African Voice Newspaper Issue 595

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Friday, 4 September - Thursday, 10 September 2015 ISSUE 595

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 UK First ever A New Sheriff mental health Is In champion Town SEE PAGE 10

unveiled

£1.00

SEE PAGE 6

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NEW RULES TO MAKE BRITAIN HARDER FOR ILLEGAL MIGRANTS

By Milton Tella

Illegal migrants will face a jail sentence for working in the UK, under measures to be included in the new Immigration Bill.

A new offence of illegal working will allow wages to be seized as proceeds of crime. Anyone prosecuted for this new offence will face a sentence of up to six months in prison and an unlimited fine in England and Wales.

The Immigration Bill, due to be introduced this autumn, will include a range of new powers to deter people from trying to find work here illegally and measures to deal more effectively with rogue businesses who offer them employment.

It will build on last year’s Immigration Act in making Britain tougher on those with no right to be here.

Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said: ‘Anyone who thinks the UK is a soft touch should be in no doubt. If you are here illegally, we will take action to stop you from working, renting a flat, opening a bank account or driving a car...

...Continued on page 2

The British High Commissioner in Ghana,Jon Benjamin

Immigration Minister, James Brokenshire

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Have You News Got News Almost 1.4 million adults haven’t decided whether to donate their organs after death For Us Newsdesk: 020 3737 3077

Email: africanvoicenews@gmail.com

Travel and health advice for Hajj pilgrims

With thousands of British Muslims expected to attend this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is urging those travelling to Saudi Arabia to be fully prepared and follow up-to-date travel advice before departing.

Mohammed Shokat, HM ConsulGeneral in Jeddah, said: Every year thousands of British Muslims undertake the Hajj pilgrimage. Most complete this spiritual journey without experiencing any difficulties or disruption, but as with all overseas travel we recommend taking sensible precautions and planning thoroughly before departing.

We advise all British pilgrims to check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s travel advice and the requirements set out by the Saudi government. Consular staff can be contacted on a 24-hour helpline in the case of emergencies on 00 966 501 00 4268.

Publisher and Editor-In-Chief Mike Abiola Editorial Board Adviser Dr Ola Ogunyemi Managing Editor Alan Oakley News Editor Peter Olorunnisomo Sports Editor Abiodun Teriba Arts Editor Golda John Columnists Milton Tella Photo Journalist Isaac Adegbite Graphic Designer Edward Mirza Accountant Fanla Agboola Chief Correspondent, Nigeria Olubunmi Omoogun London Office: Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP

Tel: 020 3737 3077

Email: africanvoicenews@gmail.com

African Voice is published by African Voice UK.

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Nation urged to break silence on organ donation Over a third of people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities in the UK admit they haven’t considered organ donation or decided if they want to be an organ donor, NHS Blood and Transplant reveals.

And over a quarter of a million people who do want to donate their organs when they die say they haven’t talked to a loved one about that decision.* More people from BAME communities also know someone who has received or is in need of a transplant than their white counterparts. This is not surprising as latest statistics show that 28% of people on the waiting list for an organ transplant are from a BAME or mixed race background.

Across the whole of the UK there are 10,000 people in need of a transplant. Last year the number of people donating organs fell for the first time in 11 years. The UK also has one of the lowest rates in Europe for families consenting to organ donation and in 2014/15 only 58% agreed to donate their family members’ organs after they died and only 80 of the 1,282 deceased organ donors last year were from BAME communities.

This National Transplant Week NHS Blood and Transplant wants to get the whole nation talking about organ donation and the importance of sharing decisions on being an organ donor with family and close friends. The Seven Days to Say Yes I Donate campaign aims to help break down barriers and taboos around organ donation.

Anthony Clarkson, NHS Blood and Transplant’s Assistant Director for Organ Donation and Nursing said: “Patients from Black, Asian and some ethnic minority communities are more likely to need an organ transplant than the rest of the population as they are more susceptible to illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes

Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara presided over Gambia’s independence from British colonial rule in 1965

and certain forms of hepatitis, all of which may result in organ failure and the need for a lifesaving transplant.

“To save more lives we need more donors from all communities. To raise that number we really need everyone to understand the importance of not being complacent. We need to get to the point where organ donation is high on the list of important personal conversations we routinely have with loved ones.”

The National Transplant Week survey found that, as a nation, we are happy to talk about many personal topics, yet we are avoiding conversations that could mean the difference between life and death for someone in need of an organ transplant: · 7 in 10 adults have told a loved one how they would spend a lottery win · Almost two thirds have discussed their preference for burial or cremation · Nearly half have confided the part of their body they would most like to change · 47% have shared destinations they dream of travelling to before they die

Even among those who want to be organ donors, there is reluctance to talk about the subject - with key reasons being discomfort around talking about death and not wanting to upset family members.

Reluctance to talk about organ donation means many healthy organs that could be donated aren’t used.

Orin Lewis OBE, Co-founder and CEO of the ACLT (African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust) said: “As a nation we’re happy sharing dreams and aspirations with one another, yet too many of us are still not making the time or are not comfortable talking about organ donation.

“Telling your loved ones you want to be an organ donor means your family will be in no doubt about your decision meaning your wishes will be fulfilled should you die in circumstances where organ donation is possible.

“Over the next seven days we’d like everyone from all communities to give a few minutes of their time to think about organ donation and talk about whether they want to be an organ donor with their relatives or a close friend.”

New rules to make Britain harder for illegal migrants

...Continued from front page As a one nation government we will continue to crack down on abuse and build an immigration system that works in the best interests of the British people and those who play by the rules.

Through our new Immigration Bill, illegal workers will face the prospect of a prison term and rogue employers could have their businesses closed, have their licences removed, or face prosecution if they continue to flout the law’.

Using illegal labour exploits workers, denies work to UK citizens and legal migrants and drives down wages. New powers

in the Bill will make it easier to prosecute an employer who knows, or reasonably suspects, that the person they employ has no permission to work in the UK. The existing evidence requirement to prove this offence will be changed in order to boost prosecutions and the current maximum sentence will be increased from two to five years. These powers will operate alongside the existing system of heavy financial penalties.

Any employer who continues to flout the law and evade sanctions could see their business closed for up to 48 hours while

they prove right to work checks have been conducted on staff. The worst offenders would then be placed under special measures as directed by the court, which could lead to continued closure and compliance checks.

Further new powers will also mean any pub, off-licence or late night takeaway that fails to comply with immigration laws or employs illegal workers could be stripped of their licence to operate. Consideration is also being given to extend these powers to cover minicab drivers and operators.

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News

New rules launched to reduce agency staff in the NHS Over the last few years, the amount of money spent on agency staffing has increased to around £3.3 billion per year. Some providers acknowledge that it is increasingly difficult to locally secure best value on the quality and cost of agency staffing where no national rules currently exist.

The measures being set out today follow wide-scale engagement with local nurse directors and finance directors and are designed to strengthen significantly providers’ ability to secure the best deal on the quality and cost of local agency staff.

The new rules will see: • an annual ceiling for total agency spend for each trust between 2015/16 and 2018/19; trusts are being sent individual ceilings today and will have the opportunity to apply for exceptions if there are specific local needs • mandatory use of frameworks for procuring agency staff

• limits on the amount individual agency staff can be paid per shift, which will be implemented later in the year after further work by the two organisations Peter Blythin, Director of Nursing at the NHS Trust Development Authority said: Whilst a number of existing local frameworks work well to support local nurse directors to find high quality agency staff, there is a recognition that more can be done to give trusts greater powers to have more control over their use of agency staff in the future.

The creation of an assurance process to make sure local frameworks are providing high quality staff at the right price, the introduction of ceilings to ensure boards can have a focused programme on reducing over-reliance on agency staff where it exists and future measures to limit the inflated costs associated with some agency arrangements, will all help to ensure that local providers can, in future, be better equipped

to focus on the important issues of high quality staff and patient safety whilst becoming more efficient.

Ruth May, Nursing Director of Monitor, said: Trusts are working hard to reduce the amount of agency staff they use, and this is something we’re actively supporting through initiatives like our agency support team.

We’ve worked hard with the NHS to develop this set of rules which will support boards and in particular chief nurses to reinvest the money currently spent on agency staff into providing the best care for patients. Today’s guidance is another step in delivering a safe and secure NHS that will meet the needs of patients long into the future.

