Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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ISSUE 474
SINCE 2001
B R I TA I N ’ S N O . 1 A F R I C A N N E W S PA P E R
£1.00
The Vatican proves it can embrace change
Commonwealth Day 2013: Opportunity through enterprise
SEE PAGE 3
SEE PAGE 4
Man jailed for rape and fraud SEE PAGE 14
UK Coalition blasted over modern slavery By Alan Oakley
The Government is under attack for what has been termed an “inadequate response” to the issue of human trafficking.
Independent think-tank, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), claims to have uncovered a “shocking underworld” in which British and foreign victims are forced into unpaid domestic labour, crime or prostitution. CSJ research showed more than 1,000 adults and children were trafficked into or within the UK in 2011/12 but it is thought that many times this figure have slipped through the net. Christian Guy, managing director of the CSJ, said: “The authorities are either failing to understand the nature of this abuse or turning a blind eye to its existence. Our once great nation of abolitionists is a shameful shadow of its former self.” The CSJ is seeking a radical overhaul of measures to combat modern-day slavery, including bringing all human trafficking and modern slavery offences together. It added that victims should be encouraged to come forward without fear of facing prosecution over immigration breaches or crimes they have committed as a result of being trafficked. The think-tank recommends the Government passes a Modern Slavery Act, which should include: All human trafficking and slavery
offences, in order to symbolically reflect the criminality of human trafficking for any form of exploitation and to highlight that modern slavery is not tolerated in British society; • Provisions for ensuring that victims of human trafficking are not prosecuted for crimes they may have committed as a direct consequence of their trafficking situation; • Provisions for the obligation to identify victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, and investigate the circumstances of their victimisation; • The outlined role of the Anti-Slavery Commissioner, including its authority to conduct unannounced visits and launch independent investigations with or without the permission of Secretaries of State, and its obligation to promote awareness of the interests of victims of modern slavery The CSJ report, entitled IT HAPPENS HERE: EQUIPPING THE UNITED KINGDOM TO FIGHT MODERN SLAVERY, advises that more training is also needed to ensure police officers, immigration officials and social workers recognise the scale and nature of the problem.
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Christian Guy, Managing Director of the Centre for Social Justice
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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Government to improve Employment Tribunals
New rules aimed at streamlining the Employment Tribunal process were announced by Employment Relations Minister Jo Swinson. These changes will make tribunals easier to understand, more efficient and will help weed out weak claims. In November 2011 the government commissioned Mr Justice Underhill, former President of the Employment Appeal Tribunal to lead a fundamental review of the rules of procedure for employment tribunals. Employment Relations Minister, Jo Swinson said “We are committed to finding ways to resolve workplace disputes so they don’t end up with two sides in front of a tribunal. “The proposals set out today will help all parties understand what the process involves and what to expect. Employment Tribunals are costly in terms of time, money and stress for everyone and they should always be the last resort, not the first port of call. “We have always said, and this is backed up by international evidence, that the UK has one of the most flexible labour markets in the world. Our efforts to review of areas of employment law not just tribunals are about making sure business can get on and grow, while employees have the necessary protections in place.”
News Apprenticeships are central to rebuilding UK economy
To mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week Prime Minister David Cameron met with young apprentices at MercedesBenz in Milton Keynes, where he set out a vision for it to become the new norm for young people to either go to university or start an apprenticeship. The Prime Minister will challenge employers, educators, and the government on how we can reach this aspiration and expand apprenticeship opportunities for young people, so that those who aspire to get ahead and want to take one up can. This is similar to what happens in Germany where the vast majority of school leavers go to university or into an apprenticeship. It comes on the day that the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) forecast that apprenticeship completions over the next decade could contribute up to £3.4 billion a year to the economy through productivity gains by 2022. And follows the announcement from Barclays that as well as recruiting thousands of their own apprentices, they will work to promote apprenticeships to their business customers so that they create a further 10,000 new apprenticeships. The Government is committed to ensuring more people can access high quality apprenticeships and is already investing record amounts with up to £1.5bn this year alone.
David Cameron at apprentice training academy at Mercedes-Benz in Milton Keynes
To strengthen the apprenticeship programme the Government will this week formally respond to the Richard Review. The Review looks to improve the quality of apprenticeships and raise standards, and give employers much more direct control over the design and delivery of apprenticeships, which will be a key step towards achieving the vision set out by the Prime Minister. David Cameron: “ I want it to be the new norm for young people to either go to university or into an apprenticeship” “Apprenticeships are at the heart of our mission to rebuild the economy, giving young people the chance to learn a trade, to build their careers, and create a truly world-class, high-skilled workforce that can compete and thrive in the fierce global race we are in.
Coalition blasted over modern slavery Continued from front page
Publisher and Editor-In-Chief Mike Abiola Editorial Board Adviser Dr Ola Ogunyemi News Editor Emmanuel Urhiofe Sub Editor Alan Oakley Sports Editor Abiodun Teriba Assist. Sports Editor Olubunmi Omoogun Arts Editor Golda John Columnists Michael Adekoya Rasheed Ogunlaru Photo Journalist Isaac Adegbite Graphic Designer Alvin Brown Legal Adviser Godwin Okri London Office: Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP
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African Voice is published by African Voice UK.
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“There are record numbers of people taking up an apprenticeship, with a million starting one in the last few years. And as we take forward the Richard Review, our drive to reform and strengthen apprenticeships, raising standards and making them more rigorous and responsive to the needs of employers means that an apprenticeship is increasingly seen as a first choice career move. “But we need to challenge ourselves to go even further, that is why I want it to be the new norm for young people to either go to university or into an apprenticeship. We need to look at how we can expand apprenticeship opportunities so that they are available to all young people who are ready and eager to take them up, and aspire to get ahead in life.”
Guy added: “We have been alarmed to learn that children being trafficked within the country are often viewed as somehow being complicit in their exploitation. This is absurd and unacceptable. “Elements of control in these cases can be subtle and difficult to identify; this control frequently takes the form of sexual and other forms of violence, physical or emotional abuse, threats of violence towards family members or threats of public shaming.” Only this week, a sex trafficker who tried to force two teenage girls into prostitution was jailed for 14 years. Odosa Usiobaifo, 35, of Ponders End, north London, brought the Nigerian girls, aged 14 and 15, to Europe in 2011. The girls were carrying fake passports and were stopped by officials at Heathrow airport as they travelled from Lagos to Paris. The girls were placed with foster families, but after they disappeared from their homes in Sussex in April last year, it was discovered that Usiobaifo had given them new travel documents and put them on a flight to Spain. One of the girls was refused entry to Spain and was returned to the UK, where she remains in the hands of
Odosa Usiobaifo was jailed for 14 years for trafficking two children from Nigeria to Spain to work as prostitutes
the authorities. The other girl was allowed into Spain and has not been heard of since. Police tracked Usiobaifo down and he was arrested in Enfield in September. A jury at Isleworth Crown Court found him guilty of conspiring to traffic for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Usiobaifo pleaded guilty to conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration at an earlier point in the trial and was sentenced on March 11. A spokeswoman for the Home Office said the Government has already made significant progress in fighting trafficking. She said: “Human trafficking is abhorrent and the UK Government is committed to combating this crime in all its forms. “Investment in training for front line professionals to identify and refer victims, improvements in data collection, work with the private sector to protect workers and more personalised care and support for victims are already making a real difference. “But the Government is not complacent and we will continue to work to improve and strengthen our approach to keep pace with emerging threats.” Immigration minister Mark Harper criticised the CSJ report. He told BBC Radio 4’s World this Weekend programme: “It’s slightly disappointing because I don’t think it accurately sets out the position that I think is in government on this issue. “We take the issue of human trafficking very seriously.”
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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News
The Vatican proves it can embrace change
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By Alan Oakley
he earth stood still for over an hour in Vatican City and, for some, all around the world as the election of a new pope, the first from outside Europe in over 1200 years, was heralded with ritual white smoke. People sang and danced in front of the world’s media’s many cameras and mobile phone networks crashed as tens of thousands of people called friends and family. Shouts of “Viva Il Papa” (long live the pope) filled the air, even if no-one yet knew who ‘Il Papa’ was to be. Then the agonising, expectant wait in what, on any other occasion, would be considered miserable conditions. The white smoke from the Sistine Chapel acted as a virtual shelter from the incessant drizzle until the time to end all speculation arrived. The tens of thousands huddled together in St Peter’s Square looked on as Argentine cardinal, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a Jesuit, took the name Pope Francisco I (or Pope Francis I in English) in honour of St Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order of priests. The announcement confounded many predictions that, of the South American contenders for the papacy, Odilo Scherer of Brazil, who was a front-runner in the 2005 conclave deliberations when Pope Benedict XVI was elected, would be most favoured. Others predicted that an African pope would be selected, even though the odds against early favourites Peter Turkson and Francis Arinze gradually increased since Pope Benedict stood down. Ghanaians and Nigerians of all religious persuasions are naturally disappointed, as perhaps are those of African heritage throughout the world, since an African pope would have proved even more of an endorsement than the election of Barack Obama as US president. In truth, Africaphiles can have few grounds for real complaint this time around. Latin America has one of the world’s highest densities of Catholics, with a faith base more than 370 million-strong, over 80 per cent of the continent’s total population. The election of Pope Francis provides resolution to the long-standing question of when a Latino would be chosen to lead the church. Early word on Pope Francis I is that he is conservative. He opposes same-sex marriage and abortion on social grounds even if his native Argentina was the first country to legalise gay marriage. Much has been made of his past visits to slums and his washing the feet of AIDS sufferers. The pontiff’s choice of names is taken as a symbol of his humility; St Francis of Assisi had been a beggar in the 13th Century. Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio was
The smoke clears to reveal a new continent noted in Buenos Aries for eschewing the fruits of his high rank – preferring to travel by public transport and choosing a modest apartment over the luxury abode that was his right as Archbishop. First signs are that the 266th pontiff has no designs on abandoning his austere ways. After the conclave and his introduction to the baying hoards, he reportedly elected to travel back with his erstwhile brother cardinals rather than in a waiting limousine. “In favour of Bergoglio is his pastoral attitude, as they say in the Church – his relationship with the people,” said Leandro Pastor, a friend of the new Pope for a quarter of a century who is philosophy professor at the University of Buenos Aires. “He’s a very simple man. He’s very austere. And also, I think he’s an intelligent man and someone who is very good at communicating.” Few would dispute that Pope Francis I is inheriting a Church that is in crisis. Elements within the Catholic Church have called for a rethink of some basic tenets such as the celibacy of priests, the uniform ban on artificial contraception and even allowing women to be priests as in other Christian denominations. The cover-up of child sexual abuse by paedophile priests has also cast a large shadow over the Church that the new pope will inherit. And in a reminder of the relentless pace of the scandal, new details emerged implicating one of the cardinals, Los Angeles Archbishop Roger Mahony, who is accused of protecting predator priests. Lawyers said on Tuesday that the archdiocese had agreed to pay nearly $10 million (750,000 euros) to four men who alleged they were molested by a former priest in the 1970s. Prime Minister David Cameron was amongst the first of the world’s political leaders to congratulate Pope Francis. However, the thorny issue of the Falkland Islands could not have been far from his mind so soon after inhabitants voted overwhelmingly to remain British. As archbishop of Buenos Aries, the prelate famously called the British “usurpers” in the context of the Islands’ sovereignty. Last year, Archbishop Bergoglio paid tribute to the 649 Argentine troops who died during the Falklands conflict, describing them as “sons of the homeland” who sought to “reclaim what is theirs”. Giving mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the conflict last April, he called for the vindication of “all” who died in the conflict, according to Argentine reports. “We come to pray for those who have fallen, sons of the homeland who set out to defend his mother, the homeland, to claim the country that is theirs and they were usurped,” he told the congregation.
