AfricaWorld 1 - 15 August by bruno chaves

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AUGUST 1-15 2012

VOL 001 Nº016

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SOUTH AFRICA IS AHEAD ON LAND REFORM - Envoy

By Nonye Anuche

A Diplomat is considered member of an exclusive and prestigious profession. The honour reserved for diplomats is also due to many nations’ conspicuous selection of diplomats, with regard to their profession and ability to represent according to a certain etiquette, in order to promote their interests. More so, United Nations law grants diplomats extensive immunities and privileges, which further distinguish him from the status of an ordinary citizen. It was a cool and calm Irish evening, bearing a humble mien, South African Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency, Mr.Azwindini Jeremiah Ndou, at the Ambassador’s residence in Dublin, bared his mind on all. The Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary talks about his days as member of parliament, challenges of the job, his relationship with

the Irish government, South Africa’s road to land reform, the African agenda among other issues. Prior to the matters of the day, Amb. Ndou went memory lane. In his brief background history, he narrated how he joined the department in 1994, before South Africa’s first democratic elections. Amb. Ndou has been in service right from the birth of the rainbow nation. The Mandela stalwarts, to be precise. He was also a seasoned parliamentarian, an incumbent in the parliament that formed the constitutional assembly. In 1998, Amb Ndou was posted to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 6 months later he became the High commissioner to Zimbabwe. Amb. Ndou also served South Africa’s Diplomatic Mission in Libya from August 2005 to end of 2009. He took leadership of his country’s the diplomatic mission in Ireland in February 2010, while the Irish recession hammered. Below are highlights of his points on our questions and discussion with him:

His Excellency,

Mr. Azwindini Jeremiah Ndou

Continued on Page 3

Massive Corruption IN NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, NIGERIA By Paul Kelly

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Boniface Egboka, is allegedly at the centre of a huge corruption scandal worth billions of Nigerian naira, it has emerged. The university is the second most sought after in Nigeria and student fees for it have almost tripled recently.. Investigations into the Vice-Chancellor’s activities began

when, in March, a petition was brought by a group of “concerned staff” to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), claiming the Professor had participated in nepotism, abuse of office and theft of university funds. The situation further intensified when, on July 4th, investigative reporting website icirnigeria.org accused the Vice-Chancellor of a number of specific offences which he has struggled

to explain. Professor Egboka has since been temporarily arrested and a source within the EFCC has claimed that soon enough evidence may be corroborated to bring the case to court. Despite this, however, following interrogation by the EFCC, Prof. Egboka has been released on administrative bail pending further investigation. He has also retained his position within the university whilst the

EFCC’s investigations continue, despite calls for his resignation. Indeed, following questions by AfricaWorld, the office of the Vice-Chancellor issued a statement claiming that icirnigeria’s investigations “contained a lot of lies and half-truths” and that the investigation “by the EFCC does not confer a verdict of guilt on those being investigated.” The Vice-Chancellor’s office also produced a detailed rebuttal to the allegations facing Continued on Page 4

Amílcar UGANDA’S 1ST LADY CHINA - AFRICA Cabral GUNS FOR PRESIDENT RELATIONS panic us

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THE FIRST AFRICAN FASHION BLOGGER IN IRELAND WWW.SIMPLYGLAMOROUS.BIZ

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AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

opinion

The return of the native

Editorial AFRICAN DESCENDANTS AND GLOBALIZATION

“No matter how hot the water from your well, it will not cook your rice.”

By Ukachukwu Okorie

Recently I delved into research on the lost African people around the world. To be candid, ever since one of AfricaWorld Volunteers returned from a trip to Turkey, my head had been sporadically busy with what happened in the past. Several centuries ago, and for a long period of time, Africans were forcefully ferried out of their ancestral land. The Triangular trade starting before 16th to early 19th centuries, carrying enslaved Africans, between West Africa, Caribbean or American colonies and the European slave trading ports is a case study. The pictures of African peoples and Culture in Turkey spurred me to look into some of the almost forgotten history of my continent. In Turkey, areas with significant populations are in the Aegean Region, especially İzmir, Aydın, and Muğla. Most came from today’s Zanzibar, Niger, Libya, Kenya and Sudan to the Ottoman Empire during the height of the latter’s might. Like Afro Turks, there are Africans scattered around the world, from Asia’s India, Middle East Iran and Iraq and South America. Thanks to the pace of globalisation as research and migration seemed quicker than ancient times. Many Africans are beginning to raise signal for their presence to be noticed in their new land of partial ancestry. Many are still wallowing under the shadow of marginalisation in their country of birth because of their colour and history. Africans and humanity have a role to play for these folks especially those who are systematically denied the power to live better and reshape their destiny. The media through the internet offers a glimpse and hopefully, more in the future. AfricaWorld will offer our readers more in subsequent editions as our biweekly launch take off. As usual, this first issue in our new twoweeks phase is interesting. It’s all about the South African land issue and more. Connect with us on major social networking sites or log on

www.africaworldnewspaper.com Come inside.

Uka

Amílcar Cabral

In Bafatá, Portuguese Guinea on the 12th September, 1924, Amílcar was born to a Guinean mother and Cape Verdean father. Amílcar Cabral had the first stage of his education in Cape Verde. He was later sent to Lisbon, Portugal to study Agronomy at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia. In Portugal, Amílcar met compatriots who came from colonial Africa for further studies, there he joined them to explore ways to take his fatherland out of the colonists. What pained him most was the looting of his nation’s resources to develop foreign lands. Together with other students like Vasco Cabral, Agostinho Neto, and Mário de Andrade, they discussed their homelands. Amílcar and his colleagues from Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, and Mozambique continued to explore ways to tackle colonialism by writing creative articles, informing the ignorant about the beauty and riches of their African culture. They also utilised the platform to educate fellow African students and prepare them mentally for the onerous task that lay ahead in their respective lands. After completing his studies as an agronomist in 1951, he decided to go back and invest his knowledge and skills in Africa. Amílcar returned to Guinea-Bissau in 1952 securing a job from the Department of Agricultural and Forestry Services. Amílcar’s decision to go back home rather than to stay remain in Portugal reflected his unquenchable thirst to assist his people prepare for their struggle against colonial rule. In 1953 and 1954, he organised an agricultural survey and head-count of his people. Amílcar Cabral travelled throughout Guinea-Bissau talking with peasants about their socio-economic activities, problems as agriculturalists, and their histories and cultures. He compiled a report on the country’s soils and crops and offered panacea on how to improve the economic situation in the colony. The success of this survey gave Amílcar a firm knowledge of the situation on the ground especially in learning from the people the

AfricaWorld & Millenium Development Goals Editor Ukachukwu Okorie Chief Reporter Paul Kelly Graphic Design Celine Fang Bruno Chaves

Photography Stephen Boyle Erika Moore

practical aspects of colonial exploitation. His familiarisation tour ultimately armed him with vital information and contacts especially the peasant farmers who played the pivotal role when the the armed struggle against Portuguese colonialism began. A dock workers’ strike at Pidjiguiti in August 1959 resulted in the killing of 50 protesters. The colonial authorities blamed the PAIGC (Par tido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde; in English, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde) for fomenting trouble among the workers,

and the party’s stalwarts had to rethink long-range strategies for achieving their objectives. In September 1959 Amilcar and several PAIGC chieftains met in Bissau and decided non-violent protest in the struggle would bear no fruit, thus concluding that the only hope for achieving independence was through armed revolt. For their own protection they had to leave the country, but at the same time mobilize the people in the interior where the majority of the population live. Another breakthrough for Amilcar and his comrades at PAIGC was in 1958 when its southern neighbor, Republic of Guinéa (Conakr y), gained its

The Editorial team at AfricaWorld would like to point out that it is aware of the Millennium Development Goals

independence in 1958, and its leader Sékou Touré agreed to allow the PAIGC to use his country as a base. In 1963 Cabral led the PAIGC’s guerrilla movement (in Portuguese Guinea) against the Portuguese colonialists, which evolved into one of most effective wars of independence in African history. Amilcar Cabral, Secretary-General of the PAIGC, met his death on 20th January 1973 at Conakry, Guinea, at the hands of a traitor, Inocencio Kani, spy for the Portuguese colonialists who had infiltrated into the ranks of the movement three years ago. A fellow Guinean and an ex-guerilla, Innocenta was used as tool by the French and Portuguese to kill the pan-African leader. Amílcar was shot by Inocencio in front of the PAIGC office. According to his wife who witnessed the conversation between Amílcar and Inocencio before the coward act, “the plot was to have Amílcar taken by a boat to a Portuguese naval vessel waiting in international waters.” Amílcar resisted and was trying to talk Inocencio into changing his mind when the traitor pulled the trigger and shot him dead. After his assassination by agents of the Portuguese colonial regime, Amilcar Cabral was honored as “Founder of the Nationality” for his leadership in the struggle to create the legal and political basis for Cape Verde independence. Before his murder, he would point out that the goal of the struggle was to fully realize the nationhood already present in the cultural resistance of the Cape Verdean people. Cabral saw the task of the national liberation movements and struggle as not merely to usher in Black rule replacing white faces with black ones; it was not to raise a different flag and sing a new anthem, rather to remove every kind of exploitation from the country. Amilcar Cabral was tactful to distinguish the colour of men’s skins from exploitation and repeatedly emphasised that the struggle was against Portuguese colonialism and not against the Portuguese people. He has been honoured across the world for his bravery and leadership. The Amílcar Cabral International Airport in Sal, Cape Verde as well as the Amílcar Cabral University in Guinea Bissau are named in his honour. There is also the football competition, the Amílcar Cabral Cup held in his honour. He is one of African Legends.

and seeks to synergise its work in accordance with those aims wherever possible. Those goals are to improve

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issues of Education, Health, HIV/AIDS, Gender Equality, Environmental Sustainability and Global Partnerships.