Company director employing illegal workers fine £10,000, banned for six years

Phillip Atsu Tsegah, the sole registered director of Oval Vehicle Valeting Company Limited, has been disqualified from acting as a company director for six years for causing the company to employ two workers who did not have the right to work in the UK.

The disqualification follows collaboration between the Insolvency Service and Home Office Immigration Enforcement (formerly UK Border Agency).

Having visited Oval Vehicle Valeting Company Limited, operating out of premises in Blackwater Way, Aldershot in December 2013, UK Border Agency officials found Phillip Atsu Tsegah 59, had employed two illegal workers, in breach of immigration laws and the company was served with a penalty of £10,000.

Despite having sufficient company funds available in its bank account after the penalty had been imposed, the company failed to pay and went into liquidation in March 2014.

Mr Tsegah, gave a disqualification undertaking to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills that he will not act as a director of a limited company for six years from 31 August 2015.

Commenting on the disqualification, 4

Mark Bruce, a Chief Investigator with the Insolvency Service said: The Insolvency Service rigorously pursues directors who fail to pay fines imposed by the government for breaking employment and immigration laws. We have worked closely in this case with our colleagues at the Home Office to achieve this disqualification.

The director sought an unfair advantage over his competitors by employing individuals who did not have the right to work in the UK in breach of his duty as a director.

The public has a right to expect that those who break the law will face the consequences. Running a limited company, means you have statutory protections as well as obligations. If you fail to comply with your obligations then the Insolvency Service will investigate you.

The ban means Mr Tsegah may not be a director of a company or be involved in the management of a company in any way for the duration of his disqualification without leave of the court.

Oval Vehicle Valeting Company Limited was formed in September 2007. The company went into liquidation in March 2014 with a deficiency of more than £28,000 including £10,000 which was owed to The UK Border Agency in respect of the penalty imposed for employing illegal workers.

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Health News

UK First ever mental health champion unveiled

Leading campaigner Natasha Devon becomes first ever Department for Education mental health champion. The Department for Education’s (DfE) first ever mental health champion for schools will help to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around young people’s mental health.

Natasha Devon MBE, who works as a television pundit and writer was chosen for the role following her extensive work with young people. This includes launching 2 organisations which give young people practical tips on dealing with mental health and body image concerns. As founder of the Self-Esteem Team and the Body Gossip education programme, Natasha has delivered classes to more than 50,000 teenagers, as well as their parents and teachers.

The move comes as part of a wider government commitment to improve children and young people’s mental health - including the way these services work with schools - with £1.25 billion to be invested specifically in young people’s

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From left: Education and Childcare Minister Sam Gyimah and Natasha Devon MBE

mental health over the next 5 years. This money will transform local services so that every organisation involved with

caring for children and young people works together to support them with their mental health, not just the National Health Service (NHS).

Alongside this, the Department of Health, working with NHS England, is investing £150 million over this Parliament to improve eating disorder services, backed up by a new standard so that young people who need help can be seen within 4 weeks or 1 week for urgent cases by 2020.

The very worst emergency cases should find support within 24 hours. The funding will be used to improve community-based services so patients are helped earlier and fewer need in-patient care.

Having suffered from an eating disorder herself, Natasha Devon will use her personal experiences to champion young people’s mental health as widely as possible, and encourage more children to talk about the issues they are dealing with.

Education and Childcare Minister Sam Gyimah said: Ensuring young people have access to good mental health support is vital. That is why we are promoting greater use of counselling in schools, improving teaching about mental health, and supporting joint working between mental health services and schools.

But we know there is more we can do. Natasha is an inspiration to many young people and I’m delighted to have her on board as our first mental health champion.

I know that together we can make a real difference in encouraging more young people to talk openly about mental health.

Writer and campaigner Natasha Devon said: I’m so excited by this opportunity

to improve the lives of even more young people. At present, 3 children per average classroom has a diagnosable mental health problem, with many more struggling with undiagnosed conditions such as anxiety.

This has a tangible impact not only on their happiness, but also on their potential.

It’s therefore vital that we can improve the support available for children and teens.

This is a cause that’s very close to my heart, and I know from personal experience, as well as from the young people I have met, how crucial this work is. I’m looking forward to getting started and making a difference.

Health Minister Alistair Burt, who is responsible for mental health, said: Mental health is a priority for this government and I’m proud that we are investing £1.25 billion in services for children and young people over the next 5 years, as well as introducing treatment targets for the first time so they get the help they need when they need it.

I’m delighted to support Minister Gyimah and the Department for Education in this fantastic initiative, which will help tackle stigma and help improve the mental health of every child and young person in this country.

Over the coming weeks and months, Natasha will work closely with the Education and Childcare Minister to help de-stigmatise young people’s mental health.

This comes as DfE has contributed £1.5 million to a joint pilot with NHS England to improve joint working between mental health services and schools. DfE is also providing nearly £5 million of additional funding for charities supporting mental health.

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News

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Ban on food imports a “bad omen” for Nigeria - NEPC A recent decision by the European Union (EU) to ban selected food commodities from Nigeria has been described by the Benue State Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Nanakaan Saave, as a bad omen for the country.

Mr Saave was speaking at a one day awareness and sensitisation workshop for farmers, agrochemical dealers and stakeholders on the safe and responsible use of pesticides, organised by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) in Makurdi, Benue State.

He said the ban on the products by the EU was as a result of the wrongful application of pesticides and other

agrochemical substances on the commodities from Nigeria.

“We got an alert about four weeks ago from the European Union of their decision to ban the imports of beans, dried fish, melon and some other agricultural products from Nigeria due to the high residue of chemicals in the products,” he said, adding: “Their decision was premised on the fact the high degree of chemicals in the affected farm products have made them unsafe for human consumption.

“On our part as a Council, we had earlier identified these issues and Among the food items banned are beans, sesame seeds, melon seeds, dried fish and meat accordingly sounded an early warning “We are not lying low on the issue screening at the ports. to farmers to strictly abide by the best because it will certainly affect the According to him: “The exporters practices in the application of chemicals volume of export from our country and of the affected products failed to pass on our farm products and we will the inflow of foreign exchange into through NAFDAC screening at the continue to educate and train our farmers Nigeria.” laboratories we have at the ports and accordingly.

In his speech, the Director General which are also supported by the EU and of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, who was other western countries. represented by the Deputy Director “We will however continue to educate Agrochemicals, Sikiru Olowo, explained and train our farmers on the need to that the exporters of banned products do the needful, so as to avoid further side-tracked the agency and failed to clampdown on farm products from our subject their products to NAFDAC’s country.”

Call on Angola livestock breeders for vigilance

Sérgio da Cunha Velho

Angola’s deputy governor of Huíla for Economic and Productive sector, Sérgio da Cunha Velho, has asked the municipal administrators and cattle breeder to be vigilant to prevent entry of animals infected with foot and mouth disease (FMD).

Speaking in Lubango at the meeting organized by the Provincial Multisectoral Commission for the Prevention and Combating outbreak 8

of FMD, the official said it was necessary that local administration create brigades in order to control the entry of animals affected by FMD virus.

The Ministry of Agriculture recently issued a statement prohibiting the movement of animals and derived products in and out of the cities of Cuangar and Menongue, Cuando Cubango province, and Kwanhama, Namacunde and Cuvelai, in Cunene.

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Theatre, Shows and Musicals

Arts Culture

By Edward Mirza

MEMPHIS Now – Oct 18th

The producers of hit Broadway musical MEMPHIS are delighted to officially announce that multi award-winning recording artist Beverley Knight will star as club singer ‘Felicia Farrell’ when the show comes to London’s West End this autumn. MEMPHIS, winner of four 2010 Tony Awards® including Best Musical has Grammy® Award-winning original score

by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan and book by Joe DiPietro.

Inspired by true events from the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, MEMPHIS follows the fame and forbidden love of a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break.

“David Bryan evokes the powerhouse funk of James Brown, the hot guitar riffs of Chuck Berry, the smooth harmonies of the Temptations and the silken, bouncy pop of the great girl groups of the period” Charles Isleworth, New York Times.

Directed by Christopher Ashley and with Choreography by Sergio Trujillo, MEMPHIS has Scenic Design by David Gallo, Costume Design by Paul Tazewell, and Lighting Design by Howell Binkley.

