African Voice Newspaper issue 588

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Friday, 10 July - Thursday, 16 July 2015 ISSUE 587

SINCE 2001

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

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Eska, one of UK’s most promising music acts to amplify their sound abroad

BME students condemn Osborne for cutting Maintenance Grants SEE PAGE 2

SEE PAGE 11 Like us on Facebook facebook.com/africanvoicenews Follow us on Twitter @africanvoice2

DEMAND ON GAY LAWS MAY

AFFECT NIGERIA – UK RELATIONS

By Mike Abiola

In the spirit of a new democratic dispensation and a no nonsense government led by President Muhammed Buhari, the Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida delivered a tough speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House on Thursday 9 July on Reflections on Nigeria – UK Relations.

Departing from the usual subtle diplomacy that is the hallmark of his over seven years of service as High Commissioner in the UK, Dr. Tafida touched on thorny issues that can improve the Nigeria – UK partnership. Speaking to an audience in a room with policy makers from Foreign & Commonwealth Office, House of Commons and others, he said, at the moment Nigeria needs Britain to support the war against Boko Haram insurgency, but the UK, our supposed patron is still foot dragging in rendering support to Nigeria. Requests for military equipments, intelligence and training facilities have not been satisfactorily considered by the relevant UK Authorities. Nigeria was denied the purchase of bullet proof vests by the relevant UK authorities based on a rather flimsy and unfounded excuse of corruption, and human right abuses by the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Evolving Engagements in a Changing Global Context - From left: Dr. Alex Vines OBE, His Excellency Dr. Dalhatu Tafida Nigeria High Commissioner, Dr. C.U. Gwam and Mr T.G. Adeniyi

Political Matters Bi-national Commission is symbolic of efforts at deepening and widening relations between two countries. Unfortu-

nately there appears to be some hesitation

by UK authorities to have a Bi-National Commission (BNC) with Nigeria despite the fact that Nigeria has the same BNC

with the United States of America, Canada, South Africa, Germany and

Continued on page 4

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Have You News Got News David Cameron to immortalise UK victims of the Tunisian attack For Us Newsdesk: 020 3737 3077

Email: africanvoicenews@gmail.com

New rules kick in for employment agencies

Employment agencies have until 5 August to make sure they are complying with new HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) rules.

New legislation, introduced in April

2015, requires businesses which supply

two or more workers to a client without

operating PAYE to report details of payments made to HMRC on a quarterly basis.

Ruth Owen, Director General Personal

Tax, said: “While the vast majority of em-

ployment intermediaries play by the rules, a minority try to avoid their legal obligation to pay the right Income Tax and National Insurance contributions.

“Some

employment

intermediaries

have been helping people to claim they are self-employed when they are not. The new rules will help HMRC crack down on people trying to bend the rules.”

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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Funding will be made available for a memorial dedicated to the victims of last week’s terrorist attack in Tunisia and a separate site of remembrance for all UK nationals who have been killed in terrorist atrocities overseas, Prime Minister David Cameron announced.

The Prime Minister also confirmed plans for a special service for those caught up in the Tunisian atrocity to be held in the autumn.

The announcements come as the country prepares to remember the 52 victims, and hundreds of survivors, of the 7/7 London bombings. There will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial in Hyde Park and a national service of commemoration at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the tenth anniversary.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: Those who lost their lives in Tunisia last week were innocent victims of a brutal terrorist atrocity. It is right that we mark and commemorate them and others murdered by terrorists overseas, appropriately and support the loved ones they have left behind in every way we can.

The memorials will be funded by banking fines, which are allocated by Chancellor George Osborne. Mr Osborne decided that good causes should benefit from the misdemeanours of bankers, and that penalties levied by the Financial Conduct Authority should be reserved for such a purpose. More details will be announced in this week’s Budget.

Foreign Office minister Tobias Ell-

PM David Cameron (centre) during a nationwide minute’s silence for the victims of Tunisia attack

wood, whose brother Jonathan was killed in the Bali bombing of 2002, will continue to work closely with the families to ensure the government does all it can to support their immediate needs and to discuss the longer-term plan for the memorial and remembrance service.

Mr Ellwood said the government would discuss the location and design of the memorial to the Tunisia victims with their families in the months ahead.

He said: This memorial will be for the families, so we want to talk to them about our plans to determine what they feel is most appropriate. It could well be that it is located in the north, since very sadly most of the victims were from that part of the country.

Having been through a similar situation, I know how important it is that these families, who have been united by a single

tragedy, have that marked in one place.

They will end up providing mutual support to each other, and to have this memorial to their loved ones will be very important. It is also right that the nation recognises the scale of this appalling event.

Mr Ellwood, who has led a long campaign for a single memorial to all victims of terrorism overseas, said he was delighted this would also go ahead.

Sadly, we live in very difficult and dangerous times. We have to recognise that there are many victims of terrorism who do not have a grave, whose families don’t have a place where they can lay flowers and grieve in the normal way.

It is therefore appropriate that we have a national memorial for those caught up in terrorism abroad. These people must never be forgotten.

BME students condemn Osborne for cutting Maintenance Grants

By Milton Tella

Students have reacted to the summer budget of Chancellor George Osborne with dismay. Most BME students are disappointed that maintenance grants will be replaced with loans for new full-time students starting their courses from September 2016.

The government says, From 1 September 2016 the student finance package will include a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan only. Students will still be able to apply for grants if they’re eligible for certain benefits.

Speaking to African Voice, Adebanke Banks a graduate of Canterbury Christ Church University says, ‘students from poor background will be adversely affected. The burden of loan repayment will be higher as Maintenance Grant now be-

comes loan’.

Changes to the maintenance package will only apply to new students. They will not affect students starting courses from September 2015 onwards in the 2015 to 2016 academic year or those who are already at university.

New full-time students starting in September 2016, whose family income is up to £42,620, will be able to apply from January 2016 for maintenance loans. The maximum amount of support will rise by £766 to £8,200 a year (up to £10,702 for those studying in London) and will apply to students with household income of less than £25,000 a year.

Universities and other higher education providers will continue to offer a range of their own grants and bursaries with differing criteria. Students should always check with the institution they are planning to attend and find out what extra help they can

Chancellor George Osbourne

provide.

Tuition fee loans for courses starting in September 2016 will remain. Most new full-time students will not have to pay up front, and graduates only have to repay their loans when they are earning above £21,000.

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News

Demand on Gay laws may affect Nigeria – UK Relations Continued from front page

Poland. We are at the verge of having the same framework of cooperation with Turkey and Russia. There is a draft BNC between Nigeria and the United Kingdom that created four great structures that would enhance the relationship between our two countries. These are namely: Power and energy, Economic relations, Political consultations and Education, Migration and Cultural matters. The last structure whose implementation is mutually beneficial for instance, would address such issues as capacity building and human capital development, opportunities for exchange of programs on information technology, fight against irregular migration, cultural diplomacy, prisoner transfer agreement and media exchanges.

Cultural difference The High Commissioner expressed concern on the issue of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual (LGBT). He said, ‘the current unfriendly position against Nigeria by the UK and its Non-Governmental Organisations regarding Nigeria’s human rights record. The NGOs have continued unabatedly to pressure Nigeria to abro-

gate our democratically enacted laws on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual (LGBT). We in Nigeria see it as a cultural difference to the extent that we cannot impose polygamy, widely practised in Nigeria on the UK’.

Economic partnership Trade and investment between Nigeria and the UK, has been characterized largely by export of oil and gas and few agricultural produce from Nigeria to the UK, with the latter exporting mainly manufactured goods to the former. The strict regulations in the UK as regards standardization, processing and packaging of agricultural produce and high tariffs have largely hindered export from the non-oil sectors in Nigeria to the UK. Dr. Tafida expressed disappointment with the delay in concluding the Economic Partnership Agreement being negotiated at the level of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries has not helped matters, due to the vacuum created by lack of harmonization of the trade laws among the member states, and in particular, the bilateral trade between Nigeria and the UK.

From left: Mr. A.S. Ogah, Dr. Alex Vines OBE, His Excellency Dr. Dalhatu Tafida Nigeria High Commissioner, Dr. C.U. Gwam and Mr T.G. Adeniyi

Deportation The High Commissioner noted that Nigerians are not treated with dignity. He said, with millions of Nigerians living in Britain, the British attitude towards them has often been unreceptive with lack of sympathy especially during downturn in the economic situation in Britain. Foreigners

(Nigerians included) are made scapegoats.

