African Voice Newspaper issue 586

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Friday, 3 July - Thursday, 9 July 2015 ISSUE 586

SINCE 2001

B R I TA I N ’ S N O . 1 A F R I C A N N E W S PA P E R

£1.00

New victim dies in ‘Ebola-free’ Liberia

UK to strengthen vulnerable states in Africa

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EIGHT TO FACE CHARGES OVER SOUSSE SLAYINGS

By Alan Oakley

Tunisian police are ready to charge eight of the twelve suspects they have been holding in connection with last Friday’s beach hotel massacre in Sousse.

According to sources in the North African state, seven men and one woman will face charges over the killings. Four other suspects have been released.

Tunisian authorities also revealed they were hunting two more militants who trained in Libya with the men who carried out last Friday’s killings and those at the Bardo Museum in March.

Lazhar Akremi, minister for parliamentary relations, said: “This is a group who were trained in Libya, and who had the same objective. Two attacked the Bardo and one attacked Sousse.

Tunisia’s health ministry has confirmed that 30 of the 38 tourists killed were British holidaymakers. The health ministry said all 38 victims had been formally identified, including the 30 Britons, three Irish citizens, two Germans, one Belgian, one Portuguese and one Russian national.

The gunman, Seifeddine Rezgui, targeted only foreigners in his shooting rampage at the Imperial Marhaba beach hotel before he was shot dead by police. Tunisian authorities say the student was trained in Libya at a jihadist camp last year.

The attack, the worst such incident in Tunisia’s modern history, has dealt a serious blow to the important tourist indus-

A message left at the scene of Tunisia’s worst gun attack in modern times

try in the North African country. The vast majority of what is thought to be up to 20,000 Britons staying there at the time of the atrocity have been repatriated, while

others have remained defiant in their determination not to be cowed by terrorists.

The Foreign Office have stopped short of declaring Tunisia a ‘no-go’ area, but

has issued the somewhat obvious caution that terrorist attacks are “a possibility”.

Continued on page 4

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Egypt Travel Advice

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Egypt due to the significant increase in criminal activity and continued terrorist attacks on police and security forces that have resulted in deaths

Terrorism There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attacks globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time.

Terrorists continue to plan attacks in Egypt. Attacks could be indiscriminate and occur without prior warning. Foreigners could be targeted in tourist resorts or other locations frequented by foreigners.

Previous attacks have almost exclusively targeted the security forces, their facilities and other government buildings. You should take great care near these places.

Since February 2015, a number of Egyptian and international business premises in Cairo and Alexandria have been attacked with explosive devices. There is a threat of kidnapping, particularly in remote desert areas.

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 Yemi Dipeolu Photo Journalist Isaac Adegbite Graphic Designer Edward Mirza Accountant Fanla Agboola London Office: Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP

Tel: 020 3737 3077

Email: africanvoicenews@gmail.com

African Voice is published by African Voice UK.

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News

Chinese visitors given the red carpet treatment The Home Office hopes to boost the number of Chinese visitors coming to Britain by introducing a new visa scheme to enable Chinese nationals, for the first time ever, to apply for European and UK visas in a single process.

According to Home Secretary Theresa May “[The new scheme] will eliminate the need for Chinese tourists and entrepreneurs to wade through masses of additional paperwork in order to get a European visa while planning a trip to the UK” Additionally, successful applicants will be permitted to travel freely across the European Union’s 26-nation Schengen zone.

Of the 26 nations who are signatories to the Schengen agreement, 22 are part of the European Union, while the other four are part of the European Fair Trade Association (EFTA).

Business groups have long called for such a change, claiming that additional paperwork created by separate application processes has resulted in fewer Chinese tourists and entrepreneurs coming to the UK. However, data shows that up to March, 2015, there had been a 10 per cent rise in the number of business and tourist visas being issued to Chinese nationals.

Announcing the new UK visa system, Theresa May said: “These reforms provide a one-stop shop for Chinese visitors coming to the UK or Europe, whether that’s for business or leisure.”

The new scheme, which will be piloted in the UK and Belgium initially, began on July 1. The Government hopes that it will result in millions of pounds of additional revenue for London and Britain as a whole.

Under the scheme, Chinese visitors will

Theresa May is keen to cut down on red tape to encourage Chinese visitors

be able to lodge an application online for a British and Belgian visa simultaneously, with a single set of supporting documents.

They then book a single appointment at one of the UK’s visa centres located in Beijing, Guangzhou or Shanghai in order to complete the process. The Belgian visa permits holders to travel freely throughout any Schengen area, since Britain is not a signatory to the Schengen accord.

Chairman of the UK China Visa Alliance, Andrew Murphy, said: “The UK must present, as much as possible, a onestop shop for Chinese visitors who seek a Schengen and UK visa. This pilot, combined with the shared application form, works towards delivering this.”

The latest reforms to the UK visa system for Chinese visitors come after a number of earlier schemes to simplify the process,

including the ‘super priority’ and mobile visa services.

According to recent research published by travel shopping company, Global Blue, Chinese shoppers in the UK account for one-fifth of all international spending in the West End. The same research also reveals that foreign visitors to the UK have spent four per cent more in the West End so far this year, compared with the same period in 2014.

With London holding on to its status as the top-ranked international travel destination, which has been the case for five of the previous seven years, Mastercard’s Global Destinations Cities Index study estimates that the capital will receive 18.82 million overseas visitors by the end of 2015, which is just ahead of Bangkok.

Foreign tenants may face status check levy Immigrants to the UK may face additional administration fees from landlords and letting agents when renting property from September, as a controversial ‘right to rent’ scheme is rolled out across the country.

The scheme, which is currently being tested in some areas of the UK, will compel landlords to check the immigration status of all their tenants – and promises hefty fines if they fail to make the proper checks.

Landlords will be fined up to £3000 for each tenant who has no right to rent in the UK; such as undocumented migrants.

Critics fear that the scheme will make landlords more likely to discriminate against those who appear to be from outside of the UK, and will make it harder and more expensive for immigrants to rent property.

A survey by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, which has been running since December 2014, found that tenants in the areas where the scheme is being tested are being charged an average of £100 in extra administration fees by landlords and letting agents. The survey also noted that landlords are routinely turning down people with ‘foreign accents’, according to leading landlords publication, PropertyWire.

Residential Landlords Association vicechair Chris Town said: “This is a toothless tiger. All it will mean is an applicant who is rejected because they don’t have the right documents will disappear, potentially into the black market and end up in dangerous properties. This will hinder legitimate landlords who would be able to provide safe homes.”

In a letter to the Telegraph newspaper in December 2014, campaigners from the

Green Party, Migrants Rights Network, Generation Rent, echoed several other organisations in saying that the scheme “will drive discrimination, encouraging otherwise fair-minded landlords and agents to let to white tenants with British-sounding names, just to reduce the likelihood of additional bureaucracy from the Home Office.”

The letter also predicts that rather than preventing undocumented migrants from renting a home, it will simply force them into insecure and dangerous housing: “It’s hard to see how this policy will prevent a single undocumented immigrant from finding a home; though even if it did, it’s morally questionable to deny anyone such a basic human need as shelter. Rather, it will see already vulnerable tenants forced into illegal tenancies and poor housing conditions.”

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News Over 50 reported dead in Islamist attacks in Egypt Islamists in Sinai killed at least 50 members of Egypt’s security forces and the army deployed F16 fighters and Apache helicopters to pursue them, as authorities struggle to suppress a growing militant insurgency, according to Bloomberg News Cairo correspondence.

A wave of simultaneous terror attacks swept across Egypt’s northern Sinai Peninsula on Wednesday, leaving scores dead and prompting hours-long battles. It was the deadliest battle in the region since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.

The Egyptian army said that more than 100 militants and 17 soldiers were killed, Reuters reported. The Associated Press cited Egyptian officials as saying that 64 soldiers, 90 militants and four civilians died in the attacks carried out by an Islamic State affiliate called the Province of Sinai.

The group later claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying it staged three suicide bombings as fighters targeted 15 army and police positions, the Associated Press reported.

Smoke rises in Egypt’s North Sinai

The UK Minister for North Africa condemns terrorist attack in North Sinai, Egypt and sends his thoughts to families of those affected. Mr Ellwood said: ‘I condemn the deplorable terrorist attacks in North Sinai that have resulted in the deaths of so many Egyptian soldiers. My thoughts are with the families of all those affected. The UK stands firm with the Egyptian people in their fight against the threat of terrorism’.

The United States strongly condemns

the terrorist attacks against Egyptian security forces in North Sinai, which killed dozens of Egyptian personnel and injured many others. ‘We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and the government and people of Egypt, and wish for a speedy recovery for those who were injured. The United States stands resolutely with Egypt amidst the spate of terrorist attacks that have afflicted the country and, in the context of our long-

standing partnership, will continue to assist Egypt in addressing these threats to its security’.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned late on Wednesday a series of coordinated terrorist assaults in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula that killed dozens earlier in the day, asserting his solidarity with Egypt in its battle against terrorism.

“The United Nations stands firm with the people of Egypt in their fight against terrorism,” Ban said in a statement by his press office.

IS militants on Wednesday launched a wave of unprecedented attacks on several military checkpoints in North Sinai, which the army said left 17 soldiers dead and stoked hours of fighting with troops in which over 100 insurgents were killed.

The Secretary-General offered his condolences to the families of the victims and the government of Egypt, his office said.

There have been discrepancies in reports about the number of those killed by the militants in the violence, with the UN saying in its statement it left over 70 soldiers dead.

Eight to face charges over Sousse slayings

Continued from front page The Foreign Office have stopped short of declaring Tunisia a ‘no-go’ area, but has issued the somewhat obvious caution that terrorist attacks are “a possibility”.

Catherine Shakdam from the Beirut Centre for Middle East studies describes the Sousse attack as an attempt to undermine Tunisia’s tourist industry and cripple the economy. The more poverty, the more chance of people buying the radicals’ narrative, she told an interviewer.

