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Friday, 23 October - Thursday, 29 October 2015 ISSUE 602
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
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19th Annual Film Awards 2015
Home Office to encourage police forces to become more representative
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NON-EU NURSES BACK IN FAVOUR Broke and desperate NHS needs you again! By Alan Oakley The Home Office has temporarily lifted restrictions on recruiting non-EU nurses in a bid to help ease some of the pressure on the NHS.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced: “The nursing profession is being added to the Shortage Occupation List, which enables employers to recruit personnel from outside the European Union more easily.” Mr Hunt went on to add that “safe staffing” across UK hospitals and care facilities is a “crucial priority”. Safe staffing is the term used by the NHS for their policy of trying to make sure that there are enough suitably trained and qualified nurses and other health care professionals to properly look after patients. The Health Secretary went on to say: “The temporary changes announced today will ensure the NHS has the nurses it needs to deliver the highest standards
Continued on page 2 Hiring agency staff cost the NHS a record £3.3m in the last financial year
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Davids in Uganda to promote football
Former Barcelona and Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids is in Uganda to help promote football.
The former Dutch international has
been in the country since the start of the week, with the 42-year-old, along with
a group of former Barcelona footballers,
lending a helping hand to the construction
of an international football academy, as per Kawowo.com.
Davids has followed Patrick Kluivert
and and Luis Garcia to the country, with the duo visiting Uganda last month.
The Barcelona legends are set to revisit
the country in the near future with the FC
Barcelona Legends to clash with their Uganda Cranes counterparts in an exhibition match.
Publisher and Editor-In-Chief Mike Abiola Editorial Board Adviser Dr Ola Ogunyemi Managing Editor Alan Oakley News Editor Peter Olorunnisomo Sports Editor Abiodun Teriba Arts Editor Golda John Columnists Milton Tella Photo Journalist Isaac Adegbite Graphic Designer Edward Mirza Accountant Fanla Agboola Chief Correspondent, Nigeria Olubunmi Omoogun London Office: Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP
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Friday, 23 October - Thursday, 29 October 2015
News
Home Office to encourage police forces to become more representative
The Home Office published a force-by-force overview of the proportion of BME and female officers in each of the 43 England and Wales police forces. The data is presented alongside total population statistics, allowing for an easy assessment by the public of how representative their force is in terms of ethnicity and gender.
The diversity profile shows that there is no police force in England and Wales that has a BME representation that matches its local demographic, four forces have no Black/Black British officers. Also there are no BME Chief Constables and female police officers make up 28.2% of all police officers yet are 51% of the total population. Speaking at the National Black Policing Association in Birmingham this morning, the Home Secretary urged forces to do more to make sure they represent the people they serve. While the most recent published police workforce data shows that the proportion of BME officers joining the force (8.8%) is higher than the proportion of current BME officers (5.5%), no force, including the Metropolitan Police, is representative of the communities they serve.
Ministry of Education, Sam Gyimah with his French counterpart
With the launch of the BME 2020 Vision, the government will be calling on all public sector organisations to make their workforces racially representative. Improving diversity should be a priority for the police. Home Secretary, Theresa May, said: Increasing diversity in our police forces is not an optional extra. It goes right to the heart of this country’s historic principle of policing by consent. We must ensure that the public have trust and confidence in the police, and that the police reflect the communities they serve.
Incredibly, 4 forces do not employ any Black or Black British police officers at all, and female officers make up 28% of all police officers but 51% of the total population. This comes on top of existing statistics showing that there are only 2 chief officers who self-identify as BME in England and Wales, and eleven forces with no BME officers above even the rank of chief inspector. This is simply not good enough. I hope these figures will provide chief constables with the information they need to identify areas for improvement and for the public and PCCs to hold them to account.
Broke and desperate NHS needs you again!
...Continued from front page of care without having to rely on rip-off staffing agencies that cost the taxpayer billions of pounds a year.” The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) – an independent public body that advises UK Immigration on immigration issues, and the Shortage Occupation List – said that it has been asked by the Government to review whether nurses should be included on the List on a permanent basis. The review will lead to MAC making recommendations to the Government by 16 February 2016. Last month, the NHS Employers Organisation along with the heads of 10 NHS trusts said that a shortage of nurses from non-EU nations resulting from Tier 2 immigration rules would be “felt acutely” during the winter months. However, at the time of these comments, the Home Office stated that existing Tier 2 Certificates of Sponsorship allocated to employers to enable them to bring in nurses had not been fully exhausted. A spokesperson for the government body said: “Over 1,400 Tier 2 Certificates of Sponsorship for nurses have been issued to NHS trusts since April this year. However, more than 600 of those places allocated for April and May [2015] have been returned unused.” The UK’s healthcare industry has been left with a nursing shortfall of
24,000 staff this year according to consultancy firm, Christie & Co, due to a combination of tougher requirements to obtain Tier 2 visas, spending cuts and a decline in student numbers. Christie & Co, a firm specialising in providing business advice across many specialist sectors, say that although there has been an increase in EU immigration numbers, 7,000 fewer nurses entered the UK in 2014-15, compared with 2003-04. Nurses that did come to the UK in 2015 from the EU were most likely to be from Italy, Portugal and Spain. A decline in UK and overseas students enrolling on nursing courses have also hit the industry sector. Consequently there are fewer UK and international students qualifying to become nurses each year. In 2014, the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) published a report showing how Britain’s healthcare industry relies on the recruitment of overseas nationals. In particular, the report highlights that 11% of all healthcare staff and 26% of doctors in the UK are foreign nationals, with personnel employed from over 200 countries. Commenting on the report at the time of its publication, Tim Finch of the Institute for Public Policy Re-
search think-tank, said: “These statistics hold lessons for UK immigration policy.” The interim changes announced last week mean that nurses from outside the EEA applying for a Tier 2 visa to work in the UK will, as long as they meet the usual requirements to work as a nurse in Britain, in almost all cases gain enough points under the Tier 2 points-based system for immigration to the UK. Additionally, this now means that there are an unlimited number of Tier 2 General visas for nurses sponsored by an UK employer with a Tier 2 sponsorship licence. In 2011, an annual immigration cap of 20,700 Tier 2 general visas was introduced for non-EU workers, except for those in occupations on the Shortage Occupation List. In 2014-15, around one quarter of visas under the cap were taken up for healthcare roles. Occupations on the Tier 2 Shortage Occupation List do not come under the cap. The NHS paid a record £3.3 billion on agency doctors and nurses in the last financial year, more than the cost of all that year’s 22 million A&E admissions combined. Last year spending on temporary workers rose by £800 million, which is equal to the total NHS deficit across the country.
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Dele Ogun, the Partners and staff at OGUN The Law Firm send their best wishes to all Nigerians on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence.
OGUN The Law Firm 16 Babatunde Kuboye Street Lekki Phase 1 Lagos Tel: +2341 293 1085, Email: law@ogun.com, Web: www.ogun.com
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Friday, 23 October - Thursday, 29 October 2015
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News
Government releases new video on impact of forced marriage The Forced Marriage Unit has released a new film to demonstrate the devastating impact of forced marriage on victims and their families. Timed to coincide with the October half term school holidays are always high risk period, the hard hitting film builds upon the Government’s world-leading work to tackle the issue at home and abroad.
The aim of the film is to raise public awareness of the impact of forced marriage, and warn of the criminal consequences of involvement, building on the outreach and education work of the FMU. Told from the perspective of a victim’s older brother, who is complicit in arranging her forced marriage but unaware of its true impact until it is too late, the film represents the first time the FMU have directly targeted family members. Its release follows the launch of a new online training tool designed to help
professionals recognise the warning signs of forced marriage and take the right action – at the right time - to help protect vulnerable children, young people, or adults at risk of forced marriage. The tool is free to use. In a statement to mark the release of the film, Foreign Office Minister Grant Shapps said: Forced marriage has no place in the UK. This film demonstrates the full horror of its impact, and our determination to stamp out this brutal practice once and for all defending victims through full use of the law where necessary. We are proud of the work of the FMU and the strong message we send to anyone forcing someone to marry against their will. There is a lot more work to be done, but we are determined to continue working with communities and organisations across the UK both to protect and support victims, but also to punish offenders. Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation Karen Bradley said: Forced marriage is a brutal practice and the UK is a
Grant Shapps
world-leader in the fight to stop it. We made forced marriage a criminal offence to protect victims and be absolutely clear that these acts will not be tolerated. Our Forced Marriage Unit does brilliant work, helping those at risk and leading the efforts to combat forced marriage both at home and abroad. But we know that legislation alone is not enough. We also need to work in other ways to prevent these dreadful cases from occurring and offer support to those who
fear they may be forced into a life they do not want. I welcome this new video which will help raise awareness, send a strong message to perpetrators that forced marriage is a crime, and signpost the most vulnerable to support. Last year the Forced Marriage Unit, run jointly by the FCO and Home Office, gave advice and support in 1,267 cases of possible forced marriages in over 88 different countries. More than a fifth of these involved male victims.
The Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation has today announced the commencement date for mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation (FGM) and published guidance to help professionals get ready for the new duty.
tation Karen Bradley said: FGM is a crime and it is child abuse, and this Government will not tolerate a practice that can cause extreme and lifelong physical and psychological suffering to women and girls. The duty is an important step forward in tackling this practice, and we believe that it will make sure professionals have the confidence to confront FGM. There is clear evidence that existing systems are not yielding appropriate referrals to the police. We need to ensure that where a serious crime has been committed, the police are informed and can instigate an appropriate multi-agency response to protect girls and bring perpetrators to justice. FGM has been a criminal offence in the UK since 1985, and while there has been a recent increase in police investigations, to date there have been no successful prosecutions. The government believes the new mandatory reporting duty will help increase the number of reports of FGM to the police from professionals. It is hoped this will lead to both a better safeguarding response to help protect victims, and that it will secure prosecutions, recognising FGM for the serious crime that it is and deterring potential perpetrators.