They are accused of taking jobs from Britons, even though they principally do the jobs Britons refuse to do. They are also accused of exploiting Britain’s generous social security system. Those caught residing in the country illegally are subject to racial abuses and sometimes physical assaults as they are forcibly deported.

Fake Sierra Leonean immigration adviser jailed

Sierra Leonean who falsely licitor and had no connection to the firm.

Upon sentencing, Judge Nicolas Lorclaimed to be a solicitor found guilty of providing unregulated raine –Smith said: “I’m satisfied you are immigration advice and services. manipulative and greedy. You have been

Mr Martin Solomon Randolph Kekurah, 64, a Sierra Leone national of Fortune Place, Bermondsey, London, was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court on 3 July 2015.

He was found guilty of providing unregulated immigration advice and services.

Mr Kekurah falsely claimed to be a solicitor with Clintons Solicitors, a company which had formerly been in existence but at the time of the offences had ceased trading. Mr Kekurah was not qualified as a so4

preying on vulnerable people who needed

immigration advice. You knew what you were doing was wrong and you have done

everything possible to avoid detection and conviction”.

Speaking about the decision, Immigra-

tion Services Commissioner, Suzanne McCarthy, said: “Illegally providing immi-

gration advice is a serious offence, and the sentence handed down today reflects this.

Peddling illegal immigration advice ruins people’s lives”.

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Health News

Ebola could lead to sharp rise in maternal mortality – World Bank report The loss of health workers due to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa may result in an additional 4,022 deaths of women each year across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as a result of complications in pregnancy and childbirth.

According to the new World Bank report Healthcare Worker Mortality and the Legacy of the Ebola Epidemic published in The Lancet Global Health today, the recent outbreak of Ebola in West Africa could leave a legacy significantly beyond the deaths and disability caused directly by the disease itself.

“The loss of health workers to Ebola could increase maternal deaths up to rates last seen in these countries 15-20 years ago,” says Markus Goldstein, Lead Economist at the World Bank Group and a co-author of the report who heads the World Bank’s Africa Gender Innovation Lab. The paper estimates how the loss of health workers to Ebola will likely

affect non-Ebola mortality even after the countries are declared Ebola-free.

Maternal mortality could increase by 38% in Guinea, 74% in Sierra Leone, and 111% in Liberia.

Since the Ebola epidemic hit Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, health workers have died at a higher rate than any other population group, exacerbating skill shortages in countries that had very few trained health personnel to begin with.

Even once the countries reach zero Ebola cases, this will negatively affect the health of their populations.

As of May 2015, 0.11% of Liberia’s entire general population had died due to Ebola, as compared with 8.07% of its health workers, defined in the study as doctors, nurses and midwives. In Sierra Leone, the loss was 0.06% of the general population compared with 6.85% of the health workers, while 0.02% of Guinea’s overall population had died compared with 1.45% of all health workers.

According to the report this translates into a 10% reduction in doctors in Liberia

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

(which only had about 50 to start) and an 8% reduction in nurses and midwives. In Sierra Leone, it means a 5% reduction in doctors and a 7% reduction in nurses and midwives. In Guinea, the reduction is smaller, 2% for doctors and 1% for nurses.

At the outset of the epidemic, the World Health Organization ranked Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea as 2nd, 5th and 28th from the bottom, respectively, among 193 countries in terms of doctors per 1,000 people.

“Ebola has weakened already very fragile health systems in these countries,” says David Evans, Senior Economist at the World Bank Group and co-author of the report. “Ebola’s devastating impact should be the catalyst to strengthen the health systems far beyond their pre-Ebola levels.”

The report suggests that to save these lives, 240 doctors, nurses and midwives would need to be hired immediately 6

across the three countries. This is a small fraction of the 43,565 doctors, nurses and midwives that would need to be deployed in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to achieve sufficient access to essential health services as implied by the Millennium Development Goals.

“These countries require urgent investment in health systems starting with a substantial increase in the number of trained health workers,” says Dr. Tim Evans, Senior Director of Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank Group.

“This is to ensure that Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are not only equipped to deal with future deadly epidemics but that every day, mothers have access to the quality health care they need that will save their lives and prepare them for a more promising future.”

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Korea Partners With Eight African Countries and World Bank Group to Build Skills With support from the World Bank Group, eight African governments are collaborating with the Republic of Korea to strengthen human resources and build skills locally in the applied sciences, engineering and technology.

Senior officials from the Korea Development Institute are in Addis Ababa this week to discuss proposals for transformation in priority sectors with representatives from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. The high-level conference is hosted by the Government of Ethiopia and the World Bank Group.

“Ethiopia is pleased to host this conference as we think there is a lot to be gained from mutual partnership with new partners and investors such as Korea,” said Kabba Urgessa, State Minister for Higher Education, Ethiopia. “We particularly appreciate that this knowledge-sharing is now taking place in a structured and

efficient way, maximizing the benefits for a number of countries.”

“The Republic of Korea is keenly interested in supporting socioeconomic growth in Africa,” said Siwook Lee, Executive Director, Center for International Development, Korea Development Institute. “We expect that the continent will be a key pole of global economic growth, and are interested in partnering with more African countries to enhance their capacity in policy making and implementation through our Knowledge Sharing Program.”

In just 50 years, Korea has transformed itself from an aid-recipient country to a donor country through rapid economic growth and prosperity. Its per capita income rose sharply from US$67 in the early 1950s to US$ 22,670 in 2012 thanks to strong investment in education and skills, among other key factors.

“Korea’s unprecedented ascent from a war-torn and devastated country to the economic champion of today has made it a compelling example for other countries

Dr Kaba Urgessa

on the cusp of transformation, and we at the World Bank Group are delighted to facilitate this exchange,” said Haleh Bridi, Director for Regional Programs and Partnership in the Africa Region of the World Bank Group.

Drawing from its own experience of learning from advanced countries, Korea recognizes knowledge sharing as an effective and innovative tool for economic development. As a result, its Ministry of Strategy and Finance launched the Knowledge Sharing Program, a new paradigm of development cooperation, in

2004. It aims to share Korea’s development expertise, assisting the partner countries and working towards lessening the knowledge divide.

African countries hope to gain a deeper understanding of sectors in their economies which urgently require greater investment in technical skills. For instance, in one presentation, Professor Taeyoon Kim, Assistant Professor at Seoul National University, will deliver a presentation on the existing gap in technical skills in the Rwandan agricultural system, and draw on Korea’s experience to inform his analysis

Social Safety Nets Keep Millions Out of Poverty About 55 percent of the world’s poor or 773 million people with acute needs still lack safety net coverage, even though growing number of developing countries are investing in social safety nets to improve the lives of billions of poor and vulnerable people, the World Bank has said.

These people reside, especially in lower-income countries and in urban areas, and countries must take action to close this coverage gap, the bank said in its latest report.

The World Bank indicates in its State of Social Safety Nets 2015, that over 1.9 billion people in 136 low- and middleincome countries are now on beneficiary rolls of social safety net programmes.

In Africa alone, the number of countries setting up social safety net programmes has doubled over the past three years, as evidenced by rigorous evaluations that prove these programmes work.

But three quarters of the poorest people in low- and lower-middle income countries, and more than one- third of the poorest 8

people in middle-income countries, lack safety net coverage and remain at risk.

The report follows the recent joint statement by the heads of the World Bank Group and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), endorsing the goal of universal access to social protection including safety nets by 2030.

The Third Financing for Development Conference in Addis Ababa next week is an opportunity to ensure that the international community has the means to make this vision a reality.

“The World Bank Group and the ILO share a vision of social protection for all, a world where anyone who needs social protection can access it at any time,” said Jim Yong Kim, World Bank Group president, and Guy Ryder, executive director, ILO, in their joint statement.

“The new development agenda that is being defined by the world community the sustainable development goals (SDGs) provides an unparalleled opportunity for our two institutions to join forces to make universal social protection a reality, for everyone, everywhere,” they said.

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Theatre, Shows and Musicals

Arts Culture

By Edward Mirza HANG

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.