The carnage Rezgui unleashed on Friday has left an indelible mark. Apart from being a body blow for a tourist industry struggling to reassert itself after a similar attack at the capital’s Bardo museum in March, the killing rampage was devastating for the people of Tunisia, conditioned and proud of a long history of secular politics and religious moderation.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that gunman Rezgui received weapons training at an IS terror camp just minutes from the Tunisia-Libya border.

Interior minister Rafik Chelli issued a statement claiming that Rezgui attended a camp in Sabratha, western Libya, at the same time as the two attackers who killed 22 in March’s Bardo Museum attack. Sabratha, one of the terror group’s largest

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Seifeddine Rezgui is now believed to have been part of Kairouan-based terror cell

camps, is located just one hour from the Tunisian border at Ras Jedir.

It is thought that Rezgui became radicalized after attending unlicensed mosques and viewing extremist videos online. Experts believe that the brutal killer may have been given instructions to act as a sleeper agent for the Islamic State terror group as he concocted a worrying dual identity, drinking alcohol, having sex and breakdancing with friends.

Tunisian police have confirmed that a post-mortem examination revealed that Rezgui was high on cocaine or a similar ‘class A’ stimulant. They also separately stated that an unexploded bomb was found on the gunman’s body, meaning he planned to murder dozens more. The detonator was found just inches away.

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News

UK to strengthen vulnerable states in Africa

Additional help from the UK to provide emergency aid, jobs and education, to help address the root causes of the migrant crisis A range of new programmes from the UK will provide emergency aid as well as jobs and education to help address the root causes of the migrant crisis, International Development Secretary Justine Greening announced.

This new support forms part of a wider approach by the UK government to tackle the migrant crisis and will focus on the fragile and vulnerable states from which the majority of migrants are leaving. This includes Syria and its neighbours as well as a number of African countries such as Nigeria, South Sudan and Kenya.

Millions of refugees and vulnerable people affected by conflict and instability will benefit from immediate, lifesaving support such as food and clean water.

The new support will also help to create jobs and opportunities, provide protection for vulnerable groups, and address underlying causes of conflict and tension so that people are able to build their lives in the region.

The support from the Department

for International Development (DFID) includes: • aid initiatives totalling £217 million in Africa, to help approximately 2.5 million refugees and vulnerable people in the countries that the majority of migrants are travelling from or through.

This includes the Sahel region, South Sudan, Kenya, Sudan, Central African Republic and Nigeria; and • an additional £100 million in aid to help those who have been displaced as a result of the Syria crisis. This includes an increase in funding to up to £20 million for education in Lebanon this year in preparation for school enrolment in September. As the second biggest bilateral donor in response to the Syria crisis, this new funding will bring the UK’s total support to £900 million.

Justine Greening said: We have to tackle instability and lack of opportunity in the world’s most vulnerable countries, from Sudan to Syria, Nigeria to Lebanon, if we are to get to grips with the problems causing people to flee their homes.

This new package from the UK will support at least two and a half million

International Development Secretary Justine Greening with HRH The Prince of Wales, and mainly Syrian refugees in the Al Za’atari refugee camp in northern Jordan

refugees and vulnerable people across the main countries that migrants are travelling from and through. As well as providing immediate lifesaving aid, it will create jobs and help people find work, improve health services and boost education in the longer term.

That means people who might otherwise feel they have no choice but to risk their lives by making perilous journeys to escape war or poverty instead have the opportunity to build a better life where they are.

The new support for Africa includes: • £30 million of support for over 580,000 South Sudanese refugees – providing emergency assistance and meeting longer term needs including restoring livelihoods, education and vocational training projects; • £18 million of support for vulnerable people affected by conflict in Central African Republic, including 170,000 refugees from CAR living in Cameroon, helping them to meet their basic needs and build their own livelihoods; • £4 million of support for over 75,000 vulnerable and displaced people in north east Nigeria – providing emergency support for the UN and international NGOs who are responding to urgent needs for water and sanitation, and nutritional support; • £111 million of support in the Sahel for 500,000 people affected by food insecurity and 300,000 people affected by conflict - improving their resilience to shocks and crises. DFID’s Sahel programme is also providing support to 81,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon 6

and Niger; • £38.7 million to support vulnerable people in Sudan, in particular those most affected by conflict. This will support the provision of food, clean water, access to healthcare, nutrition, education, and protection services. This will potentially support more than 400,000 people to re-establish and strengthen their livelihoods, provide nutrition services to over 500,000 people, and health services to 2.7 million people; and • £15 million of assistance for more than 533,000 refugees living in camps in Kenya – providing support in critical areas including health, nutrition and food, water and sanitation.

The new support for Syria and neighbouring countries includes: • initiatives to provide thousands of vulnerable people inside Syria and across the region with food, clean drinking water, relief assistance, health support and shelter; • a focus on education, including an increase in funding to up to £20 million for education in Lebanon this year in preparation for school enrolment in September to help ensure that both refugee and Lebanese children can benefit from an education. It will also include education for more than 120,000 children inside Syria, as well as providing teaching and learning materials; • vaccinations for nearly 430,000 children inside Syria as well as healthcare, counselling and protection services for refugee children across the region; and • nearly 60,000 cash transfers and vouchers for refugees in Lebanon and Jordan so they can directly purchase the goods they most need.

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Friday, 3 July - Thursday, 9 July 2015

Government examines support for self-employed Leading entrepreneur Julie Deane OBE, founder of The Cambridge Satchel Company, is to carry out an independent review of selfemployment in the UK. The review, will report to the government on the challenges and opportunities for those who want to work for themselves.

The UK labour market is one of the most diverse in the world with self-employment accounting for over a quarter of the growth in employment since 2010. According to ONS figures, 1 in 7 people in employment choose to work for themselves, making a total of 4.5 million people.

The review will highlight the contribution they make to the UK economy and consider how they can be better supported, for example women building businesses alongside childcare commitments.

Julie Deane’s review will: • explore why people opt to be selfemployed as well as the different types of work that they carry out, including freelancing professionals, sole traders and those who are employed but also work for themselves

• look into the challenges and issues faced by people who are self-employed, especially when setting up or developing their business • recommend how the UK can create a more flexible and supportive environment The review will also look at what can be done to provide more security and peace of mind, for example, when juggling selfemployment and having a family, buying a home or saving for retirement.

The Prime Minister David Cameron said: I am delighted that Julie Deane has agreed to carry out this review, with her own extensive experience of starting out on her own. Her review will shine a light on self-employment, a key part of our long term economic plan, looking at what can be done to provide more security and peace of mind for people wanting to work for themselves.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: The government is on the side of working people. As part of our aim to achieve full employment, we want to create an environment that supports people who want to work hard and strike out on their own and makes the UK the best place in Europe to start and grow a business.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid

Julie Deane OBE, founder and CEO of The Cambridge Satchel Company, who is leading the independent review said: The business landscape has changed so much in the last 10 years and in such a way that self-employment is now a viable option for so many more people. I have first-hand experience of the immense opportunities starting your own business can bring, but also understand the challenges that can face those starting out on their own.

Having grown my business to employ more than 130 people and selling to over 120 countries, I have a clear of idea of the way

in which government can better support the self-employed. I hope this review will help others in the future to turn their ideas into successful businesses.

David Morris, the Prime Minister’s self-employment ambassador said: I am delighted the government is carrying out this independent review. The self-employed make an important contribution to the UK economy and this review will help us to support the nation’s entrepreneurs even further. The review is expected to be published in early 2016.

Greece Debt Crisis: advice for UK citizens and businesses Banking controls have now been introduced in Greece alongside bank holidays which are likely to see banks in Greece closed until at least 6 July (inclusive).

A decision has been made by the Greek authorities to introduce restrictions on banking facilities and implement bank holidays.

Banks in Greece have now been closed and are likely to remain closed until the Greek government is in a position to reopen them. A referendum is expected to take place on 5 July 2015. The UK government continues to monitor the situation closely.

Travel advice When travelling outside of the UK, you should take more than one means of payment with you (cash, debit card, credit card).

Visitors to Greece should be aware of the possibility that banking services – including credit card processing and servicing of ATMs – throughout Greece could potentially become limited at short notice.

The Greek government is limiting withdrawals using cards issued by banks in Greece to €60 per day per account. At this time, you can continue to withdraw up to your usual limit using a card issued outside Greece, as long as the ATM has 8

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras

been replenished.

The system for paying with debit and credit cards for retail transactions continues to function. While banks are closed in Greece and some withdrawals are limited, make sure you take sufficient Euros in cash to cover the duration of your stay, emergencies, unforeseen circumstances and any unexpected delays. Please take appropriate security precautions against theft. There are currently no restrictions on taking unspent Euros out of Greece at the end of your stay.

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Friday, 3 July - Thursday, 9 July 2015

Theatre, Shows and Musicals

Arts Culture

By Edward Mirza

HANG

Scenes from the making of ‘The Lower Cut’

nies sees Shakespeare’s tragedy reimagined in a contemporary context, as a brew of June 11th – July 18th “F**k your sympathy and keep it with treachery and ambition sets an Asian family on a road to destruction. The production your sorrys.” sees the engineers of Macbeth’s downfall A crime has been committed. depicted as three Hijras. A strand of Indian The victim has a choice to make. society little-known in the west, Hijras are The criminal is waiting.

A shattering new play about an a centuries-old “third gender” community (including transsexuals, transgender people, unspeakable decision.

Debbie Tucker Green returns to the eunuchs and cross-dressers).

Tara Arts Artistic Director Jatinder Royal Court to direct her new play hang.

The cast includes Marianne Jean-Baptiste Verma, who will direct Macbeth said “Spirwho makes her Royal Court debut and its in Indian traditions combine vivacity with viciousness. By casting the Witches Claire Rushbrook.