Pope Francis I acknowledges his subjects
Francis I is the first pope from the Americas but not the first non-European to hold the position. The first ever pontiff, Peter, was born in the Golan Heights, while there have also been pontiffs from Libya and Turkey. The last non-European was Syrian-born Gregory III, elected in 731.
The last pope to take a name that had not already been used was John Paul I. The last Italian pontiff had one of the shortest ever reigns, lasting just 33 days before he died on 26 August 1978. Before him you have to go back more than 1,000 years to find the next first-name pontiff, Lando, who was elected in 913.
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Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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Opinion
Commonwealth Day 2013: Opportunity through enterprise
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By Richard Branson ntrepreneurs always look for opportunities to solve problems and dramatically improve people’s lives. This insatiable curiosity leads us to search for gaps in the market to invest and create wonderful new services, products and jobs.
Entrepreneurs invest in people and give them the freedom to create amazing things. Entrepreneurs are people who say yes to impossible dreams, and then enjoy trying to make them happen. They are the kind of people who say: “The answer is yes - now what was the question?” I love that approach and hope many of you will leave here today imbued with that positive attitude. Having the will to say ‘screw it, let’s do it’ and make things happen is what sets entrepreneurs apart. It takes bravery to start a business, but people with enterprising spirit who seize chances when they come along will be the ones who drive the economy and make a difference in the future. You don’t need business degrees or vast experience to begin a business: you need a great idea. At school I started my first venture, Student Magazine, with just a handful of change, which I fed into a phone-box to convince advertisers to get our fledgling business off the ground. I
Richard Bradson with young entrepreneur
Richard Bradson at the Westminister Abbey
left school to run that magazine and have never looked back. The Commonwealth has been the springboard for many Virgin companies to expand with flights, mobile services, health clubs and finance in Australia, Canada, South Africa and the Caribbean. It has helped us create a global brand from the family of Commonwealth countries. But business is about more than making money and planting flags. At Virgin we believe business must have a purpose beyond pure profit and our foundation, Virgin Unite, helps to ensure every Virgin business has a focus on its people
and our planet. I spend a lot of time travelling the world visiting companies and meeting people who have new ideas to make business a force for good and help foster the next generation of entrepreneurs. We have established Centres of Entrepreneurship in Johannesburg and Jamaica to inspire young entrepreneurs, some of whom are actually here in the audience today. We provide mentorship, guidance and help them become the business leaders of tomorrow. In the UK, we have helped young entrepreneurs start innovative businesses from scratch with the online support network Virgin Media Pioneers and the government-funded scheme Start-Up Loans. The Commonwealth is all about creating opportunities to spread good ideas across geographical barriers, nurturing talent and encouraging collaboration. It thrives through unity, but also encourages dynamism and diversity. The Commonwealth has been the gateway to opportunity for us, and can be for every single young entrepreneur in the audience here today. Best of luck to you all in your endeavours. Being speech delivered by Richard Branson at the Commonwealth Day Observance in Westminster Abbey to the many young entrepreneurs and other guests present.
World Bank Supports Competitiveness A $160 million loan will support reforms in Morocco’s business environment to spur competitiveness and boost growth and job creation in an increasingly competitive global economy. The First Economic Competitiveness Development Policy Loan approved by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors, will improve transparency and accountability in investment procedures and trade facilitation.
The program is part of a comprehensive package of operations supported by the World Bank to help Morocco achieve greater competitiveness. It will contribute to leveraging ongoing government reforms aimed at simplifying the regulatory environment and facilitating trade. The program will also strengthen the capacity of key institutions such as the National Committee for Business Environment, the Competition Council, and the Investment Commission. “Morocco has engaged in a number of promising reforms to liberalize and promote investment in key sectors over the last decade,” said Simon Gray, World Bank 4
Maghreb Country Director. “The impact of these reforms on growth and job creation will be further enhanced by addressing the remaining rigidities in the institutional and regulatory business environment especially as they pertain to small and medium enterprises.” Small and medium-sized enterprises make up around 95 percent of Morocco’s private sector and are a major source of employment. The program includes reforms which will address long payment delays, bureaucratic barriers, unfair competition and lack of predictability in the implementation of rules. “Promoting a more dynamic and robust private sector is critical for Morocco’s prosperity and to achieve this there needs to be better collaboration among stakeholders and better coordination of policies,” said Philippe de Meneval, World Bank project team leader. “The common theme linking the reform areas of this program is bringing more predictability and transparency for commer-
cial transactions through rationalizing key aspects of the institutional and regulatory environment for business.” The second development policy loan will focus on implementation of reforms launched under this program notably the competition laws. The World Bank Group, with its private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation, provides technical assistance in support of these reforms and on measures designed to improve Morocco’s competitiveness. The World Bank Board of Executive Directors also approved today a $ 6.44 million grant from the Global Environment Facility. The Social and Integrated Agriculture project will help small farmers implement land and biodiversity conservation measures in the marginal areas of Souss-MassaDraa and Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz. Among other activities, the project will support the installation and management of production units for animal feed using by-
products from agri-food chains typical of the region, including olive oil, cactus, and argan. The project will integrate sustainable agricultural practices in the Plan Maroc Vert, the country’s 2008-2020 agricultural strategy, aiming to double the agriculture sector’s value-added and create 1.5 million jobs. “The Plan Maroc Vert is an ambitious strategy which envisages a paradigm shift from a highly protected agriculture sector to a more dynamic open market approach that creates better opportunities for small farmers,” said Gabriella Izzi, World Bank Task team Leader. “The project will promote the inclusion of land and biodiversity conservation measures in the Plan Maroc Vert, potentially contributing to the livelihoods of the 855,000 small farmers in Morocco.” The World Bank has been supporting Plan Maroc Vert through a series of development policy loans and a Special Climate Change Fund Grant.
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Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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News
Black people are at a higher risk of Stroke - act FAST
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esearch shows that the risk of stroke amongst Black people of African and Caribbean origin is twice as likely as the general UK population. The stroke mortality rate in England and Wales is almost double for people born in Jamaica and two and a half times as high for men born in West Africa. The Act FAST campaign aims to show people the signs and symptoms they should look for to identify someone suffering from a stroke, with the aim of making everyone a potential ‘stroke-saver.’ Although there is a general awareness of stroke, it can be difficult to recognise the onset of symptoms. A stroke is a brain injury caused by a blockage or bleed in the brain. Getting appropriate treatment fast reduces the amount of brain damage and improves the chance of making a good recovery. Public Health Minister Anna Soubry said: “People of black African and Caribbean origin are twice as likely to suffer stroke as people of European origin. Despite being a treatable condition, stroke continues to be the third leading cause of death in England and the largest cause of disability. It does not need to be this way.
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The Act Fast campaign continues to save lives and prevent disability by showing us that anyone can be a stroke saver just by making sure they know how to spot the signs - and acting FAST if they see them. Treatment for stroke is improving, with more and more patients being seen in specialist stroke units. However, in order for people who have had a stroke to get the treatment they need quickly, it’s essential that we are all aware of the signs and symptoms so we can Act FAST.” Jacqueline Anderson, Stroke Navigator for the Stroke Association at Waltham Forest said: “The prevalence of high blood pressure and diabetes increases the risk of stroke amongst our community, meaning the knowledge of Act FAST is crucial. Although the treatment for stroke is improving all the time, the faster a person is able to get to a hospital when the stroke symptoms first show, the better the outcome. It is possible to treat stroke and every step on the road to recovery matters. Recovery starts when you call 999. Repeatedly we see people’s lives negatively impacted following a stroke because they, their family and friends were unaware of the signs and symptoms relating to the onset of a stroke. The Act Fast campaign is essential to saving lives and can also help people sustain a better quality of life following a stroke.”
Anna Soubry Public Health Minister Alice Campbell, stroke survivor from London said: “I had no reason to believe that I would have a stroke. I was fit with the exception of high blood pressure, which was being treated with medication. When I had the stroke, my son noticed something was wrong straight away as I was having speech problems and felt extremely tired. But I told him not to call 999 because I
didn’t want to waste anyone’s time. However, he persisted and I am lucky to be well and back at work after a year because I got to hospital quickly and received prompt treatment. I would urge everyone in our community to familiarise themselves with Act FAST, whether you are old or young. You could save yours or someone’s life.”
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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Tourism
Festive Fusion of Brazil, Lagos in Carnival Swing
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By Peter Olorunnisomo
he Lagos Black Heritage festival was inaugurated in 2010 in Lagos and has added fillip to festival-rich culture of Lagos State and indeed, Nigeria.
The Festival, by its advent, is the latest to embroil a carnival nature with an ‘international’ integration. This festival, which going by the rich history of socio-cultural integration of Lagos as a settlement, makes certain pronouncements about the Brazilian component of the Lagos culture and persona. A cursory look into the heartland of Lagos would reveal ancestories with names like Da Silva, Silva, Do Santos, Muniz, Da Rocha, etc to mention a few. These are not homogenous names that belong to the Yoruba ancestry but names that showed that the Brazilian presence in the Lagos colony from way back several centuries ago before the advent of the slave trade. This is perhaps what has pro-sited the festival celebrations to the Lagos metropolis and Badagry, the ancient slave port and post. The festival thus takes on, therefore, the fanfare which is characteristic of Lagosians but adds the flavor of the Brazilian and Portugese stock. It has thus been given a dimension of the carnivals of Rio de Janeiro and Costa Rica. Perhaps one of the strongest statements being made here is the ancestries of these families who have founded themselves in Lagos by some act of fate and have remained for several generations such that even by Laws of Citizenship in the land and cultural affinities, they have become Lagosians. But that is not where the similarities end, it goes further to the areas of cultural beliefs where ancestral deities and traditional worship methodologies have immense similarities till today. Such Yoruba deities as Sango, Oya, Osun, and the Ifa divinity are pronounced features of the Brazilian heritage. These are only a few of the core features where Brazil meets Lagos.
