African voice newspaper issue 511 by African Voice Newspapers UK

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013 issue 511

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SINCE 2001

B R I TA I N ’ S N O . 1 A F R I C A N N E W S PA P E R Government to help vulnerable households with energy bills

£1.00

Eritrea military involved in trafficking country’s children

SEE PAGE 12

SEE PAGE 17

UK/Chinese healthcare co-operation deals sealed

Mediation - the best option for children SEE PAGE 22

By Peter Olorunnisomo

The last seven years has seen a dramatic rise in marital issues in the UK among ethnic minorities. These issues, in most cases, result in the use of the law and legal institutions to ameliorate but not resolve. Rather it raises more fundamental issues about the definition of marital roles, responsibilities, and what the laws of the land considers as violation of roles, rights, and redress. From the African couple to the Asian in diaspora, the interpretation and role assignments of cultures, religions, and social ethics of nuptial ties suffer a redefinition which stands a high risk of socio-cultural alienation simply because these do not agree with the terms of marital contract to which both parties agree. The result of the different pressure contexts and experiences has led to a gradual disintegration of marital values which hitherto were not know to have any significance among the ethnic minorities. However, it is significant that cultural dictates and relativity play a key role as that allows the philosophies of cultures to give vent to issues of identity, values, and a social balance in the plural societies of this age. Significantly, allegations and counter allegations thrown up by parties rather negatively show the crest of values of the cultures from which marriages were contracted. Instead, it has gone ahead to portray people of ethnic descents in such retrogressive spectacle as if they had remained in existence hundreds of years back in

Family Justice Minister Lord McNally there ancestral kingdoms and making these look as if they were barbarians devoid of humaneness, ethics, and order. The numbers of single parents have consequently increased. It is reported that about 50% of black couples are now estranged and a further 25% ‘hanging in there’. The culturally prescribed recourse to temper the situation has been jettisoned for the so-

cial services, police and law courts which is not even so among the native speakers of the land. And while the quagmire results in all sorts of psychological, economical, and social inadequacies, the main fall person are children. Following Afrian Voice recent campaign about Husband-selling wives – the UK Pandemic...,

we have had a number of responses coming your way soon. These among others have shown that it is the children who suffer the most. Consequently we have thought it necessary to share this with you.And this came from the Ministry of Justice.

Continued on page 2

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UK Introduces New Visa Online Application Platform

United Kingdom has announced a new online platform for Nigerian applicants wishing to acquire visas to the European country. According to officials, the system, which is effective from December 16, is in line with international application trends. Under the new system, Nigerian applicants would be required to pay online using United States currency. “From December 16, 2013, all applications for UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online in US dollars,” stated Rob Fitzpatrick, Press and Public Affairs Officer Nigeria based British embassy . He said that the move the online application and payment system would deliver a streamlined process. “It is also consistent with a wider global trend to online transactions and payments,” Fitzpatrick added. Payment can be made using a Verve debit card, Visa or MasterCard credit or debit cards or thee-wallet Paga. Fitzpatrick was optimistic the new application platform would cut costs in the management of visa operation as well as help to reduce visa fees. He added that the new system had met the requirements of the UK Government’s Digital by Default Initiative.

Publisher and Editor-In-Chief Mike Abiola Editorial Board Adviser Dr Ola Ogunyemi News Editor Peter Olorunnisomo Managing Editor Alan Oakley Sports Editor Peter Olorunnisomo Assist. Sports Editor Olubunmi Omoogun Arts Editor Golda John Columnists Ryan Holmes Photo Journalist Isaac Adegbite Graphic Designer Ryan Holmes Legal Adviser Nosa Kings Erhunmwunsee London Office: Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP

Tel: 0203 737 3077

Email: africanvoicenews@gmail.com

African Voice is published by African Voice UK.

News

Mediation- the best option for children Continued from front page

Children can be spared the trauma of stressful court battles if their parents use mediation Family Justice Minister Lord McNally said recently. He was speaking as he signed a new pledge created by expert group Resolution as part of Family Dispute Resolution Week which is raising awareness of nonconfrontational methods of resolving family breakdown. The Government wants more couples to use alternatives to court such as family mediation when resolving problems around issues such as child contact. It is less stressful than going to court and helps people to reach longer lasting solutions for the better of any children involved. It can also be cheaper and quicker than taking a battle to court. Family Justice Minister Lord McNally said: “Mediation works and is the best option for children. We are committed to ensuring more people resolve disputes themselves, rather than go through the confrontational and stressful experience of going to court. “When people separate we want them to do it in the least damaging way for everyone involved, especially children. That is why we want them to use the excellent services available to agree a

way forward, rather than have one forced upon them by the Courts.” Mediation is not marriage counselling. It involves working with a trained mediator to reach agreements which both members of the couple are prepared to live with after they separate, rather than having them dictated by the court. The Resolution pledge states “I pledge to help people going through separation by: Letting them know there are alternatives to court Encouraging them to talk to a professional about all their options to find the right solution for them and their families Making sure they know that legal aid is still available for mediation” Liz Edwards, Chair of Resolution, said: “We’re delighted the Minister has signed our pledge. Everyone – Government, the legal profession and individuals - needs to do their bit to ensure the right information is out there and people going through a break-up are aware of their options. “For some couples, court is the only option; but for the vast majority, family lawyers can help them find other, more suitable solutions, which make the difficult process of break-up that much less

stressful. This year’s Family Dispute Resolution Week is designed to help raise awareness of these solutions and show people that divorce doesn’t have to be devastating.” This week also sees the launch of a new public information poster and leaflet which highlight the benefits of family mediation. The materials, produced by the Government and Family Mediation Council, will be available for family mediation organisations, legal practitioners, courts and advice services to use at public information points. Millions of pounds of public funding is available to pay for family mediation. Last year more than 17,000 people successfully used publicly funded family mediation to come to an agreement with only six per cent needing further legal services, compared to 21 per cent of those who didn’t use mediation. Family Dispute Resolution Week is organised by Resolution, and supported by a range of organisations offering alternatives to court for separating couples and their families. The awareness week provides opportunities for people to find out more about alternatives to court – including some organisations offering free assessment meetings.

Radical overhaul of sentencing In a move to improve public confidence in community sentences, adult sentences will now have to include some form of punishment.

Last year more than 130,000 community sentences were handed down by the courts. Around one-third of community sentences contain no punitive element but from 11 December this will change. Most sentences will contain an element of formal punishment such as a fine, unpaid work, curfew or exclusion from certain areas. This could affect around 40,000 offenders per year. This is the latest step in a wide range of sentencing reforms ranging from restrictions on the use of cautions for more serious offences to the introduction of a mandatory life sentence for the most serious repeat offenders. One year ago this week a range of tougher sentences and new offences, introduced in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, came into effect including: ‘Two-strikes’ — mandatory life sentence for anyone convicted of a second very serious sexual of violent offence Tough new sentence — Extended Determinate Sentence where offenders spend at least two-thirds of their sentence behind bars and extra time being monitored in the community Aggravated knife possession — new offences of using a knife to threaten and endanger someone in a public place or school. Anyone convicted of these offences faces a

Justice Minister Chris Grayling

mandatory custodial sentence of at least six months for adults and a four month Detention and Training Order for 16 and 17 year olds. Clampdown on dangerous drivers — new offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. We anticipate more than 2000 offenders per year will be affected by these changes: ‘Two-strikes’ mandatory life — 20 offenders per year Extended Determinate Sentence — 1,200 offenders per year Aggravated knife possession — up to 1000 offenders per year Causing serious injury by dangerous driving — 20 offenders per year. Chris Grayling said: From my first day in this job I have been clear that punishment must mean punishment. A community sentence shouldn’t just consist of a meeting with an offender manager, pris-

oners shouldn’t spend their time in prison watching satellite television and the worst offenders should get the very toughest sentences. Step by step we’re overhauling sentencing and sending a clear message to criminals that crime doesn’t pay. We’re on the side of people who work hard and want to get on and my message is this - if you break the law you will be punished. Currently, only around two-thirds of community orders contain punishment such as a curfew or unpaid work. Under the reforms that will come into effect this month we expect this to rise significantly. In very exceptional circumstances judges will have the power not to include the element of punishment. Research suggests the inclusion of a punitive requirement alongside supervision in community sentences, can be more effective in reducing reoffending than supervision alone.

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Comment

Obama Increases U.S. Commitment On World Aids Day At a White House World AIDS Day event December 2, President Obama promised new U.S. assistance to fight the disease, saying the more others contribute to the cause, the more the United States will contribute to better health worldwide.

Representatives from other donor nations and the international AIDS relief community heard the commitment. They are in Washington December 2-3 for a meeting about renewing financial pledges to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Obama promised that the United States will contribute $1 for every $2 pledge made by other nations over the next three years, up to $5 billion. “Don’t leave our money on the table,” Obama said, challenging ministers attending the event who represent other nations. He commended nations that carry the heaviest disease burden for the stepped-up investments they are making to address the epidemic. “That ought to inspire all of us to give more, to do more, so we can save more lives,” Obama said. The commitment for matching funds was greeted by applause in the midst of otherwise solemn remarks, in which Obama recalled the dark, frightful years of the early epidemic when young adults were dying rapidly and mysteriously.

Barack Obama

Nothing will ever reverse those losses, Obama said. “But what we can do, and what we have to do, is chart a different future, guided by our love for those we couldn’t save. That allows us to do everything we can, everything in our power, to save those that we can.” Secretary of State John Kerry was another speaker at the White House event with sharp memories of the helpless dismay that pervaded the public in the early years when the the disease seemed like an imminent death sentence. Kerry was a U.S. senator and recalled how members of Congress set aside political differences to face the crisis and take action on HIV/AIDS. “We all managed to be able to find a way for this issue to unite us,” Kerry said. “In our collective refusal to allow AIDS to ravage yet another generation, we showed

a deeper determination to meet our global responsibilities.” The U.S. Congress has continued that tradition with recent passage of a bill that continues funding for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the 10-year-old U.S. program that has provided treatment for 6.7 million people in hard-hit countries worldwide. President Obama said he intended to sign that bill into law as he left the December 2 event. Obama said he also hopes that the U.S. global AIDS coordinator and representatives of other donor nations and international organizations will be able to meet early in 2014 to agree on new goals for increasing the numbers of people receiving lifesaving treatment and prevention services. Through intensive prevention and

Emergency Relief Coordinator, visited several crisis hit counties in Jonglei, including Pibor, Bor and Twic East. Travelling through the region, she met families impacted by the sporadic violence that has afflicted those communities, as well as those affected by recent seasonal floods. “As the world’s youngest country, South Sudan is struggling to provide security and meet the basic needs of its people,” she said, noting that 4.5 million need humanitarian assistance and 1.5 million are severely food insecure. Further, Ms. Kang said 345,000 people had been affected by the floods, as countless homes and farms were destroyed. Throughout Jonglei, “I heard harrowing stories of suffering and loss due to displacement,” she said. In her meetings with officials in Jonglei and in the capital, Juba, she had focused on the need to find sustainable solutions to the protracted crises facing South Sudan, including finding ways to improve disaster management, scale up investment in basic infrastructure and promote broader sustainable development With all this in mind, she said the UN

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will seek a different approach to its response in South Sudan next year. The Office has recently launched a multi-year plan, to start in 2014, that will focus on immediate emergency needs as well as longer-term measures, including community resilience and national capacity-building. “We want to work with local communities, authorities and the Government to help South Sudan cope better with crises. We want communities affected by disasters to recover and build back stronger,” she said. Responding to questions, Ms. Kang said that during her trip, she had been struck by the number of orphans she saw. “Countless children are on the streets - not in school - and there is very little capacity to take care of them,” she said, noting that many had been orphaned due to revenge killings or as a result of cattle rustling. Some nongovernmental organizations were working hard to address the issue, “but more needs to be done.” Asked about the cycle of inter-communal

treatment efforts, the United States and international partners hope to achieve an AIDS-free generation in the near future. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria came together in 2002 as a coordinating agency for international funding to address the three diseases. The government and private-sector donors who contribute to the Global Fund have provided $28 billion over the last decade. They convene in Washington December 2-3 for a “replenishment conference” to challenge each other to increase their assistance to end disease. The last replenishment conference in 2010 won commitments of $9.2 billion. Dr. Mark Dybul, executive director of the fund, expressed confidence in late November that donors attending the 2013 meeting will exceed that level of commitment. The Geneva-based agency is involved in health programs in 140 nations. The Fund’s work complements that of PEPFAR, also launched about a decade ago. Through these two efforts, with contributions from many other donor nations, nongovernmental organizations, philanthropists and host governments, about 10 million people are receiving treatment for the disease. President Obama also announced that the United States is investing $100 million in research on a potential cure for AIDS to achieve long-term remissions and stop the need for lifetime treatment.

South Sudan: World’s Youngest Nation Struggling to Meet Needs of Its People

A senior United Nations relief official said that while there has been improvement in the situation in strifetorn South Sudan, the UN will adjust its humanitarian strategy in the coming year to ensure that the world’s youngest nation is better able to fortify itself against the impacts of crises, both man-made and natural.

Just back from a visit aimed at keeping the global spotlight on the complex humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, Kyung-Wha Kang, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, said she had sought ways to strengthen partnership and cooperation with regional actors and Governments to help tackle the country’s myriad challenges. “Although the humanitarian situation in the country has improved slightly over the last year, and United Nations agencies and aid partners continue to work with the Government to meet the needs of communities affected by crises, it was very clear that much more needs to be done,” she said briefing reporters at Headquarters. Ms. Kang, who is also the Deputy UN 4

fighting that has plagued Jonglei, she said that the dry season always brings the possibility of renewed violence and clashes. As such, there must be active political leadership to bring about reconciliation between ethnic groups. On that front, she said that there are hopeful peace initiatives - for example, a peace offer from the Government to the David Yau Yau armed group but that there is also a heightened possibility of renewed conflict. She said that her Office talked with all parties, including armed groups, in an attempt to ensure humanitarian access to those in need. She decried the lack of access to South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, “which is very unfortunate,” due to the huge needs in both areas and the stalled vaccination campaign. After South Sudan, she visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for two days, where she participated in the annual Regional Coordination Mechanism meeting, which brings together UN and African Union actors to discuss better ways of coordinating efforts in support of capacity-building for AU institutions.

