African Voice Newspaper issue 606 by African Voice Newspapers UK

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Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015 ISSUE 606

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

Free HIV test kit launched

SEE PAGE 6

£1.00

London Met denounces visa sponsorship meddling

SEE PAGE 12

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SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS ‘ENGLISH TEST’ By Alan Oakley

In a landmark ruling, the UK Supreme Court has rejected a challenge against immigration rules requiring people to speak English before joining their spouses in Britain.

The panel of judges led by Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury rejected claims that the pre-entry checks were ‘unreasonable, disproportionate and discriminatory’ but indicated that the way the scheme operated might be unlawful and asked the women’s lawyers to present further arguments. The case was brought by Saffana Ali and Saiqa Bibi - British citizens whose husbands, from Yemen and Pakistan, want to come to the UK to be with their families. However, under spouse visa rules for nationals outside the European Union, the men must learn a basic level of English and pass a test a Government-approved centre before being allowed to enter the country.

Continued on page 2

African Film Awards organisers and 2015 award winners on a courtesy visit to Ambassador Olukunke Bamgbose Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to the UK

Nigerian Governor, Ambassador, Airline See pages MD & Film Stars win awards in UK 10 , 11 & 20

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Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

Have You News Got News Wembley student crowned first UK Miss Teen Africa For Us By Hannah McGrath

Newsdesk: 020 3737 3077

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Risk of famine in world’s youngest country

The UK’s International Development Minister Grant Shapps has arrived in South Sudan to discuss the country’s worsening humanitarian situation, food shortages and the implementation of the Peace Agreement to end prolonged fighting.

Over 2.3 million people have fled their

homes, including more than 1.6 million

displaced people inside South Sudan

and more than 640,000 seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Humanitarian access remains heavily restricted.

There is a real risk of famine. Almost

A teenager from Wembley has posed, strutted and danced her way to being crowned the UK’s first ever Miss Teen Africa.

Sixth form student Monique Narh, 17, fought off nine other contestants to head the catwalk at the grand finale of the beauty pageant in the elegant surrounds of Stratford Town Hall on Saturday. The aspiring textiles scientist represented Ghana’s vibrant culture with a dance display in traditional dress and a heartfelt speech about her hopes for the future for young British Africans. The evening comprised a number of catwalk stages including elegant ball gown and dance displays as well as musical performances from up and coming African artists. Speaking after she was crowned with the Miss Teen Africa tiara, Miss Narh said: “I can’t believe it! We did it! I want to thank all my fans, those who have supported me

...Continued from front page

time last year. 30,000 people are already

The women argued it would be unreasonable to expect the men to learn computer skills and travel long distances to take their English tests and that consequently their right to a private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was being breached. The Supreme Court judgment follows earlier rulings in the High Court and Court of Appeal that there was no disproportionate interference with family life. Although the Supreme Court rejected the challenge against the rule itself, the judges have asked for further submissions from the parties on ‘whether a declaration should be made that the operation of the guidance in its present form is incompatible with article 8 rights where compliance with the requirement is impracticable’. Lady Hale, deputy president, suggested that the appropriate solution to avoid infringements in individual cases would be to ‘recast’ the guidance to grant exemptions in cases where compliance with the requirement is impracticable. Changes to immigration rules This week marks the introduction of the immigration rule changes announced by UK Visas and Immigration on October 29 2015. The majority of changes will affect applications lodged on or after 19 November 2015, with new rules being implemented across nearly every UK immigration route. A summary of the key changes for each UK immigration category are provided below: Asylum Asylum claims made by EU nationals will be invalid, apart from cases in which exceptional circumstances apply

believed to be experiencing starvation in Unity State.

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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African Voice is published by African Voice UK.

gether, utilising their various gifts and talents to make positive change within their community and elevate ourselves.” First published: Brent & Kilburn Times

Supreme Court upholds ‘English test’

4 million people are facing severe food shortages - an 80 per cent increase on this

and prayer networks. God bless everyone who wished me well.” In addition to the crown and sash Miss Narh has been awarded a year’s modelling contract with a top agency, a week’s internship at fashion house Gran di Moda UK and over £2,000 of African fabric, jewellery, make-up and beauty and spa experiences. Taking to social media to announce the result, Miss Teen Africa posted: “Monique Narh you have been exceptional all along from the very first Audition. “We are confident you are going to be a great role model in your reign. The whole team are proud of you.” Miss Narh, a passionate charity and community campaigner plans to spend her year as ambassador for Miss Teen Africa UK encouraging young British Africans to fulfil their potential and work together to challenge stereotypes. She added: “I believe becoming Miss Teen Africa UK will provide me with the platform to encourage and impassion British African youth even more to work to-

Making clear the reasons why a person’s refugee status has been removed Family Immigration New rules concerning non-EEA children, which will enable UK immigration to stop entry into the country, if they suspect that because of the sponsor or sponsor’s partner, entry of the child to the UK will put the child’s safety at risk Settlement (indefinite leave to remain) A requirement that those applying to stay in the UK indefinitely show evidence of their English language skills by sitting an English language test at a government approved test centre. Alternatively, applicants must demonstrate the necessary level of English with an English language qualification from the Home Office Secure English Language Test list. As previously announced, a minimum salary of £35,000, with the exception of occupations on the shortage occupation list and certain PhD level jobs, will be required to be eligible for UK indefinite leave to remain. Tier 1 Exceptional Talent, Tier 1 Entrepreneur and Tier 1 Investor of the points-based system Revisions to the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa scheme, which it is claimed will alleviate skills shortages in the UK tech sector. Changing the endorsement criteria, used by Tech City UK, will hopefully lead to an increase in the number of applicants with the potential to add value to the UK’s digital economy qualifying for this UK visa route. A requirement that additional documentation be provided by Tier 1 entrepreneur visa applicants, including documentation relating to continuous trading, jobs created and past investments.

Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury headed the panel of judges

Further clarification that Tier 1 investors are not permitted to invest using shares or loan capital in consortiums Tiers 2 and 5 of the points-based system The addition of four digital technology jobs (product manager, data scientist, senior developer and cyber security specialist) and nurses to the Tier 2 visa shortage occupation list, paving the way for Tier 2 visa applications for applicants in these occupations to be prioritised during monthly Tier 2 visa allocations. Changes that clarify the rules for sponsors and applicants for Tier 5 temporary charity workers. UK immigration says that this is to stop permanent job roles being taken by temporary staff. Confirmation of annual visa allocations for the 2016 Youth Mobility Scheme; 45,000 places will be made available to nationals of Australia and 12,000 to nationals of New Zealand. Minor adjustments to the UK government’s list of authorised exchange schemes.

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Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

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Comment

AFRICAN CINEMA AND SOCIAL CHANGE By Tunde Kelani

Continued from last week While I often insist that I am not an activist or have the ambition to run for political office, I, always, felt to share something, using my imagination to engage realities and shape them. In this, is an underlying principle to communicate by employing the idea of ‘committed cinema’ or ‘engaged cinema’ of the founding era, as represented by Sembene Ousmane or Hubert Ogunde’s theatre. My films, for example, favour the creation of strong female characters, and are, largely, about opportunities to inspire or address issues around social change. So, it is important, for me, that audiences are not alienated. My premium, often, is on traits of character that audiences can identify with, as well as narrative threads and twists, through which they can draw parallels to their own experiences, enhancing various elements of or possibilities for change. LIST OF FILM CLIPS. 1. DAZZLING MIRAGE (2014) - Engages the issue of health, where a young lady, working in an advertising agency, is threatened because of the stigma associated with her medical condition, sickle-cell disorder. The film, also, explores communities’ attitude to health, gender relations and change. A recent study carried out at the University of Ibadan by Abisola Ojo, a Masters student, reveals that the film Dazzling Mirage improved knowledge and affected the attitudes of university of Ibadan students regarding the sickle cell disorder significantly. 2. MAAMI (2010) - A tribute to motherhood, from the Yoruba saying: ‘Iya ni Wura’ (“Mother is gold”, in English). This is critical to me because motherhood within African cultural systems is a venerable institution. Maami, also, brings up the issue of single parenthood and poverty, the challenges of survival, through the eponymous character’s determination to feed and give her son the best education, without compromising her dignity. 3. ARUGBA (2008) - Indexed in Yoruba religious principles and culture, the main character juggles her role as a young undergraduate and the Arugba (votary maiden) who leads the proces4

sion in an annual community festival. She, also, champions women’s education, awareness of health issues, like HIV/Aids and diarrhea.

4. AGOGOEEWO (2002) - Sequel to Saworoide - a political satire, mirrors contemporary social political themes, using oral and cultural traditions. 5. SAWOROIDE (1999) A post-independence narrative about African cultural systems and challenges in responsible governance, between the political elite and military dictatorship. 6. YEEPA (2014) - The story of a filmed play. As any other African filmmaker, I am always open to various influences and well disposed to tracking transformations within our respective societies, rewriting their terms of engagement and representation. For me, then, there was no way of ignoring the last general election in Nigeria because of the heightened anxiety about the predictions of Nigeria’s doubtful existence beyond the year 2015. Prior to the approaching election in 2014, we embarked on the production of Yeepa, a filmed play, adapted from Prof Femi Osofisan’s Who is Afraid of Solarin, translated to Yoruba by Prof Dotun Ogundeji as Yeepa Solarin Nbo. Notably, this unique train of adaptations is derived from an original play, The Government Inspector, by the Russian writer, Nikolai Gogol. That story, first published in 1836, is a comedy and satire on political corruption. Incidentally, the eventual winner of Nigeria’s recent elections, President Mohammadu Buhari, during his campaign, stressed security, economy and elimination of corruption as keys to addressing Nigeria’s developmental challenges. After limited public screenings in a few commercial cinemas, we got the opportunity, through the Lagos State Government, to screen it via mobile open air cinema in all the fifty seven local government and development areas of Lagos State. Even though the government inspector never really arrived in Yeepa, the commotion into which his rumored arrival in the filmed play threw corrupt government officials is symbolic of the present commotion among allegedly corrupt Nigerian government officials with the electoral victory of President Mohammadu Buhari whose government has remained unequivocal about its zero tolerance of corruption.