The Gelede Masquerades in performance
Disun Holloway, Gov. Fashola and Prof Wole Soyinka at the Lagos Black Heritage
The chairman of this year’s festival organizing committee is Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, a doyen of Nigerian art and culture had pointed that all logistics to assure a successful event had been put in place. Straight on his heels is the Honourable Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Disun Holloway, who sits as the eyes of the State government as Chairman of the Carnival Committee. Mr. Holloway noted that the festival would immensely benefit residents in the state and foreigners who would find tourist value in the state governmentbacked project. The week long activities of the festival which starts on the 23rd March, 2013 and ends on the 1st April, 2013 will feature activities such as drama (street theatre), boat regatta, exhibitions, film shows, carnival parades, masquerades, Food fair, with performances from Rwanda, Afro-Brazilian ensemble; Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti States of Nigeria. Also are the Badagry day with Gelede masquerade displays, the Bariga kids (a district area of Lagos), and homage expose of Abdias do Nascimento a literary icon of the Brazilian who stock whose contribution to the African consciousness got him nomination for a Nobel peace laureate. He died in May, 2011.
It is quite evident that the celebration of this unique festival is actually of a peoples who conjoined by chance, circumstance and culture and who have come to understand the neo-colonial virtues of people of unity. This, perhaps, reflects why the celebration id fed with the abundance of cultural creativity capped by the very acknowledge-
ment of such an icon as do Nascimento. The relative values of lineages and culture that will not be buried in the contemporary scheme of everyday life in a cosmopolitan city like Lagos certainly deserves to be celebrated. The heartland of the Lagos, referred to as Lagos Island, or the Eko itself is the settlement area of the Brazilian peoples and the place where the advantages of co-existence, and cultural integration has facilitated all to refer to Lagos as their homestead. The historical value of the festival is acutely brought to the fore with performances of the Eko brass band and Duro Ladipo Theatre with the world renowned performance of the tragic epic, Obakoso. There is no other expectation of this cultural evolution of the racial integration and identity than to expect such a melting of minds, peoples, cultures, and a celebration backed by government as a new order of development in the world. It therefore should not die any death but live to give heritage to a people bonded by fate. Thanks to the political dexterity, consciousness and maturity of the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, SAN.
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Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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Stanbic Bank Heartland for African Diaspora Stanbic Bank, which has a footprint in 18 African markets, launched Heartland Banking in London on Wednesday 13th March 2013, a banking solution that will enable African Diaspora residents to bank and accumulate wealth in their country of origin. The product will target citizens of Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya who are currently resident in the United Kingdom.
At a cocktail reception at The Savoy hotel in London Shalen Moodley, head of Diaspora banking at Stanbic Bank said, “Diaspora residents retain a strong affinity with their country of origin and the majority express a desire to return home when they are established in their careers or wish to retire,” Moodley points out that there is a compelling case for a banking solution such as the Heartland offering, given that research shows that personal remittances between the UK and the three countries in which Heartland is to be launched, is north of 3, 2 billon USD for 2010 alone. The attraction of the Heartland offering lies in the way the proposition was developed by responding
to the needs of the Diaspora target market. The comprehensive product offering, the simple pricing structures, competitive interest rates and the service elements make the offering quite unique and definitely compelling. Stanbic has invested in the service model, ensuring that customer will have access to a dedicated Diaspora banker, a toll–free line in the UK, as well as enjoying hassle free convenient banking as an agent will come to your doorstep to pick up relevant documents for the account opening process. Holistically, this positions Stanbic to be a clear market leader for the African Diaspora Market. Heartland offers savings, investment products and current accounts which are available in both local and foreign currencies, as well as a mortgage product. Heartland’s unique feature is that transactions can be conducted in a person’s country of origin, in their local currency. The Heartland current account still offers the basic remittance services that many people rely on to send money back home. Customers who already have UK-based bank accounts can transfer money into their Stanbic Bank Heartland current account by simply adding the account as a beneficiary on internet banking.
Shalen Moodley, fashion designer Ozwald Boateng and Ben Mensah, Stanbic Bank
Michael Sali Manu, Commercial Counsellor, Kenya High Commission,George Fynn, Trade Commissioner, Ghana High Commission, and S. A. Adelemi, Head of Section for Trade and Investment, Nigeria
Through the Heartland savings account customers can also save towards a home, education, a holiday, a sabbatical in their home country, or merely diversify their savings portfolio. The deposits can be held in foreign or local currency depending on the extent of diversification and the customer’s choice of currency exposure. The acquisition of property is the cornerstone of building wealth and the Heartland solution offers a mortgage product in Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. This loan is secured against the property and carries no penalties for early settlement.
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The asset based lending and ease of account opening is arguably the most important feature of this product. The Heartland current account is being offered as a product bundle to best meet the needs of the customer and if a specific balance is held in the account the fees will be waived completely. Moodley says the competitively priced service and the comprehensive range of products will allow African citizens living in the UK to better manage their finances and contribute to the growing economies of their home countries.
L-R: Mike Abiola Publisher African Voice Newspaper, Benjamin Mensah and Daniella A. Okumagba Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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President Jonathan reassures international community on security of lives and investments
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resident Goodluck Jonathan has assured the international community that his administration will continue to do everything possible to enhance the security of lives and investments in Nigeria.
Speaking at an audience with a 45-member trade delegation from the United States of America, in Abuja, on Tuesday, March 12, President Jonathan reaffirmed that the Federal Government was working very hard to overcome Nigeria’s current security challenges, saying that an intensive effort was underway to curb terrorism and other criminal acts such as kidnapping and hostage taking. The President also assured the delegation which was led by the President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa, Mr. Steve Hayes and the Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Ms. Mimi Alemayehou that his Administration will continue to empower the private sector to serve as the main drivers of the federal government’s agenda for national economic growth and development. President Jonathan told company executives on the delegation with interests in aviation, power, food processing, ICT, construction, housing, textiles, infrastructure and finance that they could be very confident of the safety of their present andfuture investments in Nigeria as the coun-
(L-R) Vice Chair, US EXIM Bank, Ms. Wanda Felton, CEO Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema, Executive Vice President, (OPIC), Ms. Mimi Alemayehou, Nigerian Ambassador to US, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, and Ambassador. Robin Renee Sanders
try already had one of the most liberal legal regimes for the movement of capital and profits. “We welcome your interest and commitment to Nigeria. You are coming at a time when sectors previously dominated by government monopolies are being opened up to the private sector because we fully believe that that is the best way forward and the best way to create greater efficiency, employment and economic prosperity. “You all know Nigeria’s potentials. With its very huge market and the con-
ducive investment climate we are working hard to foster, it is a country where your companies can do very fruitful business and I assure you of the full encouragement and support of the Federal Government for your investments,” the President told the delegation.The co-leader of the delegation, Mr. Hayes thanked President Jonathan for his efforts to promote greater trade and economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. He assured President Jonathan that the Corporate Council on Africa and its mem-
bers fully recognized Nigeria’s immense economic potentials and will do their best to support his agenda for national transfor mation. Ms. Alemayehou told the President that the delegation had had very fruitful interactions with members of the Federal Executive Council, including the Ministers of Works, Housing, Transport, Agriculture and Communications Technology. She assured President Jonathan that Nigeria will get more investments from the American private sector.
structure, institutional arrangement and governance as well as funding and resource mobilization. “In order to compliment the current reforms in the sector, our investment in education has remained a priority in-spite of other competing demands. We have made significant efforts to address issues that could otherwise continue to pose threats to our desire to offer the citizenry the necessary knowledge and skill to effectively participate in our development efforts. This has translated into the establishment of nine new federal universities with increased funding for the existing ones.” The President furthermore stated that his administration has introduced innovative programmes like the Almajiri Education, Girl-Child Education Initiative, and out-of-the –school Boy Child Education to ensure that no child suffered due to his/her background. President Jonathan affirmed that the supply of textbooks and other instructional materials has been receiving prominence in his administration’s basic education delivery approaches. He said that the goal of the exercise was to ensure a 1:1 ratio of pupil to book in all subjects taught in all public basic education institutions and that infor-
mation reaching him had indicated that the ratio has been attained in core subject areas at primary school level in many states of the federation. While congratulating the direct beneficiaries, he enjoined parents and teachers to utilize the resources for the benefit of the children. Speaking earlier, the Minister of Education Professor Rukayyatu Rufai stated that education was key to the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government, which was aimed at transforming the society and ensuring global competitiveness. In this regard, the minister disclosed that the Jonathan administration developed a 4-year strategic plan for the development of the education sector with the goals of “access” and “quality”. According to the minister, this occasion was part of the drive towards enhancing quality while access to education has been greatly enhanced through the implementation of various programmes like the Almajiri Education, the Girls Education, Access Campaign, Back-to-School, amongst others. “As access improves, our attention is also on the quality of education provided to our children. It is for this reason that at-
tention is focused on the provision of those resources that would help to enhance the teaching and learning experience of our schools,” said Prof Rufai.
FG restates commitment to the goal of Education for All The Federal government of Nigeria emphasise it’s committment to achieving the goal of Education For All (EFA). President Goodluck Jonathan made this known at the national flag-off of instructional materials to basic education institutions in the country held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday, March 10.
The President, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said that the issue of basic education would continue to be addressed holistically in order to ensure that the goal of Education For ALL (EFA) and a provision of a solid foundation for other education were met. President Jonathan stated that his administration’s efforts at national transformation would only achieve the desired results if they were predicated on the provision of quality education at all levels and for the development of human resources in the country. In this regard, he stated that the FG has redoubled its efforts in policy making and implementation of tangible innovations in education that serve as a catalyst for other sectors of the economy through appropriate and sustainable reforms in
The minister also stated that in the past year, over ten billion naira has been expended in the provision of books and other instructional materials to the basic education sector in Nigeria. On his part, the host governor Godswill Akpabio expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government for the choice of his state to flag-off this year’s exercise. He noted that the best investment any government could make was in the education of its children and that the federal government has taken education as a major priority area in the country. The distribution of instructional materials to basic education institutions is a UBE Intervention Fund programme to basic public institutions in Nigeria launched in 2009. Over 96,346,675 books on Mathematics, English Language, Basic Science & technology and Social Studies for primary schools; and library materials for Junior Secondary Schools have been distributed to public basic education institutions across the country. 9
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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State Of Osun House of Assembly Capacity Building Program on Budget 2013 Governor Aregbesola, while addressing members of the state legislature at the opening ceremony of the recent Budget Retreat organised for the lawmakers in Ada in Boripe Local Government Council Area of the state, promised to implement 2013 appropriation bill to the expectations of the people of the state, noting that the essence of the budget was to make life more abundant for the majority of the people. In his remark, the Speaker, State House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, charged Governor Aregbesola to rev up his commissioners and consultants on different projects, with a view to delivering on his electioneering campaign promises. Salaam stressed that the cabinet members and head of MDAs must be put on their toes, because only the state helmsman would be held responsible for his stewardship at the end of his tenure not his aides or consultants.
The Speaker rated the budget’s performance of the previous year above average, lauding the governor for unleashing his energy in implementing the previous budget in the overall benefit of the majority in the state. He added: “We are very satisfied with the result of the previous budget, and from the mouth of the populace, the last year’s budget was a success story, for roads of standard code, schools, agriculture, education and employment were given deserved attention”. Salaam then tasked Aregbesola to increase the tempo in the agricultural sector and explore its opportunities in order to buoy up the state revenue profile”. Explaining the significance of the budget discourse, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Honourable Kamil Oyedele, observed that the market of ideas on fiscal policy and other cardinal points of governance should be given a priority, noting that no institution would move forward without cross-fertilization of ideas.
Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Edo State Governor, Adam Oshiomole, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Nassarawa Governor, Alhaji Janko Almakura, Senator, Annie Okonkwo, Anambra Central, Deputy Governor, Yobe State, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu and Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi during the announcement of the Party Logo, Motto and Flag of the New Party, All Progressive Congress [APC] at Abuja
Photos: Taofeeq Adejare
From Right- Speaker State of Osun,Hon.Najeem Salam, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Former Speaker,Hon.Adejare Bello and Former Speaker , during the State Of Osun House of Assemble Member at a Capacity Building Program on Budget Retreat 2013 at Mic C om Golf Hotels @ resort ltd,Ada, State of Osun
Governor State of Osun , Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Director Industrial Development Centre Osogbo Federal Minisry of Industries ,State of Osun, Engr. Ajoyo Adedeji and Acting Director General Small and Medium Scale Development Agency, [SMEDAN] mr wale fasanya During the inspection of Industrial Development Centre Federal Minisry of Industries ,State of Osun at Osogbo 10
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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Latvia
Italy
Latvia announces tightening of border security
India angered by Italian U-turn
Part of the Belarus/Latvia border
Latvia has announced tougher punishments for illegal border crossing, according to the Belarus Telegraph Agency. The Daugavpils office of the State Border Guard of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Latvia informed Belarusian counterparts that under Article 284 “Illegal crossing of the state border” of the Criminal Law of Latvia, deliberate illegal border crossing will be punished by short-term imprisonment, compulsory labour or a fine. If the border is crossed by a group of trespassers or if a trespasser uses a vehicle or was previously banned from
entering Latvia, the law provides for up to two years in prison, compulsory labour or a fine. Previously, Latvia used administrative action against trespassers, Denis Glebko aide to the head of the Polotsk border unit, said. In his view, the tougher punishment was necessitated by significantly increased incidents of illegal border crossing. Starting from 2013, the Polotsk border unit that guards mostly the Belarus-Latvia part of the state border has detained 15 trespassers, while only nine were arrested in the same period last year. A total of 94 trespassers were detained by the Polotsk border unit in 2012.
India
Doubts cast over gang-rape driver suicide The family of Ram Singh, the bus driver accused of being the leader of the group of men who gang-raped and killed a 23 year-old medical student in Delhi in December last year, are determined to disprove prison authorities’ claim that he committed suicide. A post-mortem examination carried out at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences concluded that Singh, 33, died as a result of hanging. Singh’s family and his lawyer continue to insist he did not commit suicide at Delhi’s Tihar jail. One of his brothers, who went to the hospital to collect the corpse, alleged that he saw an injury on the body and finger marks around the neck. The brother told reporters: “My brother was murdered. I have seen injury marks on the body and finger marks on the throat.” Singh’s body was found early on Monday morning (March 11) in a cell he shared with three other prisoners. However, doubts
have been cast on prison authorities’ assertion that Singh hanged himself using his bedding because his family do not believe this would be possible without waking his three cell-mates or alerting a guard. They appear to be unable to contemplate that it is surely even less likely that he was killed, which one assumes would follow some kind of struggle, without alerting anyone else. Singh’s lawyer, AK Anand, said that just two days before, his client had met with his five-year-old son and had appeared very content. “We do not think he committed suicide. He was bold, he was very happy, two days ago when I last saw him,” said Mr Anand, adding: “Why would be commit suicide?.... It’s foul play on the part of the jail authorities.” Singh was one of six detained after the December attack. Four other men will continue to be tried in Delhi. The other alleged attacker, who is aged 17, is being dealt with by a juvenile court.
Massimiliano Lattore (left) and Salvatore Girone pictured returning home for Christmas last year
Italy has incurred India’s wrath after appearing to renege on a pledge to return two naval guards who are charged with killing two Indian fishermen last year.
Italy’s ambassador to India has been summoned by India’s foreign secretary, Ranjan Mathai, to convey India’s position to his government at home. Ambassador Daniele Mancito was informed that the contents of a note submitted to India from the government of Italy were unacceptable. “There was an offer of discussions which has been made in a note from the Italians on March 6 that is a separate from the assurance given to the Supreme Court,” Ranjan Mathai said. Italy’s Foreign Ministry has refused the return of the two marines, accusing Indian authorities of violating international rights by detaining the naval guards and said it was “open” to let an international arbitrator to assess the case. The naval guards — Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone — who
are charged with homicide for killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February last year in an anti-piracy operation, were permitted to return to Italy for four weeks on February 22 to vote in the country’s election. Previously they had also been given leave to spend time with their families for Christmas and duly returned to India when their ‘leave’ expired. Italy’s latest stance is quoted as: “since a controversy between the two states has been established, the two Italian naval guards, Latorre and Girone, will not return to India on the expiration of the permission granted to them”. The government of India has stated firmly that it does not agree with the position conveyed by its Italian counterpart. A Ministry of External Affairs statement reads: India expects (the) Republic of Italy, as a country that is committed to the rule of law to fulfil the sovereign undertaking given by it to the Supreme Court of India.
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Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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News Young entrepreneurs get their business dreams backed
T
he Start-Up Loan scheme has exceeded expectations as 2,000 aspirational young entrepreneurs have now received support to help get their business venture off the ground, in a boost to growth and the UK’s efforts to get ahead in the global race. The Start-Up Loans Company, which administers the scheme and is chaired by Dragon’s Den entrepreneur James Caan, has helped to start 1,000 new businesses in the last month alone. The success of the Start-Up Loan scheme, which helps young people get their business ideas off the ground with a loan of typically around £4,500 and mentoring support, demonstrates the strong demand amongst 18-30 year olds for self-employment. The scheme has already reached its £10 million pilot spend following high demand, and an immediate £5.5 million injection of funding was approved yesterday in Parliament to fulfil its pipeline of young businesses until the end of the month. The government has made £117.5 million available to fund the Start-Up Loans scheme up to 2015. Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Start-Up Loans are now helping thousands of aspiring young entrepreneurs get the finance and support to strike out on their own and launch their own business. The success of this scheme shows that young people have got the ideas, the ambition and sheer commitment to get ahead
– and it is by backing them, and backing their aspirations that we will be able to compete and thrive in the global race.” Budding entrepreneur and mother of two, Alissa Koopal, 26 from Liverpool has used her loan to help launch her company, Izzy Melody, which produces innovative, eco-friendly baby products manufactured in the UK. “After making the difficult decision to take the plunge and make my business concept a reality, my loan application was rejected by the bank so I didn’t think I’d ever be able to establish Izzy Melody.” Alissa was introduced to the Start-Up Loans scheme by her Delivery Partner, Merseyside Investment Fund. “Within six days of applying for a Start-Up Loan, I was granted the £2,500 I really needed to launch my business and assigned a mentor who has provided me with vital guidance and support”. Start-Up Loans is not just proving to be popular with budding entrepreneurs. His Royal Highness, the Duke of York, has demonstrated his support for the scheme by hosting an event at Buckingham Palace in February to launch the scheme’s Student Ambassador Programme. Renowned entrepreneur, Elle McPherson has also backed the scheme and described Start-Up Loans as “an inspiring initiative to support up-and-coming businessmen and women” and has encouraged people to embrace their entrepreneurial spirit. Business Minister Michael Fallon said:
Ashley Wyllie
“Start-Up Loans are firing up thousands of aspiring young entrepreneurs’ business ideas. This scheme is really motoring and its high demand and popularity shows no sign of abating. This is about encouraging and unlocking the great entrepreneurial spirit we have in the UK.” Chairman of Start-Up Loans James Caan said: “Whilst we are well ahead of our target numbers, I believe that we are only scratching the surface. 2,000 young, ambitious and highly motivated people have taken their future into their own hands. At the moment 40 people a day are choosing
to start their own business thanks to StartUp Loans. “I am very proud of what we have achieved thus far. We have built a fantastic team that is committed to the success of Start-Up Loans. As an entrepreneur myself who has built businesses, I am very conscious that maintaining our own costs when we are spending money on behalf of the country is absolutely vital in the current economic environment. Using our own entrepreneurial approach, I’m pleased to see that we have come in under budget for expenditure.”
Some thriving budding entrepreneurs and their stories...
Tonisha Tagoe
Tonisha Tagoe is the C.E.O of U Media Films, a Production Company And Online Channel Based In Central London specialising in producing groundbreaking and innovative productions in the Home Video, Documentary, Film and Music Industry Promo Genres. 18 12
Ghana born Tonisha has over 9 years of experience in working with young people and the community using New Media and Film as material for engaging audiences and building community cohesion.
Tonisha’s previous Freelance work in Film and Television has ranged from producing documentaries to working as part of the on location film crew on feature film Adulthood released in 2008. She is also a member of Bafta’s We Need You initiative. Through this Tonisha has been able to develop the portfolio and skills to prepare herself for a life as an entrepreneur. It had always been Tonisha’s dream to own a production company of her own. Tonisha became a mother at the age of 16 so decided to put these dreams on hold whilst raising a young child. In 2009, U Media Films was pre-launched. Due to a lack of startup funds, Tonisha was unable to create a platform. She decided therefore to spend the next three years developing a strong portfolio of diverse work across genres which has now put the company in a good position. Tonisha made the decision at the end of 2012 that it was time to develop the company. The biggest startup challenge for Tonisha was raising startup funds to provide security and stability needed when launching in an industry where tools of the trade are extremely expen-
sive. She was then referred to Elevation Networks (a Delivery Partner) by Sonia Meggie at InspirationalYou. She filled out the Start Up Loan application form. She says she was “fully supported by the Elevations Network team who explained each of the steps clearly”. From the date of Tonisha’s application, it took just 4 weeks to receive a loan of £7000. This money is for the setting up of U Media Films as a company and towards marketing the re-launch. Tonisha hopes that in 5 years time she will have a strong permanent staff team on the payroll working to produce video content that clients and audience members continue to fall in love with and learn from. “Aside from funding support, I have received a large amount of emotional and professional support and guidance from the Elevation Networks team, which has provided me with a sense of empowerment in the entrepreneurial journey”. “The support I have received from Elevation Networks and the Start-Up Loan Scheme has been one of the most empowering experiences of my life. I can finally see tomorrow and it belongs to me.”
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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News Joanna
Joanna Abiyie
At 25 years of age Joanna Abeyie is a journalist, entrepreneur and TV presenter. She is the founder and director of Shine Media. Shine media is a social enterprise that aims to increase diversity within the journalism industry, offers training and recruitment for the creative industries and specialises in finding diverse talent for employers from a pool of talent they do not currently recruit from. Shine’s media partners include PPA (Professional Publishers Association), ITV, BBC Worldwide, News International, the Guardian newspaper and ITN to name just a few. Shine Media won Best Social Enterprise Business at the Precious Awards. Up until the point of approaching Rockstar Youth, Joanna’s business was wholly self-funded through her salary. Having left her full time job to freelance and give Shine Media the time
Ashley
Ashley Wyllie, 26, is the founder of ‘The Future of Croydon,’ a web magazine. The main audience for the web magazine are based in the Borough of Croydon aged 15-35. This demographic then extends to anyone who has an interest in Croydon either business or as a resident, and anyone outside the borough who come to Croydon to work, study, shop, for entertainment or have an interest in the goings on in Croydon. Ashley was unemployed. He was disillusioned with the media’s perspective of Croydon’s young people and decided to create a magazine to showcase and promote the positive role models in his local area. He had previously attempted to start a company but found it difficult to get funding. Whilst attending the Spirit of London Awards in 2012, he interviewed Croydon winner Arnold Sarfo-Kantanka who mentioned the Start-up loans scheme.