FGM mandatory reporting duty comes into force
From 31 October onwards, regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales will have a mandatory requirement to report visually confirmed or verbally disclosed cases of FGM in girls under 18 to the police. The duty was introduced through the Serious Crime Act 2015, following a public consultation. The Home Office has been working with professional bodies and the police to prepare for its introduction. To help professionals understand and comply with the duty, the Home Office is also publishing guidance which sets out the legal requirements it places on them and the process to follow for making reports. It also contains an overview of the action which may be taken if they fail to comply with the duty. The guidance also includes information for the police on what to do when they receive a report. Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploi4
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Health News
Friday, 23 October - Thursday, 29 October 2015
New evidence review of measures to reduce sugar consumption An evidence review of a broad range of measures to reduce the nation’s excessive sugar consumption has been published by PHE. The review Sugar reduction: the evidence for action, concludes that a range of factors, including marketing, promotions, advertising and the amount of sugar in manufactured food, is contributing to an increase in sugar consumption. A correspondingly broad range of measures is needed in response. The evidence review shows that action to reduce sugar consumption levels could include, but is not limited to, reducing: • the volume and number of price promotions in retail and restaurants • the marketing and advertising of high sugar products to children • the sugar content in and portion size of everyday food and drink products The review also suggests consideration of a price increase, through a tax or a levy, as a means of reducing sugar intake, though this is likely to be less effective than the three measures set out above. Other conclusions from the review include setting a clear definition of high sugar foods; adopting the government
buying standards for foods and catering services; delivering accredited training on diet and health to all who work in catering, fitness and leisure sectors; and continuing to raise awareness of practical steps to reduce sugar consumption.
Dr Alison Tedstone, Chief Nutritionist at Public Health England (PHE), said: PHE’s evidence review shows there is no silver bullet solution to the nation’s bad sugar habit. A broad and balanced approach is our best chance of reducing sugar consumption to healthier levels and to see fewer people
their families. I want to deliver a clear joined-up approach to mental health care, so children and young people can navigate through the system to get the care they need. And I want there to be a culture of continuous improvement, built off the back of the very best and latest evidence. There is a powerful local consensus to do exactly this; people want to transform the local offer made to young people and their families. And it was this consensus which I heard when I met several of you at a Youth Access event in July. Then, I spoke of three things that were needed – collaboration, leadership and participation. These three things I still think are crucial, and let me address each in turn. Collaboration Thank you to those of you here who were involved in developing your local transformation plans, which have been the result of much collaboration. This will change lives. If we want to improve care for children, young people and their families and, not only that, but secure sustainable change, then collaboration is essential. The plans show how you’ll work closer together, become more transparent,
transform the service, invest in your workforce and make sure that quality improves. This collaboration is being mirrored nationally, too. I’m pleased to be able to share the stage today with Sam Gyimah who will talk soon about what’s been happening in the school sector. But wider than this – NHS England, supported by Public Health England, are assuring the plans and will provide support to those areas who need it. My colleagues at NHS England will pick this up later this afternoon. We are in this for long game and this is the start of a journey. We want a system that is built to last, that has sustainability throughout. But we can’t do this from Whitehall alone – so your work at local level is crucial and greatly appreciated.
suffering the consequences of too much sugar in the diet. We’ve shared out findings with the Government and are working with them on its childhood obesity strategy. Children and young people consume 3 times the recommended amount of sugar on average, with adults consuming more than double. The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recently recommended that sugar makes up no more than 5% of daily calorie intake: 30g or 7 cubes of sugar per day. The Government adopted the advice as official dietary advice in July this year. Consuming too much sugar can lead to weight gain and related health and dental problems. In England, almost two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese; a tenth of 4 to 5 year olds and almost a fifth of 10 to 11 year olds are obese. Treating obesity and its consequences alone currently costs the NHS £5.1 billion every year. If the nation dropped its sugar intake to recommended levels within 10 years, over 4,000 early deaths and over 200,000 cases of tooth decay would be avoided and the burden of diseases associated with obesity such as diabetes would be reduced, saving the NHS around £480 million every year.
Improving children and young people’s mental health care
Alistair Burt talks about plans to improve children and young people’s mental health including a national anti-stigma campaign for teenagers.
There may be a sense of déjà vu for many of you here. It was only 6 months ago that Norman Lamb stood where I’m standing, announcing the way forward for children and young people’s mental health. ‘Future in Mind’ established a clear and powerful consensus about improving children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Of course, we’ve had a change of government, but not a change in direction. Children and young people’s mental health is one of my priorities and I’m delighted to be the lead on this exciting work. Today we’re talking about nothing short of the biggest transformation to young people’s mental health and one of the largest investments the sector has seen. I want to place the emphasis on building young people’s resilience, promoting good mental health and wellbeing and intervening early. We need to build care around the needs of young people and 6
Leadership This brings me on to my second point: leadership. There are, of course, somethings which are best placed for us to lead on at a national level, working with our partners. For example – data. I find it astonishing that you are able to do the good work you do with mental health prevalence data from a time before Facebook. So much
in our society has changed since 2004. The irony being that the technology that’s come about – made to multiply the way we communicate – has often made young people more withdrawn. With the Health and Social Care Information Centre, we are commissioning the first national survey of children and young people’s mental health since 2004. And I’m pleased to announce today that a consortium of NatCen and the Office for National Statistics has been selected to conduct the survey, and will start work immediately. The new survey will be much wider in scope than in previous years – involving 9,500 children, their parents, carers and teachers. And for the first time ever, the survey will gather information from the under 5s and from older adolescents, greatly improving our understanding of the needs of these groups. From this, we will be able to estimate how many children in the population are living with a mental disorder. It will also examine the issues that lead to mental ill health, like bullying or other social pressures. Extract of the speech delivered by Alistair Burt MP at King’s Fund: Improving mental health outcomes for children and young.
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News
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Solar boost to release Africa’s untapped energy potential Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, African Union Commission chairperson Madame Zuma, the Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and the activist Bob Geldof join International Development Minister Grant Shapps to launch the Energy Africa campaign at Facebook’s offices in London this week.
The best of British expertise and ingenuity will be applied to take on the low levels of electricity access in Africa as part of a campaign to accelerate the expansion of the household solar market, International Development Minister Grant Shapps announced. The Energy Africa campaign will drive a fundamental shift in the household solar market in sub-Saharan Africa, where currently around 2 out of 3 people do not have access to electricity. It will help bring universal energy access in the continent forward from the year 2080 to 2030.
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Energy Africa will take on the inefficient markets, policy barriers and under-investment which mean that Africans pay as much as 66 times more for their electricity than someone in the UK. It will do this by: • boosting the market – the heart of the Energy Africa campaign is about removing policy and regulatory barriers to market expansion, and better coordinating donor support to the sector as a whole. • agreeing partnerships with key African nations – 14 target countries have been identified for agreements that will set out policy actions, particular to each country, to improve market conditions alongside the co-ordinated support needed to deliver on these, and • increasing support to the sector – a series of DFID programmes have helped the household solar market get to where it is today, including the Renewable Energy and Adaptation to Climate Technologies (REACT) window
of the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund. Further financial support to the sector will build on this. The campaign will support and amplify a series of ongoing shifts in the household solar market, including: • the dramatically decreasing cost of solar photovoltaic panels • improvements in battery technology – thanks to the development of Lithium batteries • improvements in the efficiency of appliances (for instance an LED 6 watt produces light equivalent to an Edison bulb on 60 watts) and • the spread of mobile payment systems enabling access through micro pay-as-you-go. The campaign will involve key stakeholders including African governments, donors, investors and lenders, industry, NGOs and the public. Grant Shapps said: It is shocking that around 2 out of 3 of the African population have no electricity in their homes. This not only holds back individuals, but entire nations. It prevents businesses from trading and holds back economic growth – indeed outages cost African countries 1-2% of their annual GDP. I have seen for myself how people’s lives can be transformed with the installation of a simple solar panel system. The technology is there – all we have to do is remove the barriers stifling the market. This is what Energy Africa will help do. It has the power to help millions of Africans lift themselves out of poverty and transform the prospects of an entire continent – something that is
good for Africa but good for Britain too. Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group, said: Solar is a tremendous opportunity for African countries to leapfrog traditional carbon intense energy systems to a cost effective, clean energy future. Brought to scale, it will give countries a stable, reliable energy source and boost job growth. Virgin is planning to invest in a number of projects to help turn this into a reality. Kofi Annan, Chair of the Africa Progress Panel and Former UN Secretary General, said: This campaign addresses one of the great injustices of the 21st Century – an injustice that robs millions of our fellow citizens of the dignity, opportunity and freedom that comes with access to modern energy. Low carbon development has the potential to act as an engine of growth. This is an exciting time to rapidly scale-up Africa’s energy access. This generation of African leaders has a unique opportunity to deliver on the promise of energy for all. Bob Geldof, campaigner and member of the Africa Progress Panel, said: The stars are aligned today, we needed the technology to exist before we could electrify a continent, and now this exists. It is because of the UK government committing to the 0.7% target, uniquely in the G7 and at the behest of the public, that we can now actually achieve this. This is the moment, this is doable, this is the moment where Africa powers up, switches on and goes for it.
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Arts Culture
Theatre, Shows and Musicals By Edward Mirza
WEST AFRICA: WORD, SYMBOL, SONG AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY Now – February 16th, 2016
An exhibition of literature and music – from the great African empires of the Middle Ages to the cultural dynamism of West Africa today. Fascinating stories from the region’s 17 nations show how West Africans have harnessed the power of words to build societies, drive political movements, sustain religious belief and fight injustice. Beautiful manuscripts, historic film and sound recordings, books, photographs, and woven and printed textiles offer a unique insight into a profound and engaging literary culture with centuries-old written heritage existing alongside ancient oral traditions. Hear the myth of the founding of ancient Mali in recorded performance. See the influence of religion through colourful fabric and a saddlebag Qur’an. Celebrate writers and artists including Africa’s first Nobel prize winner, Wole Soyinka, and internationally acclaimed musician and human rights activist Fela Kuti. British Library, 96, Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB
MEMPHIS Now – Oct 31st
The producers of hit Broadway musical MEMPHIS are delighted to officially announce that multi award-winning recording artist Beverley Knight will star as club singer ‘Felicia Farrell’ when the show comes to London’s West End this autumn. MEMPHIS, winner of four 2010 Tony Awards® including Best Musical has Grammy® Award-winning original score by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan and book by Joe DiPietro. Inspired by true events from the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, MEMPHIS follows the fame and forbidden love of a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break. “David Bryan evokes the powerhouse funk of James Brown, the hot guitar riffs of Chuck Berry, the smooth harmonies of the Temptations and the silken, bouncy pop of the great girl groups of the period” Charles Isleworth, New York Times. Directed by Christopher Ashley and with Choreography by Sergio Trujillo, MEMPHIS has Scenic Design by David Gallo, Costume Design by Paul Tazewell, and Lighting Design by Howell Binkley. Shaftsbury Avenue Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Avenue London WC2H 8DP
MACBETH, TARA ARTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH QUEEN’S HALL ARTS & BLACK THEATRE LIVE Now- Oct 31st Macbeth is the first production from Black Theatre Live, a pioneering consortium of 8 regional theatres committed to increasing the amount of Black and Ethnic Minority theatre on the touring circuit. Spun together with a blend of Indian music and movement, this brand new production from one of the UK’s leading cross-cultural theatre companies sees Shakespeare’s tragedy reimagined in a contemporary context, as a brew of treachery and ambition sets an Asian family on a road to destruction. The production sees the engineers of Macbeth’s downfall depicted as three Hijras. A strand of Indian society little-known in the west, Hijras are a centuries-old “third gender” community (including transsexuals, transgender people, eunuchs and crossdressers). Tara Arts Artistic Director Jatinder Verma, who will direct Macbeth said “Spirits in Indian traditions combine vivacity with viciousness. By casting the Witches in Macbeth as provocative Bollywood queens, I aim to explore the dangerously vain ambition driving Macbeth.” For information on Black Theatre Live: www.blacktheatrelive.co.uk | For information on Tara Arts: www.tara-arts.com .