Tunde Kelani

It did not matter whether our contribution was significant or not but, as a filmmaker, identifying a relevant nonindigenous material from far away Russia of long ago in the 1800’s and re-contextualizing it to Nigeria of today, at that historical moment, gave the audience something to laugh and more importantly think about, regarding the promise of change. As an African filmmaker, I dare not pretend to have manifest answers to the various challenges in the society although most of my films have been, consciously or not, anchored within certain artistic propensities that explore the intrinsically complicated dynamics of change. I merely try to inspire constructive dialogues from different perspectives, now that African cinema seems to have been wrested away from the shackles and restrictions of external funding, which determined what types of films were made, what angles were followed in the films, what types of festivals featured them, and, crucially, what types of merits were accorded. Fortunately, I see signs of hope for African cinema in renewed energy across the continent, from different groups and countries, using new technology and virtual platforms to help African cinema transcend the cliches of not just Africa but African cinema itself. Insofar as African societies are changing at own paces, I do not push for an idealized pre-colonial past but would like to reaffirm African’s

prerogative to tell own stories and on own terms. Our films should be about self-awareness, introspection, discernment, finding and projecting own voices; crucially, it is about dignity and respect for African histories, cultures, peoples, rationalities, irrespective of persistent challenges. Challenges are intrinsic to life and are, without doubt, global. America has its problems, Japan, China, Iran, Iraq, India, and so on and they have theirs too. Africa, too, is facing its challenges. Whereas the first generation of African filmmakers was concerned with colonialism, decolonization, nation and building communities, post- independence paradoxes, the palette for African cinema has multiplied, exponentially. The younger generations are coming into filmmaking engaging contemporary topics like terrorism, migration, diaspora, music, social media, soccer (European Football League as a byproduct of globalisation), unprecedented reference points and eclectic bursts of vision, which bode well for African cinema. In my view, African Cinema is very plural and must never be shackled to a single point-of-view or restrictive sets of expectations. African cinema is as diverse as the cultures, peoples, economic and social challenges as well as the prodigious creative capacities of Africa, for continuity and social change. Being the keynote address by Tunde Kelani, independent Filmmaker in Nigeria.

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Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

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Health News

Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

Free HIV test kit launched PHE launches first nationally available HIV kit for testing those at higher-risk as new figures show 18,100 people unaware they have HIV.

Public Health England (PHE) has launched the first nationally available HIV kit for testing those at higher-risk, alongside announcing new funding for innovative HIV prevention projects. People at higher-risk of HIV across the country can now order a HIV homesampling test kit online, and are being encouraged to take the simple finger prick blood sample for National HIV Testing Week, which starts on 21 November 2015. Improved treatment for HIV means those diagnosed early can have a life expectancy almost matching that of people who are HIV free. Also released today, new PHE figures show an estimated 103,700 people in the UK were living with HIV in 2014, with around 17% (18,100) unaware and at risk of unknowingly passing on the virus to others. Among men who have sex with men (MSM), 6,500 remain unaware of their HIV infection, as do a further 3,900 men and women from black African communities. In addition, there continues to be high levels of transmission in MSM and 3,360 MSM were newly diagnosed in 2014: the largest number ever recorded. Overall, 40% of people were diagnosed at a late stage of infection, undermining the benefits of effective therapy, and demonstrating the need for expanded testing. The benefits of testing leading to early treatment, reach beyond the individual person, having a wider public health benefit, reducing the risk of passing the virus on to other people. Well-tailored local initiatives also have a critical role to play. In addition to home-sampling, the government and PHE today announces 7 successful HIV innovation winners: to help turn the tide on high rates of new HIV infection in England. The HIV Innovation Fund is supporting

creative prevention projects, including working with faith leaders, developing assessment tools and targeted HIV testing initiatives. Public Health Minister Jane Ellison said: We have made great strides in HIV treatment, and those people speaking out about their condition are helping reduce the stigma around it. But until HIV is a thing of the past, there is more to do and we need to be bold. I want today’s launch of the first National HIV Home Sampling service to encourage people at risk to find out their HIV status, using our free kits, so they can get the best care for themselves and partners. Our Innovation Fund is also identifying new ideas to tackle the problem. I hope that all those at risk will take the opportunity to get tested and help us halve new HIV infections by 2020. Professor Kevin Fenton, Director of Health and Wellbeing at PHE said: Despite national rates of HIV declining, it is still a growing problem within certain communities and levels of HIV testing among high risk people remain too low. The HIV home-sampling service and the HIV Innovation Fund help boost the ongoing efforts to reduce HIV infection in England. With National HIV Testing Week approaching, I would encourage all those at higher-risk of HIV, such as men who have sex with men or people from black African communities, to seriously consider testing, especially as they are now able to order a home-sampling kit free online. Cllr Izzi Seccombe, LGA Community Wellbeing spokesperson, said: HIV testing is key to prevention. Evidence shows that earlier diagnosis can not only benefit personal health, but has massive public health benefits too, while saving significant sums of money for the NHS and local services. Councils now have responsibility for public health and commissioning sexual health services. HIV testing and outreach services are a part of this, whether in GP practices, sexual health clinics or in community settings.

India and the UK establish a strategic partnership in healthcare King’s College Hospital has become the strategic clinical partner for the first Indo UK Institute of Health in New Chandigarh.

Backed by up to £100 million of private investment, the project is the first of a proposed 11 Indo UK Institutes of Health which will see high quality hospitals, nursing schools and medical colleges developed across India. When 6

fully implemented, the initiative will amount to a £1 billion investment into India’s healthcare system. The UK and Indian governments have set up an implementation taskforce to ensure closer collaboration and speedy implementation of these and other healthcare projects. These aim to bring the UK’s finest universities, companies and NHS organisations to India.

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Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

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Tunisia’s Economic Future is in Africa Tunisia, already at a political crossroads, must now also change its economic strategy and turn more towards Africa. Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), shares his views.

Following the attacks of previous months, Tunisia’s central bank revised its growth estimates for the country; this is not likely to exceed 1 per cent in 2015. This slowdown is due partly to the security situation, but at a more structural level also to the slump in external demand for goods from Tunisia, which conduct 64 per cent of its trade with the European Union. Since the 1980s, Tunisia has sought integration in the European market and value chains, with a view to attracting textile, mechanical, automotive, aeronautical and plastic manufacturing industries. This strategy was underpinned by the sustained growth in Europe and by Tunisia’s competitiveness, based on its proximity to the Old World, the low cost of its labour, and tax incentives. This orientation towards Europe rather than Africa was justifiable at that time when the African continent was not seen as a market

with great potential: it had low growth (just over 2 per cent) and persistent problems in its macroeconomic framework. This decision to turn towards Europe has been doubly disadvantageous for Tunisia, since the country is now not only suffering from the economic downturn of its main economic partner, but also still cut off from the African market. One of the most significant changes over the last two decades in the way global production and trade are organized is the growing importance of global value chains in the management and coordination of manufacturing and trade links between countries. This has brought about a trend for production to be more fragmented and for trade between countries to increase. Developing countries have started to change their governance of production. One way to cope with these changes is to develop regional value chains in a cooperative manner, both in North Africa and in the rest of the continent, thereby creating new and dynamic comparative advantages and speeding up the strategic diversification and increased sophistication of its economies. Today African growth is strong. It relies on private consumption and investment is

supported by a growing middle class. By 2020, more than 30 million Africans will have joined the middle class and be spending more than half their income on outlays other than housing and food. This growth in consumption represents a powerful tool for the structural transformation of economies in the region, as demand grows for manufactured goods and a wide range of services. It is clear that, for Tunisia, the levers of structural transformation Tunisia are to be found in Africa. Opening up to intra-African trade Unfortunately, Tunisia is not particularly well integrated with the rest of the continent. In terms of its share of African exports in relation to GDP, it ranks 29th in the continent. In terms of investment, while it has one of the best regulatory environments in Africa (4th in terms of starting and operating a local business), Tunisia ranks only 28th in terms of attractiveness for foreign investment. Accordingly, when we look at regional value chains, Tunisia ranks 21st in terms of its share of the total exports of intermediate goods within Africa. A study that ECA has just conducted with UNIDO assesses the impact of various strategic trade agreements on exports for Tunisia and North Africa. Thus, the Continental Free Trade Agreement, on which negotiations were launched in June 2015 in Cairo and which is to enter into force in 2017, will promote the export of Tunisian manufactured goods. These products, which currently account for nearly half of its exports (48 per cent), are expected to increase to $2.3 billion (an increase of 6.8 per cent) by 2020. This figure would be doubled (to $4.4 billion) if trade facilitation measures were enacted, boosting by 25 per cent the effectiveness of trade-related administrative procedures. With these reforms, the share of manufactured goods in Tunisia’s exports to the rest of the continent would further increase and would constitute the bulk of its exports. A similar agreement with the other countries of the Arab League would encourage exports of mining products, while the strengthening of its Association Agreement with the European Union would be more likely to stimulate exports of agricultural products. These findings clearly indicate that Tunisia, like other countries in the region, must ensure that its trade agreements are implemented in a sequence which is strategically advantageous

to those companies exporting increasingly sophisticated manufactured industrial products, and creating modern jobs in urban centres. This will also entail trade facilitation reforms and investment in hard and soft infrastructure, primarily oriented towards intra-African trade. Tourism remains an asset Tunisia will not be able to take full advantage of the WTO Bali agreement (focusing on trade facilitation) unless it first implements the recommended reforms, to strengthen its regional integration in the Maghreb and the rest of the continent. Lastly, where services are concerned, Tunisia has an important part to play at the continental level, first and foremost in tourism. In terms of tourism volumes, the impact of the attacks has been mitigated by regional tourist arrivals, including from Algeria. Over a longer period, the same trends can be observed. Between 2010 and 2015, visits by Europeans declined by 45.2 per cent, while over the same period those from Algeria went up by 35.6 per cent. This perfectly illustrates the need for Tunisia to reorient its strategy towards the African tourist market, with numbers and purchasing power experiencing unprecedented growth. For purposes of comparison, 72.5 per cent of tourist arrivals in South Africa, one of the main African destinations, originate from other African countries. Tourism development is based primarily on an efficient air transport sector and marketing strategy, and requires a presence in key emerging markets. Tunisair, the Tunisian airline, has barely more than a dozen destinations in Africa, only five of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. By contrast, Royal Air Maroc serves more than 30 locations, including 27 countries outside North Africa. Tunisia also has assets in many service sectors with high added value, such as medical tourism, higher education, engineering and consulting, which would enable it to capture a significant share of these rapidly growing markets. The examples are legion, but the message remains the same: the economic future of Tunisia is unquestionably in Africa. * This article was featured in the November / December special edition of African Business magazine Dr. Carlos Lopes is the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

