have been given access,” adding: “It’s part of the terms of references when mandate-holders are invited to a country that they should be given unrestricted access and this didn’t happen.” Natasha Walter said: “We share Rashida’s disappointment that she was unable to visit Yarl’s Wood [IRC] for women because we believe she should see at first hand the effect of the government’s immigration policies on vulnerable women who seek asylum in the UK. “In 2012, nearly 2,000 women who had sought asylum in the UK were held in detention by the UK government.” The controversy comes only a fortnight after Christine Case, a 40-year-old Jamaican detainee at Yarl’s Wood, died after suffering an alleged heart attack, having complained of chest pain and being offered paracetamol. In January, Women for Refugee Women published a report collating the experiences of female failed asylum-seekers who had been held at removal centres, mainly at Yarl’s Wood. Forty of the 46 women interviewed said they had been guarded by male staff and 70 per cent of these said this made them uncomfortable. A further 50 per cent said a member of staff had verbally abused them. Three women said they had been physically assaulted and one said she was sexually assaulted. Ms Walter added: “The problems inherent in holding vulnerable women in detention have been highlighted recently by the death of Christine Case in detention, and the detention of [19-year-old student] Ya4

shika Bagheerathi without her family prior to deportation. “We at Women for Refugee Women believe that women who seek asylum in the UK should have their cases considered while they are living in the community, and we believe that there should be a time limit on all immigration detention. “If a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women to Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre has not been facilitated by the UK government we need to know why: what have they got to hide? It is time to shine a light into what is going on at Yarl’s Wood and to ensure that the government is no longer able to hide its practice of locking up women who are survivors of violence.” A Home Office spokesperson told the media: “A comprehensive programme was drawn up for the Special Rapporteur’s visit, including meetings with the home secretary, the minister for crime prevention, and the chief inspector of prisons. A tour of Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre was never agreed as part of this fact-finding mission.” In 2012, nearly 2,000 women who were seeking asylum ended up at removal centres or other detention facilities. Yarl’s Wood has been mired in controversy almost since the day it opened its gates in 2001. Inmates have alleged verbal and physical abuse by guards, as well as consensual and non-

Women for Refugee Women’s director, Natasha Walter, is also a noted author and newspaper columnist on feminist issues

consensual sexual relations and bribery. Detainees have resorted to hunger strikes and rioting in order to draw attention to their plight, while others have chosen sui-

The 400-bed facility, run by private security firm Serco, holds mainly single adult women, as well as adult families and some men. In October last year, two male staff

Supporters drop a banner from the roof of a Newcastle shopping centre in solidarity with Yarl’s Wood hunger-strikers in 2010

cide - either at the prospect of being forcibly returned to what they had managed to escape or the because terror at the thought of another day at the removal centre proved too much to bear.

Hearing Centre at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre

were fired for having sex with a female detainee, while a third was dismissed for not reporting the incident. In 2010, 70 women went on hunger strike to protest against their detention and conditions at the centre. Manuel Bravo, an Angolan national, hanged himself in a stairwell in 2005, after he was detained in the facility along with his 13-year-old son awaiting deportation. The detention of children at the centre was stopped in 2010 following a public campaign. All of this is in stark contrast to the public face of Yarl’s Wood, best represented by the facility’s website, which is replete with pictures of happy, smiley foreigners who evidently wish they had known earlier that being jailed . . . sorry ‘detained’ . . . could be so agreeable. Perhaps the Home Office should stop trying to make immigration removal centres look superficially like Butlin’s to appease those of us who are concerned about human rights. A few photos of abuse, beatings, riots, neglect, rape and the odd lifeless body might disabuse those planning to seek asylum in Britain of the notion that being put back on a ‘plane is the worst that could happen.

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Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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News

Home Office support victims of gang-related violence The lives of hundreds of vulnerable girls and young women affected by gang violence are being transformed by a Home Officebacked project.

During the past 12 months, the Safer London Foundation has supported around 500 young women in London at risk of, or involved in, gang activity as part of its Empower programme. Four Young People’s Advocates, who cover the boroughs of Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Enfield, Camden and Croydon, provide direct support to young women who have been victims or are at risk of sexual violence by gangs. The advocates are funded by the Home Office, which is investing £360,000 in the Safer London Foundation as part of £1.2 million across the country over three years. Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker visited the Safer London Foundation to see the success of the Empower project and speak to people involved in this vital work. Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said: “The coalition government is leading ground breaking work with partners to

Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker (second from right) visit to Safer London Foundation

support women and girls whose lives have been blighted by violence and sexual abuse at the hands of gangs.

“The Safer London Foundation’s Empower programme is a powerful force for good, helping those at risk move away from gang activity. “These issues are being tackled for the first time and, while there is much still to do, schemes such as Empower are producing life-changing results for many young women.” On a visit to the charity’s headquarters in Southwark yesterday (Wednesday, 16 April), the minister met one of the Young People’s Advocates employed by the Safer London Foundation. He also spoke to young women with a history of gang association about how Safer London had supported them. They talk to other young women about the risks of gang involvement and how to stay safe. Safer London Foundation Chief Executive Rena Sodhi said: “We are delighted that Norman Baker MP has taken time to visit our Empower project. Here at the Safer London Foundation we are immensely grateful to the Home Office for funding this

vital work for young people in the capital. “Projects such as ours need to be available for the many young women with complex needs who require specialist support. “It is important to acknowledge the differences being made, but there is still much to be done as this programme has uncovered many young women who are experiencing sexual exploitation and violence. “It is vital to have strong partnerships to ensure that all issues young women face, especially in terms of safety and exploitation, can be co-ordinated across different services. “The Young People’s Advocate roles are central to that management and co-ordination. The work they are doing is making a huge difference for many young people across London who are in dire need of our support. “We appreciate the minister meeting us to learn more about the difference Safer London Foundation is making to the young people of London.”

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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News

Remittance ‘super tax’ costs Africa $1.8bn a year Africans pay some of the highest charges in the world for international money transfers, in subSaharan Africa it’s almost double the global average. Africans are losing $1.8-billion a year due to high fees levied on funds sent from abroad by relatives, according to Britain’s leading think tank on development.

The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) found that Africans face some of the highest charges in the world for international transfers, but global leader Western Union insisted that the fees were down to a range of local factors. The report, issued in partnership with the Comic Relief charity, claims that reducing African charges to the global average would generate enough revenue “to put some 14million children into school, almost half of the out-of-school total in the region, and provide safe water to 21-million people”. Charges in sub-Saharan Africa average 12% on transfers of $200, almost double the global average, according to the report. “This remittance super tax is diverting resources that families need to invest in education, health and a better future,” said Kevin Watkins, the report’s co-author and ODI Director.

“Africans living abroad make huge sacrifices to support their families, yet face charges which are indefensible in an age of mobile banking and internet transfers.” Western Union argued that it had “delivered much-needed services to individuals looking for fast, convenient and reliable ways to send money to family and friends” during its 20 years of operating in Africa. “Our pricing varies between countries depending on a number of factors such as consumer protection costs, local remittance taxes, market distribution, regulatory structure, volume, currency volatility, and other market efficiencies,” it added.

“These factors can impact the fees and foreign exchange rates offered by corridor and service type.” The report argued the high fees were due to lack of competition, pointing out that Western Union and MoneyGram control almost two-thirds of the remittance market in Africa. It estimated that the two companies and their associated banking partners in Africa account for around a third of the $1.8-billion loss associated with high remittance charges each year. Responding to the reports, MoneyGram spokesman said there is no Africa premi-

um. “We offer a competitive service for people shunned by high street banks.” For example, someone sending £200 from the UK to Africa would pay a charge of 5.1%, including foreign exchange fees, against a global average of 4.9% he said. Carl Scheible, MoneyGram’s executive vice president of UK and Africa operations, told the BBC World Service that the ODI figures were not representative. “We do not recognise these numbers as they are,” he said. MoneyGram charges depend on how much money is being sent. Mr Scheible said that most people send money to Africa in amounts of about £200, which have a lower fee. When taken as a whole, the average percentage that MoneyGram takes for money transfers to Africa from the UK is 5.1%, compared with a global average take of 4.9%, he said. In addition, prices have been coming down “quite dramatically” over the last decade because of digitisation. However, costs to the business still include logistics and cash handling. “The reality is we are providing a very competitive service, a fairly priced service, based on speed, reliability, security of the money arriving.” Mr Sheible said.

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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Government confirms £2.7 billion deal to build new state-of-the-art trains

The transformation of rail travel on the key intercity route between London and Scotland has taken a major step forward after Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin confirmed 16 April 2014 that funding had been secured to build a new fleet of state-of-the-art trains.

Under the new £2.7 billion contract, nearly 500 new carriages will be manufactured at Hitachi Rail Europe’s purposebuilt factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, in a deal that will create hundreds of local jobs. The Class 800 trains will start running on the East Coast Main Line from 2018 as part of the government’s £5.7 billion Intercity Express Programme (IEP). The new trains will provide significant benefits to passengers, with 19 per cent more seats on each train, reduced journey times between London, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh by up to 15 minutes, and improved reliability. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We are building a world class rail system and the Intercity Express Programme is a key part of that. “These new trains will transform rail travel between many of the great towns and cities of England and Scotland.