HOLY AND HORNY BY TONYA JOY BOLTON FAREWELL TOUR, UK Oct 2 - Nov 14 I was raped. I was abused. I survived. Today I celebrate life. Holy & Horny is an 80-minute-onewoman-show written and acted by incredibly talented Tonya Joy Bolton. The play blends successfully different art forms such as comedy, poetry, drama, and song. Gifted with exuberant energy, Bolton plays 20 characters gliding effortlessly from one to another (one forgets it’s just her on stage!) She’s in turn disarmingly naïve Sheila, a good Christian striving for holiness; her alter-ego, sensual exhibitionist Eve; an old motherly woman who looks like a tramp and turns out to be Wisdom; Sheila’s hilarious cousin Marcia; her good-for-nothing boyfriend Gary; the Church’s gossipy community; and fiery Preacher Prophet (Profit) Webster (‘for a mere 400 Dollars I’ll pray for your soul’)... The action’s background is a bigoted, fanatically puritanical Black Church humorously called ‘Cavalry Way’. Many themes emerge – travelling far beyond the play’s
West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song, at the British Library initial setting – such as ‘if God has given us a body able to experience deep pleasure, why should it be repressed?’ The Holy & Horny Farewell tour is on October 2 to November 14, 2015
A WOLF IN SNAKESKIN SHOES Oct 8 - Nov 14
Lucian Msamati stars alongside Sharon D. Clarke in the Tricycle Theatre’s latest world premiere. Award-winning playwright Marcus Gardley returns to the Tricycle Theatre following 2014’s critically-acclaimed The House That Will Not Stand. This fresh take on Molière’s Tartuffe, set in a world of fast-food tycoons and megachurches is a wicked new comedy that rocks the foundations of trust, faith and redemption. Given just days to live, multi-millionaire Archibald Organdy puts his faith in the flamboyant Archbishop Tardimus Toof, a prophet, preacher and part-time masseur who arrives in Atlanta from the deep, deep south. Toof promises to absolve Archibald’s sins and heal his disease, but his family suspect there’s more to this healer than faith, virtue and snakeskin shoes. The Tricycle Theatre’s Olivier-Award winning Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham (Multitudes, Red Velvet, Handbagged, The House That Will Not Stand) directs. Completing the cast: Adjoa Andoh, Ayesha Antoine, Michelle Bonnard, Wil Johnson, Karl Queensborough and Angela Wynter. The Tricycle Theatre, 269 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 7JR
NINE LIVES BY ZODWA NYONI NATIONAL TOUR Now - Jan 2016 Presented by Leeds Studio in association with West Yorkshire Playhouse Fleeing from his home in Zimbabwe where a fresh wave of homophobia threatens his life, Ishmael has sought sanctuary in the UK. Dispersed to Leeds, Ishmael waits to hear his fate, he waits for a new life to begin amongst strangers. Strangers who don’t trust him and don’t want him there. But not everyone is bad… can he find a place to call home again? Some of us wanted to stop being afraid. Some of us wanted to find ourselves. Some of us wanted to belong. Zodwa Nyoni (West Yorkshire Playhouse/ Channel 4 Writer in Residence 2014) threads together humour and humanity to tell the real personal story behind asylum headlines. 23 October 2015 The Cube, Malvern 06 November 2015 Upstairs at Western, Leicester 12 November 2015 Cast, Doncaster 16 November 2015 Waterside Arts Centre, Trafford 19 November 2015 Arc Stockton, Stockton on Tees 10 December 2015 Brighton, Brighton January 2016 Arcola, London
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Comment
New Agreement Under United Nations Convention On Climate Change by Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko
As Chairperson of the Group of 77 and China, I have the honour to share my impressions on the current negotiations towards the adoption of a new agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at COP21/CMP11 in Paris.
The Group stands united and is firmly commitment to address climate change as a matter of urgency, as demonstrated by its leadership role in the current negotiations. It is by far the largest negotiating group of Parties and its 134 members constitute over 80% of the world’s population. Our members share the common feature of all being developing countries that face pressing socio-economic challenges and acute vulnerability to climate change. For us climate change is not a new issue, as our societies have long since been forced to adapt to the reality of a changing climate and increasingly frequent extreme weather events that are the result of emissions of greenhouse gases generated over centuries, predominantly by developed countries. All too often we have had to respond to crises without the assistance of developed countries by using our own scarce domestic resources or with voluntary help from fellow developing countries through South-South solidarity. For the low lying island countries in our Group their very existence is in jeopardy as sea levels rise, for others their fresh water supplies are threatened due to desertification. As we speak, at least two of our members, the Philippines and the Bahamas, are struggling yet again to cope with devastating storms that will set back their development. As a starting point, therefore, we hope that the international media, which is so familiar with the narrative of developed countries around climate change, understands us when we approach this issue from a different perspective. For us this is not about economic competitiveness or making profits from renewable energies associated with the transition to a so-called “low carbon future”, it is a more fundamental issue of human development and environmental protection. The reality is that developing countries require climate financial resources, technology transfer 10
and capacity building both now and far into the future, in some case just to survive - let alone make the transition to the “low carbon economy.” Unfortunately, we find ourselves confronted with a simplistic narrative that suggests that “the world has changed since the UNFCCC was adopted in 1992” due to the dramatic economic development gains of some of our members and hence that it is time to expand the pool of so-called “donors” of climate “aid” and to narrow the list of those eligible to receive this “support” to only the “poorest of the poor”. This narrative serves narrow national interests of developed countries and says little about reality. If the world has really changed so much, we ask why it is that after all these decades all our members remain developing countries with little or no voice in global decision-making processes and institutions? Under the Convention, developed countries are obliged to provide financial resources, including technology transfer and capacity building to all developing countries. This is a legal obligation under the Convention. It is neither “aid” nor “charity”, nor is it the same as development assistance. It should be remembered that the UNFCCC is a climate change convention, with a specific mandate. The UNFCCC is not a broader sustainable development forum. In the fulfilment of the mandate from the Durban COP in 2011, which as its name suggests is a “Platform for Enhanced Action”, we are working to enhance implementation of the existing Convention, not to reinterpret or replace it. Differentiation of action and support and equity therefore remain necessarily at the heart of our work. The UNFCCC still remains a legally binding instrument. We must always be guided by the primary objective of the Convention, and any related legal instruments that the COP may adopt, which is to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in order to limit dangerous climate change within a timeframe to allow ecosystems to adapt. This objective is even more relevant today than it was back in 1992, given that the debates about the origin of climate change have been laid to rest and the evidence of a changing climate is already here for all to see and experience. As we move forward we cannot rewrite the Convention, we must strengthen its implementation in new ways. For its part, the G77 and China remains fully committed to addressing climate
Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko
change under the UNFCCC. The impressive number of ambitious Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) that have been submitted by developing countries to date further testifies to the commitment of developing countries to contribute their fair share. Most of our members have submitted INDCs that include both mitigation and adaptation components and have announced very ambitious pledges, even though no guarantees of support have been forthcoming. The G77 and China is therefore concerned that attempts are being made to take decision making on climate change, particularly with regard to climate finance, out of the UNFCCC, which is the only legitimate and universal forum for cooperation on climate change. We acknowledge the initiatives to bring together a so-called “climate finance package” for Paris, but are concerned that this package may not be unconditional or in full adherence to the Convention. The provision of financial resources, technology transfer and development and capacity building, is central to the Paris Agreement. The reality is that without adequate, predictable and sustainable means of implementation, it will be impossible to reach our agreed target of limiting the increase in average global temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius. This is because key mitigation potential is in developing countries and these countries are not able to realise this potential on their own. So when developing countries submit national plans in the INDCs to address mitigation and adaptation it is important that they be given the financial resources to implement those plans.
While we await the release of the UNFCCC Secretariat’s synthesis report on the aggregate impact of the INDCs, we have listened to the impressive scientific analysis already conducted by key civil society groups. These studies clearly show that we are not on track to meeting the two degree goal and that there is a disparity between the ambitious plans submitted by developing countries and the far less ambitious plans from developed countries. These studies also show that for the Paris Agreement to be effective and equitable, it must unlock substantial public finance for mitigation, both to fulfil developed countries’ fair share and to help unlock greater ambition in developing countries. As States Parties we are negotiating a legal agreement amongst States and, as such, must address the obligations of States. It is not appropriate to turn this into an exercise to shift the burden to the private sector, no matter how crucial we all agree the role of the private sector is in generating financing and action on the ground. The G77 and China appeals to the media to be fair and balanced in its reporting on the ADP negotiations in the lead up to and in Paris. Developing countries are engaging in the negotiations in a positive and constructive spirit and we seek an ambitious and fair agreement in Paris. We welcome further engagements with the media and members of civil society and remain of the view that the negotiations ought to be open to observers. Comments on the negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by the Chairperson of the G77 and China, Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko, Bonn, 21 October 2015
Friday, 23 October - Thursday, 29 October 2015
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19th African Film Awards 2015
News
Africa’s most prestigious film in- with stars from Nollywood and UK Film dustry award ceremony celebrat- & Television at the historic Stratford ing excellence in Nigeria’s film Town Hall, 29 The Broadway, Stratford London SE15 4BQ. Time: 6.00pm till industry known as Nollywood and Late. Best of Black British Film Stars is For further information, email event holding in London. The 19th Af- coordinator: marketing@africanvoirican Film Awards, also known as ceonline.co.uk Over the years, African Film Awards Afro Hollywood Awards, will have also known as Afro Hollywood awards a special celebration of best film have served the purpose of promoting and stars from the Hausa Language advancing the dynamic growth of Africa’s movies. The awards ceremony Film and Arts in Europe, especially in the will take place on FRIDAY 13 United Kingdom uniting the Africans and NOVEMBER 2015. Caribbean communities.