Shaftsbury Avenue Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Avenue London WC2H 8DP

THRILLER LIVE Now - September 25th 2015

Thriller - Live, the spectacular concert show that celebrates the music of the world’s greatest entertainer and undisputed King of Pop, Michael and the Jackson 5, is celebrating its 2,000th West End performance on Thursday October 24.

Smashing all previous records at the Lyric Theatre, where it recently celebrated becoming the longest-running production in the theatre’s 125-year history, Thriller - Live first moonwalked into the West End in January 2009 after three acclaimed UK tours. It has just extended its West End booking period to Sunday 28 September, 2014 Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue London W1D 7ES

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 companies sees Shakespeare’s tragedy reimagined in a contemporary context, as a brew of treachery and ambition sets an Asian family on a road to destruction. The production sees the engineers of Macbeth’s downfall depicted as three Hijras. A strand of Indian society little-known in the west, Hijras are a centuries-old “third gender” community (including transsexuals, transgender people, eunuchs and cross-dressers).

Tara Arts Artistic Director Jatinder Verma, who will direct Macbeth said “Spirits in Indian traditions combine vivacity with viciousness. By casting the Witches in Macbeth as provocative Bollywood queens, I aim to explore the dangerously vain ambition driving Macbeth.”

For information on Black Theatre Live: www.blacktheatrelive.co.uk | For information on Tara Arts: www.tara-arts.com .

‘Black Spartacus’, at The Courtyard

BLACK SPARTACUS THE ETIENNE SISTERS 18 Aug - 12 Sept Toussaint L’Ouverture is one of the most

BY CHÉ WALKER important figures in world history. He was September 10 - Oct 3 the subject of numerous books and poems ‘I can’t believe my own sister would come with this thievery and anarchy to my door...’

Tree and Ree Etienne are laying their mother to rest when an unwelcome arrival at the graveside intrudes on their grief. It’s Bo, their troublesome estranged half-sister.

To comfort her sisters Bo moves in for a while and things begin to look up. But can a leopard ever change her spots? Cracks appear as childhood memories, deep resentments and long put away dreams come to the fore. Tensions build before erupting in a confrontation during which harsh truths are said that cannot be unsaid. Will the sisters destroy all that is left of their family and each other?

This thought-provoking and honest is new play is written by Chè Walker with songs by Anouskha Lucas (Klook’s Last Stand). Set to a contemporary soulful jazz soundtrack, The Etienne Sisters explores what it means to be part of a family today.

By Chè Walker, with songs by Anoushka Lucas Additional songs by Sheila Atim Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN

from his death in 1803 until the end of the 19th century. For the Romantics, Toussaint signified the dawning of a new era in the Americas and was an emblem of hope in the slavery abolition movement. Yet he is barely recognised in the west. So who was the Black Spartacus?

According to prominent historian CLR James Toussaint was born in north of Haiti (at the time called St.Domingue) in 1743. The grandson of a captured African chieftain he was a slave until he was 45.

A highly intelligent individual he taught himself to read as a child and was well versed in Caesar’s military writings and the polemics of the French abolitionist Abbé Reynal.

Black Spartacus is at The Courtyard, Bowling Green Walk, 40 Pitfield Street, London N1 6EU

NINE LIVES BY ZODWA NYONI NATIONAL TOUR Now - Jan 2016 Presented by Leeds Studio in association with West Yorkshire Playhouse Performed by Lladel Bryant Directed by Alex Chisholm Fleeing from his home in Zimbabwe where a fresh wave of homophobia threatens his life, Ishmael has sought sanctuary in the UK.

Dispersed to Leeds, Ishmael waits to hear his fate, he waits for a new life to begin amongst strangers. Strangers who don’t trust him and don’t want him there. But not everyone is bad… can he find a place to call home again?

Some of us wanted to stop being afraid.

Some of us wanted to find ourselves.

Some of us wanted to belong.

Zodwa Nyoni (West Yorkshire Playhouse/Channel 4 Writer in Residence 2014) threads together humour and humanity to tell the real personal story behind asylum headlines.

25 September 2015 Taliesin, Swansea 26 September 2015 Wakefield Lit Festival, Wakefield 28-29 September 2015 Oxford Playhouse, Oxford 12 October 2015 The Bikeshed Exeter, Exeter 17 October 2015 Trinity Bristol, Bristol 23 October 2015 The Cube, Malvern 06 November 2015 Upstairs at Western, Leicester 12 November 2015 Cast, Doncaster 16 November 2015 Waterside Arts Centre, Trafford 19 November 2015 Arc Stockton, Stockton on Tees 10 December 2015 Brighton, Brighton January 2016 Arcola, London 9

Friday, 4 September - Thursday, 10 September 2015

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Opinion

A New Sheriff Is In Town

By Femi Adesine Some call it the Buhari bounce.

Others describe it as the Buhari effect. Yet some others say it is the Buhari aura. One thing is, however, crystal clear. Things have not been the same in the past 100 days in Nigeria, since Muhammadu Buhari assumed the presidency.

A new sheriff has truly come to town.

Exactly 100 days ago, he climbed the podium at Eagle Square in Abuja and got inaugurated as president, 30 years after he had been toppled from power as military head of state. He promised to belong to nobody, and to belong to everybody. It is a pledge that still resonates loudly today, and will surely echo for a long time to come.

On a day like this, you would expect a presidential spokesman to chronicle the achievements of his principal in office. He has turned stone to bread, slain the dragon, and climbed Mount Olympus in ten seconds. But that is not what I want to do.

There are some intangible, almost imperceptible achievements, but which run very deep, and are quite fundamental. Those are the ones I’ll rather talk of, while we leave the tangibles till some other day.

Oh, he’s escaping. There are no concrete achievements, some wailing wailers would cry. True? Not true. I could have decided to focus on the bloody nose being given to Boko Haram in the North-East, which would see the country rid of insurgency soon, the rallying of leaders of other neighboring countries to deploy a Joint Multinational Task Force, the openness displayed about government finances and the welfare package instituted for states that couldn’t pay salaries, the Treasury Single Account, which would promote transparency and accountability in governance, the disappeared fuel queues, fast-tracking of the cleanup of Ogoni land, reduction in the cost of governance, and many others. But I will not focus on all those. The day cometh!

When a new sheriff comes into town, disorder gives way to order. Chaos flees. Impunity is swept away. Laxity gives way to diligence, and people change their old, unedifying ways.

When you have a Wild, Wild West situation prevailing, the new sheriff comes, and stamps his authority. Old things then pass away, behold, everything becomes new.

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Nigeria had always needed attitudinal change. That was why the Buhari regime launched the War Against Indiscipline in the 1980s. And the war was succeeding, till a spanner was thrown in the works through regime change. Buhari was called all sorts of names then: despot, tyrant, iron-fist ruler, etc.

But the discerning knew. They understood that it was a change we needed. And that change was postponed for 30 years.

But what is bred in the bones never goes out through the flesh. Immediately after Buhari returned on May 29, Nigerians knew that discipline was back. The bird of the homestead told the ones in the bush, and they all sat up.

No unnecessary chirping. Stealing is now corruption, they whispered to themselves. God help you if you get caught.

Now, consider the situation with electricity and with our refineries. Electricity has climbed to about 5,000 Megawatts.

Some refineries, which had not produced a drop of fuel for years, have cracked into life. Even the perennial queues in our petrol stations have disappeared, vanished. Is it because Buhari threw billions of dollars at the problems? No. Those things simply responded to the presence of the new sheriff in town. Those who manned those schedules could afford to be laid back in the past. But not anymore! The music has changed, and the dance steps must follow suit. And would Buhari take credit for the newfound zeal and efficiency? Not the plain and honest man from Daura. The broadcaster Omotayo Omotoso had come to the presidential villa to interview him sometime in July. And she had asked what the magic wand he waved was, that refineries, long comatose, had sprang back to life. The President responded that it would be dishonest of him to have claimed he did anything. He had not touched refineries at all. But unknown to the President, he did something. He had swept into town with his reputation for efficiency, and for achieving results. And the refineries, fuel supply, electricity supply, responded to the new sheriff. May things continue to get better till the change becomes enduring and irreversible. Amen somebody!

Another imperceptible but momentous achievement is the faith that Nigerians now have in their leader. Yes, the opposition numbers in millions, and naturally so. A political party had held power at the centre for 16 years, and its loyalists would not simply disappear, or get converted overnight. About 12 million Nigerians had voted for the presidential candidate of that party in the March 2015 general elections.