Channon that it needed, Joanna knew that she needed to find finance in order to turn Shine from a social enterprise into a fully fledged business. Initially looking for investors, Joanna found herself with offers but without feeling comfortable as to how she could quantify the value of her business, she felt reluctant. Having heard of Rockstar Youth, and the changes to the age scope made this year, Joanna applied for a Start-up loan through Rockstar Youth, a Delivery Partner of Start-Up Loans. She was granted £6000 and assigned a mentor, Mike Mills. The loan was used to fund a new website, create promotional material and a promotional video for Shine. Joanna expresses the difficulty for people with creative talents like herself, in getting to terms with business, and how the mentoring has proved as valuable as the funds. Quote “Shine Media’s main objective is to increase the representation of ethnic minorities within the media industry. “We hope to make young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds more attractive to potential employers and thus increase the number of ethnic minorities working within the journalism industry. The Start up loan Rockstar Youth funds will be used to fund our brand new interactive website, create promotional material and promotional video for business/client pitches. As a business we are already trading and the money we’ve been loaned will help us to grow our business and take it to the next level.”
He applied for a Start-up loan through the Delivery partner Elevation Networks. He was granted £2,500 and a mentor – Temitope Yusuf. Discussing the process, Ashley said: “It was pretty simple, whenever there was a query you could always talk to someone.” He followed this up by attending Elevation Networks Finance 101 seminar which featured a speaker from international finance company Goldman Sachs. His aim is to take The Future of Croydon to the next level and make it the center of creativity for the borough; and to have a publishing house that puts the power back into the hands of community. Ashley says: “Elevation Networks startup loans have given me the boost I need to make this project real allowing me to get the equipment I need to create something special.”
Channon Zhangazha Channon, 23, is the founder of HCM Entertainment - Helping Creative Minds. HCM Entertainment is a music and entertainment company. The company works with organisations such as Livity and Somewhereto to provide young people with free studio time. HCM is also an urban music directory, providing ‘next step’ provisions to launch a successful career. They offer artist management (such as Britain’s Got Talent 3rd place act New Bounce). HCM also organize live music nights and networking events. They offer a full produc-
Demilola
Demilola Owoseje
Demilola, 26, is the founder of Majeurs Chesterfield Ltd (www.majeurschesterfield.co.uk) .Majeurs Chesterfield Ltd is an Antique and Vintage furniture retailer, with a specific focus on Chesterfield sofas and armchairs. Demilola studied architecture at university and graduated in 2011. Having helped her mother run the family business unofficially from a young age, she knew she wanted to run her own business and had started a couple of ventures before finally finding the right business model inspired by her own interests of vintage furniture and design. The business initially started
tion service. They have recording facilities and an online media channel and podcasts available. Channon graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in history. He was very active during University – debating in The Hague, flying solo with the RAF, talking part in student media and mentoring school students. It was not until he completed his degree that he became interested in youth enterprise. He gained experience within corporate PR and this led to business development roles within start-up companies. Channon has always been passionate about creative arts. He believes the arts have the power to create social change in transforming the lives of young people. Through his passion for music Channon came up with a business structure. He applied for a Start-up loan through one of the delivery partners, Rockstar Youth. He received £4000. The Loan will go towards the costs of the recording studio and helping to expand the urban music directory. Mentoring from Rockstar youth will help us define our business model, to ensure long term-profitability. It will also help connect us with the right brands and organisations for partnership opportunities and sponsorship. Most importantly, the mentoring will provide us with general advice, from an experienced media professional, who can help us thrive and make the business a success.
as a side hobby, where Demilola and her business partner sourced various pieces all around the country; many of the pieces which had fallen into disrepair/damage were then restored by Demilola before selling them Demilola approached East London Small Business Centre for a start-up loan. She had been trading for 4-months from November 2012 at the time and was seeking capital as she realised it had the potential to make more profit. Demilola received £5,000 Start-Up Loan and a mentor, Sam Ahmend. She used the loan to re-develop the company website in order to make it more userfriendly and allow e-commerce to drive sales. Additionally, Demilola wanted to use some of the money towards renting a larger showroom / warehouse for the stock. Demi says the biggest challenge she had faced when setting-up her business was self-belief and accepting that the small profit she was making in the beginning was indeed a sign of success. “The support from our mentor has been amazing. He made us realise we’ve developed a great business and restored our confidence in our early success. With the help of the loan, we’re improving the website, so that we don’t have to do all our sales face-to-face and I can concentrate in expanding our stock and creating customer awareness.” 19 13
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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CRIME Nigerian rapist Jailed
AN illegal immigrant, believed to be from Nigeria, has been jailed for seven years at the Old Bailey on, 11 March 2013, for the knifepoint rape of a woman in July 2010 in south London. John Jambu, 34, of Brighton Road, Croydon, had denied the offence but was convicted of the rape on 28 January following a trial at the Old Bailey. He had earlier pleaded guilty to fraud-related matters concerning identity documents. He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment to run consecutively on the fraud matters. Jambu had been working as a manager of a nursing agency in 2010 when the victim approached him for work. They had a professional relationship as Jambu had given her work previously. Jambu took her to a pub for a meeting but the prospective employer did not turn up. Jambu then offered the victim a lift home via his flat in
Woolwich, under the pretence of picking up some laundry. Whilst there, Jambu told the victim that he had to speak to someone outside, but, unbeknown to the victim, he went out and purchased a pack of condoms. On his return he became violent, making sexual advances and threatening the victim with a knife before raping her. The victim managed to escape from Jambu’s flat and run into the street where she stopped a car, pleading for help. The occupants of the vehicle took her to Woolwich rail station and she made her way home and reported the incident to police. Although the victim identified the flat where the attack happened, Jambu had left. Information obtained through an appeal on BBC Crimewatch in July 2012 indicated that he was a manager at a care home in Purley, south London. Jambu was arrested on 20 July 2012 at his home address after
John Jambu information received directly from this appeal gave the investigating team an address for him. When he was arrested, Jambu was hiding inside a divan bed in the bedroom. He gave a false name on arrest and was also found to have identification and credit cards under a false name. He was charged with rape and false misrepresentation.
Two jailed for GBH and burglaries committed during the 2011 summer disorder Two youths who carried out a series of burglaries and one of the most violent GBH attacks caught on CCTV during the London disorder in 2011 were sentenced on, Friday 8 March. The two men, who left the shopkeeper for dead in south London following the attack, appeared at Inner London Crown Court today. Randean Myles, 17 of Tyler House, Stockwell, was sentenced to five years imprisonment for GBH and four counts of burglary. Andrew Scott, 16 of Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, was sentenced to five years and six months for GBH and five counts of burglary. Both were found guilty on 11 February 2013 of Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm and burglaries at a number of commercial premises. A third member of their group, Bradley Jordison, 19, of Thrayle House, Stockwell, was sentenced to 15 months suspended for two years and 200 hours unpaid community service after pleading guilty to two counts of burglary. Myles and Jordison were arrested in November 2011 and Scott in September 2012 following a painstaking investigation into a violent attack on a local shopkeeper who had come to the assistance of a female cyclist who was being assaulted by the youths in Lambeth. Officers from Operation Withern trawled through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and mobile phone data to uncover their night long crime spree across Lambeth and Wandsworth in the early hours of Monday 8 August 2011. The trio began shortly after 01.00hrs in Stockwell Road, where they had smashed up shop windows and hurled wheelie bins and road work barriers into the road, there18 14
Andrew Scott Randean Myles by creating dangerous road blocks. After assaulting a passenger who had got out of a taxi to remove a road block, the gang carried on along the road, where they continued their rampage by pushing over a port-a-loo onto the southbound carriage way. Like the taxi before, a female cyclist was soon forced to stop. She was then pushed off her bike and assaulted. A local shopkeeper who was on his way home came to the cyclist’s assistance, and was confronted by the group. What followed was a violent attack by Myles and Scott, including kicks and stamps to the victim’s head as he lay defenceless on the ground. After going through his pockets, Scott even returned to deliver another kick to the unconscious man, leaving him for dead in the middle of the carriage way. As members of the public called the police and London Ambulance, the group were later captured on CCTV committing burglaries in a number of commercial properties, including Nando’s, Ladbrokes and Curry’s.
The judge commended the victim and awarded him £500 as public reward for his bravery. Investigating officers Detective Constable Paul Trueman, Police Sergeant Paul Tothan and Acting Detective Sergeant Kevin Eade were also singled out for praise by the judge. Detective Chief Inspector Ian Elliot, from Operation Withern, said: “This was one of the most disturbingly vicious attacks that I have seen out of all the hours of CCTV footage I have seen. Fortunately, more by luck than anything else, the victim’s injuries were not life threatening, although he is permanently scarred and this traumatic experience will be with him for a long time, so I am especially pleased that these people will be serving a lengthy sentence for what they have done. More than 18 months on we are still resolutely committed to bringing all those involved in the disorder to justice and will continue in our efforts.” A total of 4863 arrests have been made as part of Operation Withern and work to identify further suspects continues.
Detective Constable Peter Thompson, of SC&O2 (Sapphire Command), said: “Jambu used extreme violence in order to carry out this attack. He lured the victim back to his home and raped her at knifepoint. He then went on the run for two years, changing his identity. “However, thanks to the members of the public coming forward from the Crimewatch appeal, we managed to track him down to face justice. The victim in this case showed tremendous strength and courage to give evidence against him some twoand-a-half years after the attack. I hope the sentence handed down by the Judge goes some way towards helping the victim recover from this ordeal.” Detective Inspector Faye Churchyard, from Sapphire Command, added: “The investigation team never gave up on tracking down Jambu. We caught up with him even though he created a new life and identity for himself. He is now where he should be - languishing in prison. Rape is a pernicious crime and under-reported by victims. I hope this conviction will encourage those who have been victims to come forward and tell us what has happened to them.”
Sutton police uncover two cannabis factories Police uncovered two cannabis factories within six hours of each other (Wednesday 6th March).
At 16.25hrs, officers were called by a resident who had water coming through her ceiling from the flat above her home in Carshalton Road, Sutton. Officers forced entry to the ‘leaking’ flat and turned off a bath tap that had been left on. Whilst at the property, officers found a significant quantity of mature cannabis plants and a tent with young cannabis plants. An energy company was called in to make safe the electrics. A 31-year-old man who turned up at the property whilst officers were present was promptly arrested for producing a Class B drug and following a search, possession of cannabis. At 21.43hrs, officers discovered a cannabis factory in Mill Lane, Carshalton. After forcing entry, officers found a large tent containing trays of cannabis buds drying. In another room they found cannabis ready to be cut. No one was in the address at the time officers were there. There were no arrests. Police have seized the drugs and drugs paraphernalia from both address and enquiries are continuing. Chief Inspector Partnership, Nick Collins, said: “Residents are rightly concerned when they believe that drugs are being bought, sold and grown in their neighbourhoods. We have been actively encouraging residents to pass on any information they have about suspicious individuals and addresses.