This deal is further proof that our long-term economic plans are on track, creating jobs and breathing new life into the UK’s trainbuilding industry.” The Intercity Express Programme will see a total of 866 carriages manufactured at Newton Aycliffe for use on the East Coast and Great Western Main Lines, creating 730 jobs locally. In addition to the 497 carriages confirmed today for the East Coast, a further 369 carriages will start to run on the Great Western from 2017. Funding for these carriages was agreed in 2012. The contract to deliver the carriages has been agreed with Agility Trains, a consortium of Hitachi Rail Europe and John Laing. As well as building the new manufacturing facility at Newton Aycliffe, Hitachi will construct maintenance depots at sites including Bristol and Doncaster, and is refurbishing and upgrading depots across the Great Western and East Coast Main Lines. Hitachi recently announced its plans to move its global rail headquarters to the UK, further underlining the confidence in the UK economy and rail market. Alistair Dormer, Hitachi Rail Global CEO of Hitachi Ltd, said: “This is an important milestone in the delivery of Class 800 series trains for the East Coast Main Line. Hitachi Rail has been working closely with the Department for Transport, train

Nearly 500 new carriages will be delivered to boost passenger services between London and Scotland

operators and passenger groups to design the new trains. We are delighted that the success of the programme to date has attracted interest by world-class financiers

and we look forward to building these trains in our new manufacturing plant in County Durham.”

A funding boost is to be targeted at five areas of the UK to help young people into work, thanks to the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), a new £170 million programme.

youth employment programmes based on their understanding of the local economy.

£170 Million to help young people find jobs This funding, which aims to help young people aged 15-24 find work, will be matched by an equal amount from the European Social Fund and also by project partners, bringing the total funding to nearly £490 million. The five eligible areas will each receive a share of the money to fund new and innovative youth employment programmes: * Inner London - £35.7 million * Merseyside - £22.2 million * Southwest Scotland - £38.6 million * Tees Valley & Durham - £19.8 million * West Midlands - £42.2 million In addition, a small amount of the funds is being targeted at smaller regions or cities outside these areas where youth unemployment is also high. These locations are: * Hull - £3.7 million * Leicester - £4.1 million * Nottingham - £4.0 million * Thurrock - £1.5 million YEI funding will be handed to the respective Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) areas, and to extend provision of apprenticeships, work experience placements and youth entrepreneurship programmes amongst other activities. LEP areas may also choose to develop new and innovative

Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock said: “There are an increasing number of young people in jobs and youth unemployment is falling, but there is always more we can do. This new funding will help our long term economic plan to make sure young people have what it takes - the skills, knowledge, and behaviour - to get the jobs that are increasingly available. “Giving the Local Enterprise Partnership areas control over this funding means they can put in place measures tailored toward youngsters in their area.” Minister for Employment Esther McVey said: “With youth unemployment falling and the number of young people in jobs going up, it’s clear that many young people across the country have the drive and ideas to be successful. Through our schemes I want to make sure we do all we can so young people have the skills they need to get their foot in the door, and also to progress their careers. “As the economy grows and youth unemployment continues to drop, this extra funding will support those efforts and help to make sure that even more young people are able to get into work, and know for themselves the security of a regular wage.” Funding is proportional to the numbers of youth unemployed in each region, based on latest EU figures.

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Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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Renowned literary icon and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, on Monday, shoved aside whatever criticism that might have come the way of some aspects of the reforms of the Osun State education sector, calling on all states in Nigeria to adopt it for their schools.

Soyinka, who is also the chairman, Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, while delivering an address to open a three-day All-comers colloquium tagged: “Fundamental Imperatives of Cohabitation: Faith and Secularism, at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, said it was an innovation that should be adopted throughout the country. He contended that children at their level should not be made to believe that

they were superior to one another for them to be able learn in a class-free environment. Soyinka queried that if Nigerians agreed that children should not be distinguished by afﬂuence, then, it was fundamentally wrong to differentiate children on religious basis. Professor Soyinka noted that it was wise for the governor of Osun State to have thought about that in line with the philosophy of giving to the children a level playing ﬁeld to learn and exhibit their God-given talents. According to him, “I have heard some arguments based on the fact that the school uniform will reduce the children’s sense of individualism. I asked, who says this is what these children need at this tender age? I think they will be able to decide that when they grow up. “What they need now is an atmosphere where they can learn without distraction.”Source: Nigeria Tribune

Photos: Taofeeq Adejare

Aregbesola’s same school uniform policy, brilliant idea - Soyinka

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (4th left); Chairman, State of Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Primary Nomination Committee, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (3rd left); Secretary of the Committee, Sir Emeka Akamukali (2nd right); Member of the committee, Hajiya Ramatu Aliyu (right); Team Leader, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Abuja, Dr Hadiza Gado (2nd left) and HOD Operations INEC Osun, Mr Wasiu Azeez, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Primary Nomination Election, at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left) displaying his Certiﬁcate of Return after winning the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Primary Nomination Election, at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Saturday 12-042014. With him are, Chairman, State of Osun APC Primary Nomination Committee, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (left); Secretary of the Committee, Sir Emeka Akamukali (2nd right); Member, Hajiya Ramatu Aliyu (right) and others.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (arrowed) acknowledging cheers from his supporters, during the Turning of Sod for the Construction of Ultra Modern Central Abattoir in Iwo, State of Osun 10

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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Africa Newsround

Kenya

Somalia: Not all our people are terrorists Somalia has reminded Kenya that its illegal migrants must be treated humanely and not all presumed to be terror suspects.

Somalia ambassador to Kenya, Mohamed Ali Nur said his country supports deportation of illegal migrants, but opposed any attempts to treat all Somalis as suspects. Speaking yesterday at a press brieﬁng in Nairobi, Mr Nur warned against humiliation during screening. “We are in support of the Kenya government’s operation but if our people are harassed we will complain. We want our people not to be humiliated and we are ready to receive them in our country. We want them back to build our nation together,” he said. Nur conﬁrmed the 82 immigrants deported so far had been in the country illegally and agreed

Anti-Somali sentiment in Kenya has heightened since the Westgate shopping mall attack

to go back home to build their country, which is recovering from war. “No refugee has been taken out of Kenya without their will. We received a

guarantee from the Kenyan Government that no refugee will be taken back to Somalia against their will. I personally accompanied the 82 to Mogadishu and

they told me that they hailed from different parts of our country. They accepted that they had no documents allowing them to be here,” the ambassador said. Asked whether the immigrants were able to access the capital city and make a life, he said, “We live as a family, a community of people and thus they got help from their families.” He added that the Kenyan Government allowed Somali businessmen and students in Kenya but only with the right documents. So far, 4,000 people have been arrested on suspicion of being in the country illegally. Nur condemned the attacks by al Shabaab in various parts of the country saying that the culprits pose a threat to both Kenyan and Somali citizens.

Ethiopia

Gambia

Passengers stranded as Ebola nations flights axed

Our leaders are free, insist rebels

Banjul International Airport has closed its runways to ﬂights involving Ebolaaffected nations

Riek Machar leads the rebel SPLM/A-Nasir

Hundreds of passengers were stranded in Gambia on Monday after the West African country banned ﬂights from countries linked to an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.

Scores of passengers arriving at Banjul International Airport were left confused and desperate after being told about the ban on flights to and from Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. “It is really terrible for us as we have an important mission to run in Sierra Leone, but we were later told that there is no flight. But the authorities are right since it is not safe,” one passenger said. Gambia Bird Airlines chief executive Thomas Wazinski said he was notified of the ban by the Ministry of Communication Infrastructure and Information as “an out-

break of Ebola has reached Guinea’s capital Conakry after spreading from southern Guinea.” “We are sorry to announce that our plans to launch new services from Dakar (in Senegal) and Bissau (in Guinea Bissau) to Conakry have been postponed following the spread of the Ebola virus to the city,” Wazinski said. Bird Airlines -- a major provider of ﬂights to West African countries -- said it would refund passengers who had booked ﬂights to Conakry. Last week, two Gambians from Conakry were intercepted at the Gambia-Senegal border on suspicion of carrying the virus but were later cleared and released. An emergency team from Gambia’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has been on high alert over travellers entering the country along its borders.

The South Sudanese rebel group SPLM/A-Nasir has dismissed speculation that some of its leaders were arrested by Ethiopian authorities in the country’s western region of Gambela.

Social media has been awash with reports that South Sudan’s ex-minister for wildlife conservation and tourism, Gabriel Changson Chang and Makuach Teny, the former youth and sports minister, were arrested last week by the regional government in Gambela. The reports alleged that both were put in prison in Gambela city for allegedly trying to deliver fuel to the rebels. Both men are members of the rebel group led by former vice-president, Riek Machar.