Would they just cross over to the winning side? It often takes awhile. But despite all that, a great deal of Nigerians, a vast majority, believe in the new sheriff. And that

President Muhammadu Buhari

is great achievement. A big deal. When the citizenry believe in their leader, and almost can swear by him, it is no mean feat. The NOI polls, in a survey in July, revealed that over 70% of Nigerians were happy with the Buhari administration. And I can bet that the percentage would rise, as the months and years roll by. Faith in leadership is something that does not come cheap.

And this one! Even our foreign reserve knows that a new sheriff is in town, and has responded appropriately. In June, just one month into office, and with the plugging of some leakages and loopholes, foreign reserve surged from $29 billion to $31.89. Holy Moses! Just in one month.

Well, that is what a new sheriff can do. He brings sanity, confidence and probity to the system. And you would agree that Nigeria needs such shot in the arm, if we consider recent past experiences, when our treasury was like a bag filled with holes.

An evidence of the believability of the new sheriff, and the confidence reposed in him, is the disclosure that came this week from Ambassador Godknows Igali, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power. He said since Buhari came to office, not a single sabotage of the power infrastructure has been recorded, and it is one of the reasons that electricity supply keeps improving.

But did Buhari line up soldiers across the power infrastructure? Did he hire a combination of OPC, Egbesu, MASSOB, MEND and Arewa youths to keep vigil? No. Just believability. Those who are so angry with the country, and would go to any extent to sabotage development, have decided to give the sheriff a chance. They have heard of his reputation. A man that believes in fairness and justice. He would do right to all parts of the country.

Can you imagine the respect our sheriff commands on the international scene, and how it redounds to the glory of the average Nigerian? American President Barack Obama said Buhari came onto his job with reputation of integrity and a clearcut agenda. Ambassador Johnny Carson, also during the U.S trip in July, said the Nigerian President was a man of honour and integrity. Everywhere he goes, the Nigerian President is lauded and garlanded for his virtues. And the image of the country is burnished and repositioned in the process.

Surely, greater days are ahead.

Some people say the sheriff did not hit the ground running, as he is yet to constitute his cabinet in 100 days. And I usually ask such people: when you hit the ground, and you land in mud, how do you begin to run immediately? You can only sink deeper, if you attempt to run. The thing to do is to first clear the mud, till you get to terra firma, and then you can begin to run.

President Buhari has spent time trying to clean the Augean stable he inherited.

And he is succeeding. Sheriffs can either come in with guns blazing, shooting malefactors to kingdom come, or simply stamp their authority on the situation by sheer force of personality and presence. The Nigerian sheriff seems to have opted for the second option for now. But we should never forget that sheriffs are licensed to shoot. And those shots can be lethal for lawbreakers. In a matter of months, you can ask those who had bled our treasury to the point of death. They’ll have stories to tell.

Femi Adesina is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari

Friday, 4 September - Thursday, 10 September 2015

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Events

Nigerian Corner at Notting Hill Carnival 2015

The Notting Hill Carnival 2015 was celebrated in an awesome way. Pictures by: Daniel Sync

MC ABBEY’S sensational ‘I Laff in Da spirit’

The maiden event of the I Laff in da spirit with MC Abbey and friends was an exciting night of fun and laughter!

The comedy was electrifying while the music was soul lifting! The show had top musicians and comedians performing.

Nikki Laoye had everyone doing her 1-2-3 steps as she thrilled the crowd with her angelic voice. Henri Soul brought the house down with his Afrobeat sound. Sammie

Okposo and Mike Aremu did not fail to get everyone on their feet. UK artists like Michael Ekundayo, Andrew Bello, Akpos UK and more were present to support.

The comedians had a rib cracking performance! With highlights of the show around EmmaOhMaGod and the headliner MC Abbey!

I laff in da Spirit promises to be back next year with a tour around major cities in the UK! Photo Credit: Daniel Sync

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Nollywood News

Friday, 4 September - Thursday, 10 September 2015

Why my marriage crashed –Ini Edo, actress Popular Nollywood actress, Ini Edo, has revealed that distance, ir¬reconcilable differences, and incompatibility are the factors that largely contributed to her failed marriage.

She made this known while speaking on Rubbing Minds, a show hosted

by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu on Channels Televi¬sion last week.

According to Edo, distance plays a very important role in a relationship.

“No mat¬ter the indifference or incompatibility, if you’re together in love, a lot of things can actually work out. Howbeit, you don’t get to work things out when there is no contact. When you are with someone, and you can’t agree on certain things or find a common ground, I think being together could have actually helped us to understand each other better,” she reiterated.

The actress explained further that acting makes actors and actresses vulnerable. Her words: “Most of the time, we attract wrong people, sometimes for the wrong reasons. Because when people come to you because of what they see

on TV, it’s hard for them to accept you considering the fact that you are just acting because that is your job. When they find out that it’s not the real you, it becomes a problem.

“Marriage is an experi¬ence which I don’t regret. My husband met me an actress. My job takes my time, because naturally there are certain roles you are not allowed to play once you are married. Even if your husband understands, his relatives might not understand. My husband is the last child, so family interference in the marriage was normal.

“Marriage has taught me a lot of lessons, it made me wiser and stronger. I think it actually made me more matured.

I don’t think I married too early, maybe I was a little bit in a hurry.”

On dating Mike Godson, Edo said: “Mike is just a friend, and we get to work often. He is a friend to my siblings so we are just good friends. I have known him for a long time just like I have other friends in the industry. I could date an actor. I try not to put limits to what hasn’t happened yet. I happen to believe that anything is possible.”

Image from Ini Edo’s marriage to U.S. based Philip Ehiagwina Left: Publicity from one of Ini Edo’s famous films

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Friday, 4 September - Thursday, 10 September 2015

Pakistan

Suicide bomber kills four in attack on paramilitary vehicle Four people were killed and at least fifty others wounded by a suicide bomber in north-western Pakistan on Tuesday (September 1).

The deadly bombing occurred in the mountainous Khyber district where Pakistani security forces are conducting counter-militancy operations. An umbrella organization of Islamist insurgents called the Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility.

Witnesses said a suicide bomber set off explosives during morning rush hour near a local government office in the region’s administrative centre of Jamrud.

According to authorities, a paramilitary vehicle was apparently the target and civilians as well as tribal police personnel were among those killed or wounded.

Pakistan’s military launched a major ground and air offensive called “Zarbe Azb” in June 2014 to quell the Islamist insurgency. The operation initially focused on “terrorism infrastructure” in the North Waziristan tribal district and was later extended to Khyber as well as some urban parts of the country.

More than 3,000 militants have been killed since the start of the operation and around 400 soldiers also have died, said the military.

Pakistani Taliban spokesman Mohammed Khorasani has threatened further attacks until an “Islamic system” is implemented

Tuesday’s suicide blast happened just two days after US National Security Adviser Susan Rice visited Islamabad, where she held extensive talks with Pakistani leaders on regional counterterrorism efforts.

Pakistani National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz said his American counter-

part praised Islamabad’s “decisive action” against extremism and terrorism, adding the campaign, particularly in the tribal area, is nearing its end.

“In terms of the actual results, obviously, the results in North Waziristan and elsewhere are more positive and [operation Zarbe Azb] is almost reach-

Israel

Fugitive cop brought back to face justice A former Texas policeman arrested for alleged involvement in the murder of his pregnant girlfriend has been flown back to the United States from Indonesia.

VonTrey Clark was taken from his cell in Bali and escorted by police to the airport on Wednesday.

Clark had been behind bars on the resort island for a month following his arrest in July. He was detained after Interpol, acting on a request from the FBI, issued a red notice for his arrest.

The secretary of Interpol’s national central bureau for Indonesia, BrigadierGeneral Amhar Azeth, said a team of FBI agents arrived on a chartered flight in Bali on Tuesday before Clark’s transfer.

Clark’s choice of Indonesia may have relied on the fact that no extradition agreement exists with the United States.

However, special arrangements can be made if a request is formally submitted and accepted.

US media reported that Clark was under investigation for alleged ties to the death of girlfriend Samantha Dean, a police counsellor, in February. Ms Dean’s body was found with three gunshot wounds to the head behind a vacant

ing its conclusion,” Aziz said.