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AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

NEWs (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

SOUTH AFRICA IS AHEAD ON LAND REFORM

L-R : Nonye Anuche, Amb. A J Ndou, Ms. Thobeka Dlamini and Ukachukwu Okorie By Nonye Anuche

Q. Sir, what are the challenges of your job as a diplomat in Ireland? The usual challenges of a diplomat as you learn new culture and gain knowledge of people can be very challenging, as he explained. “It can be a convenient challenge of nomadic learning,”he said. He lamented the impact on children with their movement. “The children also face the challenge of adapting to new schools and making new friends as they move to a different country.” The South African diplomat stressed the weather for the young ones as they settle in a new environment. Though, this is a career they chose to pursue, Amb. Ndou pointed out about their personal challenges. Q. Sir, what is your relationship with the current Irish government? My relationship with the people and government of Ireland is very cordial. As a diplomat, I am representing the interest of my country and we are working in partnership in different ways to benefit bilaterally. Q. How far have you packaged South Africa as tourist country for visitors? “Since I came to Dublin in 2010, we have continued to explore ways to increase visits to our country,”he said. He informed that his office is currently working with an company called Travel Media to promote South Africa as a tourist destination and they intend to continue to source more opportunities. “We also encourage trade and investment, prompting

Enterprise Ireland to open an office in Johannesburg. The Irish government led by Minister O ‘Sullivan came on a trade mission to South Africa last year, another visit scheduled for November this year is on the cards.” According to the Envoy, the Embassy was involved in the Volvo race which they used to package South Africa and its rich resources and culture. They have equally parlayed with some chambers of commerce and industry like Waterford Enterprise Centre and Enniscorthy Enterprise Centre . Amb. Ndou revealed that his office is planning a South Africa week in September which is generally regarded as the rainbow nation’s heritage month. During the planned South Africa week, “a window showcasing our culture, dance, film, music and investment opportunities will be opened,” he opined Q. Dr. Mrs. Zuma is the new African Union (AU) leader, what is South Africa’s plan to achieve with the position? On Dr.Mrs. Nkosazana Dlamini - Zuma’s election, “I thought it was a process which all laud as democracy in practice,” he said. Amb. Ndou informed us that the new AU leader had led and shaped South Africa’s foreign policy which champions African Renaissance. The South African Diplomat informed that Dr. Zuma will be looking towards the continent and its regeneration. Areas of stability, social justice, economy and working hard to implement African Union policies, leading and coordinating Africa’s interest are all in the new AU’s manifest, according to him.

President Zuma

Q. Is there any forum for African embassies and diplomats in Ireland, if there is, what is the agenda? Yes, there is a forum of 7 African ambassadors and we meet bi-monthly to trash out issues. Agenda for their fraternal parley include engaging the Irish government to see Africa as a potential trade destination. We also discuss on how to encourage African business entrepreneurs, meet with experts in the field of agriculture and Information technology to see and utilise the opportunity that abound in Africa. We intend to carry on in our own way the implementation of the African strategy (NEPAD). Though we encourage aid but our emphasis lay more on developmental aspect of it. Q. Sir, what are your achievements so far as South Africa’s Ambassador to Ireland? “First and foremost, I see myself as a servant of the people. I am in this country for my people,” Amb. informed. He told AfricaWorld that his office will continue to provide civic duties to South African citizens in Ireland. Such duties include documentation matters like issuance of identification , birth certificates and passports. We operate an open door policy and we engage with South African businesses in Ireland too. He pointed out their partnership with Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) to train interested South Africans in entrepreneurship and information technology. Through training, they plan to empower South Africans in Ireland to avail them of the tools for success, whether

here or when they go back home. He also identifies with South Africans in all the Irish counties through town hall meetings. Visits like this afford them the opportunity to discuss issues of concern and upcoming itinerary include Waterford on August 4 and county Kildare on the 11 of this month. Q. What has happened to Mandela’s philosophy of live and let live in South Africa as critics say there seems to be deviation? “Not at all,” he sharply stressed. Mandela’s philosophy is part of a leadership ideal based on a public involvement and there is no deviation. South Africa is still a non-racial, nonsexist, democratic country. Nelson Mandela set the template for today’s governance and all are involved. Q. What is happening on Land Reform as critics point to the possibility of going the Zimbabwe route? South Africa is on the right track and the land reform programme is still on. Policies will be able to address concerns as it is possible to deal with challenges at a round table. He acknowledged the slow process of the reform but quickly pointed out that there is progress, nevertheless. In this reform, “issues like food security, stability, legal and constitutional hurdles need to be looked into,” he advised. Whatever happens, “South Africa will not go the Zimbabwe way as government policies will sort this issue out,” the diplomat informed AfricaWorld. Amb. Ndou promised that South Africa is on the right track towards its planned goals.

UGANDA’S FIRST LADY GUNS FOR PRESIDENT The wife of Uganda President, Yoweri Museveni is in pole position to succeed her husband. AfricaWorld has learnt she emerged as the preferred successor to the president, with the full backing of her hubby, who is also chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement. President Yoweri Museveni’s recent announcement in a media parley with NTV Uganda that he will not attempt to go beyond the constitutional age limit of 75 years has thrown the race wide open. Sources informed that the statement of the Ugandan leader has energised frontrunners, with each lobbying for his backing.

Janets Museveni

AfricaWorld contacts reliably informed that the president is preparing the minds of his top military brass of his wife ambition. Janet Kataaha Museveni, born

June 24, 1948, is also member of parliament representing Ruhaama and Minister for Karamoja Affairs. Our source informed that the Generals were aghast but mute at the presidential meeting. Inside sources in Kampala said that no one knows the possible outcome when the political chess starts. “The generals did not expect this twist in the succession struggle as there was silence in the room, instead of coming out in support of Mzee’s choice,”said our source. However the army generals’ discomfort may be, President Museveni’s long time favourite for successor, Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and now, his First Lady Janet, get a head start over all the other contenders as Mbabazi has been acknowledged in the past by Mzee as a presidential material.

It is widely believed that the generals want one of their own, someone who fought with President Muzeveni in the rebellion that brought the regime to power in 1986.

President Yoweri Museveni’s

AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

NEWS

Massive Corruption IN NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, NIGERIA

Prof. Egboka

him and promised to defend Prof. Egboka’s innocence. The Professor’s defiant words come at a time when his moral and administrative authority within the university is increasingly coming into question. On the 18th July, an anonymous professor within the university released a statement condemning the Vice-Chancellor and his rebuttal to the icirnigeria. org investigation. “I feel ashamed at the very puerile language of the learned Professor and the litany of lies he chose to market in his response,” wrote the professor. “I had expected the learned Professor to either keep quiet… and allow the EFCC come out with their verdict or apologise for his mistakes/ misdemeanours.” The EFCC’s investigations, however, are being undermined by the silence of many university staff and students. Speaking to AfricaWorld, many freely expressed their misgivings at the level of corruption that prevails within the Vice-Chancellor’s office, but declined to be named due to their fear of being “victimised” by Professor Egboka. “They all say he is corrupt,” explained Ukachukwu Okorie, a former student leader at the university. “But they know if they give you their name there would be dire consequence. For a student, graduation will be difficult while staff may be sacked or face punitive query.” Indeed, the response by the ViceChancellor’s office to AfricaWorld’s investigation does little to allay such fears. In a desperate rant, entitled “Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Boniface Egboka and the Future,” the office described the original petitioners to the EFCC as being “demons-incarnate” and “vampires” who wish to force the Vice-Chancellor to do their “evilintentioned demonic and pecuniary biddings.” Despite this, however, the office

of the Vice-Chancellor were clear in how they opposed the claims put to them by icirnigeria.org, although their answers remain shaky at best. An often cited example of Egboka’s alleged corruption is of the purchase of two 2011 Toyota 4 Runner jeeps worth N27 million. These are used by the Vice and Pro Chancellor of the university. icirnigeria.org claimed the purchase was made “without any bidding and without the approval of the tender’s board and in spite of the fact that he already had a Prado jeep as official car while the pro-chancellor used a Toyota Avensis.” Although Egboka did not try to defend the extravagance of the p u rc h a s e, t h e Vi ce Chancellor’s office argued that the purchase itself fully complied with the law. Three companies had submitted bids, they argued, and Grech Resources Ltd. had been authorised to supply the vehicles. In summary, they insisted that the “normal process of doing business in a public institution was fully met.” An anonymous Professor within the university, however, has since claimed that this is “spitting in the face of truth” and has produced confidential internal memorandums which back-up his claim. These memorandums show clearly that the Vice-Chancellor not only failed to accept alternative bids, but also forced the university into the purchase of the vehicles in question by making a deposit whilst on a trip to the USA. The Vice-Chancellor is also under pressure due to a number of other tenders, as can be seen in the case of Regibel Construction Ltd. This company was employed by the university to construct a 676 metre road, allegedly without any proper tendering process and with the high price of the contract, over 92 million Naira, seen as suspiciously “inflated.” Upon questioning the

