Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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ISSUE 489
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
Egypt coup: interim leader in place as military hold on to Morsi
Judge orders return of Mandela children’s remains
SEE PAGE 3
SEE PAGE 12
Lithuanian gang of car thieves jailed
SEE PAGE 14
Home Secretary to review stop-and-search laws By Ben Savill The Home Secretary, Theresa May, has launched a new six-week public consultation over police stop-and-search powers in England and Wales, telling the House of Commons that it is “time to get stop and search right.”
May told MPs there were serious disparities in search-to-arrest ratios across England and Wales, with some being “far too low for comfort.” On a national average, only 9% of police stop and searches result in arrest. In London this figure is even lower, at 8%, and in Cumbria only 3%. Emphasising the inefficiency of the procedure, May explained that it takes on average 16 minutes to conduct a stop and search and process the details. That amounts to 312,000 hours each year and the equivalent of 145 full-time police officers. Police stop-and-search powers have been widely criticised over the years for their often discriminatory nature, in which non-white, and especially black, individuals are prone to being targeted disproportionately. A 2010 report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission found “persistent race differences” in the police’s use of stop and search. It showed black people were six
times as likely to be stopped and searched as white people, with Asian people twice as likely to be stopped as white people. This week May claimed that the social impact of such a trend was not “sustainable.” “We’ve all been told stories by constituents and members of the public about what it’s like to be a young, law-abiding black man who has been stopped and searched by the police on more than one occasion,” the home secretary told MPs. “If anybody thinks that it’s sustainable to allow that to continue, with all its consequences for public confidence in the police, they need to think again,” she said, adding that police had a duty to ensure that nobody was ever stopped “just on the basis of their skin colour.” “I want to make sure that stop and search is used fairly and in everybody’s interest. I want to see stop and search used only when it’s needed,” she told the Commons. “I want to see higher search-to-arrest ratios. I want to see better community engagement and I want to see more efficient recording practices across the country. “At its best, stop and search is a vital power in the fight against crime. At its worst, it’s a waste of police time and serves to undermine public confidence in the police… It’s time to get stop and search right.”
Continued on page 2
Home Secretary May said that nobody should ever be stopped “just on the basis of their skin colour”
Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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Met officer sacked for racial abuse
A Metropolitan Police constable has been dismissed for “gross misconduct”, following an incident in 2011 in a police van in Newham, London, in which he told an arrested black man, “the problem with you is that you will always be a n***er.” The incident was secretly recorded by the arrested man, 21-year old Mauro Demetrio, on his mobile phone and later given to the Guardian. The incident took place during the 2011 August riots. In the recording, a police officer can be heard admitting he strangled Demetrio because he was “a c*nt.” Moments later, another officer – identified as PC Alex MacFarlane – subjects the man to a barrage of racist slurs before adding: “You’ll always have black skin. Don’t hide behind your colour.” MacFarlane, 53, an officer for 18 years with a previously clean record, had twice faced trial for the incident, but both juries had been unable to reach a verdict. A judge dismissed the case last October. However, on 3 July Scotland Yard said it had now sacked the officer. Commander Alan Gibson, director of the Met complaints department, said: “PC MacFarlane, as a trained officer, was expected to behave professionally even in the face of provocation. His breaches of our standards of professional behaviour were judged so serious that dismissal was the only appropriate outcome in this case.”
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News
UK Foreign Office warns against travel to most parts of Egypt The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have issued an official statement advising against travel to numerous parts of Egypt, as mass protests across the country developed this week into what has been dubbed a “second revolution.” The advice echoed a similar statement issued during the 2011 “Arab Spring”, when the FCO strongly warned against Britons travelling to the country in January and February that year. “In view of the continued unrest and uncertain political situation in Egypt, the FCO recommends against all but essential travel to Egypt except for resorts on the Red Sea in South Sinai and those resorts on the Egyptian mainland in Red Sea governorate,” read the statement. “In the governorate of South Sinai the FCO advise against all but essential travel, with the exception of (i) The Red Sea Resorts including those in the entire region of Sharm el Sheikh, Taba, Nuweiba and Dahab; (ii) The St Catherine’s Monastery World Heritage Site; (iii) Road travel between the Red Sea resorts; (iv) Road travel from the Red Sea resorts to St Catherine’s Monastery approaching from the east; (v) Transfers between the resorts and the airports of Taba and Sharm el Sheikh.” As for those currently in the country, the FCO was “not recommending immediate departure at the moment”, but in areas where all but essential travel is discouraged, people “should consider whether
Even after the 2011 revolution, Egypt remains the most popular tourist destination on the African continent
they have a pressing need to remain.” They were urged to stay safe and keep a low profile. It also expressly advised against absolutely any travel whatsoever in North Sinai, where the continent borders Israel. The FCO’s advice was quickly followed by a number of UK holiday tour operators cancelling or adjusting many of their services. Discover Egypt announced it had cancelled cruises which had been due to depart today and for the rest of this week. Commercial director Philip Breckner said the company would follow FCO advice and would not issue a blanket cancellation of cruises and tours. “We have cancelled cruises for the remainder of this week, but we will be reviewing next week’s cruises,” he said. “We always go by FCO advice.” Meanwhile Thomson has said it will be repatriating all customers from Luxor, and
has cancelled all its outbound flights to the city. It has also cancelled all excursions from the Red Sea to Cairo and Luxor. The FCO statement highlighted violence at recent demonstrations, including the death of a US citizen in Alexandria last week, reportedly stabbed after he was seen filming a demonstration there. “Further protests are likely,” the FCO warned. “The atmosphere of these demonstrations can change quickly and without warning. Reports suggest that a few of those attending are armed and that arrests have been made of people intending to cause violence. “A US citizen was killed in demonstrations in Alexandria on Friday 28 June. Press reporting suggests that he was stabbed after being seen to be filming the demonstration. There have been reports of around fifty deaths at demonstrations in Egypt from 25 June to 3 July.”
Home Secretary to review stop-and-search laws Continued from front page
The launch of the consultation was met with welcome on both sides of the Commons. Keith Vaz, Labour MP for Leicester East and Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, claimed that searches under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act– which do not even need the police to have any grounds of suspicion – black people were 25 times more likely to be searched in the street. “It can’t be right in Britain that you should be targeted because of the colour of your skin,” he said, before urging May not to just treat the consultation as a “paper exercise”, suggesting she visit communities most affected by stop and search. Diane Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, said proper training was vital to stop the “important weapon” of police searching being “detrimental to community relations.”
Privacy and civil liberties campaigners also welcomed the Home Secretary’s statement. “Today’s statement is an important step towards ensuring the public, particularly people from ethnic minorities, can have confidence that they can walk the streets without fearing they will be subject to further unjustified use of stop-and-search powers,” said Nick Pickles, director of the group Big Brother Watch. Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act – which defines the terms of what is popularly known as “stop and search” – has been in force since 1994. Section 60 grants police powers to search any pedestrian, driver or passenger, as long as an officer of the rank of inspector or above “reasonably believes… that persons are carrying dangerous instruments or offensive weapons in any locality in his police area without
good reason.” May’s call for police stop-and-search powers to be curbed appears to reflect a considerable turnaround in Conservative party policy on the issue. In 2000 then-leader William Hague condemned the Macpherson Report into the murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence, saying its accusation of “institutionalised racism” within the police force had made police reluctant to use stop and search. In 2008 David Cameron told the Sun newspaper that “we are never going to deal with [knife crime] unless we free the police to do far more stopping and far more searching. I am quite clear the current rules have to go.” May told the Commons she would bring forward detailed proposals for change later this year.
Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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News
Egypt coup: interim leader in place as military hold on to Morsi The head of the constitutional court has been sworn in as Egypt’s interim president, a day after the overthrow of the country’s first democratically elected leader, Mohamed Morsi.
Adli Mansour took his oath of office on Thursday under an army transition plan in a ceremony that was broadcast live on state television, while millions continued to celebrate Morsi’s removal. Reports coming from Egypt indicate that the ousted president was being held at an undisclosed location on Wednesday night, hours after Egypt’s military toppled him and suspended the constitution. Ahmed Aref, a spokesman for Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood party, told Reuters both Morsi and an aide were being held but he didn’t know their location. A security official said they were at a military intelligence facility, Reuters said. In announcing Morsi’s ouster earlier in the day, Egypt’s top military commander said he had been replaced by the chief justice of the constitutional court as interim head of state. In addition, General AbdelFattah el-Sissi said the country’s constitution has been temporarily suspended and new elections would be held. At least 14 people were killed in clashes between Morsi’s supporters and opponents following the announcement, Reuters said, citing the state news agency MENA. Eight of the dead were reported to be in the northern city of Marsa Matrouh, with three killed and at least 50 wounded in Alexandria. Another three were killed in the southern city of Minya. In Washington, President Obama issued a statement saying the administration was “deeply concerned” by the decision to remove Morsi and urged the military to avoid “any arbitrary arrests” of the president and his supporters. Obama also said in light of Morsi’s ouster he had “directed the relevant departments and agencies to review the implications under U.S. law for our assistance to the government of Egypt.” At the same time, a security official in Cairo said the head of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood political party and the organisation’s deputy chief had been arrested, reportedly in connection with an escape from prison in 2011. The state-run newspaper Al-Ahram said arrest warrants were being issued for 300 members of the Brotherhood. Millions of anti-Morsi protesters in Tahrir Square and around the country erupted in cheers at the news of Morsi’s ouster, setting off fireworks and shouting “God is great” and “Long live Egypt.” Morsi said on his presidential Facebook page that the military’s action “represents a military coup and it is unacceptable.” A US official said non-essential diplomats and embassy families had been ordered to leave Egypt amid the unrest. The State Department issued a warning urging US citizens in the country to leave. In appointing Adli Mansour the new interim leader, el-Sissi also said a govern-
ment of technocrats would be formed with “full powers” to run the country. He did not specify how long the transition period would last or when new elections might be held. Top military officials and opposition leaders met on Wednesday and agreed on a political roadmap for the country’s future, el-Sissi said. A new presidential cabinet will be formed as well as a national reconciliation committee, which will include youth movements that have been behind anti-Morsi demonstrations. El-Sissi also warned said the military would deal “decisively” with any violence sparked by the announcements. Before el-Sissi’s address, Egyptian troops, including commandos in full combat gear, were deployed across much of Cairo, including at key facilities, on bridges over the Nile River and at major intersections. Witnesses told Reuters that the army erected barbed wire and barriers around Morsi’s work compound, and moved in vehicles and troops to prevent supporters from getting to his palace. A travel ban was put on Morsi and the head of his Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Badie, as well as Badie’s deputy Khairat el-Shater, officials told the Associated Press. Minutes before the military’s deadline for Morsi to resolve the nation’s political crisis passed Wednesday afternoon, the embattled leader called for “national reconciliation,” but vowed he would never step down. Millions were in the main squares of major cities nationwide, demanding Morsi’s removal, in the fourth day of the biggest anti-government rallies the country has seen, surpassing even those in the uprising that ousted against his autocratic predecessor Hosni Mubarak. Critics say Morsi set the nation on a path toward Islamic rule. Khaled Daoud, spokesman of the main opposition National Salvation Front, which pro-reform leader Mohamed ElBaradei leads, said that ElBaradei, Sheik Ahmed el-Tayeb, grand imam of Al-Azharmosque, and Pope Tawadros II, patriarch of Egypt’s Coptic Christian minority, were part of the Wednesday meetings with military leaders. Employees at Egypt’s state TV station said military officers were present in the newsroom monitoring its output, but not interfering with their work. In an emotional 46-minute speech late Tuesday, Morsi vowed not to step down and pledged to defend his constitutional legitimacy with his life in the face of three days of massive street demonstrations calling for his ouster. The Islamist leader accused Mubarak loyalists of exploiting the wave of protests to topple his regime and thwart democracy. “There is no substitute for legitimacy,” said Morsi, at times angrily raising his voice, thrusting his fist in the air and pounding the podium. He warned that electoral and constitutional legitimacy “is the only guarantee against violence.” On Tuesday, clashes in Cairo and else-
where in the country left at least 23 people dead, most in a single incident near the main Cairo University campus. The latest deaths take to 39 the number of people killed since Sunday in violence between opponents and supporters of Morsi, who took office in June last year as Egypt’s first freely elected leader. At the U.S. State Department media briefing Wednesday, spokeswoman Jen Psaki restated the administration’s priority
on the democratic process. “It’s never been about one individual,” she told reporters. “It’s been about hearing and allowing the voices of the Egyptian people to be heard.” Pentagon Spokesman George Little said there has been no change in terms of the U.S. military pre-positioning assets in and around Egypt in the event they are called upon to assist the U.S. embassy in Cairo.
Swearing the oath live on TV, Mr Mansour said: “I swear to preserve the system of the republic, and respect the constitution and law, and guard the people’s interests.”
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Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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Health Public health fears over healthcare charging Doctors fear sick visitors would rather stay away than pay
By Alan Oakley
Doctors fear seriously ill or infectious patients may be reluctant to seek treatment
Pay or pray: Jeremy Hunt proposes to block access to healthcare to foreigners who can’t pay for it
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced plans to force non-EU immigrants and visitors to the UK to pay for medical treatment. Mr Hunt is also expected to announce a consultation on charging a levy on students or foreign workers who spend more than a year, in order to cover their healthcare needs. Critics of the plans say they open up the prospect of foreigners with infectious diseases not seeking treatment. The Secretary of State for Health said: “We need to ensure that those residing or visiting the UK are contributing to the system in the same way as British taxpayers, and ensure we do as much as possible to target illegal migration. “We have been clear that we are a national health service not an international health service and I am determined to wipe out abuse in the system. “The NHS is a national treasure and we need to work with the entire health system to develop plans and make sure it is sustainable for years to come.” Condemning the proposals, Deborah Jack, who is chief executive of the National AIDS Trust (NAT) said that the initiatives could risk the lives of foreigners who contract with HIV and threaten the health of Britons with whom they come into contact. Ms Jack said: “The proposals, if enforced, would undermine years of work to encourage marginalised at-risk groups to access HIV testing and treatment. “By limiting access to primary care for some migrants living in England we would cut off the only place many of them will get an HIV diagnosis - short of presenting at A&E many years after they were infected, 4
once they are very seriously ill. “We are calling on the Government not to limit universal primary care access to migrants living in England. If they go ahead they risk putting lives at risk and accelerating the spread of HIV in the general population.” Interviewed on Radio 4 on Wednesday, Mr Hunt said: “There will be an exception for all public health grounds whether it is TB or HIV (..) We want to consult on making sure that we do not do anything that will put public health at risk.” The health secretary confirmed that the consultation would only last six weeks but denied that it was being rushed. “We want to get this right,” he said. “We have one of the most open health system for visitors in the world. One of the issues is that it is so easy to get an NHS number and that means you have a passport to the whole system.” Dtoctors’ representatives are wary the medical profession being expected to become a “form of immigration control”. Clare Gerada of the Royal College of General Practitioners said: “At the moment we are fairly accessible and I think it is important to keep it that way. I don’t think we should be turning the GP surgery into a border agency. I think we should be making sure that people who do feel that they are ill can come and access us because we certainly don’t want people who have got TB or HIV or any other infectious disease, or in fact anybody that believes themselves to be ill, to be frightened of seeing a GP for fear of being charged. “It is a very rushed consultation. Whatever happens we need to make sure that what comes out the other end is sensible, proportionate and fair and doesn’t cost us all much more money and put us at much more risk than the current situation which is one that, even at the worst estimates, is a
tiny proportion of NHS costs. “We probably owe that sort of money to overseas health services in a sort of quid pro quo arrangement anyway.” The proposals are part of a raft of government changes to immigration law aimed at cutting down on abuse of British services. A levy of £1,000 has been mooted for visitors issued with a 5-year study or work visa but negotiations are still going on within the coalition that could see this running into thousands of pounds. Non-EU short-term visitors will be required to pay to see a GP or for emergency treatment but the health secretary was keen to point out on BBC Breakfast that no-one would be turned away. Citing the fact that other countries manage healthcare for visitors along similar lines, Mr Hunt said: “We don’t want any doctors or any hospitals ever to turn people away who need help in an emergency. “We want to make sure we have a nonbureaucratic system in place so that where someone should be paying for their care, we actually do charge them and we do collect the money later. Visitors from within the EU will not have to pay upfront — but Mr Hunt will promise a new system to make sure the NHS claims the cash back from their countries. At present, short-term migrants coming to Britain to work or study with more than six months on their visas are likely to qualify for free hospital care as soon as they arrive. Ministers are exploring whether making private health insurance compulsory might be a viable alternative. Former Liberal Democrat minister, Sarah Teather, sharply criticised the plan saying that it would put off talented people who wanted to work in Britain and contribute to the economy: “I heard that Britain is supposed to be open for business. This sounds
like Britain is closed.” The levy idea is also likely to obstruct universities, already hampered by changes to student visa regulations, in their campaigns to attract overseas students. Labour’s shadow health minister Liz Kendall MP said: “In its three years in power the Government has a poor record on announcing policies that sound good but prove to be completely unworkable. “We will have many questions to ask about the details when they are published but the key tests for their proposals are: can they be properly enforced and will they save more money than they cost to put in place? “The public and NHS staff must be confident that any new measures are about getting taxpayers a better deal and ensuring fairness, not playing politics with our NHS.”