Hang is designed by Jon Bausor, with in Macbeth as provocative Bollywood lighting design by Tim Mitchell, music queens, I aim to explore the dangerously composition by Luke Sutherland, sound vain ambition driving Macbeth.”

For information on Black Theatre Live: design by Christopher Shutt and movement www.blacktheatrelive.co.uk | For informaby Polly Bennett.

Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal tion on Tara Arts: www.tara-arts.com Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS .

Everyman starring Chiwetel Ejiofor April 22nd - July 16th

Everyman, a new adaptation by Carol Ann Duffy Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) is Everyman in Carol Ann Duffy’s new adaptation.

When Death comes, who will stand by your side?

Everyman is successful, popular and riding high when Death comes calling. He is forced to abandon the hedonistic life he has built and embark on a last, frantic search to recruit a friend, anyone, to speak in his defence. But Death is close behind, and time is running out.

Everyman explodes onto the stage in a startling production with words by Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate, and movement

by Javier De Frutos.

National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX, 020 7452 3000

Macbeth, Tara Arts in association with Queen’s Hall Arts & Black Theatre Live Now- October 31st

Journalist Hannah Pool

Macbeth is the first production from Black Theatre Live, a pioneering consortium of 8 regional theatres committed to increasing the amount of Black and Ethnic Minority theatre on the touring circuit. Spun together with a blend of Indian music and movement, this brand new production from one of the UK’s leading cross-cultural theatre compa-

The Lottie Betts-Priddy Education Trust Family Fun Day Saturday July 18, 2015

The Lottie Betts-Priddy Education Trust, a UK registered charity, is holding its Family Fun Day on Saturday 18th July 2015 in Camberwell, south London.

Described as a fun-filled day of African drumming, storytelling, musical performances, delicious West African cuisine, face-painting and henna tattooing; with a sack race, three-legged race and much, much more thrown in to entertain the whole family, the fun and frivolity starts from 11am at the University Academy of Engineering South Bank, Trafalgar Street, London SE17 2TP (close to East Street Market and Burgess Park – nearest tube: Elephant & Castle).

The Trust is passionate about giving poor and disadvantaged children in Sierra Leone the opportunity of education to help secure them a better future. The essence of the day is to raise vital funds to underpin the Trust’s voluntarily work to improve children’s educational experience by renovating dilapidated classrooms, ensuring schools have working toilet facilities and providing much needed resources such as text books, pens and other teaching materials.

Grab the chance to enjoy a family day out, exhaust the kids and join the wider community in helping this worthy cause.

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Entertainment News

African musical acts to snub future BET Awards Ghana’s dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy has won the Best International Act Africa trophy at the 2015 BET Awards, but African musical stars are not happy with Black Entertainment Television (BET) organisers of the annual ceremony.

According to Fuse ODG, the African Americans feel they are superior to fellow blacks from the African continent and therefore don’t give them equal treatment as the American stars.

The Ghanaian British who rose to fame thanks to his Azonto song was nominated in the Best International Act-UK but he snubbed the ceremony. Fuse’s category was won by Stormzy.

Fuse whose Million Pound Girl was one of the club bangers of 2014 revealed he boycotted the BET Awards in Los Angeles because organisers do not show respect to musicians in the International Act categories.

Backstage The International Act Awards are given out backstage or at a pre-show instead of during the live broadcast. Little wonder when Radio and Weasel were nominated in 2013, many argued that they were not at the ceremony because they were not shown during the broadcast.

Already there are dome people doubt-

ing Eddy Kenzo’s Award because he was not in the limelight and the award wasn’t listed on the BET website that targets the US audience. He was only mentioned on BET Africa.

About Stonebwoy Stonebwoy is the stage name of Livingstone Etse Satekla (born 1988), a Ghanaian afropop, dancehall and reggae artiste who is the CEO of Burniton Music Group.

He began performing as Stonebwoy since high school as an underground rapper.

He appeared on a popular rap competition “Kasahare Level” on Adom FM which featured Sarkodie, Dr Cryme and the like that saw him knocking out several other rappers gaining himself underground popularity. It was through these rap battles and his style of music which caught the eye of Samini to sign him to his “Samini Music” record label.

Under “Samini Music”, Stonebwoy recorded his first hit singleClimax featuring Samini and subsequently Ghetto Love featuring Irene Logan. Both songs earned him nominations at the Ghana Music Awards.

After this exposure, he released his debut albumGrade 1 Album under his Burniton Music Group Label that made Stonebwoy a household name in the Ghana music industry, END - Use images from BET AWARDS 2015

Nuturi Naughton

Nicki Minaj

Kyemah McEntyre

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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West

Ne-yo

Friday, 3 July - Thursday, 9 July 2015

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Nollywood News Culture

In Pictures: Iquo’s Journal Film Premiere, Lagos

The premiere of Blessing Egbe’s IQUO’s JOURNAL took place on Friday 26th June at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema in Lekki, Lagos Nigeria.

The movie which stars Kate Henshaw and Femi Jacobs was very well received.

Kate Henshaw who plays the lead female character IQUO could not make it to the event due to the set back she experienced the day before.

The movie is written, produced and directed by Blessing Effiom Egbe who wore a Frank Osodi design.

Other celebrities at the event were Kiki omeili, Femi Jacobs, Keira Hewatch, Chinonso Young, Emeka Ossai, Teco Benson, Frank Osodi, Ralph Nwadike, Bobby Michael, Deyemi Okolawon, Mrs Akin Salami and Josephine Ewuru who played the younger Kate Henshaw.

Read more at: https://www.modernghana.com/music/31135/3/in-pictures-atiquos-journal-film-premiere.html

Cinonso Young

Femi Jacobs

Nnamdi Oboli with Keira Hewatch and KikiOmeili

Blessing Egbe

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Health News

Study finds physically active children are happier and more confident The second day of July 2015 marks the launch of this year’s ‘Change4Life 10 minute shake up’ campaign with Disney. The campaign aims to encourage children to do 10 minute bursts of moderate to vigorous activity, inspired

by Disney characters, throughout the day, and every day, in order to meet the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity children need.

This year’s campaign launches to coincide with the publication of an evidence review by British Heart Foundation (BHF) researchers from the University of Oxford and Loughborough University, which identifies the direct benefits that physical activity has on children in terms of their physical, social and emotional development.

The new review points to strong evidence that physical activity and sport has a positive impact on children’s social skills and self-esteem. The evidence review also identified further social benefits for children as a result of physical activity including increased confidence and peer acceptance, alongside a link to friendship.

Review author Professor Charlie Foster commented: The positives of exercise on children’s mental wellbeing are less well known than the physical benefits. The evidence showed a strong link between physically active children and improved self-esteem, confidence, attention span and even academic achievements.

Over a third of children in the UK are overweight, yet 79% of parents with an

overweight child do not recognise that they are, and of those that do, 41% do not realise that it is a health risk. Furthermore, parents tend to overestimate how active their children are. Change4Life with Disney aims to inspire children to get active using Disney characters and stories as encouragement.

New for this year’s campaign, the Change4Life 10 Minute Shake Up game allows kids to join one of four Disney teams: Frozen, Toy Story, Monsters and Big Hero 6 and help their team win by doing as many ‘shake ups’ as they can every day.

To mark today’s campaign launch, Change4Life and Disney are hosting England’s largest ever interactive PE lesson.

An exclusive 10 minute shake up will be available to schools from 9am on Thursday 2 July. The film stars Ricky Wilson, Kaiser Chiefs frontman and TV judge on ‘The Voice’ who is also a keen runner and fitness enthusiast. Ricky will guide children through a 10 minute shake up game inspired by the moves of Disney characters from the shake up teams.

This is the second year that Change4Life has teamed up with Disney. Last year’s campaign resulted in the nation’s kids being active for an extra 104 million minutes of the summer.

Professor Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public

Health England (PHE), commented: Levels of childhood obesity are unacceptably high – currently 1 in 5 primary school children is overweight or obese. This latest review reinforces the essential health and wellbeing benefits of being physically active.

Breaking up the 60 minutes of physical activity that children need each day into 10 minute bursts will be more appealing and manageable for children and parents alike.

Public Health Minister, Jane Ellison, said: Exercise is really important for children, and it’s vital that we encourage them to form healthy habits to last throughout their life.

The 10 minute shake up programme is great for introducing children to manageable, bite-size chunks of activity – and, best of all, it’s fun. With the summer holidays coming up, it’s ideal for parents and children to get active together.

Marianthi O’Dwyer, Vice President and Head of Living Well at Disney UK and Ireland said: Following on from the success of last year’s campaign, we’re excited to be partnering with Change4Life for a brand new 10 minute shake up. This year children will have the chance to join 1 of 4 Disney-themed teams, which we hope will inspire them to get even more active this summer.

Disney’s stories are experienced and enjoyed by children around the world, so we believe we can have a positive influence.

Our partnership with Change4Life is part of Disney’s commitment to use our stories and characters to inspire and encourage life-long healthy behaviours in families.

Tunisia

Rezgui was not alone, say witnesses According to some witness accounts, more than one gunman was involved in the massacre of 38 holidaymakers at a Tunisian beach resort on Friday.

British survivors of the attack have said they saw a second man brandishing a gun as they took cover at the Imperial Marhaba hotel in Sousse. Their accounts cast doubt on the sketchy version of Friday’s killings given by the Tunisian authorities, who claim that Seifeddine Rezgui was a lone assailant.

Richard Slater, who survived the attack after sheltering in a cupboard in a beach shop, said he was told that one of the attackers came in from the sea on a jet ski.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said he couldn’t be certain about the number of gunmen but was told by local shopkeepers and staff in his hotel that two attackers were shot, one was arrested and another was still at large.

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The lifeless body of one of the victims of Seifeddine Rezgui (inset)

Steve Johnson, a retired police officer, told the Daily Mirror he saw “a man in red shorts machine-gunning someone on a sun

lounger. He was 20 yards away from us.”