Vice-Chancellor over the matter, he claimed that this was “totally false and a calculated attempt to ridicule the U n i ve r s i t y Administration.” Defending the tendering process, he listed three different companies which had made bids. However, once again, an anonymous Professor has come forward with confidential

documentation which shows that the tendering process was nothing more than a “rubber stamp” for the Vice-Chancellor’s own independent decrees. Making decrees seems to be the hallmark of the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure, as, following this incident with Regibel, he allegedly began issuing its construction projects “without any tender process, agreement or any other document.” To add insult to injury, the costs of many construction projects throughout the university are often dramatically raised. In an investigation by icirnigeria, they found that “there is virtually no contract that does not suffer an upward review in costs.” In addition to this, the ViceChancellor is also known for employing many of his family in order to allegedly siphon off large amounts of university funds. He has awarded multiple, allegedly inflated, contracts to his son-in-law and also employs two of his

daughters, Nkechi Egboka and Dr. Egboka Chioma Mmazulu within the university. When questioned about the employment of these family members, the ViceChancellor defended their appointments, saying that “the University records can show that they are qualified and they were employed just as others.” Speaking to AfricaWorld, Nkechi Egboka herself attacked the insinuation that her employment was suspicious: “ I resigned from Total E&P Nigeria (an oil company), where I earned a salary greater than Professors to take a job that pays not even one quarter of what I earned, so please tell me why I was so stupid to do so.” Former student leader Ukachukwu Okorie, however, has argued that the fact she left a higher paying job proves that she can gain more through corrupt activities whilst working for the university. “Why else would she leave the oil company?” he said. AfricaWorld source further consulted University teachers in Awka to know how they feel about the performance of the embattled college leader. “Apart from nepotism, the Vice-Chancellor is despotic, intolerant and abuses his office”, a lecturer said while seeking that his name be protected for fear of being sacked. The University Head is also accused of dragging academic due process to the mud especially in the appointment of a Professor. A clear example is the recent appointment of Professor Anigbogu, which they say, fell short of UNIZIK standard. Our source, who claimed the Vice-Chancellor is a heavy drinker, has taken rash decision on many occasions, even in matters of urgent importance to the growth of the University. “He runs the school with his cabal like a Town Union, thus acting like a King and expecting academics to act like Court Jesters”, our source said. Our investigation revealed that those who fall out of his good books hardly gets any request granted as Nigeria University system made enormous powers rest of ViceChancellors. Staff fill our dossier with complaints of lack of motivation since he took reigns. An Academic staff in the Faculty of Natural Science informed AfricaWorld of a particular issue related to Christmas bonus in November 2011, in which all staff received the sum of 20,000 Nigerian naira, only to deduct the money from their salary early this year, citing flimsy excuses. To worsen matters, the ‘20,000 bonus’ was shared flatly to all staff irrespective of your position or status in the University. Inside source in the University Senate informed us that the ViceChancellor was at a time challenged

by Professor Ezeonu in a Senate meeting on why he was involved in money laundering with the school funds. According to AfricaWorld inside source, Professors and senior lecturers were aghast at the treatment Prof. Egboka have meted to them since he assumed the ViceChancellor of UNIZIK. Succinctly, one of them put it, “morale is low.” “Is this not a citadel of learning”, a Professor spontaneous queried, “here the administration is in pursuit of misplaced priorities, preferring to approve fund for frivolities to research, seminars and workshop”, his colleague said. AfricaWorld reliably learnt that on demands of University approvals and funding of academic research, the Vice-Chancellor who also operate as a Chief Executive Officer decline in the latter, instead advising the researcher to source for money. As the Professor put it, morale is in lowest ebb as remuneration is hard to come by since he came on. A teacher who is involved in the part-time section queried the rationale behind their receiving a paltry sum when counterparts in the state university earns more. “Can you imagine that what we get for 20,000 naira, state university teachers go home with 42,000”, he bemoaned. According to him, federal universities have more students and grants from the Nigeria authorities in Abuja Students are not left out in the criticism of Professor Egboka who they lampooned his style of administration. Those contacted went berserk with his system of administrative extortion as one put it. Apart from fees ranging around 21,600 naira depending on a student’s Faculty of Study, they are charged extra 10,000 naira per session for accreditation while another 1,000 naira is compulsorily levied for uploading results online. When AfricaWorld asked why staff are paid if they cannot upload students result, the answer failed to come up. A litany of complaints came from the students especially the arbitrary levies imposed on them. They lamented the absence of a virile students’ union government as in the past, which could effectively represent them and challenge their status as pawns or cash-cow to the system. Finally, AfricaWorld learnt that the moribund branch of Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), has come to life after 12 years with the election of Professor Ike Odimegwu, Head, Department of Philosophy, as leader, on 4 July 2012 as against the backing of the Vice-Chancellor’s candidate, Professor Ken. The EFCC’s continues.

investigation

AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

news

South Sudan Photography Exhibition Unveiled

By Paul Kelly

On July 18th, NGO Medicines Sans Frontiers organised a photography exhibition in the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, in order to raise awareness of the refugee situation in South Sudan. The event featured recent photography from several refugee camps scattered across the country and was organised to raise awareness of a situation “which doesn’t get much attention in Irish media”. In Jamam refugee camp, just one of the camps, eight children are reported to die every day. This refugee camp was highlighted at the event as being a particularly serious case. It is currently home to 30,000 refugees who are forced to live i n c r a m p e d, u n s a n i t a r y conditions which are only worsening. “The situation is very serious. Some have been there since the end of last year.” explained Gareth Shaw, who organised the event. “You have a very large population and the problem is that the camp is on a large, flat plateau and when the

By Mr. N Dickson ORJI

rainy season starts it turns into a big swamp. The rainy season has started now.” Part of this problem, he told AfricaWorld, is that it results in “large areas of stagnant water and it is very hard to find clean drinking water.” This has forced Medicines Sans Frontiers to begin drilling for water, an activity usually outside of its normal mandate of providing qualified medical care in areas “where others cannot or choose not to go”. Meanwhile, speaking at the event Jane-Ann McKenna, who has just returned from visiting Jamam refugee camp, described it as a “nightmare scenario”. “The refugees are arriving in such an emaciated state that our medical staff are struggling to revive them.” she reported. “In one morning, our team witnessed six deaths.” The NGO itself is being spread thin across South Sudan due to the scale of the crisis. Ross M cCar thy, one of their representatives at the exhibition, described how their head of

communications could not even be at the event because he was pulled to one of the camps to help deal with the growing crisis. According to Medicines Sans Frontiers, there are 120,000 people currently living in such camps across South Sudan and aid agencies are struggling to meet their needs. “What’s needed is for all agencies involved, led by the UNHCR, to join together to come up with a solution that can remove these refugees from the health risks associated with the dire living conditions in the camp,” explained Tara Newell, emergency coordinator in Jamam refugee camp. “We have to proceed with a great sense of urgency.” The source of the emergency lies in various civil wars which have wracked South Sudan, culminating in its independence from Sudan just last year. It is currently the youngest country in the world and there remain significant disputes with Sudan, especially over its vast oil reserves.

KOFI ANNAN RESIGN AS SYRIA PEACEMAKER The United Nations-Arab League joint envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan has resigned his position.. Addressing newsmen, he said the Syrian people “desperately need action”. He, however criticised the UN Security Council for “finger-pointing and name-calling”. Mr Kofi Annan crafted a six-point roadmap to peace for Syria which intended to bring panacea to the fighting. However neither side adhered to the plan, instead both seem to be in a fight to finish. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said it was “with deep regret” he made the announcement. He told the media that Mr Annan would not renew his mandate when it terminates at the end of August. Speaking in Geneva, Mr Annan said the increasing militarisation of the conflict and the “clear lack of unity” in the UN Security Council had “fundamentally changed the circumstances for the effective exercise of my role.” The former UN Secretary General regretted the suffering of the Syrian people.

Prosecution Trails Nigeria Oil Subsidy Report The Presidential Committee set up on the 2011 fuel subsidy scheme report by Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee found that Nigeria’s subsidy regime between 2009 and 2011 - the period the report covers - was fraught with “endemic corruption and entrenched inefficiency”. Among recommendations said to have been made by the 15-man presidential committee was for some of the indicted companies to refund large sums of money, while others should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrence. Some of Independent oil marketing companies mentioned in the report include Ifeanyi Uba’s Capital Oil & Gas Oba Otudeko’s Honeywell Oil & Gas, NIPCO Plc, SPOG Petrochemical Limited, Sahara Energy Limited, Masters Energy, Rahamaniyya Oil & Gas, Eterna Plc, Obat Oil & Petrol Limited and Folawiyo Oil Limited, among others. Investigators looking into the subsidy found importers were being paid for 59 million liters a day, while the country only consumes 35 million and found that mismanagement and theft by fuel marketers and government officials cost $6.8 billion (1.1trillion Naira)over three years -- about a quarter of Nigeria’s annual budget. Aig Imokhuede disclosed this while addressing journalists after submitting the final report to President Goodluck Jonathan. “The first step is the recovery of the N382 billion,” Mr Imokhuede said. The probe commissioned by Mr Jonathan is the latest in a string of investigations into fuel subsidy scheme that is rife with corruption and a massive drain on the country’s finances. “The next is possible criminal investigation and prosecution of the OMT (oil marketing and trading companies) also, the external auditors and any government functionaries who served will be further interviewed to determine the roles if any in the issues that were discussed.” Nigeria is noted to be one of the top 10 crude oil exporters in the world but due to decades of corruption and mismanagement it still imports most of its refined fuel for local consumption.

BULLET PROOF ARMS TRADE TREATY URGED

The West Africa Action Network on Small Arms, Nigeria Chapter (WAANSA-Nigeria) has called on Government and Parliamentarians of West African countries to work together at the United Nations Negotiation Conference to ensure that the Arms Trade Treaty reflects the commitment to reduce the influx of Small Arms and Light Weapons into Africa. From 2 to 27 July government representatives, as well as a variety of intergovernmental organisations and civil society groups, will gather at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York to negotiate a Treaty to regulate the international trade in conventional arms. This initiative is widely referred to as the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Briefing News Men during a roundtable with Members of Nigerian Parliament in Abuja, the President of WAANSA-Nigeria Mr. Nkemakonam Dickson ORJI stated that ‘the July 2012 UN ATT Negotiation Conference, represents a critical stage in the development of an ATT and the importance of the negotiation towards an effective control of arms transfers should

Law and International Humanitarian Law: The ATT must prevent states from transferring conventional arms in contravention of UN arms embargoes and when it is determined there is a substantial risk the items will be used for serious violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law. Comprehensive Coverage: The ATT must apply to the broadest range of conventional arms possible from military aircraft to small arms as well as all types of international trade, transfers, and transactions in conventional weaponry. The ATT should also specifically require that national laws regulate the activities of international arms brokers and other intermediaries. Include Ammunition in the Scope of the Treaty: The world is already full of guns. It is the constant flows of ammunition that feeds and prolongs conflicts and armed violence. The exclusion of ammunition from the scope of the treaty would greatly Key Issues:To ensure an effective treaty, reduce its ability to achieve many of its Countries of the world under the United most important goals. Nations must reach agreement on: Strong Criteria Explicitly Linked to Human Rights

not be under estimated’. Right-Left: Senator Sani Saleh (Deputy Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and Member of Defence Comittee), Mr. N Dickson Orji (President WAANSANigeria), Senator Umaru Dahiru (Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights), and a Journalist at the Roundtable. According to Mr. Orji, an unregulated arms trade increases the availability of weapons in conflict zones. Arms brokers can exploit these conditions to sell weapons to criminals and insurgents, including those fighting government troops. According to a recent report published by Oxfam, more than $2.2 billion worth of arms and ammunition has been imported since 2000 by countries operating under arms embargoes. The figures show the extent to which states have been flagrantly flouting the 26 UN, regional or multilateral arms embargoes in force during this period.