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Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

Theatre, Shows and Musicals

Arts Culture

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

THE BLACK PLAYS SERIES Now – Dec 5th

In the Clore Learning Centre, our dedicated space for people of all ages to get hands-on with theatre making, we offer regular opportunities to discover the skills and secrets behind the National Theatre’s productions. This six-week series explores a diverse collection of plays from dramatists of African and Caribbean heritage. Combining performances, clips of past productions and lively discussion, each session examines a topic – from teenagers and revolutions to sport and traditional rituals. The discussion is led by Natasha Bonnelame (previously the Black Plays Archive Project Manager) who will be joined by guest speakers. WEEK 2 - The Empire Writes Back Saturday 7 November, 10.30am – 12.45pm In this session Natasha Bonnelame discusses the way playwrights of the African Diaspora have re-read and rewritten European plays. This literary rebellion changes the focus and meaning of the plays, challenging Western assumptions. Acts of re-writing are not just dismissing what has come before. They reveal a relationship between old and new and ask us to reconsider cultural ownership in a globalised world. Plays covered: Days of Significance by Roy Williams, Women of Troy 2099

by Courttia Newland, Trinidad Sisters by Mustapha Matura and The Lower Depths by Tunde Ikoli. Cottesloe Room, Clore Learning Centre, National Theatre.

SHE CALLED ME MOTHER STARRING CATHY TYSON Now- Nov 21st

Michelle Inniss’s play about an elderly, African-Caribbean homeless woman, starring Cathy Tyson to tour in Autumn 2015 Written by Michelle Inniss | Directed by Cara Nolan The debut show from Pitch Lake Productions, founded by actor Cathy Tyson, writer Michelle Inniss and director Cara Nolan will be the second show to tour for the Black Theatre Live consortium, dedicated to bringing inventive BAME theatre to venues across the country. She Called Me Mother is the first show to be commissioned by the consortium and will play in studio theatres around the country during Autumn 2015. Starring Cathy Tyson, She Called Me Mother invites the audience into the life of Evangeline Gardner – a homeless, 70 year old African-Caribbean woman, who finds herself living on the streets. national tour from October 8 to November 21. Visit Black Theatre Live website .

DARK AND LOVELY Now- Nov 28

An interactive performance using memories, music, rum and a ‘tumbleweave’ installation to explore the connotations, history and politics of afro hair and what it means to be black, British and female in the UK today “…unashamedly honest and provoking, and Thompson is so personable that you could eat her up” Lyn Gardner on Chewing the Fat Presented from within ‘the tumbleweave’, a home for hair built from abandoned weaves and hair extensions, this part autobiographical, conversational new show is for an audience of up to 40 people. Audiences are invited to peer through the Tumbleweave, and feel its various hidden textures. Inside the tumbleweave, audiences will find Selina’s Nan’s living room – drinks trolley, pineapple ice bucket and all, where they will be offered a rum punch. Using recorded conversations with barbers, hair vendors and customers, feel good music and written text, Selina explores the complexities of the social debate surrounding Black hair. She transforms the tumbleweave, which is admittedly ‘a little bit gross’, into something beautiful, which can transcend the weight of all the connotations placed upon it. Dark & Lovely celebrates what it means (and doesn’t mean) to be Black through the way we wear our hair.

From ‘Dark and Lovely’

Dark & Lovely was developed as part of a project where she undertook six residencies in six different cities. She spoke to people about their relationship to where they live to build a national picture of what it means to be Black, British and Female in the UK today. Dark & Lovely was first performed in Chapeltown, Leeds in a disused barber’s shop for a weeklong sell-out run as artist Selina Thompson says: “Dark and Lovely was developed in the barber shops and hairdressers - and making the work was a real coming of age moment for me: one in which I got to reconnect my heritage and cultural upbringing with my developing political consciousness and my practice as an artist. I like to think I’ve made something that reflects the love and care that those that opened up their community spaces extended to me - but also something with bite! 18 – 20 November The Crucible Studio Theatre, Sheffield 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA 5pm (19th & 20th only) & 8pm | £10 Box office: 0114 249 6000 25 – 28 November Theatre in the Mill, Bradford Off Shearbridge Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP 7.30pm | ££8 (£6 conc) | Limited student offer: £3 Box office: 01274 233200 or email theatre@bradford.ac.uk

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. 16 November 2015 Waterside Arts Centre, Trafford 19 November 2015 Arc Stockton, Stockton on Tees 10 December 2015 Brighton, Brighton January 2016 Arcola, London

Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

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News

Nigerian Governor, Ambassador, By Milton Tella Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Executive Governor of Ogun State in Nigeria was among the Nigerians honoured with the African Voice African Leadership Awards in London on Friday 13 November. The award is to recognise and honour Africans in the area of governance, diplomacy, business and the film industry. The investiture ceremony was held during the glamourous African Film Awards 2015 ceremony celebrating excellence in the African film industry.

Governor Amosun was honoured with African Voice Leadership Awards in Governance for improving the welfare of the people of his state and investing in infrastructure for sustainable development. Governor Amosun was represented by Senator Lanre Tejuosho at the award ceremony. The others are Ambassador Ahmed Umar, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affairs in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, who was honoured for his contributions to the promotion of Nigeria’s image abroad and service to the Diaspora community in the UK and Mr. Chris Ndulue, Managing Director of Arik Air, was honoured for his contribution to tourism and support for the development of the entertainment industry. The prestigious African Film Awards went to several actors and actresses, ace comedian Julius Agwu, D’Genius was honoured for his contributions to the development of the entertainment industry in Nigeria and particularly for his role in nurturing and mentoring new talent.

AIi Nuhu was honoured for his outstanding role as a Hausa actor and as an inspiration to youth to seek careers in the industry. Ali has made a successful crossover to Nollywood with movies like SITANDA and LAST FLIGHT TO ABUJA. This year’s winners include actors from the Hausa language movies, Adam Abdullahi Zango won Best Actor, Maryam Booth Best Supporting Actress, Hafizu Bello Best Director and Rahamatu Sadau Best Actress. Other winners come from Black British theatre, film and television, including actors Jimmy Akingbola Best Actor and Chizzy Akindolu Best Actress, Funke Adeleke Best Black British Artistes and Niyi Towolawi Best Director. Also from Nollywood UK are actors Ken Smart Best Actor, Gift Boyo Best Supporting Actress and Hilda Nevoh–Williams Best Actress and Philippa Chiedu Abraham Best Producer. According to Prince Mike Abiola, publisher of African Voice, Britain’ N0.1 African Newspaper organisers of the awards, ‘the significance of the African Voice Leadership Awards to this year’s exceptionally deserving recipients was to encourage African leaders to continue to build a stable continent where citizens are gainfully employed and the rush for greener pastures in Europe will be arrested’. The ceremony was attended by over 300 dignitaries consisting Acting Nigeria’s High Commissioner represented by Mr. Simon Ogah, Minister/Head of Information, Culture & Sports and other ministers/Head of sections and British Nigerian politicians such as the former Mayors of London Borough of Newham and Enfield, Councilor Joy Laguda and Councilor Kate Anolue, Susan Fajana- Thomas and Anna Mbachu Labour councilors for both Hackney and Waltham Forest.

Senator Lanre Tejuosho receives the award on behalf of Governor Ibikunle Amosun from Engr. Olumuyiwa Aiyegbusi Chairman Olu Olu Ventures

Julius Agwu receives the award from Minister Tajudeen Adeniyi, Head Consular & Welfare Nigeria High Commission UK

Ali Nuhu receives the award from Princess Aderonke Dugdale MD AnneGift Foundation UK Hafizu Bello Best Director Hausa Language Movies receives the award from Mr Patrick Ideh Chairman, Bantuway Foods

Adam Abdullahi Zango won Best Actor, Maryam Booth Best Supporting Actress, Hafizu Bello Best Director and Rahamatu Sadau Best Actress.