The annual awards ceremony is expected to attract high net worth individuals and the crème de crème of the British diverse community. It is an event that provides a great platform for corporate organizations to promote their product and services. The awards ceremony has a captive audience of top influential, fashionable, stylish and glamourous people. The event is recorded for television broadcast in the UK, Nigeria, Ghana and South African. A host of celebrities including A - list Nollywood stars, and the Best of Black British actors and actresses will be attending the glamorous awards evening now in its 19th successive year. If you are a lover of the film industry, please join us as we celebrate an evening of networking, great comedy, film show, awards ceremony, dinner and dance with opportunity for memorable photographs
Since the awards inception in 1996, popularity of African films has grown in leaps and bounds. Today, there are at least 6 channels dedicated to African films on Sky digital network with several others broadcasting online. Exploring opportunities, seeking collaboration and funding for prospective filmmakers are the main trust of this year’s African Film Awards as over 250 industry practitioners has received the awards till date. The 19th African Film Awards has “Tourism in Africa & the film industry” as its theme. The event will showcase some of the great destinations in Africa. The African Film Awards is organised by African Voice, Britain’s N0.1 African Newspaper. Reaching over 500,000 readers hardly reached by other mainstream publications. Serving the Diaspora community since 2001.
Helen Paul - Special Guest Comedienne
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Friday, 23 October - Thursday, 29 October 2015
News
Art imitating life? Seal wants you to decide Seal has invoked the classics in a cryptic response to inevitable questions about whether tracks on his latest album ‘7’ reference the breakdown of his marriage to German-born model Heidi Klum in an interview.
The 52-year-old Londoner, who first came to prominence as vocalist on Adamski’s 1990 number one dance hit ‘Killer’, doesn’t care if people think the album is about his ex – who he split from in 2012 after seven years of marriage. “People will have their ideas. What I want the listener to experience from this album is when the relationship fails it’s like the third act of a Chekhov play. The death in act three of Chekhov is the low point from which eventual resolution springs. “People can say what they will. I don’t want people poring over [the album tracks] for clues. Sure, I’ve been through some turbulent experiences, but then hasn’t everybody?” he mused, adding: “We live in a quantum age. You look at my album from one perspective and you see the end of my relationship with my ex-wife. I look at it and I see aggregate of all romance distilled into art.” Seal also took the opportunity to rubbish rumours that his current partner, Erica Packer, is pregnant. Fans and even some insiders were surprised when Klum, who is currently ap-
Seal and ex-wife Heidi Klum famously renewed their vows annually throughout their almost 7-year marriage
pearing on satellite TV in the UK as a judge on America’s Got Talent, and Seal announced the end of their seemingly strong marriage. But after a period of acrimony, the pair are able to communicate for the sake of their four children, including Klum’s daughter with controversial former Benetton executive and Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore who Seal legally adopted. Last week, Ms Klum was forced to defend describing herself in a magazine article as mother and father to her children.
“It is frustrating to me that some other media outlets are taking what was said in the article to suggest that I was aiming to malign my children’s father. Because I was not! “In the article, I say that, as a single parent, ‘I’m a mom and a dad at the same time.’ And that is the case when I’m alone with our kids ... and I assume the same rings true when they are with their dad.” Klum added: “As a single parent, you have so many roles – you are wearing all the hats. The mom hat, the dad hat, the chef hat, the teacher hat, the disciplinar-
ian hat, the clown hat and the work hat. “You have your hands full, but you just try your best because it’s all about raising happy and healthy kids. That’s all we both want.” In the original interview with Redbook, she said: “Obviously things have changed, but they haven’t changed drastically. “[Seal] was never your typical dad who left for work in the morning with his briefcase and would be home by dinnertime every night. He travelled a lot. The kids knew it was part of his job. I’m a mom and a dad at the same time.”
South Africa
South African students protest over tuition fee hikes South African university students have demonstrated outside the headquarters of the country’s ruling African National Congress party over tuition fee hikes.
A crowd of thousands protested outside the ANC’s offices in Johannesburg before student leaders handed over a list of demands, including a freeze on tuition fee increases, to ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe. South African media reported incidents of violence elsewhere, including the police use of pepper spray on students at the University of Johannesburg as well as the use of stun grenades to disperse some demonstrators in Cape Town. Students also converged on a courthouse in Cape Town where about 30 protesters were taken after being arrested during a rally outside parliament that turned violent Wednesday. Those detained, who face charges including public violence and trespassing, were released and are due in 12
court again in February, the African News Agency reported. Protests were also held in other South African cities on Thursday. Students marched peacefully to the provincial legislature in Pietermaritzburg, and another group blocked the entrance to the building of the higher education department in Pretoria, according to South African media reports. South African President Jacob Zuma will meet university managers and student leaders at government offices in Pretoria on Friday, Mr Zuma’s office said in a statement. “Nobody disagrees with the message that students from poor households are facing financial difficulties and possible exclusion,” the statement quoted the president as saying. Critics, however, allege that the government is not doing enough to subsidise the university education of its youth, many of whom struggle to pay for school.
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Friday, 23 October - Thursday, 29 October 2015
Italy
Final hurdle for ape slur politician’s landmark bill Two years after being likened to an ape by a senior politician and being pelted by bananas in her role as Italy’s Integration Minister, Cécile Kyenge’s dogged determination has resulted in legislation that could define her legacy; a new citizenship bill.
The bill, which would finally give citizenship to the babies born on Italian soil to immigrants, was passed by the Lower House on Tuesday. Currently, children born to immigrant parents in Italy have to wait until they turn 18 before being eligible for citizenship. The legislation still needs to be passed by the senate before being enacted, but Kyenge, who is now a Democratic Party member of the European Parliament, said it “was a day to celebrate”. “I’m very proud, it was one of my battles,” she told journalists, adding: “The whole battle isn’t over yet, but it’s a very important first step towards better integration and inclusion. Children born to foreigners can finally be 100 percent Italian.” Kyenge, who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, knows how it feels to be excluded. When she moved to Italy in 1983 on a student visa, she said she was one of a small number of foreigners, something she said triggered “curiosity” rather than hostility. She went on to obtain a degree in medicine and surgery from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome, before qualifying as an ophthalmologist. The 1990s saw big changes in her personal life as well as professional one. In 1994, she married an Italian engineer, Domenico Gristino, and went on to have two daughters.
Cécile Kyenge arrived in Italy from what was then Zaire on a student visa in 1983
But it was also a decade that saw the number of foreigners coming to Italy swell, with most of the media coverage whipping up xenophobic fears. It was within this context that the anti-immigrant Northern League, founded in 1991, gathered prominence as its politicians climbed the ranks in Italy’s northern regions. An alliance with Silvio Berlusconi later facilitated its rise to power at a national level. As racial tensions flourished, Kyenge entered local politics in Modena, fighting for immigrant rights and integration. She joined the Democratic Party and in 2004 was elected to Modena’s city council. Less than 10 years later – in February 2013 - she entered parliament, and three months after that received a call from Enrico Letta asking if she’d like to be integration minister. Kyenge, now 51, grasped the role with fervour, despite knowing the appointment was bound to set the cat among the pigeons. Even at the height of the venomous campaign against her, she insisted Italy was a tolerant country. And still does to this day.
“During the time of the attacks, I always said this was just a small group of ignorant people,” she said. “But the reality is Italy has changed. It’s multicultural and still has much to do in terms of adapting and integration.” She said the citizenship law should go some way towards repairing the damage that high-profile racist attacks - not only against her, but also against the footballer Mario Balotelli, have done to Italy’s reputation abroad. “It sends out a positive message...that our country is open to people with different skin and who have different parents.” Still, Italy missed a big opportunity to redeem itself in September when senators voted not to bring racism charges against Roberto Calderoli, the Northern League member who compared Kyenge to an orangutan. He made the slur during a rally in July 2013, telling the crowd that when he saw pictures of Italy’s newly appointed black minister he “could not help but think of
features of an orangutan”. He apologized, brushing the remark off as a “joke”, and in his defence described himself as a “misunderstood animal lover” rather than a racist. At the time, Kyenge said she felt betrayed by the vote, especially as some of her Democratic Party colleagues had gone against her. “The senators missed an opportunity to send out a positive message – they made a technical and a political error.” Calderoli, who had made a string of racist remarks in the past – including saying Italy beat France in the 2006 World Cup final because the French team was “made up of Negroes, Muslims and communists” – is still being pursued for defamation over the case by a court in Bergamo. The next hearing is scheduled for October 27th. Kyenge has also said she will petition the European Court of Human Rights over the slur. “Now it has become more symbolic... political representatives must understand that they have a responsibility and shouldn’t get away with making such insults.” There has been some success with seeking justice through the courts so far, with another Northern League politician earlier this year being fined €150,000 for posting a photograph of Kyenge with an orangutan’s face on Facebook. In another incident, however, a local councillor went unpunished after calling for her to be raped. The role of integration minister was scrapped when Matteo Renzi’s cabinet came on board in February 2014, but amid the torrent of abuse, her tenure can also be credited for opening up a much-needed debate on racism in Italy – something she hopes will pave the way for a stronger, more tolerant and better integrated country.
Netherlands
Holland preparing shipping containers as temporary homes Dutch authorities have warned that refugees may have to be housed in shipping containers while their asylum applications are considered – a process that is currently about a year.
The Netherlands registered a record number of asylum seekers in September as the flow of migrants to Europe, mainly Syrians fleeing war, continues to surge. “The number of asylum seekers registered in the country reached a record number of 8,400 last month,” the Central Statistics Office (CBS) said, adding that it was the highest number ever recorded since authorities started counting in 1975. The majority - some 5,200 - of those registering were fleeing Syria, followed by Eritrea and Iraq. The Netherlands, one of Europe’s most densely-populated countries with nearly 17
million inhabitants, has now received some 24,000 asylum seekers since April, almost as many as in the whole of last year, the CBS said. Over the coming two years, the Netherlands plans to take in more than 7,000 people as EU nations share out the burden in Europe’s worst refugee crisis since World War II. As in other European countries, tensions are flaring in the Netherlands over the crisis. At least one refugee centre has been attacked, prompting strong condemnation by Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The far-right party of anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders has also seen a spike in popularity in recent weeks. Dutch Deputy Justice Minister Klaas Dijkhoff this week in an open letter to asylum seekers warned they would receive an “austere reception” in the Netherlands. More than 600,000 migrants and refugees,
Holland’s coalition has agreed to build more ‘sober’ housing units, such as these converted shipping containers in Amsterdam, to reduce the pressure on refugee centres.
mainly fleeing violence in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, have braved the dangerous journey to Europe’s shores so far this year. The trip that most have made on inflatable boats from Turkey to Greece has left over 3,000 dead or
missing. The goal for many, the EU’s biggest economy Germany, where asylum seekers are being housed in a part of the Nazi-era Buchenwald concentration camp, expects to take in up to one million refugees this year. 13
Friday, 23 October - Thursday, 29 October 2015
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CRIME
Man guilty of violent knife attack A man has pleaded guilty to a violent knife attack which left a victim requiring reconstructive facial surgery.