The Pakistani Taliban said the attack was carried out in revenge for government security operations against them.

In a statement emailed to media, the group’s spokesman Mohammad Khorasani threatened it will launch more attacks in the future and the fight will continue until what he called “anti-Muslim Pakistani rulers” are eliminated and an “Islamic system” is implemented in the country.

Pakistani security operations, officials said, have cleared most of the tribal belt near the border but some pockets in remote mountains still have to be cleared.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly said fugitive militants plan and stage crossborder raids from their alleged Afghan sanctuaries.

The Pakistani tribal areas are also known for harbouring foreign militants, particularly those linked to the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. The recent rise in militant attacks against security forces and pro-government tribal leaders, particularly in border areas, analysts say, could be an attempt by the Pakistani Taliban to stage a comeback to its former strongholds.

Iraq

Builders abducted in alleged ISIS revenge swoop

Gunmen have kidnapped 18 Turkish construction workers in Iraq in what experts say could be retaliation for Turkey’s recent bombing campaigns against ISIS.

Prosecutors believe VonTrey Clark had Samantha Dean (pictured) murdered because she refused to abort his child

shopping centre on February 4, local Texas newspaper The Austin Chronicle reported.

Clark arrived in Indonesia on July 18, Indonesia police records show. He was arrested about a fortnight later.

The kidnapping, reported by Reuters news agency, occurred at a stadium construction site in the predominantly Shi’ite region of Habibiya. Gunmen in military garb entered the worksite at 3 a.m. local time while the construction workers slept in on-site trailers.

No one took immediate responsibility for the attack, but reports have identified ISIS militants as a potential culprit. The group kidnapped 46 Turkish citizens last year in Iraq before releasing them three months later. Last month, the extremist Sunni group described Turkey’s military efforts to defeat it as “selling the country to crusaders,” according to a BBC report.

Officials in both Iraq and Turkey were said to be cooperating in the investigation.

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Friday, 4 September - Thursday, 10 September 2015

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CRIME

Woman jailed for million pound fraud

A payroll officer has been jailed to more than five years for a million pound fraud.

Pauline Elfreda Barrett, 55 of Haywain Close, Ashford, Kent, has been sentenced to five years and eight months’ imprisonment for stealing more than £1 million from an oil and gas company, while working as its payroll officer.

She was charged with 10 counts of fraud by false representation and one count of theft. These were subsequently merged into one count of fraud by abuse of position, to which she pleaded guilty on 20 February.

She was sentenced on Friday, 14 August.

Barrett had edited emails from Saipem Limited’s accountants so that it appeared that they were receiving demands for payment from Her

Pauline Elfreda Barrett

Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The payments were approved but the beneficiary account details were in fact Barrett’s.

Between November 2010 and September 2014 at least 28 payments totalling £1.3 million were made to Barrett’s personal bank account.

Detective Sergeant Mick Walker, of the Met’s fraud and cyber crime team, FALCON, said: “Bennett stole a huge amount of money from her employer.

“For four years Barrett abused her position of trust within the company, her theft was calculated. At first she made demands for small sums of money as she wanted to test the water. However as her confidence grew, so did her demands. The largest payment she fabricated was for around £80,000.”

Two men jailed after police tackle gun-toting armed robbers

Two men who robbed a pawnbrokers with an imitation firearm while dressed in burkhas have been jailed for a total of 20 years.

Inner London Crown Court heard how the pair targeted a pawnbrokers in Atlantic Road, London, Brixton, shortly after 09:00hrs on Wednesday, 27 May, 2015, dressed in the disguise.

They threatened two female members of staff with an imitation firearm forcing them to let them into the secure staff area and making them open the safe.

The duo then stole over £44,000 worth of jewellery and more than £10,000 in cash.

After escaping, the alarm was raised and officers from Lambeth confronted the pair as they fled.

The officers showed remarkable bravery in tackling the armed robbers, especially as they had no way of knowing that the firearm was in fact an imitation weapon.

Both robbers were detained following a foot chase and the stolen jewellery and cash as well as the imitation firearm and disguises were seized by police.

Both men were charged later the next day, with robbery and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Michael Lindo, 34 of Lambeth and Aaron Anthony Dumetz, 24 (16.12.90) of Lambeth, were sentenced on Thursday, 27 August, at Inner London Crown Court, after 14

Michael Lindo

The burka clad armed robbers in action

pleading guilty to robbery and possession of an imitation firearm with intent.

Lindo was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment and Dumetz received a custodial sentence of nine years.

Investigating officer DS Gary Ferguson of The Flying Squad, East London Branch, said: “On behalf of Met’s Flying Squad I would like to thank the local Lambeth Police officers, who bravely followed the two robbers from the scene and tackled them, despite not knowing at that time if the firearm used on the robbery was real or not.

“It was these officers and members of the public, who reported the two robbers actions to police, that has secured the conviction of these two men and the recovery of a substantial amount of stolen jewellery and cash. Lindo in particular is a career criminal and this timely intervention has averted a serious threat to public safety and commercial premises in particular.”

Friday, 4 September - Thursday, 10 September 2015

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Sounds of Diaspora People of America

Better late than never Lauryn Hill wows Lagos Top Nigerian celebrities turned up for the #MayDayLive concert with the legendary Lauryn Hill in Lagos on August 30 and actually made it a special tribute to her.

The ex-Fugees singer arrived in Nigeria’s commercial capital on August 29 after disappointing many fans in May when she failed to show up for a scheduled concert.

However, Victoria Island’s Eko Hotel & Suits event hall was jammed with hundreds of people who had nothing but love and support for the ‘embattled’ diva. ‘’Most Nigerians were disappointed she didn’t make it but she later apologized and we accepted. So we are good,’’ Nollywood actress Meg Otanwa weighed in on the red carpet.

Many who showed up admitted they were ready to be ‘killed softly’ by a woman they considered strong, talented and to have beaten all odds to stay true to who she is, stand by her family and be ready to move on with her life.

“I just really want her to prove everybody wrong,” rapper, Sasha P told Pulse TV, adding that “People seem to forget that just because you’re a creative person, you’re not a human being. Lauryn is first a human being! So I don’t care what’s going on in her life but God has given her a talent, she’s here tonight and I hope she kills it here in Lagos.”

One of the most excited people to attend the event was music star Waje who happens to be a huge fan of Ms Hill. According to Waje, Lauryn Hill’s songs helped her learn how to sing, so she was quite ecstatic to meet her in the flesh.

Waje shared her experience on Instagram saying: Just before the show started a beautiful lady walked up to me telling me how much she loved my music, in her words “we’ve been playing you songs in philly ” , this sister sang the chorus of No Be You and I was blown away by her voice, soon I realized she was Lauryns backup singer. My life changed last night. I cried when Lauryn was performing and thinking, in my life time I see woman wey I use her songs learn work!!!!! She killed it! She gave me music life! So I got home and next thing my phone rings “waje Lauryn wants to meet u? I ran back like I was going to collect the certificate that validates the school of music life I have been in since, she took my hand and I cried all thru…… I’m so sure I embarrassed her but i had to tell her how grateful I am.

Thank you Lauryn for music… Long story short, do your own with diligence and authenticity and you will save lives, inspire people to reach their goals as she inspired many singers and musicians. I’m so honored. Shout out to my sis @jbeautifull (sic) Stars who attended the show included Toolz, Fade Ogunro, Lamide Akintobi, Zainab Balogun, Victoria Kimani, Taje Prest, Zaina, Keturah King, Yvonne Ekwere, Moet Abebe, VJ Adams, Sasha and more.

The event started off a couple of hours late, which was no great shock to anyone who attends shows regularly. It was hosted by Steel and Vina, although Basketmouth was originally slated to direct the evening’s activities.

Scheduled DJ for the night, DJ Jimmy Jatt, was also absent.

Lauryn Hill serenades captivated fans in Lagos

Rihanna Celebrates 10 Years In Music Rihanna says she’s thrilled to have had a decade-long career in music and she plans on celebrating the feat at some point this year.

“Definitely a very big deal for me. You know, I can’t believe it’s 10 years already, but we definitely have to celebrate this year,” the singer said during an interview Monday. “There are a few things I have in mind, so you’ll have wait on that, but don’t think I’m forgetting because this means a lot to me that I made it to 10 years.”