Tijani Abass (DJ Abass) receives the award on behalf of Jimmy Akingbola Best Black British Actor from Dele Ogun Principal Partner at Ogun Law Firm

Hilda Tola Nevoh-Williams receives the award from Prem Goyal OBE Director Global Markets Consultants

Ken Smart Best Actor (Nollywood UK) receives the award from Dr & Mrs Henry Okosun Medical Director, Regency Clinics London

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Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

News

Airline MD & Film Stars win awards in UK

Chief Bimbo Roberts Folayan receives the award on behalf of Arik Airlines MD from Dr. Sunday Popoola President Engineers Forum of Nigeria UK

Niyi Towolawi Best Black British Director receives the award from Minister O. M Abdulrazaq Deputy Head Trade & Investment Nigeria High Commission UK

Chief Adebayo Oladimeji receives the award on behalf of Ambassador Ahmed Umar from Otunba Obafemi Adenuga MD Femade (UK) Ltd

Funke Adeleke Best Black British Artistes receives the award from Bashorun Adewole Chairman Homrad MOT

Gift Boyo Best Supporting Actress (Nollywood UK) receives the award from Babatunde Loye Chairman Central Association of Nigerians UK (CANUK)

Philippa Chiedu Abraham Best Producer (Nollywood UK) receives the award from Minister C. Gwam Head of Political Nigeria High Commission UK

Philippa Abraham, Golda John Abiola and Mike Abiola, publisher of African Voice

Mrs Okosun consultant of Mary Kay Cosmetics with guests

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Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

News

London Met denounces visa sponsorship meddling

UK Immigration has been criticised for ‘outrageous interference in the running of London Metropolitan University,’ according to a report published by Times Higher Education.

Documents confirm that the institution faced almost certain insolvency as the UKBA (United Kingdom Border Agency, which was the previous Government agency in charge of immigration) informed them that their Tier 4 visa sponsorship licence renewal application would be refused and that they risked having their Tier 2 sponsorship licence revoked unless a controversial governor was removed from its board. The board member in question is Jawad Botmeh. In 1996, Mr Botmeh was convicted and sentenced to twenty years in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to set off explosive devices in connection with two car bombings, one of which was outside the Israeli Embassy in London. He was released from prison in 2008. However, despite being found guilty, he has always vehemently denied any connection to the plot. Having served at London Met as a research manager for five years, the Palestinian was nominated by staff to join the institution’s board in January 2013. One month later, due to the previous conviction, Mr Botmeh was suspended by the University along with the man who recruited him, Max Watson, the former chairman of London Met’s Unison branch. Following protests from supporters, including Labour’s new leader Jeremy Corbyn, the suspensions on both men were lifted by London Met and Mr Botmeh was permitted

to continue in his role as a governor. According to council minutes from 14 March 2013, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) had attempted to intervene in London Met’s decision to reinstate Mr Botmeh as a governor – a role that automatically also made him a university director. An excerpt from the minutes of what was the first meeting Mr Botmeh attended after he was reinstated reveals that governors discussed concerns received from the UKBA in relation to him serving as director at London Met. Threats Discussions centred on threats made by the UKBA to refuse a new application made by London Met for a Tier 4 visa sponsorship licence and the revocation of its current Tier

2 sponsorship licence. “The UKBA had made it clear to the University that Jawad’s continuation as a director would lead not only to the refusal of the new application for a Tier 4 licence, but to the revocation of the existing Tier 2 licence,” the meeting notes state. When the meeting took place, London Met had just submitted a new application for a Tier 4 sponsorship licence to sponsor international students after it had been revoked in the previous year. A Tier 2 sponsorship licence allows the institution to sponsor a UK work visa for nationals outside of the European Union. “Having the Tier 4 licence reinstated is vital to the financial future of the London Met - without it, insolvency is virtually made

certain,” the minutes read. Governors were informed that they would be presented with ‘two formal options in relation to the removal of Mr Botmeh as a director.’ However, after considering his position, Mr Botmeh took the decision to resign with immediate effect. He said that he did not want to be ‘blamed personally’ for the rejection of London Met’s new Tier 4 sponsorship licence application. In a statement from the chairman of the University and College Union (UCU) at London Met, Mark Campbell, he said: “The UKBA had engaged in unprecedented and outrageous interference in a university’s autonomy as to whom among its bona fide staff it could have democratically selected as its elected staff governor. “We are shocked to discover the welfare of hundreds of our existing and future international students was used as a bargaining chip in what appears to us an exercise in governmental bullying and extortion.” A spokesperson for the national UCU said: “Government ministers should not be holding universities to ransom over decisions on who sits on their governing bodies.” The Home Office revealed that when London Met had submitted its application for a new Tier 4 licence, it had specified that Mr Botmeh had been a governor, but had since been removed. The government authority also drew attention to the criteria that any potential Tier 2 or Tier 4 visa sponsor must adhere to. Current Home Office policies do state that unspent criminal convictions of key personnel can be taken into account when considering the issuance of a Tier 4 visa sponsorship licence.

Spike Lee hits out at Hollywood’s pallor Independent filmmaker Spike Lee was presented with an honorary Oscar at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Governors Awards on Saturday and used the occasion to deliver a sharp attack on his industry for its continuing lack of diversity.

“Everybody here probably voted for Obama,” he said at the conclusion of his 18-minute turn at the podium. “But in [Hollywood] offices, I see no black folks except for the man who’s the security guard who checks my name off the list as I got into the studio. So we can talk ‘Yabba yabba yabba,’ but we need to have a serious conversation about diversity and get some flavour up in this. It’s easier to be President of the United States as a black person than be the head of the studio or head of a network.” Lee praised the Academy’s president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, for attempting to af12

Spike Lee delivers his hard-hitting acceptance speech on Saturday

fect change in the institution’s ranks. But he presented those listening with a caveat. “Not sure if you now this, but the U.S. Census Bureau says by the year 2043, white Americans are going to be the minority in this country,” he said. “People in

positions of hiring, you better get smart. Your workforce should reflect what this country looks like.” The ceremony Saturday was held to present honorary awards to Lee, actress Gena Rowlands and Debbie Reynolds.

The Academy, which previously bestowed him with a Student Academy Award in 1983 for his NYU thesis film Joe’s BedStuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads, called the director a “champion of independent film and an inspiration to young filmmakers.” The rest of Lee’s speech focused on his career, from drawing inspiration from Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets to challenging the Teamsters for its lack of diversity when he was filming Malcolm X. He thanked his family and gave special attention to his grandmother, who put him through film school and helped finance his first feature-length picture ‘She’s Gotta Have It’. Many people within and outside of Hollywood criticized this year’s Academy Awards for an overabundance of white nominees. Perhaps as an about-face, the institution signed on Chris Rock as 2016’s host.

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Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

Belgium

Paris suspect: new photos released Ofﬁcials believe Abdeslam rented a VW Polo that was discovered with machine guns inside close to the Bataclan Theatre, one of the principal targets of the coordinated bomb and gun attacks that together claimed 129 lives. He is currently the subject of a multinational manhunt.

Islamist group the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the bloodshed and raids are ongoing in France and Belgium to root

out suspected terrorists. Increased scrutiny has been placed on Molenbeek, a neighbourhood of Brussels seen as a hotbed of Islamic extremism. Belgian police say they’ve arrested a total of seven people, including Salah’s brother Mohammed, who was also allegedly involved in the attacks, the BBC reports. Another brother of Salah’s, Ibrahim, was one of the suicide bombers in the attacks. France’s Interior Minister said police conducted an additional 128 raids on Tuesday morning, according to Agence France-

Portugal

Europe’s second windfarm bound for Portugal Salah Abdeslam was stopped in a spot check by French police after the Paris attacks but allowed to go

Presse. A total of 168 raids took place around France on Monday. French investigators believe that a Belgian jihadist of Moroccan origin masterminded the Paris attacks which killed at least 129 people.

Abdelhamid Abaaoud is thought to be in Syria with the so-called Islamic State (IS) group. Belgian authorities have released new photos of 26-year-old Salah Abdeslam, the chief suspect in last Friday’s Paris attacks who is still at large.

USA

Windﬂoat prototype in Portugal

Europe’s second-ever ﬂoating windfarm will be built off the coast of Portugal under plans set out on Monday by a group of energy utilities and engineering companies.

Floating offshore windfarms hold huge potential as the technology opens up large parts of the oceans, which would otherwise be too deep for traditional structures that can only be built in seas with maximum depths of about 50 metres. French gas and power group Engie, Portugal’s EDP Renewables, Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp and Chiyoda Corp, along with Spanish energy group Repsol, are teaming up to build the windfarm, which will comprise three or four turbines. The 25 megawatt facility, located 20 km off the Portuguese coast at Viana do Castelo in the country’s north, is planned to be operational in 2018. The project will be the second ﬂoating offshore windfarm pilot in Europe, after

Norway’s Statoil said this month it would invest about $236 million in a 30 megawatt, five-turbine floating windfarm off Scotland. Engie said the aim of its project is to further demonstrate the economic potential and reliability of the floating offshore technology. It gave no financial details of the operation. The consortium will use the WindFloat technology, a semi-submersible foundation developed by Principle Power, Inc. This technology was already implemented in a first of its kind prototype called WindFloat 1 near Póvoa do Varzim in Portugal. It comprises two megawatt Vestas V80 commercial wind turbine mounted on a WindFloat floating offshore wind turbine foundation which has produced more than 16 gigawatt-hours over almost four years of operation, having withstood extreme weather conditions.

US approves $1.29bn bomb sale to Saudi The US government has approved a request from Saudi Arabia to buy more than 19,000 bombs and smart bombs for its air force, the State Department said on Monday.

Congress will have to green light the deal, but the $1.29 billion dollar sale is likely to go through, with Saudi jets in action against rebel forces in Yemen. The Saudi-led operation against the Huthi militia in Yemen has proved controversial, amid frequent reports of civilian casualties on the ground. But Washington has stood by its ally, which is also a key player in the US-led coalition ﬁghting the Islamic State jihadist group further north in Iraq and Syria. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency said the Saudi air force’s arsenal is low “due to the high operational tempo in multiple counter-terrorism operations.”