Machar’s spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak, dismissed the story as a “concocted lie.” Dak told Sudan Tribune on Saturday: “Gabriel Changson is one of the leading members of our delegation at the peace talks in Addis Ababa. He was warmly welcomed in Gambela town by the regional authorities. He is free. Meanwhile Makuach Teny is in one of our bases in Upper Nile state. “Besides that, we don’t receive logistics from Ethiopia, but we get it from surrendering and defecting SPLA soldiers”, he said, adding that the two leaders were also not the ones handling logistics for the ﬁghters. Dak speculated that the story was fabricated to divert the public attention from what happened in Gambela city on 9 April when a South Sudanese army (SPLA) soldier was gunned down. 11

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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AMCON plans to sell Air Nigeria aircrafts By Peter Olorunnisomo

Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria’s plans to sell Air Nigeria’s four medium-size planes and other assets as the last resort to recover the airline’s non-performing loans may not materialize eventually because of legal issues involved according to industry sources familiar with the situation. Specifically, it was learnt that an aviation logistics and ground handling company had been in court with Air Nigeria, asking the airline to pay about N300m for services rendered when the carrier was flying. Although judgement had been delivered in favour of Air Nigeria over the issue, it was learnt that the logistics/ ground handling firm was at an advance stage of filing an appeal. Industry sources said the owners of the ground handling company had been threatening to do everything possible to stop the sale of the planes unless AMCON or the bank, which transferred Air Nigeria’s bad debt to the agency, settled the indebtedness. “AMCON cannot claim it bought only the assets of Air Nigeria without its liabilities. The bank involved is also exonerating itself. Judgement has been delivered in their favour but the company is filing an appeal,” a source close the ground handling company, who spoke under the condition of anonymity because of the legal issues surrounding the matter, told our correspondent on Monday. Meanwhile, AMCON has already taken over the four aircraft belonging to Air Ni-

Mustapha Chike-Obi

geria. The corporation’s spokesman, Mr. Kayode Lambo, had last week conﬁrmed that the bad debt manager was looking at selling Air Nigeria’s assets as a ﬁnal plan to recover the non-performing loans. “Air Nigeria is neither operating nor can it be merged in a practical manner with an-

other airline. Ultimately, it seems AMCON may have to look at selling the assets and recovering what can be recovered,” Lambo had explained. He, however, said AMCON was not sure of the marketability of the airline’s planes as they had been on the ground for too long.

Lambo said, “Like all the others, the nonperforming loan of Air Nigeria was purchased by AMCON as it is mandated to do. The security for that loan includes those planes; so, they are with AMCON. “I am not sure as to their airworthiness in their current state and the marketability.” An AMCON spokesperson, Nichol Ope, told our correspondent on Wednesday the matter was between Air Nigeria and UBA Capital. She did not comment on whether the legal issue would affect AMCON’s ultimate plan to sell Air Nigeria’s assets. Air Nigeria, originally Virgin Nigeria Airways and later Nigerian Eagle Airlines, was the national ﬂag carrier. On September 28, 2004, the Federal Government and the United Kingdom-based Virgin Group signed an agreement to establish a new airline for the country to be called Virgin Nigeria Airways. Local institutional investors owned 51 per cent of the company and Virgin Atlantic Airways owned the balance. On June 2, 2010, following the acquisition of a majority stake in the airline, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, the new chairman, announced that the airline had undergone a further name change to Air Nigeria Development Limited, but branded as Air Nigeria. On September 6, 2012, Air Nigeria announced that the management had ﬁred its workers for disloyalty and that it would suspend all its local, regional and international operations. Air Nigeria stopped operation on September 10, 2012.

Jonathan summons Governors & members of the National Security Council President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has summoned members of the National Security Council to a meeting tomorrow at the Presidential Villa against the backdrop of recent events and developments in the country.

The meeting which will be presided over by President Jonathan is scheduled for 1100 hours. Those expected at the meeting include Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen Aliyu Gusau, the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the State Security Services and the Director-General of National Intelligence Agency. The meeting of the National Security Council will be followed at 1300 Hours by an enlarged meeting on security developments in the country to which President Jonathan has invited State Governors. President Jonathan, members of the Na12

President Jonathan Visits Victims of Nyanya Bomb Blast

tional Security Council and the state governors will review the security situation in the country as well as ongoing national security measures and operations with a view to determining the best way forward. President Jonathan reassures all Nigerians and persons living in the country that the Federal Government remains very mindful

of its responsibility for the safety of their lives and properties in all parts of Nigeria and will continue to do everything possible to protect them from the scourge of terrorism and insecurity. The President is particularly concerned about the plight of the young Senior Secondary School girls who were reportedly

abducted from their school in Borno State on Monday night and has ordered the military and national security agencies to deploy maximum efforts towards rescuing all of the girls and returning them safely to their parents. He welcomes reports that the military and security agencies have already rescued some of the girls. President Jonathan deeply regrets the pain, sorrow and anguish brought upon many Nigerian families in recent days as a consequence of recurring security challenges which the nation is contending with. The President remains convinced that with the patriotic commitment and support of all Nigerians, the country will ultimately overcome its present challenges and move forward in unity and strength. In this regard, President Jonathan will be pleased to see all politicians in the country exhibiting greater responsibility and patriotism by doing more to support his administration’s sincere efforts to enhance national security rather than trying to build political capital out of the pain and misery of their compatriots.

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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Nigeria pays Ghana $10m for Gas not supplied By Peter Olorunnisomo

When the deal to supply Ghana with gas was signed, the least expectation was to supply Ghana hard earned foreign exchange rather than receive them. But that Nigeria did for not supplying Gas which was the condition of exchange. For this, Ghana has received a compensation of $10 million from Nigeria over the failure of the latter to meet supply of gas agreement between the two countries. By the agreement, Nigeria is required to supply Ghana with 123 Million Metric British Thermal Units (MMBtu) per day. In this situation, Nigeria was alleged to have failed to meet that target, rather she supplied just about 30 MMBtu/d. Speaking to a local television station in Ghana, the Director of Planning and Business Development of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Koﬁ Ellis, stated that Ghana has been paid some damages by Nigeria over the shortfall as stipulated in the contract. “The contract already stipulates some liquidated damages for reduction in supply. I know that already we have been paid

Beks Dagogo-Jack

some damages for the reduction in supply.” Ellis said. Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power, Beks Dagogo-Jack, recently conﬁrmed that Nigeria has been paying liquidation damages to the West African Power Pool (WAPP) for its inability to meet its gas supply contract value to 14 of the 15 countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Although, the amount was not stated, Dagogo-Jack, explained that the Federal Government failed to fully meet its contract percentage because it chose to ﬁrst address soaring domestic demand. “Currently, we are paying liquidation damages. We are giving them less than 60 per cent of the contract value, and the country is paying for not giving them what the contract says, simply because we want to meet domestic demand. So, it’s not like we are giving them 100 percent,” he said. During a recent visit of the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Emmanuel ArmahKoﬁ Buah, to Nigeria it was expected therefrom that Nigeria, as West Africa’s biggest gas-supply nation, would improve to supplying a constant 50 MMBtu/d. Ellis commended the intervention by government, admitting that inasmuch as Nigeria would want to help Ghana, they are also facing challenges. “I guess Nigerians also share in our problems. They understand. The unfortunate thing is that this is a commodity that both countries need for themselves.

So, it is a matter of trying to see how best you can help your neighbour.” He said the contract signed “many years ago” will not be abrogated though one party is facing challenges in meeting the terms. The recent below-expectation supply of gas from Nigeria has been cited as one of the causes of challenges in the energy sector. Designed to ensure regional power systems integration and realisation of a Regional Electricity Market (REM), WAPP is a specialised institution of the ECOWAS which covers 14 of the 15 countries of the regional economic community, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. With 26 member companies, WAPP is made up of public and private generation, transmission and distribution companies involved in the operation of electricity in West Africa.

Supreme Court overturns Igbo custom Nyanya bomber identified by Security agents The Supreme Court of Nigeria has voided an age-old Igbo law and custom forbidding a female from inheriting her late father’s estate, on the grounds that it is discriminatory and conﬂicts with the provision of the constitution.

The court held that the practice conflicted with section 42(1)(a) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution. The judgment was on the appeal marked: SC.224/2004 filed by Mrs. Lois Chituru Ukeje (wife of the late Lazarus Ogbonna Ukeje) and their son, Enyinnaya Lazarus Ukeje against Mrs. Gladys Ada Ukeje (the deceased’s daughter). Gladys had sued the deceased’s wife and son before the Lagos High Court, claiming to be one of the deceased’s children and sought to be included among those to administer their deceased’s father’s estate. The trial court found that he was a daughter to the deceased and that she was qualified to benefit from the estate of their father who died intestate in Lagos in1981. The Court of Appeal, Lagos to which Mrs. Lois Ukeje and Enyinnaya Ukeje appealed, upheld the decision of the trail court, prompting them to appeal to the Supreme Court. In its judgment last Friday, the Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal, Lagos was right to have voided the Igbo’s native law and custom that disinherit female children. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, who read the lead judgment, held that “no matter the circumstances of the birth of a female child, such a child is entitled to an inheri-

Nyanya Bomb blast, Abuja

Justice Aloma Mariam Muktar Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

tance from her later father’s estate. “Consequently, the Igbo customary law, which disentitles a female child from partaking in the sharing of her deceased father’s estate is breach of Section 42(1) and (2) of the Constitution, a fundamental rights provision guaranteed to every Nigerian. “The said discriminatory customary law is void as it conﬂicts with Section 42(1) and (2) of the Constitution. In the light of all that I have been saying, the appeal is dismissed. In the spirit of reconciliation, parties to bear their own costs,” Justice Rhodes-Vivour said. Justices Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, Kumai Bayang Aka’ahs and John Inyang Okoro, who were part of the panel that heard the appeal, agreed with the lead judgment.

The Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU) of the Nigerian security forces may have identiﬁed and recovered the body of the suspected bomber, who set-off the bomb at the Nyanya bus park in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that led to death of 71 persons and injured 124 others on Monday morning.

From information available by a THISDAY report, security sources conﬁrmed that the slightly charred body of the bomber was identiﬁed and recovered yesterday with the charms and amulets he must have used for self-protection, still strapped to his body. The charms and amulets are typical of the type used by members of the terrorist group Boko Haram. According to the report, certain items including a mobile phone were also recovered from his body. Security considerations are however proffered on two theories as to how the bomber planted and detonated the bomb:

the ﬁrst is that the bomber may have driven a bomb-laden red Volkswagen Golf car to the bus park and walked away before the explosion. The second is that suspected bomber may have walked into the bus park with the bomb concealed in a large jute bag (popularly known in Nigeria as “Ghana-must-go bags”), which was dropped close to the commuter buses. Either way, security forces said that the suspected bomber, having conveyed the bomb to its destination, walked away to a location at the bus park where he ostensibly waited for the bomb to explode. But unknown to him, he did not give enough distance between himself and his deadly parcel and like other innocent Nigerians that he had set out to kill, was also killed by the impact of the explosion. One security ofﬁcial explained that the fact that his body was not dismembered or charred beyond recognition like others who were killed instantly by the blast, might have stemmed from the fact that he was not as close to the epicentre of the explosion as the commuters who had boarded buses at the park. 13

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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CRIME

Human bones discovered in Croydon By Yemi Dipeolu

A group of builders working on a driveway in Purley, Croydon were given an unpleasant surprise when they uncovered human bones buried only six inches deep. The workers, who had been there for only a few hours, initially thought that the bones were perhaps coconuts. However, upon closer inspection they were found to be human remains, which included a skull as well as a femur. Police arrived at the scene soon after the discovery was made and after sending photos to experts conﬁrmed that they were in fact the bones of human beings. The bones have now been sent to anthropologists who will try to ﬁnd out how old the bones are and, if they are younger than 70 years old, further investigations will have to be carried out. The location of the house where the bones were found is above an ancient Saxon burial ground and it is thought the bones

Sierra Leonean marathon runner still missing

Lahun disappeared after completing the London Marathon on Sunday

are quite old. Detective Sergeant Kenny Windsor from Croydon CID, who is leading the investigation stated: “At this early stage in the investigation it would appear that the bones have been there for many years. “Any requirement for an investigation will be determined by the age of the bones and we’re seeking the assistance of anthropologists to try and establish this, but we

may also have to use carbon dating techniques to conﬁrm their age. We are carrying out other enquiries in the meantime. “It is an unusual discovery, but we’re keeping an open mind about whether the bones were originally buried there or indeed moved there for some reason. “We’re also aware that there is an ancient Saxon burial site in the vicinity but at this stage, the direction of our investigation hinges on establishing the age of the bones.”

Mami Konneh Lahun (24), a runner from Sierra Leone who came to London to take part in the London Marathon, went missing soon after crossing the finishing line on Sunday (April 12th) and has not been seen since. The runner who arrived in the UK on April 7th on a 6 month visa was due to return home soon after the race, but she did not check in on her flight on Monday and has also not returned to her temporary residence in Greenwich. Earlier this week, police stated that Lahun had been found ‘safe and sound’ however they retracted their statement, citing an error made by a police officer. Lahun, who is the first woman to represent Sierra Leone in the London Marathon, has no links to the UK and also does not have a mobile phone. She completed the race in 2hrs46mins20secs and crossed the finish line in 20th place.

Bromley birthday shooter jailed

A man who shot another man at a 10-year-old’s birthday in May 2013 has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

Alﬁe Gannon (21) attended a birthday party in Bromley where an argument broke out between him and one of the celebrant’s family members. He was soon asked leave and while he did so, threatened to kill the man he was having an argument with. True to his word, Gannon returned to the venue and asked to speak to the 32-yearold man, who had already left the party. Instead, the man’s brother went to speak with Gannon, at which time he pulled out what is believed to be a semi-automatic pistol and shot the 31-year-old man in the leg while his 7-year-old stepson was watching. Gannon then escaped in a purple Ford Fiesta. Following an investigation by the Trident Gun Crime Command, an intensive man hunt and a media appeal, police arrested Gannon 6 months later in Kent. Detective Chief Inspector Lee Watling, Trident West Reactive Team, said: “I am pleased that Gannon will be now serving a substantial custodial sentence for what was a shocking incident at a child’s birthday party. Understandably both the children and guests at the party where extremely traumatised by the senseless actions of Gannon. 14

Gannon shot man at birthday party in front of 7 year old stepson

“This was a lengthy and protracted investigation which led to an extensive manhunt across large parts of the country. I hope this sentence sends a clear message to those involved in gun crime that Trident ofﬁcers will relentlessly pursue them and they can expect to be caught and placed before the courts.” Gannon was sentenced on April 14th for Grievous Bodily Harm and possession of a ﬁrearm with intent to endanger life.

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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Sounds of Diaspora People of America

Lewis and Nicole back on track for now

Hammer hopes taxman can’t touch any more cash

Nicole (emerging behind Lewis and close-up, right) evidently happier to be papped than her beau

On again, off again celebrity couple Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Scherzinger were spotted last week leaving London’s Zuma restaurant.

Former Pussycat Doll and X Factor judge Nicole looked radiant and rather happy in a sexy white midi dress with a fishnet racer neck, taken from her own range with online fashion store Missguided. Formula One ace Lewis, in black with crimson accents top and bottom, seemed less keen to face the cameras - hiding his face behind his peaked cap. Perhaps he is concerned that media interest in his re-

prised relationship will cause him to lose the focus he appears to have regained this Formula One season. Certainly his employers at Mercedes-AMG won’t want to see their star driver’s demeanour on the track as affected by personal woes as seems to have been the case in recent years. The couple had recently arrived back from the Bahrain Grand Prix two weeks ago, where Lewis won his second straight race, having had to retire from pole position in the only other race so far. Nicole and Lewis reignited their romance over the festive season after splitting in July last year. Last month, Lewis was forced to deny rumours that he proposed to Nicole.

MC Hammer is just one of a long list who failed to handle the after bit of ephemeral megastardom very well

MC Hammer’s tax problems appear keen not to set him free, even eighteen years after he famously filed for bankruptcy and lost all his master recordings in the process. Last December, the 80s rapper owed almost $800,000 in taxes to the taxman, but apparently they’re demanding even more, now asking Hammer for $1.4 million. However, according to Hammer, the IRS are in the wrong.

The veteran rapper managed to get out of most of his debt in 2007 when he paid off $7 million, which apparently included more than $1.4 million to the IRS. Now, seven years later, Hammer says the IRS have demanded another $1.4 million in penalties and interest on his 1996 unpaid taxes. Hammer has filed legal documents, according to TMZ, asking a judge to block the IRS from collecting more money.

Mimi reports twins already in the studio

Mariah and Nick holding one-year-old at the time Monroe and Moroccan

Mariah Carey has been talking about her highly anticipated new album, due now in May after several delays, and has revealed that her twins Monroe and Moroccan, who are about to celebrate their third birthday, will be making an appearance! “I wrote a song for them on this album, and it’s called Supernatural, and ‘dem babies’ (the name Mariah and husband Nick Cannon call their children collectively) are on the song,” she revealed, adding: “And they were singing this when they were just two. Mainly it’s Ms. Monroe singing, and Roc is on there. ... You’ll hear it, I can’t give

it away. She is actually singing though.” Mariah, affectionately known as Mimi by family and friends, also reflected on how motherhood has changed her life. “I never thought I was going to have kids. I remember being a little girl and being like, ‘I don’t want to have babies when I grow up’ ... And for a while I was probably convinced of that, and then I just realized that things change and that’s what happens. The twins give me a reason to live.” Mariah would not be drawn on husband Nick’s revelations about their personal relationship and his past conquests in a recent radio interview. 15

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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Gospel NOT OUR WILL BUT GOD’S WILL BE DONE

“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” He went a little further and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matt. 26:36-39.