During the attack which happened earlier this year in Uxbridge, the victim was slashed across the face multiple times receiving wounds up to 12 centimetres in length. Glenford Patrick Walker, 42, appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday, 12 October, where he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm. He will be sentenced on Friday, 4 December. On 19 March officers were alerted by medical staff at Hillingdon Hospital about a man who had been admitted with severe facial injuries caused by a knife. Officers spoke to the 30-year-old man and established that he had been attacked at his place of work, a skip hire firm in Wallingford Road. The victim was able to provide officers with a description of his attacker and an enquiry was immediately launched. Detectives from Hillingdon CID conducted an extensive search of the crime scene and DNA was located on the handlebars of bicycle left at the scene which
was linked to the suspect. This DNA was positively matched to Walker.
On 1 May Walker was arrested at
his home address in West Norwood and subsequently charged with grievous bodily harm.
The victim, who has since been dis-
charged from hospital, required recon-
structive surgery and will remain with life long scars.
Detective Inspector Andrew Smith
from Hillingdon CID said: “I would like
to pay tribute to the victim who bravely provided us with information when he was dealing with trauma and shock im-
mediately after being attacked. This helped us build the strongest case against Walker to bring him before the courts.
“The forensic evidence identified a
number of leads to Walker including
DNA, and the recovery of fabric from a garment he had been wearing at the
time of the attack. Our policing team remains committed to providing the very best in victim support in any in-
vestigation and protecting the public is at the heart of everything we do. Crimi-
nals like Walker must accept that their
Glenford Patrick Walker
actions will lead to consequences.”
Money laundering gang convicted Two members of a criminal gang have today, Monday 19 October, been convicted following an intensive three-year investigation into money laundering at a luxury car hire firm which supplied topbrand cars to criminals.
Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how specialist financial investigators trawled through 10,000 pages of bank statements, business receipts and other documentation to prove that ‘Bespoke VIP’ in Canary Wharf was being used as a cover to launder criminal cash, including £48,000 stolen from a bank customer. Those convicted at court today were: Ranjit Sagoo, 31 of Aintree Avenue, Newham; Molly Jones, 23 of Bohemia Chase, Leigh-On-Sea, Essex. Earlier hearings saw the following three people convicted in connection with the investigation: Jemma Deabreau, 48 of Portgate Close, Lydford Estate, Westminster; Samir Banks, 29 of no fixed abode; 14
Figen Sahir, 28 of Estuary House, Agnes George Walk, Newham. ‘Bespoke VIP’ owner Ranjit Sagoo laundered money stolen from the customer. Bank customer accounts representative Molly Jones created a joint account for bank customer Jemma Deabreau and the victim. Deabreau transferred the victim’s money into Ranjit Sagoo’s business account, and it was further transferred through Figen Sahir to Jones’ ex-boyfriend Samir Banks, aka “Zee”, who is currently in prison for fraud offences. At court, the jury was shown a motivational montage found on Banks’ computer, featuring photos of diamonds, cash and luxury cars similar to those hired out from Ranjit Sagoo’s firm. In one shot, Banks is standing on the roof of a car. The montage features the words “ZEE’S WORLD” and “DON’T DREAM JUST MAKE IT HAPPEN”. Detectives from the Central Criminal Finance Team launched their intelligenceled investigation in 2012. Specialist financial investigators carried out painstaking analysis of the business’ accounts and
found that over five years, Ranjit Sagoo had received more than £1million which he could not account for. It appeared that the firm had been hiring out its vehicles - including Ferraris, Bentleys, Lamborghinis and Range Rovers - to known criminals, helping them move unimpeded around the capital, as the cars were not linked to them. The investigation spawned a major operation in December 2013, in which detectives raided car hire firms suspected to be laundering cash and supplying vehicles to criminals, and seized 19 cars worth almost £1million. Detective Constable Ryan Mills, who led the investigation into Ranjit Sagoo and his cohorts, said: “Sagoo and his associates tried to hide cash through what is known as ‘layering’. They transferred the money through multiple bank accounts, trying to distance it as far as possible from the crime it originated from. But today’s result shows that no matter how hard criminals try to hide their illicit cash, no matter what complex system they set up, we will unpick it and prove what they have done.”
Detectives are now seeking a confiscation order, to make the criminal gang pay back money. All have been bailed to be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 7 December 2015. + A further three individuals were found not guilty today at court. - Jigdeep Sagoo, 35 (01.01.80) of Wincanton Gardens, Ilford, Essex; - Carl Robinson, 38 (25.06.77) of Sewardstone Road, Bethnal Green; - Laura Buttigieg, 32 (26.10.82) of Sewardstone Road, Bethnal Green. ++++ Breakdown of convictions: Ranjit Sagoo was found guilty of acquiring criminal property and dealing in criminal property. Molly Jones was found guilty of conspiracy to steal. Jemma Deabreau pleaded guilty on 30 July to conspiracy to steal; acquiring criminal property; and dealing in criminal property. Samir Banks pleaded guilty on 15 May to conspiracy to steal.
Friday, 23 October - Thursday, 29 October 2015
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Sounds of Diaspora People of America
Scarface set free after child support arrest
Rapper Scarface was released from jail on Friday, nearly a week after his arrest in Atlanta on child support charges.
The rapper, whose real name is Brad Terrance Jordan, was arrested on October 9th at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Centre, where he was receiving the prestigious “I Am Hip Hop” honour during the taping of the BET Hip Hop Awards. Jordan was booked on child support-contempt charges and bail was set at an eye-popping $482,190.50 — a figure that, in US child support cases, generally corresponds with the amount owed. It was unclear if Jordan posted the full amount prior to his release on Friday afternoon. Fulton County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Tracy Flanagan said her department received a release order, but had no further information. Online court records suggested a status hearing in the child support case was held
Wednesday, and a release order was listed as being filed on Thursday. The child support case tied to Jordan’s arrest dates back to 2002, records showed. Since his release, the rapper has issued the following written statement regarding his arrest, saying that the charges were “resolved.” “First and foremost, I would like to thank my supporters for their concern during my recent arrest in Atlanta. “While we have resolved the issue I would like to correct some misinformation. The amount reported that was owed is inaccurate, and I had no knowledge about there being an arrest order for me as I have traveled (sic) to Atlanta many times; with the latest trip being in September to perform at the One Music Festival. “Due to the nature of the case (having a minor child involved), I will make no further comment at this time.”
“I was that girl,” admits abuse victim RiRi
Scarface, 44, first gained fame in the late 1980s as part of the group Geto Boys.
Even after images of the physical abuse he had inflicted on her went viral, Rihanna briefly reunited with violent ex Chris Brown in 2012
Rihanna has opened up to US Vanity Fair in its November 2015 cover story about her past with Chris Brown, and why she ever got back together with the singer after he brutally assaulted her back in 2009.
“I was that girl,” she told the magazine. “That girl who felt that as much pain as this relationship is, maybe some people are built stronger than others. Maybe I’m one of those people built to handle s--t like this. Maybe I’m the person who’s almost the guardian angel to this person, to be there when they’re not strong enough, when they’re not understanding the world, when they just need someone to encourage them in a positive way and say the right thing.” In fact, the “FourFiveSeconds” songstress, 27, thought she could change Brown. “A hundred percent. I was very protective of him,” Rihanna explained. “I felt that people didn’t understand him. Even after … But you know, you realize
after a while that in that situation you’re the enemy. You want the best for them, but if you remind them of their failures, or if you remind them of bad moments in their life, or even if you say I’m willing to put up with something, they think less of you — because they know you don’t deserve what they’re going to give.” The two even collaborated together on multiple tracks, including “Put It Up.” Meanwhile, Rihanna was aware of the public’s reaction to their brief reunion from late 2012 to the summer of 2013 — and the state of her heart. “If you put up with it, maybe you are agreeing that you [deserve] this, and that’s when I finally had to say, ‘Uh-oh, I was stupid thinking I was built for this,’” she dished. “Sometimes you just have to walk away.” Despite their complex past, Rihanna told Vanity Fair: “I don’t hate him. I will care about him until the day I die. We’re not friends, but it’s not like we’re enemies. We don’t have much of a relationship now.” 15
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Gospel
Friday, 23 October - Thursday, 29 October 2015
SPIRITUAL EARTHQUAKE IS COMING – BE PREPARED!
“Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain” Heb 12:26-27. By Michael Adekoya
It is so unfortunate today that many Christians around the world, especially in the Western World, are crying for the manifest presence and move of God but unfortunately we haven’t learnt from King David’s mistakes as documented in 2 Samuel Chapter 6. Often we try to do the same thing he did the first time he attempted to bring God’s presence to Jerusalem. We cram the holy things of God on a new cart of man’s making, thinking that God will be pleased. We expect only one person or something else to ‘sweat’ out the hard part of revival and all we want to do is just to sing the praises of that person or thing, then dance in the procession. No Sir! No Madam!
My friend, I’m glad to announce to you that no man or woman is an island in God’s Kingdom. We all have a part to play if we really desire the manifest presence of God in our community, city and nation. Your part is as important as mine for God to move. Any mancentred church, ministry, crusade or revival celebrations may start well but I can assure you that God will intervene along the procession because He doesn’t want His presence and glory to be transported on rickety manmade programs, methods, or agendas. Today, most churches and ministries are futilely trying to create an “Uzzah-friendly’ environment for people by prizing people’s comfort above God’s comfort. We create seeker- friendly environment which is fine by them but God requires Spirit-friendly environment that will be fire branded for today’s cold-blooded world. We joke on the pulpit and telecast, lie and preach to keep people happy in our state-of-art building called ‘the House of God’. We preach and teach on every subject except holiness and the message of the cross. My friend, did you know that ‘The Ark of Covenant’ - the manifest presence and glory of God - was commanded to be transported only
on the shoulders of sanctified and purified Levites, not on a cart, hireling Pastor or worship leader who is an actor, actress, entertainer or performer? That is the order of God to Moses. That is what it should be. This is what God is saying now to us, His people, “You are to be holy to Me because I, the Lord, AM holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.” (Lev 20:26). Run away! Run away! Get away from sin! Do not touch anything unclean. Get away from it! Make yourselves pure, you Levites who carry the vessels for the Lord (Isa 52:11). Did you hear that? Listen! I sensed in my spirit that spiritual earthquake is about to hit the Church. An unprecedented global shake is coming to all Christians, churches, ministries, pulpits and telecasts and it is part of God’s preparation of the Body of Christ – the Bride of Christ – for the second coming of Jesus Christ. My friend, as never before, we must be prepared and be ready for the days ahead, armed with the Gospel of truth of God’s living Word and holy living. It is time to confess our sins daily, repent of them and ask God to empower us to overcome sin. God has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain” (Heb 12:26-27). I see more exposure and eviction coming to our pulpits, pews, platforms and telecasts. Everything not grounded in the truth of God’s Word world be exposed and stripped away. Every seekerfriendly and compromised message aimed at keeping the people and therefore making the path to destruction so wide and broad for them will be rejected.