Pair cured of HIV following blood cancer therapy
Two HIV-positive patients are reportedly clear of the virus following bone marrow transplants. The men, who were being treated at a hospital in Massachusetts, had developed lymphoma, probably as a consequence of the long-term drug therapy required to control their HIV. The prescribed treatment for lymphoma – a form of blood cancer – is a stem-cell transplant, which involves replacing bone marrow with that of a healthy donor. Dr Timothy Henrich and his team of doctors at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston say they have been unable to find any trace of HIV infection since the transplant. While it is too early to say the virus has disappeared forever, one of the men has been off antiretroviral drug treatment for 15 weeks and the other for seven weeks. Timothy Ray Brown, known as The Berlin Patient, was cured of HIV in 2007 following a stem-cell transplant but the bone marrow he was given was from a donor with a rare genetic mutation know to provide resistance to HIV/AIDS. The two Boston patients who appear to have also been cured, although clinically it is still too early for them to be given the ‘all-clear’, were given bone marrow from a donor without this key mutation, known as CCR 5 Delta 32. While the news is promising in the quest to slow down the spread of HIV, stem-cell therapy is not considered viable as a widespread treatment on the grounds of cost. Kevin Robert Frost, chief executive officer of the Foundation for AIDS Research said in a statement: “Dr Henrich is charting new territory in HIV eradication research.”
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Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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News
Obama announces plan to double Africa’s electricity supply President announced Power Africa, a new initiative to double access to power in sub-Saharan Africa.
More than two-thirds of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is without electricity, and more than 85 percent of those living in rural areas lack access. Power Africa will build on Africa’s enormous power potential, including new discoveries of vast reserves of oil and gas, and the potential to develop clean geothermal, hydro, wind and solar energy. It will help countries develop newly-discovered resources responsibly, build out power generation and transmission, and expand the reach of mini-grid and off-grid solutions. According to the International Energy Agency, sub-Saharan Africa will require more than $300 billion in investment to achieve universal electricity access by 2030. Only with greater private sector investment can the promise of Power Africa be realized. With an initial set of six partner countries in its first phase, Power Africa will add more than 10,000 megawatts of cleaner, more efficient electricity generation capacity. It will increase electricity access by at least 20 million new households and commercial entities with on-grid, mini-grid, and off-grid solutions. And it will enhance energy resource management capabilities, allowing partner countries to
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meet their critical energy needs and achieve greater energy security. Power Africa is Rooted in Partnership The United States and its partners will work with an initial set of Power Africa partner countries, including Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, and Tanzania. These countries have set ambitious goals in electric power generation and are making the utility and energy sector reforms to pave the way for investment and growth. Power Africa will also partner with Uganda and Mozambique on responsible oil and gas resources management. Power Africa will bring to bear a wide range of U.S. government tools to support investment in Africa’s energy sector. From policy and regulatory best practices, to prefeasibility support and capacity building, to long-term financing, insurance, guarantees, credit enhancements and technical assistance Power Africa will provide coordinated support to help African partners expand their generation capacity and access. The United States will commit more than $7 billion in financial support over the next five years to this effort, including: • The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide $285 million in technical assistance, grants and risk mitigation to advance private sector energy transactions and help governments
adopt and implement the policy, regulatory, and other reforms necessary to attract private sector investment in the energy and power sectors. • The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) will commit up to $1.5 billion in financing and insurance to energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa. • The U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) will make available up to $5 billion in support of U.S. exports for the development of power projects across sub-Saharan Africa. • The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) will invest up to $1 billion in African power systems through its country compacts to increase access and the reliability and sustainability of electricity supply through investments in energy infrastructure, policy and regulatory reforms and institutional capacity building. • OPIC and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will provide up to $20 million in project preparation, feasibility and technical assistance grants to develop renewable energy projects. These efforts will be coordinated through the U.S. - Africa Clean Energy Finance Initiative (US-ACEF) and supported by the recently launched U.S. - Africa Clean Energy Development and Finance Center (CEDFC) in Johannesburg, South Africa. • The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) will launch a $2 million Off-
Grid Energy Challenge to provide grants of up to $100,000 to African-owned and operated enterprises to develop or expand the use of proven technologies for off-grid electricity benefitting rural and marginal populations. • In 2014, OPIC and USAID will jointly host an African energy and infrastructure investment conference. The conference will bring investors, developers, and companies together with U.S. and African government officials to demonstrate the opportunities for investment and the tools and resources available from the U.S. government and other partners to support investment. Power Africa will also leverage private sector investments, beginning with more than $9 billion in initial commitments from private sector partners to support the development of more than 8,000 megawatts of new electricity generation in sub-Saharan Africa. Examples of commitments to-date include: • General Electric commits to help bring online 5,000 megawatts of new, affordable energy through provision of its technologies, expertise and capital in Tanzania and Ghana. • Heirs Holdings commits to $2.5 billion of investment and financing in energy, generating an additional 2,000 megawatts of electricity capacity over next five years.
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News • Symbion Power aims to catalyze $1.8 billion in investment to support 1,500 megawatts of new energy projects in Power Africa countries over the next five years. • Aldwych International commits to developing 400 MW of clean, wind power in Kenya and Tanzania – which will represent the first large-scale wind projects in each of these countries, and an associated investment of $1.1 billion. • Harith General Partners commits to $70 million in investment for clean, wind energy in Kenya and $500 million across the African power sector via a new fund. • Husk Power Systems will seek to complete installation of 200 decentralized biomass-based mini power plants in Tanzania – providing affordable lighting for 60,000 households. • The African Finance Corporation intends to invest $250 million in the power sectors of Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria, catalyzing $1 billion in investment in sub-Saharan Africa energy projects. Power Africa Will Help Attract Investment in Africa’s Energy Sector Power Africa directly addresses constraints to investment in order to accelerate progress. Instead of taking years or even decades to create an enabling environment for energy sector investment, Power Africa takes a transaction-centered approach that provides incentives to host governments, the private sector, and donors. These incentives galvanize collaboration, producing near-term results and driving forward systemic reforms that pave the way to future
gram, which is establishing new delivery units within government ministries. In Nigeria, Power Africa will provide staffing support, capacity building and technical assistance to an existing delivery unit. Establishment of a delivery unit in Ghana will be closely coordinated with the MCC’s Compact slated for signature in 2014.
Michelle Obama, Barack Obama South African President Jacob Zuma and Thobeka Madiba-Zuma, investment. To achieve these ambitions, Power Africa includes: • An interagency Transactions Solutions Team to provide the catalysts needed to bring power and transmission projects to fruition by leveraging financing, insurance, technical assistance, and grant tools from across the U.S. government and our private sector partners. • Field-based Transaction Advisors, who have already begun their work in each of the partner countries, to help governments prioritize, coordinate, and expedite the implementation of power projects, while simultaneously building the capacity of existing host government ministries to deliver results.
Power Africa Will Build Capacity for Project Delivery and Energy Sector Reform Building host-government capacity to develop, approve, finance and ultimately bring power projects on line is critical to the success of the initiative. To support this need, Power Africa will work with host governments to launch or further develop “delivery units” charged with driving progress on specific projects. These delivery units will help increase technical skills and accelerate energy sector regulatory, market structure and enabling environment reforms. In Tanzania for example, Power Africa will support the “Big Results Now!” pro-
Transparent Natural Resource Management The recent discoveries of oil and gas in sub-Saharan Africa will play a critical role in defining the region’s prospects for economic growth and stability, as well as contributing to broader near-term global energy security. Yet existing infrastructure in the region is inadequate to ensure that both on- and off-shore resources provide onshore benefits and can be accessed to meet the region’s electricity generation needs. Although many countries have legal and regulatory structures in place governing the use of natural resources, these are often inadequate. They fail to comply with international standards of good governance, or do not provide for the transparent and responsible financial management of these resources. Power Africa will work in collaboration with partner countries to ensure the path forward on oil and gas development maximizes the benefits to the people of Africa, while also ensuring that development proceeds in a timely, financially sound, inclusive, transparent and environmentally sustainable manner.
Khat to be banned in UK The government announced this week its plans to ban the herbal stimulant khat, popular amongst Somali and Ethiopian communities in the UK.
In an official statement delivered to Parliament on 3 July, Home Secretary Theresa May announced that the government will control khat as a Class C drug under the 1979 Misuse of Drugs Act. Khat is native to the Horn of Africa and the chewing of its leaves has a long history as a social custom, dating back thousands of years. It was considered a divine food amongst the Ancient Egyptians, and is today a popular stimulant in East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and communities originating from these areas worldwide. It is estimated that it is currently used by 10 million people each day. Its fresh leaves and tops are chewed or, less frequently, dried and consumed as tea, in order to achieve a mild state of euphoria and stimulation. The leaves contain the chemical compound cathinone, an amphetamine-like substance. In her statement to Parliament, May stated that fears over the health and social repercussions of Khat use had prompted the government to classify the drug as illegal. “Khat continues to feature prominently
amongst the health and social harms, such as low attainment and family breakdown, cited by affected communities and the police and local authorities working with them,” she said. Yet the announcement goes directly against the recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), the government’s official advisory body. In January it stated that khat should remain a legal substance, saying that there was “insufficient evidence” that it cause health problems, and “no evidence” that its use was linked with serious or organised crime. “It would be inappropriate and disproportionate to classify khat”, the ACMD concluded. May addressed the ACMD’s views in her statement, saying that “although [its report] recommended that khat should not be controlled, the ACMD acknowledges that there is an absence of robust evidence in a number of areas and that there are broader factors for the government to consider when making its decision. The decision to bring khat under control is finely balanced and takes into account the expert scientific advice and these broader concerns.” These “broader concerns” chiefly focus on the issue of Khat being re-exported out of the UK into countries where it is already
Possession of khat in the UK will soon mean a potential prison sentence a controlled substance, such as the US, Canada, Germany and especially the Netherlands. “Seizures of khat transiting the UK en route to the Netherlands have already been increasing in size and frequency since the Dutch ban earlier this year. The ACMD report recognised the likelihood that some khat is being re-exported to countries where it is illegal,” May stated. “The ACMD could not determine the scale of this activ-
ity based on the available evidence and acknowledged that this concern forms part of government consideration of the matter.” The government is yet to announce when the ban will come into force. As a Class C drug, Khat will be classified alongside such substances as anabolic steroids and ketamine. Possession could result in up to two years in prison, and supply or production up to 14 years. 7
Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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Standard Chartered $2bn boost for Africa
Standard Chartered has committed over $2bn to finance energy projects under the US spearheaded Power Africa Initiative.
The five-year partnership between the United States, six African governments and the private sector represents a coordinated cross-border effort to build the regulatory, economic and policy foundation to double access to power in sub-Saharan Africa. The governments of Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Liberia and a group of private-sector firms are taking part in the initiative to improve access to clean, reliable power in Africa. Power Africa will add over 10,000 megawatts of cleaner, more efficient electricity generation capacity - equivalent to 250 per cent of Nigeria’s current power generation - increasing access to electricity by over 20 million new households and businesses. Standard Chartered is committing $2bn of new financing, more than 20 per cent of the initial private sector
contribution to Power Africa, alongside the US government’s provision of $7m of financial support. “More than two-thirds of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is without electricity and more than 85 per cent of those living in rural areas lack access,” the White House said in a statement. Using its geographic coverage across 37 African countries and leading project and export finance expertise, Standard Chartered will work closely with US agencies, including the Export-Import Bank, the Agency for International Development and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to develop the policy framework for specific projects. Speaking in Dar es Salaam during President Barack Obama’s visit, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Peter Sands said, “Throughout our 150 years of history in Africa, we have always strived to contribute to social and economic development, financing trade and investment across the continent.”
Toyota cleans up at Nigeria Auto Awards The eighth Nigeria Auto Awards held recently in Lagos confirmed the supremacy of the Toyota brand, as the car maker went away with six awards.
The Toyota Camry led the pack, capturing the prestigious ‘Car of the Year’ (COTY) award at the event, which was organised by Onwheels. Truck of the Year (one ton) went to the Toyota Hilux and the managing director of Toyota Nigeria Limied, C. K. Thampy, emerged as the CEO of the Year. Toyota was also declared Brand of the Year; and Dealer of the Year award and the after-sales service company of the year went to Mandilas Motors and Elizade Nigeria Limited, both Toyota agents. Kia scooped up Budjet Car of the Year with their Picanto. Financial institutions were not left out as their contributions to the auto industry were recognised. In the bank category, Fidelity Bank Plc took home the best bank in the transport support section; while Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc won the bank of the year in the consumer (auto) section. In the auto personality category, the
chairman of C & I Motors, Mr. Emeka Ndu, was awarded the auto entrepreneur of the year. The Mack Truck, marketed in Nigeria by Lanre Shittu Motors, emerged the truck of the year; while the Sino was the declared the fastest selling truck of the year, with Volvo the upcoming truck of the year. Jabez Aina-Scott, publisher of Onwheels magazine, said it was exciting that the 2013 awards threw up a number of surprises. He said that the event would continue to define the essence of the auto industry in Nigeria, adding that it was designed to reward excellence and showcase performance. According to Aina-Scott, the Nigeria Auto Award is engineered to celebrate men and women with high pedigree; individuals who in no small measure have contributed to the development of the auto industry in Nigeria. The award categories had been increased to accommodate the unprecedented growth in the industry in recent years with, Mr Aina-Scott says, “about 30 brands of vehicle and well over 15 major franchise holders and dealerships adding up the figure.”