WHY ECOWAS GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT SHOULD TAKE THE ATT NEGOTIATION SERIOUSLY

Small arms proliferation and conflicts (Boko- Haram saga in Nigeria, Tureg insurgence in Mali amongst others) have direct bearing on human lives, peace, security and economic stability of West Africa.

1. ECOWAS States must therefore champion and support an international legal regime to curb the menace of arms proliferation which has fuelled, sustained and exacerbated armed conflict in the region. 2. The ATT promises to control arms trade as well as substances for Improvised Explosive Devices which incidentally is the primary choice of emerging terrorist groups like Boko-Haram in Nigeria in particular, the Turegs in Mali and other ECOWAS States. It becomes imperative for Nigeria, ECOWAS and other African countries to be conspicuous in the ATT negotiation process.

AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

news

IRISH GOVERNMENT EXPLORES EAST AFRICA TRADE

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore T.D The I rish Deput y Prime Minister otherwise known as Tánaiste embarked on an East African tour from 25 - 30 July. The visit to Uganda and Kenya was purely trade and to assess the impact of Irish Aid in East African communities. The Tánaiste, also Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D., looked at options to increase bilateral trade between Ireland and East Africa as part of his five-day visit to Uganda and Kenya. In a statement monitored by AfricaWorld, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the business trip started in Uganda, where he visited communities which has benefited immensely from the Irish Aid. According to the statement, “Eamon Gilmore TD will be seeing locals who have enjoyed Irish benevolence which has contributed to a 50% decrease on less than $1.25 a day”. The leader also hosted a business breakfast with Irish and Ugandan entrepreneurs to examine greater trade oppor tunities for the two countries.

On Kenya, the portal stated that the Tánaiste’s visit to Kenya was focused on increasing trade and investment options for Irish companies in telecoms, medical supplies and other sectors. “He will host a business seminar for up to 40 Kenyan and Irish business people”, it said. “Uganda has come a long way since the dark days of conflict in the 1970s and 1980s which cost hundreds of thousands of lives and led to the collapse of social and economic infrastructure. Today, with the support of donors including Ireland, the number of people living on less than €1.25 a day has halved, while the number of children attending school has tripled to almost 8.5 million over the past 15 years”, the Deputy Prime Minister said in his address to newsmen before embarking on his visit. “However ”, he continued, “Uganda still faces major challenges, with almost 7 million people living in poverty. Our targeted programmes support the poorest families to improve their livelihoods, allowing them to send their children to school, access

healthcare and invest in their futures. We are also working to enhance the capacity of the private sector to provide jobs and economic opportunities”. During his visit, Eamon Gilmore was billed to widen and possibly strengthen I r ish interest and open avenues for Ireland’s future ventures in that part of Africa. He was expected to liaise and tap into other links to some growing economies in the Afr ican continent as U g a n d a , l i k e m a ny, a r e experiencing strong economic growth. The tour afforded the Tánaiste host of business meetings and the signing of agreements between Irish and Kenyan companies. “Africa is a dynamic continent, where growth rates in many countries reached 7% over the last five years. According to the IMF, economic growth across the continent is expected to surpass 5% a year to 2015. While it is growing from a low base and the growth is unevenly spread, there is no doubt that Africa has enormous potential in the long-term. Kenya serves as a crucial gateway to East Af r i c a . I n l i n e w i t h t h e Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Africa Strategy, my Department is working harder than ever to research sectors and markets where there are potential matches between Irish competencies and African demand. My visit to Kenya is designed to help us convert these links into trade and i nve s t m e n t o p p o r t u n i t i e s which will benefit both Ireland and Africa in the long-term”, Eamon Gilmore opined.

glamour & fashion

Feyisola Adeyemi is an intern radio presenter/producer for 92.5 phoenix FM, a youth mentor for Foroige youth club, a wife, mother, fashion lover and creator of www.Simplyglamorous.biz fashion blog. Originally from Nigeria but lives in Dublin-Ireland. She is a graduate with a degree in Social Science, but developed her love for fashion............. As a fashion lover, in her spare time she blogs about fashion

and also shares personal insights about design and trends. More so, she often bolg about her personal style and recreating of a style or design. Feyisola’s simplyglamorous website/ blog is dedicated to everyone, but mostly targets all mothers, wifey and middle age women out there. From 30s upward can be a peculiar age for women in terms of dressing up, especially when one is juggling between motherhood, married life and work. She believes it’s important to convey a mature and refined image while also embracing one’s youthful appearance, which most women find the balance too difficult to achieve particularly when dressing for workplace or a formal occasion. This is where simplyglamorous fashion website/blog comes in.To represent and inspire women across the globe to keep the fashion sense alive no matter their status or figure. More so, to re-empower the power of fashion we all have inside. In Feyisola’s opinion, she believes having a good sense of style is the ability to be creative, unique and be able to put things together in an unthinkable way and still looks real and authentic. Feyisola signature style is a mixture influence from the oldies combined with today’s era trendy stuff. She loves her fashion style to always make a statement, to be fun, elegant, sophisticated,classy, edge, chicky and mature. She also love tailored style. For any advertising, fashion styling, collaboration or sponsorship proposal write to: simplyglamorousfeyisola@ymail.com Also follow on: Tumblr Glamorous Page: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/

“Father for All.” Ghana Mourn Death of a President.

Late Prof. John Atta Mills At 2.15 PM on July 24th, Ghana’s President, Prof. John Atta Mills passed away at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, aged 68. The cause of death is unknown, but unconfirmed reports state that he was suffering from throat cancer. His death has resulted in a period of mourning for Ghanaians everywhere and a book of condolence has been opened in Ghana’s consulate in Dublin. He has been succeeded by his VicePresident, John Dramani Mahama

who, in his acceptance speech, said that “This is the saddest day in our nation’s history” and, in a reference to the late President’s own inaugural speech, declared that he “lost a father, a friend and a senior colleague”. In his own inaugural speech, Prof. Mills had stated his wish to be a “Father for all”. The late President has been mourned worldwide as a politician of unshakeable integrity who helped to secure democracy

within Ghana. Even amongst opposition politicians, his integrity was almost without question. A founding member of the opposition NPP, Mr Kwami Pianim, even went so far as to personally vouch for his honesty, having personally witnessed Mill’s refusal to accept bribery. This integrity was built upon his own unshakable Christian faith which shaped his strong commitment towards the Ghanaian people. In a message released on July 28th, Pope Benedict XVI praised this commitment, saying that “It was with sadness that I learned of the untimely death of President John Atta Mills. Recalling his years of public service and dedication to democratic principles, I join you, his family, and all the people of Ghana in mourning his passing.” Pope Benedict also urged all Ghanaians to unite in their mourning and to put aside political divides. This has occurred across the political spectrum, with NPP leader Akufo Addo suspending his political campaign for elections which are expected five months from now. The Executive Secretary of the West African Network for Peace, Emmanuel Bombandey, has also

stated that the President’s death is likely to deter political aggression. In a similar vein, Kofi Owusu, an award winning journalist, stated that Mill’s death will “tone down the hot exchanges; the acerbic tone will be considerably reduced towards elections”. It seems that, even in death, President Mills is preserving democracy in Ghana. The late President was hugely committed to the Ghanaian people and spent almost his entire life in the public service, with 25 years as a university teacher in the University of Ghana, 7 years as Acting Commissioner of Ghana’s Internal Revenue Service, 3 years as substantive Commissioner and 13 years as a politician. He was also Ghana’s first president who was also a Professor and, in 2011, the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs customarily conferred on him the title of ‘Asomdwehene’, which means ‘King of peace’. Ideologically, Mills was also a committed pan-Africanist, who was inspired hugely by the thinking of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president. In 2009, he declared September 21st Founders Day in his memory. Just as Nkrumah helped ensure Ghana’s

political independence from British rule, however, Mills was committed to securing Ghana’s economic independence. Adopting strict fiscal and monetary policy, he reversed the large twin deficits that had been created by the former NPP government and oversaw the rise of Ghana’s GDP by 60%. In 2010, he literally turned the valve which began Ghana’s oil production in the offshore Jubilee oil field. Despite this find, however, under his leadership, Ghana successfully avoided the “resource curse” which has plagued many African countries, a fact attributed by many to not only the President, but also Ghana’s strong institutions. Following the President’s death, Professor Kwame Ninsin of the University of Ghana claimed there would be no danger of political instability: “I do not expect any form of instability and this should attest to the governance of the country and constitution- that it is working and working well.” he said. It seems Ghana’s strong democracy, nurtured as it was by the late President Mills, will stand strong for years to come.

AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

news/column

DIMKPA By Mazi Uche Azukaoma Osakwe

To most people, the very name Nigeria conjures up images of corruption, inept leadership, religious extremism and assassination. This is not far from the truth; Nigerian leadership has been the singular factor why Nigeria is where she is today. Nigeria practices federalism and federalism is the heart of the democracy, especially a country the size of Nigeria. Nigeria with population estimated to be around 170 million people, is a personification of historical, cultural, ethnic, religious, social and linguistic affinities and diversities. The historiography of Nigeria’s religions is as intricate as its culture, political and economic with its rich verse culture, and diverse 250 ethnicities and over 400 languages. The two main religions, Christianity and Islam cut across all the six geopolitical zones. Nigerians are religious people as evident in the mammoth turnout to worship on Sunday services, be it orthodox churches or prosperous churches. On Friday Muslims are seen in large numbers going to Mosque. Yet the turn-out on Sundays and Fridays do not reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammed which hinge on “love thy neighbour as you love yourself.” For instance, the prosperous gospel, otherwise called Pentecostal churches have made inroads in the winning of souls and converts more than any other denomination in Nigeria, yet Nigeria is “yagayaga”with untold assassinations and primitive accumulation to acquire wealth at all costs, brother no longer a brother, and friend no longer a friend as the essence of relationships is on monetary terms. But the politics of religious statistics has become even more controversial with the enduring debates of whether Nigeria is a secular state or

HOW GOD BECAME A NIGERIAN:

RELIGIOUS IMPULSE AND THE UNFOLDING DRAMA. a religious state. It has become necessary in the face of what is going on in Nigeria with the restless radical Islamic sects“Boko Haram”killing and maiming innocent Nigerians in the name of religion. This is not how God works. However, the increased religious competition of spirituality and the resurgence of revivalism has increased the aggressive campaign to win souls at all costs leading to conflicts. Again some groups claim of being the gateway to see God and the tagging of others as unbelievers is not helping matters. These claims have made interreligious dialogue impossible. Nigeria should be seen as a pluralistic state that absorbs all religions irrespective of your creed or background. We should promote issues that unite us rather than what divides us. It is right to say Nigeria is a religious people based on number of Mosques and Churches, Imams, Pastors and Reverends churned out every year. Nigeria is an exporter of Imams, pastors, and reverends. Nigerian names are either Christians or Muslims names. Our elected officers are sworn in either by the Bible or Koran. Yet, corruption among the elected officers is so high that Berlin-based Transparency International petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan complaining that the body is overwhelmed by the volume of documents in corruption-related cases among public officers ranging from pension funds, oil subsidies, telecommunication, etc. Consequently, Nigeria’s index ranking in corruption is staggering. In 2010 Nigeria is ranked 134, and in 2011 she raised to 143 out of 183 countries. The question is why has corruption become a way of life in Nigeria? Why is it so difficult to wipe away corruption among Nigerian officers? That’s takes us to three decades of military rule. The Military institutionalised corruption, so much so that one government officer called it, “chops and chop.” The long period of military rule in Nigeria was

responsible for the decay in socio-economic and political system of the country. Military rule with the iron-fisted hand was irresponsible, high-headed, and brutal. They were accountable to nobody; only to their Cabal. They ran governance as a private estate and treat the state coffers as their personal accounts. They enriched themselves and their mistresses, enriched their cronies through contract inflation and manipulation. Politics to the khaki men was not to serve but for primitive accumulation of wealth. Many of Nigerian political Generals are strikingly rich with mansions scattered all over the planet. Yet none can boast of leading any squadron or participating in any known war both in time of peace or crisis. The only achievements they can claim in their curriculum vitae are the war against the people and stashing of millions of Nigerian money in foreign lands. How come a country so bless both in terms of human and natural resources is languishing in poverty index? Among the Nigerian Millennium Development Goals are: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, and reduce child mortality, etc. To many commentators, it is a giant step only on paper but in practical terms, only a mirage. Time and time again, the Nigerian government has betrayed the good will of Nigerian people and on many occasions, has broke the social contract. The legitimacy to govern is questionable as the pledges to eradicate poverty and hunger, and improve infant mortality and maternal health is a doubt. The government’s hospitals are mere consulting clinics, and even when the drugs are available, they end up in the hands of officers. The government cannot provide the basic necessities of life. Can we believe that in 21st century when many countries are investing in Moon and modern technology either to fight crime or improve the economic well-being of its citizenry, men and women of Nigeria are still

sleeping under bridges and feeding on dust bins? Yet we pride ourselves as Africa’s populous nation. What a mockery and a waste of size? How come Nigeria is indebted to the tune of $44 billion? What has happen to our external reserves? The Co-Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said that Nigeria’s debt to GDP are 17.8 per cent. That the government set a target of 30 per cent to move the economy forward, but regretted that it is below the 60 per cent of the international requirement. That the government set aside 19 per cent to service the national debts as against the general norms of 30 per cent. There is the question about government policy on creating employment and improving decayed infrastructure. What about the mass of unemployed graduates roaming the streets without a future, what happens to them? What of the insecurity that pervades the country? What is the government of President Goodluck doing about it? Servicing debt to domestic and external creditors is not bad but the problem is that the money earmarked for it may end up in the hands of corrupt officers. Nigeria’s House of Representatives which should serve as a reservoir for democratic development has now became a national laughing stock and circus show. Unless President Goodluck Jonathan convinces Nigerians both at home and in the diasporas that he knows what it takes to move the country forward, Nigerians will continue to blame him for all the negative things going on now. He owes Nigerians an explanation. The manners and ways the country is run is a sign that he is visionless and lacks what it takes to move the country forward. The eyes are looking, the ears are listening and the world is watching him with keen interest. I still believe God is a Nigeria, but we should not take God for granted and stop preaching what we don’t practice.

CHINA - AFRICA RELATIONS PANIC US

The United States of America Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is currently on an African seven nation tour that will last for 11days. Mrs. Clinton flew into Dakar Senegal on August 1st. Stumping at the Dakar University, the former presidential aspirant told a university audience that the US was committed to “a model of sustainable partnership that adds value, rather than extracts it” from Africa. Unlike other countries, she continued “America will stand up for democracy and universal human rights even when it might be easier to look the other way and keep the resources flowing.” she urged African countries to recommit to democracy

saying“the old ways of governing can no longer work on a continent boasting healthy economic growth and an increasingly empowered citizenry”. Senegal is a key US partner in francophone Africa. Hillary Clinton praised her host’s democratic credentials following an election earlier this year which saw a smooth transition of power from president Abdoulaye Wade to Macky Sall. AfricaWorld reliably learnt that the US government is losing sleep over China’s increasing influence on the continent. More so, the concern increased after China built the new African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, terming it‘a gift’, couple with the eclipse of the US after Africa’s most important economic

partner in the last three years. Recently, the rising China doubled its credit line to Africa to $20bn (£12bn). According to Emilio Viano, a professor at the American University, “One of the major objectives of the visit is to compete with China and try to limit China’s influence, business making and political power in Africa. According to US officials, Clinton’s trip which will take her to South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, South Africa is aimed at reinforcing Washington’s message that open markets and constitutional democracy provide firm foundation for Africa’s future. Mrs Clinton’s itinerary will end in Ghana where she will be at

the funeral of Ghana’s fallen president Atta Mills. The US Secretary of State further added that “the days of having outsiders come and extract wealth of Africa for themselves,leaving nothing or very little behind should be over in the 21st century”. The secretary of state is accompanied by a US business delegation and intend to pay a private visit to the continent’s elder statesman, 94-yearold Nelson Mandela. Clinton is expected to highlight US programmes on development, education and health, as well as the United States economic interests.

AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

news/column

joe moore column By Joe Moore

My primary school days lasted from the late 1950’s to the mid 1960’s. Every F r i d a y, during that period, pupils were expected to give a penny for the “black babies.” These pennies were then put into a special box. Affixed on top of the box was a plaster cast model of a “black baby’s” head. Attached to the head was a piece of wood, which fitted into the box. When the penny was put into the box, it hit the wood. This resulted in the “black baby” nodding his/ her head in appreciation. As children, we were delighted and felt we had done a very good deed. AfricaWorld celebrated its first anniversary in May this year. The event was held on the same day as the Africa Day festival. I came to Dublin early that day, in order to attend the festival. The location in George’s Dock was fantastic and the weather was beautiful. The

entrance was festooned with yellow banners, informing the public that the festival was sponsored by Irish Aid, part of the Department of Foreign Affairs. One corner of the site was reserved for NGOs and aid agencies. Each organisation, including Irish Aid, had its own stall. Some were international well know agencies, others not so well know. All however had one thing in common, they wanted members of the public to sign standing order mandates. The money would then be used to alleviate poverty and hunger in Africa. One organisation urged me to sponsor a child. On making enquiries, I was informed by the volunteer that my money would educate the child that I had sponsored. I wonder who would select this child, what would become of his/ her siblings, what difference this child would make to the development of Africa. But maybe I should not

have these thoughts. Maybe instead, I should feel good about myself for having played my part in saving this child and as a result acquire a clear conscious. I spoke with a woman on one of the stalls. The organisation she represented was a lesser known one. I asked what work did they carry out. She said they funded projects to supply clean drinking water, to provide education and to teach people how to organise their communities in such a way that all members benefited. An example of this was the setting up of a credit union, because the people themselves did not have the necessary skills. I then asked what, in her opinion, was the cause of such hunger and poverty in Africa. Her answer was “a lack of education.” Let me repeat in this woman’s opinion the cause of poverty and hunger in parts of Africa was due to “a lack of education.” I responded by asking her, did she not think that over 500 years of exploitation, murder, rape, pillage and plunder

Army Chief donates vehicle stoppers to Religious organisations in Nigeria. Major-General Bitus Kwaji, 0f the Nigerian army has recently made donations of vehicle stoppers to some churches and mosques as part of of initiative counter terrorists attacks by Boko haram group. Army Chief of Civil Military Affairs, while handing over the devices to some leaders of churches and mosques, said that the gesture was part of the army’s corporate social responsibility. Kwaji explained that the vehicle-stopper was a unique device that could stop vehicles that came in contact with it from any direction or angle, saying: “`the innovation is simple and effective. “It has been discovered that most attacks by suicide bombers are carried out with vehicles loaded with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS). “This mode of operation is simple as a suicide bomber drives his vehicle straight into his target and explosion occurs. “In order to disallow bombers from reaching their targets, this invention comes in handy as it forcefully stops any vehicle that comes in contact with it at whatever speed,”’ he said. According AfricaWorld source the device is easy to use.

Speaking on terrorist attacks, Kwaji further said that terrorists over the years had continued to attack places of worship in order to destabilise the nation.He said that the unfolding security challenges “which is the Boko Haram terrorist menace’’ had continued to hinder the progress of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan as well as the development of the nation at large. According to him, this necessitated the Chief of Army Staff to charge all corps and services of the army to provide ways and means of curtailing the menace. Kwaji said that the personnel took the charge by the army chief to heart by looking at various ways and means of curtailing insecurity in the country. “I am reminding all that security is everybody’s business and the entire citizenry should join hands with the army in making the country safe for all to live,”’ he added. The Army Director of Policy, Major-General Richard Chioba, said that the equipment had been tested in other countries and it worked.