Verma, who will direct Macbeth said “SpirThe cast includes Marianne Jean-Baptiste who 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

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

Shane Zaza, Claire Rushbrook and Marianne Jean-Baptiste in Hang. Photo: Stephen Cumminskey

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

Stars Grace Launch Of New Africa Magic Sitcom - Do-Good Star actress, Kate Henshaw, was spotted looking stunning in a colourful Iconic Invanity dress at the premiere of her new TV series, ‘Do Good’

The event which was anchored by popular stand-up comic and actor, Bovi, had in attendance Nollywood stars like Kate Henshaw, Emem Isong, Basorge Tariah jnr., Charles Novia, Ini Edo, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Yibo Koko, Tony Akposheri, Funmi Holder, Segun Arinze and Toyin Aimakhu amongst many others.

Others at the event included one of Nigeria’s representatives at the popular reality show Big Brother Africa in 2014, Linda Afegbai; Femi Kuti’s ex-wife, Yeni Kuti; veteran on air personality, Olisa Adibua; comedians, Owen Gee, Lepacious Bose and Helen Paul, dance hall acts, Patoranking and Baba Dee.

Speaking at the launch, the Regional Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi MbaUzoukwu, said: “At Africa Magic we are dedicated to creating and showcasing the best content made by Africa for Africans.

This is in line with our investment strategy and our long lasting relationship with the African entertainment industry.

“It is also in line with this that we are launching Do-Good, a first of its kind Pidgin-English sitcom airing on Africa Magic Urban, which promises to be a hit with comedy lovers across the continent.”

Do-Good is a spin-off of the popular 1990s Nigerian drama series, Candlelight, and features the exploits of the titular character Do-Good, played by Tariah, who returns from his travels abroad to woo his sweetheart Emem, played Kate Henshaw.

Photo Credit: Daniel Sync

L-R: Basorge Tariah Jnr, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Kate Henshaw and Multichoice Nigeria Managing Director, John Ugbe

Beyoncé among nominees for “Best International Act” At Mama 2015

L-R: Yibo Koko, Lilian Afegbai and Olisa Adibua

Davido sets new dates for UK Concerts Beyonce

MTV Base has revealed that Beyoncé, Big Sean, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna have been nominated for Best International Act at the MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal 2015.

The urban giants will go head to head at MAMA 2015, which is sponsored by KwaZulu-Natal in association with Absolut Vodka and in partnership with The City of Durban.

The winner, chosen by music fans voting online at http://mama.mtv.com will be revealed at the live awards ceremony on Saturday 18 July at the Durban International Convention Centre, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

First introduced in 2010, the Best International Act award has been previous-

10

ly won by Pharrell Williams (2014) and Eminem (2010). Best International Act is the sole category that recognises the contribution of international artists at the MAMA. The remaining 17 awards categories are all awarded to African artists.

The MTV Africa Music Awards 2015 will broadcast live across Africa on MTVBase (DStv channel 322), MTV (DStv channel 130) and BET (DStv channel 129) on Saturday July 18, 2015 at 9:00PM. The show will also be transmitted worldwide on partner stations and content platforms including BET International from 18 July. In addition, a special MAMA-themed edition of MTV’s acclaimed World Stage franchise will air globally on MTV channels around the world on 27 August 2015.

Ahead of his anticipated UK tour 2015, OBO (Davido) met with members of the UK media, bloggers and DJ’s to officially announce the dates for the last quarter of the year concerts.

Davido who recently dropped a hit

collaboration with Meek Mill (Fans Mi), racking up 1 Million YouTube views

within 5 days; kick starts his UK tour in London on the 25th September 2015 at the famous London venue, The Troxy.

Davido who arrived at the press brief-

ing on a 2 wheels electric scooter will also perform in Birmingham, Southamp-

ton and few other cities during this tour of the United Kingdom.

Photo Credit: Daniel Sync

Davido

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Culture Culture

Eska, one of UK’s most promising music acts to amplify their sound abroad

By Milton Tella

Eska Mtungwazi, a Zimbabweanborn London-raised singer is set to hit it big with her gorgeous song Gatekeeper. Eska’s new debut album, released recently should be up for this year’s Mercury Prize shortlist.

Having played with leading artistes such as Tony Allen, Baba Maal, Bobby McFerrin, Eska music captivates with her bible storyline. She writes songs, plays piano, violin, acoustic guitar and other instruments. Her music which range between jazz, soul and R &B has been performed at major festivals such as London Jazz Festival, Jazz Voice and Cheltenham Jazz Festival.

Eska is one of the nineteen UK music acts to receive government funding to export their music abroad. The funding to boost sales of British music around the world by financially supporting small and medium sized independent music companies in their overseas activities. Included on this round’s list are 2 BBC Sound of 2015 shortlisted artists, this year’s Hot Press Most Promising Act in Ireland and a forthcoming support act for the Rolling Stones.

Commenting on the scheme, Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: Music is a defining part of British culture, from the British Invasion in the 1960s to 90s Britpop.

I joined the music faithful at this year’s Glastonbury, witnessing first hand our

country’s musical talent and the passion of festival-goers come rain or shine.

The government is banging the drum for the UK’s fledgling music stars and promoting the UK’s world-class sound in overseas markets. The scheme highlights the strength of the UK’s creative industries and the benefits they deliver to the UK economy.

Over the last 18 months the Music Export Growth Scheme, which is run by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and UK music body BPI - has awarded support to 89 independent music companies across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. According to estimated figures from BPI, this has generated an approximate return on investment of £8.50 for every £1 invested.

Music Export Growth Scheme recipient Eska said: ‘I am very thankful for the support of UKTI and BPI which will enable the promotion of my album and open opportunities to tour in Europe.

The critical acclaim garnered by my debut album and live performances in the UK has already been generating interest internationally and without this vital and timely support, it would not be possible to pursue any of these exciting performance opportunities.

The announcement follows news that British artists now account for 1 in 7 of all artist albums sold around the world, signalling the most successful year on record for British music overseas’.

Eska Mtungwazi

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News

Al Shabaab militants launch attack in northern Kenya Al Shabaab militants killed at least 14 “Christian Kenyans” in northern Kenya on Tuesday, officials said, the latest in a wave of attacks in the east African nation by the Somali-led Islamists.

The attack occurred just outside the town of Mandera in Kenya’s far northeastern region, which borders Ethiopia and war-torn Somalia, and comes a little more than two weeks before US President Barack Obama is due to make his first presidential visit to Kenya, where his father was born.

“People were sleeping when the attack happened. They just came and hurled explosives into the houses,” said Mandera County Commissioner Alex Ole Nkoyo, confirming 14 people had been killed in the attack.

“These were al-Shabaab from the nature of the attack. They used explosives and guns,” he said.

A pro-Shabaab website, Somalimemo, said the Al-Qaeda-affiliated rebels had confirmed they carried out the attack against “Christian Kenyans”.

A regional commissioner, Mohamud Saleh, said the attackers were believed to be Shabaab members based in Kenya’s northeast, which has seen a string of attacks in recent months.

“We believe the assailants are members

of al-Shabaab terror group who are operating from sleeper cells in Mandera town,” Saleh told reporters in Garissa, where in April the Shabaab massacred 148 people at the town’s university, most of them students.

He said up to 150 people were targeted in the attack and praised the security forces for responding quickly.

“Our security officers have done a commendable job by rescuing 136 people from

the hands of the bloodthirsty terror gangs,” he said, adding any loss of life was “painful”.

Interior Minister Joseph Nkaissery, however, said the attackers had “sneaked into the country” from Somalia and had then “run back to Somalia”. He added that 130 residents were evacuated from the area.

“We are still undertaking a security operation in the area,” he told reporters.

Christian workers targeted

The target of the attack was a guarded compound that is home to labourers who work in nearby quarries. Many labourers who work in the Muslim-majority border region are Christians from central Kenya.

Kenya’s National Disaster Operation Centre said 13 of the dead were “nonlocals” and one was from the area. It said five of the wounded had been airlifted to Nairobi for treatment.

Under pressure in Somalia, where it has for years been fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government, Shabaab is now increasingly targeting Kenya. It has also stepped up attacks during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

In late 2014, 28 passengers were dragged from a bus near Mandera and executed. Days later in the same area, 36 quarry workers were pulled from their tents at night and murdered - after which many have moved to more secure locations such as the one that was attacked.

In 2013, four Shabaab gunmen killed at least 67 people in an assault on the Westgate mall in the capital Nairobi.

The upsurge in cross-border attacks and the emergence of Kenya-based Shabaab cells is now Kenya’s number-one security headache, as well as being a strategic blow given that Nairobi sent troops into southern Somalia in 2011 in the hope they would protect the long, porous border.