Are you looking for a church? Not settled in any particular congregation? Perhaps now is the time to pray about it If you are not yet saved try one of the following: Jubilee International Churchmeets at 2,30pm on Sundays at Kings Avenue School, Park Hill. London SW4. Part of Jubilee International Churches Worldwide. For information, you may call (020)8697 3354 New Wine Christian Church- 11am holds meeting at Ringcross Tennants Club, Lough Road, Holloway, N7. a member of the Icthus Fellowship
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Worldwide. For more information call 020 7609 959 or 07957 757 663. Praise Tabernacle- 10:30am holds meetings at 620 Western Avenue (A40), Park Royal Business Centre, opposite Warner Bros. Cinema Complex, W3. part of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. For information you may call 020 8993 3010 New Life Christian Centre 10.30am & 6.00pm. meetings at Cairo New Road, Croydon. The church has
The Good News about this coming unprecedented shaking is that it will mobilize the Church. Earthquakes get people out on the streets! I see the greatest move of the Holy Spirit and greater works of the Church which Jesus spoke about coming. This coming spiritual earthquake will cause people to serve God more acceptably with reverence and Godly fear. It will bring us to our knees and prayer is not going to be an option or a burden but a lifestyle and holy delight. The spiritual earthquake, which has started but will be more intense and pronounced in days to come, will cause a greater surrender and dependence on God as we would realize that apart from God, His Word, His Spirit and the name of Jesus, we can do nothing! My friend, I see an unprecedented spiritual shaking coming to the Church. Jesus is coming to His Church spiritually to clean us before He comes back physically to take us home. He is coming for a glorious and exalted Church, without spot or wrinkle, not a lukewarm, fireless, prayer-less, powerless, compromised, backslidden and ‘sin-full’ Church. When this shaking comes, only those things of eternal values will remain! (Heb 12:25-29). God had had enough of man’s ways. He is going to rock your cart to let you know this truth. My friend, spiritual earthquake is about to hit the church. We must return to basic Biblical principles. It takes intimate relationship with God, purity and prayer to produce power for the miraculous, the catalyst to perfect praise! No tree without a deep root can survive any storm or shaking! We must examine ourselves, homes, churches, ministries and build on the foundation of the revelation of the Word of God, the Rock and on the Gospel, the key of the Kingdom of God. Self-examination
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
and spiritual house cleaning are not options today. Spiritual earthquake or shaking is about to hit the Church. We must be careful not to try to stabilize what God is shaking. We must learn from the story of Uzzah. When the oxen that was carrying the presence of God stumbled, Uzzah and the people with him became concerned that the ark might fall off and be damaged or broken. To them, it seemed preferable to keep the ark from falling, instead of worrying about God’s commands, rules and reigns. But God demonstrated that He was more concerned with His eternal truths and principles than with the things that may seem right to us in the moment. He killed Uzzah (2 Sam 6:5-7). No substitute to obedience to God’s commands. My friend, God has given us His Word for a reason. His Word contains His eternal principles and truths. It tells us how things should be done and His expectations. The Bible also shows that God rewards those who take His Word seriously and apply it in their lives. But, as in the case of Uzzah, those who ignore His Word will suffer the consequences. Today, too many Christians are willing to compromise the things of God. We think that it’s acceptable to do anything we want, as long as we can justify our actions. No more of that! Today, many people seem more concerned about pleasing their spouses, families, friends, mates, congregations or their leaders than obeying God’s Word. Some are worried that others will think of them as “fanatics.” But God wants us to see that His ways and principles are more important than any other factor. We must no more be seen to take precedence over all things either self-made, cultural made or man-made. My friend, today, we must remember that God is concerned with His principles. He wants us to base our lives on His Word and act on what His Spirit tells us, and not on compromise no matter what. We should make it our commitment to obey Him and His Word and nothing else. Above all, we should be closer to God, solidly built on His Word and be filled with His Spirit. Remain blessed!
Church Street, London SE5 Christ Apostolic church (Full Gospel & Pentecostal) Surrey Docks District 163 Ilderton Rd South Bermondsey London SE16 2UT. Tel. 020 7252 2086. Time of worship: Sunday English service 9- 11.30am. Yoruba service 11.30 -2.30pm. Prophetic counselling: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 12noon- 5pm, Saturday only 5- 7pm. Holy Cross Church InternationalSunday 10.am- 1 pm at Crown House 71-73 Nathan Way London SE28 0BQ Tel: 07904 234 126, 07809 381 886 Times of service:Bible study: Thursdays 8pm. Night Vigil: Friday Forth-
nightly 12am Sunday Service: Sundays 10am - 1pm Winners’ Chapel London- part of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, at 1 Churchill Close, Green Street, Green Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1QE meets Sunday 7.30am, 9.15am and 11am and Wednesdays at 7pm. For details call: 01322 292097 Christ Apostolic Church, Surrey Docks District, Solution Centre, 47-47 High Street, Swancombe, Kent, DA10 0DA Tel: 07956 38 38 70 Time of worship: Wednesday Bible study: 7:30pm to 9:00pm Friday, Night Vigil: 9pm to 11pm Sunday Worship: 12:30pm to 3:00pm
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Friday, 23 October - Thursday, 29 October 2015
Africa Newsround
Guinea
Incumbent returned in hotly disputed poll result On Saturday (October 17), Guinea’s National Electoral Commission officially announced the incumbent, Alpha Conde, as winner of the 2015 presidential election, only its second democratic vote since independence from France in 1958, with 57.9% of the vote.
Predictably the result is being disputed. The opposition’s main contender, Cellou Dalien Diallo, who garnered 31.4% of the vote, told Reuters: “Everybody knows this election was a masquerade organized by the electoral commission and the government to declare Alpha Conde the winner in the first round.” Even before Guineans went the polls, the question of whether the election would be “free and fair” lingered in the minds of many. Two of the country’s biggest opposition parties—the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea, led by Diallo, and the Union of Republican Forces, led by Sidya Touré—had voiced their concerns about
Alpha Conde’s victory means he remains Guinea’s only democratically elected leader
possible electoral fraud. Diallo pulled out of the election last week after alleging that the fears of the
Niger
opposition parties had come to fruition. He said ballot boxes were being stuffed to favour the ruling party in some areas, 400
polling stations were closed to prevent opposition voters from casting their votes and minors were being allowed to vote. Conde became the country’s first democratically elected president in 2010, after seizing power from a military junta. The 77-year-old has been credited for instituting reforms to the country’s mining sector plagued by corruption—an important source of revenue for the country, which holds one of the world’s largest reserves of bauxite and is also rich in uranium, diamonds, and gold. Despite the announcement of the disputed results, Diallo is determined not to back down. Guinea’s constitutional court still needs to ratify the results, and opposition groups are allowed to contest them in the court within eight days of their announcement. “I will invite other candidates and the citizens, who are the real victims of this electoral hold-up, to organize peaceful demonstrations in accordance with the law to express our outrage,” said Diallo.
Uganda
Injuries and arrests following UPDF soldiers set to student demo quit South Sudan At least 80 protesters were arrested as students clashed with police in Niger’s capital, Niamey, last week.
More than a dozen protesters were injured as hundreds of college and high school students demonstrated in the city over study conditions. “We demand sufficient numbers of teachers and classes. This protest is a warning to the government,” Nassirou Mounkaila, the leader of the Union of Vocational School Students of Niger, told reporters. The protest was “supposed to be peaceful” but “the police charged and launched tear gas at us,” he said. The demonstrators responded by throwing stones and burning tyres in the road, paralysing traffic in parts of the west African desert nation’s capital. There were “several injured in our ranks,” said Mounkaila, who could not give a precise number. “Two national guards and five policemen were injured by stone throwing -- one seriously who was in intensive care in hospital,” Niamey governor Hamidou Garba told a press conference. He added that protestors were arrested over the clashes in which two police vehicles were “ransacked” and
Ugandan troops, deployed by President Yoweri Museveni to back South Sudanese President Salva Kiir in the fight against his sacked deputy Riek Machar, are poised to start leaving South Sudan as part of a peace deal brokered by mediators.
Students disrupted traffic by setting fire to tyres in the road
another belonging to the French embassy’s communications officer was “set on fire”. The governor said two more vehicles from the UN refugee agency were damaged by protestors. “We have met 90 percent of the students’ demands. Of the 359 classes promised, 328 have been completed,” Garba said. Mounkaila warned there could be further protests. “We will organise other demonstrations if we are not fully satisfied,” he said. The impoverished former French colony ranks last on the UN’s development index.
General Katumba Wamala, Chief of Defence Forces of the Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) said earlier this month Uganda had between 2,000 and 3,000 troops in South Sudan, and had lost nine soldiers. The first troops were to leave Bor, the capital of Jonglei State, on Tuesday (October 20). The Ugandan soldiers have played a key role in defending the capital Juba and have used helicopter gunships to fend off rebel attacks elsewhere in the country. As part of a peace deal mediated by regional bloc IGAD and signed in Addis Ababa in August by Kiir and Machar, the Ugandan soldiers were supposed to leave South Sudan earlier this month. “There is an agreement between the government of South Sudan and the government of Uganda that the UPDF withdraw from South Sudan back to Uganda,” South Sudan government spokesperson Michael Makuei told AFP. “This process has started today,” he added, explaining that Ugandan troops in
Ugandan People’s Defence Force soldiers successfully defended Juba in the face of rebel attacks in South Sudan
Bor, a key town north of Juba, were moving south to the capital where they would link up with other UPDF troops and then leave the country. “It is a force with a lot of equipment and lot of things that need to be assembled, need to be organised,” he added, hinting the process would not be quick. The demilitarisation of governmentheld Juba to allow the return of Machar and his rebel entourage is a key provision of the peace agreement. The Ugandan soldiers are due to be replaced by a neutral force, while South Sudanese soldiers are to be relocated to barracks outside the city. 17
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Nigerian News
N8bn Solar Power Deal To Light Up Osun State
Osun Government and France have signed an agreement to build a 35million Euros (N8 billion) 13 megawatts solar plant in the state.