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News Support for vulnerable women and taxpayers in court fees changes

People taking high value cases through civil courts in England and Wales will be expected to pay much more towards their running costs, Courts Minister Shailesh Vara has announced while the fees for domestic violence injunctions will be scrapped.

Changes to the fees charged for using civil courts will mean hard-working taxpayers will no longer be left footing so much of the bill for operating them. At present around £100m of running costs have to be found from general taxes each year. Under the new proposals put out for consultation, the fees for civil courts (not criminal courts) will be adjusted to address the shortfall. The proposals include: Scrapping the £75 application fee for domestic violence injunctions which will help thousands of women seeking non-molestation and occupation orders. More than 20,000 applications were made in 2012. Increasing the fees for cases involving claims for money (for example when someone makes a claim for compensation) on a sliding scale, with a maximum fee of £1,870 - and considering moving in future to a system where

Courts Minister Shailesh Vara

the fee is calculated as a percentage of the amount under dispute in the court case. Introducing a percentage-based system for commercial proceedings (where businesses dispute whether a contract has been fulfilled and seek settlements) as well as charging a daily rate for the time they spend in court. Introducing a standard fee of £270 for

civil cases which are not about claims for money (applying for someone to be declared insolvent or to repossess property for example) - instead of the current mixture of fees. Fees would stay the same for cases involving sensitive family issues including child contact, divorce financial disputes and adoption applications - as well as a reduction in the fee for local

authorities to apply to take a child into care. The proposed fees have been set at a level which will ensure the UK’s world leading legal services remain the most attractive to international clients. The sector is playing a key part as the UK continues to win in the global race. Courts Minister Shailesh Vara said: “We have the best court system in the world and we must make sure it is properly funded so we keep it that way. “Hard-working taxpayers should not have to subsidise millionaires embroiled in long cases fighting over vast amounts of money, and we are redressing that balance. “Vulnerable groups must also be protected, which is why we are keeping the fees the same for sensitive family issues including adoption applications and child contact and scrapping the application fee for victims of domestic violence seeking injunctions to protect themselves.” People who cannot afford court fees do not have to pay - they can apply for waivers using the means-tested remissions system. The consultation will run until 21 January 2014. Government expects to make changes to the fees, depending on the outcome of the consultation, in Spring and Summer 2014.

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News

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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Government pledges new investment in British Business Bank

The additional multi-million pound investment in the British Business Bank is another clear demonstration of the UK Government’s commitment to empowering small businesses, said the Secretary of State for Wales, David Jones. The UK Government has pledged to invest an extra £250m into the British Business Bank, in a bid to help small and medium-sized companies to invest and grow. This funding is in addition to the £1billion of new capital committed by the Chancellor in last year’s Autumn Statement. The money will support a range of new innovative interventions including capital support for new market entrants, later stage venture capital and asset based ﬁnance. Secretary of State for Wales, David Jones is encouraging Welsh small and start up businesses to capitalise on the UK Government support available, designed to empower the small business

Secretary of State for Wales, David Jones

community. Mr Jones said: Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have long been the backbone of the economic recovery in Wales, contributing 36% of all private sector turnover and responsible for nearly 630,000 jobs. Since 2010, over 1,000 more SMEs have set up in Wales, proving the entrepreneurial ﬂair and growing conﬁdence we see

in the business sector. But we want to do more to support small and start up businesses who may have found it difﬁcult to raise ﬁnance through the main high street banks. They need investment to employ more people, to take on new orders and buy new equipment. The British Business Bank will help them do just that. It will provide choice

to smaller businesses looking to secure vital finance to help invest, expand their operations and drive forward much needed economic growth. I would urge enterprising businesses in Wales to seize all the support available to them to help put Wales on a sound footing in the global race. As well as access to Business Bank investment, businesses in Wales are also able to benefit from: A new £1 million sector-specific mentoring scheme will enable firms to benefit from support and advice from experienced business people in their own field of work. A £10 million start up fund launched by the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) to help entrepreneurial scientists in this field to get their business off the ground Start Up Loans - crucial support in the form of a repayable loan together with a business mentor for entrepreneurs across the country.

Uk businesses fail to ﬁnd right track in Ethiopia By Ryan Holmes

The preperation work is already underway in Ethiopia

Across the Ethiopian countryside 2,000km (1,243 miles) of railway is currently being laid out. It is the starting phase of an endeavour to create a bold new 5,000km network.

However, there are no British companies involved, despite Ethiopia approaching the UK for assistance at the start, and the project being constructed according to ofﬁcial UK railway industry standards. The centrepiece of the new rail system is the planned line between Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, and the neighbouring country of Djibouti. So far about a quarter of the preparation work has been completed on this key route, which will enable land-locked Ethiopia to access Djibouti City’s port on the Horn of Africa coast. Meanwhile in Addis Ababa, construction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) - similar to 8

London’s Docklands Light Railway - will give the capital its first mass transit system, transforming mobility in a city where nearly 90% of the population travel on foot, or by squeezing in to buses and taxis. Passenger trains are also planned to run on the line, which will wind around Ethiopia’s highland plateau and vertiginous topography before dropping 2,500m to sea level. Ethiopia’s varied terrain poses challenges for the route’s railways engineers, and will do for those involved in phase two, constructing railway lines from Addis to Axum in the north and to Moyale in the south on the border with Kenya. But the benefits could be worth the pain, providing relief to rural areas in times of drought, linking Ethiopia’s economic hubs, and benefiting other countries such as South Sudan that wants to export its oil via Djibouti’s port.

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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Mexico

Radioactive material recovered after robbery

Dangerous radioactive medical material taken when a lorry was stolen in Mexico has been found, local ofﬁcials say.

The material - cobalt-60 - was removed from a protective casing and then abandoned nearby. The thieves may have been exposed to life-threatening radiation levels, but there is no health risk for local residents, the officials say. The material and the lorry were found close to where they had been stolen near Mexico City on Monday. The radioactive material was discovered near the town of Hueypoxtla, officials from Mexico’s National Nuclear Security Commission (NNSC) said. It was barely 2km (1.4 miles) from where the lorry had been stolen. NNSC official Mardonio Jimenez said the radioactive source had been “removed from its container and left between 500 and 700m” from the ve-

Where the abandoned truck was found

hicle. But he warned that whoever had opened it could die “because the source’s intensity is very high”. “They will eventually have to go to a hospital, and we’ll be waiting for them,” Mr Jimenez said.

Iraq

Nine dead as militants attack shopping mall A massive attack on a shopping mall in northern Iraq was the deadliest in violence that killed nine people nationwide on Wednesday amid fears of a slide into all-out conﬂict.

The coordinated attack on the complex, which involved a car bomb, gunmen and would-be suicide bombers, came amid a surge in unrest that has claimed more than 6,200 lives this year. Officials have blamed a resurgent AlQaeda emboldened by the civil war in neighbouring Syria, but the government has itself faced criticism for not doing enough to address the concerns of Iraq’s disaffected Sunni Arab minority. Attacks struck in Baghdad, Mosul, Tikrit and Fallujah, but the ongoing attack on the Jawaher Mall in the ethnically divided northern city of Kirkuk was the deadliest. A car bomb went off at 1:30 pm (1030 GMT) near the mall, which sits adjacent to a branch of police intelligence, and was swiftly followed by a firefight between security forces and militants. Gunmen, some of them wearing suicide vests, stormed the centre, took shoppers hostage, and moved up the five-storey complex to the roof, from where they opened fire on security personnel who attempted

to enter. At least six people were killed and more than 70 wounded, provincial health chief Sabah Mohammed Amin said. But ofﬁcials warned that the death toll could rise as at least two would-be suicide bombers were still at large. Among those killed were four security personnel, including an ofﬁcer. Security forces managed to free 11 hostages from the mall, which contains more than 100 shops including stores specialising in women’s fashion and cosmetics, as well as men’s clothing and other goods. The mall, which is popular with middleclass residents of the northern oil hub, lies in a neighbourhood populated mostly by ethnic Turkmen. Kirkuk has a mixed population of Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen. It lies at the centre of a swathe of territory stretching from Iraq’s eastern border with Iran to its western frontier with Syria that Kurdish leaders want to incorporate into their autonomous region in the north over strenuous objections from the central government in Baghdad. Militants often exploit poor communication between the Iraqi army and Kurdish security forces to carry out attacks in the city.

He stressed that the radioactive material was now in the hands of the authorities. The military has now sealed off the area. The thieves struck as the driver of the Volkswagen lorry made an overnight

rest stop at a petrol station in the town of Tepojaco. The driver was forced out of the vehicle at gunpoint and tied up. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) described the material as “extremely dangerous” and there was some speculation that it could have been used to build a “dirty bomb”. However, the authorities believe that this was an opportunistic theft which went badly wrong. “The vehicles are expensive because of the mechanisms to load and unload heavy material. That type of theft is very common in that area. That’s why we feel the people who did this have no idea what they stole,” Mr Jimenez said. Cobalt-60 is used in cancer treatment and was being transported from a hospital in the northern city of Tijuana to a disposal centre near the capital.

Poland

Poland working with CIA in torturing terror suspects

Both men are currently being held in America’s Guantanamo Bay in Cuba

The European Court of Human Rights is hearing a case brought by two terror suspects who accuse Poland of conniving in US human rights abuses.

The two men are currently held at the US Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba. It is the ﬁrst time that allegations about a CIA “black site” prison in a European country have been heard in an open court. Abu Zubaydah and another al-Qaeda suspect say they were tortured at a secret prison in Poland in 2002-2003. Nearly a year ago the court ruled against Macedonia for abuses suffered by Khaled el-Masri, another suspect who was held for CIA interrogation.

Abu Zubaydah, a 42-year-old Palestinian, allegedly made travel arrangements for jihadis loyal to Osama Bin Laden, including those who carried out the September 2001 attacks in the US. The other suspect in the Poland case is Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, 48, a Saudi accused of organising the 2000 attack on the USS Cole warship in Yemen, in which 17 sailors died. Their lawyers are representing them in Strasbourg and a court statement said their submissions are based mainly on publicly available sources, because of the restrictions imposed at Guantanamo Bay. Only part of the hearing is public - the rest is being held behind closed doors.

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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Newly Introduced Educational Policy in the State of Osun not Against Christianity – Aregbesola Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has stated that the new education policy in the state was not against any religion or group of persons. The governor said this in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday at the opening of the 23rd state congress of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS). The governor has been under harsh criticisms from Osun State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, for merging male pupils and hijab-wearing pupils with those in Christian mission public schools. CAN believes that the new system would spark terrorism. However, the governor has maintianed that his action was primarily aimed at repositioning the education system in the state. He said, “Our actions hitherto in this sector have been towards the transformation of the blueprint of that summit into reality. With unprecedentedly creative and focused statecraft, our administration

has stormed and decimated the Bastille of disorganised educational system in Osun. “The school reclassiﬁcation is not an idea informed by religious sentiments or momentary impulse. We merged schools not because we want to silence any group, destroy cherished legacies or to unduly favour any religious or social group above another. “The overall goal of the policy is to enable us deploy our little resources evenly and judiciously across our public schools. With the reclassiﬁcation, we are better placed to give different categories of learners the right attention suitable to their ages.” The President of ANCOPSS in Osun State, Mrs. Motunrayo Olagunju, who lauded the new policy, cautuioned the people of the state against bringing religion and politics into education. Culled from Daily Post, Nigeria.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (5th right); his Deputy, Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori (4th left); Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (4th right); Chief of Staff to State of Osun Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (3rd left); Professor Funmi Togonu-Bickersteth (3rd right); Chief Awoniyi Moses (2nd right); Elder Oyelakin Lawal (2nd left); Chief Awopetu Olalekan (left); Special Adviser to State of Osun Governor on Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Funmi Eso William; State of Osun Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere (at the back of Deputy Governor); Chairman of the Committee, Dr Oyedele Owoade (at the back of the Governor) and others in a group photograph during the inauguration of Committee on maintenance of discipline on Osun Public School at State Secretariat

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (4th right) his wife, Mrs Sherifat (3rd right); Deputy Governor State of Osun, Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori (5th right); State of Osun All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairman, Elder Lowo Adebiyi (2nd right) acknowledging cheers from the crowd during the women in politics in the State of Osun endorse Governor Aregbesola for second term at freedom park.

Photo: Taofeeq Adejare

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right); Deputy Governor State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori (left); State of Osun Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Wale Adedoyin (right) in a group photograph with Pupils and Teachers during the ﬂagoff ceremony for distribution of School badge to pupils of public elementary Schools in the State of Osun at Methodist elementary School, Isale Aro.