Toyota’s Camry is Nigeria’s Car of the Year 2013 8
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FG scraps parastatals, merges EFCC/ICPC By Peter Olorunnisomo The Federal Executive Council (FEC), has given approval for the merger of the Economic and Finnacial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to form one anti-corruption agency. It also approved that the following Federal Government parastatals be scrapped: Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), National Economic Intelligence Committee, Utilities Charges Commission, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Fiscal Responsibility Commission; and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). The council decision, by Council, was taken last Wednesday at its meeting in Abuja, while considering the White Paper prepared by the Stephen Oronsanye-led Committee on the restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies. It was reported that the Federal Executive Council had been reviewing the report before taking a decision on it on June 26. Similarly, government was also reported to have directed that a Sunset Clause should be introduced to the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) to conclude its assignment and wind down. Consequently, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice was required to initiate the necessary action for the abolition of the Commissions while the staffs of the Utilities Charges Commission are to be redeployed to the Office of the Head of Civil
Service of the Federation, provided that they are civil servants. The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission established by law will have its law repealed and its functions transferred to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC. National Economic Intelligence Committee, which was meant to be the economic think-thank for the President is also to be scrapped. In a related development, a social commentator and Managing Consultant of the Anti-Corruption Observatory group, Mr. Ivie Richards expressed his opinion against the Federal Government’s approval to merge two anti-graft agencies, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Mr. Richards, a guest on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, noted that these agencies were established for different purposes. He said, “The ICPC came into force via an act in June 2000. If you look at that law, it was directed primarily at the everyday occurrences and corruption issues in the public sector; things like embezzlement, clientilism, bribery, victimization and things like these. He said the ICPC law hinders the agency from going out to seek information and from protecting informants. “Section 27 of that law says that the ICPC must receive petition from the public before it can act. A subsection of that law
EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde also says that someone who is an illiterate for instance want to volunteer information to ICPC, a staff of the ICPC orally takes down you statement and then you have to thump print. In other words, the ICPC cannot protect informant and they cannot go seeking for information,” and this is different from the law setting up the EFCC. “Section 38 and 39 of that law says that the EFCC can go seeking for information and they are not obliged to reveal their sources of information. In other words, they can protect their informant,” he said. The EFCC was established in 2003 to investigate financial crimes such as Advance Fee Fraud (419) and money laundering. Its
establishment by the ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration was seen to be an urgent response to pressure from the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, which had named Nigeria as one of the 23 countries non-cooperative in the international community’s efforts to fight money laundering. The ICPC was also inaugurated by the Obasanjo administration to, among other functions, receive and investigate reports of corruption and prosecute the offender[s]; and to examine, review and enforce the correction of corruption-prone systems and procedures of public bodies with a view to eliminating corruption in public life.
Representatives Senate ban same sex marriage The House of Representatives, the lower arm of Nigeria’s law-making body, on Tuesday, 2nd July, 2013 passed a legislation banning same sex marriage after its third reading.
The Senate had earlier passed a similar legislation and this implies that a harmonised copy of the bill should soon be presented to the President for his assent. The bill, which was debated on May 30, prescribes a jail term ranging from 10 to 14 years for anyone that is caught indulging or abetting the committal of the act which is fast gaining grounds in Europe. The decision followed the consideration of the legislation entitled “A Bill for an Act to prohibit marriage or civil union entered between persons of same sex, solemnization of same and for other matters related therewith” during proceedings of the House presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha. With the passage of the bill, only marriage contract between a man and a woman
A symbol of the Nigeria collective will
is recognised as valid in Nigeria just as no marriage certificate issued to parties of same sex marriage or civil union in Nigeria shall be valid.
Under the newly passed legislation, the registration of gay clubs, societies and organisations, their sustenance, processions and meetings have been prohibited while public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or indirectly is prohibited. On the offences and penalties which fall under the jurisdictions of the high court of a state or of the federal capital territory, the legislation prescribes that persons who entered into same gender marriage or civil union contract commit an offence and are jointly liable on conviction to a term of 14 years imprisonment each. It further prescribes that any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations, or directly or indirectly makes a public show of same sex amorous relationship commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment. The legislation also prescribes that any person or group of persons that witnesses, abets, screens, shields and aids the solem
nisation of a same sex marriage contract or civil union or supports the registration of gay clubs, societies and organisations, processions or meetings in Nigeria commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment. Zakari Mohammed, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, was qupted as saying; “I am sure if we practise same sex marriages, all of us that are here wouldn’t have been here today. For us, we are a country that have tradition and culture. As representatives of the people, we have spoken the minds of Nigerians and we must not miss this. The mosques, churches and several interest organisations have taken position on this and the House did what our people want. We can’t legalise it. Even in the holy books, we are told that a whole generation was wiped out because of this issue of same sex. So why go back to that?” He justified the legislation, saying it was in line with the custom and tradition of Nigerians. 9
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Aregbesola; a model for good governance, says Okonjo-Iweala, World Bank
The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has declared that Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, through his programmes, has demonstrated that good governance is possible. Besides, the World Bank also confirmed that the Federal Government’s Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) was replicated from the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) established by the state governor. Okonjo-Iweala, who was represented by the national coordinator of YESSO, Mr Peter Papka, at a two-day workshop organised by the World Bank in Iloko-Ijesha, at the weekend, said with the successful implementation of OYES, Aregbesola had demonstrated that youth development was feasible. According to her, “You have demonstrated that good governance is possible with your programmes. You have demonstrated that youth development is possible. Your programmes so far have demonstrated that you are a good example of government and governance.” Aregbesola, while addressing participants from seven states, including Osun, the host
state, said the nation deserved a lot of attention, as the leadership that should drive people for development was missing. He maintained that the capacity for a people to live good life was only possible if the nation utilised its productive capacity, saying unemployment was the direct cause of excruciating poverty, total insecurity and under-development the country grappled with today. Aregbesola said his administration was conscious of the high level of poverty among the people which propelled the state government to come up with OYES Scheme to serve as a cushioning measure for drastic reduction of poverty. He said, “there is grim and excruciating poverty unimaginable in this country 18 to 20 years ago. And if we continue like this, the situation will be bad. To nip the situation in the bud, we came up with OYES.” In his remarks, the World Bank team leader, Professor Funsho Okunmadewa, described Aregbesola as a safety net in poverty alleviation and reduction through OYES. He commended the Osun School Meal Programme (O’MEAL) as well as the recently launched digital e-learning device (Opon Imo).
From Left - Former Minister Aviation, Mr. Femi Fanikayode, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Barrister. Femi Faturoti during a Courtesy Visit to the Governor, at Office of the Governor, Abere Osogbo
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, RTD Deputy Inspector General of Police, Chief [Mrs] Abimbola Ojomo and Commissioner of Police Special Fraud Unit, Ayotunde Ogunsakin during a 5 – Day Workshop “Insider Abuse In Financial Institutions and Implication on Developing Economy” at Banquet Hall Oriental Hotel Lekki, Lagos State
Managing Director CEO, Mr. Kanayo Kanayo, MFR, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Commissioner of Police Special Fraud Unit, Ayotunde Ogunsakin and Executive Chairman Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders [CACOL], Debo Adeniran during a 5 – Day Workshop “ Insider Abuse In Financial Institutions and Implication on Developing Economy” at Banquet Hall Oriental Hotel Lekki, Lagos State 10
Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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Raging wildfire devastates Arizona Neo-Nazis change focus to climate change Mongolia
USA
The so-called Yarnell Hills Blaze has scorched over 8,400 acres of land
An uncontained wildfire in the state of Arizona has killed 19 elite firefighters aged between 21 and 43, the highest death toll for a fire crew in a single incident since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Their bodies received an honour guard on Monday as they were brought to Phoenix for post-mortem examinations. The firefighters, who died on Sunday 30 June, were part of the Granite Mountain Hotshots units, and had battled other wildfires in New Mexico and Arizona in recent weeks, officials say. Fourteen of the deceased crewmen were in their twenties and many were described as family men. “They were dedicated, hard-working people,” Fire Chief Dan Fraijo said of his team members. “I never heard them complain. They always seemed to be playing pranks on each other and a few on me. And I had a great deal of respect for them.” President Barack Obama, who was visiting Tanzania when the news reached him, has offered federal support to battle the blaze. He said the incident would prompt a reassessment of how to handle large, destructive wildfires.
About 200 additional firefighters have been brought to tackle the blaze, bringing the total force to about 400. They included other “hotshot” teams sent from around the US. The fire was believed to have been sparked by a lightning strike on Friday near the small mountain town of Yarnell. The uncontained conflagration is said to have devastated some 8,400 acres of land. Over 200 structures, mostly homes, have been destroyed, and two towns evacuated. Wildfires have grown more intense in recent years at a time when U.S. firefighting budgets have been slashed. Since 2000, US wildfires have burned an average of 7 million acres a year, up from an average of 3.3 million acres in the 1990s, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Meanwhile, the U.S. Forest Service’s Fire and Aviation Management Budget was cut by 5% this financial year, reducing the number of firefighters to 10,000 from 10,500, NIFC spokeswoman Jennifer Jones said. The Yarnell blaze is one of numerous wildfires in across western US states in recent weeks. Experts say it could be one of the worst fire seasons on record.
Helicopter crash kills at least 19 A helicopter carrying 28 people, many of whom were children, crashed in Siberia this week, killing at least 19 of those aboard, Russia’s civil aviation authority has reported. The Mi-8
Foreign resource exploitation has seen a rise in Mongolian nationalism
Mongolian neo-Nazis are rebranding themselves as environmentalist campaigners fighting pollution by foreign-owned mines, seeking new legitimacy and credibility as Swastika-wearing party members head out to check mining permits.
Hitler and Nazi Germany has earned them little support from international observers. “Mongolia’s neo-Nazis have been receiving too much attention from global media, and they’ve obviously been enjoying it,” said Tal Liron, a doctoral candidate at the University of Chicago. “They do not, however, represent Mongolians as a whole, any more than neo-Nazis in Britain represent the Brits. “Mongolians are cosmopolitan, savvy and perfectly capable of adapting many foreign ideologies and fashions to their context. For example, they have since 1990 thoroughly and vibrantly embraced representative democracy, just as they embraced socialism before 1990. I think that’s the real story here: Mongolians are not and perhaps never were a remote, isolated people.” Altankhuum, however, remains committed to Tsagaan Khass’s ultra-right approach. “The reason we chose this way is because what is happening here in Mongolia is like 1939, and Hitler’s movement transformed his country into a powerful country,” he said. Members wear black SS-style Nazi uniforms complete with lightning flashes and replica Iron Crosses.
Russia
ficial as saying 23 people were killed and five survived, including a child. A regional police source told Rusddia’s Interfax news agency that “the main theory at this time is difficult weather conditions.” “The helicopter was literally pressed into the slope of the hill by strong, descending air currents.” Turkic-speaking Sakha, also known as Yakutia, is a vast region – larger than Argentina and almost the size of India – stretching north of the Arctic circle, where helicopters are frequently used to transport people between remote towns and villages.
Tsagaan Khass (meaning ‘White Swastika’), has only around 100 members, but, as foreign firms increasingly exploit the mineral wealth of the vast landlocked country, it is one of several groups with names like Dayar Mongol (‘Whole Mongolia’), Gal Undesten (‘Fire Nation’) and Khukh Mongol (‘Blue Mongolia’) riding a new wave of resource nationalism. “Before we used to work in a harsh way, like breaking down doors, but now we have changed and we use other approaches, like demonstrations,” the group’s leader, Ariunbold Altankhuum, told the news agency Reuters. “Today our main goal is to save nature. We are doing things to protect the environment,” he said. “The development of mining is growing and has become an issue.” But despite the group’s environmental sensitivities, their continued reverence for
aircraft operated by Polar Airlines caught fire after crashing in the Sakha region 66 km (41 miles) from the town of Deputatsky with 25 passengers and three crew on board, the Interstate Aviation Committee said. Among the 28 were 11 children below the age of 12, three of them below the age of three. Citing a surviving crew member, the committee said on its website that 19 people were killed. State-run Itar-Tass later cited a regional government of-
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News
Judge orders return of Mandela children’s remains
The remains of Nelson Mandela’s three deceased children were taken from their graves in 2011
A hearse arrives to retrieve the bodies on Wednesday
A South African court has ruled that the bodies of three of Nelson Mandela’s children be moved back to the site of their original interment, bringing a legal conclusion to a family feud that began when Mandla Mandela, Madiba’s grandson, relocated them in 2011. The bodies of Nelson Mandela’s oldest son Makgatho Mandela, who died in 2005; first daughter Makaziwe Mandela, who died in 1948; and Mandela’s second son, Madiba Thembekile, who died in 1969
had been buried in the former president’s hometown of Qunu, until Mandla Mandela – Makgatho’s son - had their remains moved in the middle of the night. The remains were reinterred in Mvezo, Madiba’s birthplace. Nelson Mandela has stated many times that he wishes to be buried alongside his children in Qunu and was at Makgatho’s funeral there in 2005. Mandla Mandela, however, currently acts as the head of the Mandela family and chief of their AbaThembu clan. He is believes to want to turn Mvezo into a tourist attraction, complete with a
Father and son duped in $100,000 diamond scam Two men have been arrested for allegedly conning two American businessmen out of $106,000 for the sale of a 14.9 carat diamond. Mayour Patel, one of the alleged victims, says his father Subhash Patel went to Sierra Leone two years ago with the aim of establishing a business through a friend, who introduced him to a Mrs Barry. Mr Patel Snr. stayed with Mrs Barry in Kono and she introduced him to the gold and diamond business, which Mr Patel Jnr became interested in when his father explained it to him back in the US. Mayour Patel claims that Mrs Barry introduced him and his father to Sulaiman Tamba Chendeka (suspect 1), the son of Chief Chendeka in Kono, who was in daily contact with them via Skype while they were in the United States. Chendeka told them that one of his miner friends Alhaji Musa Sheriff (suspect 2), had a 14.9 karat diamond for sale for $88,000. Mr Patel Snr sent a deposit for the diamond through Mrs Barry, together 12
with $8,000 for a Kimberlite Certificate, essential in determining or testifying a diamond’s value, and for the diamond to be transported by Mrs Barry and Sulaiman Chendeka to Sheriff in Dubai, where the balance was sent. Mr Patel Snr went to Sierra Leone in May 2013 and had conference with the two suspects and Mrs Barry, at which point he was asked to pay a further $10,000 in cash for a licence to replace a previously expired one. He went with the suspects to the building at which they claimed the licence could be obtained but had not seen them since dropping them off there. However, with the help of Mrs Barry and Interpol, the two men were arrested in Guinea and handed over to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) for further investigation. Mayour Patel told reporters: “I’m afraid for my safety as I frequently receive calls from unknown callers threatening to kill me if I do not back off the matter, as my father will not even see my corpse.”
hotel, a Mandela shrine and even a soccer stadium. Against the wishes of his grandfather and most of the family, Mandla reportedly hopes to have Mandela himself buried in Mvezo after his death. In the court affidavit, members of the Mandela family accused Mandla Mandela of attempting to circumvent Nelson’s Mandela’s desire to be buried in Qunu. The affidavit also claimed that Mandla Mandela was motivated by profit and hoped to turn his grandfather’s birthplace and proposed gravesite into a tourist attraction. “It is conceivable that such a heritage site has the potential to generate monetary gain. Indeed, there is evidence to suggest that the first respondent has already begun preparations at the Great Place in Mvezo,
inclusive of construction buildings,” the affidavit said, in reference to Mandla Mandela’s proposed resort and heritage centre. It continues: “The applicants [Mandela family], as custodians of the last will and testament of Nelson Mandela, will have duties to ensure his last wishes are carried out in the event of his demise.” The case was almost certainly expedited in view of Nelson Mandela’s condition. Most commentators believe a binding decision as to where Madiba will be buried will need to be acted upon sooner rather than later. The remains were exhumed on Wednesday but no confirmation as to their reinterment was forthcoming as African Voice went to press.
F W de Klerk in hospital for heart op
F W de Klerk was the last leader to preside over an apartheid regime in South Africa
South Africa’s last white minority president F W de Klerk is to be fitted with a pacemaker after the 77-year-old reported suffering dizzy spells following his return to South Africa from a trip abroad.
The F W de Klerk Foundation’s David Steward said, “He’ll be going into hospital later on Tuesday (July 2). It’s a routine procedure and doesn’t require a general anaesthetic.” De Klerk and his wife Elita returned home from abroad on Sunday because of concerns over fellow former president Nelson Mandela’s health. It’s believed he felt it would be appropriate to cancel his holiday in Greece and return to South Africa to await developments. Mandela was admitted to the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria on 8 June for a recurring lung infection. In a statement released on Monday afternoon, President Jacob Zuma’s office said Mandela remained in a critical but stable condition. Steward said de Klerk had been monitoring his successor for the presidency’s situation very closely. It is unclear if de Klerk will visit Mandela, with whom he was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, in hospital. De Klerk is expected to be discharged from hospital by Thursday.
Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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News
Mayor backs illegal immigration amnesty
M
By Alan Oakley
ayor of London Boris Johnson has expressed his support for a oneoff amnesty for illegal immigrants in direct contradiction of David Cameron, who said last Friday in response to a proposal by the Conservative MP for Stratford-upon-Avon that such a move would signal Britain as a “soft touch” around the world. Speaking on a London radio station, Mr Johnson said the government should “be honest” about its failure to effectively pursue long-term illegal immigrants. He said it would now benefit society if those people were contributing taxes, rather than being paid ‘under the table’. The Mayor told listeners to his Ask Boris show on LBC 97.3: “We should have an amnesty (..) We’ve got people who’ve got in here illegally. They are not engaged with the economy and being honest with the system. The key thing is to stop them coming in in such numbers and be tougher in our approach to borders.” Mr Johnson also criticised successive governments’ failure, over the last 20 years, to deport illegal immigrants when they first arrive. “The culture of human rights is such that it is blindingly difficult to get people onto planes,” he said. “These people will melt away into the undergrowth and be lost again – one reason why people have lost confidence in the immigration system. What we need to do is make it clear
Nadhim Zahawi MP describes failure to announce an amnesty as an “electoral penalty” that will “only get worse”
to illegal immigrants where to go.” The Mayor’s statements come in the wake of those by Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi, who says an amnesty
would help to ensure better relations with voters from ethnic minority communities as well as boost the economy. In an essay for a new think-tank, provi-
sionally called Right Revival, Mr Zahawi said recipients of the amnesty should be given leave to remain rather than full citizenship, limiting their entitlement to benefits, and the move should be combined with an overhaul of border controls. The suggestion was quickly ruled out by David Cameron on Friday. At the last election, the Conservatives won 16 per cent of the black and Asian vote while two-thirds supported Labour. Mr Zahawi, an Iraqi Kurd, who succeeded John Maples as MP for Stratford-upon-Avon at the 2010 General Election, said: “It’s only because we’ve been so robust on immigration in government we’re able to have this conversation with the electorate. We’ve earned the credibility to think outside the box.” Mr Zahawi, who co-founded the market research company YouGov, said he had commissioned polling which found ethnic-minority voters backed Tory policies on major policies such as benefits, taxation and reducing non-European immigration. But when respondents were asked which party was most in touch with their needs, just six per cent named the Conservatives, compared with 53 per cent who named Labour. London’s Mayor first called for an amnesty in 2008, after which he claimed to have had “machine guns” turned on him by fellow politicians. The campaign for an amnesty was led in the last Parliament by Citizens UK, the largest alliance of community groups in Britain.
38 perish in Uganda fuel explosion Police have confirmed a death toll of 38 following a fuel tanker explosion in Namungoona, Uganda on Saturday (June 29). Most of the dead are thought to have been stealing fuel from the stricken tanker after it was involved in a road traffic accident. Ignited fuel reportedly engulfed the motorcycles upon which many of the alleged fuel thieves arrived at the scene. President Yoweri Museveni announced a contribution of Sh5m (about £1,280) for the family of each victim of the tragedy. The award is to the families of both the people who died and those who were injured. Announcing the contribution on behalf of the President, the minister for Presidency, Frank Tumwebaze said the State House comptroller has been directed to get in touch with affected families and make all the necessary administrative arrangements with the support of the police.
“It is very unfortunate and this could have been avoided,” said Tumwebaze, flanked by the Kampala Metropolitan Police commander, Felix Kaweesi, and Sarah Kagingo, the communications director at State House. “This money is not compensation. It is a form of sympathy to the families that lost their beloved ones and those that got injured,” Kagingo emphasised. “We are aware that some victims who sustained injuries were rushed to other hospitals. But if they come to us, we shall help them as well,” Kaweesi said. He added police will assist the government in identifying and providing accurate information of those the contribution was directed to. Meanwhile, a 55-year-old man and an infant child have been killed in a Kampala house fire thought to have been started by a carelessly positioned candle on Monday (July 1).
Yoweri Museveni has pledged a donation of 5 million Ugandan shillings to victims’ families 13
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CRIME
Lithuanian gang who stole cars worth millions jailed
Raimundas Matulevicius
The leader of a Lithuanian gang which stole hundreds of cars and shipped their high-value parts out of the UK to be sold on was jailed with his co-conspirators on Monday 1 July.
Wood Green Crown Court heard how the 11-strong organised crime group from Lithuania stole more than 400 cars worth over £10 million from addresses across London and the home counties. The vehicles were taken to seven car slaughterhouses - industrial units in Enfield, Milton Keynes, Kent, Leighton Buzzard and Feltham - where they were stripped. High-value parts were moved with a forklift truck and wrapped in black plastic film, ready to be shipped to various countries but mostly to Lithuania, where the demand for
Tomas Natalevicius
them is high. The gang leader Raimundas Matulevicius, 28, a bricklayer of Firbank Close, Beckton, E16 - organised the recruitment and activities of his co-conspirators, paid them for their participation and rented the car slaughterhouses, using stolen identities. He used his right-hand man Tomas Natalevicius 31 to pass on his instructions to nine others. Police also found a car theft toolkit in a black VW Touareg that Tomas used. It contained a glass hammer for smashing car windows, a power screwdriver for removing number plates and number plate screws to attach false plates. Eight of the other men acted as mechanics - stealing the cars, dismantling them and packing the parts at the car slaughterhouses. The ninth man, Matulevicius’ brother
‘Gumtree’ robber jailed
Alexander Ogun-Moweta
A man who used the Gumtree website to target his robbery victims was jailed last Thursday, 27 June at Kingston Crown Court. 14
Alexander Ogun-Moweta, 27, of Castleton Road, Mitcham was jailed for six and a half years on having been convicted at Kingston Crown Court on 3 June of three counts of conspiracy to rob. Ogun-Moweta created false adverts for high value vehicles on the Gumtree website. The adverts were made by copying details of existing car adverts from other sites - Mr Ogun-Moweta was never in possession of any of the vehicles featured. On 18 June 2012, a man came to the Mitcham area to buy an Audi A5 convertible for an agreed price of £10,000 in cash. The man was robbed of the £10,000 by two men armed with a knife in Commonside West at the junction with Chestnut Grove, Mitcham. A second man was identified near to the scene, who had also agreed to buy a car as a result of the advert. He had become suspicious and, having driven around the area, he did not come into contact with the suspects.
Kynoch Road (Chop Shop) Evaldas Matulevicius, 31, of Stokes Road, East Ham, E6, was found to be storing stolen vehicles at his home. Officers from the MPS Stolen Vehicle Unit began unpicking the crime group’s activities when they traced a car which was stolen in Hampstead in August 2011 to an industrial estate on Westfield Sole Road in Kent. They found a number of dismantled cars in one of the units at the estate. They also established that a number of the gang’s members, including the ringleader, were in contact with two men police found at the scene, who are wanted in connection with the investigation. The fingerprint of Kestutis Pipinis, 27 was also discovered at the scene, on the windscreen of a stolen vehicle. Nine men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
On 19 June 2012 police attended the address of Ogun-Moweta in Castleton Road, Mitcham. This was a short distance from where the robbery took place. He was arrested and was found to be in possession of the mobile phone with the number used in the advert. A search of his address was conducted and £1,300 of the stolen money was recovered together with the holdall the money had been contained in and documents belonging to the victim. Ogun-Moweta was charged with two counts of conspiring to rob and was granted bail at court the following day. On 14 August 2012, a near-identical robbery was attempted in Chestnut Grove, in which a group of males tried to take £10,000 from a man who was expecting to buy a Mercedes C220 car. The man managed to retain the bag containing the money, despite being struck repeatedly to the head and body. Ogun-Moweta was further arrested on 11 December 2012. He pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy to rob and a trial commenced on 28 May 2013. He was found guilty by the jury on all three counts.
Investigating officer, DS Pete Ellis of the MPS Stolen Vehicle Unit, said: “This was a team of prolific car thieves running an industrial-scale criminal operation that dates back at least to December 2010. They took a high-value car a day. To do this, they stole car keys from homes but mostly they broke into vehicles that had an electronic ignition, and used specialist equipment to clone the digital key. Using industrial units and machinery, they dismantled and shipped out engines and body panels to countries where these pieces would sell well. “These convictions have disrupted their best laid plans.” The men were all charged with conspiracy to handle stolen goods and sentenced as follows at Wood Green Crown Court:
Man wanted over burglaries in Merton
Cieron Howlett
Police in South West London are appealing for the public’s help in tracing Cieron Howlett, aged 26 who is wanted in connection with a number of burglaries in Merton borough. Cieron Howlett, who has distinctive tattoos around his neck and face, may be residing in the Croydon, Mitcham and Sutton areas. If you see Cieron Howlett do not approach him and call police immediately. If you have any information about his whereabouts, call Crimestoppers anonymously.
Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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Sounds of Diaspora People of America
Martial arts community mourns role-model Kelly
Bruce Lee notwithstanding, Jim Kelly became a folk hero for Blacks in Britain’s inner cities during the 1970s martial arts boom
Actor Jim Kelly, best known for his role in 70s Kung Fu classic Enter the Dragon and the title role in Black Belt Jones, has died. Kelly, who was 67, was plucked from relative obscurity as a martial arts instructor when an actor he was coaching for a film role got him a part in the movie. Kelly played a martial arts instructor in the film, Melinda, which came out during the Chinese martial arts movie boom of the early 1970s. When Rockne Tarkington, who would later portray Black Samson in the movie
of the same name, dropped out of filming for 1973 blockbuster Enter the Dragon in Hong Kong, producer Frank Weintraub put a call out for Kelly, who had earned a reputation through his tutelage of actors at his Los Angeles karate gym. In ‘Dragon’ Kelly played ‘Williams’, a lean, afroed-up, wise-cracking dude who met his demise too soon for many tastes. Indeed, so vociferous were the complaints about the brevity of his appearance that Kelly landed the starring role in Black Belt Jones just a year later, drawing inevitable comparisons with the very actor he replaced in ‘Dragon’, whose Black Samson was released in the same year. Though he never officially retired, eventually roles Kelly wanted to do dried up and he took to the senior tennis circuit. The last most people saw of him was a 2004 US Nike commercial with NBA star LeBron James, which spoofed Game of Death, like Enter the Dragon one of Kung Fu legend Bruce Lee’s most famous movies. The following appeared on Jim Kelly’s Facebook page at the weekend: . “It is with sadness and regret that we must announce the passing of a great man and legend Jim Kelly. He will be deeply missed by all. Jim had great love for his family, friends, tennis and martial arts. “We are devastated by Jim’s passing but through faith and support from family, friends and fans-we are comforted, blessed and will remain strong. He was survived by his lifetime partner of 33 years and wife.”
Prada winter collection will major on colour
Malaika takes clothes and toys for local children whenever she visits her family home in Kenya
For the first time since Naomi Campbell featured in an advertising campaign in 1994, Prada is using a BME model as a major face.
Malaika Firth will feature prominently in Prada’s autumn/winter 2013 campaign. The 19-year-old, who was born in Mombasa, Kenya is half Kenyan and half British and grew up in the UK. Her Kenyan mother introduced her to the idea of modelling after becoming inspired by a TV reality show. Malaika takes her own inspiration from fellow British BME model Jourdan Dunn, who walked for Prada in a 2008 fashion show. “[Jourdan] has inspired me the most, just because of how down to earth she is as a person. I love her drive and passion for modelling as well,” Malaika told reporters. Along with Firth, the Prada campaign will also feature supermodel Christy Turlington, Danish model Freja Beha Erichsen, Australian model Catherine McNeil, Chinese model Fei Fei Sun, American model Amanda Murphy and French model Caroline de Maigret. Malaika told The Telegraph: “The shoot was great. Unfortunately I didn’t get to speak to Christy as she was busy with hair and makeup but she looked beautiful and also looks like a really lovely person.”