Other witnesses have described a man in red shorts, possibly a member of the

coastguard, firing a handgun at Rezgui: “He was trying to fire it at the guy, but it was like he didn’t know how to get the safety catch off or something,” said Aymen Khalifa Belhaj.

Witnesses have also described a gunman with long black hair and a beard shooting at them.

The Tunisian authorities have given little information about the attack but have so far insisted that Rezgui was helped by accomplices who were not at the scene.

Seven men allegedly linked to Rezgui have been arrested.

On Monday new video emerged showing the gunman rampaging through the hotel for at least 20 minutes without any response from Tunisian security forces. It is thought as many as 30 of the dead could have been British tourists.

About half of the 20,000 British tourists in Tunisia have returned home since the attacks, according to ABTA.

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Friday, 3 July - Thursday, 9 July 2015

Pakistan

Woman on death row for sharing water The family of a Christian woman awaiting execution in Pakistan for drinking water from a vessel used by her Muslim work colleagues are concerned she may die of ill-health before she faces the executioner.

Mother of five Asia Bibi was sentenced in 2010 to be hanged for apostasy, the grim verdict handed down after her co-workers accused her of insulting the Prophet Mohammed when she was told she could not share the water vessel. Now 50, Bibi is suffering from numerous health problems, including intestinal bleeding, according to Global Dispatch, which cited Bibi’s family in reporting the woman is “so weak she could hardly walk.”

“She is an exemplar of a gross miscarriage of injustice rooted in Pakistan’s extremely unfair blasphemy laws and of how this law can victimise someone who should not be inside the criminal justice system whatsoever,” said Phelim Kine, deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia Division.

Supporters of Bibi are calling on the U.S. to use the approximately $900 million in annual foreign aid it provides Pakistan as leverage to obtain justice for Bibi and others suffering under the Muslim nation’s Draconian blasphemy laws. The Center for Research and Security Studies, which identified 247 blasphemy cases prosecuted in Pakistan since 1987 and found many

Asia Bibi, awaiting execution since 2010, is said to now be too weak to walk

were used to persecute religious minorities and settle personal scores.

In recent years, Bibi’s case has received sporadic coverage due to several postponements of court hearings. The British Pakistani Christian Association is hoping to use the sixth anniversary of her arrest to bring renewed attention to her plight, sending out statements and releasing songs calling for her freedom. The group’s chairman, Wilson Chowdhry, has urged nations with close ties to Pakistan, such as the U.K. and the U.S., to speak up.

“There has been a lack of mainstream media coverage, meanwhile her plight continues and she had been waiting for a Supreme Court hearing for eight months,” he said. “People have to contact leaders of their nations asking them to engage in dialogue with Pakistani government for humanitarian rights alone.”

Nazir Bhatti, president of the Pakistan Christian Congress, told reporters it is difficult for the international media to pick up news on Bibi’s plight because it generates so little coverage within the country.

“Pakistani media do not often write about her case and are too afraid because they are under pressure from the government to stay silent,” Bhatti said.

Pope Francis has called for clemency for Bibi, and last year, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul called for an end to U.S. aid to Pakistan, noting the persecution of young women and Christians in the nation, and citing Bibi in particular. Last month, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom pressed the Obama administration to designate Pakistan a “country of particular concern.”

Those who have spoken up for Bibi from within Pakistan have done so at their own peril. Two, Salmaan Taseer, the governor of Punjab, and Shahbaz Bhatti, the minister of minority affairs, were assassinated after defending Bibi and speaking out against the blasphemy laws.

“The assassinations show how danger-

ous it is for politicians to challenge the blasphemy law. Militants will go to extreme measures for anyone who speaks for religious freedom or human rights,” said Kine.

According to a recent Mission News Network article, there have been some recent internal attempts to overhaul the blasphemy laws due to international pressure. A March 2014 poll from the Pakistani English-language newspaper, The Nation, showed 68 percent of Pakistanis believe the blasphemy law should be repealed.

“It is not something that can happen overnight,” said Hillel Neuer, executive director of the Geneva-based UN Watch.

“The government needs to educate their people on what are universal human rights, what is respecting religious minorities and so on. Right now, I don’t see that happening.”

Chowdry, however, believes that reform of blasphemy laws are unlikely in a country he says is “hijacked” by extremists.

“We see what happens when someone tries to challenge the blasphemy laws,” he said. “It got two key politicians killed…

In a country with such animosity against Christians, I don’t believe a Supreme Court judge will be brave enough to exonerate her.”

Thailand

Junta leader resists pressure to free student activists The human rights office of the United Nations has called on Thailand to release 14 student activists and drop the charges that were filed against them for holding a peaceful anti-coup rally.

The university students, 13 male and one female, were arrested on last week on charges of sedition and violating the junta’s ban on political gatherings for holding the rally in Bangkok last Thursday.

The military, which took over power from a civilian government in a coup last May, has banned political gatherings of five people or more and ordered securityrelated offenses to be handled by the military courts.

On June 24 and 25 authorities arrested Rangsiman Rome, Wasant Sadesit, Songtham Kaewpanphruek, Payu Boonsopon, Apiwat Suntararak, Rattapol Supasophon, Supachai Pookhlongploy, Apisit Sapnapapha, Panupong Sritananuwat, Suvicha Pitungkorn, Pakorn Areekul, Chatupat Boonyapatraksa, Pornchai Yuanyee and Chonticha Chaengreo. The students took part in peaceful rallies calling for an end to military rule under the National Council

One of the 14 students being arrested on Thursday

for Peace and Order (NCPO).

The army commander-in-chief, Gen. Udomdej Seetabutr, publicly accused the 14 student activists of being backed by anti-government groups and claimed their actions could lead to disturbances and violence. Each student is facing a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.

The U.N. Human Rights Office for South East Asia also asked the Thai government to review its use of laws that limit freedom of expression and assembly.

“OHCHR is concerned that criminal

prosecutions for peaceful assembly and expression that carry long prison terms are not necessary or proportional,” the office said in its statement.

The European Union called the arrests “a disturbing development” and said civilians should not be tried in military courts.

“The EU believes in the right of all to express peacefully their opinions... Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms must be upheld,” it said in the statement.

Since last year’s coup, the military gov-

ernment has cracked down on dissenters and critics, some of whom have fled the country.

Deputy government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the government does not have a problem with the students but they must obey the law.

“Everyone has to be under the law. Either they are soldiers, police, civilians or students. There is no excuse,” Sansern said.

Interim Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha said he did not have to clarify the issue with the EU and that Thais must be subject to Thai law.

“I have to thank the students and other agencies, which are not these 14 students.

There are a lot of other good students.

Wherever I go, they would come to praise me,” he told reporters. “But these (arrested) students only wanted democracy and election.”

The military has spoken of holding national elections but has not said exactly when, and its latest constitutional draft would curb the powers of elected political leaders.

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Friday, 3 July - Thursday, 9 July 2015

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CRIME

Burglary gang jailed

Abdul

Four men have been jailed today, Tuesday 30 June, for a series of burglaries in London and the home counties.

In November 2014, officers from Westminster Crime Squad identified a group of burglars targeting areas of Westminster, Barnet and Wimbledon as well as addresses in Surrey and Buckinghamshire.

As a result of their investigation, three men were arrested on 17 December 2014 as they sought to make off after burgling two flats in Gloucester Place, Westminster.

They were Reece Williams, 23 of

Williams

Lisson Street, NW1; Ruben Taveras Pinto, 62 and Fawaz Abdul, of Mary Adelaide House, W2.

A fourth man, Mohammed Sabri, 24 of Hall Place, W2 was seen in Gloucester Place, but he evaded arrest. He was subsequently arrested on 2nd March 2015.

Following further detective work and analysis of forensic evidence, the four men were found to be linked to 15 residential burglaries between 5 November and 17 December 2014. The group broke into premises by forcing patio doors and windows and once inside they would steal

Sabri

high value jewellery as well as electrical items such as laptops and phones.

Between them they specifically admitted involvement in burglaries at St Mary’s Road and Melrose Avenue, Wimbledon on 5 November 2014, Gregories Road, Beaconsfield on 8 November 2014, Parklands Drive, Finchley on 9 December 2014 and the two burglaries at Gloucester Place on 17 December 2014.

Abdul, Sabri and Taveras Pinto pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, 18 May, to conspiracy to commit burglary. Williams initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty on

Pinto

1 June.

They were jailed today Tuesday, 30 June.

Williams and Abdul received four years, Sabri 40 months and Taveras Pinto two years Detective Constable Rebecca Shaw said: “I am glad that this prolific burgling team have been bought to justice. The Crime Squad worked tirelessly on this investigation to identify and bring to justice those responsible, which I hope will be of some consolation to the victims of these burglaries.”

Further appeals following fatal stabbing in Harlesden Appeal for missing

Detectives appealing for information and witnesses after a fatal stabbing in Harlesden have released an aerial image of the scene.

Police were called at approximately 18:30hrs on Monday, 29 June, to reports of a disturbance at a service road which runs at the rear of Ranelagh Road and Station Road, NW10.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended the scene and found a man suffering serious stab injuries.

Granville Thomas, 55, of Harrow on the Hill was pronounced dead at the scene. He was better known within the community by his street names ‘Rat’ or ‘Blacks’.

Next of kin have been informed. A post-mortem examination will be carried out Wednesday, 1 July and formal identification will be held in due course.

A 29-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. He has been taken to a north London police station where he remains in custody.

Officers from the Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC) are investigat14

ing.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh of the HMCC, who is leading the investigation, said: “ We need information to come from the community. Please do not assume that someone has made a call to police.

“I have released this image of the location in the hope that this will make it clear where this incident took place.

“I continue to appeal to anyone who may have been in the area as well as witnesses to the stabbing to contact us as soon as possible.”

Louis Thomas, brother of Granville Thomas said: “My brother was murdered last night, my family are devastated. I would ask if anyone saw or knows anything in relation to his murder, please speak to the police.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that may assist the investigation should call police on 020 8785 8099 or the police non-emergency line on 101.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Acton man

Lindsay Oliver Donald

Police are appealing for information to find a missing man from Acton.