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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I-G collab with FBI, give public account By Peter Olorunnisomo

A report coming from Nigeria has indicated that the Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police is eager to share the impact of the Nigeria Police on the current situation in the country with the public. This should encourage the citizenry to appreciate what the police is doing to make itself relevant to the needs of the people and reel a statement of facts about the positive results achieved on the Police reforms embarked on by the Police authorities and the State of Emergency declared on the force by the Inspector-General has yielded positive results. He made this declaration while appearing on Channels Television’s He said: “We have made signiﬁcant and massive progress in this regard. Not only has the Police College Ikeja been turned around to a modern Police Academy, as was witnessed when the Vice President came to ofﬁcially throw it open, we have also seen massive infrastructural improvement in other Police training institutions.” Citing several examples of Police training facilities being built or renovated across the country, Mba said that the Police have been

Frank Mba, Nig. Police PRO

working with the Federal Government and certain corporate organizations in fulﬁlment of their Corporate Social Responsibilities. Emphasis was laid on Police Intelligence Training as Mba stated that this was the area in which the current reforms have done excellently well. “As I speak to you, the Police Intelligence School has started operation despite the fact that the permanent site is still undergoing construction…and between February and now we’ve been able to train about 1,500 intelligence operatives…and we are doing this training in collaboration with our partners from FBI and other secret Police organisations across the world. “27 of our Police operatives are leaving the shores of this country today (Tuesday, December 3); they are going to Israel where

Ogun, Malaysia partners on agriculture sector

Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Governor Ogun State

The Ogun State government says it is looking at partnering with the Malaysian government to revamp the state’s agricultural sector for industrial development of the state.

The partnership would focus on rice and cassava production, palm oil plantation, cotton and the establishment of green houses for tomatoes and vegetables in 10 targeted local government areas of the state. At a meeting with a delegation of the Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry led by the Secretary-General of the ministry, Dato Mohammed Hashim Abdullah, the governor of the state, Ibikunle Amosun said that the ministry had the competence and wherewithal to assist the state government in all areas of agricultural development. He emphasised that if the state government could get it right in agricultural production, it would create massive employment opportunities for the unemployed youths. “The idea of a second generation farming will encourage our youths to go into farming and enable us to capture the young ones for agricultural

activities,” Amosun said. He assured his visitors that his administration would get all the stakeholders in the area of agriculture to be part of the collaboration in order to tap from their experience. “Ogun State has a huge market for our finished products and I am looking at a highly successful collaboration with your government that will translate to an improved agricultural development in our state,” he stressed. Governments at all levels in Nigeria are keying into the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration aimed at diversifying Nigeria’s economy and tackling food insecurity in Nigeria and Africa. The initiative championed by the Minister of Agriculture is already yielding results, as foreign investors have started investing in the Agriculture sector. The Ogun State and Malaysia partnership is the latest of such partnerships that different states in Nigeria have established to ensure that the vast land resource is adequately utilised. Abdullah said that the Malaysian government was ready to collaborate with the State Government, explaining that a reputable agricultural private firm, Marditech Corporation, will drive the project on behalf of the Malaysian government while officials of the Ministry of Agriculture would coordinate the collaboration. Morditech Corporation is into processing, packaging and distribution of agricultural products in many countries across the world. The CEO of Morditech Corporation, Mr. Anas Ahmad Nasarudin, said that the company was presently collaborating with Ondo and Kano States in the areas of rice production and food processing.

they will also be undergoing a lot of trainings in the area of Intelligence Gathering.” He added that the Police was not only training its men as operatives but also as trainers, so that they can come back and train their colleagues. He lauded the leadership of the Police for carefully putting competent people in charge of different areas of the reforms, claiming that this has contributed to the successes so far. Speaking about the image of the Police, Mr Mba stressed that the negative image that the Police had was a reﬂection of the image that Nigeria carries as a nation. “We’ve got a general problem, while we try to address our own problem, we must also try to collectively address the general injustice and perception that are also trying to pull us down Mr Mba reiterated the commitment of the Police to changing the Police for good and that the welfare of its men is another area of concern that is being worked on especially Housing for the men after retirement as well as Barracks renovations. He added that the issues of salaries were beyond them. With the Police Cooperative Society doing excellently well and the newly established Police Mortgage Bank which will soon start giving out loans for Policemen to

develop home of their own, beyond the current system in which the Police is building and subsidizing for the men. The Police is also making its own efforts within the resources under its control to improve the welfare of its operatives. “The Police have managed to run businesses very well, we have the Police MicroFinance Bank which today is the only one in Nigeria quoted in the Stock Exchange, the largest, and the most proﬁtable.” The Police spokesman admitted that mistakes have been made in the past, and therefore the current reforms are being executed carefully to avoid collaboration with the wrong individuals and organisations that will be hiding under the legitimacy of CSR to bribe the Police. Hence the creative approach being taken to internally inspire the desired changes. He called on Nigerians to be part of a ‘no holds barred’ forum with the InspectorGeneral of Police on December 7 in Asaba, Delta State, where the IGP would be expected to present his score card to Nigerians. The event, which will be streamed live on the internet, will also throw open, telephone lines to afford Nigerian citizens the opportunity to chat with the Police authorities.

Laptops in 3 Nigerian languages

Sources from Nigeria have reported that a novel incursion into computer technology is being made by some Nigerians in the Diaspora. Their goal is to roll out made-inNigeria laptops that would recognise Nigeria’s three ethnic languages of Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa, in a strategic move to promote the nation in the global Information Communication Technology (ICT).

This was recently revealed in Abuja at the Global Institute of Commerce and Technology (GICT) by Professor Udochukwu Mbanasa, one of the facilitators of the project, who explained that prototypes of the laptops are currently available and fully functional. He added that the laptops have been produced to encourage study of and preservation of Nigerian languages, in addition to leveraging on the Nigerian brand that would compete favourably with other global brands in terms of quality Mbansa, who is based in the United States America, however said that the slight delay in rolling out the product was due to branding considerations, as some Nigerians in Diaspora were divided on whether it should bear logos or insignia such as a ﬂying eagle

or a green eagle to indicate its country of origin. He said that Nigerian Diaspora experts, in partnership, built the laptops, which were originally named Globe ICT, with key global ICT manufacturing company. The product, he said, have been built to compete in the international market and made in line with modern computer technology skills. “I am glad to let you know that as we speak, prototype of these laptops are on ground. They have been built to best international standard. They were initially called Globe ICT, but some people said we needed to indigenise them by using names or symbols that indicate Nigeria. Examples are ﬂying eagle, a green eagle among others. “So, we are yet to ﬁnalise on that and as soon as that is done, we would roll out the products. We have also made sure that and they are products that can compete anywhere in the world in terms of quality, speed, durability, and even battery life span.” Acting Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DICA), Shuabu Suleiman said the development would open Nigeria to greater opportunities for future growth.

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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News

Government to help vulnerable households with energy bills British households will benefit from proposals that will be worth £50 on average, thanks to Government plans to reduce the impact of energy company bill rises. This builds on the help given to hardworking families through income tax cuts, the council tax freeze and the fuel duty freeze. While the Government cannot control the price of energy in the global market, it can help bill-payers by reducing the impact of social and environmental programmes on their bills.

In addition, electricity distribution network companies are willing to take voluntary action to reduce network costs in 2014/15. This would allow a further oneoff reduction of an average of around £5 on electricity bills, which energy suppliers will be able to pass on to their customers as well. All of the major energy suppliers have confirmed that they will pass the benefits of this package to their customers. The reduction in individual household bills will depend on the energy supplier: Some companies have not yet announced

Energy Minister Edward Davey

price rises for 2014, or have limited their rise until the Government’s review of green levies concluded. Others have announced price rises and have indicated that they will reduce their customers’ bills as a result of these changes. The value of the benefit will vary between companies, but, on average, this package, including VAT, will be worth £50 to households, compared to what would have happened without these changes. The Government will also ensure that its overall approach is carbon neutral, with new measures that will boost

energy efficiency even further by introducing new schemes for home-movers, landlords and public sector buildings, worth £540 million over three years: The Government will also increase the funds available to local authorities this year through Green Deal Communities from £20 million to £80 million, to help support ‘street-by-street’ programmes for hard-to-treat homes in a cost-effective way, and will keep the Green Deal cashback scheme open, which will protect jobs in the energy efficiency industry before the new measures take effect. In order to provide investor certainty at a time when the UK needs unprecedented investment in energy security, levies providing support for existing low carbon energy projects will not change, such as the Renewables Obligation (RO), Contracts for Difference (CfDs) and feed in tariffs (FITs). Without this investment, energy security would be jeopardised as Britain would become ever more dependent on imported oil and gas, and energy bills in the future would be increasingly subject to high and volatile fossil fuel prices.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey said: “Energy bills are a big concern for many people, which is why we’ve been working to reform the energy market, increase competition and make it easier for people to shop around and switch supplier. Today’s announcement confirms a serious, workable package which would save households around £50 on average. “Today’s package also ensures that energy companies are not off the hook. They will keep up their efforts to help people in fuel poverty cut their bills by making sure their homes leak less heat, and they will have to be more transparent about what they’re spending on social and environmental measures. Next year, our competition test will forensically examine what more we can do to get prices down through ferocious competition.” “This won’t affect our commitment to tackling dangerous climate change through reducing Britain’s CO2 emissions, which will be backed by £540 million in new investment to make sure Britain’s homes and public sector buildings are more energy efficient, permanently reducing their bills.”

UK offers lifeline as crisis worsens in Central African Republic The UK will provide emergency healthcare, clean water and logistical support to hundreds of thousands of people in the Central African Republic in response to a severe escalation in the humanitarian crisis there, International Development Secretary Justine Greening has announced.

The new £10 million support package will allow the Red Cross, UN and international aid agencies to dramatically step up their relief programmes as the ongoing fighting and risk of harvest failure is likely to create a severe food crisis in the coming months. Following a coup in March this year, the UN now estimates that the entire population have been affected by this conflict and that 1.6 million people – or one third of the population - are in dire need of protection, food, health, clean water and sanitation or shelter. More than 600,000 people have already been displaced from their homes. International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: It is clear the situation in the Central African Republic is deteriorating rapidly with reports of violence and tension between communities. Hundreds of thousands of people have already fled their homes and are entirely dependent on outside relief. This investment will help make sure that we get urgent relief supplies to those in need and to protect vulnerable groups like girls and women. 12

International Development Minister Justine Greening

The red cross bury those who have died in this horrific conflict

DFID humanitarian experts deployed to the Central African Republic have been monitoring the deteriorating situation. The new support will provide: £3 million for the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide health services and water distribution for hundreds of thousands of people as well as protection services for the vulnerable, particularly women and children Transportation for aid workers and relief supplies to remote parts of the country through a £1 million contribution to the UN Humanitarian Air Service £1 million for the UN’s Common Humanitarian Fund to enable a wide range of aid agencies and charities already working on the ground to step up their work A new £5 million emergency response fund to provide immediate funding to international aid agencies as required. The funding will be allocated through a competitive bidding process early next year as and when agencies launch appeals. This will ensure agencies can scale up their work as quickly as possible. The UN Deputy Secretary General, Jan Eliasson said on the 25 November the situation was deteriorating rapidly and a robust international response was important. This follows reports of extreme violence, torture and human rights abuses around the town of Bossangoa.

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Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

News

Over 140 UK businesses commit to improving gender equality at work More than 140 major UK employers including BAE Systems and Royal Bank of Scotland have pledged to improve gender equality in the workplace by signing up to the government’s Think, Act, Report (TAR) campaign, Women and Equalities Minister, Maria Miller announced.

The voluntary scheme focuses on creating a cultural shift and encourages businesses to think about gender equality, take action to promote equal opportunities in their workplaces and report on what they are doing. The Two years on progress report published, shows that: The number of companies signed up has more than doubled in the last year from 54 in November 2012 to 140 in November 2013 Nearly 2 million employees, around Women and Equality Minister, Maria Miller 20% of the entire UK workforce in medium-sized or large companies (over signed up to TAR in May 2012 and Jo Swinson said: I’m delighted to be 150 staff), are now covered has seen first-hand the difference it has launching the Think, Act, Report Two 66% of companies are doing more made to its business agenda. years on report, and celebrating the to encourage female talent within their The bank is also actively encouragprogress made with those employers company since signing up to TAR – such ing its supply chain companies to prowho have already committed to improvas introducing mentoring and sponsormote equal opportunities, through its ing gender equality in the workplace. I ship schemes, putting in place targeted Supplier Diversity and Inclusion Code. do hope it will act as a wakeup call for development programmes, and encourElaine Arden, Group HR Director of others to sign up and make that public aging women to take high-profile jobs RBS, said: Like many companies, RBS pledge. Nearly half (48%) have completed an is committed to becoming an incluThink, Act, Report forms part of wide equal pay audit in the last year – demsive organisation and is taking steps to range of action by government to drive onstrating their commitment to tackling achieve this at all levels. We want to enforward greater equality in the workthe gender pay gap able our people to be their best at work, place including: Maria Miller said: This is simply ensure they know what is expected of Introducing a system of shared paabout good business sense. It’s great to them and feel valued for who they are rental leave from 2015, so that parents see some of this country’s leading emand the work they do to support our cuscan choose how best to share caring reployers signing up and doing more to tomers. sponsibilities improve opportunities for women in the Research shows organisations perextending the right to request flexible workplace and being transparent about form better when they have a good balequal pay. ance of women across teams and in senThese businesses recognise that with ior roles. Think, Act, Report challenges women making up nearly half of the us to work harder to encourage better UK’s workforce the companies who gender balance at all levels of our ornurture their skills and talents will reap ganisation and provides the opportunity the economic benefits. That’s why I am to debate real issues. urging more employers to follow comMinister for Women and Equalities, panies like Tesco, Royal Bank of ScotJo Swinson, will be formally launching land and M&S and sign up to breakthe report at RBS’s offices in the City ing down the barriers that stop women this evening. More than 100 invited reaching their full potential. guests from TAR supporting companies The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and others are expected to attend.

working to all employees from 2014, so that the benefits of this, for both employees and employers, are available as widely as possible bringing in tax free childcare for working families, which will be worth up to £1,200 per child per year publishing an action plan in response to the publication of the Women’s Business Council report, to support women at all stages of their working lives The government continues to encourage companies to prioritise this agenda and Maria Miller hosted a summit with the Chancellor at Downing Street earlier this month, where she pushed again for FTSE 250 chiefs to sign up to the scheme.