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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Sounds of Diaspora People of America
Celebs targeted by data hackers Ne-Yo could pay for bad-mouthing ex Los Angeles police and the Secret Service are reportedly investigating a website onto which one or more hackers have posted what appears to be personal financial information on high profile figures, including Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian.
The site reveals social security numbers, credit card and banking information and details about mortgages and other loans. In the US, a citizen’s social security number is a primary personal identifier and ID fraud would be greatly simplified by allowing the number to fall into the wrong hands. Information about FBI Director Robert Mueller is thought to have been uploaded. The bureau says it is aware of the site but has not revealed whether they will be investigating. Others affected include Paris Hilton and an LAPD police chief. Actors Mel Gibson and Ashton Kutcher are also reported to have been targeted on the site. More names were added throughout Monday, including
A woman who once claimed NeYo fathered her child is suing the singer for unspecified damages for comments he made on VH1.
Kim Kardashian is one of several celebrities whose personal data is claimed to be on the website
Britney Spears, Donald Trump and former presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The website, which we will not reveal for obvious reasons, uses an internet suffix assigned to the Soviet Union.
Chris Brown promotes weed to Ghana’s youth
Chris Brown lighting up in Ghana last week
Chris Brown is the subject of a police investigation in Ghana after the US RnB star caused outraged by smoking drugs during an eve of Independence Day performance.
In an arrogant action that he would never dare to contemplate in his own country, a bare-chested Brown, 22, told a baying Accra crowd that nobody can tell them not to smoke weed and proceeded to light up on stage before inviting Nigerian musician WizKid to take a few puffs too. Angry Ghanaians took to social media to vent their displeasure, with several pictures being tweeted showing him smoking up on stage. The resulting furore has forced organisers to admit that ‘the incident was unfortunate’. The Minister of State for WA Central condemned the musician’s actions, which rubbed salt into the wound that was a foulmouthed and uncoordinated mess, according to reports. Hours after the show, an Accra-based organisation, the Perfector Of Sentiments Foundation, issued a statement calling for the arrest of Chris Brown for “openly
smoking marijuana”. The statement, signed by the organisation’s Executive Director noted: “We call on the Ghana Police to immediately effect the arrest of the musician in question, Chris Brown and investigate the circumstances leading to his possession of the said substance during a concert at on the eve of Independence Day celebration. Below is the full text of the statement by the Police The Police have commenced investigation into the formal complaint of Indian hemp smoking made by the CEO of POS Foundation, Mr. Jonathan Osei-Wusu on 6th March 2013 at the Ministries Police station against the popular American RnB artist Chris Brown. The American RnB star is alleged to have smoked Indian hemp while performing on stage at the Accra Sports Stadium in the early hours of Wednesday 6th March 2013. Section 5 of narcotic drugs [Control Enforcement and Sanctions] Act, 1990 PNDCL 236, stipulates that “a person shall not, without lawful authority or excuse, smoke, sniff, consume, inject into the body or otherwise administer a narcotic drug on the body of that person.” We wish to state that all persons, whether visiting or native who does an act in contravention of the above-quoted Act shall be dealt with in accordance with the law. In the case of Chris Brown, a docket has been opened, and we would want to assure the good people of Ghana that the police will do everything possible to get to the bottom of it. Meanwhile, we are calling on the public to exercise patience, in the interest of due process and in respect of the rule of law, and provide the police with relevant information in support of the due process.
Jessica White claimed Ne-Yo was father to a child she gave birth to in 2005, going as far as naming the star (under his real name Shaffer Chimere Smith) on the birth certificate. A subsequent paternity suit disproved her claim. The couple split after reaching an agreement not to discuss the matter with the media - and Ne-Yo revealed on the VH1 TV special “Behind the Music” last September that he had lost contact with his ex and the baby he thought was his. White now claims she has been subjected to verbal abuse, including accusations she is “pathetic” and a “gold-digging b**ch,” following the TV revelations, and she alleges the interview depicted her as “an unchaste woman who deliberately tricked him into believing he was the father of her child... so that she could fraudulently bilk him of ungodly amounts of money.” White’s lawsuit alleges she lost work as a photographer and a graphic designer because of his TV remarks, according to
TMZ.com. It comes three months after White’s lawyer, Gloria Allred, accused Ne-Yo of breaking the former couple’s legal gag order and defaming her client. Allred fired off a letter to the star in December, claiming White had been unable to work and forced to seek financial aid because she is “beset by nausea, vomiting, and hair loss” as a result of his comments. At the time White was hoping to settle the matter amicably out of court. Ne-Yo previously addressed the drama just after the “Behind the Music” special aired, denying he used the TV documentary to get back at his ex-girlfriend. In a tweet sent to followers in September he wrote, “I need it to be known that the purpose of my BEHIND THE MUSIC wasn’t to bash Jessica White. We were young, mistakes were made. I FORGAVE... Holding grudges messes with your blessings. I do not hate Jessica White. I wish her and lil’ Chimere all the best where ever they are.” Last year, Ne-Yo left Def Jam and signed with Motown Records as an artist and Senior Vice President of Artistes & Repertoire.
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Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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Gospel
BEWARE OF COMPARISON TRAP
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“Where envy, jealousy and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” Jam. 3:16.
By Michael Adekoya
ear Reader, bitterness, envy, selfish ambition, strife, betrayal, comparison jealousy and destructive competitiveness are inspired by the devil. It is so easy for us, as Christians and Non-Christians, to be drawn into any of these traps by the demand of our culture, the pressures of our society and the lust in our hearts. Today, there are so many slogans used in the media, magazines, telecasts, and even in the pulpits of our churches – “Go for it!”! “Assert yourself!”, “Make it fast!”, “Name it and Claim it!” “Don’t wait, grab it now!” “Just Do It” My friend, by listening to these slogans or adverts, buying to them and applying it out of context, we can easily be drawn into impatience, anxiety, greed, corruption, comparison jealousy and destructive competitiveness. Comparison jealousy and destructive competitiveness is everywhere today. This has been around ever since Cain killed his brother, Abel, in a fit of jealous and envy rage. It was comparison and competitive jealousy that caused Jesus’ disciples to quarrel over who would have the highest status in the Kingdom (Mark 10:35-41). In Africa today, our blessed Continent, it is one of the weapons that the devil is using against our political stability. It’s what can make a person eliminates his rival by death. Avoiding the comparison trap and competitive jealousy is a challenge. It is a battle that men and women struggle with every day. ‘I wish my hair was as thick as hers. If only I lost some weight, I might look as amazing as she does in those jeans. If only I can have an amazing job or business, house or car, gifts or talents like him.’ Hardly can we find where the spirit of competitive jealousy and envy is not in operation today - from local government to parliament or
senate houses of our nations, from secular to religious organizations, from homes to schools, from businesses to work-places, and even among spouses, friends, family members, leaders, worship team, class mates, political parties, pastors and congregations. Comparison jealousy and destructive competitiveness is one of Satan’s weapons that cause divorce in marriages, division in churches and disunity in nations. My friend, only when we understand the nature of this cunning spirit that we can be very passionate to free ourselves, free our family members, free our friends, church members, community and nation from it. The trouble is, when we compare ourselves with others, we are not pursuing God’s plan for our lives. Listen! So long as you focus on others with the eyes of comparison jealousy and destructive competitiveness, you wouldn’t hear or listen to what God is telling you for your personal lives, for your career, political ambition or ministry. You would miss what He is saying to you for your spouse, family members, friends, neighbours, co-workers, even for people around you. One reason why people engage in comparison jealousy and destructive competitiveness is because they don’t like themselves or they are ignorant of whom God created them to be and do on earth. When purpose is not known, abuse, jealousy, envy, unhealthy comparison and destructive competition is inevitable. How can someone went behind her friend to establish same shop with same stuffs that her friend is selling on the same street adjacent to each other? My friend, is that you? Hear me! You are an original! You are not a copycat or a spare tyre! You need to be happy with who God created or made you to be. Why do
Are you looking for a church?