The order includes 5,200 Paveway II laser-guided bombs in their GBU-10 and GBU-12 variants, along with 1,100 of the more modern, longer range GBU-24 Paveway III. There are 12,000 general purpose bombs weighing between 500 and 2,000 pounds and 1,500 devastating 2,000pound “bunker busters,” the BLU-109 penetrator. In addition to the bombs themselves, the Saudis will receive thousands of “tail kits” to convert dumb munitions into satellite-guided smart bombs. “The proposed sale augments Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats from potential adversaries during combat operations,” the DSCA said. “Providing these defence articles supports Saudi Arabian defence missions and promotes stability in the region.” 13

Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

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CRIME Man guilty of terrorism offences A man has been convicted of preparation for acts of terrorism after being found guilty following a trial.

Yahya Rashid, 19, of Willesden, NW10 was today (Friday, 13 November) found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court of two counts: (i) Between 1 November 2014 and 31 March 2015 with the intention of committing acts of terrorism, engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to that intention contrary to section 5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006. (ii) Between 1 November 2014 and 31 March 2015 with the intention of assisting others to commit acts of terrorism, engaged in conduct in preparation for giving effect to that intention contrary to section 5(1)(b) of the Terrorism Act 2006. In February Rashid purchased ﬂights for himself and four friends, the plan being to ﬂy to Morocco and then from there to Turkey and onto Syria with the intent of joining the proscribed terrorist group calling itself Islamic State (IS).

Yahya Rashid and Rashid at Gatwick Airport

By buying a flight with the intention of joining the ranks of IS, he was preparing to become involved in terrorism. Rashid and the group made it all the way to Istanbul in Turkey and travelled to the town of Gaziantep, close to the border with Syria, where they stayed in an IS safe house. How-

ever, shortly before the group were due to cross the border, it appears Rashid changed his mind and returned to Istanbul. He was detained by the Turkish Police and then deported back to the UK. It is believed that his companions continued on into Syria where they currently remain.

On arrival at Luton airport Rashid was arrested by ofﬁcers from the MPS Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) and questioned about his journey and motivation. Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Rashid was charged on 1 April. Prior to the commencement of the trial Rashid also pleaded guilty to an offence of fraud which related to his use of a forged BTEC qualiﬁcation to secure a place at Middlesex University and then he also subsequently obtained a student loan on the basis of that University placement. Commander Richard Walton, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) said: “Rashid made the right decision eventually to return to his family but had, by then, committed terrorist offences. He prepared to join the proscribed terrorist group - Islamic State - and assisted others in their preparation to travel to Syria too” Sentencing has been set at Woolwich Crown Court for Wednesday, 18 November.

Couple convicted of enslaving man A Perivale couple who enslaved a man for almost a quarter of a century have been convicted today (Tuesday, 17 November) at Harrow Crown Court.

Doctor Emmanuel Edet - a 61-year-old phlebotomist - and his wife Antan, a 58year-old senior nursing sister both of Haymill Close, Perivale, were found guilty of holding a person in slavery or servitude, child cruelty, and assisting unlawful immigration. They took the victim from his home country, Nigeria, to the UK without his family’s permission in 1989, when he was 13 years old. He agreed to be their “house boy” on the basis that he would be paid and receive schooling, but they made him carry out arduous, unpaid labour for 24 years. He was forced to work for around 17 hours every day at their homes in Chatham, Scarborough, Walsall, Northolt and Perivale. The Edets kept notes on the standard of his work, which included rigorous cleaning, caring for their two children and cooking for the family. They controlled every aspect of his life, from what he could wear to when he could leave the house, and demanded that he only spoke to them in Nigerian but to the other children solely in English. The Edets claimed they had adopted him as their son but in reality they forbade him from even eating in the same room as family members. He was not allowed to 14

Doctor Emmanuel Edet and Antan Edet

enter most of the rooms in the house unless it was to clean them, and they made him sleep on a dirty piece of foam on the hallway ﬂoor. They verbally abused him, calling him a “parasite”, and convinced him that if he went to the police, he would be arrested for being an illegal immigrant. The Edets controlled the victim so effectively that even when they left him alone in the house for weeks at a time, he did not run away. In December 2013, the Edets returned to Nigeria for Christmas, leaving the victim alone at their home in Perivale for several weeks. Before leaving, they set up a remotely controlled CCTV camera in the hallway so they could monitor him. The victim, having recently seen media reports about modern slavery, realised the life he was being made to lead was wrong and emailed the charity ‘Hope for Justice’ from a computer at the house. Hope for Justice referred the matter

to the MPS Trafﬁcking and Kidnap Unit (TKU) on 19 December, and the next day detectives helped him leave and get specialist support. The unit carried out a lengthy investigation, including a number of sensitive interviews with the victim. They subsequently arrested and charged the Edets on 6 March 2014. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Brewer of the Trafﬁcking and Kidnap Unit, said: “The Edets took self-appointed ownership of the victim. They controlled what he wore, what he did and how he spoke for the majority of his life. “When the victim left Nigeria, he was a young boy with aspirations but the Edets abused him until he became timid, nervous and obedient. They conditioned him to the degree that when we visited him at the Perivale address and tried to lead him into the living room to speak, he became visibly shaken at the thought of breaking the Edets’ rules about going into that room. It was only

when he went into the kitchen that he was able to relax and speak openly to police. “Today the victim is living a new life in the UK. He has a job, a home with his own bed and freedom to move, and he is studying. While he will never fully overcome what happened during those 24 years, he is determined to make the most of the rest of his life and today’s conviction will help him feel he can do that. In his own words, he has hope and a future now. “I urge anyone else being treated the way that this victim was to please tell the police or call the national trafficking helpline. There are specially trained people waiting to help you.” Ben Cooley, CEO at Hope for Justice, said: “The victim’s story is saddening but, unfortunately, not surprising to me. Hope for Justice identifies cases of human trafficking on a weekly basis; since January our teams have already helped 132 victims here in the UK. He was very courageous to come forward when he did. To all those others still out there I say: please have the confidence to come forward, we will do all that we can to help you.” If you are a victim of slavery or have concerns regarding slavery in your neighbourhood, call the Modern Slavery National Trafficking helpline free on 0800 0121 700 or contact them via www.modernslavery.co.uk. Alternatively, call the police on 999. Sentencing will take place at Harrow Crown Court on Wednesday, 18 November.

Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

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Sounds of Diaspora People of America

Reggae’s ‘Royal Family’ set to tour Africa

US/Jamaican reggae band Morgan Heritage have penned a deal with local Zimbabwe promoter Biggie Chinoperekwei of Divine Assignments for a potentially explosive show in end of next month at a venue to be announced.

The Brooklyn band, which consists of five children of Jamaican reggae artist Denroy Morgan, will launch their 10th studio album, Strictly Roots, in Africa in a few weeks and will be touring the region to support the release. “The message of this album is the same – we’ll always be who we are,” said band member ‘Lukes’, “You’ll always get the love songs, the political songs, the songs

that look at social issues. But in all our years of putting out music, this is our first fully independent record. That’s why this one is so special.” The tour, which starts in Malawi on December 27th, will be unique due to its accommodative nature as the band claims to have gone through transition just to be in line with the times. Hence the show will not be only for reggae fanatics. “This is a redesigned Morgan Heritage, the show will be longer and diverse in music just to reach to many people,” said band member Memmalatel ‘Mojo’ Morgan, who added that local reggae artists will be invited to perform on the tour.

Minaj ex to seek ‘acri-money’ Morgan Heritage is (l-r) Gramps, Una, Mojo, Lukes and Peetah Morgan

Minaj split acrimoniously from Samuels last year after a 14-year relationship

Nicki Minaj’s ex-boyfriend Safaree Samuels has long been critical of his former lover, airing his grievances with her in a song called “Love the Most” and claiming in a different track this summer that he ghostwrote her 2014 album The Pinkprint. Now TMZ reports that Safaree hasn’t had closure just yet.

Reports are surfacing that Safaree plans to sue Nicki, in an attempt to get a cut of all the profits she made off her last three albums (The Pink Print, Pink Friday and Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded). In addition to the three albums, he’s looking to

get his cut from Nicki’s singles “Only,” featuring Chris Brown, Drake and Lil Wayne, as well as “Flawless (Remix)” and “Feeling Myself,” both of which feature Beyoncé. According to TMZ, Safaree plans to present “a boatload of proof” that he was involved with the making of Nicki’s music, including videos, voice memos and eyewitness accounts. He also says that Nicki herself acknowledged his work by giving him credit on her first two albums. Nicki hasn’t yet responded to the report, but given her past history of speaking up when he starts talking about her, she might not stay quiet for long. 15

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Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

Gospel

FASTING AND PRAYING BUT ARE WE EXPECTING? “You will be rewarded for this; and your expectation will not be cut off.” Pro. 23:8

By Michael Adekoya

mous for holding each other accountable for things they need to work on personally. My friend, yes, it is true that you are fasting and praying during this period but it’s not fair to expect another person to ‘fix’ you, or change your life, or suddenly become who you want them to be in order to make you happy. That kind of behaviour will cause disappointment, stress, resentment, hostility, and an unhealthy dependency you’ll end up dealing with later. After your fasting and prayer, you should not expect others to read your mind when you haven’t taken the time to spell out your expectations. And it will not be fait to blame somebody for not doing something they didn’t know you wanted? Am I communicating? “Bro Michael, why are you telling me all these?” My friend, is this your question? Understand this: people aren’t your answer, God is! If He chooses to use a certain person to bless you, He’ll do it; if not He’ll use somebody else. So, examine your thinking today and ask God to reveal and remove any unrealistic expectations you’re living with. God loves to give. The Bible says, “Since He did not spare even His own Son for us...won’t He surely give us everything else?” (Rom 8:32). This is a question only you can answer. My friend, because you understand that your Heavenly Father knows what you need, ask Him and expect to receive what you have asked during this fasting and prayer season! There shall be performance of all the things that God has promised you.