Karren Brady is one of few female businesswomen at the top 13

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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CRIME

Street vendor robs £50 off blind lady Two men who ﬂed to Jamaica after

Razvan

Members of the public were joined by off-duty police ofﬁcers as they came to the assistance of a totally blind woman who had £50 taken from her purse by a street vendor. The 66-year-old woman was feeling for a £1 coin to give to the vendor outside Morrisons, High Street, Sutton, on Saturday, 30 November. But the vendor took the opportunity to take some £10 notes from her purse. A mother with two children nearby saw what happened and told the victim that she had just had some money stolen. The victim realised from the feel of the front pocket of her purse that ﬁve £10 notes were missing.

A man who was passing saw that the woman was distressed, found out what had happened and asked the vendor to give the money back. But the vendor denied taking it. As the vendor started to pack up, the man decided to hold on to him. When the vendor started to struggle to leave, a member of the security staff at Morrisons came to help detain him. Police were called and the sergeant was assisted by two passing off-duty police ofﬁcers. The Big Issue vendor, Razvan Dumitru, 22 (10.11.91), was found with £23 in his pocket and £50 in notes between copies of the magazine in his bag. He was arrested for theft from a person. Dumitru, of Victoria Road, N9, was charged with theft from a person later the same day and remanded to appear before Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 2 December. Dumitru pleaded guilty to the offence and was remanded to appear at Croydon Crown Court for sentence on a date to be arranged. The victim was “over the moon” with the help she received from members of the public and police.

murdering teenager sentenced to life

Two men who stabbed a teenager to death and then fled to Jamaica nearly six years ago have, Friday 29 November been sentenced to life imprisonment for his murder. Onique Nembhard, 25 (20.06.88), a Jamaican national of no fixed abode was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 19 years, with an additional two years for violent disorder - both sentences to run concurrently. Jamar Graham, 25 (15.09.88), a Jamaican national of no fixed abode was sentenced to life to serve a minimum of 15 years with an additional 15 months for violent disorder both sentences to run concurrently. Henry Bolombi , 17, was stabbed 13 times in the fatal attack in the early hours of New Year’s Day in 2008 in Edmonton. The victim has been out with his friends in London’s West End when the group were travelling back on a N279 nightbus in the early hours. An altercation with a group of four males began when they got on the same bus as it pulled up in Fore Street, Edmonton. The fight began after a member of Henry’s group recognised one of the other group as the person who stabbed him with a bottle a month earlier in Tottenham Hale. As the fight intensified, the driver of the bus stopped outside a 24-hour supermarket

opposite Edmonton Police Station and the groups spilled out onto the pavement. During the fight, Henry was stabbed and as his friends realised the other group were armed with a knife, they ran away. The four men, included in Nembhard and Graham, chased the group through the Edmonton Green Shopping Centre. Henry was a few seconds behind his friends, possibly hampered in getting away by bleeding from the first stab wound. The defendants and two other males caught him in Plevna Road. He was knocked to the floor then repeatedly stabbed, kicked and hit with a bottle and a broomstick handle as he lay defenceless on the floor. Throughout the attack, CCTV footage showed that the teenager did not fight back and offered no resistance. At one point cameras captured Nembhard changing his grip on the knife in order, Nembhard admitted in court, “…to use it like a dagger.” The whole attack lasted approximately 20 seconds. After the group fled the scene, two security officers and a passing member of the public attempted to assist Henry until London Ambulance arrived. A post mortem examination revealed 13 stab wounds, at least 11 of which were inflicted by Onique Nembhard.

Prison absconder ﬁnally caught after crime spree

Lee Cryrus

A prison absconder who committed a string of offences whilst being on the run has been found guilty at court today, Tuesday 2 December.

The crime wave by Lee Cyrus was stopped after Camden ofﬁcers captured Cyrus within minutes of threatening and indecently exposing himself to a 45-yearold lone female in the Dartmouth Park Hill area of Camden. Lee Cyrus, (also known as Ivan Leach), 48, (16/05/1965) who had absconded from prison in Lincolnshire, was found guilty today, 2 December at Southwark Crown Court. 14

The court heard how Cyrus went missing from HMP North Sea Camp open prison, Boston, Lincolnshire on Tuesday 9 October 2012 after going on day release. Within weeks of his absconding there were a number of indecent exposure offences which occurred in the Hampstead Heath area of Camden. Between September and December 2012, a series violent offences were committed against a succession of vulnerable and generally, older, female members of the public. The court heard that on a number of occasions whilst armed with a knife and wearing a black balaclava, Cyrus stalked and terrorised female members of the public walking on and living in and around the Hampstead Heath area. The offences increased in seriousness, graduating to brutal attacks on elderly females who were alone in their own homes. They included the knife-point robbery of one woman, the knife-point aggravated burglary of an elderly woman’s home. This culminated on Sunday 2 December 2012, when police received a call to an incident in which Cyrus, waiting in the shadows late one night, leapt out and exposed himself to a woman who was walking home alone,

whom he said he was going to rape. Within minutes Camden ofﬁcers spotted Cyrus by Highgate Cemetery on Highgate Hill. Cyrus was arrested after a brief struggle and taken to Kentish Town Police Station. Following his arrest, police searched the room which Cyrus was staying in. They found and seized the iPod stolen from the male victim in Woodstock Road, NW11, as well as black balaclava, black boots black gloves all relevant to the offending. Sentencing will be Friday 13 December 2013. Detective Sergeant James Mason, who led the investigation, said: “This was a complex investigation which saw a combination of evidence gathered from CCTV, mobile phone cell location, clothing, several key witnesses and various evidence which was presented at the court to bring to justice this very dangerous man. “I’d like to pay tribute to the unfortunate victims who all suffered at the hands of this violent offender.” Acting Detective Superintendent Raffaele D’Orsi, added, “Lee Cyrus is a violent predator and when we had the inclination that he may be in Camden, we set about

apprehending him as soon as possible, allocating the appropriate resources to the operation. “I have no doubt in my mind that Cyrus’ arrest on the night in question prevented further serious injuries to other victims. Cyrus’ conviction means that the female public are much safer.”

Man who lured students to flat in rape attempt, is jailed A man who lured two Chinese students to his flat to imprison them and attempt to force them to have sex has been found guilty. Li Hao, aged 39 of Gautrey Road, SE15 was found guilty of two count of rape and one count of sexual assault and two counts of false imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court. Hao placed an advert on an internet site claiming that he had a room for rent. In the first attack the 24 year old woman attended the address to look at the room on the 30 December 2012. On entering the property she soon realised that Hao’s one bedroom flat did not have a spare room. Hao had locked the door behind them. He then raped the victim using a meat clever to threaten her.

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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Sounds of Diaspora People of America Ja Rule denies leaving his wife for new fella

Kermit Moore, dies at age 84

Ja Rule and his ex wife

Ja Rule has been forced to deny that he left his wife, Aisha Atkins, for a prison cell mate.

Atkins made the claim during an MTV documentary called Married Life After Prison. The quotes were subsequently shared online. According to the Metro, Atkins said: “He wrote all them love songs and still don’t know how to treat a b**ch... We spent tenplus years building our marriage but it only took him two to decide he’d rather suck a d**k than be with his wife.” The American rapper – real name Jeffrey Atkins – has since taken to Twitter to dismiss the accusations, posting: “Ok I guess I have to address the idiots these rumors are FALSE LIES made up by some non mf factor website CLOWNS lmao... [sic]” Ja Rule, 37, was released from prison earlier this year. He was incarcerated in Ray Brook jail, New York, after being sentenced to 28 months for failing to pay £710,000 in taxes. He was also sentenced to two years in jail for illegally possessing a semi-automatic handgun, discovered by police in his car after he played a concert in the city in 2007. The same year, the star came under fire after making a series of homophobic com-

ments, which also saw him publicly lambast MTV: the same network that broadcast the documentary in question, Married Life After Prison. Speaking to Complex magazine at the time, he said: “We need to go step to MTV and Viacom, and let’s talk about all these f**king shows that they have on MTV that is promoting homosexuality, that my kids can’t watch this sh*t. “Dating shows that’s showing two guys or two girls in mid-afternoon. Let’s talk about sh*t like that! If that’s not f*cking up America, I don’t know what is.” He later clarified his remarks to Spinner, saying that he had been “a very avid speaker for all people’s rights and people having their own preference” and that his comments were“taken out of context.” “We’re focused on the wrong things — like, our country is at war right now. These things are more of a problem to me. Like another case I just read about: young ladies being raped by six white men. These are the stories that should be popping up on my TV screen. That’s what I was talking about, and somehow it got spun into some other sh*t.” The peak of Ja Rule’s chart success stories came in the early 00s, when he scored two number one albums.

Kermit Moore was one of the most recognised black figures in classical music in New York.

Kermit Moore, a cellist, conductor and composer who in all three capacities was concerned with music rooted in the black experience, died on Nov. 2 in Manhattan. He was 84.

The cause was complications after recent surgery, his wife, the composer Dorothy Rudd Moore, said. As a cellist, Mr. Moore appeared as a soloist and chamber player on some of the world’s leading concert stages. He was re-

nowned for championing the work of 20thcentury composers: Where another cellist might present a recital in which a single modern work was interleaved among more traditional fare, Mr. Moore typically offered a half-dozen contemporary pieces at once On the podium, he was a regular guest conductor of the Brooklyn Philharmonic and also led the Detroit Symphony, the Berkeley (Calif.) Symphony and Opera Ebony.

Lil Kim finally releases Hardcore 2K13 Lil Kim has finally dropped a new song after being on hiatus from the music scene for several years.

The legendary 39-year-old ‘Queen Bee’ of hip-hop released track I Am Kimmy Blanco over the weekend to her millions of devoted fans. Lil Kim’s listeners have been eagerly waiting for her forthcoming mixtape Hardcore 2K13 to hit shelves, as it was due out sometime this year. But the star confirmed on Twitter it is delayed and she apologizes for the hold up, writing on Friday: Kim’s fourth studio album The Naked Truth was released in 2005 and since then she hasn’t created a full-length

follow-up record. Her last major international hit was collaborative effort Lady Marmalade, which appeared on the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack in 2001. The modern remake of the classic 1974 song by Labelle also featured Christina Aguilera, Pink and Mya. Many celebrities will be thrilled to hear of Lil Kim’s impending comeback, especially Wrecking Ball singer Miley Cyrus.

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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Gospel

YOU ARE ORIGINAL, UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you, into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do” Rom. 12:2 NLT.

By Michael Adekoya

Dear Reader, in this endtime, God is always sending out Messages, Words, Voices, Warnings and Signals to His people but unfortunately the antenna of most people are not receiving the messages or signals. My friend, it is now time to tune in to the divine frequency to receive from God for yourself, for your household, for your ministry, church, city and nation. Listen! The root cause of many social, marital, emotional, spiritual, financial and societal problems today is simply the fact that people don’t like themselves. They are not comfortable and contented with how they are created, with how they look, with how they talk, with what they have. They compare themselves with other people wishing they were like them. Are you one of them? Today, many people are running around looking for the approval of other people instead of the approval of God. Many go into relationship looking for who will love and care for them. People are so busy conforming to the pattern of this world, conforming to the pattern of this jet age and doing wrong things just to be known, popular, recognized, famous and approved. People are so insecure about who they are, so they end up living to please other people instead of God, trying to fit into their moulds and

personality, lifestyle or physic; even some go for plastic surgery and expensive fashion of halfnakedness just to be accepted in the society. My friend, is this message speaking to you? Maybe, it is not to you but to someone so close to you. Whichever the case may be, I have Good News for you! You’re original, unique and different. You’re too precious to be ignored! You’re not created to mimic somebody else. You are created to be you. Don’t be like the people of this world because it would not give pleasure to God if you live your life as a copycat or die in attempt to recreate yourself. God made you the way you are on purpose, so you don’t have to fit into somebody else’s mould, opinion or lifestyle. No matter what people are saying about you, let them say! What matters is what God is saying about you. That’s why you should connect with Him intimately to hear Him.

Are you looking for a church?

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

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

My friend, if a million people do the wrong thing that still doesn’t make it right. The Bible says, “Then a herald cried aloud: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” Dan. 3:4-6. Everybody in Babylon was doing it because it meant death if you don’t. But neither peer pressure nor the threat of death could move the three young Hebrew guys to compromise or conform to the pattern of worshipping another god. Because they knew who they were, whom they believed and their relationship with God, they said, “If that is the case, our God

whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Dan. 3:17-18. To too many people today, especially the church people, that might look like stubbornness or rebellion but it is neither. Instead, it is a total display of character and integrity. They just refused to conform or compromise. They just didn’t like to follow the multitude to do evil. They were not looking for the approval of men but that of God. They knew their identity in God and they just knew they are unique and different. Do you know who you are in Christ? My friend, if there is nothing different in you or about you, it is time to re-evaluate yourself. Peter says, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” 1 Pet 2:9. Listen! You are “one of a kind” created and called to bring glory to God in every circumstances. Forget about having consensus before you do things. Forget about conducting an opinion poll of people before you obey God. You are not a spare tyre or second best, so don’t allow anyone to treat you like one. Check your Bible, in most battles, God is always on the side of the underdog who stand up for

a bible school, primary, is involved in extensive mission work in Eastern Europe, Italy and India. For information you may call 020 8680 7671 Ruach Ministries - holds meeting at 9am, 11am and 6pm. For information you may call 020 8678 6888 International Central Gospel church - Battersea chapel, holds meetings on Sundays from 2.00pm. . For information you may call 020 8684 4934 Jesus Arena International- Sunday service at 11.00am at Broadwater farm centre, Adams road N17 The Bible Life Church UK- They meet on Sunday mornings at 2.30pm at St Giles Centre, Camberwell

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

His course. So don’t let people influence you, send you out of your matrimonial home, mould you into who you are not, send you into grave early, destroy your vision or reduce your value. When Martin Luther was told, “The whole world doesn’t like you and they are against you.” He replied, “Then, I’m against the whole world too”. That is what makes you original and different. My friend, one with God is a majority. Do not die trying to be like somebody else or trying to compromise or conform to the pattern and lifestyle of this world. Today, a lot of nakedness is going on in the world, as well as in the church. And the reason for it is that lots of people really don’t know who they are. My friend, we are called by God to be different and to make a difference in our family, work-place, community, city and nation. In every aspect of our life we are a peculiar people who uniquely belong to God. My friend, God loves you unconditionally. He created you as a unique individual and there has never been, nor will there ever be, another person exactly like you, even if you are a twin. You are original and different so don’t give up on yourself. Are you saved? If yes, then you have what it takes. But if not, simply “confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Rom 10:9 Your new identity begins with new birth! 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, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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Africa Newsround

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe prisoners are not starving Zimbabwe Justice Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has denied claims by senior ofﬁcials from the ministry that 100 prisoners died from hunger and disease because the cash-strapped government can cannot afford to feed them.