Image of man police wish to speak with

Lindsay Oliver Donald, 63, last spoke with friends on Thursday, 25 June.

He was due to attend a meeting on Friday, 26 June, but failed to turn up.

Lindsay is described as black, 6ft tall, of slim build, with black dreadlocks and grey beard.

His family and police are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers in Ealing on 101.

Friday, 3 July - Thursday, 9 July 2015

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Sounds of Diaspora People of America

Principal dancer breakthrough leaves Black ballerina misty-eyed

Misty Copeland didn’t take up ballet seriously until she was a teenager

A Black child from Missouri who, two decades ago, embarked on a dream most doubted she could ever realise, fought back tears this week as she was promoted to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre.

Misty Copeland, the ballerina who has become a forceful voice for diversity in the discipline and has achieved a celebrity that far transcends that rarefied world, has become the first Black woman to achieve the coveted principal dancer status in the company’s 75-year history.

At a hastily-arranged news conference – a rare event for a ballet promotion – the 32-year-old said: “This is it - This has been my dream since I was 13, to be a principal dancer and reach these heights.

“But it hasn’t been overnight (..) It’s been 14 years of extremely hard work ...

I’m just so extremely honoured to be an African-American and to be in this position.”

Copeland, who as a teenager ran away from home rather than give up on her dream, hopes her ascension to the very top ranks of ballet would inspire other young Black dancers — “all the little girls” — to stick with their own dreams.

“So many young dancers of colour stop dancing at an early age because they just don’t think there will be a career path for them,” she said. “I hope that will change.”

She spoke of her own doubts when she joined the American Ballet Theatre corps at age 19 and saw no one “who looked like me.”

“I had moments of doubting myself and wanting to quit, because I didn’t know if there would be a future for an AfricanAmerican woman at that level,” she said, adding: “At the same time, it made me so

hungry to push through.”

The company announced the promotion six days after Copeland made her New York debut as Odette/Odile in “Swan Lake,” one of the most important roles in a ballerina’s repertoire. The emotional performance ended with Copeland being feted onstage by trailblazing Black ballerinas of earlier generations, and with a sea of fans cheering and taking mobile phone videos.

Copeland has become increasingly famous over the past several years, achieving a pop culture status exceedingly rare for a ballet dancer.

“We haven’t had a ballet dancer who has broken through to popular culture like this since Mikhail Baryshnikov,” said Wendy Perron, an author and the former editor of Dance Magazine. “And she’s going to bring more attention from that world to ballet.”

In the past year, Copeland has appeared on the cover of Time magazine as one of the most influential figures of 2015, and written both a children’s book, “Firebird,” and a best-selling memoir, “Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina,” which has been optioned for a movie. She also was the subject of a documentary at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.

In recent years she’s also performed in a music video with Prince, and been featured in a hugely popular online ad for Under Armour sportswear that shows her leaping and spinning in a studio while a narrator recounts some of the negative feedback she received as a youngster, when she was told she had the wrong body for ballet and, at 13, had started too late.

The dancer has also appeared as a guest host on the Fox show “So You Think You Can Dance” and was a presenter at this year’s Tony awards.

Many who attended Copeland’s historic “Swan Lake” performance last week not-

ed what a diverse audience Copeland had drawn to the Metropolitan Opera House, where American Ballet Theatre performs its spring season. The crowd was filled with young girls — Black and White — in their party dresses.

“She singlehandedly made that a diverse audience,” Perron said.

Damian Woetzel, former principal dancer for New York City Ballet and now the director of the Vail International Dance Festival, called Copeland’s rise “groundbreaking.”

“In the racially underrepresented world of ballet, Misty has already had an historic impact,” Woetzel said in an email message. “Now, as a groundbreaking principal dancer, she will continue to inspire and make possible much-needed changes for our field and for the arts in America.”

Born in Kansas City, Copeland moved at age two to California, where, she noted at Tuesday’s news conference, she first took ballet classes at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America — not, she said, a common path to becoming a ballerina for an elite company.

She writes in her memoir that her childhood was defined by “packing, scrambling, leaving — and often barely surviving.” But she became known as a local dance prodigy, despite her late start, and joined American Ballet Theatre’s junior company at age 18, then the full company at 19. She became a soloist at age 24.

Copeland is the first Black ballerina and second Black dancer overall to be a principal at ABT, after Desmond Richardson, who danced with the company in 1977-1978 and returned later as guest artist. At New York City Ballet, there has never been a Black female principal, and only two Black male principals. (One of them, Albert Evans, died last week at the age of 46.)

In 1990, Lauren Anderson became a principal dancer at Houston Ballet — the first Black female principal in the country.

Anderson, now retired, was onstage at last week’s “Swan Lake” curtain calls to give Copeland a huge hug and lift her off her feet. Copeland paid tribute on Tuesday.

“It’s not me up here,” she said. “It’s everyone who came before me and got me to this position.”

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Gospel

By Michael Adekoya

Friday, 3 July - Thursday, 9 July 2015

GREED IS A KILLER!

Jesus says, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Luke 12:15

My friend, do you know that the system of the world is collapsing?

Yes! It is! The economy in which the world’s kingdom was built on is imploding. Today, we are seeing the collapse of traditions and institutions that we trusted. The banks are collapsing; even the reforms instituted after the global financial crisis to prevent future taxpayerfunded bailouts are failing

Looking far into the future of our generation today, Jesus says, “In the last days, men’s hearts will fail them because of fear of what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:26). Today, many people are afraid and they live in fear. They are afraid of being the victims of corruption, crime, terrorism, nuclear war, global pollution, sickness, economic collapse, marriage breakdown, riots, looting, death and many other things.

In business world, as it is called, the “consumers’ confidence has collapsed”.

People are afraid to buy and sell. They are afraid that they may loose their jobs, houses, marriage, businesses or health. They are afraid to leave the doors of their cars and houses open! They are afraid to go out late.

Today, people are afraid to give because they believe that giving is loosing. They are afraid of the future! As Christians, we are living at the time when our faith will be tested.

The world is in crisis. Crisis is when everything converges at the wrong time to produce destruction but the Good News is, crisis is also the source of change, creativity, innovation and growth. We never grow until we are under pressure. Sometimes, we never change until we have to. My friend, you will agree with me that when you’re under pressure and you need to change something, you’ll find a way to do it. This is the beauty of time we are now. It is the beauty of the recent unprecedented civil

crisis, riots, lootings and criminality by the youngsters in UK. It will produce change!

I was listening to the news more often lately, observing what’s going on in the world and listening to comments of political, social and economic analysts speaking about the collapse of banks, stock markets turmoil, failing reforms instituted to prevent future taxpayers-funded bailouts, the reduction of factories, cut down budgets, inability of the governments of certain nations to provide basic infrastructures, loss of jobs in multitudes, root cause of riots; I was not surprised to hear that “greed” is responsible for things falling apart. The reason why the world is collapsing is because of greed!

You may ask, “What is greed?” Greed is the mismanagement of resources for personal benefits! Greed, according to God’s Word, is a hideous sin. Speaking to the crowd and to us today, Jesus says, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you.

For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you” (Mark 7:20-23). In this Scripture, Jesus listed greed in His condemning sin!

What motivates politicians – Governors, Senators, Legislators, Local Chairmen – to

­­

Are you looking for a church?

Not settled in any particular congregation?

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

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Worldwide. For more information call 020 7609 959 or 07957 757 663.

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

inflates allowances and still loot the nation’s treasures for their personal benefits?

Greed! What motivates church leaders to embezzle the church funds or convert it for their personal use? Greed! What can make Pastor acquired fleets of cars, various estates, fat bank accounts yet the orphans, widows and underprivileged people in the church are suffering? My friend, it is selfishness and greed! What could make a man or a woman has their own spouse and still wants to have extra women or men outside? Greed!

My friend, are you a greedy person?

Jesus says, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15). Did you hear that? Jesus says, “Life is not measured by how much you own.” According to opinion poll, what caused the recent UK lootings by youngsters? Greed! What motivate mortgage brokers to sell mortgages to people who cannot afford it? Greed! They want their commissions!

Greed is when you are motivated by more possessions. It is the mismanagement of resources for personal benefits. In other words, all you want to do is to do whatever you need to in order to get what you want for yourself without any consideration for others. Greed has entered everywhere, including the church. Today, we are too ma-

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

terialistic and selfish! All we want is more and more possessions only for ourselves.

We measure our success by what we possess but Jesus says our life, spirituality or success should not be measured by the abundance of the things we possesses.

My friend, hear me! The spirit of greed is the one behind your refusal to pay your tithe as commanded by God (Mal 3:8-10)!

When you pray only for yourself, the spirit of greed is at work in you. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He said when you pray, you should say, “Our Father who art in heaven…” (Math 6:9), not my Father who art in heaven.” In other words, we should never come to God only for ourselves. Today, we are so greedy that we pray only for our own food but Jesus said we should pray like this: “Give us our daily bread “(v.11) Greed is a killer!

What made Ananais and his wife died prematurely? (Acts 5:5). Greed! What made the nation of Israel lost the battle against Ai, a smaller nation? It is the sin of greed committed by one man -Achan (Josh 7).

He acted against the commands of God and it became the transgression that triggered the judgment of God upon Achan, his family and the entire nation. We cannot sin and win! If our camp is clean, we need no greater force to defeat satan, our enemy only enemy!

Greed is a sin and sin brings curses, reproach, disgrace, sorrow, stagnation, sickness, divorce, separation from God, poverty, shame, misery, weariness, prayerlessness, defeat, failure, demotion, unanswered prayers, to mention few. It is time to confess our sins to God. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9) Righteousness makes a nation great, but sin is a reproach (disgrace) to any people” (Prov 14:34).