BET Awards a big success despite multi-nominee no-show
Lifetime achievement Award winner Charlie Wilson duets with Justin Timberlake
Drake was conspicuously absent from Sunday night’s BET award show, despite being nominated for twelve awards and being the recipient of the Viewer’s Choice Award and Best Collaboration. A rumour leading up to the show was that Drake had decided to not to attend for fear of running into Chris Brown, with whom he has a high-profile feud. However, the Canadian took to Twitter to thank the fans for his award and to dispel the rumour. According to Drake, he has an album to finish up and also needed to spend time with family before heading out on tour. He added his congratulations to Kendrick Lamar for winning Best New Artist and Best Male Hip-Hop Artist. At the gala event, Stevie Wonder, Jamie Foxx, Pharrell, Snoop Dogg and India.Arie were also part of the tribute to 60-year-old Charlie Wilson, who earned the Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Charlie Wilson is soul music. His impact colours the work of many artists, which is basically my nice way of saying I and a lot of other artists have stolen from him,” Justin Timberlake said when presenting Wilson the award. Wilson’s lively stage presence was the arguably the night’s top moment. Nicki Minaj picked up her fourth consecutive win for best female hip-hop artist. “Every time I win it’s a humbling experience,” she said. “My fans are amazing people.” Minaj performed with Chris Brown, who opened the awards show with a medley of new songs. Mariah Carey was angelic as she belted her latest hit, “(hash)Beautiful,” with help from Miguel and Young Jeezy, and an excited R. Kelly sang snippets of a dozen of his hits. An energetic Robin Thicke was joined by Pharrell and T.I. when he sang his international No. 1 hit, “Blurred Lines.” There were also notable performances from Erykah Badu and Wayne Brady. Away from the music industry, Jamie Foxx, wearing a shirt that featured a picture of gunned down teenager Trayvon Martin, won best actor, and Olympic gold medallist, gymnast Gabrielle Douglas won sportswoman of the year and the Young Stars award. Host Chris Tucker performed a tribute to Michael Jackson almost exactly four years since his death. 15
Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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Gospel BE ON THE OFFENSIVE AND NOT TOO DEFENSIVE “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Eph. 6:17. By Michael Adekoya
Dear Reader, it seems that the enemy is at every turn. Yet some of us don’t realize that the Christian life is not a playground, but a battleground. We are oblivious to the fact that a war is raging. And in this war, we are either winning or losing. My friend, sometimes you may be wondering why the devil still has the lead if the battle has been won on the cross. That’s because we, as the church, have not considered him our worse enemy. We have been concerned with building big and beautiful churches with our own pattern and have forgotten that there is an enemy out there that wants to steal our joy, kill our dreams and destroy us. When Jesus first unveiled His plan for the church, He envisioned it being on the offensive and attacking Satan’s strongholds. Jesus said to Peter, “You are Peter, a stone; and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Math 16:18. The word “gates of hell” does not mean physical gates but invisible and unseen world of Satan’s kingdom which many Christians, even Pastors don’t know about. Spiritually, a gate is a place where decisions are made. The gate of hell is the confederacy, house of assembly of hell, dominion, barrier or a place of gathering of demonic powers. They meet to take decisions and launch attack on the Body of Christ and all other interests of God on earth. They blind the minds of people so that they cannot see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Nobody is attacked by accident. My friend, listen! It is not by accident that you are still single, stub-
born, barren, sick, discouraged, depressed, oppressed, afraid, worried, confused, selfish, wicked, unsaved, lukewarm, separated or divorced from your spouse, stagnant, unfaithful, or cursed. It is not by accident that you feel tired or too busy to pray. It is not an accident that your spouse is cheating on you or that child is rebellious or wayward. It is not an accident that you are rejected, abandoned, fearful, abused, misused, angry, jealous, envious or disappointed always. That misunderstanding, disunity, disagreement or fighting between you and your loved ones at all times is not by accident. It is not by accident that your business or ministry is not progressing. Before you are attacked, maybe in the dream or otherwise, such decisions have been taken at the gates of hell before the physical manifestations. Jesus pictured His church in the light of two primary activities: building and battling. These two must go together. Jesus pictured the church on the offensive, attacking the gates of hell. My friend, the church is in a state of war! And as a Christian (the church), you have been listed as a member of the army of the Lord to confront the power of darkness in the name of Jesus, with the Word of God and the Blood of Jesus. We must take the battle to the gates of the enemy through aggressive, Holy Spirit energized prophetic spiritual warfare prayers. God promised strength to them that turn the battle to the gates of hell (Isa 28:5-6). If we are going to understand what true prayer is, we must use the language of war. Peace is not the language of prayer. David said, “I am for peace; but when I
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
speak (pray), they are for war.” Psa. 120:7. We have been commanded to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed and depressed go free, to destroy every yoke and break every curse. In a battle, it’s always better to be an aggressor rather than of a defender, because the defender is simply waiting for the enemy’s next attack, hoping he will survive. If we, as believers, are always defending, then the devil is in the superior position. But if we are attacking and taking the battle to the gates of the enemy, then we are in the superior position. Jesus didn’t come to this earth to teach us how to defend ourselves. But, He came to equip us to overcome an enemy that has already been defeated! (1 John 3:8). When Apostle Paul wrote about the armour of God in Ephesians 6, he mentioned one offensive weapon: “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” Eph 6:17. My friend, please make no mistake about it: there is authority and power in the Word of God. God’s Word sticks. God’s Word breaks through. God’s Word impacts! God’s Word convicts! When the enemy has you surrounded, keep him on the defensive with the Word of God. He knows he is defeated; he believes in the power of God and trembles. Therefore he doesn’t come out in the open, but hides. So we have to look for him, locate him where he is working in the darkness, find him and defeat him in the name of Jesus, with the Word of God and the Blood of Jesus. The Bible says, “in order that Satan might not outwit us; for we are
not unaware of his schemes” 2 Cor. 2:11. My friend, do you know the reason why we (the church) feel discouraged and defeated sometimes? We haven’t confronted our enemy. We are sometimes ignorant of the schemes of Satan. We remain indifferent all the while Satan is making his incursions into the church of Jesus Christ. We are blind to the agenda and operations of Satan. Paul says, “concerning spiritual things (gifts, battles etc) do not be ignorant” 1Cor 12:1. My friend, we have to confront our enemy and remind him that the blood of Jesus Christ has already defeated him. However, victory depends on the warrior spirit. You cannot be God’s person with anything less than a militant spirit of prayer. Today, many people come to church every week, listening to the worship team, hearing good sermon and going back home. But, when the Pastor calls for prayer meeting or outreach for evangelism to win souls, only a handful will show up. We can’t be too busy to ignore God and prayer. My friend, the only way that
a bible school, primary, is involved in extensive mission work in Eastern Europe, Italy and India. For information you may call 020 8680 7671 Ruach Ministries - holds meeting at 9am, 11am and 6pm. For information you may call 020 8678 6888 International Central Gospel church - Battersea chapel, holds meetings on Sundays from 2.00pm. . For information you may call 020 8684 4934 Jesus Arena International- Sunday service at 11.00am at Broadwater farm centre, Adams road N17 The Bible Life Church UK- They meet on Sunday mornings at 2.30pm at St Giles Centre, Camberwell
Church Street, London SE5 Christ Apostolic church (Full Gospel & Pentecostal) Surrey Docks District 163 Ilderton Rd South Bermondsey London SE16 2UT. Tel. 020 7252 2086. Time of worship: Sunday English service 9- 11.30am. Yoruba service 11.30 -2.30pm. Prophetic counselling: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 12noon- 5pm, Saturday only 5- 7pm. Holy Cross Church InternationalSunday 10.am- 1 pm at Crown House 71-73 Nathan way London SE28 0BQ Tel: 07904 234 126, 07809 381 886 Times of service:Bible study: Thursdays 8pm. Night Vigil: Friday Forthnightly 12am
The Troy University Gospel Choir
the church – you and me – will be able to rise up in the Spirit to break through Satan’s line of resistance and win the battle being waged for the millions of souls in our nation is for God to release upon us, His people, an end-time, prophetic and militant utterances in prayer and supernatural manifestation of His Spirit. We need prayer anointing that will bring us into new level of strategic, warfare prayer. When we come into this experience of new level of prayer, our prayer life will not be the same. My friend, when this new prayer anointing is released upon us, as God’s end-time spiritual warriors, we would pray prayers that will penetrate the spiritual darkness. We would pray prayers that will penetrate every satanic force. We would pray prayers that will be confrontational and prayers that will demolish Satanic strongholds and bind demonic principalities. It is such prayers that will bring heaven to earth and manifest the will of God on earth. 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
Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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Africa Newsround
Secret UN report says Central Chad’s former leader arrested Bank a private “slush-fund” Senegal
Somalia
Senegal police have arrested the former Chadian President Hissene Habre, who is wanted for alleged atrocities such as political torture and killing during his eight-year rule. Habre has been living in exile in Senegal for the past 22 years.
News agency Reuters claims it has seen a UN report describing how money at the Central Bank of Somalia is not used to run government institutions in the war-torn East African country, with an average 80 percent of withdrawals made for private purposes. The confidential report by the UN Group of Experts to the Security Council’s Somalia and Eritrea sanctions committee blamed a patronage system - dubbed the “khaki envelope” practice after the colour of the stationery carried to the Ministry of Finance - for preventing the creation of state institutions. “In this context, the fiduciary agency managed by PricewaterhouseCoopers was reduced to a transfer agent that could not ensure accountability of funds once they reached the Somali government,” says the report. “Indeed, of $16.9 million transferred by PWC to the Central Bank, $12 million could not be traced,” it said. “Key to these irregularities has been the current governor of the Central Bank, Abdusalam Omer.” Omer, 59, is a dual Somali-US national who left Somalia as a teenager and returned in January this year to become governor of the Central Bank. The UN report says all bank decisions were made by Omer because there were no
Habre’s lawyer said he was taken from his home in Dakar by paramilitary police to an unknown location on Sunday 30 June. As president of Chad from 1982 until his ousting in 1990, Habre is said to have committed widespread human rights abuses and atrocities, accusations which he denies. Human Rights Watch claims that 1,200 were killed and 12,000 were tortured, while a domestic Chadian inquiry claims that as many as 40,000 were killed and that over 200,000 were subjected to torture. The 70-year-old has been under house arrest since 2005. Human rights group have
Central Bank governor Omer has come under fire in the alleged report
board members in place and the bank does not operate as a government body subject to policy decisions or oversight from integrity institutions and parliament. “On average, some 80 percent of withdrawals from the Central Bank are made for private purposes and not for the running of government, representing a patronage system and a set of social relations that defy institutionalization of the state,” it says.
UN peacekeeping mission begins Mali The United Nations has begun its military mission in Mali by bringing the 6,000 West African troops already in the country under its command at a ceremony in the capital Bamako.
A ceremony, which took place on Monday 1 July, will pave the way for the full strength force of 12,640 UN troops, set to replace the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA). Its first task will be to secure the country’s north so that presidential elections can be held on 28 July. The election commission has raised doubts over its ability to stage a free and fair vote at short notice. The commission’s president, Mamadou Diamountani, said this week it would be “extremely difficult” to get up to eight million voting cards to the electorate in a country where 500,000 people have been displaced by conflict. The new mission begins work months after 4,000 French troops - deployed in January to fight groups affiliated to al-Qaeda in Mali - began their phased withdrawal. France, Mali’s former colonial
ruler, will nonetheless keep up to 1,000 troops in the country. UN officials and the defence and security chiefs of nine troop-contributing African countries spent the weekend in Bamako engaged in last-minute talks on personnel, equipment and logistics issues ahead of the handover. Rwandan General Jean-Bosco Kazura, formerly second in command of African Union troops in Sudan’s western Darfur region, will lead the UN mission - known as the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, MINUSMA. AFISMA was put in place by the Economic Community of West African States to help the Malian government tackle the militant groups who had seized large swathes of territory in the north and sought to introduce a harsh form of Sharia law. The 10-month of control of northern Mali by the al-Qaeda-linked groups effectively ended in January with the launching of the French-led military campaign.
been urging Senegal to put Habre on trial for decades, and last year the UN’s International Court of Justice ordered Senegal to either put him on trial or extradite him to face justice overseas. His arrest comes just days after Barack Obama praised the efforts of Senegal’s current President Macky Sall to bring him to trial at the start of his Africa tour. Habre was first indicted in Senegal in 2000, but the country’s courts ruled at the time that he could not be tried there. However, Senegalese MPs passed a law in last year allowing a special African Union tribunal to be created in the country to try the former president, dubbed by some as “Africa’s Pinochet”. If the trial goes ahead it will set an important precedent: until now African leaders accused of human rights abuses have only been tried in international courts.
Fuel truck explosion kills 30 Uganda
At least 30 people were killed and at least 20 more injured when a fuel tanker exploded on a highway in Uganda, a major transit route for fuel heading from Kenya to land-locked east African states, police report.
The truck exploded on the outskirts of the capital Kampala on 29 June after it collided with a car. Prior to the explosion, people nearby, mostly motorcyclists, crowded round trying siphon fuel from the tanker, a police spokesman said. President Yoweri Museveni sent condolences and said he was monitoring the work of police and medical workers.
Musa Ecweru, the Ugandan minister for disaster preparedness, described the incident as an avoidable “calamity,” saying it was unfortunate that some people had failed to learn from past mistakes. “We have always told our people to stay away from trucks that involve inflammable products such as petrol,” Ecweru said. “We thought they would learn from the lessons of the past.” In 2001, a similar accident took place on a highway from Kampala to the western region, killing nearly 40. Nearly all the victims were burnt beyond recognition.
Ugandan police investigate wreckage at the scene 17
Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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Entertainment
DVK Global Entertainment Investment forays into Bollywood
DVK, the international private equity and commodity trading company, founded by the multi award-winning financial alchemist Deepak Kuntawala, is proud to partner with the acclaimed film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag co-produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and ROMP Picture’s and distributed internationally by Reliance Entertainment, as the Global Partner for the film’s eagerly anticipated UK tour. Taking place in July, the international tour for the film will see stars Farhan Akhtar and Sonam Kapoor, director of BAFTA nominated film Rang De Basanti Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, writer Prasoon Joshi and Milkha Singh himself in attendance. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag tells the incredible true-life story of Milkha Singh, aka ‘The Flying Sikh’, who is forever enshrined in India’s psyche as one of the country’s most loved and esteemed sporting heroes. Many recall Milkha Singh as a world champion in the 400 meters, who infamously lost the penultimate race of his life - the 400 meters final at the Rome Olympics - but won in life. Ever the innovative entrepreneur, Deepak Kuntawala recently chartered new territory when he established DVK Global Enter-
tainment Investment, to nurture and finance unique global entertainment projects. The fund is governed by leading international law firm Mishcon De Reya and structured by the world’s largest professional services firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers. The fund’s first heavyweight project was its title sponsorship of An Evening with Pacino, which brought the award-winning icon Al Pacino to the London stage. The partnership with Bhaag Milkha Bhaag marks the fund’s official launch in July 2013 and its entry into the Indian film industry Speaking about DVK’s sponsorship of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’s international tour, Deepak Kuntawala says: ‘DVK is at the forefront of championing, nurturing and bringing to global recognition a variety of unique entertainment projects. We started our innings by bringing the critically-acclaimed show ‘An Evening with Pacino’ to the London stage, and now we continue to reach great heights in the entertainment arena by being the international partner for the incredible film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. The partnership also marks DVK’s foray into the world’s largest film industry – Indian Cinema – and we are hugely excited for this development.”
L to R Deepak Kuntawala, Founder of DVK, actor, Al Pacino & Abhishek Bachchan, Bollywood actor
Milkha Singh’s life is a portrait of professional triumph over personal tragedy. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag attempts to understand a catastrophic loss that was deemed a sure victory and explores through the darkness of disgrace Milkha Singh’s redemption and catharsis that came when he confronted his past. This iridescent tale
winds through the plagues of a bloody civil war where Milkha’s family were brutally killed during the violent and tumultuous India-Pakistan Partition era resulting in a lost childhood, homelessness, to a life of petty crime and victories hard won and easily lost.
Olympic hero and Indian icon, Milkha Singh’s incredible life story gets silver screen In true Olympic spirit, athlete Milkha Singh, aka ‘The Flying Sikh’ is set to achieve new feats once again when his incredible life story is given the silver screen treatment in Viacom18. Motion Pictures and ROMP Pictures’ Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, releasing internationally on 12th July 2013 through Reliance Entertainment. Many recall Milkha Singh as a world champion in the 400 meters, who infamously lost the penultimate race of his life - the 400 meters final at the Rome Olympics - but won in LIFE. Milkha Singh’s life is a portrait of professional triumph over personal tragedy. The film attempts to understand a catastrophic loss that was deemed a sure victory and explores through the darkness of disgrace Milkha Singh’s redemption and catharsis that came when he confronted his past. This iridescent tale winds through the plagues of a bloody civil war where Milkha’s family were brutally killed during the violent and tumultuous IndiaPakistan Partition era resulting in a lost childhood, homelessness, to a life of petty crime and victories hard won and easily lost. 18
The young Milkha builds his character by enlisting in the Indian Army, and through his Ustaad (teacher) learns some of life’s most precious lessons, that being to build his human spirit with perseverance, hard work and discipline. From his Army days, Milkha becomes a formidable runner with an awe-inspiring 96.5 percent winning ratio. Globally recognised as the ‘Flying Sikh’ and India’s original sports hero, Milkha Singh’s life is a colourful portrait of professional triumph over personal tragedy. The film stars India’s most versatile multi-star, the critically acclaimed actor, producer, singer, writer, director and musician Farhan Akhtar [Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Luck By Chance] who essays the role of Milkha Singh for what is described as Farhan’s most demanding performance to date. He is joined by Sonam Kapoor [Saawariya, I Hate Luv Storys, Aisha (Indian version of Jane Austen’s classic Emma)], Art Malik [BBC1’s Holby City], Rebecca Breeds [Home and Away] and is directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra (director of the Bafta nominated film Rang De Basanti, Delhi-6). The inspirational story is penned by Prasoon Joshi and the soundtrack is composed by the award-winning trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy.
Farhan Akhtar - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Sonam Kapoor - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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Entertainment Dubai’s King of R’n’B, Ash Hamman returns with ‘Thirsty 4 U’
If the name Ash Hamman does not rings a bell in the Nigerian entertainment industry scene, Immmaqul’8 will surely do? This is not unconnected to the fact that the gifted singer born Abdul Sammir Hamman but otherwise known as Ash left ‘Naija’ for Dubai shortly Immmaqul’8, his defunct hip-hop group made a grand debut in the music scene with a hit track, which musical video rocked the airwaves, a couple of years ago . Interestingly, after many years abroad, the Nigerian born singer, songwriter, dancer and entrepreneur, who was raised in the U.K and
U.S, did tried a launch back to his mother land, Nigeria, in 2011 when he released a single titled ‘Body and Soul’ featuring General Pype. Amazingly, 2012 was kind of silent chapter in Ash’s anticipated return to Nigeria but the artiste who’s everything about him screams success, maintained a steady rise and rise in his career abroad. The acclaimed Dubai’s king of R ’n’ B’s self-titled album, ‘Ash Hamman’ that was released 1n 2012, clinched the first position among the fastest selling albums in the Middle East Africa. Aside from being the first Nigerian act to be interviewed on ‘Twenty Something’, the popular show on ‘Dubai’s One’ national television, Ash is a brand ambassador and official face of Carrera eye glasses, and as well as ambassador of Hennessy / Hennessy Artistry, Puma amongst other brands in the Middle East Africa. However, that Ash is equipped and now ready to capture the Nigerian music scene is like stating the obvious, he actually sneaked in and out of the country a couple of days ago, to launch a campaign on his new single titled ‘Thirsty 4 U’. Surprisingly, the yet to be released video of the song which would be
hitting the airwaves in August 2013, was leaked and it’s presently generating buzzes in Dubai as the video left much to imagine. Apart from Ash the artiste, his business sense has projected his record label and entertainment coy, I.M.Q- Immaqul’8 Entertainment, as the next big thing in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Ash’s entertainment firm not only offers complete corporate branding, Immaqul’8 is gearing for a takeover with the best equipment for production of music videos, movies, documentary, commercial adverts among others.