By Michael Adekoya Dear Reader, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was in a tight place. He is Omnipotent and Omniscience. He knows how the story of His life will end. He’s not doubtful whether He’s going to come out of the ugly situation He was in. He has the assurance of God! Yet, face to face with the process that precedes the promise, He said, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

The Bible says, “He went a little further and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; but, not as I will, but as You will.” My friend, the Garden of Gethsemane is a tight place and it is a place of surrender where our will align with God’s will. Sometimes, we already conceive in our heart the choice of the person we want to marry, the kind of career we want to embark on, the ministry or business we want to establish and how we want our life to go. But when we come face to face with the process that God has ordained for these things to happen, we struggle. Jesus’ experience in the garden shows us the lesson of how to walk with God and surrender to His will in the midst of pressure. Jesus came to the world with a promise from God that He is the Saviour of mankind. The Bible says, “She (Mary) will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21. To fulfil that promise, He knew that He was going to die and resurrect again. But when He came face to face with the process that precedes the promise, His was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. My friend, listen! You may know what God has promised you and the end result of that promise but you are going to come face to face with the middle – the process that precede the promise. Sometimes when we come face to face with the middle of the promise of God, it becomes stressful. It is good to wait for the promise of God but we must know that sometimes waiting period can bring pressure. It is good to wait when we are young and vibrant. At least, as young men or women, we get all eternity to wait. But when we

are getting older, the story is not the same. Jesus didn’t go to the Garden to find out how the story of His life would end but He was there to deal with the middle. And this is what most of us are struggling with today. We love the happy ending but we become stressful in dealing with the hateful middle. My friend, God has promised you a happy ending with regards to your marriage relationship, family issue, sickness, spiritual battle, barrenness, business failures, ministry or career but how are you dealing with the middle – the process that preceded the promise? For Jesus and for us, the Garden of Gethsemane is a place in the middle of the promise of God for our lives and the manifestations or fulfilment of that promise. The Garden is not a place to give up because of the pressure or stress but a place of pressing further in prayer. It is a place where God will lead you to deal with the process that precedes His promise. My friend, it is a place where everyone cannot go with you. No stranger, spouse or family members are allowed in operating theatre! It is a place where you have to be alone with God; it is a place of realigning your will with the will of God. It is a place of total surrender to God. When Jesus was in the Garden, He told His intimate disciples to “stay near the Garden and watch (pray) with Him.” The Bible says, “He went a little further and fell on His face, and prayed” (Math 26:36-39). That is what the season we are in called for now! In our lives, the Garden of Gethsemane is a place where the pressure and stress mount. It is different from the wilderness where we can argue with or answer the enemy. It is different

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

from the cross where we can see the physical problem and the people behind it. In the Garden of Gethsemane, there is nothing to be seen but just pressure and stress! My friend, it is possible for an old faithful to become an old fallen in a mounting pressure. This is why we must be filled with Holy Spirit, God’s Word, continuous prayer, joy and praise unto God in the days of adversity. Jesus, a man who commands followership of multitudes, dealt with the middle alone with God in the Garden. Listen! When people realize that they can’t get anything from you; when they know that you are going through certain pressure and stress, they will not call you or follow you again. Soon as you stop handing out free lunch, they will be gone. The seventy elders left Jesus after they have had their tittles. They will do the same to you. Jesus asked Peter and John and James (the two sons of Zebedee) - His closest disciples - His inner circle - to wait as He pressed further in prayer in the Garden. He needed support and fellowship in suffering. That’s why He asked them to follow Him to the Garden and watch with (pray) Him as He went further in prayer in the Garden but they refused to connect with Him in suffering. My friend, hear me! Anybody would want to know you in the power of your resurrection but when it comes to participate in the fellowship of your suffering, the story differs. Just as in Jesus’ case, the people you rely on to go through suffering with you or pray with you while you are in a tight place may disappoint you. They may be sleeping because they don’t feel what you are feeling, but you must press on.

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

Each time we were having our children, I was always with my wife. Even though I was with her in the labour room each time, she was the one going through the pressure of the contraction. Holding her hands and patting her back for relief did not equate my share of what she was going through. My friend, don’t be deceived! Only Jesus knows what you are going through and it is Him alone who can go through the process that precedes His promise for your life with you; every other person may fail you. In the Garden, Jesus went a little further, even though His inner circle members, who were supposed to be praying with Him, were sleeping. Listen! That’s what pressure, contraction or stress does for you. It makes you go further in faith, in prayer, in discernment, in studying God’s Word and obeying Him. While Jesus expected the disciples to support Him in a tight place, they failed Him. People always do that! We must always respect people but trust God only! Despite the fact that Jesus knew that those who are suppose to pray along with Him were sleeping, He kept going back to check on them. That’s what pressure does! It can make you to keep going back to the same familiar people for assistance, relationship or something that’s not working. My friend, I wonder the people or the things you are reaching for when you are in a tight place? I wonder the person or the thing you are still hanging on to today, that really don’t work? Have you identify your sleeping soldiers? Listen! God is not going to get glory out of our lives until our expectations are removed from the people or things that don’t work. Jesus left Peter, John and James to sleep on as He pressed further in prayer until He got the breakthrough over His flesh. It is time to lay aside every weight and relationship that hinder our hunger for God and our resolve to do His will. He then declared to God, “not as I will, but as You will.” This is what God requires of us as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on this Easter season. Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth, O Lord! 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, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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Vietnam

Dissidents set free in US trade pact Vietnam has announced the release of several dissidents ahead of negotiations with the United States over the TransPaciﬁc Partnership (TPP) trade deal. Nguyễn Tiến Trung, a 30-year old blogger and political activist, was freed over the weekend after serving four years. He was not due for release till 2017 after being found guilty of attempting to “overthrow the people’s administration.” Another prominent activist and writer, Vi Đức Hồi, 56, was released on Friday eighteen months earlier than expected, following an eight year jail term imposed for using the Internet to promote democracy. He was expelled from Vietnam’s all-powerful Communist Party in 2007 after calling for democratic reforms. Their release came after Cù Huy Hà Vũ, 56, a human rights lawyer and perhaps Vietnam’s most famous dissident, was also freed. In a one-day trial, Vũ was sentenced in April 2011 to seven years in prison and three years of house arrest on charges that

included conducting propaganda against the state, calling for multiparty government and demanding the abolishment of the party’s leadership. He arrived in the United States with his wife last Monday (April 7), having left Vietnam soon after his release. The TPP trade deal will tie the United States to 11 countries around the Pacific, from Australia and East Asia to Chile and South America. Vietnam is expected to gain significantly through greater access to the American market. China, a major Vietnamese rival, is not involved in the talks. Rupert Abbott, Amnesty International’s deputy Asia-Pacific director, said the human rights group was delighted with the release of the dissidents but he also stressed that they should not have been jailed in the first place. “The releases are a step in the right direction for freedom of expression and we hope that they reflect a shift in Vietnam’s commitment to respecting human rights,” Cù Huy Hà Vũ, pictured here in prison, has already made his way to the US following his early release he said.

Bangladesh

Mr Rana Plaza will face murder charge

USA

New police chief ends Muslim-stalking program Police in New York City have abandoned the systematic surveillance of Muslims started in 2003 as a way to spot terrorist activity.

Sohel Rana, pictured following his capture while trying to ﬂee Bangladesh in the midst of the rescue efforts taking place at his factory complex

An owner of Rana Plaza, the Bangladesh factory complex where a nine-storey building collapsed last year, killing 1,135 textile workers, is to face murder charges in connection with the disaster, the worst in the nation’s history.

Police lead investigator, Bijoy Krishna Kar, told reporters: “We are planning to press murder charges against Sohel Rana and some other accused.” Rana, who is one of approximately 40 people facing charges in relation to the building’s collapse, which made headlines around the world for several days last April, was arrested days later near the Bangladesh border with India, apparently attempting to ﬂee the country. His father, also a co-owner, is also to face charges. The accused face allegations that they ignored workers’ warnings about dangerous-looking cracks and other signs of stress and disrepair. Some employees

claimed they witnessed cracks growing before their eyes, while others say they were threatened with losing their jobs if they escalated their concerns. Bangladeshi CID officials say engineers and regulators who approved the building without inspecting the site and some midlevel factory managers will also be charged for their roles in the disaster. There are upwards of 4,500 textile factories in Bangladesh, mostly catering for Western shoppers. Workers’ pay is woefully low, perhaps dictated by fierce competition amongst Western retailers to reap massive profits – a desire replicated, quite understandably, by factory owners, who elect to cut corners to achieve them. The safety record in Bangladesh’s textile industry is abysmal, with Rana Plaza the latest and worst of a litany avoidable ‘accidents’. Western retailers that had clothing made at Rana Plaza include Italian fashion brand, Benetton, Spain’s Mango and the British budget chain Primark.

Under the program, undercover ofﬁcers of the euphemistically termed Demographics Unit routinely followed Muslims around the city, creating maps where they would gather for meals and social time, checking vehicle registration plates at mosques and ordering their network of informants to videotape sermons. The practice remained secret until news agency Associated Press published a series of reports exposing its existence in 2011. In over ten years, the program failed to yield any credible leads. “The Demographics Unit created psychological warfare in our community,” Linda Sarsour, of the Arab American Association of New York, told journalists. “Those documents, they showed where we live. That’s the cafe where I eat. That’s where I pray. That’s where I buy my groceries. They were able to see their entire lives on those maps. And it completely messed with the psyche of the community.” The Demographics Unit was terminated by NYC’s new police commissioner William Bratton, who vetoed plans for a similar scheme in Los Angeles while he was in charge there.

New police commissioner William Bratton has ended the practice of spying on New York City’s Muslim community

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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Arts

World Port Harcourt Book Fair & Africa 39 By Peter Olorunnisomo

The world of books and those who spend their lives and resources comes to berth soon as Port Harcourt, Nigeria celebrates the concept and the flair, the intellect and the creativity, the passions and the joys, the grouse and the lack that the world of books may occasion in all of humanity.