Stephane Gompertz, France’s Ambassador for Climate Change, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday that the project was the first of such magnitude to be signed in Nigeria. Gompertz said the agreement was signed on Friday by the Osun Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola and a French company, Vergnet, adding that France was supporting Nigeria in the area of renewable energy. “As far as new and renewable energy are concerned, the French Agency for Development helps finance through credits, projects in new and renewable energy. “On Friday morning, I was with the French Ambassador in Abuja. We were received by the Governor of Osun State. We signed an agreement with a French company called Vergnet. “Vergnet will build a solar plant of 13 megawatts, which is quite big for a solar plant. And as far as I am concerned, this is the first project of such magnitude to be signed here in Nigeria. “There will be other bigger projects going up to 50 or even 100 megawatts,” he said. Gompertz said France had supported Nigeria’s power sector through its contracts and also through loans from the French Development Agency (AFD). He explained that the agreement to build the solar power plant also included training component to encourage transfer of technology. According to him, the more we develop new technologies, the more people are trained to manage or to invent those technologies, and this will on the long run contribute to the development. He noted that in 2009, the Federal Government had assigned Vergnet to establish a wind farm of 10 megawatts in Katsina state for more than 20 million Euros (about N4.5 billion). The envoy said the farm, with 37 windmills, should start producing and be connected to the grid in the beginning of 2016. According to him, the French group, TOTAL, is also willing to develop a solar energy project in Katsina state. Meanwhile, Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of Osun government -owned Tertiary Institutions have ended their five month old industrial strike action after signing a Memorandum of Understanding 18
(MOU) with the government. Signing the MOU signalling the end of strike, at the Governor Office in Osogbo,the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, pledged that his administration will not relent in its efforts to make life more meaningful for the people and the welfare of its workforce. Government and Staffers of the institutions during the MOU signing having recognised that the current financial challenge resulting from dwindling revenue from the Federation accounts will continue to affect the payment of salaries, pensions and critical expenditures of government decided to put an end to the strike. Governor Aregbesola speaking through his Chief-of-Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, told the staff of the tertiary institutions in the state that government has no plan of merging or scrapping any of the state owned institutions. The governor called for the cooperation of the workers in moving the state forward as it enters a new face of looking inward on how to increase the finances of the state and depend less on the Federal allocation. He expressed satisfaction over what he described as high sense of maturity displayed by the leadership of the union, pledging that government would do all it could to fulfil her side of the agreement. According to the governor, “The issue of merger has never been raised by this government. Nobody is going to merge any of the schools. The speculation is only being peddled by people who want to fan embers of discord. “I can assure you that nobody will be victimised, the governor himself is a comrade who is never vindictive. For him to have given his words that you will be paid some days after you resume work shows he is not vindictive. “I want to use this opportunity to charge you to be committed to our Internally Generated Revenue and assist government in blocking leakages. We should all face the reality of the situation we have in the country. There is glut in the oil industry and we need to look inward. “We need to really increase our internal revenue for us to be able to meet our obligations, government cannot do it alone so this is the kind of support that we need from our institutions, as our financial situations improve every other part will be considered.” Earlier, representatives of the union in
all the four state owned tertiary institutions namely; Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Osun State College of Technology, Esaoke, Osun State Colleges of Education in Ila Orangun and Ilesa, the State Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council of the union, Comrade Olusoji Fasipe commended Governor Aregbesola for his rare understanding and patience despite the condition at-
support. “We suspend this strike based on the agreement reached with government to pay our salaries within seven days of resumption. We are optimistic and we are returning to work because our governor has emphatically promised to pay our salaries within seven days”, Comrade Fadipe said.
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in a warmth handshake with Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Mr.John Kennedy Opara, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at Governor’s Office
tached to the industrial action. He urged government not to renege on its promises of paying them within the stipulated seven days of resumption, adding that the strike has been suspended in line with the agreement made with the government. He said the union was always on the side of government, assuring that the union would do all it could to support the administration in repositioning it’s economy as it is faced with financial challenges. “We are ready to do our best to ensure that the state economy is revamped. We have friendly and fatherly people in government and they have been playing the role as expected and it is our believe that they would not relent in giving us more
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd left), his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd left), Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara (3rd right), Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (left), Head of Service, State of Osun, Mr. Sunday Owoeye (2nd right), and Executive Officio Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN),& Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Pastor Austin Febo (right), during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at Governor’s Office
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Friday, 23 October - Thursday, 29 October 2015
Nigerian News
A pat on the back for Pat Utomi How Patito was left out of the gang President Mohammadu Buhari is a man christened Patrick Okedinachi Utomi otherwise known as Pat Utomi.
By Olubunmi Omoogun Chief Correspondent, Nigeria
Nigeria currently stands as one of the frontline countries generating interest. One, because of the new government of President Mohammadu Buhari’s change mantra, with strong promises of real change so immediate succour can come the way of many Nigerians who are struggling to make ends meet. Two Nigeria is looked at as an emerging market who huge natural resources and human capital power and three as the most populous nation in Africa and a leading global oil supplier. Nigeria, no doubt has in its kitty a thinking pot/turning point generation and risk takers. But one distinguished entrepreneur who most people had thought would make the list of new ministers nominated by
At age 15, he had already done with secondary education, became a Special Assistant to then president Shehu Shagari after he got enlisted by the former vicepresident Alex Ekwueme to provide consultancy on some public policy papers. His impressive profile, achievements and business acumen have been marked by accountability, transparency and has exhibited social responsibility. Political and social commentators had pushed his name into the public domain and the president was willing to appoint. Him as minister of the federal republic of Nigeria. Patito, a name coined from Patrick his first name found his name missing from the ministerial list allegedly due to federal character or call it state character. Ibe Kachukwu from Delta State, south south Nigeria had already been appointed as GMD of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). So when Pat Utomi’s name was suggested it turned out that Utomi was not only from the same state but also from the same senatorial district as Kachukwu. The two other senatorial districts threw up a petition on the basis of being marginalised. This led to the withdrawal of Pat Utomi’s name.
Pat Utomi
His success in the private and corporate sectors would go down as an illustrious example for citizens of Nigeria who aspire to a better future. You can go on and on reeling out his exploits. A professor of political economy and entrepreneurship at the Lagos Business School is one of Nigeria’s prominent professors of political economy and management expert who is passionate about social engineering. Bishop Mathew kukah at a forum where Pat Utomi was present eulogized Utomi and referred to him as honourable man. Without mincing words Pat Utomi will make any first eleven any day with his richly structured CV hav-
ing also coordinated the establishment of several civil society groups on good governance and accountability such as Transparency in Nigeria, the Centre for Values in Leadership, the Concerned Professionals, and the Restoration Group. Indeed most people will say never again should we sacrifice merit on the alter of federal character which has been Nigeria’s bane over the years. Change, to most means having someone at the helms of affair who has vision, passion and drive. Pat is blessed with all these attributes. Just like 2face the musician sang ‘who God bless no one can curse’.
Senate screens former Governor Amaechi and 3 other nominees
Former Governor of Rivers State Rotimi Amaechi was on Thursday screened by the Nigerian Senate as a ministerial nominee.
He was the first of the six nominees slated for screening Thursday but only five were eventually screened. Amaechi was followed by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri from Bayelsa, Prof. Cladius Omoleye Daramola from Ondo, Mustapha Baba Shehuri and James E. Ocholi (SAN) from Kogi State in that order. Amaechi spent about 50 minutes answering questions bordering on various issues, especially his alleged indictment by a panel set up by the Rivers State Government, for corruption, insisting that he was never indicted and dangled the report before the Senate. The Senate Ethics committee report that delayed his screening on three occasions, was presented to the senate by Senator Chris Anyanwu, head of the committee, before Amaechi’s screening began following a motion moved by the Senate Majority Leader, Senator
Ali Ndume and seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio. Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ali Ndume had hinted Wednesday that the report may not necessarily hinder the exercise and that APC senators are prepared to support Amaechi. The APC has a clear majority in the Senate. Amaechi arrived the Senate in company of the presidential senior assistant on National Assembly matters, Senator Ita Enang, the Rivers state All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the last election Dakuku Peterside among others. Amaechi dazzled the Senate and even disarmed the Senators with answers to the questions he asked, evoking laughter throughout. He was not combative, neither were the lawmakers. Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio from Akwa Ibom had earlier said the PDP caucus in the Senate did not have any questions for Amaechi.
Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi
Only APC Senators asked Amaechi questions bordering on various national issues and he answered all in a convivial atmosphere. Amaechi’s name had been dropped from the screening list of ministerial nominees by senate three times in the past two weeks over a petition against him for alleged corruption. Senator Heineken Lopkobiri from Bayelsa State was the next to be screened
and he answered only a few questions before he was asked to take a bow. Ocholi spent more time answering a barrage of questions bordering on the judiciary, prison congestion, criminal justice system and so on, than other nominees screened Thursday. After Ocholi’s turn, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, adjourned further screening of other nominees till Tuesday, 27 October, 2015. 19
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Quickfire Chukwueze takes Oranje inspiration It took Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze no more than 25 seconds to write his name in the tournament record books on Tuesday, scoring a quick-fire goal that put the Africans on the road to a 5-1 defeat of hosts Chile and into the last 16 of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2015.
The hard-running midfielder’s well-taken strike was the third-fastest goal in the history of the competition, exceeded in speed only by Brazilians Fabinho at Korea 2007 and Celso at Peru 2005, who took only nine and 14 seconds respectively to find the back of the net. “Seriously?” asked the smiling and softly spoken Chukwueze when told by FIFA.com of his achievement. “I had no idea, but it’s an honour to know that my name is part of the history of a World Cup. I never imagined anything like this. It makes me feel proud.” Though he may be shy and retiring off the pitch, there is nothing restrained about Chukwueze’s performances on it. As well as scoring twice against the hosts, he also forced three penalties with his driving runs,
Samuel Chukwueze, No. 8 of Nigeria celebrates with his team mates after scoring
two of which were converted. The only goal he had no part to play in was his side’s fifth.
More to come “I know I did well today, but I still have a lot of work to do to improve,” said Chukwueze, a product of the Diamond Football
Academy. “I try to base my game on that of Arjen Robben, who can run with the ball at speed, score goals and set them up too. I want to be an all-round player like him.” The youngster served early notice of his striking prowess at the 2013 Iberian Cup in Estoril, when, at the age of only 14, he scored the small matter of 12 goals in seven matches for Nigeria’s U-17s.