While awaits Ash’s grand return in August, it may interest you to know that the highly talented dude has rocked the stage of many international musical concerts. He performed live during one of the editions of Miss World beauty pageant grand finale held at London’s Alexander Palace and has also shared the stage with the likes of Akon, Usher, 50 Cent, Kanye West, Montell Jordan, among other world acclaimed music super stars. Among Ash’s hit tracks are ‘Phases Come and Go’, ‘I’m in love with You’ featuring Sway of Konvict, ‘I’m sorry’ and host of others.
Film producer jailed for £1.5m VAT fraud The producer of the first modern British film to be shot in 3D is behind bars after he was found guilty of a £1.5 million VAT fraud.
The film, Eldorado, which featured a number of well-known British and Hollywood actors, including former Dr Who Sylvester McCoy and Splash actress Daryl Hannah, was the last to be completed by David Carradine, of Kung Fu fame, before he died in 2009. Richard Driscoll, who had a walk-on part in TV comedy series It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, was sentenced today (1 July 2013) at Southwark Crown Court to three years in jail. Paul Barton, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation, HMRC, said: “HMRC investigators unravelled a complex and organised VAT fraud that Driscoll knew was against the law. As a result he has now lost his liberty and
has a criminal record. “Tax fraud is a serious offence and HMRC will continue to seek out those who attempt to commit these crimes,
and bring them to justice. I urge anyone with information about people or businesses involved in tax fraud to contact HMRC’s Tax Evasion hotline on 0800
788 887.” Driscoll falsified invoices for the costs of making films in order to reclaim VAT that he was not entitled to, and set up a number of associated companies that were used solely to commit the crime. He owned a film studio in Cornwall where the films were made. The claims for repayment of £1.5 million VAT were based on production costs of more than £9 million, but investigators found that the costs were actually less than £1 million. Bogus invoices were sent to support the false repayment claims and other invoices were genuine but had their values inflated. In sentencing Driscoll His Honour Judge Pegden, QC, said: “In my opinion this was professionally planned… you used your filming expertise for the content of bogus and false invoices.” 19
Friday, 5 June 2013 – Thursday, 11 July 2013
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Arts
Edinburgh Fringe: A matter of space By Peter Olorunnisomo All “the world is a stage, a poor player ….” I’ll leave that to my better readers to complete. I wonder what Shakespeare would have said if he saw that stage performances are not only staged within the enclosure called a theatre; amphi or not. Perhaps the festival would no longer have a fringe trait when it is realized that there is indeed nothing ‘fringy’ about it. Almost every performance enjoys some form of review or the other and the tabloids (some ostensibly feast on performances before hibernation) and goes on for standard performance times sufficiently. The organisers do not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the performances are scrutinised for deserving quality. Yes, the world is a stage. That means everywhere, habited or inhabited, public or private space, the streets, parks, gardens etc. these stages however limit the commercial direct returns of the festival organisers because these venues are public spaces and the performances are thus free. A thought about the end it serves? Many. There can as much to see in the venues as well as in the streets and at other sub-venues. Basic differ-
ence is that while the venues provide detailed schedules to be adhered to, box office prices and concessions, and the pyro-technics of performance; the streets and other sub-venues don’t, and it is free. And believe this; you can catch as much fun as you will get in-hall. The streets also possibly offer a lot more variety in every shade: from group performances and solo shows. The crowd isn’t any less and the kids truly don’t miss their icecream and/or cotton candy. The sun splashes its blessings on them and
The African Poet: Leopold Sedar Senghor I WILL PRONOUNCE YOUR NAME
I will pronounce your name, Naett, I will declaim you, Naett! Naett, your name is mild like cinnamon, it is the fragrance in which the lemon grove sleeps Naett, your name is the sugared clarity of blooming coffee trees And it resembles the savannah, that blossoms forth under the masculine ardour of the midday sun Name of dew, fresher than shadows of tamarind, Fresher even than the short dusk, when the heat of the day is silenced, Naett, that is the dry tornado, the hard clap of lightning Naett, coin of gold, shining coal, you my night, my sun!… I am you hero, and now I have become your sorcerer, in order to pronounce your names. Princess of Elissa, banished from Futa on the fateful day. Leopold Sedar Senghor. This poem comes from his publication, Chants d’Ombre (Songs from the Shadow). Arguably the greatest of the Francophone African poets; Senghor born in Senegal, in 1906, and educated in 20
Dakar and in France. He was the first West African to graduate from the Sorbonne (a part of the University of Paris) and teach in a French university. He is acclaimed as the father of Negritude (from Negro), a philosophy that
the hats and dark shades present a spectacle of a special performance. The hums are as much less as you will have in-doors, and no one seems to notice that they have been standing as long as it lasts. Pictures can be taken without fuss. And wait for this: you can just move on to another performance in less than two minutes without a care! Such street venues are rife at the gardens and park on Princes street, the village market, and any other emergent venue which the artistes might utilize. But these only proved affirms the black identity and touts the black man’s values as something to celebrate and be proud of. His poetry shows it in abundance. Senghor was a statesman. He fought with the French in the Second World War and became a prisoner of war in then Nazi Germany. He became the Deputy for Senegal in the French Constituent Assembly, President of the Council of the Republic and Counselling Minister at the office of the President of the French Community. In 1960, he became the President of the Federal Republic of Mali and later in the same year, the President of an Independent Republic of Senegal. He was president until 1980. His poetry revealed the contrast between the French way of life being foisted on French African colonies under a purported Policy of Assimilation and the original unblemished values of
Shakespeare true to quote – the world is indeed the stage. As for the player – these players are ready to showcase the creativity of their persons through a medium which the world is deserving to see. These poor players are ready to strut their arts even when they can’t pay the price to perform in the theatre; there is yet a poorer price to pay to be seen – in the streets, pubs, open spaces, etc and yet get their applause and perhaps some encouragement that informs them that their stars will shine brighter someday soon.
Leopold Sedar Senghor
the African. In this light, he was either always too busy praising Negritude or denouncing the French ideal.
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Arts Funmi Adewole’s launch of Sea Salt in the City - a collection of poems Funmi Adewole, a poet, dancer, writer, and an academician all rolled into one. At the Gallery Cafe on the launch of her poetry book, Sea Salt in the City, the crowd of well-wishers, poets, and arts enthusiasts were treated to an evening of poetic splendour.
There guest poets such as Debo, Dele Fatunla, and Pete Godismo who added poetic cream to the event. There was also music to calm the poetic ‘tension’ as well. Members of the audience also had the opportunity to have the book autographed as they picked up copies. Aside from these she is also doing her doctorate in dance at the Kingston University.
Funmi reads from Sea Salt in the City
cross section of audience at the launch
Africa Writes - Festival of African Literature, Friday 5th - Sunday 7th July 2013 at The British Library Highlights *Africa in Translation: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Friday 5th July, 10:00am-1:00pm - Free but booking required *Writing Africa’s Futures Friday 5th July, 2:00pm-5:00pm - Free but booking required *Diaspora Writes Back Friday 5th July, 6:30pm-8:30pm We launch the Africa Writes Weekend with an evening of poetry and performance from some of the most creative and daring voices in the African Diaspora, including Warsan Shire, Nii Parkes, Nick Makoha, and Leeto Thale. Chaired by British-Nigerian writer Bernadine Evaristo. Booking required
*Two Writers, Two Generations Saturday 6th July, 6:30pm-8:00pm An intimate conversation between Ngugi wa Thiong’o, acclaimed author and one of Africa’s greatest novelists, and his son, Mukoma wa Ngugi, a rising star in African Literature. Ngugi wa Thiong’o is one of the leading lights of African literature to emerge in the post-independence era. He is the author of the radical, political book, Decolonising the Mind, and numerous novels, including Grain of Wheat and Wizard of the Crow. His son, Mukoma wa Ngugi, has chosen to tackle contemporary Africa through the genre of crime fiction thrillers, with his two novels, Nairobi Heat and Black Star Nairobi, are set in Kenya’s capital city. We bring father and son together to talk about their respective works, each other, and how, as two writers from different generations, they see the role of the writer in Africa today. This conversation will be chaired by Ellah Allfrey, deputy editor, Granta Magazine.
Vintage pictures of Achebe’s Burial The great Achebe could best be described on his final trip home as ‘a worthy son of the soil’. Not only was he a prolific writer with a number of books to his credit which include Anthills of the Savannah, No Longer at Ease, the world acknowledged bestseller – Things Fall Apart, and his last one considered as his parting gift – There was a Country.
The latter gave account of his war time account of the Biafran war in the late 1960s in Nigeria. The falcon now has heard the falconer and returned home. Things can no longer fall apart. He led a quiet and academic last days lecturing in the United States of America. At his death, Africa and, indeed, the world stood still to allow the passage of a meteor. Adieu
Achebe’s body arrives Nnamdi Azikiwe Int Airport, Abuja
Ogidi Chiefs waiting to receive body at Ogidi Town Hall.
*Africa Writes 2013 Party! Saturday 6th July, 9:00pm-1:00am at Rich Mix (Bethnal Green More details of events, bookings, and venues at www.royalafrican.org. Ngugi wa Thiong’o
Ohafia War dancers with Hon. (Dr.) Wale Okediran dance for Achebe 21
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Nollywood
Tonto Dikeh denies posting marijuana photos on Instagram
C
ontroversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh has denied posting marijuana photos on Instagra following threat by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to arrest her. Some marijuana pictures posted on Instagram elicited a flurry of invectives from critics and fans alike of the controversial actress and according to the spokesperson of NDLEA spokesperson, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyejus the attention of the agency had been drawn to the post and that action would be taken on it. “The law is clear and NDLEA has been very clear on the issue. No one is permitted to sell, use, cultivate or encourage the use of Indian hemp in Nigeria. The substance is one of the banned narcotics in the country,” NDLEA said. “NDLEA Act Section 14 (b) states that any person who conspires with, aids, abets, counsels, attempts to commit or is an accessory to any act or offence referred to in this act shall be guilty of an offence under this act and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not less than 15 years and not exceeding 25 years.” The actress had launched a damage control campaign by stating through her publicist that the picture posted on Instagram was a misconception. She said, “As much as I would like to ignore the current issue on hemp, I think I owe well-meaning people some
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clarification. It is so easy the misconception that can come from a picturethe genius of technology. If you cannot find me holding a wrap of marijuana then you may want to slow down on your assumptions. We shouldn’t use our platforms to spread half-truths. “A fan wrote those words with herbs on my birthday on Instagram, and I replied: “Thank you #teampoko”. Now how does someone else’s action become my crime? If I said those words (‘Mi smoke gaja mi smoke weed while
my hatez smoke ma gossip’) I will stand by them but I didn’t, and just because it is convenient for people to believe the lies still doesn’t make it the truth. The whole thing is falsified by people who just love to have fun at other’s expense. “Let’s put some thought to some of the things we write. Don’t do cut-andpaste. The original pictures are there to see; but no! That is too boring to be the truth. We want the truth to be nasty and spicy for our enjoyment, even if it is a pack of lies. Visit my Instagram page and see if the original picture is the same as the ones being circulated”, she said. Meanwhile, a development inclined non-governmental organization-Human Rights Writers’ Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA) has waded into the controversy trailing an alleged marijuana picture of foremost actress Miss. Tonto Dike on the social media [instagram] which culminated in the reported threat of arrest of the actress by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). In a media statement jointly issued by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and National media Director, Miss. Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA said the anti-drug agency was chasing shadows by threatening
to arrest a Nigerian citizen whose alleged ‘marijuana photograph’ does not constitute hard core judicial evidence but rather a
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Nollywood is not done by emotion or sentiment but on hard core evidence, empirically tested to be credible. Now that Miss. Tonto Dike has denied ever appearing in that allegedly forged photograph on the social media, NDLEA should leave this lady alone and go after big barons”. HURIWA said the allegation against Miss. Tonto Dike at best amounted to ‘tissue of speculative contraption’ which should not attract the attention of any serious-minded law enforcement agency except if it has run out of idea on how to pursue and arrest high profile drug barons who have flooded major streets of state capitals with hard drugs leading to serial addictions by the Nigerian youth. The Rights group said; “NDLEA is being clever by half by stating that it will arrest and jail Miss. Tonto Dike based on mere untenable evidence of marijuana photograph on the social media. Why did the NDLEA fail to seek public clarification from the Borno state governor who was reported in a section of the media to have alleged that
social media contraption that may never stand credibility test in the competent court of law. HURIWA urged NDLEA not to waste tax payers’ fund in pursuing a matter that is substantially irrelevant and lacks proof. The Rights group urged the nation’s anti-drug agency to instead extend its dragnet and arrest high profile drug barons and peddlers rather than engage in ‘meaningless voyage of discovery’ and ‘attention seeking’ in the media which the Rights group described as ‘witchhunting’ and an elaborate attempt to undermine the fundamental freedoms of the Actress- Miss Tonto Dike who is now being framed up with a trumped up charge of posting ‘marijuana photograph’ on the social media. HURIWA asked NDLEA to also con-
drug addicts are in his cabinet? Why is NDLEA after this lady? Is it because she is a woman whereas it has not bothered to look the way of the Borno state governor that alleged the presence of drug addicts in the state cabinet nor has the agency gone after the international musicians who appear regularly in the Nigerian media puffing what looks like marijuana?” First published by World Stage Newsonline.
centrate on how to repair its public image damaged by the costly mistake it made during the arrest, detention and investigation of the popular Yoruba comedian Baba Suwe (the popular expensive faecis/excreta gamble by the NDLEA). HURIWA stated thus; “We are shocked that the NDLEA has deviated from their time tested mandate of going after big drug barons who have brought international opprobrium to the image of Nigeria and are now engaged in ‘media circus show’ of attempting to arrest an innocent Nigerian lady Miss. Tonto Dike over an allegation that falls flat on its face as an irredeemably unsubstantiated contraption that will inevitably fail any good test of credibility in the competent court of law. Law enforcement 23
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News
Mental health nurses to join police on the beat Mental health nurses will patrol with police officers in four new pilot sites to improve responses to mental health emergencies, Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb announced at the Black Mental Health UK Conference.
The street triage scheme sees mental health nurses accompany officers to incidents where police believe people need immediate mental health support. The innovative scheme, funded by the Department of Health and backed by the Home Office, helps people with mental health problems who are sometimes detained in the wrong environment. Today the first four areas have been chosen to pilot the mental health scheme, which will start in the summer. The police force areas working with Department of Health are: North Yorkshire; Devon and Cornwall; Sussex; and Derbyshire. Two street triage services in Cleveland and Leicestershire have already shown that nurses and police can work together to achieve better results for patients by making sure they receive the treatment they need. This also reduced demands on valuable police time. Last month, the Home Secretary an-
nounced that the Department of Health would be working with the Home Office to pilot ‘street triage’ with the police this year. This is part of a wider Department of Health and Home Office work plan on policing and mental health. The Department of Health has secured further funding to extend this pilot scheme to more police forces and a number of further areas have already expressed an interest. More announcements are planned in the near future. Care and Support Minister, Norman
Lamb said: “In some areas the police already do an excellent job in terms of their handling of situations involving people with mental health problems and work well with health colleagues to make sure that mentally ill people in crisis get the care and attention they need, but we need to make that the reality everywhere. “We are launching these pilots to make sure that people with mental health issues get the right care, at the right time and in the right place. “We know the barriers often lie at the
crossroads between police and health services. That is why we are working with the Home Office and leaders of the police to look at how we can improve services for the very vulnerable people involved.” This work is part of wider work that the Department of Health and its stakeholders are making to improve crisis care for mental health patients. Other work includes: an urgent assessment of the availability of places of safety across England by mid-July; an inspection of the quality of all places of safety by the Care Quality Commission; reviewing the provision of ambulance services for mental health emergencies later this year; and a concordat in place this Autumn to improve the treatment of people with a mental health crisis. Minister of State for Policing and Criminal Justice Rt Hon Damian Green said: “All too often the police encounter vulnerable people with mental health issues who need immediate care or longer term support which only the health service can provide. “As the Home Secretary announced recently, the rollout of these street triage pilots are a step forward in our on-going work with the Department of Health and police to ensure people with mental health issues are dealt with by the right emergency service.”