God-devotion makes a church, community, city and nation strong; God-avoidance makes the people doing all kinds of disgraceful things.

Remain blessed!

Church Street, London SE5 Christ Apostolic church (Full Gospel & Pentecostal) Surrey Docks District 163 Ilderton Rd South Bermondsey London SE16 2UT. Tel. 020 7252 2086.

Time of worship: Sunday English service 9- 11.30am. Yoruba service 11.30 -2.30pm. Prophetic counselling: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 12noon- 5pm, Saturday only 5- 7pm.

Holy Cross Church InternationalSunday 10.am- 1 pm at Crown House 71-73 Nathan Way London SE28 0BQ Tel: 07904 234 126, 07809 381 886 Times of service:Bible study: Thursdays 8pm. Night Vigil: Friday Forth-

nightly 12am Sunday Service: Sundays 10am - 1pm Winners’ Chapel London- part of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, at 1 Churchill Close, Green Street, Green Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1QE meets Sunday 7.30am, 9.15am and 11am and Wednesdays at 7pm.

For details call: 01322 292097 Christ Apostolic Church, Surrey Docks District, Solution Centre, 47-47 High Street, Swancombe, Kent, DA10 0DA Tel: 07956 38 38 70 Time of worship: Wednesday Bible study: 7:30pm to 9:00pm Friday, Night Vigil: 9pm to 11pm Sunday Worship: 12:30pm to 3:00pm

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Friday, 3 July - Thursday, 9 July 2015

Africa Newsround

Liberia

New victim dies in ‘Ebola-free’ Liberia Weeks after being officially declared free of the virus, the corpse of a 17-year-old has tested positive for Ebola in Liberia.

The male victim died in Margibi County, some distance from Liberia’s borders with Guinea and Sierra Leone – the two other West African nations hardest hit by the 18-month long epidemic. Liberia’s deputy health minister Tolbert Nyenswah told reporters that experts are trying to find out whether he contracted the virus while travelling.

Nyenswah stressed on Tuesday that there is no need to panic. Enquiries are already underway to trace anyone who had contact with the victim, who died on June 24.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Liberia free of the Ebola virus on May 9, after 42 days with no new cases reported. Forty-two days is twice the

Prior to last week’s tragic death, Liberia had been thought to be free from Ebola

maximum incubation period for the deadly disease.

According to WHO, weekly Ebola cases in West Africa had stalled at between 20 and 27 cases since the end of May. In Guinea, 12 cases were reported from the same four prefectures as cases reported in the previous week. In Sierra Leone, eight cases were reported from three districts.

More than 4,000 Liberians lost their lives in the latest and most devastating Ebola outbreak ever. It has been proposed that a monument to the victims be erected, possibly near Disco Hill cemetery, an hour’s drive from the capital, Monrovia, where many of the victims were buried.

Margibi County, where the latest victim died, is close to Liberia’s international airport, about 50 kilometres south of Monrovia.

Zimbabwe

Poisoned chalice pageant successor attacked

Annie-Grace Mutumbu in the Kia Picanto she inherits, having been upgraded to Miss Zimbabwe 2015

The newly crowned replacement for the disgraced Miss Zimbabwe has survived an apparent kidnap attempt.

Annie-Grace Mutambu, 19, was with her younger sister when they were attacked by three men near their home on Friday (June 26). The pair managed to resist what they believe was an attempted abduction largely due to the tenacity of the younger girl, before the men fled with a laptop and mobile phone. Neither girl was seriously injured.

Annie-Grace had, on the same day, officially been crowned Miss Zimbabwe, having been upgraded from First Princess following the dethroning of 25-year-old Emily Tatanga Kachote over nude pictures circulated on social media.

This was the second consecutive year

that a Miss Zimbabwe had subsequently lost her title because of compromising photographs circulated by a jealous ex-boyfriend. In an interview during her crowning ceremony, Miss Mutambu said: “Apart from the fact that Miss Zimbabwe Trust requires us not to be in a relationship, personally, I have no intention of dating anyone at the moment.

“I am a career person and for the past three years I have been focusing on my career.

“I last had a boyfriend three years ago and my life has been perfect and I will start considering being in a relationship when I finish my reign.”

Asked specifically about Emily Kachote, whose crown she had inherited, Miss Mutambu added:

Originally crowned First Princess, an outwardly delighted Annie-Grace Mutambu can have had no idea she would ultimately accede to the Miss Zimbabwe throne

“I got to know about Emily when we were in camp and we became friends but I am excited that I was crowned after she was dethroned. I have no doubt that I will finish my reign.”

Along with the crown, Mutambu takes home a Kia car, a 40 inch LED television

set, a juice maker, African attire and manicures and pedicures for the duration of her reign. She will also represent Zimbabwe at the 65th edition of the Miss World pageant to be held on December 19th at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China.

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Friday, 3 July - Thursday, 9 July 2015

Nigeria News

Change is never a Creation or Monopoly of any Party!

By Akintokunbo A Adejumo

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything”. George Bernard Shaw

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek”. Barack Obama I have been wondering what the difference is between ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s TRANSFORMATION (Agenda) and President Muhammadu Buhari’s CHANGE slogans. I was not too surprised to find out that they both mean the same thing.

Transformation – alteration, conversion, change, transmutation, renovation, revolution.

Change – modification, alteration, variation, transformation, revolution, conversion, adjustment, amendment.

But being Nigerians, we have made those two words, synonyms of each other, over the past one year to make them look, sound and work differently. Mischief was in the air. It was as if Change was a new word entirely.

What should matter, in Nigeria, is that Transformation, cue Jonathan was not delivered, while we are still hoping for Buhari’s Change.

It is therefore very myopic, ill-informed and mischievous for some of us to attribute the CHANGE that we yearned for and voted for as ONLY being the cry of the All Progressive Congress.

For sour grapes, everything Change is only meant for APC, and they failed to see and acknowledge that the Change is for the whole of the country – its governing system; its institutions, public or private; the education, orientation and mentality of its people; our way of life and betterment and empowerment, etc.

So within a month of a new government of a new party, anything that seems to be going is gloatingly referred to as “So this is the change you want, and this is what you get”.

I beg to differ. If APC legislators are fighting themselves to the finish to get positions in the Senate or House of Rep, or 18

in the states’ Houses of Assembly, it is a Nigeria problem, attributed to the Nigerian mentality and our political immaturity, not a preserve of the APC. I am not holding brief for APC here, but to impress it again of my long-held belief (probably till I die) that the Nigerian political class are the same, insane and inane - totally devoid of any ideological values, norms, morality, conscience, sensitivity and knowledge. On the long run, there is no difference between APC and PDP, or any other political party, and their players, and I think majority of all analytical and political savvy Nigerians have always agreed on this, even when we support one dim-witted party or the other.

Nigerians - at least, 15 million of them - wanted anybody but Mr Jonathan. They saw in Mr Buhari somebody better than Mr Jonathan, but I will agree with anybody that Mr Buhari is not the Best in Nigeria; however, where/who is/ are the Best in Nigeria? Nowhere to be seen and we may never know. Or maybe, there is nothing like Best anywhere in the world. So why don’t you just stick to the Better and inspire and support it to be the Best, instead of condemning him just after 30 days of a 4-year mandate and predicting failure for him? What benefit will that be to Nigeria and Nigerians if he fails? Are we encouraging him or disparaging him with that to try and effect a desired popular change?

Put yourself in that position.

So, what exactly are our expectations?

Stable and improved electricity generation and distribution and supply, availability of petroleum products, security of lives and property, food security, good education and good healthcare system, etc.; all these will drive development and give us progress, but our outcry over appointment of ministers and heads of agencies and parastatals are misplace because such requires National Assembly approval, a house which is yet to put its house in order. So why don’t we measure performance based on how the leaders are faring?

The Change is not a monopoly of the APC. It is a world-wide cry, only borrowed by the APC, and because Nigerians needed a change in almost every sphere of our lives, we grabbed at that straw thrown out by the APC because the PDP was sinking us very fast. We needed a lifeline. Do we now pull the person holding a lifeline to us back into the abyss with us?

This is not to say that APC created some falsehood and deceit to get to power. It is a political ploy employed all over the political world. Politicians are never known to be totally honest anywhere in the world, and their reputation of being prone economical with the truth is notorious. I am very sure, the APC meant well for Nigerians as a party, but of course, some individual members are a different kettle of fish entirely, and the same applies to other parties too.

While personally I have never for once

Presdient Buhari and his transition committee

been a fan of the PDP as a party, there are so many members whose sincerity, unquestionable patriotism and commitment to betterment of peoples’ lives can be never be in doubt. Examples abound, and I know some of them personally, close friends and family of mine, and even some of the top leaders of that party. In other, words, as the PDP consists both of well-meaning politicians and political miscreants, so do the APC; and as the APC contains many sincere politicians, so the same applies to the PDP, and other political parties too.

That is why not many politicians, APC or PDP, as it is playing out within such a short time of this new government of Change, embrace the call for Change. It is purely an individualist Nigerian malaise.

And this is why several APC legislators are undermining their own party, its discipline and loyalty for purely personal and selfish reasons and inordinate ambitions. They are all in there for the money and the position, and certainly not for the people, and this is where we have a problem which they do not seem to be aware of – the people of Nigeria are angry with them.

Here, we should be downright honest with ourselves, at least those who voted for the APC change. It was Muhammadu Buhari that was voted for, not the APC as a party, per se. If, God forbid bad thing, Tinubu or Atiku or even Okorocha had emerged as the APC Presidential candidate at the APC primaries last year, Mr Goodluck Jonathan and his acolytes will be celebrating another four years at the helm of affairs of this unfortunate country. To me, this is an inconceivable hell.