(Continued from last week)

My friend, if it is true that you are fasting and praying now but what are you expecting to come out of your sacrifice? When you do something nice for somebody expecting the favour to be returned, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Jesus said, ‘When you help someone... do it - quietly and unobtrusively.’ Then, your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly’ (Math 6:2-4). Did you hear that? Your fasting and prayers are not unto anybody than unto God. You are sacrificing your time, food, energy in fasting and prayers during this period, praying to God in secret. You must expect Him to answer you openly?

There are certain things everybody has a right to expect, like common courtesy and respect, though these are strange etiquette in the Western World today. But too often we place expectations on other people that aren’t their responsibility to fulfil. Then, when they don’t meet our demands we are hurt and disillusioned, when in reality it was our own misguided assumptions that caused the problem. Today, many of us have unmet needs from the past and we want the person in our life or other people to fulfil our desire to be loved unconditionally. Some of us are so needy to the extent of driving people away by our demands. Is that you? Today, husbands and wives are fa

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

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

(PART 2)

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

Church Street, London SE5 Christ Apostolic church (Full Gospel & Pentecostal) Surrey Docks District 163 Ilderton Rd South Bermondsey London SE16 2UT. Tel. 020 7252 2086. Time of worship: Sunday English service 9- 11.30am. Yoruba service 11.30 -2.30pm. Prophetic counselling: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 12noon- 5pm, Saturday only 5- 7pm. Holy Cross Church InternationalSunday 10.am- 1 pm at Crown House 71-73 Nathan Way London SE28 0BQ Tel: 07904 234 126, 07809 381 886 Times of service:Bible study: Thursdays 8pm. Night Vigil: Friday 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, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

Africa Newsround

South Sudan

Warring factions trade accusations The two main warring parties in South Sudan’s conﬂict have accused each other of fresh violations in areas south west of Rubkotna County in oil-producing Unity state, despite the recent security deal reached in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This latest accusations, if conﬁrmed, signify a serious setback to last month’s breakthrough in the security arrangement between the armed opposition faction (SPLA-IO) and President Salva Kiir’s government. An armed opposition spokesman told reporters that pro-government forces attacked areas around Nhialdiu Payam and parts of south and northern Unity state in violation of the peace deal. “Since yesterday [Sunday] evening, pro-government were shelling our positions in various frontlines until this morn-

ing [Monday] when our gallant forces and local youths from Rubkotna responded in self-defence to overrun Nhialdiu,” Major Weirial Puok, the spokesperson for SPLMIO said. A claim the pro-government forces acted with instructions from Unity state’s caretaker governor could not be independently veriﬁed. Puok said the armed opposition was committed to the security agreement and urged the Juba government to desist from acts of military aggression. “It is very clear that the government is [in] violation. This mean that they do not value the peace agreement which has a few weeks left for its effective implementation,” he stressed. Meanwhile, Unity State’s cabinet affairs minister also conﬁrmed the clashes that occurred in Nhialdiu Payam, but largely blamed the attack on the armed opposition forces.

Fighting has resumed in Nhialdiu contrary to the peace deal

“Yesterday there was actually an attack until today. People are now ﬁghting in Nhialdiu and that is a government control area. I report it ofﬁcially to UN and I have informed the IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development] to talk with the IO

in their part and to verify the information correctly,” said acting caretaker governor Chuol Biel, who added: “And my message to the armed opposition is that they should observe and abide by the signed peace agreement.”

Uganda

Zimbabwe

Resettled Black farmers taxed Security stepped-up in wake to replenish empty coffers of Paris attacks

Black Zimbabweans were handed formerly White-owned farms but lacked the skills required to run them proﬁtably

Economically-hamstrung Zimbabwe has passed new regulations ordering some 300,000 beneﬁciaries of President Robert Mugabe’s controversial land reforms to pay annual rent and levies, a state daily said on Monday.

The new rules stipulate that “resettled farmers with permits and 99-year leases… shall be expected to pay rent and a development levy,” The Herald newspaper reported. Mugabe’s government launched land reforms 15 years ago, in some cases driving white commercial farmers off their land to make way for landless blacks. The Mugabe government argued that the land had been stolen from indigenous Africans, in the ﬁrst place, by colonialists. Millions of hectares of farmland were parcelled out to more than 300,000 blacks, many of whom lacked technical farming

expertise. But Zimbabwe’s revenue base has been depleted as the country buckles under a more than decade-long economic downturn. The farmers will now be required to pay annual rental fees ranging from $3-$10 per hectare. A development levy of up to ﬁve dollars per hectare per year will be used to fund maintenance of roads and other infrastructure in the farming areas. Critics say the land reforms—lauded by Mugabe as a means to correct historical imbalances—mostly beneﬁtted the long-time president’s allies and supporters. They also blame the land reforms for a slump in food production that has seen the former regional breadbasket resort to importing grain to feed its people. Tax authorities have hinted at imminent taxing of churches as the cash-strapped government battles to prevent its coffers from running dry.

At least 75 people were killed by al-Shabaab militants while watching the 2010 World Cup Final at a rugby club bar

Authorities in Uganda have increased security in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris on Friday night that left 129 people dead and more than 350 injured.

Police spokesman Fred Enanga told journalists additional police, army and intelligence ofﬁcers in the capital, Kampala, and at Entebbe International Airport. “We can’t take events that occurred in Paris lightly,” said Enanga, adding: “We have carried out additional security deployment to ensure our people are safe from terror threats.

“Early measures have always helped us to thwart the terror acts.” The police spokesperson added that additional security measures have been put in ahead of a scheduled visit from Pope Francis later this month. With over 6,000 troops in Somalia, Uganda continues to receive terror threats from Somali militant group Al-Shabaab, which has known links to Al Qaeda terrorists. The militants attacked Uganda in July 2010 with twin bomb blasts that left dozens dead at a rugby club. 17

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Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

Nigerian News

Nigeria re-elected into the Executive Board of UNESCO By Hauwa Yusuf Funtua in Paris

The election of members of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO took place on Wednesday 11 November 2015.

The names of new member states elected to the Executive Board were announced at the Twelfth Plenary Meeting of the General Conference by His Excellency Mr Michael Worbs, Chairperson of the Nominations Committee and endorsed by the 38th President of the General Conference Mr Stanley Mutumba Simataa. Nigeria was re-elected into the Executive Board as a member under Electoral Group V(a) with seven seats to be filled out of 12 African countries. The seven countries that scaled through the elections include Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa. Nigeria was re-elected with a total of 132 votes in a keenly contested election amidst a lot of intrigues and political maneuverings. In what can be described as one of her best moments, the Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Paris Ambassador Mariam Katagum thanked God for the victory and used the opportunity to thank the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari as well as other stakeholders who have assisted the

delegation with reciprocal arrangements especially the Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education. She said, “With this victory, we will work harder with other countries especially now that we are going into the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs and we are looking forward to when we can enhance the development of our country particularly Africa as a whole” She also said that, her mission has had side meetings with UNESCO officials concerning projects in Nigeria and use the opportunity to pursue those projects and see how they can bring the desired change in Nigeria. On how the victory will impact on Nigerian delegation Ambassador Katagum said “ The Executive Board is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the decision of the General Conference are implemented within the two year period and to ensure that the Secretariat is compliant with the decisions taken as well as the day to day running of programmes “ She added that “ In the Executive Board you also have the opportunity to formulate policies, discuss new programmes and see how they affect your region and our concern is Africa, as Africa is rising, there are a lot of initiatives, although when we compare with other regions we still have some challenges especially in human capital development. So for us on the Executive Board is to try and see how the programme in Africa can be redesigned, refocused and restructured, already there are a lot of reforms in structures

From left: Ambassador Mariam Katagum, Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Paris with Hauwa Yusuf Funtua

Ambassador Mariam Katagum, Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Paris

at UNESCO for Africa but we are not satisfied, we want to ensure that these reforms also go in line with the new 2030 agenda” In the various positions contested at the 38th session of the UNESCO General Conference Nigeria was also elected into the UNESCO Intergovernmental committees, Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), Intergovernmental Programme for the Development of Communication

Cross section of Delegates

(IPDC) and International Hydrological Programme (IHP). Ambassador Mariam Katagum was emphatic in saying that the win is a victory for all the Nigerian Delegates and her team in the Nigerian permanent delegation who have worked tirelessly and their goodwill towards the success of Nigeria in all its works in UNESCO. She said the positions won means more work and greater glory to Nigeria.

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Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

Nigerian News

‘Buhari will lay the foundation for strong institution’ says Hon. Afe Olowookere By Olubunmi Omoogun Chief Correspondent, Nigeria

The morning they say tells you what the day will look like. This distinguished honourable hit the ground running immediately he was sworn in in June 2015, mapping out strategies to specifically alleviate the suffering of its constituents. Serving people require steadfastness, being up and doing and putting the voters/electorates first.