South Sudan government to introduce coins on Independence Day New coins of the South Sudanese Pound (SSP) will be circulating in the economy, starting on 9 July as the country mark its 4th independence day with some parts of the country in crisis.

This is according to the specialized committee of economy, finance and development in the South Sudan’s national parliament.

The chairperson of the committee, Gach Makuach, told Sudan Tribune that the coins will be in the denominations of 5, 20 and 50 piastres. MP Makuach said the country now needed to produce things locally such that the local produce will be bought with coins other than using one pound upwards.

He said the public should remain calm despite the rising inflation in the country, saying this will be corrected in time.

“Secondly, the public may say that why are you producing this one at this time while the inflation is so high and the rates are so high. Yes, there will be a time where this inflation will come down,” Makuach said.

The coin is made of the head of the sitting president Salva Kiir hence drawing mixed reactions in the streets before its 12

circulation, with many questioning why the head of Kiir in the coins.

Abraham Deng said producing the coin with the sitting president’s head will clearly show that Kiir is a true dictator that all the rest will follow once they take over from him in the future in a country where leaders are ambitious to steal history.

Deng added that, producing the coin with the head of the “former hero Garang” was recommendable other than making it in president Kiir’s picture “despite the great evils he has caused [to] the economy of South Sudan.”

This is the first effort by South Sudan to make one pound divisible since independence in 2011.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the governor of the Bank of South Sudan, Kornelio Koryom, said that the move came because small denomination paper notes had proven unpopular.

“Many people did not want it. They said it cannot buy anything, you need to accumulate a lot of it so that you can be able to buy something,” said Koryom.

Last year, the bank introduced the smaller amount notes of 5, 10, and 25 piastre, to enable citizens buy items less than a pound.

“They are created for those who will buy needles, those who will buy shirt buttons, those who will buy tobacco and so many other things,” he added.

Governor Koryom said the smaller coins will continue to help people buy essential commodities of all prices. He confirmed that the launch of the new coins will be witnessed on 9 July as the country marks it 4th independence day at John Garang’s ground in Juba and across the country.

Meanwhile, the UK Minister for Africa appalled by failure to secure peace in South Sudan. Speaking on the fourth anniversary of South Sudan’s independence Minister for

Africa, James Duddridge MP, said: Today should be a time for celebration in South Sudan, instead 2.2 million are displaced from their homes and 4.6 million are at risk of life-threatening hunger. It is appalling that the country’s leaders have continually failed to meet the hopes and aspirations of their people while squandering the country’s oil wealth on a senseless war.

All sides are responsible for ongoing military actions, violations of international humanitarian law, and widespread human rights abuses against civilians, including children.

The South Sudanese Parliament’s decision to temporarily extend the government takes effect today. This must be used for one purpose: to secure a peace deal immediately and form a transitional government of national unity. With our Troika (the US and Norway) and EU partners the United Kingdom stands steadfast in its support to the people of South Sudan, today and for the long term. I urge all sides to finally put the people first and demonstrate the leadership necessary to forge a lasting peace.

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Friday, 10 July - Thursday, 16 July 2015

Greece

Greek debt crisis: Big banks may shutdown

Iran

Major powers turn the screws for Iran nuclear deal Foreign ministers from major powers were set on Thursday to turn the screws on Iran to finalise a historic nuclear deal on the eve of a deadline to present it to US lawmakers.

Some large Greek banks may have to be shut and taken over by stronger rivals as part of a restructuring of the sector that would follow any bailout of the country, European officials have told Reuters.

European leaders will gather on Sunday in a last-ditch attempt to salvage agreement with Greece after months of acrimonious negotiations that have taken the country to the brink of leaving the euro.

But regardless of whether or not fresh funds are now unlocked for the government, some Greek banks, damaged by political and economic havoc, may have to be closed and merged with stronger rivals, officials, who asked not to be named, told Reuters.

One official said that Greece’s four big banks - National Bank of Greece, Eurobank, Piraeus and Alpha Bank - could be reduced to just two, a measure that would doubtless encounter fierce resistance in Athens.

A second person said that although

mergers of banks were necessary, this could happen over the longer term.

“The Greek economy is in ruins. That means the banks need a restart,” said the first person, adding that prompt action was necessary following any bailout between Athens and the euro zone. “Cyprus could be a role model.”

“You have a tiny bit of time ... you would do restructuring straight away.”

Greece’s financial system has been at the heart of the current crisis, haemorrhaging deposits as relations between the radical left-wing government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and creditors worsened.

After Athens defaulted on debt owed to the International Monetary Fund last month, the ECB froze emergency funding for the banks, precipitating their temporary closure and a 60-euro daily limit on withdrawals from cash machines.

A decision by Greek voters last week to reject bailout terms offered by the country’s international creditors prompted the ECB to maintain its cap, meaning that the banks will run out of cash soon.

If the US Congress does not receive the text by early Friday morning Vienna time midnight in Washington - it makes the approval process longer and potentially more problematic.

But despite this pressure, and almost two weeks of talks in the Austrian capital, it is unclear whether an accord aimed at ending a 13-year standoff can be sewn up at all, let alone in time.

Building on a framework agreement from April, the deal would see Iran dismantle large parts of its nuclear infrastructure in order to put a nuclear bomb out of reach.

In return, a web of painful United Nations and Western sanctions on Iran which denies wanting the bomb - would

be progressively lifted once the UN atomic watchdog verified Tehran had fulfilled its promises.

Highly complex agreement “We have come a long way over the past 21 months of negotiations over my country’s nuclear energy programme,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote in the Financial Times.

“Never have Iran and its counterparts been this close to a final accord. But success is far from assured... Serious political decisions still need to be made,” he said.

Pakistan

Pakistani PM Sharif meets Malala in Oslo

USA

More Confederate flags to be lowered

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai held their first official meeting on Wednesday after both attended a UN education summit in Oslo.

The House of Representatives has voted to ban the display of rebel Confederate flags at historic federal cemeteries in the deep South.

Pressure has mounted to ban display of the Confederate battle flag on state and federal property in the wake of last month’s murders at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina. The suspect was seen with the flag in photos.

The move in Congress came late on

Tuesday after a brief debate on a measure funding the National Park Service, which maintains national cemeteries, most of which contain graves of Civil War soldiers.

The proposal would block the Park Service from allowing private groups from decorating graves of southern soldiers with Confederate flags in states that commemorate Confederate Memorial Day.

The 17-year-old activist, who was shot and nearly killed by the Taliban in Pakistan in October 2012 for insisting girls had a right to an education, said Sharif told her his government would support her if she decided to visit the country.

“He said my country is always there for me. And I said that it is my responsibility as a Pakistani to return to Pakistan and help people there,” Malala, who has made her home in Britain, told public broadcaster NRK, adding that any visit would have to coincide with her school holidays.

Pakistan’s education system, child la-

bour and child marriage were also among the issues discussed, she added.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party posted a picture of the meeting on its official Twitter account.

The prime minister and the teen met briefly on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2013, but this was their first official meeting.

Both were in Oslo after attending the two-day Oslo Summit on Education for Development, where Malala urged world leaders to cut “eight days of military spending” to give all children access to 12 years of free education.

Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi last year declined to attend the Nobel Peace Prize awards ceremony, where she collected the prize she shared with Indian child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi. Malala became a global icon after the Taliban attack in 2012.

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Friday, 10 July - Thursday, 16 July 2015

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CRIME

Further appeals following murder of Romario Green

Detectives will from, Wednesday, 8 July, renew their appeal for information one-week on from the shooting of 20-year-old Romario Green in Brent.

Romario was shot in Sudbury Town shortly after midnight on Thursday, 2 July.

Police were called to outside The Swan public house on Harrow Road, Brent at approximately 00:10hrs after reports of a shooting. The London Ambulance Service attended and found Romario with injuries; he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination took place at Northwick Park Hospital on Saturday, 4 July and gave the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest.

Detective Inspector Julie Willats, from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “The motive for this murder is unclear at this stage, but we are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry and are appealing to the public for information.

“We would like speak to anyone who may have been in the Harrow Road, Saunderton Road, Fishers Way and Williams Way areas between 22:00hrs on Wednesday, 1 July and 01:00hrs on Thursday, 2 July.

Ford Focus police are trying to trace

Romario Green

“We are particularly keen to speak with anyone who saw a light coloured Ford Focus driving around the area at the time or prior to the incident. The vehicle

was distinctive in that it had blacked out rear windows and large ‘21-spoke’ alloy wheels. If you know anything about this vehicle or the occupants then please get

in touch as soon as possible.