Not settled in any particular congregation? Perhaps now is the time to pray about it If you are not yet saved try one of the following: Jubilee International Churchmeets at 2,30pm on Sundays at Kings Avenue, school, park hill. London SW4. Part of Jubilee International Churches worldwide. For information, you may call (020)8697 3354 New Wine Christian Church- 11am holds meeting at Ringcross Tennants club, Lough Road, Holloway, N7. a member of the Icthus fellowship
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worldwide. For more information call 020 7609 959 or 07957 757 663. Praise Tabernacle- 10:30am holds meetings at 620 Western Avenue (A40), park royal Business centre, opposite Warner Bros. Cinema Complex, W3. part of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. For information you may call 020 8993 3010 New Life Christian Centre 10.30am & 6.00pm. meetings at Cairo New Road, Croydon. The church has
Juanita Bynum, Gospel singer
you wish you are somebody else? Don’t compare yourself with any other people. Run your own race and compete with yourself. Fulfil your divine purpose and walk in your own shoes. The Bible says, “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you in to a new person by changing the way you think. Then, you will know what God wants you to do on earth and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is for you” Rom.12:2. My friend, did you hear that? You are original and unique. Don’t copy the behaviour, look, complexion, assignment, calling, career, gift, talent, possession, position or idea of others! Don’t try to gain the approval of everybody around you to feel better about yourself. Don’t live your life pleasing other people so that you can be accepted. Don’t be jealous or envious of others? Don’t compare your spouse or children with others’. My friend, hear this! When you go around copying and trying to be like somebody else, not only would it demean you, it will steal your diversity, creativity and your uniqueness. Not only that, it will open doors for the demonic spirit of comparison jealousy and a bible school, primary, is involved in extensive mission work in Eastern Europe, Italy and India. For information you may call 020 8680 7671 Ruach Ministries - holds meeting at 9am, 11am and 6pm. For information you may call 020 8678 6888 International Central Gospel church - Battersea chapel, holds meetings on Sundays from 2.00pm. . For information you may call 020 8684 4934 Jesus Arena International- Sunday service at 11.00am at Broadwater farm centre, Adams road N17 The Bible Life Church UK- They meet on Sunday mornings at 2.30pm at St Giles Centre, Camberwell
destructive competitiveness. This spirit has ruined the lives of many people and the glory of many nations. This wicked spirit has even trapped many people into comparing themselves unfavourably with other people, then criticizing them in the hope that they can make themselves feel better by cutting them down for no just cause. Don’t do that! Be secured in your calling or vineyard! Sadly, this spirit is found in the Church today. Instead of concentrating on the “perfecting the saints,” and “the work of the ministry,” and “the edifying of the Body of Christ” and “witnessing to the lost and dying souls”, we strive to outdo each other, abuse and climb over each other to get to the top. Not that alone, we cut each other down with our preaching and sometimes act Satan’s role as ‘Accusers of brethren’ (Rev 12:10) My friend, it is not God’s will for us to get caught up in all these devastating quests to fit our lives into somebody else’s mould. Any nation that adopts the political system of a foreign nation and are unable to master it or rely solely on foreign products, is heading for political and economic crash. My friend, listen! As an individual, family, church, community or nation, God has plan – good plan – for every one of us. Just because something works for somebody else doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to work for you. God gives each of us special grace and time to do what He has called us to do. We should not allow the spirit of comparison jealousy and destructive competitiveness has any hold on us. Bible says, “Let each one of us examine his and her own work” Gal 6:4. Quit looking at what everybody else is doing but run your own race and compare yourself with your own race of life. Listen, “God has quickened us Church Street, London SE5 Christ Apostolic church (Full Gospel & Pentecostal) Surrey Docks District 163 Ilderton Rd South Bermondsey London SE16 2UT. Tel. 020 7252 2086. Time of worship: Sunday English service 9- 11.30am. Yoruba service 11.30 -2.30pm. Prophetic counselling: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 12noon- 5pm, Saturday only 5- 7pm. Holy Cross Church InternationalSunday 10.am- 1 pm at Crown House 71-73 Nathan way London SE28 0BQ Tel: 07904 234 126, 07809 381 886 Times of service:Bible study: Thursdays 8pm. Night Vigil: Friday Forthnightly 12am
together with Christ, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” Eph 2:4-5. What a Good News that, through Jesus, we all have equal rights and equal access to the Throne of God. My friend, you can take pride in yourself without comparing yourself with anybody else. You have equal right and access to the Throne of God. If you are not a Christian, you need to believe in Jesus and confess Him today (Rom 10:9). You can have personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. You can call on God, come to God, talk with God and hear God by yourself. Yes, you can! So, stop being jealous or envious about the faith, gift, talent, position, answered prayer, favour, miracles, anointing or blessings of others! My friend, you are unique and original. You don’t have to compete with anyone. And if you are married; you and your spouse are connected and joined together to complement each other, not to compete with each other. You don’t need to strive for position, favour, fame, approval, influence or connection. You don’t need to cut down anybody for how God has made them or how He has blessed them. You can’t worship God, pray to Him, and serve Him with envy, jealousy, bitterness, strife or hatred in your heart. Even if the other person is wrong and you are right, let God use you as a paramedic of His mercy. Forgive and forgive! Where envy, jealousy, selfish ambition, strife, betrayal comparison jealousy and destructive competitiveness are, there is confusion, division and every evil work. We are made for each other! Let’s unite together! Everybody is somebody in the Body! Let’s work together to depopulate hell and expand heaven! Yes, we can! Team work makes the dream work! Yes, it does! Remain blessed! Sunday Service: Sundays 10am - 1pm Winners Chapel London- part of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, at Unit B1 Galleywall Trading Estate, South Bermondsey, London SE16 3PB meets Sunday 7am & 9am and 11am and Wednesdays at 7pm. For details call 020 7237 7894 CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH GRAVESEND, ST. AIDAIN’S CHURCH, ST. AIDAN’S WAY, GRAVESEND, KENT, DA12 4AG TEL. 01474 355 841, 07956 38 38 70 TIME OF WORSHIP: Wednesday Bible Study: 7:30pm to 9:00pm Friday, Night Vigil: 9pm to 11pm Sunday Worship: 12:30pm to 3:00pm
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Africa
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
Newsround
South Africa
Child groom marries 61 year-old An eight year-old South African boy has married a woman in her 60s after claiming the ghost of his long-dead grandfather told him to do so. Sanele Masilela claimed his now deceased ancestor, after whom he was named, had been in love with 61 year-old motherof-five Helen Shabangu and told him he should marry her in his place. Presumably grandfather Sanele did not contemplate the ceremony might take place while his namesake was still at junior school but both parties and their families feared angering the spirits if the marriage never took place. 100 guests attended the wedding, which was held in the municipality of Tshwane in South Africa’s Gauteng province at a cost of £1,000. Sanele’s family and Ms Shabangu’s current husband Alfred, 65, gave their blessing. As a result of the nuptials, Helen’s oldest child, at 37, has an eight year-old ‘stepfather’. Both parties concede that the ceremony
was simply a ritual endured so as not to displease the spirits. “I’m married and have five kids of my own, but I know that this is what the ancestors wanted – and now they are happy. It is a ritual. We are just playing now, but it is a sign that he will get married one day,” Shabangu told reporters. For Sanele’s part, he had this to say: ““I’m happy that I married Helen – but I will go to school and study hard. When I’m older, I will marry a lady my own age.” Sanele’s mother said: “By doing this we made the ancestors happy. If we hadn’t done what my son had asked then something bad would have happened in the family… I didn’t have a problem with it because I know it’s what the ancestors wanted and it would make them happy.” According to sources, the couple did not sign a marriage certificate and have gone back to living separate lives after the ceremony took place.
Proof rumours that Sanele required a step-ladder to kiss the bride are utterly untrue
Angola
Kenya
Election challenge leaves investors in limbo Zuma arrives for three-way DRC summit
Kenya’s Supreme Court is constitutionally obliged to rule on Raila Odinga’s (pictured) challenge within 14 days
Defeated Raila Odinga’s legal challenge to last week’s election result is likely to dampen potential investors’enthusiasm for investing in East Africa’s largest economy. The largely peaceful poll had given
many confidence that Kenya’s strong growth, with its rising consumer class and high bond yields can be sustained. “There is a sigh of relief, (the election) is not the nightmare that everyone feared,” said Daniel Broby, chief investment officer of frontier fund manager Silk Invest, who holds Kenyan assets.
Uhuru Kenyatta won 50.3 percent of the more than 12.3 million votes cast, so avoiding the need for a second round. “It was a pretty close shave, but at the end of the day, it’s nothing to get too worked up about -- the fear was that there would not be a majority,” Broby added. Kenya is one of only two African countries (with Nigeria) in the benchmark MSCI frontier stock market index. Kenya is the second-best performer in the index this year, outpacing most other markets and lagging behind only the United Arab Emirates. Odinga’s Coalition for Reforms and Democracy plans to seek the nullification of the election result on grounds that Kenyatta’s votes had been increased illegally. The risk is of subsequent violence should Odinga lose the case, which may be heard in the Supreme Court in the next couple of weeks. That stirs memories of December 2007 when President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner, but Odinga said the vote was rigged. Riots in early 2008 plunged Kenya into weeks of tribal bloodshed, scaring off investment. Under a power-sharing deal brokered to end the violence, Odinga became prime minister.
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has been at Luanda’s Presidential Palace to attend a tripartite meeting with his Angolan and DR Congolese counterparts, José Eduardo dos Santos and Joseph Kabila.
Zuma and the Angolan president reviewed the troops on parade and posed to take an official photograph before commencing talks. Opening the summit, the Angolan statesman delivered a welcoming speech to the participating delegates before inviting them to an official lunch. President Zuma, who arrived in Luanda
on Monday evening (March 11), left Angola for South Africa after the meeting. A press note from the Civil Office of the President of the Republic of Angola states that the situation in eastern DR Congo was discussed with a view to implementing the Framework Agreement for peace, stability and cooperation in that region. A pledge of cooperation for peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes region, with the involvement of regional and international communities, was signed last February in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
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African Fashion
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
Amaka Osakwe
“Made in Africa” vs. “Made in Italy” - Making a case for the African luxury brand
Amaka Osakwe
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Amaka Osakwe is the Creative Director of Maki Oh, a womenswear label conceived in 2010 to initiate a continuous appreciation for’self’ and individuality through fashion. Maki Oh creates alluring conversational pieces that fuse traditional Nigerian techniques with detailed contemporary construction. Maki Oh garments, through the label’s textured, layered and multidimensional aesthetic, continuously embody the philosophies of preservation, strength, movement and complex simplicity. The principles of sustainability and ethical practices, are also upheld in the production of Maki Oh collections. Amaka studied at the Arts University College, Bournemouth (UK) where she obtained a BA (Hons) in Fashion Studies. Her passion for couture and culture inspires Maki Oh’s artisanal collections, which are founded on the need to play a part in keeping cultural heritage alive. This belief forms the essence of Maki Oh, which arouses a strong sense of identity and culture, and exists to challenge prevailing notions of beauty.
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African Fashion
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
Amaka Osakwe In association with
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Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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Nollywood
Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2013
The 2013 edition of the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Award was held on Saturday at the prestigious hall of the Eko Hotel and Suits Victoria Island.
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Osas Ighodaro
Karen Igho
he event is created to celebrate African film and television talent, both in front of and behind the cameras; the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards will feature several special categories in which viewers will decide the winners directly, alongside several professionally judged categories. While speaking at the post-event press conference, Mr. Walter Drenth, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, described the inaugural edition of the AMVCA as one of a kind. He lauded the efforts of the African television and movie practitioners for the immense growth and development witnessed in the sector. On Amstel Malta’s decision to sponsor the AMVCA, Mr. Drenth said: “The industry is developing; you can say that it is time to celebrate the efforts of the practitioners. We are deeply pleased to be at the forefront of this spectacular event that celebrates truly talented individuals whose valuable contribution to the African film and television landscape is immeasurable. When we heard about AMVCA at Nigerian Breweries Plc, we said this was something that we want to associate with; it’s something we would like to support. And we chose Amstel Malta as the brand to support the AMVCA because a lot of the values which have been reflected tonight are also the values shared by the Amstel Malta brand.” Drenth added: “The Amstel Malta brand’s pay-off is Be The Best You Can Be. Over the years, Amstel Malta has provided a platform for budding talents to leverage on for growth in key areas of entertainment. So as a brand, it is very important that we celebrate, recognise and give support to talented individuals because we believe they deserve the platform. What
we’ve seen tonight is a fantastic show and we are very happy just to be a part of it.” He pledged the support of his company for the second edition of the awards next year. In an emotional tone after being presented with the Industry Merit Award, veteran Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs charged young Africans to hold unto their dreams despite challenges, noting, “Sometimes, you don’t get things right, but this award has taught me that I got most of the things right. Several times, I was rejected in the United Kingdom, but I continued pushing until the break came. In whatever you do, keep on trying your best; if you fail, don’t hesitate to try again.” The AMVCAs, held in association with MultiChoice and sponsored by Amstel Malta, recognised Africa’s best film and television talent in a glittering three and a half hour ceremony. The pre-event red carpet saw the stars dazzle, flaunting the finest continental fashion. Capturing all the glamour of the gala event was a team of on-air personalities, including Big Brother alumni Uti Nwachukwu and Nic Wang’ondu alongside Eku Edewor, Dolopo Oni, Sarah Hassan and Helen Paul. Besides Ukeje and Okujaye, other big individual winners on the night included Nigeria’s Mercy Johnson (Best Actress – Comedy) for Dumebi – The Dirty Girl; Ghanaian Jackie Appiah (Best Actress – Drama) for Perfect Picture; and Nigeria’s Hafiz Oyetoro (Best Actor – Comedy) for House a Part. Category wins for Best Supporting Cast in a Drama went to Uganda’s Matthew Nabwiso for A Good Catholic Girl and Kenya’s Maureen Koech for Lies That Bind. The prestigious award for Best Director went to Akin Omotoso for Man on Ground. The announcement of the win-
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Chidi Mokeme
Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi
Genevieve Nnaji
Alex Ekubo
ners of the highly contested Best Movie Overall and Best Television categories produced the biggest ovation of the night, with Otelo Burning and The XYZ Show scooping top honours. Otelo Burning, produced and directed by South African Sara Blecher, tells the story of a group of township kids, who discover the joy of surfing. It’s set in 1989, against a backdrop of brewing conflict between two political groups. On the other hand, The XYZ Show is a Kenyan political satire programme, created and produced by Godffrey Mwampembwa and Marie LoraMungai. The spoof newscast, featuring latex puppets, tackles current affairs issues in Kenya with a bitingly humorous twist.