And so there can be no denial of the sterling performance of this honourable and distinguished man. This naturally and very well so made him a first choice candidate to represent his beloved Akure South/Akure North federal constituency in the House of Representative. Hon. Afe Olowookere didn’t just have the title of an honourable in front of his name. He earned it. The people knew that having served as a House of Assembly member during the Governor Adebayo Adefarati regime in Ondo state and later Senior Special Assistant on due process under Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s first term, if given the opportunity to serve on a bigger scale, this time in Abuja he will not disappoint his beloved people of Akure. In less than a few months as House of Representative member, the people are feeling the immense value of the reason he was voted to represent them. They are seeing visible and tangible returns on the votes they casted in the last election. There’s a certain novelty in the approach in the way he Honourable has prioritise the dividends of democracy to his people. Among the Community Development Projects he has embarked on is the community motorised borehole at Oke Aro, in Akure, the Ondo state capital. Only recently Hon. Afe Olowookere commissioned two Constituency offices at Oba Ile and Iju/Itaogbolu which will carter for that axis in Akure North. This has immediately created five jobs for the youths of that axis. While Iju/ Itaogbolu axis will be glad to have four of their youths as staff to attend to the people in that area. A novel thing that caught the eye of everyone is the presentation of appointment letters to the staff of the constituency offices. The job is daunting but he is resolute. His well horned innate capacity for service is fast finding a great expression currently in the Nigeria’s House of Representative of the National Assembly with his prompt presentation of the motion imploring the Federal authority to urgently make good the bad portions of the roads linking Ondo state. Weeks ago his voice was strong on nipping kidnapping activities in

Ondo and Ekiti states in the bud and the promotion/pursuance of other people friendly programmes. He is a gentleman politician that has strong connection with the people in his constituency. Hon. Afe Olowookere, an old boy of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife, Osun state, Southwest Nigeria recently spoke to AfricanVoice Newspaper’s Olubunmi Omoogun.

AFV: Judging by your antecedents, you have always being an apostle of due process, capacity building and firing people’s mindset about doing the right things. Buhari is going towards this direction. What are your perspectives on this? Hon. Olowookere: Let me say that it is the right thing at this particular time. Because Nigerians have long missed it. You will recollect the short time Buhari and Idiagbon were in charge in this country was the only time Nigerians were been organised to conduct themselves in the right way and manner to do the right things. This concept of observing due process manifested the right character and attitude in Nigerians but unfortunately the IBB regime abruptly brought an end to that regime. IBB regime corrupted Nigerians socially and morally and we lost all the gains that were achieved under Buhari and Idiagbon. And so people went back to their old ways of doing things with impunity; exhibiting negative culture and practice. I want to believe that the conscious effect by this new government to sensitize us again and make us see things the right way. The corruption is endemic because people have not embrace the culture of doing things the right way. Nigerians need to imbibe right values, strong culture and practice. Corruption doesn’t start and ends with issue of money. It is in all spheres of our lives. So the new orientation and consciousness courtesy of Buhari is the right tonic we need now that will give us the desire change we all clamoured for. AFV: You have shown that you are responsible to the people and I think that was what aided your success at the primaries and the main election that brought you here. What do you think we should do more for the politicians to be responsive to the yearning of the people? Hon: Well, I just want to say that to make our politicians and public office holders to be more responsive and responsible to the people, we need to ensure that our electoral system and process are well organised and strengthened such that it will always produce credible, responsible, quality and qualified representatives into political positions. Secondly, the people themselves must be organised and discipline their minds. They must also resist the temptation of putting forward people with biggest purse or make the positions cash and carry. Then it would be easy for the people to hold the office holders accountable. The real power resides with the people as democracy is government of the people by the people and for the people. If truly you derive the mandate from the people then you will do the

right by them. And this will guide your actions. So the people definitely need to downplay the role of money in competition for positions. When we were in the House of Assembly during the AD era. Those of us that contested and won that free and fair elections were the first set of the current political dispensation. During that time there was no rigging of election in any form. It was transparent. The system was not corrupted like we have now. I valued that mandate so much so that every last thursday of the month I report to my constituency in a town hall meeting and highlight the programmes and activities of government at the time and I also set aside a period in a year where I give account of my activities in the House which I tagged ‘my stewardship and accountability programme’ because I see the people as the source of the mandate I was enjoying. AFV: Do you think the President is looking for people with great character, discipline and integrity or why do you think he’s taking long to announce his cabinet? Hon: It is not taking too long for a journey of 48 months. So if the President takes 3 months to study who he wants to work with is not too bad. After all the President has promised the list will be out this month. Rumours have it that the DSS is screening and doing security checks on some names. The President is actually looking for character, people with impeccable character. The PDP are deficient and they have accepted that so they should keep quiet. Buhari is trying to beat that deficiency in our polity, so he is trying to pick people that have not soiled their hands. He wants a solid and formidable team that will take Nigeria out of the woods. AFV: There are words out there that the National Assembly should get cracking with the issues of legislation. Don’t you think that recesses are becoming too much? Hon: Those that are saying that are not properly informed about our working and duties. People do not understand that our duties and responsibilities do not start and ends at the chambers. It starts from the representation of the people. Representation is the first duty we are here to do. The second duty is making laws and the third is oversight function. You can only be seem to be effective if you do the first duty correctly. You must be able to rub minds with the constituent you represent, know their needs, what they desire. That’s what you will arm yourself with to legislate on. The other two you perform outside of the chambers. For example I was in my constituency in August to flag off three different projects, the 1km light drain, borehole and community town hall project. You can only do these when you are on recess. I have used the recess window to hold several meetings with my party the APC and my constituency where I synergized with them to know their worries and needs. I will then table them in the chambers. For instance, I raised the motion on kidnapping which was rampant in Ondo/Ekiti. Based on this motion moved by my humble self, ondo state now has an anti-kidnapping squad to

Hon. Afe Olowookere

tackle the menace. And I was able to see first hand the deplorable conditions of the roads between Lokoja and Ondo. All these were done during the recess. Within the short period we have passed 66 motions and 12 Bills have been presented and under consideration. AFV: Nigeria needs strong institutions. How far will Buhari’s lone integrity take us? Hon: I want to agree with you that we need to build institutions. Institution is the people. The greatest problem has been the issue of leadership. We still make reference to Murtala short lived government and Buhari/Idiagbon regime, they did things that were fundamental. Buhari will lay the foundation for strong institution. Under the last regime institutions were not allowed to function. Buhari has led from the front. He declared his assets. He has started cutting costs and blocking leakages. Definitely the followers would have no reason not to follow. We hope it will be sustained and the institutions entrenched. The people should have the consciousness of having values and strong culture. The issue is the mindset of the Nigerian individual. The different between the civilised world and Nigeria is the mindset. Our mindset needs to be reconstructed. We need to instil the right discipline and values. My advised to the President is that the President should maximise his own personal integrity Nigerians are enjoying now and try and correct the mindset of Nigerians. AFV: APC seems to be a formidable political party in Ondo state today. What are its chances for 2016 guber election? Hon: Well, it is unfortunate the Labour Party was supposed to be an offshoot of AD and AC. Most of our members joined the Labour party because they were disenchanted with the Agagu government so they wanted a change. They pitched their tent with Mimiko’s Labour party. But we have now seen the true colour of the government of the day in Ondo state and so the battle line has been drawn. However, the strength of APC lies in God. Our God never loses battles. He will not lose this one. It is between David and Goliath. David told Goliath that he comes with the name of God of Israel. God makes things possible. He will make this one possible. 19

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Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015

Entertainment FACES AT THE 19TH AFRICAN FILM AWARDS 2015

Priscilla Nwipko, Theodora Ibekwe and Jumoke Ariyo

Cllr. Ade Aminu Former Mayor of London Borough of Lambeth and Consort

Adedoyin Owoeye and a guest

Funke Adeleke and family

Seating from left: Jumoke Ariyo, Gold Ola, Cllr. Susan Fajana – Thomas and Cllr. Kate Anolue. Backrow: Prince Tade Olusile and June Douglas

Princess Aderonke Dugdale and guests

Prem Goyal OBE with guests

Princess Adetoun Adenuga and guests

Second from right: HRM Oba (Bldr) Asummo Aderibigbe Balogun, Jamade 1, the Alayandelu of Odo Ayandelu Kingdom, Lagos State with Otunbas

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Top teams rebound after below par showings Continued from back page

The on-form striker deftly controlled a Paul Onobi cross only to flash his strike wide of the goal with just the goalkeeper to beat. It took a 51st minute Moses Simon free kick to fire the Nigerians ahead. The Ghent man stepped forward to swerve the ball to the top right corner of goalkeeper Gwegbu’s goal after Sylvester Igbonu was fouled by Ndlovu. A second goal was added by Efe Ambrose, who sealed the win for the three-time African champions when he skilfully converted Igbonu’s free kick from close range on 88 minutes. Within a minute of falling further behind, Swaziland had Phumlani Dlamini sent off when he was shown a second yellow card. The Black Stars of Ghana failed to sparkle against the footballing might of the tiny Indian Ocean archipelago of Comoros in a goalless away leg. But the islanders’ resistance waned just 18 minutes into the second match when a Mubarak Wakaso free kick earned by Asamoah Gyan sailed over the defensive wall straight into the net with the Comoros goalkeeper rooted to the ground. The 25-year-old former Celtic winger kept up his run of never having been on the losing side in an international when he has scored. The deluge many predicted failed to materialise, however, and it was not until four minutes before the end of normal time that the West Africans’ frayed nerves were becalmed when, playing with a one man advantage after Omar Mdahoma was sent off for the away team, Aston Villa’s Jordan Ayew capitalised on the panic caused by a missed Gyan opportunity. The score-line did not flatter Ghana, who were by far the best side against a team 147 below them in the FIFA rankings, but there is a definite need for greater composure in front of goal if they harbour any ambition to light up Russia in 2018. Egypt made the most of Chad’s late arrival to win easily 4-0 to go through 4-1 on aggregate. Mohamed El Neny was on target for Egypt in Alexandria as they easily beat the Chadians, who only arrived at the Borg Al Arab stadium in 30 minutes before kickoff. The minnows’ flight from N’Djamena was delayed due to a dispute over player bonuses followed by concern over the condition of the plane they were using for the journey. The delay meant there was barely time for the routine pre-match warm up at Borg El-Arab Stadium in Egypt’s second largest city and they were ripped to shreds by a vibrant Egypt side who vowed to make up for a stunning 1-0 first-leg reverse in N’Djamena on Saturday. 22