“I would like to reassure any potential witnesses who may be worried about making contact that the Homicide and Major Crime Command have extensive expertise in protecting witnesses, and information will be treated confidentially.

“This is a very sad incident and police are committed to working with the community, local authority and other partners to keep people safe. The Safer Neighbourhoods teams will be speaking with local residents as part of this appeal.”

Anyone who can assist police should call officers on 020 8358 0100 or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

82-year-old man knocked to the Serious sexual assault in Fulham ground and robbed on his doorstep

Suspect wanted in connection with robbery of elderly man

Detectives in Holborn have today released an image of a man they are keen to identify in connection with the shocking robbery of an elderly man who was followed and robbed on his doorstep.

On Friday, 13 February at approximately 9.30pm, the 82-year-old victim was walking to his home address from Kilburn High Road following a trip to the local supermarket. He was followed into the communal entrance, where he resides, by a black male suspect.

This male then followed the victim up the lift until he reached his doorstep. At this point the male pushed the vulnerable victim to the floor, pinned him down and stole £100 cash and the bank cards in his possession.

The suspect then fled the scene.

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The elderly victim was left on the floor for several minutes, unable to get to his feet until neighbours found him. He did not require hospital treatment but did suffer back and hip injuries.

Detectives are releasing the suspects’ image in the hope that someone who knows or recognises him will come forward with information.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Brett Jones said: “This was a pernicious and sickening attack on a vulnerable member of the community. The callous attack has had a devastating impact on the victim. We need the public’s help to apprehend this suspect before further crimes are committed on elderly members of the community.” Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect is urged to call DC Brett Jones on 0208 733 5997 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.

From CCTV footage of the four males in questiom

Officers from the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse (SOECA) Command are appealing for witnesses and are releasing photographs of four teenagers they would like to speak with in connection with a serious sexual offence.

On Thursday, 19 February between 16:30hrs and 17:00hrs a 14-year-old schoolgirl was on her way home when four boys believed aged between 13 and 15 approached her near Hurlingham Park, Fulham, SW6.

As she walked along Hurlingham Road the four boys began pestering her and asking her questions of a sexual nature. The four teens then followed her into Hurlingham Park. As she got near to the rugby

shed in the park, two of teenagers forced her to perform a sex act, whilst the other two boys filmed it on their mobile phones.

The boys then left the area and the victim went home and reported it to a family member, who called police.

Detective Constable Phil Cotter from SOECA, said: “I would like to speak to the boys in the photographs in connection with this matter. It is believed that they were in the Fulham area on the day of the incident. If anyone knows who these individuals are or if they have any information regarding this incident please contact police.”

DC Cotter can be contacted on 020 7161 9794. Alternatively if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Friday, 10 July - Thursday, 16 July 2015

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Sounds of Diaspora People of America

Bill Cosby Admitted To Acquiring Drugs To Use For Sex Bill Cosby admitted in 2005 that he secured quaaludes with the intent of giving them to young women he wanted to have sex with and that he gave the sedative to at least one woman and other people, according to documents obtained Monday by The Associated Press.

Cosby’s lawyers insisted that two of the accusers knew they were taking quaaludes from the comedian, according to the unsealed documents.

Nevertheless, attorneys for some of the numerous women suing Cosby seized on the testimony as powerful corroboration of what they have been saying all along: that he drugged and raped women.

The AP had gone to court to compel the release of a deposition in a sexual-abuse case filed by former Temple University employee Andrea Constand, the first of a cascade of lawsuits against him that have severely damaged his good-guy image.

Cosby’s lawyers had objected to the release of the material, arguing it would embarrass him. Ultimately, a judge unsealed just a small portion of the deposition.

Bill Cosby

“The stark contrast between Bill Cosby, the public moralist and Bill Cosby, the subject of serious allegations concerning improper (and perhaps criminal) conduct is a matter as to which the AP — and by extension the public — has a significant interest,” U.S. District Judge Eduardo Robreno wrote.

Cosby, with his oft-espoused views on topics including childrearing, family life, education and crime, “has voluntarily narrowed the zone of privacy that he is entitled to claim,” the judge wrote.

Police Rescue A Stranded Aretha Franklin Aretha Franklin’s spokesman said the Queen of Soul was grateful and exclaimed “Hallelujah!” after the state of Illinois helped out when her tour bus broke down on the way to Chicago and left her stranded along a highway.

Transmission problems stopped the bus around 1:20 a.m. Monday a few miles from downtown on eastbound Interstate 290. Franklin’s assistants started calling car services to transport her from the side of the road, but they had no luck.

“All were closed or had no vehicles because of the late hour and the holiday weekend,” Franklin spokesman Clarence Waldron said.

That’s when the Illinois State Police stepped in.

Three units from ISP, along with three from the Illinois Department of Transportation, drove Franklin and her entourage to their hotel. A towing company assigned to the stretch of highway moved the stalled tour bus.

Aretha Frankin

Franklin’s reaction? Waldron said the singer said, “God was right on time,” and added a couple of hallelujahs to her chorus of praise for Illinois’ quick response.

Brown Family Banned from Bobbi Kristina’s Hospice

Bobby Kristina

Bobby Brown’s family has been banned from coming to visit Bobbi Kristina in hospice after the Houston side was informed that a photo of the 22-year-old being shopped to media sites came from Brown’s side of the family.

The ban, however, does not include Bobby himself, according to the website.

On Sunday, he vowed to seek “justice” in exposing the party behind the photograph.

TMZ reported Monday that the security

team at Peachtree Christian Hospice told Houston’s family there was evidence incriminating a Brown family member as the person who snapped the photo, and has currently shopped it to several websites and magazines. So far, it has not been published.

Bobbi Kristina’s estate, run by her legal guardians, made the decision to ban the Browns, according to TMZ. The estate is also said to have knowledge of the exact person who took the picture, but are not naming names at this point.

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Friday, 10 July - Thursday, 16 July 2015

Gospel

GOD ALONE IS ENOUGH FOR YOU!

By Michael Adekoya

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord JEHOVAH, is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:3)

The Almighty God is enough, why are you looking for or serving another lesser god? Why are you operating with strange power; then making people - gullible people to believe you are operating with Holy Spirit? The people may be blind spiritually, God is not blind.

He sees and knows everything we do.The Bible says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord JEHOVAH, is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:3).

The New Living Translation puts this verse like this: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.” The Psalmist said, “The Lord knows the days of the upright and blameless, and their heritage will abide forever. They shall not be put to shame in the time of evil; and in the days of famine, they shall be satisfied.” (Psalm 37:18-1) Did you hear that? Hear me! Heaven is out to release the church into the fullness of her redemptive colour - that’s you, me and other believers. The day of restoration is now.

Though, there is credit crunch in town, God will meet our needs.

Are you ready for this?

My dear friend, you may admit that God is necessary, but do you honestly know that God is enough and also that He is, in fact, more than enough especially in the days we now live? To find out if God is enough for you, let me ask you a couple of questions.

Where do you obtain your joy? Is it from

the Lord or from someone or somewhere else? If your joy is from a man or a woman or from your good health or from your job or from your country, or from your investments and savings, or from your position or possession; if any of these goes, will your joy fly out the window?

Today, many believers have lost their jobs, houses, health, businesses, families, reputation, but they still maintained their joy because the source of genuine contentment and peace is in God. My friend, indeed you may not know that God is enough until God is all you have when everything is gone or everyone forsake you. Listen!

The Bible confirms that Job was a blameless and upright, a man who feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1). During his era, there was no one like him on the earth.

Yet, in a day, he lost his family (children), lost his finances (fortunes), lost his fitness (health) and lost his face (testimony). His wife forsook him and his friends accused

­­

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

him of secret sins. You would have expected Job to be depressed but instead he said, “Though He slays me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.” (Job 13; 15). In the midst of all these, Job said, “I know that my Redeemer lives and He shall stand at last on the earth.” (Job 19:25) My friend, can God be trusted in your troubles? Can God be trusted when you are submerged in suffering? Is God enough for you when you are forsaken or abandoned by either your spouse, family, friend, child, boss or loved ones? When was the last time you visited a hospital waiting room or a prison and shared Christ with those who are hurting?