Rihanna released her debut album, “Music of the Sun,” in 2005. The 27-yearold has released seven albums, launched multiple Top 10 hits and won eight Grammy Awards.

This year she’s dropped three singles, including the Top 5 hit “FourFiveSec-

Rihanna

onds,” and says she’s busy working on her eighth album.

“New album is going really, really great. We have recorded a lot of songs and I can’t wait to finish and put it out. That’s my next step,” she said.

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Gospel

By Michael Adekoya

Friday, 4 September - Thursday, 10 September 2015

HOUSE OF PRAYER!

“When the multitudes saw the miracles He had done, they exclaimed, “Surely, He is the Prophet we have been expecting in the world!” (John 6:14)

G

...continued from last week...

od placed Ezekiel, His Prophet, in the valley of dry bones and asked him to turn it around by His word in Ezekiel’s mouth and His anointing on his life. Ezekiel prophesied as He was commanded and dry bones received life.

(Eze 37:1-14) That’s what New Testament Christianity is about. In Luke 10, the Bible says Jesus appointed seventy others also. He breathe on them and they received power before He sent them two by two into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. The seventy went as commanded and returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (Luke 10:17). Even the twelve were baptised with Holy Spirit, with power and fire to continue Jesus’ ministry.

Jesus intended His Church to be House of Bread where people are fed with spiritual food, House of Purity, House of Prayer, House of Power, Healing and Miracle Center, not Entertainment or Trade Center. The Church is supposed to be the House of God where the sick, the needy, the unsaved, the blind, the lame, the tormented, the wounded, the dying can be brought and their needs are met.

Every time the doors of the sanctuary are opened, the ministry of salvation, deliverance, healing should take place.

People with physical, emotional and financial sickness should be healed.

My friend, if you study the ministry of Jesus, you will see that the multitude followed Him because of the works of

God He did everywhere He went. They followed Him because they saw the salvation of human souls, they saw the deliverance of those in captive, they saw blind eyes opened, they saw deaf ears opened, they saw the lame walked, they saw many undeniable and unprecedented miracles (John 6:2). Jesus came for

­­

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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(PART 2)

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

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

the sinner (Luke 19:10). He came to the sick and afflicted (Mark 6:56), He came to the burdened (Math11:28), He came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). These and many other works of God are the purpose of every child of God who is in relationship with God. The only commission that Jesus

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

gave to the early Church and to us today is this: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:1518). And these can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) but until we believe it, we can’t experience it.

The season has changed. The Church might have seen power in the past, but God is now releasing the greatness of His power but only to the willing, the pure and the prayerful. Listen! Christianity without the Holy Spirit power is a frustrated religion. No matter how religious we are, Pharaoh won’t let us move forward without demonstration of God’s power; our grammar, education or fashion notwithstanding. Paul knew this too well. He told us the secret of his ministry when he said, “My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” (1 Cor 2:4). Did you hear that? My friend, that’s what we need today. The works of God is not by flesh, nor by grammar. It’s in demonstration of God’s Spirit and His power! And I’m here to announce to you that the Church of Jesus Christ has crossed over to power frequency.

Remain blessed!

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

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

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

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

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

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Friday, 4 September - Thursday, 10 September 2015

Africa Newsround

Morocco

Blackmail journalists arrested in $3m sting Two French journalists accused of trying to extort almost £2m in exchange for not publishing a book criticising King Mohammed VI are claiming they were entrapped.

Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet agreed to accept instalments of 40,000 euro (£29,000) in a sting operation designed to catch them in the act of blackmailing Moroccan authorities. The pair are notorious in Morocco for their outspoken disdain for a King that most citizens regard as above criticism. Excerpts published in Spain’s El Pais newspaper from their book about Mohammed VI entitled The Predator King saw the daily temporarily banned in Morocco in 2012.

In an interview Monday with Le Parisien newspaper, Graciet says she was tempted into a trap. She said: “It’s the palace that offers, the palace that corrupts”, and that going along with the deal was a moment of weakness on her part.

Her lawyer, Eric Moutet, confirmed the existence of a “financial deal” but, describing the accusations as “very troubling”, he claimed: “The Moroccan kingdom has a clear axe to grind with Catherine Graciet.”

Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet are well-known for their writings criticising King Mohammed VI

Laurent, 68, a veteran investigative reporter, told Le Monde there had been a personal financial transaction, but not blackmail; adding that he and his colleague had been ensnared by an offer from Rabat.

He told Le Monde that in July he had contacted the office of King Mohammed VI to inform them of the allegations in the

book and seek their response. A lawyer for the Moroccan royal family met Laurent in a Paris hotel in August and allegedly told him: “It’s not really a book we want to see coming out,” and offered to pay the journalist in exchange for not publishing the book. Laurent told Le Monde he accepted the proposal of money for personal reasons

Sierra Leone

New case halts Ebola-free celebrations Fifty people have been placed in quarantine in northern Sierra Leone after the death of a middleaged woman from the Ebola virus, in a setback for the country’s bid to gain Ebola-free status.

“We are conducting an epidemiological investigation to trace the extent of the transmission,” Ibrahim Sesay of the National Ebola Response Centre (NERC) told a local radio station. The woman who died was sick for five to ten days without the authorities being alerted.

Given fifty people have been identified as at high-risk “we should not be surprised if we see new cases coming out,” from the new case, identified in the village of Sella Kafta in the northern district of Kambia, Sesay said.

There had been celebratory scenes last week when the country’s last known Ebola patient was released from hospital in the central city of Makeni after being cured of the virus, raising hopes the West African nation may finally have beaten the devastating epidemic.

The latest victim had not travelled to either Liberia or Guinea, two other countries also blindsided by the worst

and in order not to “destabilise Morocco”.

Laurent told the paper the main reason for entering into talks on a deal was the topic of the book itself and the fact it could damage the monarchy and create a power struggle in the country. “It’s extremely sensitive,” he said. “I’ve been doing this job for 30 years and I admit that with this, I’d had enough of it. It’s a very complex subject concerning the royal family and certain behaviours. So I said to myself, no matter what reservations one can have about the monarchy, one doesn’t want to see an Islamic republic installed. If he offers a [financial] transaction, why not?”

Asked by RTL radio how this approach could possibly fit with journalistic ethics, Laurent said: “I’ve got no lessons on ethics to take from anyone … It’s my book, my work, I have the right to publish or not publish. I can do what I like.”

The affair threatens to again test the difficult relations between France and Morocco, its former protectorate, which have been particularly strained since France launched an investigation into claims of torture by the head of Morocco’s counter-terrorism unit.

Zimbabwe

Tour guide crushed at nature reserve

A rhino has crushed a tour guide to death at a private nature reserve in Zimbabwe.

Kambia is situated less than 6km from Sierra Leone’s border with Guinea

outbreak of Ebola in history, which has killed 11,300 people since first emerging in December 2013 in Guinea.

News of the new Ebola death came as a new school year got under way on Monday, with measures in place to try to prevent the spread of the virus. Children’s temperatures were being checked

at many schools, and students were directed towards buckets of chlorine to wash their hands. Schools were closed for more than eight months at the height of the Ebola outbreak.

Reports from Kambia said community leaders and residents remained “in a state of shock” over the news.

Kate Travers, director of the Imire Game Park, said on Wednesday that Tafadzwa Gosho died on Monday night after he was crushed by a rhino he was tending to.

Travers said Gosho was “an experienced rhino handler” and that such attacks were rare. The Imire Game Park is 40 kilometres from the capital, Harare.

On its website, the Imire Game Park is described as “an intensive black rhino breeding station,” which has successfully released 11 rhinos into the wild.

In August, an experienced guide was mauled to death by a lion, while leading a walking tour through Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park.

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Friday, 4 September - Thursday, 10 September 2015

Nigerian News

NYSC Awardees show gestures to IDPs in Abuja “If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope” Barack Obama

By Olubunmi Omoogun

The poor state of the 8 kilometre road that leads to the serene community of Wassa, a satellite town in AMAC area council of Abuja did not dampen the resolve, commitment and the love the NPH Awardees have for the IDPs in Wassa.

Few people spare a thought for the existence of the displaced persons but heartbreaking as this will seem, the UN in its recent statistics put the figure of the IDPs in Nigeria at 1.5million.

This figure is scary. In fact add another 4million to this figure and you will get the population of Sierra Leone.