The city, also the state capital, will be hosting the world of stakeholders in the writing industry courtesy of Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the Executive Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria from the 24th April, 2014. Africa enjoys centre stage at this event as African Writers are represented by a collegiate nomination of a panel to show case what Africa can not only do but also review African achievements in world of letters and postulate into the future of African writings on the world stage. Starting from the London Book Fair, which closed on Thursday, 10 April, 2014, where Governor Amaechi, Prof. Wole Soyinka (Nobel laureate) and Prof. Abdul-

Rasheed Na’Allah all attended and visited issues of ensuring the proper positioning of education in Africa, particularly Nigeria, and the attendant nuances which stunt the propagation of the creative exercise of intelligence and education in societies. The Rainbow Book Club, very ably, facilitated the sweetest, last gasp just before the closure. Then a panel of discussants, among whom were Lola Shoneyin, Dr. Kole Odutola, Hassan Aliyu, and Ade Solanke elucidated readership issues and ‘availability’ of books. But hear Margaret Busby’s account of the ‘how’ the 39 African writers were selected at the London Book Fair which closed last week. As Port Harcourt prepares to become the World Book Capital 2014, Margaret Busby describes how a panel of judges selected 39 African writers to represent the continent Among the first events of this week’s London Book Fair (LBF) was a breakfast press conference to reveal an eagerly anticipated rollcall of 39 writers under the age of 40 from Africa and its diaspora. This afternoon, at a second briefing in the presence of Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole

Governor Rotimi Amaechi

Soyinka, the countdown will begin to the start of Port Harcourt’s tenure as World Book Capital 2014. Africa39 is the latest phase of the Hay festival’s initiative of working with the World Book capitals – Bogotá in 2007 and Beirut in 2010 – to highlight the local talents and languages with the potential to define the literature of the future. As one of three judges, including Osonye Tess Onwueme and Elechi Amadi, who are tasked with making the final selection, I regard the list as a sort of snapshot of what is to come. But equally pertinent is how it came about. The selection process began last year, with Caine prizewinning author and founder of the Kenyan literary journal Kwani?, Binyavanga Wainaina, consulting publishers, agents and critics to identify hundreds of writers from which to choose 39. Apart from the age criterion, contenders had to have published at least one work of fiction, and to show stand-out potential for development. Importantly, Wainaina guaranteed that attention would be given to writers working in African languages, and that fiction in its broadest sense would be considered. “Wild, weird, explorers of the imagination” were encouraged to participate, as were those who use pseudonyms for safety and creative freedom. More than 20-plus years after the publication of my pioneering anthology, Daughters of Africa, I was delighted to see that more than half of the writers were women. We judges were spoiled for choice: the 100 nominees embraced every kind of literary writing, from erotica to romance to science fiction to thrillers. We reduced it by half, then edged happily towards the final list. Except that it is not, by definition, so “final”. We are simply saying: “Here are 39 of the best … “ Africa39 is not an exercise constrained by labels, fashion and preconceived rules about genres, nor by what constitutes African writing. Twenty countries are represented by work created in a variety of African and European languages – Kiswahili, Igbo and Lingala as well as English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Understandably, with the continuing debate about the validity of the “African writer”

category, there are those who feel uncomfortable about participating in this venture (indeed, some have chosen to opt out). I have done my fair share of judging prizes and it is never a task to be taken lightly – it’s a responsibility and a privilege to be in a position to affect someone’s career. Perhaps the best thing about Africa39 is that there is no single winner: it is a unique opportunity to showcase, celebrate and encourage a new generation of fiction writers, encompassing names that have already drawn international acclaim and others who are beneath the radar. The group is neither exclusive nor discrete, rather it is exemplary of exciting literature with African regional connections. The countdown to an action-packed launch of Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014 begins with a briefing at LBF at 4pm today (Thursday) introduced by Wole Soyinka. Soyinka will also write a preface to an Africa39 anthology, which will be published by Bloomsbury in October. The 39 writers Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria) Richard Ali A Mutu (Democratic Republic of Congo) Monica Arac de Nyeko (Uganda) Rotimi Babatunde (Nigeria) Eileen Barbosa (Cape Verde) A Igoni Barrett (Nigeria) Jackee Budesta Batanda (Uganda) Recaredo Silevo Boturu (Equatorial Guinea) Nana Brew-Hammond (Ghana/US) Shadreck Chikoti (Malawi) Edwige Renée Dro (Ivory Coast) Tope Folarin (Nigeria/US) Clifton Gachagua (Kenya) Stanley Gazemba (Kenya) Mehul Gohil (Kenya) Hawa Jande Golakai (Liberia) Shafinaaz Hassim (South Africa) Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (Nigeria) Stanley Onjezani Kenani (Malawi/Switzerland) Dinaw Mengestu (Ethiopia/US) Nadifa Mohamed (Somalia/UK) Nthikeng Mohlele (South Africa) Linda Musita (Kenya) Sifiso Mzobe (South Africa) Glaydah Namukasa (Uganda) Kioko Ndinda (Kenya) Okwiri Oduor (Kenya) Ukamaka Olisakwe (Nigeria) Ondjaki (Born in Luanda, Angola and lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) Chibundu Onuzo (Nigeria) Nii Ayikwei Parkes (Ghana/UK) Taiye Selasi (Ghana/Nigeria/UK/Italy) Namwali Serpell (Zambia/US) Lola Shoneyin (Nigeria) Novuyo Rosa Tshuma (Zimbabwe/South Africa) Chika Unigwe (Nigeria/Belgium/US) Zukiswa Wanner (Zambia/South Africa/ Zimbabwe/Kenya) Mary Watson (South Africa/Ireland) Mohamed Yunus Rafiq (Tanzania)

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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Culture

The Acholi of Northern Uganda The Acholi are a Luo people, who came to northern Uganda from the area now known as Bahr el Ghazal in southern Sudan. Starting in the late seventeenth century, a new sociopolitical order developed among the Luo of northern Uganda, mainly characterized by the formation of chiefdoms headed by Rwodi. By the mid-nineteenth century, about sixty small chiefdoms existed in eastern Acholiland. During the second half of the nineteenth century Arabic-speaking traders from the north started to call them Shooli, a term which transformed into ‘Acholi.’ During Uganda’s colonial period, the British encouraged political and economic development in the south of the country, in particular among the Baganda. In contrast, the Acholi and other northern ethnic groups supplied much of the national manual labour and came to comprise a majority of the military, creating what some have called a “military ethnocracy.” This reached its height with the coup d’état of Acholi General Tito Okello and came to a crashing end with the defeat of Okello and the Acholi-dominated army by the National Resistance Army led by nowPresident Yoweri Museveni. The Acholi of northern Uganda today constitute over a million of the displaced African refugees. The surviving Acholi now number only about a million and a half. Hundreds of thousands have been massacred, maimed and displaced by their own government’s troops and by rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army. There is serious genocide being committed against the Acholi people with hundreds dying every day. Children are abducted, women raped, schools closed while the population starves. Today, the impoverished Acholi people suffer under the most inhumane conditions. The Acholi are known to the outside world mainly because of the insurgency of the Lord’s Resistance Army led by Joseph Kony. The Acholi language is a Western Nilotic language, classified as Luo, and is mutually intelligible with Lango and other Luo languages. Acholi (also Acoli, Akoli, Acooli, Atscholi, Shuli, Gang, Lwoo, Lwo, Log Acoli, Dok Acoli) is a language primarily spoken by the Acholi people in the districts of Gulu, Kitgum and Pader, a region known as Acholiland in northern Uganda. Acholi is also spoken in the southern part of the Opari District of Sudan. As of 1996 there were reported approximately 773,800 Acholi speakers in the world. However, this has gradually grown to over 800,000. Song of Lawino and its sequel, Song of Ocol, well known African literature, were written in Acholi by Okot p’Bitek. Acholi, Alur and Lango have between 84% and 90% of

Major food crops in the north include ground cassava, millet, sorghum and simsim. The Cuisine of Uganda consists of traditional cooking with English, Arab and Asian, especially Indian, influences. Main dishes are usually centred on a sauce or stew of groundnuts, beans or meat. The starch traditionally comes from ugali (maize meal) or matoke (boiled and mashed green banana), in the South, or an ugali made from pear millet in the North. Cassava, yam and African sweet potato are also eaten. Chicken, fish (usually fresh, but there is also a dried variety reconstituted for stewing), beef, goat and mutton are all commonly eaten. Among the rural poor there would have to be a good reason for slaughtering a large animal such as a goat or a cow and nyama, (Swahili word for “meat”) would not be eaten every day. Various leafy greens are grown in Uganda.

A traditional settlement with a hut being built

their vocabulary in common and thus are mutually intelligible. Most Acholi are Protestant, Catholic and, in lesser numbers, Muslim. Nevertheless, the traditional belief in guardian and ancestor spirits remains strong, though it is often described in Christian or Islamic terms. The Acholi believed in a supreme being called Jok and in another god, Lubanga, who was the cause of evil. The Acholi also worshipped the spirits of the dead and believed that they helped the surviving members of the family if they were treated well. Traditionally they lived in circular huts with a high peak, furnished with a mud sleeping-platform, jars of grain and a sunken fireplace. The walls are daubed with mud and decorated with geometrical or conventional designs in red, white or grey. They were skilled hunters, using nets and spears, and kept goats, sheep and cattle. In war they used spears and long, narrow shields of giraffe or ox hide. Family life in Acholi has traditionally always been stable. Once a man and a woman are married and have children, they take pride in remaining faithful to each other. Children were taught to respect their parents and the homestead was the place where you found security, affection and a healthy environment to lead a simple, happy life. The backbone of the Acholi culture was the informal education given in the evening at the fireplace, called “wang oo” in Luo. This precious way of passing on a culture of centuries is gone. There is pre-primary or nursery education in Uganda but very few children attend because many parents cannot afford the cost. There is no direct government control or provision at the pre-school level. There is also a limited number of teachers available especially in villages and very rural areas. Nursery schooling is therefore not seen as being very important. For most Acholi people at present, food is largely a matter of survival.