Egypt, who scored all their goals in the first half, basked in the support of some 25,000 fans at the 86,000-seat stadium for the first time since hosting Senegal in Cairo in November last year, following the partial lifting of a crowd ban by authorities keen to ease the hosts’ passage to the group phase. The Pharaohs went 2-0 up inside the first 10 minutes to overturn the first-leg deficit, with Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny opening the scoring and Ahly’s Abdallah El-Saied notching his first goal in 13 international appearances. Two headers from lone striker Ahmed Kouka before the break completed the rout and ensured there would be no huge upsets for a team which, despite being the record African champions with seven Nations Cup titles, have not qualified for the World Cup since 1990. The Pharaohs will be drawn into a fourteam group, with the winners directly reaching the 2018 finals in Russia. The draw will be made in July next year and the group stage will start in October. Elsewhere, Cape Verde, fourth in the FIFA rankings for Africa, beat Kenya 2-0 to overturn a first leg loss and win 3-2 on aggregate. Heldon Ramos, who is on loan at Portuguese side Rio Ave, netted both goals for the Blue Sharks. Remuneration was evidently a theme on Tuesday, as Kenya had only arrived in Praia hours before the match after a lengthy flight from Nairobi followed a departure delayed because the players and the charter airline demanded to be paid before they would take off. Mali were another side to overcome a first leg deficit winning 2-0 against visiting Botswana to make 3-2 overall. Bordeaux’s Cheick Diabate made it 2-2 on aggregate with a penalty after only 10 minutes of play and Bakary Sako of Crystal Palace gave the Eagles a decisive lead on the half hour mark. Senegal were pushed all the way in the first leg by Madagascar but were better at home in Dakar with a 3-0 victory to make it 4-2 overall. West Ham midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate gave the hosts the lead midway through the first-half with Moussa Konate scoring the second eight minutes after the break. Mame Biram Diouf, who scored in the first leg, made sure of the win with eight minutes remaining. Tunisia eased past Mauritania with a second 2-1 win, to make it 4-2 overall. Defender Syam Ben Youssef gave the hosts the lead early in the second half before Moulaye Ahmed ‘Bessam’ Khalil gave Mauritania hope with an equaliser. Substitute Saad Bguir, who plays for local club Esperance, sealed the victory for the hosts. African champions Ivory Coast were convincing 3-0 winners over Liberia in Abi-

The jubilant Egyptian qualifiers

djan to complete a 4-0 aggregate win. Striker Giovanni Sio, who plays for Rennes in France, scored twice before halftime. Nice midfielder Jean Michel Seri was also on target for the Elephants. Burkina Faso overturned a first leg deficit against Benin with a 2-0 victory in Ouagadougou. Jonathan Pitroipa was on target from the penalty spot before Chelsea’s Bertrand Traore completed the comeback to send the Burkinabe through 3-2 on aggregate. Algeria crushed 10-man Tanzania 7-0 in Blida with Porto’s Yacine Brahimi scoring as early as the first minute. Napoli’s Faouzi Ghoulam then scored the first of his two goals with a superb free kick from outside the area, he also scored from the penalty spot after the break. Tanzania had to play the whole of the second half with 10 men after Mudathir Yahya was dismissed for a second bookable offence after 41 minutes. Moments later Riyad Mahrez, of Leicester City, made it 3-0 at half-time. Carl Medjani was also on the scoresheet as the Algerians won 9-2 on aggregate. Islam Slimani, who scored the goals to secure a 2-2 draw in the first leg, grabbed another brace in the second half including a penalty. South Africa needed an own goal to earn a narrow 1-0 win over visiting Angola in Durban. Manucho Diniz was the unfortunate

player who got the last touch on a corner to give Bafana Bafana the 4-1 aggregate win. Libya were the first team on Tuesday to book their place in the next round after a 3-1 win in Rwanda gave them a 4-1 aggregate victory. Khumaj put the visitors ahead in the second leg to put them in control of the tie. Rwanda’s Jacques Tuyisenge made it 1-1 on the day and offered his side some hope of a comeback but Libya pulled away thanks to a brace from Mohamed Ghanudi. And Cameroon are through, despite being held to a 0-0 draw at home to Niger. The Indomitable Lions secured their passage in the first leg with a 3-0 win. Congo finally emerged victorious after a fantastic tussle with Ethiopia, the Red Devils winning their second leg 2-1 to go through 6-4 on aggregate. Ethiopia’s Getaneh Kebede scored the opening goal of the second leg to level the tie at 4-4 on aggregate. But Francis N’Ganga nudged Congo ahead overall when he made it 1-1 on the day and Thievy Bifouma’s strike sealed his side’s victory. The final group stage begins next October, the 20 second-round qualifiers will form five groups of four teams with the winners of each group booking their place at the World Cup finals in Russia.

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‘No easy games anymore’ – Grant Ghana coach Avram Grant was satisfied with his team’s performance in their 2-0 win over Comoros on Tuesday, insisting that ‘there are no easy games anymore’.

The Black Stars were expected to rack up a bigger win against the minnows on home turf in Kumasi in the return game for their second round 2018 World Cup qualifying tie. However, they only found the net through Wakaso Mubarak in the 18th minute and had to wait until late in the game for Jordan Ayew to net the second and ease fears of a shock equaliser from Comoros. The first leg in Mitsamiouli last week ended in a goalless draw, with Ghana citing the difficult artificial surface as the main reason behind their disappointing showing. They had no such excuses to call upon on Tuesday, but coach Grant was still happy with his team’s showing. “In a game like this we only needed to qualify,” Grant said after the match. “The game was very tough. I know many people feel the game will be easy

Gabon striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has been valued at €60m, according to German publication Bild.

The BVB attacker has netted 14 goals in 12 Bundesliga matches this season, arguably establishing himself as Africa’s best player in the 2015/16 season. The 26-year-old has attracted interest some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Arsenal and Barcelona. Aubameyang has stated a desire to play in Spain’s La Liga, but also claimed he is happy to remain at Borussia Dortmund for now. The speedy striker has a contract with the club which runs up to 2020.

ODG names his U23 Squad

South African national U23 coach Owen Da Gama has announced his squad for the 2015 CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournament. Ghanaian team

but there are no easy games anymore.” Ghana have joined 19 other teams in

the third and final round of qualifying for Russia 2018.

Dussuyer: We did it in style Côte d’Ivoire coach Michel Dussuyer says their objective was to qualify for the group stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and he believes they did it in style.

The Elephants coach was speaking after their 3-0 victory on Tuesday in Abidjan which saw them progress through to the groups stages with a convincing 4-0 win on aggregate. A brace by Stade Rennais’ Giovanni Sio and a solitary strike courtesy of OGC Nice player, Jean Michael Seri sealed the qualification for the reigning African champions. “The objective was to qualify, and against Liberia, we did it with style by winning our two games. Tonight (Tuesday night), we saw a good game, it is a great victory,” said Dussuyer. Although the team missed the services of star skipper Yaya Touré and attacking trio Max Gradel, Wilfried Bony and Salomon Kalou, the Elephants defeated the Lone Stars with ease.

Aubameyang valued at €60m by Dortmund

Côte d’Ivoire team

Following the victory, the West Africans are set to make their fourth World Cup appearance in succession, however, that all depends on their progress in the group stages.

The draw for the groups is set to be conducted in July 2016 with the qualifiers getting underway in O c t o b e r.

ODG announced his side on Thursday, November 19 at SAFA House as he has began his preparations for the junior showpiece scheduled for November 28 until December 12 in Senegal. In an aim to allow the U23’s to do well in Dakar, the Premier Soccer League has since suspended local games during the two-week showpiece, also giving the coach an opportunity to choose the best of his team. “I’d like to thank Bafana coach, (Ephraim) Mashaba for his presence, it means a lot, it’s been a fantastic journey since our games in March against Palestine,” said ODG. “It’s a four year programme with a new management, coaches and it was challenging and in saying that we had to win the games. “We started with lot of players, 60 from SAB, Motsepe League and PSL as it was difficult to get overseas-based players.” SQAUD Goalkeepers: Jody February, Ricardo Goss, Kyle Peters Defenders: Tsepo Rikhotso, Kwanda Mngonyama, Rivaldo Coetzee, Zitha Macheke, Denwin Farmer, Tebogo Moerane Midfielders: Abbubaker Mobara, Motupa, Menzi Masuku, Keagan Dolly, Phumlani Ntshangase, Paseka Mako, Deolin Mekoa, Riyaad Norodien Strikers: Siphelele Ntshangase, Sibusiso Sibeko, Dumisani Zuma, Phakamani Mahlambi 23

Friday, 20 November - Thursday, 26 November 2015 ISSUE 606

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Dussuyer: We did it in style

PANIC OVER! SEE PAGE 23

Top teams rebound after below par showings

Moses Simon (11) celebrates the second half free kick that sent Nigeria through to Africa’s qualifying group stage for Russia 2018

By Alan Oakley

African soccer giants Nigeria, Ghana and Egypt all managed to negotiate tightropes across the canyon of humiliation to progress to the continent’s 2018 World Cup

qualifier group stage on Tuesday with aggregate wins against unfancied opponents.

The West Africans mirrored each other’s performances with 2-0 second leg wins at home against sides that finished with 10 men, having held their odds-on opponents to a 0-0 draw in the first leg. Nigeria’s Super Eagles were without claws in the first leg of their tie against Swa-

ziland, and had to wait until the second half in the Port Harcourt Stadium to break the deadlock. Things had looked ominous at the break after Sunday Oliseh’s men’s biggest chance in the first half fell to Watford forward Odion Ighalo, who missed a sitter on the half hour.

Continued on page 22

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