That same year he followed the Golden Eaglets’ triumphant progress at the U-17 world finals in UAE closely, looking on in awe as compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho played a starring role and collected the adidas Silver Boot: “He showed a lot of power and quality and he’s now with Manchester City. The English Premier League is my favourite league and the one I watch the most.” Turning his attention back to Chile 2015 and the job in hand, Chukwueze believes Nigeria have much more to offer after their exhibition against Chile. “It wasn’t the perfect game by any means,” said the No8. “I think we can play better if we work on our concentration.” Nigeria wind up their Group A campaign against Croatia, a side they beat in the final of a friendly competition not so long ago. Will that victory have a bearing on their confidence going into the game? Not according to Chukwueze: “Absolutely not. We showed against Chile that we have a strong mentality and nothing will make us lose it.”
Aubameyang hits three in the Europa League Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a hat-trick during Borussia Dortmund’s 3-1 win at FC Qabala on Thursday, in Group C of the Europa League.
The Gabon international put the visitors ahead from the edge of the box with a curling strike into the top right-hand corner at the half-a-hour mark. He doubled Dortmund’s lead from point-blank range seven minutes later, before completing his hat-trick twenty minutes from time with the locals managing to pull one back into stoppage time. The German giants are now four points clear at the top of Group C, ahead of FC Krasnodar and PAOK Salonique who have a game in hand. Aubameyang, who has already scored 17 goals in 16 appearances for Borussia Dortmund through all competitions this season, moved clear at the top of the Europa League scoring charts with six goals to his name. Meanwhile, African stars in Europa League dazzles again, Anderlecht 2 Tottenham 1. Precious three points for the Belgian club going into the reverse fixture in London in a fortnight. Anderlecht bring on Ibrahima Conte from Guinea in stoppage time, but it has been Acheampong who has really got the home team going since his introduction 22
Borussia Dortmund’s Aubameyang celebrates with teammates after scoring in the Europa League
Okaka has done his job even if in the process of scoring his goal he lost his boot, he is replaced by Guinea’s Idrissa Sylla Spurs are now chasing the game at Anderlecht with the seconds ticking away. As it stands they are now on four points apiece with the return leg in London
Besiktas have drawn level at Lokomotiv Moscow, it’s now 1-1 in Moscow It’s Schalke 2 Sparta Prague 2 with Leroy Sane, whose father was a former Senegal star, getting Schalke’s second goal Monaco have finally taken the lead against Qarabag thanks to a goal made from Africa - Lamine Traore is the scorer
with an assist from Elshaarawy, whose father is Egyptian Substitute Acheampong run down the left sets up Stefano Okaka, whose father is Nigerian, to put Anderlecht ahead in Brussels. It’s Anderlecht 2 Tottenham 1 Nigerian-born Dele Alli has come in for Spurs and it is still Anderlecht 1 Tottenham 1. Alli has been capped twice by England and so no longer eligible to play for Nigeria. Nigeria striker Imoh Ezekiel has worked hard and he will give way to Frank Achempong of Ghana for Anderlecht. Senegal’s Dame Ndoye’s goal early in the second half is what separates his Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow against Besiktas of Turkey. Already on the night Nigeria’s Kehinde Fatai is on target for Czech club Sparta Prague, who are holding Schalke 04 to a 1-1 draw Anderlecht 1 Tottenham 1 - 55 minutes and Cameroon’s Clinton Njie featuring for Spurs is first to be booked on the night The second half has began in 12 other Europa League clashes across Europe Aubameyang scored in the 31st, 38th and 72nd minutes for Borussia Dortmund to win 3-1 at Qabala. Already there have been some Africans hogging the headlines in Europe’s second-tier competition with Gabon skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang top of the pack afthis treble at Qabala.
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Mali’s frontline hope for change in fortune By the time the final whistle sounded on Mali’s opening match at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015, the Africans had registered no fewer than 26 attempts on goal – a competition record – compared to just two efforts from Belgium. While this formidable tally of shots would have been little more than a footnote to the game if it had produced anything tangible, the fact that the encounter ultimately ended in a goalless draw left the young African side understandably disappointed.
The continental champions will be keen to make amends for this result when they face Ecuador on Wednesday 21 October, and do what they failed to do against their European rivals. “As our qualifying campaign showed, we play attacking football,” a confident Boubacar Traore told FIFA.com. “We scored more goals than any other side there, and we want to do that again here. We want to win every match and ultimately lift the trophy.” No looking back The striker was unable to capitalise on several opportunities against the young Red Devils, while team-mates Aly Malle and Sidiki Maiga suffered similar frustration, despite the Belgian back four struggling to contain them after the opening phases of the match. Although coach Baye Bah’s team posed a consistent threat in front of the opposition goal with their dribbling skills, pinpoint short passing and lightning speed down the wing, their final ball was either inaccurate or gathered up with ease by keeper Jens Teunckens. Mali’s performance was so impressive that the neutrals within Talca’s Estadio Fiscal even broke into spontaneous applause at the sight of their sparkling attacking display. “We’ve received
Boubacar Traore, no. 11 of Mali, reacts after missing a shot on goal
a really warm welcome here in Chile and feel very much at home,” said Traore. Les Aiglonnets have long since put the disappointment of this missed opportunity behind them, refusing to dwell on it as their focus shifts to the upcoming duel with La Tri. “We analysed the last match and will try to improve,” explained Traore, who cites Samuel Eto’o and his irrepressible will to win as his inspiration. “Our coach reacted accordingly in training and changed some things, but I definitely can’t say what,” he added with a smile. Although the youngster knows that his side’s ability to create so many chances is an encouraging sign that goals will eventually follow, the Africans cannot expect to carve out as many opportunities against an Ecuador team that delivered the strongest defensive performance at this year’s South American U-17 Football Championship. Garnering respect and recognition “We’re only concerned about ourselves,” Traore continued. “If we can play the way we did in our opening game, we’ll win.” Belgium
coach Bob Browaeys would no doubt agree with this assessment, having expressed respect and admiration for his team’s opponents shortly after their stalemate drew to a close. “To be honest this isn’t the right result,” he said. “Mali were stronger and played fantastic, beautiful football. I can only congratulate the coach, the team and the federation. They played brilliantly and were technically very strong.” “It’s great that their coach responded so openly and honestly,” said Traore on hearing Browaeys’ comments. “That shows true sportsmanship.” While the Belgian’s words will be small consolation in light of Mali’s failure to secure all three points, they show that the African champions have caused opponents to sit up and take notice, before even winning a match. And although it is difficult to know for certain what will happen once they begin converting their chances, such an improvement could potentially turn the Malians into contenders for the Chile 2015 crown.
Second retirement in a fortnight hits Super Eagles Continued from back page
“I also felt it was important that people hear directly from me to avoid a funny twist to the story. Emenike, who is on loan at Al Ain in Dubai from Turkish club Fenerbahce, appears to be critical of Oliseh’s coaching regime in the retirement announcement he posted to followers on Instagram: No more Eagles career! “After 5 great years, I am happy to announce that I have put full-stop to my Nationa team career for the sake of national peace.” “Its a pleasure for me to have played for this great country. I
never regretted it and I think its the best time to end it. Millions thanks to all the fans who have been very supportive during the good and bad times.” “I am very proud of my performance, I am proud of my team mates and I am very proud of the nation called ‘Nigeria’. My AFCON gold medal is a sign of great achievement, My AFCON topscorer award speaks a lot about my commitment and dedication to the team. Super Eagles is a camp not a family house, and it shouldn’t be a threat zone for any individual. I have done according to our national anthem. “All my dreams came true in the national team, I dreamt to win Nations Cup for Nigeria after 20-years, I dreamt to played at the World Cup as well
as to make a name for myself… In the space of five years, I got them. I’m a winner! “For every dissapointing fans, maybe due to my inability to re-establish my goal scoring instinct for Super Eagles, I will like to say I’m sorry but the ones I had scored counted well for the team. As long as Nigeria remains, you and I will always remember the name ‘Emenike’. “Finally, I am happy to make a bow and continue supporting the team everytime. Up Eagles, God Bless Nigeria! Goalkeeper Enyeama, Nigeria’s most capped international, walked away earlier this month when he was stripped of the captain’s armband after he turned up a day late for duty following his mother’s funeral.
Battle for Egyptian Salah’s signature rages on According to media reports in Europe, Italian Serie A giants Fiorentina say Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah could face punishment for reneging on an agreement with them. The report comes after the Chelsea winger joined AS Roma on loan from the English Premier League side with Fiorentina saying he allegedly failed to honour the agreement to sign with them. According to ESPN, Salah will be the focus of attention when the two clubs renew their rivalry this coming weekend after he angered the Viola when he failed to attend pre-season training despite having an agreement to play for them this season. However, the player’s agent claimed he had a separate agreement that enabled him to return to his parent club Chelsea rather than staying at Fiorentina. “The investigation, which is under way, will determine whether his behaviour was correct or not,” Fiorentina’s general manager Sandro Mencucci told Tele Iride. “The issue is anything but closed. If his behaviour is deemed incorrect, then it will be up to FIFA to punish him in a way they deem suitable. “Salah had signed a contract over several years with us, even though he had that famous veto which he could use, but only to return to Chelsea. “If we underestimated anything, then it was that he would actually have this drastic change of heart, driven by somebody who was offering him more. It’s all about money.” On the other hand, Roma said the player will not be banned as there’s no reason to do that. The 23-year-old went back to Chelsea and subsequently signed for Roma at the end of the 2014/15 season campaign, but Fiorentina took the case to FIFA. “Salah’s not going to be banned because there’s not even the minimum reason to do that,” sporting director Walter Sabatini told Mediaset television on Tuesday. “Everybody has his own position on this, but it’s nothing to do with us, we will defend the player wherever we have to.”
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Friday, 23 October - Thursday, 29 October 2015 ISSUE 602
WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK
Mali’s frontline hope for change in fortune
Emenike follows Enyeama through exit door SEE PAGE 23
Second retirement in a fortnight hits Super Eagles
Emenike was reportedly a £16m summer transfer target for Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho in 2014
By Alan Oakley
Hot on the heels of Vincent Enyeama’s announcement that he will no longer play international football for Nigeria, out-of-form striker Emmanuel Emenike has quit the Super Eagles, also in ap-
parent dissatisfaction with Sunday Oliseh’s man management.
Emenike, 28, who last scored for the Super Eagles two years ago, took to his Instagram to “avoid a funny twist to the story,” he told BBC Sport. Nigeria’s top scorer when they won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, has retired amid rumours that national team coach Sunday Oliseh would be leaving him out
of the squad to face Swaziland in next month’s World Cup qualifier. He told the BBC, “It was not an easy decision. I didn’t think my international career would come to a sudden end, but that is life. “Sometimes it’s better to remove yourself from an environment that doesn’t suit you mentally and physically, this is what I have done.
Continued on page 23
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