When was the last time you encourage and pray for those who are facing crisis, storm, challenge, trial, delay or troubled relationship? Maybe you could do that sometime this week. I don’t know what you have lost but if God can restore Job seven fold of everything he lost, He will do the same

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

for you and for those you are praying for or encouraging. That’s what I know. He’ll never allow His name to be mocked in your life that’s what I know!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Prov 3:5). My friend, no matter what you are going through today; no matter the trial or temptation; no matter the crisis or challenge, allow God to lead and direct you. Shun evil and do not worry but let your mind stay on Him. He will tell you which way to go! One word, revelation, idea or connection from Him is what you need. Where you’ve been rejected, you’ll be invited. God is enough for you! He will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all whose thoughts are fixed on Him! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

There is a divine programme going on, the Church of Jesus Christ is moving into the realms of awakening and restoration the world has never seen before. And that includes you. We have entered into the realms of beauty, glory, favour, honour, distinction, dominion and revival that will herald the second coming of Jesus.

My friend, we are living in the days of the dominion endowed with the supernatural ability to confront the enemy with confidence in the Lord. God has destined us to be above only – above all circumstances – because we are the righteous seed of the Righteous God. Though darkness may be in Goshen, we are the light of the world.

The current global darkness and gloominess around will make your distinction remarkable. The Lord knows the days of the upright and blameless, and their heritage will abide forever. They shall not be put to shame in the time of evil; and in the days of famine, they shall be satisfied. Do you believe that?

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

WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK

Friday, 10 July - Thursday, 16 July 2015

Africa Newsround

Liberia

Ebola: as virus resurfaces in Liberia, UNICEF In a speedy response to Liberia’s first confirmed cases of Ebola in more than three months, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has begun distributing emergency supplies in the affected communities including tents for isolating those under quarantine, hygiene kits and chlorine and buckets for handwashing stations.

In Margibi County, where the body of a child tested positive for the virus on 29 June, UNICEF social mobilization teams are already on the ground conducting doorto-door awareness campaigns on Ebola prevention, to minimize the risk of further infections and to protect and assist those affected.

“There was always a risk that Ebola would return to Liberia. Now we have to put everything we have into getting back to zero cases,” according to Sheldon Yett, UNICEF’s Representative in Liberia. “The speed of the response to these cases shows that no one has let their guard down.”

Liberia, among the West African

A girl washes her hands at the Slipway primary school in central Monrovia, the capital

countries most affected by last year’s unprecedented outbreak along with Guinea and Sierra Leone was declared free of

Zimbabwe

Ebola transmission in early May. In the coming days, the school that the victim attended will be decontaminated,

new hygiene stations will be put in place, and soap and chlorine distributed.

Handwashing stations provided by UNICEF were positioned at the entrance of all schools in Liberia when they re-opened after a six-month closure in February.

UNICEF has worked with local authorities to keep them in place following the declaration on May 9 that the country was free from Ebola transmission.

UNICEF is also working with the government to ensure measures such as the taking of students’ temperatures when they arrive are in place.

“Liberia would not have been declared Ebola free in May without the knowledge and initiative of communities,” said Mr. Yett, adding that those communities are again at the forefront of reinvigorated efforts to ensure that there are no new cases of the disease there.

In neighbouring Guinea and Sierra Leone, new infections continue to be reported, though in much lower numbers than at the peak of the outbreak. In the week ending June 28, 12 new cases of Ebola were recorded in Guinea and eight in Sierra Leone, according to UNICEF.

Ghana

Burundi ruling party wins poll Ghana’s ruling party reclaims

parliamentary seat in by-election

The ruling party of Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza has swept to an expected overwhelming victory in controversial parliament elections that were boycotted by the opposition, according to official results released on Tuesday.

The CNDD-FFD party of Nkurunziza, who is seeking a disputed third term in office in upcoming presidential polls, won 77 out of 100 elected seats in parliament, with two more seats going to its ally UPRONA, according to the national election commission.

The opposition boycotted the June 29 polls, which the UN electoral observer mission said took place “in a climate of widespread fear and intimidation”.

The elections were also condemned by the African Union and European Union, while civil society groups backed the boycott calling on voters to skip the “sham elections” after months of turmoil.

Despite opposition boycott, the coalition Independents of Hope group of Agathon Rwasa and Charles Nditije won 11 seats.

The crisis in the central African nation revolves around Nkurunziza’s third-term bid, which his opponents say is unconstitutional and violates a peace deal that brought an end to a dozen years of civil war in 2006.

Over 70 people have been killed in more than two months of protests, with over 158 000 refugees fleeing to neigh-

Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza

bouring countries.

Presidential polls are due on July 15 followed by senatorial elections on July 24.

Under the constitution, based on peace deals that paved the way for the end of a 13-year civil war in 2006, there are strict ethnic quotas in parliament.

Parliament must be made up of 60% from the majority Hutu people - who make up some 85% of the population - with the remaining 40% of elected seats reserved for the minority Tutsi. At least 30% of seats must also be held by women.

Three extra seats on top of the 100 voted for are reserved for the Twa ethnic group, which make up around one percent of the population.

Ghana’s President John Mahama

Ghana’s ruling party reclaimed a parliamentary seat from the main opposition on Tuesday in a closely contested by-election seen by both parties as a referendum on President John Mahama’s rule ahead of a national election in 2016.

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) will view its victory in the rural Talensi seat in Upper East region as evidence that it remains viable heading into the December 2016 election season after a series of setbacks.

Mahama’s government won election in 2012 but is facing power shortages that

cause prolonged electricity blackouts that have angered voters and hurt businesses.

It has also been forced into an aid programme with the International Monetary Fund in an attempt to restore fiscal stability and jumpstart rapid GDP growth.

Growth has slowed sharply since 2014 due to a fall in global commodity prices for the country’s exports of gold, oil and cocoa and a fiscal crisis viewed by many as the result of government mismanagement of the macro-economy.

In addition, severe flooding and a fire in June in the capital led to the deaths of 150 people.

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Friday, 10 July - Thursday, 16 July 2015

Nigeria Special

Buhari Approves N713.7b For All States To Pay Workers Cash-strapped states got a breather when President Muhammadu Buhari approved the release of N713.7billion intervention funds for them to pay workers’ salaries.

Special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said in a statement that the relief package was from funded partly from the “dividend paid to the Federation Account by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG).”

Adesina explained that the Central Bank would also provide intervention fund “that will offer financing to the states, ranging from N250 Billion to N300 Billion. This will be a soft loan available to states for the purposes of paying backlog of salaries.”

Also included relief package according to Adesian was “a debt relief programme designed by the Debt Management Office, which will help states restructure their commercial loans currently put at over N660 Billion, and extend the life span of such loans while reducing their debt-servicing expenditures.”

The presidential spokesman said that at no time did President Buhari approved drawing funds for the relief package from the remaining balance in the Excess Crude Account or “the “liquidation” of the account as some media outlets have wrongly reported.”

“No such decision has been taken or approved by President Buhari, and last week’s meeting of the National Economic Council clearly concluded that the Excess Crude Account should be left untouched at this time,” Adesina said.

Media reports last month indicated that about 12 of the 36 states of the federation owed their workers about N110b They are: Rivers, Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, Benue and Bauchi states.

However, informed sources said the Finance Ministry and the CBN may have pegged the amount needed to settle all the outstanding public workers salaries at about N250billion.

It was, however, gathered that President Buhari advised governors at the NEC session to be prudent in managing state resources.

A governor said: “The President has done his best to assist us to take off properly. The ball is in our court to abide by his counsel to be prudent.

“Some of the measures we are looking at include appreciable reduction of security votes, stoppage of chartered flights and pegging the high cost of maintaining Government House to a low benchmark.

“With our experience in the last one month, we do not need a soothsayer to teach us to cut our coat according to our size.”

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) presenting the State Emblem to the President, North America Based of Egbe Omo Yoruba, Agba-Akin Bolu Omodele, during the delegation visit to the Governor in his Office, at Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo

18

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); his Deputy, Mrs. Titi LaoyeTomori (left) and President, North America Based of Egbe Omo Yoruba, Agba-Akin Bolu Omodele (right), during the delegation visit to the Governor in his Office, at Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd left); his Deputy, Mrs. Titi LaoyeTomori (2nd left), Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam (left), Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (4th right), State Leader, All Progressives Congress, Senator Bayo Salami (3rd right), President, North America Based of Egbe Omo Yoruba, Agba-Akin Bolu Omodele (4th left), his wife, Mrs. Taiwo Omodele (right) and his General Secretary, Dr. Duro Akindutire (2nd right), during the delegation visit to the Governor in his Office, at Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right); his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (3rd left), Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam (2nd left), Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (right), President, North America Based of Egbe Omo Yoruba, Agba-Akin Bolu Omodele (2nd right), during the delegation visit to the Governor in his Office, at Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo

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Comment

In a matter of weeks

By Emeka Asinugo, KSC

In a matter of weeks, the scheduled meeting between Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and American President Barak Obama will take place in the United States of America. Obama is expected to play host to Buhari on July 21. It is expected that the two gentlemen will discuss political, economic, social and security issues which impact on the relationships between their nations.