Linda Ejiofor
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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Djabour: We want to keep the dream alive Obviously it is easier to work when there are six points after two matchdays. There was the win against Niger in Pointe-Noire [1-0, 9 June], and we collected two extra points against Burkina Faso on FIFA’s decision, after the draw of 2 June in Ouagadougou [the scoreless match was awarded to Congo 3-0 after the Burkinabe fielded an ineligible player]. This has allowed us to have ambitions in a group that includes teams that have more experience than us. It is clear that success against Gabon on 23 March would bring us closer to qualifying for the final round. We want to continue to dream.
Is the goal that has been set? The goal is to continue to progress, to
Kamel Djabour
Since the end of last October, 53year-old French coach Kamel Djabour has been the head coach of Congo, who sit surprisingly atop Group E in qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. With Niger, Gabon and recent finalists at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Burkina Faso chasing, the former assistant to JeanGuy Wallemme is hoping to build on his previous experience coaching in Africa and continue the good start for Les Diables Rouges (Red Devils) against the Gabonese, on 23 March in Pointe-Noire. He recently spoke to FIFA.com about the challenges of building the side and looking at his goals and long-term future for Congo.
FIFA.com: You have a contract to coach Congo until the end of 2014, after having been assistant for the team and coached in Africa previously. Kamel Djabour: I actually coached players before at two African clubs: Tonnerre d’Abomey in Benin and Stade Malien. I was in Bamako when Jean-Guy Wallemme, who had been appointed coach of Congo in August 2011, made me an assistant for Congo, but also at Auxerre, since he spent several months [March-October 2012] at both jobs. Otherwise, I have worked in France at Racing Paris - where I played for a long time and I started my coaching career in 1991 with their juniors - Versailles, Franconville and SannoisSaint-Gratien either as coach of the first team or as an assistant or youth coach. You have inherited a team that leads its qualifying group for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, leaving you in a good spot potentially?
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Dieumerci Mbokani
move forward. Like other teams, we would like to qualify for the World Cup, but we are still far away. There are still four group matches to play, then the third round. There are many selections stronger than ours that are also seeking qualification, but we will try to go as far as possible. It must not be forgotten that the Congo is a small country, and it does not have a large pool of players ... We can learn from the progress that has been made in recent years by Cape Verde, who reached quarterfinals of the last CAN.
Are you having difficulties forming a competitive group? T h e national championship has not yet restarted. The championship last season was split into two groups of fourteen teams, which in my opinion is not ideal for Congo, or the two teams (AC Leopards Dolisie and Diables Noirs) that have proven themselves better than the others. I also have a lot of players who play in Europe, but they’re not always secure at their clubs. Our goalkeeper Barel Mouko is a substitute at Lille, Delvin Ndinga plays very little at Monaco. There are other examples, and this is necessarily a handicap for selection. I spent over two weeks in Europe, to supervise and meet players in France, Belgium, Hungary and also Morocco. You know, it is not easy to build a team when your players do not play much in the weeks before an international match. I’m also looking for players who have Congolese origins and could be selected. Are you thinking in terms of a longterm project? I know how it works in Africa. We must win. When I was at the Stade Malian, there were people who were not happy because we did not win every game 4-0. In Congo, it is the same. There are people who forget too quickly certain realities. The team has not qualified for the Cup of Nations since 2000. But we still feel that the Congolese football is on the right track. The victory of AC Leopards Dolisie in the 2012 CAF Confederation Cup is proof of that.
Dieumerci Mbokani in action
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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Pantsil claims people were paid to destroy him Defender John Pantsil claims people have been paid to run him down following his recent domestic problems in Accra.
The Ghana international was arrested by the Police in Ghana for allegedly assaulting his wife after an argument broke out and also beating up a neighbour who tried the separate the fighting couple. “We had arguments but I did not stab her,” Pantsil told Tel-Aviv based Channel 10. “To be honest with you, some people were trying to (I mean) disgrace me and paying people to do unnecessary things, stupid things on air to destroy my name but I have no idea and I just wanna leave everything to God. That’s it.” He also added that: “The Police made a mistake to issue that statement and they are coming out to apologize for it. “Everything is fine, you can see I’m very very very well. Nothing like that; everything you’ve been hearing on the internet, radio or newspaper is bull****. It’s never true so please send a message across to people in Israel that they know who John Paintsil is. “I’m not like that type and they should cheer up and keep their heads focused but
Mikel Obi has urged Chelsea fans to get behind Rafael Benitez and the team as they chase two trophies and a top-four finish in the EPL.
John Pantsil in action
I’m well, I’m fit and happy so nothing is going wrong on my side.” The right-back had to be revived in hospital after collapsing in his home as his domestic issues took a toll on his health. Paintsil’s is yet to return to his club in
Israel where his contract with Hapoel Tel Aviv where has been told to look for a new club. He was alleged to have bedded prostitutes at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
Ghana slide on FIFA ranking for month of March
giants Cluj on Saturday during a league match. The 20-year-old started the match against CSMS Lasi and played till the latter parts of the game in the 1-1 away draw. Fans of the former UEFA Champions League campaigners voted the Ghanaian as the best player for the match which has sparked his hopes of excelling in his first move to Europe. “This is my first contract signed. This is my first foreign coach. It is very good, and if I listen, I think I can help a lot and also get to the top,” Muniru said. Cash strapped CFR Cluj are counting on Muniru, his compatriot Godfred Adofo and Nigeria’s Nwankwo Obiorah as they seek to revive the side depleted by departures rival European clubs.
Sulley Muntari Celebration
Ghana moved one place down on the FIFA World Ranking released on Thursday for the month of March.
The Black Stars dropped to the 20th position after FIFA took into account 18 ‘A’ international matches. But remained second best team in the Africa ranking behind Ivory Coast who are ranked 13th-slipping one place down. Ghana could improve their position if they beat Sudan at the Baba Yara Stadium
Mikel drums up for support for Benitez
in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier. African champions Nigeria remained in 30th place on the FIFA ranking and fourth best on the continent. World and European champions Spain are still on top followed by Germany and Argentina. Meanwhile, the youngest brother of AC Milan Sulley Muntari star is hoping to make a big name for himself in Europe after excelling in his debut match in Romania. Playmaker Sulley Sarki Muniru was named man-of-the-match in his debut game for
Some sections of the Chelsea support have been against the appointment since day one and a game does not seem to go by without the Spaniard boss having some abuse aimed at him from the stands The former Lyn Oslo of Norway playmaker said the fans’ jibe targeted at the manager could also have negative effects on the players. “Sometimes it doesn’t help when the fans are not happy,” Mikel admitted. “When you give the ball away there is pressure. This is our job. “I have been here for seven years and they (the fans) are fantastic and have always supported us until the end. I hope that continues throughout the season.” He added: “This is when we need them the most. Let’s hope we can all go through the rest of the season together. Chelsea fans have always been great and I know they will continue to be great with the players.” “Fans come to watch football and we have a responsibility to pay them back and make sure we play well. Every game we try to do that, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”
Keshi says transfer saga may force him to axe Mba Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has said he may be forced to drop AFCON star Sunday Mba if his transfer saga rages on. Top Nigeria league clubs Warri Wolves and Rangers are at tug of war over the ownership of one of the biggest revelations of the recent Nations Cup in South Africa. Last week, a committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) asked the two clubs to reach an agreement on the player within a week. And now Keshi has warned that he may axe the player if his club future is not sorted out soon. “I may be forced to drop Mba from the team if his transfer issues are not sorted out. If by our next game, they have not resolved the problem I may not invite him,” Keshi said . The Eagles handler also explained that he was forced to call up as many as 15 foreign-based pros for the Kenya match because the local league has just kicked off. “I invited 15 foreign-based players because the Nigeria league is just starting,” he disclosed. “The foreign-based players have been regular at their clubs and as such their fitness level is very high. Most of our local boys are rusty but we see how it goes in our training camp.” 23
Friday, 15 March 2013 – Thursday, 21 March 2013
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ISSUE 474
Djabour: We want to keep the dream alive
SEE PAGE 22
South Africa axe captain from squad Bongani Khumalo in action
By Agency Reporter
Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has dropped captain Bongani Khumalo and playmaker Thulani Serero. The pair are the major absentees from the squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Central African Republic on March 23. Igesund says the pair were both left out after sitting on the bench with their respective clubs since the Africa Cup of Nations. Khumalo is at Greek side PAOK and Serero with Ajax Amsterdam. Igesund confirms that goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune will be skipper for the match against CAR. Also left out is Mamelodi Sundowns striker Katlego Mphela, who has been off-
form, but remains Bafana’s most potent forward in international football. He has been replaced with Israel-based striker Dino Ndlovu, who makes a return to the squad after missing the Africa Cup of Nations through injury. Also back from injury is Morgan Gould of Kaizer Chiefs, as well as Daylon Claasen from Lierse. Russian-based FC Rostov defender Siyanda Xulu is also back in the squad. SuperSport United keeper Ronwen Williams will join the squad as a nonplaying member to be assessed by the technical team. BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Wayne Sandilands (Mamelodi
Sundowns), Senzo Meyiwa (Orlando Pirates) Defenders: Morgan Gould (Kaizer Chiefs), Siyanbonga Sangweni (Orlando Pirates), Thabo Nthethe (Bloemfontein Celtic), Anele Ngcongca (Genk, Belgium), Siyanda Xulu (Rostov, Russia), Tsepo Masilela (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates)
Stars), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Daine Klate (Orlando Pirates) Strikers: Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs), Dino Ndlovu (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Tokelo Rantie (Malmo, Sweden)
Continued on page 23
Midfielders: Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace, England), Dean Furman (Oldham Athletic, England), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), May Mahlangu (Helsingborg, Sweden), Daylon Claasen (Lierse, Belgium), Lerato Chabangu (Moroka Swallows), Thuso Phala (Platinum
African Voice Newspaper is published by African Voice Communications. Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP. Tel: 020 7274 3933 Registered at the British Library as a newspaper. ISSN 1475-2166.Email: africanvoicenews@googlemail.com