In a report that attracted global attention, Zimbabwe Prisons Deputy Commission, Aggrey Huggins Machingauta, told a Parliamentary committee Monday that the prison services was failing to feed inmates. He said prison farms were not getting enough seed and fertiliser from the government to produce sufﬁcient food to feed inmates. He said 100 prisoners had died this year, double the number last year. “Prisoners are dying because of hunger and some (HIV) related diseases,” said Machingauta.

Prisoners are allegedly starving while under the care of the governement “The problem of hunger is compounded by the fact that we can only afford to give prisoners one meal instead of three square meals per day.” Zimbabwe has 46 prisons with a capacity for 17,000 but the facilities are said to be holding 18,460 inmates The chief secretary of the justice ministry, Virginia Mabhiza, also told the committee

Eritrea

Eritrea’s military involved in trafﬁcking country’s children

Eritrea’s child population are being kidnapped by senior military ofﬁcials according to this new report

The report entitled “The Human Trafﬁcking Cycle: Sinai and Beyond” is being presented to EU home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström in the European Parliament on Wednesday.

The report, by Dutch and Swedish researchers, Professor Mirjam van Reisen, Professor Conny Rijken and Meron Estefanos details the trafficking of refugees from the Horn of Africa who are targeted by criminal networks for extortion and exploitation. The report, based on numerous interviews with surviving refugees, looks at the experience of refugees who have fled countries looking for safety and security. The report concludes that between 2007 and 2012 some 25,000 to 30,000 people were trafficked, an estimated 95% from Eritrea. Smuggled across borders by middlemen, or kidnapped from refugee camps, they are held in inhumane conditions close to the Is-

raeli border, tortured and abused to pressure friends and relatives into paying enormous ransoms. Many of those trafficked have died in captivity even after ransoms were paid. It estimates US$600 million may have been paid out in ransoms. The report suggests that many Eritreans do not survive the trafficking and the torture, and calculates between 5,000 and 10,000 of the hostages have died or been killed in captivity, with children as young as two or three years old among the victims. The report, which focuses on the journey to Sinai and what happens to the refugees in Sinai, accuses Eritrea’s Border Surveillance Unit, under the command of General Teklai Kifle ‘Manjus’, of being central to the human trafficking. General Teklai and other senior Eritrean officers have also been identified by the UN Monitoring Group for involvement in human trafficking.

that the prisons required $1 million a month to run properly but only $300,000 was being allocated. As a result, prisoners were no longer receiving the required three meals a day, a situation which had led to nutrition-related illnesses and deaths. Mnangagwa however, told legislators Wednesday that Machingauta been

misrepresented. He admitted the prison service experienced food supply problems but insisted no inmate had died from hunger. ”No one has died from hunger,” he said. “We do have challenges with food supply but we are supported by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and there is not a single day that has passed without us having food supplies from GMB. “Yes people have died since January, they have died from various ailments but none have died as a result of food shortages.” MDC-T spokesperson for justice, Jessie Majome, called on the government to avert the “brewing humanitarian crisis” in the country’s prison. Zimbabwe is struggling to right its economy after a decade-long economic crisis to 2009, which critics blame on mismanagement by veteran President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party.

Angola

Muslim leader angry with mosque destruction

The muslim population in Angola have called the actions of the government “religious persecution”

Muslim leaders in Angola are angry as they say the government has shut down or destroyed dozens of mosques over the past few months, with little or no explanation.

An Angolan newspaper quotes David Alberto Já, president of the Islamic Community of Angola, as saying a total of 60 mosques have been shut down, mostly outside the capital, Luanda. The community group’s vice president, David Fungula, described the closures as “religious persecution,” and said he will not stop praying even if all the mosques in Angola are closed. The spokesman of Angola’s na-

tional police, Aristophanes dos Santos, recently said he is unaware of any government order to shut down and destroy mosques, and denied the state was persecuting Muslims. However, VOA recently obtained a government document telling ofﬁcials to demolish the “Zango 1” mosque in Viana Luanda province, east of the capital. The order said the mosque must be torn down because it was built without authorization. VOA has also seen a video showing the total destruction of a mosque in the town of Saurimo. Only a small percentage of Angola’s 18 million people are Muslim. Most Angolans are Christians or follow indigenous religions. 17

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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News

Simon Woolley Wins GG2 Pride of Britain Award Operation Black Vote director Simon Woolley was last week awarded the GG2 Pride of Britain Award, which recognises an individual for their outstanding contribution to society, at the annual GG2 Leadership Awards. The GG2 Leadership Awards, now in their 15th year, aim to highlight and showcase ethnic talent and leadership within the UK. The gala ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who spoke about the important role that the community has played and continues to play in the infrastructure and economy of Great Britain. Seeking to encourage ethnic achievement in the UK, the awards recognise a diverse group of individuals. This year, Simon Woolley was awarded the prestigious GG2 Pride of Britain Award. Woolley is one of the founders and Director of the influential organisation, Operation Black Vote which was established in 1996. He assisted in guiding the project from conceptual idea into a fully-fledged national organisation, recognised for its valuable work on behalf of the community. In light of his efforts, Woolley won the accolade for his work in securing racial justice and equality in the UK with OBV. Woolley, who was recognised amongst other leading members in the community, said of his win: ‘It is the greatest honour to be judged by your peers, particularly when your role is one that is often perceived as rather unflattering and unglamorous. But it is essential for our communities to

Simon Woolley

have racial and social justice. Beyond the fantastic celebrations tonight, it is also our time to be strong and successful and to change Britain and British politics for the better.’ As well as the Leadership Awards themselves, AMG also unveiled its annual Power List, which features the top 101 most influential Asians in the UK, ranging

from all walks of life. Now in its third year, the list honours some notable British Asians who hold power and influence not just in Britain, but also globally. The annual gala event attracted a diverse and powerful audience of high achievers who showed their support for ethnic achievement in the UK. Joining Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, other

luminaries such as Keith Vaz MP, Sadiq Khan MP, Alok Sharma MP, Paul Uppal MP. From the entertainment sector, Preeya Kalidas, Goldy Notay, Ray Panthaki, Laila Rouass, presenter Gillian Joseph and snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan. Teenage activist Malala Yousafzai tops this year’s list for her work in raising awareness for female empowerment. The teenager, who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize earlier this year, is recognised for her courage and bravery in the face of adversity. As a powerful and influential spokesperson, with the ability to reach out to global audiences as well as political decision makers, Malala’s top position on the Power List is certainly deserving. The top ten of the Power List alone sees some distinguished names across different sectors including media and entertainment, politics and business. Last year’s number one, Labour MP Keith Vaz moved down from the leading spot in favour of Malala Yousafzai, and now comes in at number two. Representing the business and finance industry, the Hinduja brothers were awarded the number four position. Kalpesh Solanki, Group Managing Editor of the AMG Power List, says: ‘It’s fantastic to see so much ethnic success in Britain. There are a lot of strong, influential and powerful people whose hard work goes unrecognised. These awards ceremonies are highly significant as it’s incredibly important for us to keep recognising and rewarding ethnic achievements in the country.’

Akinwumi Adesina named Forbes Africa 2013 Person of the Year Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwumi Adesina, has been named the 2013 Forbes Africa Person of the Year which celebrates the individual who has had the most influence on events of the year gone by.

The award ceremony took place, 2 December 2013, at the Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The Forbes Africa Person of the Year has, since its inception two years ago, reportedly attracted the highest calibre of nominees from across the continent. Says Chris Bishop, Forbes Africa’s managing editor: “It was an honour to present this award in Kenya, for the 18

Akinwumi Adesina

first time, in the month of the country’s 50th birthday. Akinwumi Adesina was considered a worthy winner by the judges as he is a man on a mission to help Africa feed itself. We hope it will encourage the rest of the continent to grow more of its own food. Also, last year, we presented a Kenyan with the

award in Nigeria - this year it was the other way round, which shows how much Forbes Africa is pan African.” A Lifetime Achievement Award was also given to Manu Chandaria, founder of East African industry conglomerate, Comcraft Group of Companies. “Through his establishment of the East Africa Business Council, Chandaria has been a driving force in the rollout of the East African Community, which has provided local corporations with wider avenues, thus enabling their growth. With a combined GDP of around $100 billion and a population of 140 million people, it is a huge step in the right direction towards intra-African trade,” said Davlynne Lidbetter, general

manager of Forbes Africa, in her speech congratulating Chandaria. The other finalists for the Forbes Africa Person of The Year 2013 were: Aliko Dangote, founder and president, Dangote Group Patrice Motsepe, founder and executive chairman of African Rainbow Minerals Strive Masiyiwa, founder of global telecoms group, Econet Wireless Jim Ovia, founder of Zenith Bank Group Following suggestions from the public, the top five most voted for candidates were posted online in a poll, which comprised a portion of the Person of the Year judges’ final decision.

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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Entertainment

Syria: Freedom versus Death Colour, Panache As

Calabar Festival Flags Off

Calabar contingent attending the Abuja Carnival 2013

One of the literary talents on display is Maram al- Masri

A poetry and literature event in support of raising awareness to the Syrian crisis is being held in London this month.

Iyad Hayatleh is a Palestinian poet, translator who was born and grew up in Syria. He started writing poetry early and published his work in Arabic magazines, giving many readings in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. He has lived in Glasgow since 2000, and he is now an active member of Scottish Pen and Artists in Exile Glasgow and has taken part in many cultural events and translation and poetry workshops giving many readings in Glasgow, Inverness, Belfast, Wigtown, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh International Book Festival, and published some of his poems in Magazines and collective pamphlets in Scotland, and has his first collection published by Survivor’s Press, called Beyond all Measure. He has collaborated with poet Tessa Ransford, on a two-way translation project for a book, A Rug of a Thousand Colours, with poems inspired by the Five Pillars of Islam, published by Luath Press, Edinburgh in September 2012. Maram al-Masri Born in Latakia, Syria, Maram al-Masri is a contemporary poet and writer. After studying English literature at Damascus, she moved to Paris in 1982. At present she dedicates herself exclusively to literature and translation. Besides numerous poems published in literary journals, in several Arab anthologies and in various international anthologies, she has published several collections of poems. Thus far her work has been translated into eight languages. Maram al-Masri has participated in many international

festivals of poetry in France and abroad. She has been awarded the following prizes: “Adonis Prize” of the Lebanese Cultural Forum for the best creative work in Arabic in 1998, “Premio Citta di Calopezzati” for the section “Poesie de la Mediterranee”, “Prix d’Automne 2007” of the Societe des gens de lettres. Numerous translations of her work from the Arabic include A Red Cherry on a White-tiled Floor (Translation by Khaled Mattawa, Bloodaxe Book Editions, Newcastle, 2004, Second edition printed in 2005, Third edition printed in 2007, US Copper Canyon Press). Husam Eddin Mohammad Author, editor and translator of a selection of creative, political and autobiographical books including: Poisoned Kohl (Poetry and short stories), Introducing Slafoj Zizik (translation), Country of Words (translation and editing), A History of Injustice in the Arab World (editing). Vice president of the Syrian Writers Association, Managing Editor of a ‘Awraq’ magazine (London), founder of a (Al-Wa’I) Publishing House, Co-founder of the Syrian Journalist Association, co-owner of Artiquea Gallery (London), Many times a contributor to debates in universities, conferences, TV programs and workshops. Music in solidarity by Antonio Riva and Kat Henderson. £2 EWI 2013 members; £4 others Exiled Lit Cafe Thursday 19th December at 7.30 Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX (Covent Garden tube)

The annual Calabar Festival took off on Saturday 30 November with a colourful lighting of the Christmas tree, said to be the tallest in Africa. At the Millennium Park venue of the lighting ceremony, the revellers, including Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, were treated to a two-hour explosive entertainment that climaxed with the lighting of the Christmas tree at midnight, accompanied by fireworks. Imoke stated that there are two brands recognised by the world today: Nollywood and the Calabar Carnival. He noted that the tree lighting exercise will go down in the record of Nigeria that next to the tallest and biggest flag in Nigeria, is the tallest Christmas tree. “We remain in that place where every Nigerian would be proud to be. A place where every Nigerian will say there is a state in Nigeria where you can see the governor walking around, associating with his people, not afraid to be part of the crowd, and the people are warm, happy and beautiful,” said Imoke, who urged youths in the state to make use of

their talents. He recalled that music star like Iyanya and many talents were discovered during the annual festival. On his part, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, reiterated the need for government to galvanise resources and train young artistes to enable them use their creative abilities productively. Duke also urged Cross Riverians to find in each of them their creative talents that they may showcase to the world instead of waiting on government to provide their needs. Ace comedian, I Go Die kept revellers that also included the Governor’s wife, Obioma, Air Vice Marshal Gregory Agbonemi, former Military Governor of the state, Nollywood stars like Kate Henshaw, Rita Dominic, Gideon Okeke and Bryan Okwara alongside Mr. U.K Eke, an Executive Director of First Bank, on the edge of their seats. There were also performances by up and coming musicians discovered during auditions for the festival.