Among the social issues they are likely to discuss, many Nigerians in the Diaspora believe that Obama will raise the point concerning Nigeria’s laws on gay relationships and lobby President Buhari to join hands with America, Canada, Europe and some other countries which have endorsed same-sex relationships. It is not clear, as of now, what Buhari can concede to America, for whatever reason, and what he cannot.

What is clear is that recently, the Supreme Court in America officially secured a judgment which legalized same-sex marriages in all of the nation’s 50 states. Before that judgment, only 37 states endorsed same-sex marriages in America. The argument as to the moral and social propriety of gay relationships had raged on like harmattan fire, even in the media in the United States and beyond. Many thought, and still think, that the idea is demonic. Others argue that it is all about human rights.

Whatever it is, America has now legalized gay relationships across its territory. That is now clear.

In the White House, Obama hailed the ruling as a milestone which arrived “like a thunderbolt” in American justice system.

Obama is the first sitting US President to support gay relationships. “This ruling is a victory for America. This decision affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts. When all Americans are treated as equal, we are all freer,” he is quoted as saying after the verdict was delivered to Americans from the Supreme Court. Even as the clouds darkened that day, and night approached, the White House was lit up with the colours of the rainbow – symbolizing gay pride – to mark the court’s decision.

Naturally, the world would not expect the butt to end with America. It is obvious that America will lobby for allies who would support its new-found liberal hemisphere. It is also almost certain that America will look towards African countries for support. After-all, President Obama hails from Kenya, one of the African countries he would probably look forward to con-

vincing that gay relationships are synonymous with natural justice. It is also almost obvious that when Buhari visits Obama in two weeks, this bizarre American sense of social justice would get some space in the conversation between the two Presidents.

Obama’s open support for gay relationships has become somewhat legendary.

During Nelson Mandela’s Memorial Service in 2013 he spoke glowingly in support of gay communities around the world “still struggling for equality”. He said: “around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs and are still persecuted for what they look like and how they worship and who they love.”

He argued that because Africa had suffered marginalization, racism and discrimination, the continent should be at the forefront of the campaign for gay rights.

Unfortunately, Africans do not see these things the same way as the so-called civilized countries. So far, Buhari has remained silent about gay rights despite the fact that he is widely known as a devout Muslim.

His silence is somehow intriguing because in its edition of 13 March 2015, a national tabloid in Nigeria published a story in which then ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, alleged that the All Progressives Congress, APC flag bearer Muhammadu Buhari, was in the process of entering into a deal with the Western world to legalize same-sex marriage if elected President.

Addressing journalists in Abuja at the time, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode who was Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization alleged that Buhari was considering compromising the anti–gay laws in Nigeria in an attempt to get the support and endorsement of Western governments.

President Goodluck Jonathan had signed the bill into law which criminalized same-sex relationships in January 2014.

Defying Western pressure over gay rights, he squarely faced criticisms and threats of sanctions from the United Kingdom, the United States, France and other European countries. The anti-gay law banned gay relationships throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria and stipulated a punishment of up to 14 years in prison for Nigerians who are known to practise gay marriages or same-sex “amorous relationships.” The bill which also affected membership of gay rights groups was passed into law by the National Assembly in May 2013 and given the Presidential assent in January 2014.

On Buhari’s alleged deal with the Western world, Fani- Kayode had this to say: “We want to touch on the shameful proposition that was made to General Muham-

How will the pendulum swing?

madu Buhari by the representatives of a number of Western governments when he was in the United Kingdom for a prolonged stay. He had appealed to them for support and to get their endorsement. He had talks with the representatives of at least four Western countries. The leaders of those countries made an offer to General Buhari and we are reliably informed that he put the offer under consideration. The proposition and offer was that if he was prepared to support legislation in Nigeria to allow same-sex marriage and if he was prepared to repeal the anti–gay laws in Nigeria they will, in return, endorse, support and fund him, initially covertly and eventually publicly, at the right time. Instead of an outright rejection of these offers and proposition, to our utter shock and consternation, General Buhari apparently refused to rule it out and has put the matter under consideration. Instead of him to say NO, he assured them that he would consider these two things. We believe that this is a matter that ought to be brought to the attention of the Nigerian people as a matter of urgency. The APC is so desperate to ensure that General Buhari becomes the President of this country that it is actually prepared to consider the scrapping of all anti–gay or anti-homosexual legislations and at the same time, endorse and support fresh legislation that would allow same-sex marriage in our country. They are considering this despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of the Nigerian people find samesex marriage and, indeed, homosexuality repugnant and unacceptable. We are using this occasion to challenge General Buhari to come clean and to tell Nigerians whether this is true and whether, in the likely event of being elected President, he is seriously considering scrapping the anti-homosexual laws in our country and pushing through new legislation which would allow same-

sex marriage.”

In my recent article published in the Cameroon Web among other media and titled “One Step Ahead”, I warned African leaders that the heat was still on and that the Western world had not relaxed in their campaign to shore up gay relationships on the continent. I warned that the traditional African family and their values which had sustained thousands of years were under threat by the technological innovations of the Western mind.

I keep wondering.

So far, the traditional concept of family has continued to dominate every aspect of family life in African societies. A male husband and a female wife, in addition to their children, if they have any, have remained the socially recognised family.

But times are changing, I warned.

The influence of the “civilised” nations is spreading like harmattan fire across the world. And as the world is quickly turning into a global village, African leaders will need to address the probability that this concept of the “new family” could eventually catch up with African nations.

What will they do if eventually African countries embrace the concept of the “liberal family”? Will they stand by their peoples’ understanding and retain the values of the traditional African family? Or will they, at some point, cave in to American and European threats and follow the trend that is destined to destroy the values of the traditional family? That is the million dollar question that President Buhari will have to answer in America as he negotiates with that country on global security and other issues of bilateral importance to the US and Nigeria in a matter of weeks.

19

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FIFA Women’s World Cup: Buchanan receives Hyundai Young Player Award Kadeisha Buchanan has been given the Hyundai Young Player Award of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. She becomes the second recipient of the prestigious award, following in the footsteps of Australia’s Caitlin Foord, who earned the accolade at Germany 2011.

The Canadian central defender greatly impressed the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG), which was charged with identifying the tournament’s most outstanding young player and which placed her in a threewoman shortlist that also featured Norwegian attacker Ada Hegerberg and China PR midfielder Jiali Tang.

At the outset, no fewer than 54 players were eligible for the award. The criteria were both administrative – only players born after 1 January 1995 were eligible – and performance-related, taking into account aspects such as exceptional skills, a youthful and refreshing style of play, creativity and spontaneity, tactical maturity and effectiveness, recognition from the fans via enthusiastic displays, role model status, a positive attitude and fair play.

The TSG decided that Buchanan met all

Kadeisha Buchanan

of these criteria and more. From the quality of her clearances, long passes and surges forward from the back to her positional sense, strong tackling ability and acceleration, the 19-year-old has demonstrated technical excellence and experience that belie her age.

As for fan recognition, she enjoys practically the same level of popularity in her

homeland as iconic veteran Christine Sinclair, with whom she appears on a special postage stamp issued in celebration of Canada 2015.

Revelation and confirmation In addition, Buchanan’s role model status and positive attitude were obvious from the revealing statement she made after the host nation’s elimination at the hands of

England in the quarter-finals.

“We came so close to a place in the semi-finals, but our main goal was to make people proud of us and inspire a nation,” she told FIFA.com. “We achieved that goal, at least.”

“I think some people wondered if, as a young player, she could perform consistently at the highest level, and she definitely showed that she could,” said Canadian national coach, John Herdman. “She’s been a rock at the back for our team.”

Part of the Canucks’ starting XI at this Women’s World Cup, the Ottawa Fury star played every minute of her team’s five matches, proving as reliable in defence as she was dangerous at attacking set pieces.