Again, we have to face up to the reality that the Change is compromised by the fact that several, if not all, of the people who will be making (in fact who, since 1999, have been making) laws for us are verified miscreants; failed and corrupt ex-governors seeking refuge and more loot in the legislatures; accused criminals (fraudsters and drug barons), jobless individuals who have no verifiable sources of income; failed and bankrupt businessmen/ women whose only hope of survival is to be getting free money in the National Assembly and states Houses of Assembly. So when you have such a den of thieves, so to speak, how can one man, in a democratic dispensation, produce Change, even if

these rogues are all members of his party?

We have a problem!!!

One will see that the very fact that a governor, who has served two-terms (eight years) and then forced his way into the Senate is a selfish, greedy and corrupt idiot. And I am being kind to him here. Very kind! Tell me, how effective a lawmaker will such a crooked lawmaker be, somebody, who while in office, regularly and routinely and deliberately ignore and discard or misinterpret the Constitution and laws of the land? And he’s making, or pretending to make laws for all of us?

By the way, why is it that these ex-governors always go for the Senate and not the House of Representatives? Do they consider the lower house inferior to their status as failed and corrupt governors? Again, why do serving or ex-ministers never go for the National Assembly, but always go for the governorships of their different states?

I will strongly advocate that any exgovernor should be banned from contesting for the Nigerian Senate immediately after leaving office, and must wait for a minimum of 8 years before he can seek any such position. By this time, their sins/ crimes against humanity would have been uncovered, and their influence waned in their constituency, they will never ever smell power and influence again.

Finally, Margaret Mead said, “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have” and Sir Winston Churchill, was quoted, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often”. So was Maya Angelou, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude”.

Take your pick, Nigerians! You cannot have change without pain. Change is a way of life, and is not new. It is a must for survival of anything. Dinosaurs could not change their ways of life, and they became extinct, so did the Tasmanians and many other ancient cultures and societies. Those who were able to change are the survivors today, and some who are still here with us but cannot change are destined for misery and annihilation.

Don’t deride CHANGE. It is the same as TRANSFORMATION; the difference is in the methods of delivery.

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Friday, 3 July - Thursday, 9 July 2015

Nigeria Special

Osun: Season of Patience; Hope, Tolerance

By Prof. Waheed Adekunle

In one of the books of wisdom, Benjamin Disraeli says “ everything comes if a man will only wait, and that success lies in the ability of a man to exercise patience and perseverance because patience helps one to overcome the greatest difficulty in life”.

Shakespeare in his assertions says, “a man with courage makes a majority; and cowards die many times before their deaths, while the valiant never taste death but once”. This implies that the state content of the heart of the individuals determine the outward manifestation of the individuals.

As a maxist by psychological reasoning and orientation who devoid of sophistry and demagogue in dealing with issues, this piece is going to be unambiguous, direct and hammer straight by unequivocally shooting out the sophisticated bitter truth as regards socio-political, economic and religious propensities of the state of virtuous called Osun state and Nigeria at large.

Apparently, he who stands on the side of history tells the real side of unfolding occurrences chronologically because history must be treated with dispassionate, truthfulness, factuality, objectivity and as well free from personal emotions.

It is a matter of historical and public records on the whirlwind and quantum development and progress that the state of Osun has been witnessing over four years of Aregbesola administration most especially on his untiring efforts at putting the State at the front banner of development and global recognition in all sectors.

Truly, in a modern democracy, there is need to have a strong opposition that would put the ruling leadership on toes to fulfill its electoral promises and as well serves as checkmate to ensuring required balance in the political system, but such opposition shouldn’t be philosophically formulated on the platform of propaganda, virulence and blackmailing, because where such is allowed to predominate, it gives room to political vacuum, ineptitude and incompetency.

Opposition ought to be established and institutionalized on the template of constructive and reasonable criticisms embedded with facts tend to turn around and reveal the concealed characters of the ruling class and not on frivolous-virulent statements and dispositions capable of provoking catastrophic tendencies and as well inciting public against the government.

It is not haphazard or an impressionistic voyage in mapping out the fact that any political ideology based on character defamation and sedition could better be regarded as militocracy or sketocracy in the political parlance.

However, wisdom dictates that those who live in glass house should not throw stones, and a good name is better than gold and silver. In support of these assertions, Biblical injunction (Ecclesiastes 3:1) says “to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven”.

Starting with the myriads of challenges facing our economy as a nation, the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari recently lamented that the nation’s economy is at low ebb and that he met virtually empty treasury with huge debts amounting to billions of dollars.

The president also bemoaned the nonpayment of workers’ salary arrears across levels in some states and federal government, describing the economic malady as a national disgrace by lampooning the immediate past administration for financial indiscipline, corruption and impunity.

In the same vein, the former Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozy Okonjo Iweala conceded that the nation’s economy was troubled and that over 400, 000 barrels of crude oil were stolen daily amounting to billions of naira monthly.

These separate statements were corroborated with the allegations raised by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and his counterparts, Charles Chukwuma Soludo on the financial recklessness of the past administration that gave porosity and hatch to corruption as the nation’s wealth and resources were purportedly mismanaged under President Jonathan administration when over 20billion dollars was reportedly unremitted to the Consolidated Federation Account.

Trillions of naira were carelessly mismanaged and squandered under President Jonathan watch, leading the nation to adrift.

It would be recalled that the nation’s economy got to a comatose early July 2013 when federal government under the leadership of President Jonathan announced suddenly that the country has been adversely affected with the global economic meltdown resorted to sharp drop in the global prices of the crude oil.

However, this economic predicament painfully led to over 40 percent downtrend in the statutory allocation given to the states of the federation between 20132014.

Early 2014, the economic monster had grown wings as the nation’s economy witnessed another setback when the federal government further slashed the states allocation by over 70 percent as many states are currently languishing in the muddy of debts.

This economic imbalance and political exigency led many states to bankruptcy as some states are presently plaguing with economic crisis of unpaid salaries and pensions of workers.

In recent times, Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, released a fierce report on the

Consulate General of American Embassy, Lagos State, Mr. Jeffery Hawkins (right), his Wife Annie Hawkins, (2nd right), Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (left) and Director Sahara Group, Mr. Tony Cole during the Valedictory Get-Together Dinner Party in Lagos

nation’s economy in respect to the salary arrears owe it members, where about 23 states were allegedly owing at least three to twelve months workers’ salaries and emoluments.

However, there is no sacred cow among the allegedly owing states as Osun has never exonerated from the fact that it owes its workforce and this has never been kept secret by the current administration, but there is no reason why the political jobbers, interlopers and detractors will see the menace as a way of deriving pleasure and mock on the crucial issues that were sacrosanct to the welfare and well-being of the state in the face of economic reality.

It is evident that before this unpalatable economic crisis ravaged the nation, governor Aregbesola was one of the first governors that stood affront to domesticate the minimum wage proposed by the labour unions and hitherto domesticated it in the state.

Aregbesola engineered the payment of Annual Leap Bonus otherwise known as 13th month Salary across the civil service and as well prioritized the interest of the workers at heart without discrimination.

On his assumption of office, Governor Aregbesola evolved workers-friendly mechanism and policy to foster peaceful and harmonious working relationship between the government and the state workers, and this highly yielded a strong mutual understanding and habitual co-existence that brings about the payment of workers’ salary arrears on or before 25th of every month.

But quite unfortunate, when the state statutory allocation was drastically reduced to unbearable percentage, the state that had saved over N10 billion was forced to embark on the reserved money in order to pay its workforce.

Not until the state exhausted its reserves, the payment of workers’ salaries was not hindered as they (workers) smiled to the bank every month.

Aregbesola greater level of financial

discipline, accountability, transparency, moral virtues and fair play disposition had made him to record landmark and laudable achievements in all sectors despite the dwindling federal allocation to the state.

It is evident that if not the Governor’s financial prudence, the state would have witnessed huge debts on the verge at fulfilling its constitutional obligations and duties particularly on the payment of workers’ salaries in the last two years.

Meanwhile, findings revealed that Aregbesola’s economic and financial reengineering skills had really gone a long way in increasing the state Internally Generated Revenue IGR, from N300million he met to about N2billion monthly.

His rare gift, unwavering efforts, unprecedented public financial wisdom and selfless determination to humanity can never be in doubt because he had contributed immensely to the political emancipation and social development that have transformed the state in geometric dimension.

Aregbesola deserves nothing than applause and commendation as his political sagacity as well as his painstakingly well-designed economic policies and programmes had safeguarded the state from the haemorrhage of economic mess tormenting the nation.

But the greatest surprise is that, why we human beings seem to be discontented with the reality of nature? Why we don’t seem to appreciate the good work of others? Why we are sometimes full of ulterior motives towards the good deeds of others?

Why people believe that the only way to be known is to embark on falsehood as a means of gaining public attention and cheap sympathy.

Why we always felt being unsatisfied based on emotions? Why do we mock and instigate people against government policies and programmes?

Answers to these questions will definitely provide better way to our economic reality as a corporate entity.

19

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Eni side-lined but leading the cheers Eniola Aluko has expressed her happiness after England qualified for the semi - final of the Women’s World Cup following their hard fought 2 - 1 win against hosts Canada in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Nigeria-born striker, who also has a first class law degree, started the tournament as first choice, but has had to give way to back-ups Toni Duggan and Jodie Taylor in the last three games, and it was Taylor who pounced on a defensive mistake early on against Canada to give the Lionesses the lead.

Curiously, manager Mark Sampson elected not to substitute Taylor when, by her own admission, she was beginning to wilt under the intense pressure of holding on to a, by then, 2-1 lead late on. Taylor had worked hard and definitely justified her starting role, but many observers were surprised the opportunity to bring on a fresh pair of legs, be they Aluko’s or Duggan’s, was not taken to help keep the ball in the Canadian half of the pitch.

Aluko, whose brother Sone has elected to play for Nigeria, was nevertheless delighted with her team’s performance and thanked her well - wishers for their support in her column on The BBC Sport website.