New Lung Cancer Campaign warns “Don’t Ignore Your Cough”
New Contraceptive service aims to continue decrease of HIV
up its full responsibilities on 1 April 2013. PHE will work with national and local government, industry and the NHS to protect and improve the nation’s health and support healthier choices and will be addressing inequalities by focusing on removing barriers to good health. Lung cancer is at present England’s biggest cancer killer, as it causes around 28,000 deaths each year. Those who are diagnosed at the early stages are five times more likely to survive lung cancer for at least five years longer than those diagnosed at the later stages. This new campaign of raising awareness has been met with positivity as Professor Kevin Fenton, Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England, said: “More needs to be done to raise awareness of the signs of lung cancer and overcome the fears preventing people presenting early to their doctors so that we can save more lives across all communities. “Only by increasing awareness of potential symptoms, and encouraging people to visit their doctor sooner rather than later, will we see the number of early diagnoses, and people surviving the disease, start to rise.” Lung cancer affects people of all ages and races but is most common in those who are over 50. Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer but around one in eight people with lung cancer has never smoked. The risk of lung cancer gets worse as you get older, but finding it early improves the chances of successful treatment.
accounting for 57 per cent of heterosexual diagnoses in 2011. Condoms still remain the best line of defense for Africans in terms of protecting themselves and their partners from the perilous consequences of HIV. However, one in three African men report that they have experienced a condom break or split within the last year. Finding a condom in the right size and material can help address these problems and protect against HIV. Taku Mukiwa, Health Promotion Specialist for African communities at Terrence Higgins Trust said: “Africans are one of the groups most at risk from HIV in the UK and condoms remain the best protection against the virus. The key to having the best experience when using condoms is to realise that there is no one size fits all solution – and that’s where this new online tool comes in. “We have the power to stop the spread of HIV and protect future generations from the virus, but that involves taking responsibility and talking to your partner to find a solution that’s right for you. Using a condom doesn’t just keep you safe from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, it also shows that you care for and respect yourself and your partner. “ HIV Prevention England is a partnership of community organisations headed by Terrence Higgins Trust and funded by the Department of Health to carry out national HIV prevention work in England among communities at an increased risk of infection.
Almost 24,000 people every year within England receive the dreaded lung cancer diagnosis when the disease is in its later stages- comparing that to the 15% of cases are caught early on, often leading to more successful treatment. The next phase of the NHS Be Clear on Cancer campaign launches today trying to drive home the awareness of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. This is hopefully going to result in encouraging people with persistent cough to visit their doctor and not ignoring it or assuming it will go away with a change in weather. Also other symptoms can include: repeated chest infections, coughing up blood and breathlessness. This raising of awareness is also being done in conjunction with Public Health England who are a new executive agency of the Department of Health, which took 24
Terrence Higgins Trust and its partners in HIV Prevention England (HPE) have launched a new online tool that hopes to aid Africans in England find condoms that work for them. The new ‘Fits Me’ tool is designed to help Africans select and buy condoms to suit their needs and thereby boost acceptance of condoms among the African community. Africans will be able to access this new ‘Fits Me’ service from 2nd July from www. startswithme.org.uk. The swift and confidential service will take users through a few simple questions about size, sensitivity and latex allergy, before suggesting condoms to suit them. This service will also include information, which is extremely useful for females also. Once they have found their perfect fit, users will be directed to online stockists They Fit (www.theyfit.co.uk) and Freedoms Shop (www.freedoms-shop.nhs. uk) where they will receive a discount. Africans are one of the groups who are most at risk to the disease HIV in the UK,
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News
Dementia in minority ethnic groups higher that expected Estimated numbers of people with dementia in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups in England and Wales are far higher than previously thought yet their needs are often being overlooked, according to a new report published. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on dementia’s inquiry ‘Dementia does not discriminate’ reports that there are nearly 25,000 people with dementia from BAME communities. This number is set to increase sevenfold to over 170,000 by 2051(Figures from the Centre For Policy On Ageing and the Runnymede Trust). This is a significantly bigger leap than the two-fold increase expected amongst the rest of the population, as people who moved here between the 1950s and 1970s are reaching their 70s and 80s. Despite this increase, awareness of the condition in minority ethnic groups is low and current provision of appropriate support is lacking. The APPG is now calling for Public Health England to raise awareness of dementia amongst minority ethnic groups by funding a pilot awareness campaign to inform communities about the condition whilst challenging existing stigma. ‘Dementia does not discriminate’ also urges commissioners to ensure appropriate dementia support services are provided in minority ethnic communities. The APPG commissioned Ethnos – specialist in minority ethnic research – to interview carers, people with dementia and service providers to create new evidence which explores the experiences of people
with dementia from BAME communities. ‘Dementia does not discriminate’ found that many did not receive a diagnosis of dementia, preventing them from having access to support and treatments that could help them live well with the condition. In addition to this, stigma surrounding the condition meant people with dementia and their families face social isolation, feeling unable to reach out for support. Amongst those who did seek help, there is generally felt to be a lack of culturally-sensitive dementia services. One Indian carer talked about their negative experience of visiting a local support service, feeling like they couldn’t relate to the activities and were unable to talk to people because of language barriers. Gloria Bailey who runs the Make a Difference African Caribbean support group in Streatham said: ‘Having cared for my own husband when he had dementia, I understand the need to support both the person with dementia as well as the carer. In my group, I show tenderness and sensitivity towards people in my community affected by the condition. It can often be difficult to talk about dementia, but I encourage people to brave, I hope that other people will take the plunge and get help with the condition so as to improve their standard of living.’
In order to raise awareness and improve existing services for people from minority ethnic groups, the report also recommends: • Commissioners ensure local services meet the needs of people with dementia from minority ethnic groups, ensuring that specially designed services are provided locally to suit people from a diverse range of backgrounds • Public Health England should lead preventative work to protect people from BAME communities who are at greater risk from developing dementia • It’s important for ethnic community groups and specialist dementia services to share knowledge and expertise to improve the quality of services The APPG on Dementia sought evidence from a range of people, including those with dementia and their carers, health and social care providers and practitioners, and experts in dealing with challenges that can arise for people living in minority groups. Commissioners and providers of dementia support services gave examples of services that have been tailored for people in minority groups. Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb said: “It’s no secret that dementia is one of
the biggest health and care challenges that we currently face in the UK. As this report shows, dementia does not discriminate - it is a condition that can affect anyone regardless of their background. “It is vital that health and care services address the needs of all people affected by the condition, and not only those that are easiest to reach. Whilst we are seeing some excellent work to raise awareness about dementia within harder to reach communities, more needs to be done to drive up diagnosis rates so people can receive the help they need.” Baroness Sally Greengross Chair of the APPG on Dementia, said: ‘Ageing populations in BAME groups in the UK mean dementia is a growing challenge. It’s frightening to think that dementia is set to affect thousands more people from ethnic minorities and yet society isn’t geared up to deal with this. ‘Our focus now should be on ensuring high quality dementia support is available to all once they’ve received a formal diagnosis. Making sure more services are tailored to meet the needs of people with dementia from ethnic minorities is the key to helping them achieve the best possible quality of life.’
70 Resettlement prisons announced for England and Wales A crucial step forward in transforming the way offenders are rehabilitated was mapped out today as Justice Secretary Chris Grayling announced a nationwide network of resettlement prisons.
The reforms will mean all offenders leaving custody receive ‘through the gate’ supervision and support to turn their lives around. The introduction of 70 resettlement prisons across England and Wales will mean the vast majority of offenders are released from prisons in, or close to, the area in which they will live. This will mean they can begin working towards their rehabilitation in the community from the moment they arrive in prison. It will also mean frontline staff outside prison can begin laying the groundwork and building links with the offender at the earliest opportunity. This will include seeing them come out to employment or training, and support to tackle drug and
alcohol addictions. Trials will begin in the North West of England in the autumn with full roll out by autumn 2014. Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said:“Rehabilitation in the community must begin behind the prison walls and follow offenders out through the gates if we are to stand a chance of freeing them from a life of crime. “Currently a local area could expect to receive offenders from dozens of prisons across the country - this is hopeless. It is little wonder we have such high reoffending rates when you have a prisoner leaving HMP Liverpool, given a travel permit to get them home to the south coast, and then expected to simply get on with it. “This approach is a significant step forwards in our reforms to tackle reoffending and lays the groundwork for building a genuine nationwide network of ‘through the gate’ supervision and support for all offenders. 25
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Opinion
An open letter to Mr. President
Dear Mr. President,
I have never written you a letter before and so you might not know me. But the leader that you are makes everyone know you so you are something of a star. That also means that whatever happens and whatever you do or do not do, a lot of people will notice. But then that is why you are Mr. President. So that all that you do or don’t do should be for all of us to see. Unfortunately not many people can help you in this job because of the qualification process. It is as daunting as trying to interprete the Constitution itself. You don’t think so? I remember some years back when the constitution was to be reviewed. It took over a hundred people to do that sitting day and night pouring over issues upon issues. Look at all that man-power, that man hours, and all the resources that went into that exercise. The scariest to me was all that education of each and every one of them. These are learned men, opinion leaders, leaders of thought, community leaders, experienced ethnic representatives, philosophers of religion, etc. All the hours of educational training and experience shouldn’t be less than 15,768,000 at one sitting based on each person in study for 12 years for 6 hours a day! And yet the Constitution is not simple enough to be clear that only the rich can run to the courts to seek clarity and the other divide remain in ignorance of what it says concerning them and their birthland or simply resign themselves to fate looking up to God almighty whose constitution is totally at variance in context and principles to set a Legal Aid Council that all men may report to for active redress. That, my dear Mr. President, does seem like the first sign of mutiny. Two separate constitutions or more and a national one; and the people are at liberty to follow any one that suits them or like my great grandfather, choose as many as suits him. He then appeases each one in season and expounds a different set of rules for each context. Are all gods equal? If the answer is yes, then all men are equal. But if the answer is no, then all men are not equal. Who then made 26
President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria
Nigeria’s National Assembly
men? And did He make them equal? Perhaps He made them equally as Men but endowed them differently. This sounds easy to believe. Animal Farm would say differently, not so? Perhaps that is why there are many constitutions in application. But the high point sir, is that you are endowed with the responsibility of office just as you endow others who assist you. If we follow the capitalist theory, then those endowments are generated from democratic principles implying that the people made everyone who they have in capacity and therefore need to return service to the people – that is trust pure and simple, chikena! Mr. President sir, I am truly worried about the people or should I say peoples. Because at one point everyone is called by the brand of their nationality. Sorry, I forget that no one is a commodity. But that is exactly what
sociology would have us believe; and also market economics. Whereas no one is a commodity but distinct identity traits, virtues or vices, make us a brand that compels or repels. Mr. President, I am your brother and an original son of the soil, it would be absolutely catastrophic that anybody sees me the way I am not supposed to be. That is national disgrace and international disintegrity (sic). Pardon me sir, I know you are well read but perhaps I should beef up my grammatical muscles too. Who knows, I may be invited to the National Assembly to expostulate the concerns of my patriotic, ethnic, etymological, vocational, politicised adventurism, humanitarianistic and Nigerianistic fulcrum to the very best of my abilities and capabilities resonating from my medulla oblongata. Hia! What have I done? Pardonnez moi, your excellency. I was
really carried away. I do not know if you have ever felt the betrayal of passion like I just did. But I guess you must have. As a President, you would have had too many betrayals. Wait a minute, sir; can you be betrayed. I don’t think so. You may have been disappointed, yes, perhaps several times. That is a luxury we, the people, on this side of that political and administrative divide can’t afford. We must not be disappointed. The price of disappointment, on our side is reckoned in millions – at least 150 million of us. Take a percentage, say 30% and reckon that disappointment translated to votes. The speed and gusto with which our brother politicians would mobilise to Okija to swear to us that they will deliver services to us would make church services look like a child’s dread going to the hospital for a malaria jab. Mr. President, you must know that we are not all privileged people and must look for a way to survive. But if we cannot ‘queue’ properly then WAI are we going to get the desired results that make us look as beautiful as we want to be. Mr. President, sir, I know you are a very busy man and hopefully you will read my letter soon, I am however not sure how soon you will be able to react to my letter. However, as they say, that silence means consent, I take it that you will welcome my other letters then. Thank you so much sir for the privilege of reading my letter and kindly give my humble regards to Madam, other members of the family, and your worthy assistants. God bless you all. Pete Godismo
Re: Four decades...page 27 NB. African Voice newspapers is very concerned about the value of arts and its history from Africa and the Carribbeans including other ethnic minorities whose arts and cultural antecedents are underscored. It would appear that the history of these is running into gradual extinction. We owe it a responsibility to our heritage and, indeed, the world to ensure that these works, cultures, and their attendant histories are never lost. Write to us and we will follow up.