Chioba said that the donation of the device by the army was in line with effort to ensure that lives and property of the citizens were protected. “He added that it was an excellent and commendable effort to ensure the protection of lives and property in view of the current security challenges in all places of worship and gatherings. Reverend Chukwuemeka Okonkwo of the Methodist Diocese of Nyanya said that the gesture had indicated that the Federal Government and the army were bothered by the situation. Okonkwo said that from recent events, the situation had been given the militar y sleepless nights, adding that they were happy for the gesture shown by the army. “We believe that with this and other devices revealed to us, there will be peace and security of lives in the nation,’’ he said. The Executive Secretary of Abuja National Mosque Management said “We are happy with what the military authorities are doing to beef up security in places of worship,” he said.

played some part. Did she not think that the Atlantic Slave Trade, which caused the greatest forced mass migration in human history, played some part. Did not the loss of over 20 million people have a negative impact on the continent. Or colonisation and the attempted genocide of a number of peoples including, the Congolese by Belgian imperialists, the Nama and Herero people of Namibia by German imperialists or the Kikuyu people of Kenya by British imperialists. I also mentioned the fact that the natural resources of the continent were owned by western multi nationals. She told me that I was speaking politics and that her organisation was not political. The return of these natural resources to the African people was unrealistic, she said. So now we know 500 years of exploitation was politics, the natural order of things, today’s problems are as a result of a lack of education. There are many western professional people who earn a good living working for aid agencies and NGOs. Many of those work in Africa. Britain’s role

in the so-called scramble for Africa was justified by proclaiming that it was bringing the 3 Cs to the African peopleChristianity, Civilisation and Commerce. The objects of many of today’s aid agencies are little different. Africa is probably the richest continent in the world, however her natural resources are not owned by her people. This situation needs to change. An example should be taken from the Egyptians. They have overthrown a brutal dictator. If the revolution continues, it has the potential be become economic, as well as political. This needs to be replicated right throughout the continent. It is the self-emancipation of the African people that will end poverty and hunger, not aid agencies. As I left the Africa day festival, I asked myself what had changed since my primary school days? Nothing really. I am still being asked to help the “black babies”. But now by a standing order, rather than a penny.

CHIT CHAT PUBLIC PUNISHMENT FOR A CHEATING PARTNER

Pa s s e r s b y i n c l u d i n g AfricaWorld source was surprised few days ago on a popular niteclub in the Dublin city centre area, when a young man knelt like a kid attempting to shed tear for love. What was wrong or about to happen? As the drama unfolded, nite revellers who had just come out of the house of dance, thought that it was yet another proposal to marry. Far from the truth, AfricaWorld approached the couple to see things from a closer point of view. ‘Will you f.......get the f.....out of here’, our source quoted the girl. On a closer scrutiny,

AfricaWorld learnt that the whole thing which looked like a drama, was actually a love fight. Exactly in front of Best Western Hotel, the guy was actually begging the girl who dumped him on the dance floor of the Living Room niteclub on the City Centre. Despite the abuse rained on our source, Chit - Chat revealed that the issue bordered on infidelity. According to the girl, she wanted to go with another guy for the night to show her boyfriend how painful it was to cheat. Eventually, the girl hopped onto a car and left the guy crying on his knees.

AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

CULTURE/FOOD/LOVE

THE PRIDE OF AFRICA Grace Elizabeth Might hails from Cameroon and is preparing for college next winter. “I aspire to become a helpful tool in the society by helping others achieving their dreams and goals.” She told AfricaWorld. Grace also wants to inspire others into searching about true happiness and fulfillment on this earth. She won best basketball player 2010 in her school. A great voice and singer, Grace sang in the gospel choir of St Joseph secondary school, where she graduated last session. He was also part of the Afro Irish Kiddios. Hobbies include singing, football and basketball.

Why Married Women Indulge in Extramarital Sex reasons. It is usually because another person made them feel a certain way. It is mainly the mental and emotional part, not because of being rich or handsome but it’s about how a man makes them feel. There can be various indication which can show if a woman is having an affair with someone outside her marriage. In some of the signs below, there is possibility of a genuine reason, and may not necessarily indicate cheating.

Folashade Santos Abifarin

VEGETABLE SOUP By Chinwe Ihegbu

Method

Ingredient: Smoked dried fish Smoked kipper fillet Assorted Meat & chicken 1kg of frozen Chopped spinach Ugu leaves or leafy greens 250g Mushroom

Defrost the frozen chopped spinach at least 12 hours before the cooking time and drain the excess water this is to avoid your soup being too watery. Wash the vegetable (ugu or leafy greens) to remove dirt and slice thinly. Ugu leave can be quite expensive and scarce when you are not in Nigeria so when I can’t get ugu leave, I use leafy greens as substitute. Clean your mushroom with paper towels and cut into tiny bits set aside. Blend the tomato, onion and pepper together to form a paste. I do not cook with palm oil hence I use tomato if I want my soup to have a bit of red colour.

Dried ground chillies or fresh chilli 2 Maggi stocked cube Salt 2 Tbs ground Crayfish 400g tin of chopped tomato 1 medium size red onion 260g cook prawns

Wash your chicken or choice of meat (goat, pork, beef, oxtail, cow leg.) in running water and put in a stockpot, add salt and cook until tender, drain out the excess fat from the stock if any and set aside. Wash the smoked dried fish in hot water, break into tiny pieces set aside. Cut your smoked kipper fillet into big pieces set aside.

According to the media, the problem of women having extramarital affair is widespread. Recently, articles have attempted giving explanation to the problem of women infidelity. My opinion that women are natural builders of homes and they are morally faithful and loyal. Frequently, they sacrifice their joy and happiness to keep the sanctity of homes. However, why do married women indulge in extramarital sex or affair? This puzzle call for answers, however, they may not shed much light but generally acceptable reason behind the motivation of infidelity. For a wife to indulge in this act, it can only mean one thing, there is a breakdown in her marriage. Beyond that, it is really very sad and worse to stereotype because women are different. Both gender cheat for different reasons. Far from that, Here are some reasons why women cheat, which many link to unfulfilled emotional needs. Listed below are the top 10 reasons unfaithful wives most frequently use to justify their extramarital affairs: - The desire for intimacy. - The desire for attention, to feel special and treated with respect. - The have been hurt repeatedly and totally lack Trusting again. - When there is constant fight (Marital unhappiness). - To reaffirm her desirability and reexperience feelings of romance. - When he is pathetic in bed and ooze boredom. - He cheated and she just want sweet Revenge. - He is terrible at the art of conversation. - Drunk or want to get ahead in her career. - If they grew apart. Generally, women want to feel secure, loved, respected and inspired. What most men don’t know is that not all women cheat for physical

- Constantly comparing her husband or their marriage with another. -Her sudden change in taking special care of herself. -She suddenly stays missing till late hours and working late. - She does not complain that her husband isn’t spending quality time with her. - She very comfortable and happy when husband is working late. - She gets uncomfortable when husband ask her about her day. -She avoid being intimate with her husband. -She is cautious about Her cell phone.. -Encourages husband to Spend Time With his colleagues or friends. These signs mentioned above can signify cheating if, they are suddenly visible, but unusual. A Woman’s personality changes when she is in a new relationship. If a man think that a woman is cheating, then it’s vital to know the cause. Mostly women, blame their partners for not being capable of giving them attention, respect, love that they hoped for, nonetheless they may another man who is ready. Today, cheating is becoming rampant and relationships are ending while the problems are solvable. Why? Perhaps, due to the lack of necessary information which should be a common knowledge to all couple. However, relationship is delicate, it should be handled with care, especially with women, they are very sensitive and fragile. Therefore, every man should take care of his woman’s feelings. An African adage sums it up “we don’t appreciate good things in our life until we lose them”. Just some little advice for men, if you are neglecting your woman, try for a few minutes to put yourself in their shoes, then you will realise, they deserve to be treated better. Men should be faithful, kind, respectful, fun, romantic and considerate to woman. Try taking out time every week for just the two of you, to spend together. Stay in touch constantly, send romantic text-messages, emails, making gestures in appreciation of her efforts and be more fun and creative sexually. Every woman wants you to make her feel that she is valued and desired, show them that you love and care, before it becomes too late. Next month we will dwell on why married men cheat?

AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

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AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

family CORNER

By Ukachukwu Okorie

My Flute is on

It was just as i said it it was a firm ridge that stood starring provocatively at me soft and feeling fragile to be fondle it made me sing my song the sweet lines i love flowing from the veins one that run atop o’ that ye may hear the instrument of my people roaring melody for thy ear nothings sweet ingly tight

Poems If I am called

Wealth is the confidence of a man Meaning: Achievements gladdens a Man’s heart

The lizard say that he nods after jumping from a tree to appreciate himself if no one does Meaning: Self confidence is very important A deranged man says the reason he walks fast is due to the long distance his legs need to cover, couple with a public dance he is billed to perform at the market square.

FOLKTALE

TALES FROM UMUGUMA

By Ukachukwu Okorie

Why do other animals hate the dog? Once upon a time, in the land of Umuguma, there was epidemic among animals who inhabited. It started like a child’s play in one of the distant hamlets in the forest settlement, then grew. The health issue was first noticed in the household of the dogs a year earlier, as a younger one took ill. The dog who is reputed as a top guard animal sunk into eternal low among other animals when it indulged in negligence of duty. The dogs had built this

Lest i am Called

A clarion call one that is so dear of which the land craves for for love of fatherland rise in defence of your spirit of which the nation sits now is the time that beckons our liberty yearn for freedom for the service to mankind in a place that is home where our fathers were born abode we shall rise

Wisdom Bits

reputation of top watchers of the neighbourhood in the bush. However, everything changed when on a certain night, at the entrance into their jungle. Spirits in disguise of two men passed through the jungle route, prompting two male dogs that worked on behalf of the clan to harass them. As they were threatened with ex termination, and magically, one of them immediately became infected with a strange disease, they chickened out of the way. The passover of the spirits became a nemesis for the

See That It Bites

Man made wickedness he eats and stuffs away he smiles and give away see how good they are the welfare of the people remain the supreme law robbery backed by law he sits atop the pot oozing out vapour to less that look like many he feign ignorance to the throats that thirst

For my people’s dignity a chosen nation water that will quench thirst ones that kept the faith I was born into it Never was it my making It lay in the spirit poured by the gods at last the die is cast let it be known the man of a son is here lest my time clocks in

Meaning: A busy man needs time to himself most times The anger of a brother is not eternal Meaning: Love one another as yourself The food you will certainly eat does not need to be pilfered Meaning: Maturity brings many fulfillments The man who has the most beautiful girl does owe adventurers Meaning: Special features attracts attention

entire animal world. Eventually, things became so bad for the dogs that his clan was excommunicated in the kingdom. The judgement which was reached at the council chaired by the tortoise, was said to be soft as hardliners, who wanted to take over their belongings, wanted more. Outskirts of the forests where they were led out, a human picked and resettled the dogs. The disease spread by those spirits cut down many number of animals while the surviving generation decided to be wary of the dog.