“It’s hard putting into words the feeling we experienced at the final whistle against

Zamalek FC Eni Aluko made history last year, becoming the first female professional football pundit on the BBC’s Match Of The Day

Canada,” wrote the Chelsea number 9, adding: “I’ve been on the bench, but as a substitute you become the biggest supporter, kicking every ball and cheering every goal. You probably saw all of us pile onto the pitch afterwards. That just shows how together this inspirational group of players

is and I’m proud of everyone.”

On social media she tweeted: ‘’Semi Final of the World Cup!!! Feels surreal to tweet it!!! Another great performance from this team! Bring on #JAP now #England,” followed by a picture of the final whistle celebrations with the caption: ‘’That moment you reach the semi-final of

@FIFAWWC. Thank you all for your support back home! My family & friends.’’

England’s Lionesses will take on world champions Japan today (Wednesday) for an opportunity to play the USA in what would be a first World Cup Final for any England team at any level for 49 years!

Ebola ban lifted just as virus makes comeback Continued from back page

The bans on Sierra Leone and Guinea remain and after being declared Ebola-free two months ago, Liberia suffered a setback this week with a fresh outbreak. While the ban was in force, Liberian national teams and clubs staged matches at neutral venues or forfeited home advantage.

Coach James Debbah will appreciate playing at home as his team must overcome a 3-1 first-leg deficit in the competition for home-based footballers. Liberian media blamed the Guinea defeat on eight players being kicked out of the squad for allegedly sneaking out of a training camp.

The suspensions reportedly deflated morale and finding replacements delayed the departure of the team from Monrovia, forcing the first leg in Bamako to be postponed 24 hours. Amadou Camara bagged a first-half brace for Guinea and after Allison Dweh halved the deficit, Ibrahim Sory Sankhon restored the two-goal advantage.

Liberia are traditionally poor at over22

turning deficits, and their best chance of survival may be to win 2-0 and squeeze through on the away-goal rule.

Zimbabwe take a 2-0 lead and a 100 percent away record of six victories in three previous qualifying competitions to the Comoros. However, the island nation will draw hope from having restricted the hot favourites to a one-goal advantage in Harare until Tatenda Mudewe scored a minute from time.

Zim midfielders Ronald Chitiyo and Wisdom Mutasa and strikers Thomas Chideu and Evans Rusike miss the return match after being invited for trials outside the country.

“It will be challenging working with new players because developing combinations takes time,” admitted coach Callisto Pasuwa, adding: “We dare not underrate the Comoros, who boast well-built footballers and are dangerous from set pieces.”

Namibia have vowed to attack 2009 CHAN bronze medallists Zambia in Lusaka rather than defend a 2-1 first-leg advantage.

Eni Aluko made history last year, becoming the first female professional football pundit

“We must go at them,” stressed Namibia coach and former goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo. “I believe our speed and tactical discipline can bring success.”

Kenya have to wipe out a 2-0 away loss to Ethiopia if they are to remain in contention for a place at the 2016 tournament being hosted by fellow east Africans Rwanda.

The Kenyans’ task under Scottish coach Bobby Williamson would have been easier had Kevin Kimani not had a late penalty saved by Tarik Getnet.

Uganda and Burundi appear set to advance in the other east African ties having built leads away to Tanzania and Djibouti respectively.

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Team boss predicts African cyclist on podium within 5 years An African rider will stand on the podium at a Grand Tour within five years. So says the boss of the continent’s first team to race the Tour de France.

Team principal Doug Ryder has two Eritreans and three South Africans in his nine-man MTN-Qhubeka line-up at this year’s Tour.

“This team, and Africa, can transform cycling,” he told BBC World Service.

“We will have an African rider standing on the podium in a Grand Tour in the next three to five years.”

A South African-sponsored team, Barloworld, took part in the 2007 and 2008 Tours and riders with African heritage - including Kenya-born Briton Chris Froome, who won the 2013 edition - have competed previously in the Tour de France.

But MTN-Qhubeka, based in South Africa since their creation in 1997 by former professional cyclist Ryder, is the first genuinely African team invited to participate, with this year’s Tour starting on Saturday in Utrecht, in the Netherlands.

It includes the first Eritreans to take part - Daniel Teklehaimanot, 26, the best climber in last month’s Criterium du Dauphine won by Froome, and his 21-yearold compatriot Merhawi Kudus, who completed the Vuelta a Espana last year.

Three South African riders - Louis Meintjes and the unrelated Jacques Janse van Rensburg and Reinardt Janse van Rensburg - are supplemented by Briton Steve Cummings, Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen, American Tyler Farrar and Belgian Serge Pauwels.

“We are not just here to make up the numbers, we are here to compete,” Ryder insists.

Eritrean Daniel Teklehaimanot, the best climber in last month’s Criterium du Dauphine

“This team has earned its right to be in the Tour de France. They have risen out of the also-rans of the peloton and really shown that they are able to compete at this level.

“Our team will be a breath of fresh air for the Tour because cycling is not just a European sport, it’s a sport that should be participated in by people all around the world.

“I can’t tell you the level of support and interest we’ve had in Eritrea from the President down. This team will open the door for African riders to make this breakthrough into world cycling and that door will never be closed.”

Ryder has been working on getting an African team into cycling’s most presti-

gious stage race for a decade, and admits “it seemed like an insurmountable task”. “’Are you crazy? You must be smoking some cheap herb Doug, it’s never going to happen,’” he recalls being told by the doubters. But confirmation of the team’s entry into the Tour finally arrived this year… via text message.

“Tour Director Christian Prudhomme sent me an SMS and I didn’t have his number in my phone,” he laughs.

“The message read ‘Doug, welcome to the Tour de France, please call me’. I was like what? Really? You get an invite and this guy sends you an SMS… that’s how you get told!

“But now we are here we are doing it and it’s the realisation of a dream.”

Ncikazi takes charge of Maritzburg

Following the departure of head coach Steve Komphela to join Kaizer Chiefs, Maritzburg United have since roped in his assistant Mandla Ncikazi.

Ncikazi was appointed to the hot seat, ending speculation as to who could be Komphela’s replacement after former Golden Arrows coach Shaun Bartlett and ex-Chippa United tactician Ernst middendorp were linked to the job.

According to local media reports, the Team of Choice has appointed Ncikazi and he’s set to be assisted by ex-Middendorp right-hand man Fadlu Davids, who recent-

ly resigned from a similar position with the Chilli Boys.

Davids played for the Maritzburg outfit for a number of seasons before taking up the coaching role and he returns to help Ncikazi.

Meanwhile, the legal battle involving Komphela and the club seems to be far from over, as both parties have not settled the matter yet.

The club’s hierarchy, led by the chairman Farouk Kadodia, was reported to be considering taking the legal route to hold the former Bafana Bafana skipper Komphela accountable.

“There has been no finality on the issue yet and our legal team will decide the best way of sorting out this situation,” Kadodia was quoted.

“What we are getting from Komphela’s camp is that the reason why this matter has not been sorted out it’s because they are basically dependant on the new team [Kaizer Chiefs] to take care of the matter.

“But this is a matter between Maritzburg and Komphela, not his new team. He knew very well that he was supposed to take care of the compensation before 1 July.”

END – Use attached image. Caption: Ncikazi coach of Maritzburg United

Parker wants Bafana return

Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker wants to play for South Africa’s national side again and believes he has ‘a lot to give’ to Bafana Bafana.

The 29-year-old was again overlooked for this weekend’s African Nations Championship qualifier against Mauritius.

Although he was part of Bafana’s squad at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, he has generally been ignored by coach Shakes Mashaba.

And Parker believes that his record as a goal scorer at both club and international level down the years suggests he can still do a job for Bafana.

“I do feel that I still got a lot to give to Bafana Bafana. I have proven over the years,” Parker is quoted on KickOff. “I have proven with different coaches and I have proven this time around where I scored vital goals when coming back from a crazy injury.

“If the coach gives me a chance, I will definitely go out there and do what I have always been doing for Bafana.” Parker has scored 23 goals in 68 appearances for South Africa’s senior national team.

Gueye targeted by Villa

Senegal and Lille midfielder Idrissa Gueye is the subject of a £9million bid from Aston Villa, according to the Daily Mail.

The 25-year-old was wanted by Southampton as a potential replacement for Morgan Schneiderlin (who is being targeted by bigger Premier League clubs), though he seems more likely to move to Olympique Marseille.

However, with a move to OM not yet nailed down, a fresh rush of bids came in from Villa, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Southampton again, with the clubs all hoping to hijack the transfer.

The Daily Mail reports that Villa director of recruitment Paddy Reilly was able to agree a fee with Lille, who need to agree to sell the player by today for financial reasons.

Gueye has been described by former France international and Senegal coach Alain Giresse as being “as good as Jean Tigana”.

Giresse, now coaching Mali, added: “Gueye has stature, he has a good sense of anticipation and responds quickly. He is precise in his use of the ball and has started to add goals to his game too.

“In the dressing room, he is quiet and discreet, he has a good state of mind, he is a competitor.”

23

Friday, 3 July - Thursday, 9 July 2015 ISSUE 586

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Team boss predicts African cyclist on podium within 5 years

SEE PAGE 23

INTERNATIONALS RETURN TO LIBERIA

Ebola ban lifted just as virus makes comeback

By Alan Oakley

At the end of a week that has seen at least two new cases of Ebola diagnosed in Liberia seven weeks after the West African nation had been declared Ebola-free, international football returns this weekend when the Lone Stars host Guinea in a 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier.

A 13-month long Ebola suspension was scrapped in May by African football governing body CAF and Guinea will be the first foreign side to play in Monrovia since that decision.

Liberia defeated Lesotho at home in May last year in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. But as the epidemic spread -leading to a World Health Organizationestimated death toll of 11,207 -- Liberia,

Sierra Leone and Guinea were prevented from hosting international football.

The bans on Sierra Leone and Guinea remain and after being declared Ebolafree two months ago, Liberia suffered a setback this week with a fresh outbreak.

While the ban was in force, Liberian national teams and clubs staged matches at neutral venues or forfeited home advantage.

Continued on page 22

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