Indeed, it was from a corner that she first made a name for herself on the international stage, scoring against United States in a friendly match in May 2014, during which she kept the threat posed by Abby Wambach to a minimum.

Few would disagree, then, that Buchanan, who was once viewed as a revelation and has now confirmed her standing as an elite player, is a worthy winner of the 2015 Hyundai Young Player Award.

Sterling named Europe’s ‘most Sierra Leone, Malawi and Ethiopia lose out on latest Fifa rankings valuable’ young player Sierra Leone, Malawi and EthioWith his future at Liverpool still unclear, a new study has named Raheem Sterling as the most valuable player under the age of 21 in Europe.

Liverpool have already rejected two bids from Manchester City for the England forward - who is at the centre of a contract dispute with the Anfield club.

However, the Soccerex 20 Football Value Index, which seeks to offer “independent and accurate” player valuations, Raheem Sterling compares a host of data including position, 2009, the game has gone from strength age and technical skills.

The study offered Sterling’s value at to strength,” said Esteve Calzada, CEO €49.295 million - some way off the £50 of Prime Time Sport, who compiled the million (€70.4m) Liverpool are believed study.

“Since 2009, nine of the 10 top transto be holding out for. fer fees ever seen have been achieved, the Paris Saint-Germain defender Marqutransfer record has been broached three inhos came in second with recent Mantimes, and the €100 million player transchester United signing Memphis Depay fer has been reached. third.

“Another area of the market which has Sassuolo full-back Domenico Berardi been undergoing profound change is the is fourth while Jose Gimenez - who immarket for young players, with progrespressed for Uruguay at the Copa America sively more value being attributed to the - completes Europe’s top five prospects. hottest prospects.

“In the years since we released our first “This report has been commissioned to review of the Football Transfer market in provide insight into this area.”

22

pia are the big losers in July’s Fifa world rankings according to BBC sources.

All three dropped out of the top 27 on the continent, meaning they will not have byes into the second round of 2018 World Cup qualifying.

Instead Sudan, Benin and Libya will avoid having to play in the opening round of the campaign.

The draw for the qualifying for the World Cup in Russia will be held in St. Petersburg on 25 July.

With Zimbabwe having been disqualified from the World Cup it leaves 53 of the 54 member associations in the preliminary draw.

The lowest 26 ranked sides on the continent in the July rankings will play over two legs in October 2015.

The winners of those ties advance to round two where they will join the remaining 27 highest-ranked teams from the region and face off in anotherw two-legged play off.

The winners of these games then move into Africa’s final qualification round where five groups of four teams will meet

both home and away.

The winner of each group will qualify for Russia 2018.

Algeria remain the top ranked side on the continent and have climbed two places to number 19 globally.

Nigeria dropped 14 spots and are now 10th in Africa and 57th overall, their lowest position since 1999.

The biggest drop anywhere in the world was 29 places by the Central African Republic, who fell to 170th on the rankings.

Swaziland’s 2-1 win over visiting Guinea in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier helped them leap 24 places to 138 globally and 40th in Africa.

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Team boss predicts African cyclist on podium within 5 years Stade Malien will look to knock reigning CAF Confederation Cup champions Al Ahly off their stride when the teams meet in the second round of Group A matches on Sunday evening.

Kick-off at the Modibo Keita Stadium in Bamako will be at 18h30 CAT. Malien come into the match needing a positive result against the Egyptian giants, this after they suffered a narrow 1-0 loss away to Etoile du Sahel in their group opener last month.

The Tunisians secured the victory thanks to a goal from Baghdad Bounedjah, leaving the Malians second bottom of the group.

Stade Malien enter the clash in good nick, having beaten rivals Real Bamako 1-0 in their domestic championship last week.

Coach Kamel Djabour believes participating in African club competition is helping his side improve week after week.

“This is the spirit of my players who made the difference today,” said Djabour after the win over Real.

“The team hardens over the matches, including the African cup matches we played outside. The Confederation Cup brings us to a level that will allow us to work properly in the coming weeks.”

Ahly, meanwhile, racked up an impres-

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 recently 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

Cameroonian Alex Song should complete a permanent move to West Ham United this week.

The Hammers have reportedly reached an agreement with Spanish giants Barcelona to take the 27-year-old midfielder on a permanent basis after the Catalans initially demanded £6million.

Song was in the stands at Upton Park last Thursday to watch West Ham beat FC Lusitans 3-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League first qualifying round tie.

The former Arsenal midfielder, who is surplus to requirements at Barca, wants to remain in London after spending last season on loan at West Ham. West Ham are hopeful of confirming his signing, along with that of right-back Carl Jenkinson on a second successive season-long loan from Arsenal.

Khune confident ‘something will come up’

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

sive 3-0 win over Tunisian giants Esperance de Tunis in their group opener, a result which sees them top of the log.

“We studied Esperance well and the players did what I told them to do. To start the group stage with a victory like this gives us confidence to defend our title in style,” said Ahly coach Fathi Mabrouk in the wake of the win over the ‘Blood

and Gold’.

The teams last met in African competition in the 2012 Champions League, with Al Ahly defeating Malien 3-2 on aggregate in the second round.

Burundi referee Thierry Nkurunziza will take charge of the match in Bamako on Sunday.

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.

Song to be confirmed by West Ham this week

from over, as both parties have not settled the matter yet.

The club’s hierarchy, led by the chair-

man 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

Mandla Ncikazi

Itumeleng Khune says he is confident that ‘something will come up’ in regards to securing a contract at a new club, with the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper’s contract at Kaizer Chiefs having come to an end.

Khune captained South Africa to a 2-0 win over Mauritius on Sunday, a result which took them to the last round of the 2016 CHAN qualifiers. The squad arrived home on Monday.

“I just got back [from Mauritius]. I still need to speak to my agent and see what he has on the table,” Khune said upon his return when question about his next move.

“We [my agent and I] get to communicate everyday but I can’t reveal what we’ve been discussing. It’s still early days for that,” he added.

Khune says he will keep fit on his own while he makes plans for his future.

“I go to gym a lot and whoever comes and asks for my services, I’ll be ready,” he said.

“It’s part of the game - I guess I just have to be strong with the situation I’m facing right now, but something will come up in the coming weeks.

“I’m healthy and I still have a lot to offer and it [my future] will be sorted out.”

The 28-year-old refused to comment on speculation that he will return to Chiefs, with the parties possibly set to open negotiations over a new deal.

“I can’t answer that,” he said. “At the moment I’ll go back home and relax. Tomorrow I’ll start doing some gym work.”

23

Friday, 10 July - Thursday, 16 July 2015 ISSUE 587

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Sterling named Europe’s ‘most valuable’ young player SEE PAGE 22

ASAMOAH GYAN COMPLETES LUCRATIVE MOVE TO CHINA

Asamoah Gyanis set to pen a deal worth £227,000-a-week

By Agency Reporter

Ghana skipper Asamoah Gyan touched down in China on Wednesday to complete his lucrative transfer from Emirati champions Al Ain to Shanghai SIPG.

The 29-year-old striker was mobbed by fans at Shanghai airport and said in his official website that he would complete his medical and sign a contract with the Chinese Super League club.

The move is expected to be highly lucrative for Gyan, with media in China and the UAE saying the striker would see his Al Ain weekly salary of £163,000 increase at title-chasing Shanghai, who

are coached by former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Gyan enjoyed four trophy-laden years in the UAE, scoring 95 goals in 83 matches but Al Ain said they were forced to sell after receiving the highly lucrative offer from Shanghai, who are chasing a first top flight title.

They are second in the 16-team Super League table, one point behind leaders Beijing Guoan after 17 matches.

Asamoah Gyan was in the stands as Shanghai SIPG posted a 2-1 win over Guangzhou R&F to progress in the Chinese FA Cup. The Black Stars captain was a special guest at the game on Wednesday evening

following the rescheduling of his medical with the club.

Gyan had arrived in Shanghai earlier in the afternoon (local time) to complete his mega move from Al Ain. After a brief drop off at his designated hotel, the 29-year-old and his team was driven to meet officials of his prospective new employers before making his way to the Shanghai Stadium to see the side in action.

Wu Lei scored two second half goals to win the game for Shanghai after Jiang Ning opened the scoring for the visitors through a well-taken free kick.

The crowd at the Shanghai Stadium handed Asamoah Gyan a resounding

standing ovation when his presence was announced through the stadium’s PA system.

The Ghana international will hold his medical and will be unveiled as the club’s latest signing once he signs onto the contract.

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