Acholi traditional dancers

Acholi men clad in the wild animal skins

Events calendar What’s On & When Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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Feature

UK development bonds will combat global poverty

The UK will launch its first ever development impact bond to improve healthcare in Africa by bringing together private and public investment, International Development Secretary Justine Greening has announced.

Ms Greening will launch the new bond to invest in the prevention of sleeping sickness in Uganda while attending the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation summit in Mexico. The UK will also launch a new “roadmap” for increasing further private investment into frontier developing economies. In addition new development cooperation hubs in Nigeria, Mozambique and Kenya will bring together governments, aid agencies and businesses on the ground. Justine Greening said: We must agree a new partnership between emerging nations, aid donors and private investors to make sure every penny spent on development has the greatest possible impact. The Global Partnership provides the right platform to bring these partners together and ensure we are ready to deliver the UN’s new development goals from 2015. Development bonds are a tremendous opportunity to quickly get the finance and investment needed to make development work. This is vital if we are to create the growth and jobs needed to end poverty. We are determined to innovate and make our aid more efficient. It is right that donors like Britain ensure new private investment benefits the poorest and boosts growth in frontier economies. Britain will call for greater cooperation with the private sector, governments and civil society organisations to make aid more effective ahead of next year’s deadline for reaching the UN’s poverty goals. The UK outlined the following practical measures to ensure private businesses, emerging nations,

A new £1.5 million inception project will research and design a bond to purchase drugs to treat infected cattle before the disease spreads. A bond has the potential to drive much more investment into developing countries. New private investment in development projects would be followed by further ‘top up’ investment by aid donors after specific results have been achieved.

Create a new market for similar development bonds: DFID will also support the development of new bonds by bringing together investors, Governments and aid agencies to design new investments in the coming months. The UK will also set up a new online ‘open source’ knowledge platform to share our findings to inform further investment. FAO staff distribute seeds and tools in Bossangoa

Establish new “Development Cooperation Hubs” in developing countries:

Working with world-class businesses ensures frontier developing economies get the best support, advice and expertise they need to grow. The UK will help convene new “Development Cooperation Hubs” in Nigeria, Mozambique and Kenya where private companies, governments, international organisations and civil society organisations are able collaborate on joint development projects.

A new “Roadmap” for Public Private Partnerships: Women displaced by conflict in South Sudan queue to collect food rations in the town of Mingkaman, March 2014. Picture: UNICEF/Kate Holt

foundations and others coordinate their development plans:

Development Impact Bonds:

The UK will launch its first ever development bond to invest in preventing the deadly

but neglected sleeping sickness in Uganda. An estimated 9 million people are at risk in the country but despite tried and tested prevention methods, previous investments were unable to deliver the scale of drugs needed to stop the disease.

Following a broad consultation with developing countries, aid agencies and businesses around the world, the UK has developed a new “roadmap” for working with the private sector. It will set out practical actions that governments and businesses can take to build more effective partnerships and drive more investment into the developing world.

UK helps CAR deal with humanitarian crisis The international community must commit more support to the worsening situation in the Central African Republic, UK International Development Minister Lynne Featherstone has urged as Britain provides seeds, farming tools and protection for people affected by the crisis.

The UK’s extra support comes ahead of donors discussing the conflict and humanitarian crisis at the EU-Africa Summit in Brussels on 2-4 April. Lynne Featherstone, International Development Minister said: “The situation in the Central African Republic is growing ever more desperate, and the international community must do more to help the men, women and children affected. 20

“Britain is taking a leading role and we have just pledged further lifesaving aid. Working with key partners like France, we will not look the other way while millions of vulnerable people suffer.” The new £6 million of funding brings the UK’s total direct contribution to £18 million in 2014, additional to funds already committed through the EU and UN, and will help: Address the hunger crisis by giving the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) £4 million for seeds and tools to boost agricultural production across the country during the important planting season between March and May. Protect vulnerable people by giving the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) £2 million to track and report back on the communities at imminent risk of violence and exploitation, including protecting women and girls from sexual violence.

Despite pledges of €150 million in humanitarian aid and €200 million for development and stabilisation, only 22 per cent of the CAR appeal is funded, according to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Since December 2013, at least 2,000 people have been killed in CAR. Over 900,000 Central Africans have fled their homes as a result of this crisis with an estimated 600,000 people displaced across the country. A further 300,000 people have fled as refugees to the neighbouring countries of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Chad, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Sudan. Cameroon is coping with the largest influx of people with 145,000 having crossed the border. Chad has received over 83,000 refugees and over 62,000 have crossed to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

International Development Minister Lynne Featherstone

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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Africa’s World Cup: Who’s in, who’s out

With less than 60 days to go until the World Cup begins in Brazil, here is a round-up of the latest squad news concerning the players likely (or unlikely) to feature for Africa’s Five at the international high table.

Bear in mind, however, that a lot can change between now and the opening day of the tournament. Managers are not set to name their provisional squads until mid-May, before likely whittling them down to the final 23 at the beginning of June—approximately two weeks ahead of kick-off. Some players may feel far away from the action at the moment—but a lot can change between now and June 12.

Algeria:

The major headline to come out of Algeria’s recent friendly victory over Slovenia was the successful integration of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Nabil Bentaleb and Stade de Reims defender Aissa Mandi. The pair, aged 19 and 22 respectively, are set to occupy first team berths in the World Cup and, beyond that, should become two cornerstones of the Desert Foxes national side moving forward. Along with Faouzi Ghoulam andSaphir Taider, the North Africans are constructing an exciting crux of young players. One young player who hasn’t found his spot in the Vahid Halilhodzic’s plans just yet is Ishak Belfodil. His decision to represent the Maghreb side over France was initially considered to be a coup, but his showings to date have been fairly lacklustre and he was overlooked for the recent friendly. Unless his club form can improve (he is currently on loan at Livorno from Internazionale) then he might slip out of the picture altogether. The former Parma striker hasn’t found the net since December 4th. The future is similarly pessimistic for Ryad Boudebouz—the one-time future of Algerian soccer hasn’t been called up since the Cup of Nations. 22

Cameroon:

Sevilla defender Stephane Mbia missed the friendly against Portugal due to injury, but his versatility along should guarantee a spot on the plane. The same cannot be said for Sebastien Bassong. Persistently overlooked by Volker Finke, the Norwich skipper was recently dropped by new Canaries boss Neil Adams for the club’s relegation battle with Fulham. Considering the Indomitable Lions’ strength in depth in defence, and Bass’s struggles at club level, the World Cup may be about to pass him by.

But who will profit?

Barcelona youngster Frank Bagnack has been called up for two squads and represents the future of the national side’s defence. Fellow wonderkids Fabrice Olinga and Jean Marie Dongou have also been in and around the squad and will await the announcement of the preliminary 30 with apprehension.

Yaya Toure

Cote d’Ivoire:

The Elephants have the most settled squad of all of Africa’s representatives, although injuries are threatening to derail their studied preparation. Arouna Kone has been rated “doubtful” by the BBC, while his Everton team-mate Lacina Traore is in slightly better shape. The towering forward was injured on his Toffees debut and although Roberto Martinez has been making positive noises about his recovery, any showing in Brazil will be rusty at best. The main beneficiary of these two injuries may well be Gio Sio, the Basel forward who is a favourite of Sabri Lamouchi. When Yaya Toure went off injured against Liverpool, Ivorians everywhere looked on nervously. The news appears to be good, however, with the midfielder looking to be back in action after two weeks. Things aren’t looking encouraging for Emmanuel Eboue. He hasn’t been called up since the Afcon and has been firmly usurped by Serge Aurier. Marseille right-back Brice Dja DjeDje has also become a squad regular and is a versatile option for the Elephants.

Ghana:

Kevin-Prince Boateng

Returning superstars Michael Essien, the Ayew Brothers and Kevin-Prince Boateng have changed the complexion of Kwesi Appiah’s squad and, in the process, have squeezed out some of the Black Stars’ peripheral figures. Mohammed Rabiu’s place in the squad is under major threat and Anthony Annan’s spell outside the team could well be set to continue. Calls for Parma youngster Afriyie Acquah to be rewarded for his fine recent form with a call-up may have to wait until after Brazil. Essien, as well as Sulley Muntari and Majeed Waris, have all endured injury concerns, but should comfortably be recovered

in time for the World Cup. For Isaac Vorsah, the road is much less clear. The centre-back has only recently returned after a knee ligament injury and it may take a leap of faith from Appiah to include him in the World Cup 23.