Oyo state contingent at the Abuja Carnival 2013

Events calendar What’s On & When Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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Arts

Theatre, Shows and Musicals By Ryan Holmes

Lenny Henry as Troy and Tanya Moodie as Rose

The Lion King Now- Jul 20 2014

The posters have been plastered around the London Underground for 12 years – long enough for this show to rack up 5,000 performances – but nothing prepares you for the sheer impact of ‘The Lion King’s opening sequence. With the surge of ‘Circle Of Life’ reverberating through your chest, Julie Taymor’s animal creations march on, species by species. Gazelles spring, birds swoop and an elephant and her child lumber through the stalls. It’s a cacophonous cavalcade that genuinely stops you breathing. You’d think Noah’s Ark had emptied onto the stage 21 Wellington St, London, WC2E 7RQ

The 39 Steps Now- March 2014

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

Henry V Now Feb 15 2014

It’s once more unto the breach for director Michael Grandage and his protégé Jude Law! This unusually elegant revival of Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’ marks the last chapter in Grandage’s five-show run at the Noël Coward Theatre, and the last chance 20

for the 40-year-old Law – a mainstay of Grandage’s reign at the Donmar Warehouse – to realistically carry off the 29-year-old English king. St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4AU

The Scottsboro Boys Now-December 21st

The Scottsboro Boys were nine young black men convicted of raping two white women in Scottsboro, Alabama in 1931. Following a mistrial, the overwhelming evidence of their innocence did nothing to persuade a succession of white Alabama juries to find them innocent; their plight did much to lay the groundwork for the US civil rights movement – but that wasn’t a lot of comfort for the poor fellas left to rot in a Southern penitentiary. Young Vic, 66 The Cut, SE1 8LZ

One Man, Two Guvnors Now-March 2014

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

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory November1st, 2014

Skyfall’ director Sam Mendes’s huge new

Warner Brothers musical confirms it: the hottest property in the West End right now is a grouchy, dead half-Norwegian, who loathed show-offs and spent most of his working life hiding out in a shed at the bottom of his garden. Roald Dahl probably wouldn’t have liked the whiz-popping rave that Mendes has created from his addictive kids’ book ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ – because he felt it was Charlie’s story, and any adaptation inevitably becomes the Willy Wonka show. But what a show this is: a deliciously twisted anti-talent contest in which young Charlie finds a golden ticket and enters the factory of mysterious confectioner, Wonka, to battle four revoltingly spoiled brats for a lifetime’s supply of chocolate. Catherine St, London, WC2B 5JF

of Broadway’s golden age as much as the sounds. The strapping young Latter Day Saints missionaries in ‘The Book of Mormon’ are as cartoonish as any ‘South Park’ character, with the endearing alpha-male woodenness of the ‘Team America’ puppets. In other words, they are loveable, well-intentioned idiots, traversing the globe like groups of pious meerkats, convinced they can convert the heathen through sheer politeness. And if they have doubts, then as Stephen Ashfield’s scene-stealingly repressed Elder McKinley declares in glorious faux-Gershwin number ‘Turn it Off’, ‘Don’t feel those feelings – hold them in instead!’. Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry St, W1D 6AS

Warhorse Now - Oct 27th, 2014

Now- December 7th

Five years on, the National Theatre’s ‘War Horse’ has become ubiquitous. The toast of the West End and Broadway, as I write this it’s sold out at the New London Theatre for the next two months – by contrast Its enormous success has negated the impact of Arts Council funding cuts on the NT, to the extent that the show has started to be singled out by some commentators as an example of ‘safe’ post-credit crunch programming. And, of course, there’s the Steven Spielberg film, a curious affair sparked by the director’s genuine love of the play, in which he gives Michael Morpurgo’s 1982 a lavish screen treatment that has everything bar the one thing that made the play so special in the first place. ICA, The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH

The Light Princess Now-Feb 2nd 2014

The National Theatre’s much-hyped new musical is a visual and technical tour de force with a title performance from Rosalie Craig that’ll blow your mind and melt your heart. I was a fan – in other words – in spite of the fact that ‘The Light Princess’ doesn’t really do the business in the tunes department, where big things had been expected from songwriter and creator Tori Amos. South Bank, London, SE1 9PX

Book of Mormons Now- March 21st 2014

Brace yourself for a shock: ‘South Park’ creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Broadway-munching musical is not particularly shocking. Sure, there are ‘fucks’ and ‘cunts’ and gags about baby rape – but beneath it all, this is a big-hearted affair that pays note-perfect homage to the spirit

The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui’ isn’t Brecht’s best play, but it is one of his more accessible ones, a dark allegorical comedy about Hitler’s rise to power set in a mobcontrolled ’30s Chicago. An exiled Brecht scribbled it down over three weeks in 1941 while waiting for his US visa to come through and if it had been staged in neutral America that year it might have been incendiary – but it wasn’t actually performed until 1958. The epilogue presents it as a warning from history, but it’s essentially a piece of political propaganda that exists to tell us that Hitler Was a Bad Man – probably the only historical fact that even Michael Gove is satisfied we all know. 3-5 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5LA

Let the Right One In Now- July 8th 2014

There’s more ‘spirit’ than ‘Christmas’ over at the Royal Court this season as top playwright Jack Thorne follows his terrifying BBC drama ‘The Fades’ with a stage adaptation of the cult Swedish vampire novel, which has already spawned two chilling cult films. The much in demand John Tiffany (‘Black Watch’, ‘Once’) directs a story of blood in the snow, as young boy in a remote Scottish town encounters a girl who is far older than she appears. It’s sold out but all Monday seats go on sale the morning of the performance, and there are also special £10 tickets for teenagers every night. For adults and fearless teens ages 13+ Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8AS

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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Arts

Poet of the Week: Tchicaya u Tam’si, Gérald-Félix By Peter Olorunnisomo

Tchicaya u Tam’si, Gérald-Félix (1931-88). One of the few authors writing in the Congo before Independence in 1960, he played a leading role in the development of Congolese literature and is now considered a major African poet. Born in Mpili, the son of a politician, he was educated in Orléans and Paris, after which he abandoned study and took a series of unskilled jobs. However, his interest in writing brought him into contact with poets such as Supervielle, and by 1955 he had written a novel, Les Cancrelats (not to appear until 1980), and published a collection of poems, Le Mauvais Sang. His literary output includes poetry, novels, and plays, and he won several literary prizes, including the Grand Prix de Poésie du Festival des Arts Nègres de Dakar for Épitomé in 1966 and the Italian Prix Simba in 1979. He worked briefly with ORTF before returning to his country in 1960 and becoming editor of Congo, the organ of Patrice Lumumba’s Mouvement National Congolais. During this time he came into contact with the Congolese leader himself, an encounter which exerted considerable influence

Modikwe Dikobe

on his writing. Returning to France after Lumumba’s death, he worked with UNESCO until 1986. In Tchicaya’s first collection, Le Mauvais Sang (1955), the influence of French poetry is clear, in standard forms such as six-syllable lines or alexandrines, and in stylistic devices suggesting the influence of Verlaine, Rimbaud, and Mallarmé. However, Feu de brousse (1957) and A triche-cœur

(1958) develop the specifically African themes of the earlier poems in a form and style which are recognizable as the poet’s own. His poetry is characterized by an ironic attitude towards himself, an acute awareness of how colonialism has divorced the African poet from his cultural heritage, and a syncretic combination of images from the natural world of West Africa and from Christianity, especially the Bible. In these

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

When the personage at the nucleus of a major mainstream film is a man of such valient stature as Nelson Mandela, there is always concerns. Those anxieties come from worrying we will ever know the truth, will he get tidied up, seen only from his best side?. The other danger is that, while cataloguing the man’s truely remarkable accomplishments, the filmmakers will overlook the man behind the legend. This was my personal fear worrying I would invest two and a half hours and yet not learn anything new. Though this film is a great pleasure to watch, as the retelling of the Nelson and Winnie Mandela story falls into neither of these crevasses. It is balanced, fullbodied, heartfelt and more than moving. Portraying the Mandelas as all-toohuman, it is all the more moving during those moments when they really come into their own. Early on, Nelson Mandela (vibrantly embodied by Idris Elba) is anything but the hero, and the champion of no true cause. He’s an ambitious, charismatic, lustily womanizing Johannesburg lawyer who steers clear of activist attempts to involve

him in the struggle against a repressive South African government. But that begins to change when one friend too many gets beaten to death in police custody. Then Nelson is willing to sit down with members of the African National Congress, who have seen in him the makings of a natural leader. In turn, Mandela sees the sizeable following this movement already has on the streets. As the first of many crowd scenes swells across the screen, Mandela becomes a man inspired. He has a cause. In mere minutes of running time, Mandela is leading the marches and commanding the podium, in a kind of elongated montage that is seamlessly edited to convey the passage of untold weeks. Indeed, the whole film adheres to this narrative principle, segueing months, then years ahead, pausing at most of the key historical moments, and interspersing enough of the more intimate interludes that allow Mandela and his family to become people we can deeply care about and feel for. It is during some of those interludes that we see Nelson in a less than flattering light, whether cheating on his wife Evelyn (Terry Pheto) with a gorgeous groupie or throwing

an overwought Evelyn to the floor during a heated confrontation. It is also during these interludes that Nelson meets and romances spirited social worker Winnie Madikizela (Naomie Harrris), whom he calls “the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.” Given whom we’ve seen him see, that is high praise indeed. But Winnie Mandela is more than just another pretty face in Nelson’s life, more even than a loyal helpmate who stands at the side of her increasingly famous man, as he leads the ANC in Gandhi-style peaceful resistance, and later into fire-bombing retaliation, after the police start suppressing amassed protestors by shooting into their midst. But it’s after Nelson is arrested, convicted and imprisoned that Winnie truly comes to the forefront of this film— suffering random police searches, protesting and getting herself arrested, agonizing as she is separated from her children, and then enduring her own prison sentence, for repeated acts of insurgence. This is where Harris earns however many award nominations she has coming her way. It should be many.

and the following collections, Épitomé (1962) and Le Ventre (1964), the poet clearly distances himself from the writers of négritude, refusing to seek in a return to the African past a solution to the problems raised by his cultural identity. In the 1970s Tchicaya turned his attention to the theatre with Le Zulu, first produced at Avignon in 1976. Critics drew parallels with Greek tragedy, Shakespeare, and Corneille. The play relates the life of the pre-colonial African hero Shaka, developing the theme of the isolated leader already present in the poems. Le Destin glorieux du Maréchal Nnikon Nniku prince qu’on sort (1979) treats the same theme in a grotesque and farcical manner. In his novels the author concentrates on the life of ordinary Africans from the late 19th c. onwards. Les Cancrelats (1980), Les Méduses ou les Orties de mer (1982), and Les Phalènes (1984) form a trilogy, a saga of a family’s history in Africa and Europe. Despite the importance of his contribution to the African novel and theatre, however, the style of all his works is essentially poetic, and it is ultimately as a poet that he is remembered.

By Ryan Holmes

From the moment she arrives onscreen, Harris’ Winnie is a force, whether making out with Nelson in the tall grass or hurling fiery exhortations in front of crowds of followers. As the struggle for freedom grows more violent, as the years without Nelson add up, as Winnie gets yanked in and out of imprisonment, Harris’ performance only builds in intensity. She is fierce, formidable, unrelenting. And as her long fight winds down, with so much politically achieved and so much personally sacrificed, the fury dies down to a dark smolder. Permanently radicalized, but nudged to the side by the “pardoned” Nelson’s platform of peaceful negotiation to end white minority rule, Harris’ Winnie has the look of a rebel whose cause has been usurped. If Elba’s portrayal is defined by the way he modulates the language of his large, powerful body (during his time in prison, he goes from strong, strapping defiance to beaten-down, stoic endurance), Harris says it all with her eyes. The eyes alone give a great performance. The rest of what she does to command every scene she’s in is a beautiful bonus. 21

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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Health

UK/Chinese healthcare co-operation deals sealed

The British economy is set to be boosted by more than £120 million thanks to a package of UK/ Chinese healthcare deals.

The Prime Minister and Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt witnessed the ﬁnal agreements being sealed in China, during the Prime Minister’s three day visit to the country. The deals include: Sinophi Healthcare signed contracts for hospital management and hospital investment worth £120 million. These include a joint venture with Huai’an First People’s Hospital, one of the biggest hospitals in Jiangsu Province (population 80 million people) in East China, and an agreement to build a 1,000 bed oncology hospital; Heythorp Healthcare signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Jiangsu Far East (Yadong). This is for a joint venture to develop a ﬂagship, mixed use healthcare facility which will include elderly nursing, specialist dementia services and care training outside Jiangsu; Healthcare UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the CITIC Trust and Circle Partnership to unlock

Health Minister Jeremy Hunt speaks at the Chinese Embassy

commercial deals for UK companies in areas such as primary care services, integrated care and education and training. IXICO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Beijing Union Medical and Pharmaceutical General Corporation. They will work together to support dementia diagnosis, advance public understanding of dementia and evaluate new treatments. On the Sinophi deal, Prime Minister David Cameron said: This deal highlights the enormous opportunity that the

Chinese healthcare market presents for British healthcare firms set to grow by $400 billion by 2017. I hope we will see many more partnerships and deals like this for British businesses in this market. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: These agreements will see UK firms exporting their expertise to China – building their businesses and investing in Chinese healthcare. Both countries will benefit from these new relationships and better trade links.