Where are my Children?

I saw your tribulation i never slept all through i cried when you were lost across the waters your tears echoed the shrines stood still your voice was heard it is always hearkened to from your anscestors oh come back to me the love of your mother is thine eternally

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AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

entertainment/ column

cderivan@eircom.net

Cartoon by Dimitri Genserovski

AGONY CORNER By Abdul Yusuf

Have you ever had to look for a dead rat? The smell from the decaying creature saturates the air like a heavy musk and engulfs your air passage like the mucus from a huge boil. You turn your house upside down looking for the damned creature in all the usual places, underneath the chairs, in-between the crevices of walls and behind your dressing table, all to no avail. The smell continues to pervade your home as you battle endlessly with cans of air fresheners and freshly scented oils. Then, one day, when you have finally given up hope, as the smell has all but eaten into the fabric of your home, you find the half decayed creature at the corner of your air conditioning vent, its semi-decomposed fur melting into the plastic of your cooling device. Ecstatic, you scream, grateful that you’ve found the wretched creature and wonder how it found such an awkward place to pass its last breath. The same is true about love. You search for it in the most usual of places, on the streets, at church, hook-ups, parties and in the arms of old friends – all without actualization. Then just as you are about to give up, just as you are about to throw in the towel and launch into the “who-needs-a-

Finding Love in Awkward Places

man?” attitude you find it. Dusty, rugged, tramp, and entirely the opposite of what you planned. But you know it’s love because, …well because it is. You can’t explain it, you can’t define it and you can’t quite put your finger on how it happened but you know without a shadow of doubt, that it is love. The feeling literally catapults you unto a magical carpet ride. Your eyes are wired shut as little winged animals dance around in your gut and your heart threatens to implode from the sheer rush of it all. This is exactly what happened to a friend of mine – Nneka*. After years of searching for love, she found Bayo*. But he wasn’t the tall, accomplished, age appropriate man she had spent the latter part of her twenties dreaming about. Instead he was a self-assured, 26 year old who was just starting his career. She on the other hand was 31, had her own flat and was a well positioned manager at a thriving multinational company. They’d met at a training course where she was an invited speaker and he was part of the tutees. They exchanged business cards during lunch and, barely two weeks later, their lips were locked in passionate kiss. At first, she thought it would be something physical, where she could find some sort of avenue to

release sexual tension. But, as the relationship progressed, she found that the only physical tension was the difference in their ages. Bayo, to her, was perfect in every other respect. They shared similar passions in life; he understood her better than anyone she had ever dated and, more importantly, she knew he loved her and she loved him too. Unfortunately, a five-year age difference, coupled with the vast gap in their career and financial standing, caused Nneka to hide her relationship with her young lover from her friends for monthsincluding me. But anytime we met up, I always commented about how radiant she looked. At one point, I actually suspected that she might be pregnant because she just had this glow and calmness about her. In January this year, Nneka relented and told me about her relationship with Bayo. With tears in her eyes, she told me how Bayo had proposed on the 31st of December and how the realization of the hopelessness of their relationship finally hit her. The ring which was meant to be a symbol of his love for her became a reminder instead of just how impossible their love was to be. Nneka literally quivered as she asked me how she could marry someone who was not only

younger in age, but was totally incapable of taking care of her. How was she going to introduce him to her parents? What would people think? Her biggest fear was also meeting his parents. “His mother would think I am an old dried-up woman who wants to come and steal her son” she said in between tears. I felt sorry for her on many levels. Being an old friend, I had seen her struggle in previous relationships and even without being told, I had seen the glow of happiness that she basked in when she was with Bayo. And now I could see the pain and bitterness she was in as she relayed her tale to me and her tears stained my pillowcase. When she finally left my house, I couldn’t help but wonder how unpredictable love really is. We really have no way of choosing who we fall in love with. People argue that loving with your head is the only way to avoid the pitfalls of love; I disagree. Personally, I am of the opinion that any type of love which flows from a sensible disposition isn’t love; rather, it’s a watered down version of the original thing. To me, love is all about reckless abandon, the unexpected turn of events that make life colourful and worth living for, not the precalculated set of events that lead you to the one you think you

ought to be with. To me the beauty of love is sometimes found in the awkwardness of the events that surround it all. The effort put in by both parties to surmount the challenges of being together, the difficult times that end with renewed reinstatements of love and the eventual strength of depth between the couple when they realize just how much they have overcome to be together. That, to me, is the genuineness of lovethe capacity to make it work regardless of the awkward places in which we find it. After much blood and tears, Nneka and Bayo will be getting married in two weeks. In February, Bayo got promoted to Assistant Regional Director, the youngest person in his company’s history to ever hold that position and has been transferred to the UK head office. The couple have decided to have a small civil ceremony with close friends and family just before they relocate. Nneka’s warm happy glow has returned and her mother-in-law to be loves her like a daughter. To me, the lesson in this story is simple- sometimes it is in the awkwardness of love that we find the perfection we seek. *The names and dates in this story have been changed to reflect the privacy of all those

AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

column

thinking allowed

Acting is being; seeing it, is believing it. With BiSi Adigun

samuel jackson

I do not believe in the concept of ‘arts for arts sake’. It is like saying: ‘advertisers advertise for the sake of advertising’, and not to influence consumers. Though I work in a so-called ‘entertainment’ industry I believe the role of any artist is not merely to entertain but also to inform and educate. That is why my favourite quote is the one by German drama theorist Bertolt Brecht: “Art is not a mirror to be held up to a society but a hammer with which to shape it”. So if you think you are escaping from reality by reading a book, seeing a play or watching a movie, think again. It is through these art forms that our attitudes are cultivated and our reality is fashioned. Lakeview Terrace, the movie I saw a while back, is an example of how Hollywood influences how Americans, and by extension all of us in our global village, perceive reality. Starring one of the most successful black Hollywood actors, Samuel L. Jackson, the movie is about Abel Turner, a widowed racist cop, who makes life hell for a newly married mixed race couple who just had moved into the house next to his. As a black man who is married to a white woman I am certain that it is not by sheer coincidence that the movie was released on the heels of Barack Obama’s historic presidential election victory. What Hollywood is unequivocally saying through this movie is: Though Americans may have elected a President whose white mother married a black father, mixed-race marriages still encounter prejudice on both sides of the colour line. Essentially, the message of Lakeview Terrace for young unmarried Americans, in my opinion is: It may seem fashionable now in the wake of Obama’s victory to cross the colour line in pursuit of love, it should not be done with reckless abandon. What a waste of money

and good talents! What I found most disappointing about Lakeview Terrace though is the fact that Samuel L Jackson actually agreed to play the role of the ‘evil’ bigot cop Abel Turner in the movie. In a sad way, it reminds me of the character of Alonzo, the rogue police detective that Denzel Washington played in the movie Training Day. Unsurprisingly the role earned him his first Oscars in the best actor category in 2008. I am not saying it is not important to do a movie about black policemen who are racist and corrupt in American society, but one would think that at this stage in their career, Samuel L. Jackson and Denzel Washington should be in a position to influence things a little bit in order to correct the long-held erroneous notion that ‘if you are black you are bad and if you are white you are alright’. As a black dramatist, I personally find it highly uninspiring to see these iconic black actors in Hollywood movies that end with their characters being riddled with bullets and left on the streets like dogs in order for things to return to ‘normal’. I mean if the two characters played, respectively, by Washington and Jackson in these movies must die at the end of the films, they deserve to be killed in a dignifying way. As my people say, if we don’t eat yam for the sake of palm oil, why not eat palm oil for the sake of yam? I am yet to see Mel Gibson or Bruce Willis play a character whose life comes to an end in such a disgusting manner in any movie. Remember the way Leonardo Di Caprio’s character dies in the movie, Titanic? Now that is what I call a meaningful and dignifying death. I know there are some other good Hollywood black actors who would not be caught dead in such demeaning roles.

Sydney Poitier, whom I admire so much because he seems to be in agreement with me that ‘arts for arts sake’ is a fallacy, is one of them. In his spiritual autobiography The Measure of a Man, the Hollywood legend recounts when he once had to turn down a part in a movie that would have earned him $750 a week even though he was out of job, very broke and his wife was expecting their second child. “In my view, the character simply didn’t measure up.” as Poitier puts it. He added: “He didn’t fight for what mattered to him, he didn’t behave with dignity”. In the same book, Poitier also writes about another episode in his life when he insisted that the character he was portraying in a screenplay needed to react to a situation in total contradiction to what was originally conceived for the character. The movie in question is In the Heat of the Night and Poitier played the part of police detective Tibbs from Philadelphia who by chance was assigned to a murder investigation in a small town in the Deep South. According to the script, a local businessman with enormous influence was one of the murder suspects. Detective Tibbs, who was accompanied by the local police chief, was driven to the local businessman’s mansion to question him. At a point, according to Poitier, “I had to ask the inevitable question, ‘where were you on the night of the murder?’, and he hauled off and slapped me”. At that instant, as the original script dictates, detective Tibbs was meant to look at the racist local influential businessman with great disdain, wrapped himself in his strong ideals and walked out. “That could have happened with another actor playing that part”, writes Poitier, “but it couldn’t happen with me”.