Nigeria:

While Victor Anichebe and Sone Aluko have previously been viewed as potential ‘saviours’ for the Super Eagles earlier in the season, Peter Odemwingie is the latest ‘flavour of the month’. There is good reason for this; the former West Bromwich Albion has hit a purple patch at Stoke City and Nigeria’s attacking deficiencies have become a cause for concern. Having apparently patched up his differences with Stephen Keshi, the expectation is that Odemwingie will get at least one occasion to impress before the squad is finalised. Ikechukwu Uche hasn’t attempted to build bridges with the Big Boss as Osaze has and can probably begin booking his summer holiday. Could Obafemi Martins who has scored one and set-up four since the beginning of the MLS season be a forgotten answer upfront? Following Joseph Yobo’s aborted callup for the Mexico friendly, the skipper has endured further injury concerns and has seen his initially-promising form nosedive at Norwich. Former Super Eagles defender Efe Sodje believes he shouldn’t be left out, but the centre-back, at this stage, represents a risky option. Keshi’s announcement that there was no more room for “new faces” seems to end the feint claims of the likes of Lukman Haruna, Taye Taiwo and Chinedu Obasi, but gives hope of a recall to Ideye Brown, Sunday Mba and Nnamdi Oduamadi. Nosa Igiebor has been struggling with injury since mid-February. Culled from Kick Off

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014

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Ref Edibe berates FIFA on W/Cup list By Peter Olorunnisomo

A Nigerian FIFA badged-referee, Mr. Peter Edibe has accused FIFA of politicking with the selection of match officials which he claims has robbed Nigeria of a chance to have a referee at the world cup. Mr. Edibe revealed that he was surprisingly removed from the list without a just cause and alleged that god-fatherism was responsible for his being dropped from the world cup assembly. He further pointed out that his team mates, Alioum Neant and Menkouande Evarist both from Cameroon made the list because they had the CAF president, Issa Hayatou, on their side. ”My elimination from the world cup is a political issue because my team mates that we belong to the same group from Cameroon are there but I was dropped just because I don’t have a God-father, I was removed from the list but no one made noise for me because the Cameroonians had Isah Hayatou and no one could touch them. I’m supposed to be at the world cup too but no one stood for me” Edibe moaned.

Leading the African contingent of referees set for World Cup in Brazil are – Noumandiez Doue (Ivory Coast), Bakary Papa Gassama (Gambia), and Djamel Haimoudi (Algeria). Other African referees on shortlist include: Doue Noumandiez Desire (Cote d’ Ivoire), Gassama Bakary Papa (Gambia), Alioum Neant (Cameroun), and Bennett Daniel Frazer (South Africa). The assistant referees nominated from Africa are Yeo Songuifolo (Cote d’Ivoire), Birumushahu Jean Claude (Burundi), Menkouande Evarist (Cameroon), Kabanda Felicien (Rwanda), Achik Redouane (Morocco), Etchiali Abdelhak (Algeria), Camara Djibril (Senegal), and Range Marwa (Kenya). Europe provides nine of the 25 officiating teams, South America has five, Asia has four, Africa and the CONCACAF region have three each, and Oceania one. The youngest referee chosen is 33-yearold Wilmar Roldan of Colombia, and the oldest is 43-year-old Noumandiez Doue of Ivory Coast.

Steven Pienaar

Maigari Aminu (Nigeria’s Football Federation President)

African teams can win W/Cup – Grant

African teams have excellent talents that can win the FIFA World Cup but the continent’s flag bearers at the biggest football spectacle require “strong mental strength” to prevail against the world’s best, former Chelsea manager Avram Grant has said.

Stressing that Africa’s five at Brazil 2014 are set to excel, Grant said “I certainly believe Africans teams will excel at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. I strongly believe that Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria might even go further than the quarter final stage if their mental strength is excellent. It will be a good testimony for African football.” “One advantage that the African teams have in Brazil is that it is going to be warm. European teams have never won the World Cup in South America, so it will be a great opportunity for the African teams to do well because of the circumstances they have to play in,” Grant said but cautioned that to excel, Africa’s representatives will need to have “technical expertise to inculcate the strong mental strength in the players” for them to prevail against other competing nations. Algeria, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria carry the hopes of a continent pregnant with huge expectations that at the barest minimum, one team would go all the way to the final and attempt to win Africa’s first World Cup.

Avram Grant

“An African team will be champions of the world one day. I even don’t understand why Africa can’t win the World Cup because when compared to other countries, Africa has got excellent talents,” Grant said adding that “the only problem I have seen with African teams is the fact that they lose games they can win in crucial moments. However, this can be improved because the problem is lack of a strong mental strength but it can be fixed.” “When Italy won the World Cup in 2006, they had no good talented players more than Africa with all due respect. At that

Pienaar Retires from int’l football

time, Italy was not better than the leading countries in Africa but they have something that is lacking here in Africa and its more to do with the mental strength and this can be taught by employing the best people to teach it.” Grant, who said he was particularly following the Nigerian Super Eagles since their Nations Cup triumph in South Africa and reckons they will be Africa’s top side because of their “brilliance”, advised the coaches of African teams to emphasize on the mental strength of the players and to get results in crucial moments and matches.

One of the mercurial players of influence of the South African football turf, Steven Pienaar, and South Africa team captain has retired from international football a few months before his country hosts the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Pienaar who plays for Everton FC made this decision which was confirmed by the South African Football Association (SAFA) on Tuesday as newly-appointed national team coach Gordon Igesund revealed his squad to face Poland and Kenya in friendlies next week. Pienaar said in a statement read out by the SAFA’s chief executive, Robin Peterson: “After having given more than 10 years’ service to the national team I am now at a stage where physically I am struggling to balance the demands of playing in England with the number of games required by South Africa. “I am proud to have represented and captained my country. There is a lot of very good young talent coming through and perhaps it is time for them to be given an opportunity. “I wish the coaching staff and the players all the very best for the future.” Pienaar made his international debut in 2002 and has featured for the Bafana at two World Cups. But speculation had grown he was planning to call time on international football, having withdrawn from last month’s international matches against Brazil and Mozambique with an injury, only to appear in Everton’s starting line-up just days later. Toffees manager David Moyes insisted he had no influence on the 30-year-old’s decision to quit, telling Everton’s official website: “We had no input into Steven Pienaar’s decision. “I have never discouraged any player from playing for his national team, in fact I encourage it. Steven has made his own decision and we support him in whatever he chooses to do.” 23

Friday, 18 April – Thursday, 24 April 2014 ISSUE 527

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Africa’s World Cup: Who’s in, who’s out

SEE PAGE 22

1st South African to break 10secs barrier

Simon Magakwe

By Peter Olorunnisomo

Unlike their West African counterparts, who regularly excel in the short distance sprints events, South African have never been as fortunate until Simon Magakwe broke the magical 10-second barrier for the 100 metres at the South African Athletics Championships in Pretoria over the weekend.

Simon had the crowd cheering for him when he clocked in 9.99 seconds to a standing ovation to claim his sixth national title. The time was subsequently rounded down to 9.98 seconds. It was not only the crowd that was elated. Simon confessed ‘I wanted it so badly’. “From the start I was aggressive, I just wanted it so badly. The last 30 metres I pushed so hard,” Magakwe told the South African Press Association (Sapa) afterwards. “What is exciting is my coach (Eugene

Thipe) is from South Africa, and not from Jamaica. Everything we do, we do in South Africa.” Simon became the first South African to break the magical 10-second barrier for the 100 metres at the South African Athletics Championships in Pretoria on the weekend. Simon, who shared the national record of 10.06 seconds with Johan Rossouw had narrowly missed the record in the semifinal by one-hundredth-of-a-second. With his record- setting run, he raced past the time he had shared with Rossouw, who set the national record in 1988. Similarly, second placed Akani Simbine also bettered the previous mark in a time of 10.02 seconds, while Emile Erasmus was third in 10.23 seconds. “The sad thing is I can’t remember a part of it (the race). I am just happy that I did my best and ran my PB (personal best),” Simbine told Sapa.

“I didn’t expect to go even that close (to breaking through 10 seconds), so I am pretty happy.” Olympic 100 metres finalist Anaso Jobodwana watched the race from the stands and afterwards went down to the track to congratulate Simon Magakwe. He said he hoped Simon’s barrier-breaking run would lead to South African athletes repeating that effort. “I am really glad for him (Magakwe) and Akani, and I am happy for the way it has turned out,” Jobodwana said. “It shows us that we have the potential and we can take it not just from the 100m, but to the 200m, and the 400m, like we’ve already been dominating the 800m. Jobodwana, who owns a best time of 10.10 seconds for the 100m, added: “In no time we could have something like Jamaica, because we have the talent, but it is just that athletics doesn’t have the appeal right now.”

With athletes boasting far less impressive personal best times, South Africa won the 4 by 100 metres title at the 2001 IAAF World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, in a national record of 38.47 seconds. That record still stands, but could be under threat if the country’s top national sprinters get together for a record attempt. Apart from Magakwe (9.98), Simbine (10.02) and Jobodwana (10.10), national universities’ champion Henricho Bruintjies ran a time of 10.17 seconds in the semifinals, giving South Africa a foursome that could be among the world’s leading quartets.

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