What are the risk factors? There are two main types of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body produces no insulin. In type 2 diabetes the body does produce insulin, but not enough. You are more at risk of getting diabetes if: A close member of your family (parent, brother or sister) has type 2 diabetes. You’re overweight or your waist is more than 31.5 inches (80cm) if you’re a woman, more than 35 inches (89cm) if you’re an Asian man, and 37 inches (94cm) or more if you’re a white or black man.

You have high blood pressure or you’ve had a heart attack or stroke. You’re a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and you’re overweight. You’re a woman and you’ve had gestational (pregnancy) diabetes. The more risk factors that apply to you, the greater your chances of becoming diabetic.

Estimates are that the OECD and BRIC nations will increase spending on healthcare by 50% between 2010 and 2020 to $7.5 trillion. This demonstrates the size of the opportunity for UK firms. Alongside this effort to improve trade with China, Jeremy Hunt also announced that the UK will embark on a new stream of work with China on Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR). Jeremy Hunt said: Drug resistant infections are a huge threat to global health and an only be dealt with by collaboration across all borders. Working with China and other countries is crucial in fighting AMR, and I am pleased that the UK will be exchanging expertise and developing new areas for action as part of a global partnership. Furthermore, Jeremy Hunt also outlined a new partnership with China on care of older people, with a focus on dementia. He said: Both the UK and China face similar challenges in caring for ageing populations. There is a great deal that we can learn from each other in this field, and we believe UK companies have much to offer in the Chinese elderly care market.

Diabetes: reduce your risk of getting it More than 2 million people in the UK have diabetes, and people from some cultures, including African Caribbean communities, have a higher risk than the rest of the population.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body can’t deal properly with glucose (sugar) in food. According to the “Health Survey 2004: The health of minority ethnic groups”, people who identify themselves as black Caribbean are up to three times more likely than the general population to develop diabetes. Some estimates are higher. The charity Diabetes UK says people from African Caribbean communities in the UK are five times more likely than white people to have diabetes. It’s not clear why diabetes is more common in these communities, but it’s thought to be linked to diet, genetic differences in processing and storing fat and unequal access to health services. Diabetes can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. If it isn’t treated, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, problems with the eyes and kidneys and damage to the arteries. But there are ways to reduce your risk and to control diabetes if you have it. 22

Reduce your risk The main ways to reduce your risk of diabetes are eating a healthy, balanced diet and doing at least 150 minutes (2 hours

Desmond Tutu is tested for high blood pressure and diabetes in an attempt to raise awareness

and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking, every week. “People can still follow their traditional diet, but they can do it more healthily,” says Jenne. She also says that African and African Caribbean food tends to be higher in fat and sugar. “For example, instead of frying with a lot of oil, use just a teaspoon. Or try baking and steaming instead.” A healthy diet includes: Plenty of fruit and vegetables (at least 5 A DAY) plenty of starchy foods: rice, potatoes, pasta and bread (preferably wholegrain) milk and dairy foods. Meat, fish, eggs, beans and other nondairy sources of protein, such as tofu Type 1 diabetes usually develops in people under 40, although it can occur in older people. It’s treated with insulin injections, a healthy balanced diet and physical activity. Type 2 diabetes can occur at any age. People from African Caribbean and South Asian communities are advised to get tested for diabetes if they are over 25 and have any of the risk factors. White people are advised to get tested for diabetes after the age of 40.

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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Culture

The Xhosa of South Africa

Nelson Mandela is one of the most famous Xhosa tribe members

The Xhosa are the second largest cultural group in South Africa, after the Zulu-speaking nation. The Xhosa language (Isixhosa), of which there are variations, is part of the Nguni language group. Xhosa is one of the 11 official languages recognized by the South African Constitution, and in 2006 it was determined that just over 7 million South Africans speak Xhosa as a home language. It is a tonal language, governed by the noun - which dominates the sentence. Missionaries introduced the Xhosa to Western choral singing. Among the most successful of the Xhosa hymns is the South African national anthem, Nkosi Sikele’ iAfrika (God Bless Africa). It was written by a school teacher named Enoch Sontonga in 1897. Xhosa written literature was established in the nineteenth century with the publication of the first Xhosa newspapers, novels, and plays. Early writers included Tiyo Soga, I. Bud-Mbelle, and John Tengo Jabavu. Stories and legends provide accounts of Xhosa ancestral heroes. According to one oral tradition, the first person on Earth was a great leader called Xhosa. Another tradition stresses the essential unity of the Xhosa-speaking people by proclaiming that all the Xhosa subgroups are descendants of one ancestor, Tshawe. Historians have suggested that Xhosa and Tshawe were probably the first Xhosa kings or paramount (supreme) chiefs. The Supreme Being among the Xhosa is called uThixo or uQamata. As in the religions of many other Bantu peoples, God is only rarely involved in everyday life. God may be approached through ancestral intermediaries who are honoured through ritual sacrifices. Ancestors commonly

make their wishes known to the living in dreams. Xhosa religious practice is distinguished by elaborate and lengthy rituals, initiations, and feasts. Modern rituals typically pertain to matters of illness and psychological well-being. The Xhosa people have various rites of passage traditions. The first of these occurs after giving birth; a mother is expected to remain secluded in her house for at least ten days. In Xhosa tradition, the after-birth and umbilical cord were buried or burned to protect the baby from sorcery. At the end of the period of seclusion, a goat was sacrificed. Those who no longer practice the traditional rituals may still invite friends and relatives to a special dinner to mark the end of the mother’s seclusion. Although they speak a common language, Xhosa people belong to many loosely organized, but distinct chiefdoms that have their origins in their Nguni ancestors. It is important to question how and why the Nguni speakers were separated into the sub-group known today. The majority of central northern Nguni people became part of the Zulu kingdom, whose language and traditions are very similar to the Xhosa nations - the main difference is that the latter abolished circumcision.

Age grade children in cultural compliance

In order to understand the origins of the Xhosa people we must examine the developments of the southern Nguni, who intermarried with Khoikhoi and retained circumcision. For unknown reasons, certain southern Nguni groups began to expand their power some time before 1600. Tshawe founded the Xhosa kingdom by defeating the Cirha and Jwarha groups. His descendants expanded the kingdom by settling in new territory and bringing people living there under the control of the amaTshawe. Generally, the group would take on the name of the chief under whom they had united. There are therefore distinct varieties of the Xhosa language, the most distinct being isiMpondo (isiNdrondroza). Other dialects include: Thembu, Bomvana, Mpondimise, Rharhabe, Gcaleka, Xesibe, Bhaca, Cele, Hlubi, Ntlangwini, Ngqika, Mfengu (also names of different groups or clans). Unlike the Zulu and the Ndebele in the north, the position of the king as head of a lineage did not make him an absolute king. The junior chiefs of the various chiefdoms acknowledged and deferred to the paramount chief in matters of ceremony, law, and tribute, but he was not allowed to interfere in their domestic affairs. There was great rivalry among them, and few of these leaders could answer for the actions of even their own councillors. As they could not centralise their power, chiefs were constantly preoccupied with strategies to maintain the loyalties of their followers. The Cape Nguni of long ago were cattle farmers. They took great care of their cattle because they were a symbol of wealth, status, and respect. Cattle were used to determine the price of a bride, or lobola, and they were the most acceptable offerings to the ancestral spirits. They also kept dogs, goats and later, horses, sheep, pigs and poultry. Their chief crops were millet, maize, kidney beans, pumpkins, and watermelons. By the eighteenth century they were also growing tobacco and hemp. At this stage isiXhosa was not a written language but there was a rich store of music and oral poetry. Xhosa tradition is rich in creative verbal expression. Intsomi (folktales), proverbs, and isibongo (praise poems) are told in dramatic and creative ways. Folktales relate the adventures of both animal protagonists and human characters. Praise poems traditionally relate the heroic adventures of ancestors or political leaders. As the Xhosa slowly moved westwards in groups, they destroyed or incorporated the Khoikhoi chiefdoms and San groups, and their language became influenced by Khoi and San words, which contain distinctive ‘clicks’. Europeans who came to stay in South Africa first settled in and around Cape

Town. As the years passed, they sought to expand their territory. This expansion was first at the expense of the Khoi and San, but later Xhosa land was taken as well. The Xhosa encountered eastward-moving White pioneers or ‘Trek Boers’ in the region of the Fish River. The ensuing struggle was not so much a contest between Black and White races as a struggle for water, grazing and living space between two groups of farmers. Nine Frontier Wars followed between the Xhosa and European settlers, and these wars dominated 19th century South African History. The first frontier war broke out in 1780 and marked the beginning of the Xhosa struggle to preserve their traditional customs and way of life. It was a struggle that was to increase in intensity when the British arrived on the scene. The Xhosa fought for one hundred years to preserve their independence, heritage and land, and today this area is still referred to by many as Frontier Country. During the Frontier Wars, hostile chiefs forced the earliest missionaries to abandon their attempts to ‘evangelise’ them. This situation changed after 1820, when John Brownlee founded a mission on the Tyhume River near Alice, and William Shaw established a chain of Methodist stations throughout the Transkei. Other denominations followed suit. Education and medical work were to become major contributions of the missions, and today Xhosa cultural traditionalists are likely to belong to independent denominations that combine Christianity with traditional beliefs and practices. In addition to land lost to white annexation, legislation reduced Xhosa political autonomy. Over time, Xhosa people became increasingly impoverished, and had no option but to become migrant labourers. In the late 1990s, Xhosa labourers made up a large percentage of the workers in South Africa’s gold mines. The dawn of apartheid in the 1940s marked more changes for all Black South Africans. In 1953 the South African Government introduced homelands or Bantustans, and two regions ‘Transkei and Ciskei’ were set aside for Xhosa people. These regions were proclaimed independent countries by the apartheid government. Therefore many Xhosa were denied South African citizenship, and thousands were forcibly relocated to remote areas in Transkei and Ciskei. The homelands were abolished with the change to democracy in 1994 and South Africa’s first democratically elected president was African National Congress (ANC) leader, Nelson Mandela, who is a Xhosa-speaking member of the Thembu people.

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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News

New approach to youth jobs in Morocco

Some 20,000 unemployed young Moroccans will have a chance for a better future, thanks to a 4-year project co-sponsored by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Through 2016, the “Young People at Work” project will help “youths get into paid employment, entrepreneurship and business creation, while also explaining financial services”, ILO official Youssra Hamed said in Casablanca on Thursday (November 22nd). “This programme stands out from similar projects,” public finance lecturer Aziz Benmoulan told Magharebia, because it emphasises financial education. With funding from the Canadian development agency, the project will help young Moroccan paricipants learn management skills and understand how the business world really works. “It’s an interesting scheme, which has come along at what is certainly a difficult time, but it’s up to young people

Protests have led to changes being forced into place in an attempt to cull the violence

to take the opportunity to beneﬁt from it by developing their professional knowledge and keeping up with the changing needs of the market”, says Hamza Madih, a student at a computer engineering institute.

The “Young People at Work” project will target Agadir, Oujda and the Casablanca-Kenitra corridor. Developing public-private partnership is one of the ways in which youth employment will be promoted, Employment Minister Abdeslam Seddiki said

Zimbabwe teenager stabbed for playing music on his phone

A teenage imbiber’s choice of music cost him his life after fellow patrons at a pub were annoyed by his selection and stabbed him with Okapi knives before ﬂeeing the scene.

Police have identified the teen as Peter Matewuro, 19, of Matewuro village under Chief Njelele’s area in Gokwe South. Midlands police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, said the incident occurred last Friday at about 8pm as Matewuro enjoyed some drinks at Choes Beer Outlet at Zenda Mine in Gokwe. The police officer said Matewuro had a misunderstanding with two men, Felex Kawadza, 28, of Mbizo in Kwekwe and Judgement Dube, 23, of Redcliff over the type of music he was playing at the pub. The youth is said to have been playing the music on his mobile phone. “We are investigating a case of murder where a man aged 19 was stabbed with Okapi knives by two suspects over differences in the taste of music,” said the cop. “It is said the deceased teenager was drinking beer while playing music of his choice at Choes Beer Outlet. The misunderstanding degenerated into a fight between Matewuro and Kawadza. 24

last month in Marrakech. Casablanca student Najiba El Khadiri complained, however, that measures taken to promote training and employment for young people are not publicised. “There are many people who, like me, don’t know what the government’s policy is,” the management graduate said. Following on from this observation, her colleague Nawal Alarbaoui said that the digital era has a vital role to play in giving young people access to information about measures adopted in the ﬁeld of training and self-employment. The Economic and Social Council acknowledges that long-term structural reforms are needed to address the issue of jobless youth. “With unemployment affecting between 9% and 11% of young Moroccans, the government must come up with an adequate response,” said Imad El Khalidi, a member of the Socialist Youth movement.

Teacher found dead in room A Ghanian teacher has been found dead in the house where she lived. Grace Hammond, a teacher of Kronom M/A Primary School B, was discovered after the foul smell emanating from her room this week and made some neighbours suspicious.

Knives similar to the ones used in the attack

“Kawadza was overpowered and fell to the ground. Dube joined in the ﬁght to rescue his friend who had been overpowered and started assaulting Matewuro.” Inspector Mahoko said Kawadza took out a knife and stabbed Matewuro once on the left arm. “Dube also produced a knife and stabbed Matewuro once in the stomach. The two suspects ﬂed the scene. The matter was reported to the police who attended to the scene,” he said.