But when the attention of the 2012, 2013 and 2014 NPH Awardees was drawn to the IDPs’ plight they sprang into action. Knowing that advocacy goes beyond an active verbal support for a cause, the coordinator Dr. Allwell Maduakolam led his team to donate and support the IDPs by giving out relief materials ranging from food items, medical items etc.

“We are bringing in these incentives to alleviate the suffering of the people. We partner with other corporate organisations so that we can do things that will have a lasting impact on the people in need. We are putting resources together to put smiles on the displaced persons’ faces because some of them are dying” said Dr. Allwell.

This philanthropic gesture by Dr. Allwell’s team seems timely especial-

18

ly when NEMA informed well meaning Nigerians to scale up efforts to help the displaced persons as capacity to handle resources are dwindling.

The awardees who will in a matter of weeks be travelling to the UK for further studies were inspired by the immense support they received from Society for Family Health.

A member of the team, Charles Bello also informed Africanvoice that the team believes in community development service. “There is no amount of community efforts that can be enough.

People donated foods, some of us donated clothes that were given out today to the IDPs”. In further demonstration of its commitment to restoring their hope, the health of the IDPs also received a big and significant boost.

Following the intervention of the NPH awardees, a clinic was set up at the centre to carter for the Displaced.

“The clinic we are setting up will meet their basic medical needs. We are calling on people to partner with us.

With this we hope to attract national and global attention to the plights of these Displaced people”.

He further urged the IDPs to make proper and efficient use of the basic medical amenities including mosquito nets donated to them. The more than 1,000 displaced persons also enjoyed free eye test and antenatal care.

Undaunted by the many challenges they are facing, the IDPs in Wassa community thanked the NPH awardees led by Dr. Allwell Maduakolam for their caring hearts.

As we leave Wassa IDPs centre, it is instructive that in spite of the increased humanitarian efforts across Nigeria, more than half a million IDPs are still without an education and struggling to have a secured future.

From left: members of the 2015 election peace committee, Kishop Katthew Kassan Kukah; chairman of the committee, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; Dr YahayaTanko; and President Muhammadu Buhari

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Friday, 4 September - Thursday, 10 September 2015

Nigeria This Week

Buhari gets mixed report for first 100 days President Muhammadu Buhari has shaken up Nigeria‘s corrupt bureaucracy and intensified the battle against Boko Haram in his first 100 days, but has struggled to set out his vision for the faltering economy, say analysts.

The 72-year-old celebrates the landmark on Saturday, after taking office on May 29 on a wave of optimism for oil-rich Nigeria, which has Africa’s biggest population and economy but many deep and seemingly intractable problems.

He presented himself to the electorate as a hawk on security and an iron fist on corruption, pledging to recover “mindboggling” sums of stolen oil money and vowing to crush the six-year Islamist insurgency that has killed at least 15,000 in the northeast.

The press has been largely supportive of Buhari in his first months, criticising his

apparent preference for fellow northerners in his early appointments but comparing him favourably with the defeated Goodluck Jonathan, who had ruled since 2010.

“His predecessor spent over (five) years in office and never made half of the impact Buhari has made in three months,” political commentator Lawal Ogienagbon wrote last week in Lagos-based daily The Nation.

Buhari’s vice-president, Yemi Osinbajo, has estimated the country’s debts at some $60 billion (54 billion euros) and said Nigeria‘s economy is in its worst state in the country’s 55-year independent history.

Meanwhile Buhari has accused his predecessor of leaving the treasury “virtually empty” as global oil shocks squeezed Nigeria‘s crude-dependent finances, forcing government projects to be scrapped or halted and state employees to go months without pay. Source: Vanguard Newspapers. Source: Vanguard Newspapers

President Muhammadu Buhari

Buhari approves Ipaye, ICPC probes Fashola, Akande’s appointments Amaechi, Akpabio, others The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission has set up a task force to probe eight former governors.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointments of Mr. Rahman Adeola Ipaye as Deputy Chief of Staff and Mr. Laolu Akande as Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity) in the Presidency.

The two new appointees, according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, will work in the Office of the Vice President.

Ipaye, who was the immediate past Attorney General of Lagos State, studied at the University of Lagos where he graduated with B.A. (Hons) Degree (History) in 1984; LL.B. Hons (1988) and LL.M. (1991).

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators respectively.

Before his appointment as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ipaye was employed as a lecturer in the Department of Commercial and Industrial Law, University of Lagos (1992 to 2001), Special Assistant (Legal Matters) to the Governor of Lagos State (2001 to 2007) and Special Adviser (Taxation and Revenue) to the Governor of Lagos State and member of the State Executive Council (2007 to 2011).

Akande graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1990 with an honours degree in History and a Masters degree in Communication & Language Arts in 1992.

He became a Staff Reporter of the Guardian newspaper in 1990, while still serving under the National Youth Service Corps.

Mr Rahman Adeola Ipaye

He left The Guardian to join the foundation team of The News Magazine in 1993, where he became Senior Writer.

In 1997, he was appointed by Nigerian Tribune as Editor of the Tribune on Saturday, a position he held until he moved to the United States of America in 1998.

In the U.S, he worked as a journalist with the Philadelphia Inquirer and New York Newsday.

He also served at the United Nations as a Press Officer and later as an Advocacy and Communication Consultant.

He was also the Bureau Chief of The Guardian in North America and the Executive Director of the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans (CANAN).

Akande taught at the State University of New York at Stonybrook and also Suffolk County Community College in Long Island, New York between 2002 and 2015.

“Ipaye and Akande have been working with Vice President Osinbajo since the inception of the present Administration,” the statement added.

A top operative of the commission, who confided in our correspondent on Wednesday, said that the task force was set up following petitions written against the former governors.

It was learnt that top operatives of the commission working in the task force had been dispatched to the states to carry out the probe of the affected former governors.

A top operative of the commission said that the former governors were Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State; Chief Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema of Katsina and Sullivan Chime of Enugu State.

The source said that the other four were on the waiting list.

The former governors on the waiting list, according to the source are, Mr. Raji Fashola of Lagos State, Godswiil Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State and Alhaji Sule Lamido of Jigawa State.

The source said that the ICPC was not considering political parties or association in its response to allegations of corruption made against the affected personalities in the petition.

The source said, “It is true that we are going after eight former governors. The investigation against four of the former governors of Rivers, Katsina, Kano and Enugu has commenced.

“However, the commission has listed four other former governors who are on the waiting list because of petitions against them.

Former Governor Godswiil Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State

They are the immediate past governors of Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi and Jigawa States.

“A Special Task Force was set up by the Chairman of the commission last week to coordinate the investigation in the states. So we are reopening the petitions through the Chairman of the Special Task Force.”

The probe is coming on the heels of a recent move by the ICPC to move 47 crack detectives to the states and the zones to strengthen them in the fight against graft in the society.

The Resident Consultant, Media and Events, of the ICPC, Mr. Folu Olamiti, refused to comment on the story when contacted.

None of the ex-governors was available for comment on the probe.

19

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Friday, 4 September - Thursday, 10 September 2015

Commonwealth Games finally acknowledges Africa

By Agency Reporter

South Africa is to become the first African nation to be awarded the Commonwealth Games when the four-yearly multi-sports event goes to Durban in 2022.

The 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth Games Federation made the decision unanimously on Wednesday (September 2) in New Zealand after receiving Durban’s final candidate city briefing at the general assembly in Auckland. Durban was the only candidate left when Edmonton, Canada withdrew its bid in February, citing costs.

The general assembly also voted to increase the number of compulsory sports at the games from 10 to 16.

Scotland’s Louise Martin was elected the first female president of the federation, deposing incumbent Prince Tunku Imran of Malaysia who held the role for four years.

Durban’s final pitch to Federation members included contributions from South Africa’s minister for sport Fikile Mbalula and Durban mayor James Nxumalo. The announcement was broadcast live in South Africa.

Members of the South African delegation said while Durban was the lone candidate, it was not a certainty to be awarded the Games. It still had to demonstrate it had the ability and the infrastructure to host a Games which would be financially viable.

Uncharted waters South Africa’s record in hosting the

football World Cup in 2010 and the Rugby World Cup in 1995 demonstrated its organizational ability but it has not yet hosted a multi-sports event of the scale of the Commonwealth Games.

The games are scheduled to open July 18, 2022, marking the birthday of South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela who died in 2013.