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Arts Four decades on …echoes of Mbari Mbayo keep pulsating By Tajudeen Sowole
During one of her schedules in Lagos, hosted by master printmaker, Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya, Mimi Wolford stated that the promotion of Nigerian and African art in general, started by her parents Richard and Jean Kennedy Wolford, has been taken to higher level in the U.S., courtesy of her initiative Mbari Institute for Contemporary African Art (MCAA), Washington DC, U.S. The institute is a continuation of an earlier project of her parents, Mbari Art established in 1970 for promoting cultural exchange through collecting works from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the U.S. Richard and Jean were American cultural officers in Nigeria in the 1960s. The institute, Wolford hoped, would be a museum, as it has volumes of collection of works of Nigerian and other African artists, spanning over 50 years. Some of the works, she stated, were the early collections by her parents during Richard’s foreign service in Nigeria. Since she left Nigeria in 1969, Wolford did not return until his visit a few weeks ago courtesy of a U.S. Department of State Speaker Travelling Programme. Ahead of her visit to Onobrakpeya’s Gallery and Studio, Papa Ajao, Mushin, Lagos, Wolford was a special guest at a 3-day event at Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos, including workshops and Art Talk, courtesy of Dr. Peju Layiwola. She was also a guest speaker at a lecture organised by Omenka Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos. More importantly, the visitor, with the aid of Layiwola, visited Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, a significant visit, given the fact that the whole concept of Mbari Mbayo germinated there also in the 1960s after it was started in the eastern part of the country as Mbari - recreation centre in Igbo language. It would be recalled that renowned German linguist and teacher, late Uli Beier started the Mbari workshop from eastern Nigeria. But when he brought the idea to Osogbo, western Nigeria, it changed to Mbari Mbayo. The change, according to Onobrakpeya, was important for acceptability among the Yoruba. And as Mbari became popular among creative professionals across both informal and formal settings, spreading to Lagos, Richard and Jean appeared to have keyed in and formed Mbari Art. And, taking it from where her parents left off over 40 years ago, Wolford es-
Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
Twins Seven Seven
tablished MICAA. What exactly is the attachment to ‘Mbari’, some 40 years after? “The name means so much to me,” Wolford disclosed.” It’s a name synonymous with good, of which art represents. Mbari Mbayo means ‘I see and I am happy’. Over 40 years after she left Nigeria, the spirit of Mbari continues, and it’s like she never missed anything. Reason: at MICAA, she has been receiving quite a lot of Nigerian artists, with others also exhibited. The Mbari institute, she said, also organises cultural events such as drama and gender-specific art exhibitions “to celebrate African female artists”. A not-for-profit organisation, MICAA, according to Wolford, is solely financed “out of my pocket” from earning as a teacher at Georgetown Day School. Since Wolford founded MICAA, a lot of art exhibitions have been organised for African artists, featuring Morocco’s Hamid Kachmar, Kenyan
Sane Wadu, Senegalese, Rackie Dianka and Abdoulaye Ndoye; Nigeria’s Twins Seven Seven, Jimoh Buraimoh and Bruce Onobrakpeya, Isaac Ojo, Peju Layiwola, Yinka Adeyemi and Wole Lagunju; Uganda’s Sanaa Gateja; Togolese Bethel Aniaku and Mozambican Valente Malangatana. Layiwola, one of the artists who benefitted from the MICAA exhibitions, recalled how she met Wolford about 10 years ago and was privileged to exhibit in the U.S. and South Africa. Layiwola added that she had a talk on her solo art exhibition Benin1897.com: Art and the Restitution Question, adding, “Her institute plays host to several African artists from the continent”. And still busy collecting more works, the ultimate goal of MICAA, Wolford assured “is to keep the collection as safe as possible,” and perhaps in the future, it could turn into a big modern museum of contemporary African art if the necessary funding was available. Among several achievements of her
parents in promoting African art is a book by Jean, New Currents, Ancient Rivers: Contemporary African Art in a Generation of Change, (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1992). “My mother died in 1991; she never lived to see the book published”. And having felt the pulse of Nigerian art – with her return to the country about 22 years after the book was published, Wolford could not hide her joy on what she argued was an impressive growth of Nigerian art, noting, “I am so happy to see that Nigerian art has grown; so many art galleries everywhere”. Onobrakpeya recalled how Richard and Jean spurred the growth of art patronage in Nigeria. The couple, he explained, “used to organise what was known then as ‘Thursday art shows’ inside their residence where artists come and display their works for visitors to appreciate”. The weekly salon exhibitions, he stated, were the first experience he had in art patronage and appreciation “where visitors buy works of artists”. He said the salon shows “encouraged some of us to conclude that we can live on our art”. Prior to that, it was common for young artists to look forward to teaching in schools after graduation, Onobrakpeya said. Still on the Mbari spirit, Wolford’s visit to Ibadan included visiting the popular Aso-oke market in Oje, Mapo Hall, among several other places of nostalgic relevance. Others included a visits to Chapel of the Resurrection where the carving of Ben Enwonwu titled ‘Risen Christ’, done in 1954, is still standing; sculptures of Susanne Wenger created in her honour at the Institute of African Studies, and Women and Youth Art Foundation. Wolford’s parents were known to have been apprentices under renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. One of the couple’s work, a house in Southern California, “is now a historic location in Highland Park, Los Angeles.” Richard joined the U.S. Department of State and was later in 1961 transferred to Nigeria where the Wolford family lived for seven years. In Lagos, the Wolfords got involved with the local artists, particularly the Osogbo group, organising weekly art exhibitions every Thursday. Aside Osogbo artists, the couple also worked with Onobrakpeya, “developing a deep-etching technique”, of which the latter is renowned till date. Culled from the Nigeria Guardian 27
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Neymar dazzles as Brazil conquer
defeat came in a FIFA final: the 1950 FIFA World Cup final against Uruguay. The nation need not have worried. Luiz Felipe Scolari masterminded a victory over La Roja which bodes well for next year. He is building a side with flair, character and an eye for goal. However, no winners of the FIFA Confederations Cup have gone on to win the FIFA World Cup the following year. Will that run finally come to an end at Brazil 2014?
Participants
Brazil, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Spain, Tahiti, Uruguay Final rankings 1. Brazil 2. Spain 3. Italy 4. Uruguay
Host cities and stadiums
Rio De Janeiro (Estadio do Maracana), Brasilia (Estadio Nacional), Fortaleza (Estadio Castelao), Belo Horizonte (Estadio Mineirao), Salvador (Arena Fonte Nova), Recife (Arena Pernambuco)
Brazilian players celebrating
Brazil won a record third successive FIFA Confederations Cup by handing world and European champions Spain their biggest defeat in a competitive match for 18 years with a 3-0 victory at a magnificently-loud Maracana.
Without doubt, the star of the show was Neymar, who produced a moment of magic in each of A Seleção’s five matches to help inspire his side to glory. The 21-year-old, who signed for Barcelona in the weeks before the tournament, followed in the footsteps of Adriano (2005) and Kaka (2009) by winning the adidas Golden Ball. He scored a wonderful goal in the Final, using his weaker left foot to fire home from a tight angle. Earlier on the final day, extra time and penalties were needed to separate Uruguay and Italy in the match for third place in a game memorable for two fine free-kicks from Alessandro Diamanti and Edinson Cavani. It was the Italians’ second 120 minutes in 69 hours, but they battled through before eventually holding their nerve to win only their second penalty shoot-out out of seven in FIFA competitions, with Gianluigi Buffon saving three from Diego Forlan, Martin Caceres and Walter Gargano. The Brazilian and Italian fans headed home happy on the final day, which served to whet the appetite for next year’s FIFA World Cup™. It wasn’t just a festival of champions, but a festival of football. This FIFA Confederations Cup began with a colourful opening ceremony which highlighted Brazil as a country where cul30
tures have come together over the years. Tahiti in particular were given a warm welcome, the underdogs from Oceania being warmly cheered whenever they had an attempt at goal. When they found the back of the net in their opening group game against Nigeria, the roof almost came off the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte. Marama Vahirua swung in a corner from the left hand side, Jonathan Tehau pulled away from his marker Efe Ambrose, climbed highest at the far post, and planted a header beyond Vincent Enyeama into the net before the squad came together to perform a paddling celebration. It was one of the best moments of the group stage, in which the watching world was treated to some wonderful goals. Neymar had set the tone just three minutes into the tournament when he hit a fantastic right-footed shot on the half-volley, which flew past Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima and into the top corner of the net. Andrea Pirlo marked his 100th cap with a spectacular free-kick against Mexico, which was emulated by Neymar in the final group-stage game between the two sides. Uruguay’s Forlan also marked his century with a stunning strike as the passionate Brazilian crowds watched on in admiration. It wasn’t just the goals which had the home fans open-mouthed, with their rendition of the country’s national anthem in Fortaleza particularly unforgettable. The 50,791 fans sang it a cappella, with former FIFA World Cup Final referee Howard Webb describing it as the most incredible thing he has heard at a football stadium. Although Brazil 2013 was played amid the backdrop of widespread social protests, the action in the stadiums served to con-
nect people through football and this FIFA Confederations Cup gave them plenty of talking points, most notably for the amount of goals scored. There was a quite wonderful match between Italy and Japan which ebbed and flowed before ending 4-3 to the Europeans. There was also Spain’s 10-0 win over Tahiti (a tournament record, in which adidas Golden Shoe winner Fernando Torres scored four) and Brazil’s incredible 4-2 win over Italy, which gave them further momentum on the road to glory. FIFA World Cup winners in final four In a competition dubbed the ‘Festival of Champions’, it was fitting that the four semi-finalists were all previous winners of the FIFA World Cup. The results of the group stage gave us an all-South American affair and a European classic. Brazil took on old rivals Uruguay and Spain met Italy, a repeat of the UEFA EURO 2012 final. Brazil have not been defeated by Uruguay on home soil for over 20 years and that record continued as goals from Fred and Paulinho sent them through to the final. La Roja and Gli Azzurri played out 120 minutes of fascinating football, and a sudden-death penalty shootout was required to separate the sides. In the end, 12 consecutive penalties were converted, a FIFA tournament record. However penalty number 13 proved to be unlucky for Italy as Leonardo Bonucci blazed the ball over the bar, giving Jesus Navas a chance to book his side’s place at the Maracana, which he duly did. And so the tournament came to a climax on a day which Brazil will never forget. Before the games, the omens looked good, with the South Americans unbeaten in Rio de Janeiro for over 60 years. However, that
Total goals
68 (average 4.25 per match) Top scorers Fernando Torres (ESP) and Fred (BRA) – both 5.
Neymar
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Vital’O are 2013 Cecafa Kagame Club champions
FIFA hand SA, Botswana WC lifeline
FIFA have thrown South Africa and Botswana a lifeline in their bid to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Vital’O FC players celebrate with the Cecafa trophy
Two second half goals were enough to give Burundi’s Vital’O the 2013 Cecafa Kagame Club Championship title after stopping APR FC (Rwanda) in the final on Monday night in northern Darfur, Sudan.
Skipper Amisi Tambwe and Christian Mbirizi finished off with headed goals to give Vital’O their first ever trophy in the Cecafa region since Burundi joined Cecafa in 1994. Tambwe who finished top scorer of the championship with six goals scored in the 64th minute before Mbirizi wrapped it up
three minutes. APR’s German coach Andreas Spier made some changes after 70 minutes, but still failed to get the goals. Spier said they conceded two goals because of poor defending, but added that the tournament was an eye opener to his youthful side. Vital’O coach Yaounde Kanyankore Kagabo was a happy man and said his boys hard worked so hard to take this trophy home. “We prepared so well and vowed to take this trophy,” the Rwandan born coach told MTNFootball.com. In an earlier play-off game, home side El Merreikh Al Fasher shocked Rwanda league champions Rayon Sport FC 1-0 to
win bronze and the US$10,000 at stake. Skipper Suliaman Mubarak netted the sole goal for the Darfur side that was making a debut in the regional showpiece. The closing ceremony was graced by the governors of North Darfur and East Darfur, together with the Sudan Sports Minister and Cecafa President, Leodegar Tenga. The tournament partly sponsored by Rwanda President Paul Kagame, saw the winners Vital’O take a cash prize of US$30,000, while the runners-up APR settled for US$20,000. The two week event attracted teams from Uganda, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Burundi, Rwanda and Chad.
Asamoah named Sports Writers Personality and Player of the Year Juventus star Kwadwo Asamoah was named the 2012 Sports Personality and Player of the Year by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana.
Kwadwo Asamoah in action
Asamoah beat Ghana U17 female captain Priscilla Okyere to the coveted to the prestigious Sports Personality Award. Okyere was crowned the Female Player of the Year after skippering her team to win a historic bronze at the 2012 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. Asamoah has been rewarded for his sterling displays for Udinese before signing
for Juventus last summer and for Ghana at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations where the Black Stars finished fourth. The 24-year-old was also named Ghana’s Player of Year after shrugging off competition from Andre Ayew and Emmanuel Clottey. Also at the Awards Night on Saturday, Asante Kotoko coach Mas-Ud Dramani was named Coach of the Year after leading the Ghana U17 female to win bronze in Azerbaijan. The Black Maidens hence won the Team of the Year for their historic feat. Tema Youth and Ghana U20 midfielder Moses Odjier won the Promising Star of the Year. Berekum Chelsea’s exploits in the 2012 CAF Champions League earned them the Club of the Year honours.
The world governing body confirmed on Monday that Ethiopia would be docked three points from their qualifier win over Botswana in early June, cutting their lead in the pool to two points. That means both South Africa and Botswana could overhaul them in the final round of qualifiers with a win when they meet in September, if Ethiopia trip up against Central African Republic. “FIFA can confirm that the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has been sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player in the preliminary competition match for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil between Botswana and Ethiopia played on 8 June 2013,” a statement said on Monday. “The match is declared to be forfeited and awarded 3-0 in favour of Botswana, with the EFF also receiving a fine of CHF 6,000 after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee considered the EFF liable for having breached art. 55 par. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and art. 8 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Regulations. “The sanction relates to the Ethiopian player Minyahile Teshome Beyene failing to serve the automatic one-match suspension imposed on him following two cautions received in two different matches (art. 17 par. 3 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code). Beyene picked up yellow cards against South Africa last June and Botswana in March, but was then fielded again in the next match against The Zebras when the teams met again last month, despite the fact he should have sat out a one-match suspension.
Ghanaian youngster Kevin Osei on trial at Maritim
France-born Ghanaian youngster Kevin Osei has begun trial with Portuguese side Maritimo, the player’s club Marseille have announced. Osei has one year left on his current current with the French Ligue 1 outfit and he is now set to leave the club. The 22-year-old striker will be assessed in Funchal (Ilha da Madeira) to see if he merits a permanent deal. Osei has not played a single Ligue 1 match for Marseille since his promotion from the youth team in 2009. Maritimo finished tenth in the Portuguese Primeira Division last season. 31
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ISSUE 489
Neymar dazzles as Brazil conquer SEE PAGE 30
Super Eagles hot - shot Oliha is dead By Peter Olorunnisomo
A member of the all-conquering Super Eagles of Nigeria that held sway in the early 1990s is dead.
The Eagle in question is Thompson Oliha. The prolific defensive midfielder, renowned for packing a lethal shot and his aerial prowess, was reported to have departed the world of the living from a private hospital in Ilorin, Kwara state of Nigeria. Until his death on Sunday (30th June, 2013) morning, he was employed as a coach by the Kwara state government where he functioned as a member of the coaching team Kwara State Football Academy. He was reported to have been on the bench when Kwara (State) Football Academy team played a team from Mali. He was said to have complained ill and taken to the hospital. Though he was aged 44 years, he had an early retirement from the Eagles and from football at the age of 27 years following a knee injury that cost him his career. By that time, he had played two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (1992 and 1994). He was a member of the 1994 Super Eagles team that conquered Africa. Oliha played for Bendel Insurance (1985-1987), Iwuanyanwu Nationale (1988-1991), Africa Sports (1992-1993), Maccabi Ironi Ashdod F.C. (1993-1994) and Antalyaspor (1994-1995). Confirming his death, Bunmi Adedoyin,
Kwara State Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria(SWAN) said Oliha died from an undisclosed ailment. It was however later reported that he died from malaria complications. It is sad to note that he is the third player from the Super Eagles African champions squad to have passed on. Others before him are defender, Uche Okafor and striker, Rashidi Yekini. Reacting to this news, the Confederation of African Football President, Issa Hayatou, was reported to have sent his condolences to the Nigeria Football Federation. President Hayatou highlighted his sadness and Africa’s football family’s sorrow about the passing away of the former Super Eagles player. Coach Stephen Keshi, speaking to BBC Sport, was quoted as saying: “I’m completely devastated by the passing of Thompson Oliha.” “It is with a heavy heart that realisation of what I hoped were just rumours are now, in fact, true.” He was in the Super Eagles squad at the 1994 World Cup in the United States - Nigeria’s first appearance in the global event. “Thompson was quiet, selfless, dedicated and friendly. I feel proud to have played alongside him in the colours of Nigeria. “ “My prayers and condolences go out to his family at this very difficult time,” Keshi said.
Chukwu fouls FG on unfulfilled promises to him Nigeria’s former Super Eagles skipper and former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, fondly remembered as ‘chairman Chukwu’ in his hey days has cried out over the unfulfilled promises made to late Thompson Oliha over his accomplishments in the national team.
Chukwu expressed his sadness at the inability of the national government to honour its pledge to the midfielder as a resulting of bringing home continental honours to the country by winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994. Oliha was promised a house by the Ni-
Christian Chukwu
Thompson Oliha geria government at the time but the pledge was not redeemed. A situation Chukwu described as “not too good.” “To be honest, this is not too good. He has not received the house he was promised for helping Nigeria win the Nations Cup in 1994. Now he has died and I don’t know if it is not too late for him to be given that house,” “Oliha was a perfect example in training and matches as he was always hard working but found the time to exchange banter with players and coaches alike. “He only left for Europe after the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations but even when he was based in Nigeria, he was still a first-
choice as the European-based players found it almost impossible to outwit him in training and matches. “It is a sad loss and we will miss him greatly,” Chukwu concluded.
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