“Matewuro was ferried to Gokwe District Hospital where he was further transferred to Gweru Provincial Hospital but died on the way. “His body was taken to Kwekwe District Hospital mortuary. The suspects were arrested and are assisting police with their investigations.” Inspector Mahoko appealed to members of the public to respect the sanctity of human life.

The decomposed body of Grace reportedly drew the attention of the neighbours to her apartment. The death follows a similar sad incident which occurred barely a week ago at Nsuta, when a Kindergarten teacher also lost her life after being allegedly assaulted by relatives of one of her pupils. It is, however, not clear what may have led to the death of Grace Hammond, who was last seen by colleague teachers last week Wednesday. The news of her death has, therefore, come as a surprise to many, as neighbours say they did not suspect anything wrong with her. It is, however, suspected that the deceased, who owns a ﬁnancial institution, by name GH Link Financial Services and has had problems with business in recent times, may have committed suicide. The Police at Breman have conﬁrmed the incident but said investigations were still ongoing.

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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News

Innovations that could save millions of lives With less than 500 days to the 2015 Millennium Development Goal (MDG) deadline, Uganda is currently scaling up many of its interventions, especially health, to achieve at least two thirds of the expectations.

Uganda is currently grappling with a high under-ﬁve mortality rate at 90 deaths per 1,000 live births as of 2011, and a high maternal mortality rate at 438 deaths per 100,000 live births. Last week, the ministry of Health unveiled the Sharpened Reproductive Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (RMNCH) Strategic Plan 2013-2017 meant to accelerate progress on maternal, newborn and child survival. It highlights important health care innovations; if immediately brought to scale, they have the potential of saving lives of 120,000 children and 6,100 women by 2017. Helping Babies Breath Helping Babies Breath (HBB) is an evidence-based curriculum working to train birth attendants responsible for the care of

The mother-child health passport This is a hand-held record that documents health care records of a mother from pregnancy through to baby’s early days. It aims to provide continuity in health care records with an aim of improving caregiver knowledge to demand for services.

A Ugandan nurse looks after an infant

the mother and baby at delivery, who may not have assistance from a second trained helper. HBB uses innovative teaching tools like the NeoNatalie, a newborn simulator which helps health workers deliver babies safely in any setting. It was designed to be incorporated with other on-going maternal and newborn health care initiatives and strategies.

Theft of over K7 Million stashed in a mattress

Integrated community case management This is an initiative of bringing treatment of common childhood illnesses closer to home through the use of village health teams (VHTs) to distribute medicines. Under the initiative, VHTs are able to conduct postnatal care visits during the ﬁrst week of life, including registering and referring pregnant women. The initiative has been rolled out in 34 districts. Kangaroo Mother Care When a tiny baby is placed skin-to-skin on the chest of the caregiver (mother, father or grandmother), this keeps the baby warm. Keeping preterm babies warm is especially important because their tiny bodies lose heat rapidly, making them highly vulnerable to illness, infection and even death.

Mobile Vital Registration Early this year, the country launched the Mobile Vital Registration System (MobileVRS) using mobile phones for registration of births and issuing of births certiﬁcates. Unicef is currently developing the capacity of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and hospitals to integrate the MobileVRS into their routine of work by providing equipment, training and supervision. This will increase the number of registered children by over 50 per cent.

m-Trac and U-reporting Under m-Trac, health workers use their phones to submit data of diseases via a tollfree short code. This system has greatly improved disease surveillance and medicines monitoring and generated community action for health systems accountability and to reduce drug stock-outs. U-report also uses SMS messages and radio and TV to provide a platform for strengthening dialogue. At least 250,000 youths in Uganda are signed up as U-reporters.

The Malawian currency Kwacha

Ramus Milliward had a rude awakening Tuesday as unidentiﬁed men broke into his house where they stole cash amounting to K7, 800, 000 which was hidden under his mattress.

Machinga Police conﬁrmed the incident as the unidentiﬁed criminals are still at large with the cash. Milliward, 60, met his fate around 4 am Tuesday and reported to Ntaja police the same Tuesday. He sustained injuries as he was strug-

gling to protect his cash, according to Machinga Police. Apart from the millions of kwacha, the unidentiﬁed criminals also took away two travelling bags, a small portable radio and assorted clothes. According to police, Milliward kept the cash in his house to buy a maize mill, cattle and ploughs. He comes from Malilima village, Traditional Authority Nkoola in Machinga. 25

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South Africa welcomes back the Trophy The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola touches down on the last stop of the tour’s African leg in South Africa, host of the 2010 World Cup. The visit of the trophy is set to re-ignite the overwhelming World Cup fever which was on show to the football world during the last edition of football’s flagship event. The trophy will remain in South Africa for a total of three days, and will give the public a chance to be reacquainted with the most sought after symbol of world football through a series of consumer events.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola started its African tour in Tunisia, and has steadily made its way through Algeria, Morocco, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and finally South Africa, providing fans of the game an opportunity to share in the joy of the World Cup. Following three days in South Africa the trophy will then take a break from the tour to make a very special appearance in Brazil for the FIFA World Cup™ Final Draw, before heading to the Middle East on the 9 December with stops scheduled for Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The South African stop of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour is just one component of FIFA’s on-going commitment to the Host Country of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, ensuring that the event has a lasting impact for South Africa. The 2010 FIFA

Sandile Sibande, Aaron Mokoena, Edward Molate and Happy Jele during the arrival of the FIFA World Cup Trophy at Lanseria Airport on December 01, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo images) World Cup Legacy Trust was established Legacy Trust is supporting a number of Leagues, as well as U-13, U-15, Beach in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Football for Hope Centres across Africa, Soccer and Futsal competitions. For further to promote and extend the development of an initiative which has already brought eddetails on the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legafootball in South Africa and support iniucation and health services to over 70,000 cy Trust and the supported projects, please tiatives using football as a tool for social young people in disadvantaged commuvisit the 2010 Legacy Trust website. development. The Trust met earlier this nities in 16 countries across Africa. The Join our online community to keep up month in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Legacy Trust has also funded a number to date with all the latest news about the assess the progress of the first grants that of key grassroots activities implemented FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Cocawere issued at the beginning of the year by the South African Football Association Cola. Like the FIFA World Cup Trophy and set the requirements for the next phase (SAFA) and its regional and local affiliTour by Coca-Cola on Facebook and folof applications. ates, including a Women’s High Performlow the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by In the area of social development, the ance Programme and Women’s Regional Coca-Cola on Twitter.

Ghana to make concrete World Cup plans after final draw The Ghana FA is awaiting the final draw for the 2014 World Cup before making concrete preparatory plans for the Black Stars.

The Black Stars will now their team base and opponents at next year’s World Cup in Brazil after the final draw is made on Friday in Bahia. Ghana is sending a joint delegation from the GFA and government to witness the draw on Friday. The delegation will use the opportunity while in Brazil to check on facilities for the Black Stars contingent. The Ghana FA is also awaiting the final draw to begin formulating serious plans to prepare the Black Stars for the tournament. “The outcome of the draw will influence to a very large extent a number of decisions that will be taken in preparations to the World Cup,” Ghana FA 30

Ghana head coach James Kwesi Appiah

boss Kwesi Nyantakyi said. “The first one is the team base camp. The second one is the friendlies we will line up. “The choice of friendlies will also be influenced by the outcome of the draw. “Other plans in terms of monitor-

ing opponents will be all influenced by who we play in the group matches. “We will take certain major decisions after the World Cup draw.” Ghana is aiming for at least a semi final place finish at next year’s grand showpiece haven made progressive stints in their previous two campaigns at the World Cup. Meanwhile, Ghana coach Akwasi Appiah insists there are no guaranteed spots in his team for the 2014 World Cup despite the availability of several world class players. The Black Stars will be embarking on a third successive campaign in next year’s grand showpiece to be staged in Brazil. Ghana hugely impressed during the qualification haven been armed with several world class players who compete in some of the best leagues in Eu-

rope. With players such as Michael Essien, Asamoah Gyan, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew and Kevin-Prince Boateng, the Black Stars is deemed a real prospect of making it all the way in next year’s finals. But coach Akwasi Appiah is adamant these stars are not guaranteed of a place in his team for the World Cup. “There is nothing like an automatic choice because what if by the time the tournament comes around the person you would want to rely on gets injured?” Appiah says. “So for me there is nothing like the automatic choice. We only look to hope that all our players are fit and available to play when the time comes.”

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013

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Ethiopia through to quarter finals CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup

Ayew undergoes knee surgery

Ghana midfielder Andre Ayew has undergone a successful operation on a torn meniscus in his knee, his side Olympique Marseille announced.

The surgery was supervised by Dr Jean-Pierre Franceschi in Marseille the player will be discharged from the hospital. Ayew suffered the injury playing for Ghana in the World Cup playoffs against Egypt last Tuesday when he twisted his knee. The influential 23-year-old will need two months to recover. Andre will be sorely missed by his French side Marseille as they face Arsenal at the Emirates in the UEFA Champions League.

Ethiopia booked their place at the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup

The Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia have become the third team to book a place in the quarterfinals of the on-going CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Kenya. Coach Sewnet Bishaw’s team this afternoon defeated South Sudan 2-0 in a Group A tie played at the Afraha Stadium in the Town of Nakuru. Substitutes Yousuf Yassin and Biruk Kalbore scored for the Ethiopians which sent

them through to the last eight. The South Sudan team, playing in their second regional tournament since being admitted by the World Football body FIFA, held the Ethiopians to a goalless first half. On resumption, the Antelopes technical bench made some changes and Yassin drove in a beautiful shot to give Ethiopia the lead. A few minutes later Dominic Abol

should have levelled matters but his well taken shot was parried away for a corner by Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Tariku Getimet. With the Ethiopians running rings around their opponents, Kalbore soon got his name on the score sheet with nine minutes to full time. Qualification for the quarter finals will inspire Bishaw’s team as they prepare the team for the 2014 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.

Kano splashes gifts on Eaglets, Pillars

The world cup winning U-17s World Cup winners celebrate

The Kano State Government showered house and car gifts on players and officials of both Golden Eaglets and Kano Pillars. Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso announced that the two Eaglets from the state, skipper

Musa Muhammed and Zaharaddine Bello, be given three-bedroom houses in a government estate of their choice. It is believed that each of these houses is worth at least 15 million Naira.

Two streets in the main government estate in Kano are also to be named after the players. Twenty five Kano Pillars players and three coaches who retained the Nigeria league championship this past season will each get a brand-new Toyota Corrolla car, each valued at about four million Naira. The other 10 squad members will get 500,000 Naira, while the other backroom staff get 700,000 Naira each. Eaglets coach Manu Garba was rewarded with 500,000 Naira, while his assistants will get 300,000 Naira each. The other Eaglets will each get 250,000 Naira. In attendance were NFF president Aminu Maigari and several of his executive committee members. The Golden Eaglets won a record fourth U17 World Cup recently in the UAE. They have so far been feted by the Federal Government, Cross River, Niger and Imo States.

Africa needs more local coaches, says Caf coach

Ben Koufie

Confederation of African Football (Caf) technical instructor Ben Koufie says Africa must produce more local coaches at the top level. Koufie, who teaches Caf’s equivalent of Uefa’s A licence, is concerned by the number of foreign coaches in Africa. “This must change. Africa must own its own space if we are going to get the respect of the world,” he said. Of the 10 nations who qualified for the World Cup play-offs only Ghana, Nigeria and Ethiopia have African coaches. While Sewnet Bishaw was unable to qualify Ethiopia to next year’s World Cup, Ghana were guided through by Kwesi Appiah, who became the first black African coach to achieve the feat with the Black Stars. African champions Nigeria also booked their place in Brazil, led by Stephen Keshi, a man who has been strongly critical of the role of foreign coaches in Africa.

Friday, 06 December – Thursday, 12 December 2013 issue 511

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South Africa: welcomes back the trophy SEE PAGE 30

Toure is 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year!

Yaya Toure who has been in splendid form over the past year was voted African Player of the Year By Peter Olorunnisomo

Yaya Toure of Ivory Coast and Manchester City has won this year’s BBC African Footballer of the year award. Toure, who has been a nominee in each of the past four years, beat Nigeria’s duo of Victor Moses and John Mikel Obi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Jonathan Pitroipa to this year’s crown.

He was reported to have said; “I think I’ve been nominated for five years in a row and finally winning the award is amazing. Acknowledging the role of the fans who voted him to the award, Toure said; “Im very happy as it is the fans who have

given it to me - so I’m very appreciative”. “It’s a fantastic achievement because I don’t think there has ever been as many quality African players in top-level international football as there are now: Aubameyang, Pitroipa, Mikel, Moses, Salomon Kalou, Gervinho... we have fantastic players”, he said paying tribute to the worthy rivals that were considered also by the fans and the BBC. “I also think African football is improving and that means a lot to us. And as an African, I’m very happy.” A record number of fans then voted for their favourite either online or by text message. And those fans have considered Toure to be the standout African player

over the past year, in recognition of the Ivorian’s displays of power, pace, creativity and goals. Toure said: “Thank you to all the fans around the world who continue to support me. It shows how much fans love you and appreciate your job as well. “It’s something special because it’s not the vote of the manager or the club or the captain of the national team, it’s just the fans. “When you have a lot of fans behind you, it’s always amazing. And I’m very happy as it is the fans who have given it to me - so I’m very appreciative.” The consistent performance of Toure for both club and country has not gone without acknowledgement though he has gone through the conduct protest

into the racial saga in football which has put in public spectacle in the last couple of months. A lesson in professionalism on and off the pitch, a skilful display of talent and in the fifth consecutive year he was been nominated for the BBC African Footballer of the Year award, he was finally voted the best player on the continent.

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