So Poitier told the director that the script needed to be changed. When the director asked Poitier what he had in mind, his response was: “Shoot this scene so that without a nanosecond of hesitation, I whack him right back across the face with a backhand slap”. The director liked the idea and as Poitier puts it, “It turned out to be very, very dramatic moment in the film”. Would it not have been more dramatic if the racist Abel Turner - the character Samuel L. Jackson’s played in Lakeview Terrace - having realised his evil ways, metamorphosed into a good man, a loving father, a friendly neighbour and someone who eventually falls in love with a white woman by the end of the movie? I doubt it very much though if Samuel L Jackson and Denzel Washington ever read The Measure of a Man. If they did, I am certain they would not have allowed the lives of the characters they portrayed so brilliantly in Lakeview Terrace and Training Day to end in such a disgrace. I know it is only a movie but “while fiction may be a form of symbolic action”, as Ralph Ellison has written in his novel The Invisible Man, “a mere game of ‘as if’, therein lies its true function and its potential for effecting change”. What exists in the imagination of the artists goes a long way in shaping our reality. Therefore it is high time good black Hollywood actors started playing good roles such as the one Don Cheadle played in The Guard. If you can act it you can be it, is what I am thinking. Bisi Adigun is the artistic director and founder of Arambe Productions.

www.arambeproductions.com

AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

photos

South Africa Ambassador and Guests at The ANC Mandela Party

President ANC Ireland - Mike Segoapa

Ambassador Jeremiah Ndou at the AfricaWorld interview

Patrick Edokobi & wife, Nkiru at the Late Pius Edekobi Service of Songs

Sympathisers with Nkiru, 3rd from right, at the Late Pa. Edokobi Service of Songs.

Potrait Painting of Nelson Mandela

New AU Leader - Dr. Nkosazana Zuma

AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

news

News in Brief By Paul Kelly

- Algeria: France’s Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, has made his first official trip to Algeria to discuss - The on-going political crisis in neighbouring Mali. The French President is expected to visit this Autumn. - Angolan deputy Minister of Health, Evelize Frestas, has urged all pregnant women to ensure they receive tetanus vaccinations in order to decrease neonatal deaths. - Botswana’s Minister of Energy and Water, Nonofo Molefhi, has travelled to Angola to attend a regional summit on infrastructure. - The Global Fund has uncovered that one third of mosquito nets distributed in Burkina Faso in 2010 were not treated with insecticide. -Burundi has been chosen to host this year’s post-primary games by the Federation of East African Secondary Schools Association. The games include children from across six East African countries. -An English High Court has suspended the deportation of a gay Cameroonian from the UK. The man claims he will be persecuted if returned to Cameroon. -Central African Republic: The armed group Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace has released 32 children held hostage. -The ICJ has ruled that Senegal must either prosecute former Chadian President Hissène Habré for alleged war crimes or extradite him. -Air Tanzania Company Ltd has resumed direct flights to Comoros. The flights had been cancelled in 2008.

-The IMF h a v e announced t h a t economic growth in the Republic of Congo is improving, despite declining oil production, as growth in non-energy sectors such as transport is rising. -Former Cote d’Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo has challenged the continued detention and alleged torture of his son, Michel, who is being held by the Cote d’Ivoire government. The legal challenge was filed in France, where their lawyer said “justice would not be compromised”. -Djibouti: South Sudan’s Steering Committee for oil production has announced that a pipeline to Djibouti would be viable. The measure could hugely improve Djibouti’s oil access. -Egypt: Former President Hosni Mburack has been moved from Maadi Military Hospital back to Tora Prison Hospital on the orders of the Public Prosecutor. -UNESCO has been condemned by Human Rights groups for issuing a Life Sciences prize sponsored by the President of Equatorial Guinea. The groups claimed there were legal discrepancies surrounding the prize’s funding and that it ignored the human rights abuses perpetrated by the President. -A leaked UN report on the intense crisis between Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea has condemned the South African government for failing to control the operations of its private security firms in Somalia. -The US has condemned the Ethiopian government for jailing journalist Eskinder Nega as well as six opposition politicians. The move is unusual considering the USA’s close relationship with Ethiopia.

-Cameroon has joined a new initiative aimed at curbing deforestation by using satellite imagery. The initiative will also make it easier for the state to claim carbon finance funds.

-Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma of South Africa has been voted in as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission, beating incumbent Jean Ping in the final vote.

-Greenpeace International have launched the first solar-powered radio station in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

-Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba visited Turkey in late July, in a bid to increase bilateral cooperation between the two

countries. -The Gambia has celebrated the 18th anniversary of its July 22nd revolution. The revolution was largely bloodless and enshrined democracy in the small state. -Ghana has begun intense negotiations with Nigeria aimed at removing harsh legal conditions which currently must be met in order for foreigners to operate businesses within Ghana. Nigerian businessmen claim these are targeted at them. -Guinea’s President, Alpha Conde, has announced plans to hold elections by the end of the year, marking the transition from military to civilian rule. -The Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries refused to allow Guinea Bissau’s current government to attend their latest summit in July, claiming that those who gain power through military coups are not welcome. -Somali terrorist group Al Shabab have threatened escalated violence in Kenya throughout the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan. -Liberia has announced plans to restore the hydro-electric power plant at Mount Coffee. The move will be part funded by the European Investment Bank, Norway and Germany. -Libyan elections have shown a landmark victory for Ex –Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril’s National Forces Alliance over the Muslim Brotherhood’s Justice and Construction party. -Madagascar has launched a new online network to strengthen science, technology and education in the country. The network will not only assist students but also increase international scientific cooperation. -The World Bank has granted $150 million to Malawi to help stabilise the economy and assist the current government’s reform programme. -Mali’s government have asked the ICC to investigate whether war crimes were committed in Mali’s north during the rebellion there, claiming that the country’s courts

would be unable to prosecute the perpetrators. -The Conflict Awareness Project has exposed a huge arms trafficking operation centred on Mauritius. The trafficking was perpetrated from companies across the US, the UK and South Africa. -Moroccan Abdelilah Benkirane has been re-elected as Secretary General of the country’s ruling PJD party. -Mozambican youth organisation, Parlamento Juvenil, has found that the majority of Mozambican youth view the country’s compulsory military service as a “waste of time” and would prefer civil service instead. -Namibia has unveiled a €156 million power project which is aimed at improving energy links between itself, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. -Niger’s newest refinery has begun exports to Katsina, Nigeria. The new refinery both satisfies domestic needs and provides a huge surplus for exports. - A river vessel has exploded in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, after maintenance workers tried to weld shut a hole in the vessels fuel tank, triggering the explosion. Thirty are feared dead. -Rwandan producer Trésor Senga has launched a 75 minute movie aimed at discouraging drug abuse amongst Rwandan youth. The movie is entitled “Chora Chora”. -Senegalese President Macky Sall has won a huge majority in the country’s legislative elections, although turnout was weak at 36.67%. -Sierra Leone has passed a new health directive allowing for free health care for pregnant and breast feeding women, as well as for children under the age of five years. -Traditional Somali elders have approved the country’s new constitution, following days of discussions between the elders and top government officials. The approval has been announced as a “historic move”.

-South Africa: Thokozile Kavamba, a 31 year old Zimbabwean woman, has been discovered murdered in Hermanus. The discovery was made almost a month after her disappearance. -South Sudan’s Auditor General has announced that billions of tax payer’s money went unaccounted for in 2008, due to a range of incompetent and corrupt practices. -South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayadrit has offered financial support to Sudanese President AlBashir in landmark personal meetings between the two heads of state. -Nurses have joined Swaziland’s growing public sector strike, demanding a 4.5% wage increase before work resumes. The strikes have been on-going for over a month. -Sao Tome and Principe’s government has announced plans to host the 9th Sports Games of the Portuguese Speaking Countries Community. The games are set for 2014. -Tanzania: The Media Council of Muslims has announced plans to sue the Medical Association of Tanzania for causing unnecessary deaths by striking last month. -Togo: The International Federation of Journalists has condemned an attack against photographic reporter Atayi Ayi and has called on authorities to deal “ruthlessly” with the perpetrators. -Tunisia: a survey has found that 40% of French people wish to spend their holidays in Tunisia, with 44% believing that the country is transitioning safely towards democracy. -Ugandan MP’s have condemned the current Education Minister’s vocal attack on striking teachers, claiming that she is “militarising the education sector”. -Displaced, white, Zimbabwean farmers have presented Robert Mugabe’s government with a $10 billion bill for property confiscated during the country’s chaotic land redistribution programme in

AUGUST 1 - 15 2012

sport

OLYMPICS STADIUM LONDON 2012

it’s OlympicS The 2012 Summer Olympic Games also known as XXX Olympiad officially kicked off In London ,United Kingdom on27July2012,thoughthefirstevent,the group stages in the women’s football started two days earlier on 25 July. The motto for the Olympics is “Inspire a Generation” London has previously hosted the modern Olympics twice in 1908 and 1948. TheOlympicGamesbeganatOlympia in Greece in 776 BC. The Greek calendar wasbasedontheOlympiad,thefour-year periodbetweengames.Thegameswere staged in the wooded valley of Olympia in Elis. Scholars have speculated that the gamesin776BCwerenotthefirstgames, but rather the first games held after they were organized into festivals held every fouryearsasaresultofanaccordbetween

the city-states of Elis and Pisa. Nine cities initially submitted applications to host the 2012 Olympic Games.The final decision on the host city for the Games of the XXX Olympiad was madebythefullIOCmembershipduring the 117th IOC Session in Singapore on 6 July 2005. London eventually triumphed by taking 54 votes from a possible 104. This gave London the majority that it needed to be elected as the host city for the 2012 Games. The London Olympics has 204 National Olympic committees. TheOlympicgamesisseenasadriving forceforpeaceandhumandevelopment .Asitbringspeopleandwarringcountries together in the spirit of sportsmanship. Thereisalotofexcitement andawakening patriotism amongst citizens of various countries as they support their own.