Principals of the Durban bid committee have said existing infrastructure will be used to minimize costs and the games, scheduled to take place over 12 days, will make a profit. An athletics track will be installed at the existing Moses Mabhida Stadium and venues are already in place to host cycling, swimming and indoor events. An athlete’s village will be constructed.

Meanwhile, Martin who is the federation’s honorary secretary and was vice-chair of the Glasgow 2014 organizing committee, edged Prince Imran in a tight vote for the presidency. Prince Imran was thought to have a strong hold on the position until Martin released a manifesto in which she pledged to secure new sources of funding to boost spending in member nations. “[I see] a way ahead that maximizes sponsorship, grows our profit and supports each and every country and territory to success through greater investment,” Martin said.

Prince Imran highlighted his record over four years in office and appealed for a chance to see through his plans.

Louise Martin is the new president of the Commonwealth Games Federation

“I hope that you will give me the opportunity to really finish that I basically started,” he said. “I felt we finally got to the starting blocks. Please let me finish this race and don’t disqualify me from

the starting blocks.”

Scotland and Canada have offered to host the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games after the withdrawal of the appointed host, St. Lucia.

All Africa Games: get set go!

Continued from back page... ...On the same day in the Men’s, Ghana will face Senegal in Group B, while the other scheduled match between Egypt and Nigeria has obviously been cancelled.

Monday will complete the first round of fixtures with Men’s Group A matches featuring Congo v Sudan and Zimbabwe v Burkina Faso, while the only Group B match in the Women’s 22

will see Cameroon tackle South Africa.

Ghana (who would have played Egypt) will have to wait until Thursday to get their tournament underway.

The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals. The bronze medal match and final for both tournaments will be played on 17 and 18 September respectively. The reigning champions from the 2011 tournament

in Mozambique are Ghana (Men’s) and Cameroon (Women’s).

Men’s tournament: Group A – Congo, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso Group B – Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria (Egypt withdrew)

Women’s tournament: Group A – Congo, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ivory Coast Group B – Cameroon, South Africa, Ghana (Egypt withdrew) END – Use image of South Africa Women team in action

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Harambee Stars look to shine against Zambia Harambee Stars of Kenya will look to shine in their 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Group E Qualifier against Chipolopolo of Zambia this coming Sunday.

The hosts will hope to erase their 1-1 draw against Congo in their first qualifying tie in June and a win is something they’ll target to move up to four points.

Kenya are placed at the top of Group E standings with one point, above Congo purely on goals scored.

The match against the 2012 African champions is set to be a crucial tie for Congo as they want to consolidate their spot at the top of Group E. Coached by Robert Williamson, the Kenyans will aim to fight for a win and derail Zambia’s plan of reaching Gabon in 2017.

The coach will be looking to skipper Victor Wanyama from Southampton and McDonald Mariga of Parma to lead the team to victory.

On the other hand, the Zambians are under pressure to bag a win as they’ve been given the mandate of ensuring that they book a place in Gabon at all costs by the association and sports ministry of their country.

The Zambians managed to claim a point in their opening tie against Guinea Bissau as they failed to find the back of the net in

While Kenya topped the medal table with 16 medals, Jamaica stood second with 12 medals.

India could not win a single medal in the championships.

Kenya was at the top with overall 16 medals including 7 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze medals.

Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot (women’s 1000m), Ezekiel Kemboi (men’s 3000m steeplechase), Nicholas Bett (men’s 400m hurdles), David Lekuta Rudisha (men’s 800m), Julius Yegom

The Brave Warriors of Namibia are set to welcome Senegal’s Li-

ons of Teranga as they honour their 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Group K Qualifier hoping to stun their visitors.

Coach Ricardo Mannetti will have to

rally behind his charges aiming for the full three points and revive their hopes of climbing Group K’s log standings.

The hosts are placed at the bottom of the standings with zero points after losing their opener to Niger in June.

Despite their preparations going well, the Southern African side will be without Gaborone United’s Benson Shilongo who has been ruled out due to a head injury he sustained whilst playing for his club.

However, players such as goalkeeper Virgil Vries, Ronald Ketjijere, Willem Nwedihanga and Petrus Shitembi are exSouthampton’s Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama

the 0-0 draw.

Coach George Lwandamina has assembled a strong squad which consists of skipper Rainford Kalaba, Nathan Sinkala and Kabaso Chongo who are all from TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Zambians have been busy since their opening qualifier in June which is a slight advantage over the hosts who have

not played since drawing 1-1 against Congo in June.

Chipolopolo have played twice against Namibia and eventually beat the Brave Warriors 6-5 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in the Afcon Championships (Chan).

The match is set to get underway at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday at 15:00.

Kenya tops Fifteenth IAAF World Championships

Fifteenth IAAF World Championships in Athletics was held between 22 August and 30 August 2015 at the Beijing’s National Stadium in China.

Nigeria To Host Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone AFCON Clashto go out on loan

(men’s Javelin throw), Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi (women’s 3000m steeplechase) and Asbel Kiprop ( men’s 1500m) were the gold medalists.

Jamaica was at the second position by winning 12 medals including 7 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals. Usain Bolt won 3 golds by winning 100m and 200m events and by being part of 4*400m relay. Jamaica won gold medals in 4*100m relay (men and women) and women 4*400m relay. Men 4*400m relay was won by the USA. The USA was at the third position with 18 medals overall including 6 medals in each category. The United Kingdom won 7 medals including 4 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals.

Ethiopia stood at the fifth position by winning 3 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze.

“Kenya has tremendous talents other than middle distance runners,” said javelin world champion Julius Yego. “We’ve proved that.

Nicholas Bett won the 400m hurdles with the best time of the year. It’s really good for the individual athletes who’ve got a medal and it’s really good for our country. And I’m sure we will have many more Kenyans coming up in the field events and the sprints. We have talents.

If we can identify them at the early stages, I am sure Kenya will continue to top the medals tables at the world championships and the Olympics.”

pected to be key for the hosts as they’d like to use their home ground advantage.

On the other hand, the visitors will also target the full three points and consolidate their top of the log position following their 3-1 victory over Burundi in June.

They’re placed at number one on the log with three points and the trip to Namibia allows them a chance to bag their second win.

Coach Aliou Cisse’s men are seen as favourites to win the group ,but the 2015 Cosafa champions could stun them considering their hunger to reach Gabon in 2017.

Cisse has also experienced an injury blow in his squad with reports suggesting that midfielder Alfred Ndiaye is out for this tie - he is replaced by Eupen’s Diawandopu Diagne.

However, Cisse will be hoping to see his skipper, Lamine Sane and experienced players such as Diafra Sakho, Kara Mbodji and Sadio Mane in fine form on the day to help claim a win.

The match gets underway at 15:30 and the venue is the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday.

23

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Commonwealth Games finally acknowledges Africa

All Africa Games: get set go!

SEE PAGE 22

By Agency Reporter

The 2015 All Africa Games begins this weekend, but both the Men’s and Women’s football tournaments have been hit by the surprise withdrawal of Egypt.

The Egyptian FA announced last week that it would be withdrawing both its Men’s and Women’s teams due to a congested fixture list and poor preparation.

EFA board member Hamda Al Masry said: “The tournament will be in September and there are a lot of matches for Egyptian national teams. The senior team will play against Chad and they will call many of the Olympic team players.

“It is the same for the Egyptian teams Al Ahly and Zamalek. They will play the last match in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup and are not ready to part with any of their players to leave.

“There will not be enough players to prepare, add to that the foreign-based players will not be able to attend so we decided not to participate. We now plan for the Under-23 African Championship that will be in Senegal.”

CAF reportedly offered the chance to Senegal and Burundi, the respective teams eliminated by Egypt in the Women’s and Men’s qualifiers, to take the Pharaohs’ place at the AAG, but they both declined due to the short notice.

This means that in both the Men’s and Women’s tournaments there will be one group with just three teams, while the un-

The South African Women’s football team

affected group remains at four competitors.

The action gets underway on Sunday,

6 September, with the opening matches in

the Women’s tournament seeing Tanzania tackle Cote d’Ivoire, while hosts Congo

On the same day in the Men’s, Ghana will face Senegal in Group B, while the other scheduled match between Egypt and Nigeria has obviously been cancelled.

Continued on page 23...

will face Nigeria in Group A...

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