Nigerian Watch - Issue 46

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OPERATION SHIELD Police to trial gang-busting scheme championed by diaspora leaders – p4

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Issue No 046

FORTNIGHTLY To Inspire, Inform and Entertain

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The man who is

KING Racism, Baga, growing up in the UK, the West’s attitude to the “dark continent”…

Hollywood superstar David Oyelowo talks frankly about playing the civil rights’ icon in the blockbuster movie Selma… and why the struggle continues – page 6

COME ON EMMANUEL! Diaspora talent shines on The Voice

MAKING HISTORY How Kate Anolue is changing the face of British politics ONLY DAYS TO GO Lagun Akinloye considers the policy-lite campaign ahead of February 14 – p13

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NEWSWATCH

NIGERIAN WATCH Publisher Tevin Jemide Publisher/Managing Director Maryanne Jemide Managing Editor Jon Hughes Art Editor Cathy Constable Contributors Obah Iyamu; Harriet Ogbeide; AJ James; Ayo Akinfe; Funmi Odegbami; Samuel Kasumu; Ngozi Mbana; Ekanem Robertson, Jessica Onah, Laura Adenuga; Edel Meremikwu Chief Cartoonist Harold Ogbeide Office address Nigerian Watch Chartwell House 292 Hale Lane Edgware Middlesex HA8 8NP Email editor@nigerianwatch.com marketing@nigerianwatch.com sales@nigerianwatch.com Website www.nigerianwatch.com Tel: 020 8588 9640 Fax: 020 7160 5232 Nigerian Watch is a monthly newspaper owned by Green World Media Ltd. Views expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher.

All rights reserved. No part of the newspaper may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher.

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JE SUIS BAGA RALLY GOES GLOBAL Young diasporans and friends of Nigeria turned out in their hundreds to support the Nigerian Lives Matter anti-terror rally in London on Sunday January 25.

The multi-faith, multi-cultural gathering had been called in the wake of the massacre of Baga, during which 2,000 people were killed by Boko Haram terrorists.

The rally was clear about what it wanted and effectively delivered its message in the form of chants and placards.

“What do we want? Peace.

When do we want it? Now,” went one chant. “Up, up Naija.

Down, down terror,” went another. “Nigerian lives matter.

We are with you Baga. We are with you Chibok.”

Thousands of tourists who were making their way to Trafalgar Square up Northumberland Avenue engaged with the rally and recorded it on their mobile phones. Car horns blared their support at regular intervals.

There were film crews from across the world covering the event, including the China News Network, which has news hubs across Africa – so the rally would have been broadcast in Nigeria.

And that was the aim of the

rally, to bring as much pressure to bear as it could on the Nigerian government to act.

The man behind the rally Akinola Davies told the gathering, “We are trying to hold our leaders to account for what’s going on. Two thousand people were eradicated from the face of the earth in Baga. And the reaction was silence.

“We’re lending our voice to let people know we care, that Nigerian lives matter, that we are with you Baga.”

The rally was addressed by Royal African Society council member Dr Titi Banjoko who said, “You have influence, use it. In three weeks time [a reference to the February 14 election in Nigeria] you can effect change. Phone home and

speak to your families. And put pressure on your MP to get the UK government to put pressure on the Nigerian government.”

Andrew Murray of the Stop the War Coalition told the rally that “you are absolutely right with your slogan, Nigerian lives matter. You could be forgiven for thinking they didn’t after the events in Paris.”

This was in reference to the rally in the French capital on January 11, which was attended by 50 world leaders, including David Cameron.

He continued, “Over 2,000 people were killed and world leaders have not expressed solidarity. This is racist double standards. Solidarity isn’t just a hashtag.”

Campaign to honour muslim hero of Paris North London entrepreneur and lawyer Ella Bennet has launched a campaign to get Israel to honour Lassana Bathily, the muslim shop assistant who saved many customers’ lives during the siege of the Jewish supermarket in Paris in January.

Of Jewish Jamaican heritage Ms Bennet told Nigerian Watch she has launched the petition because “Lassana is a beacon of light for all nations where different groups are struggling to live freely and equally.

“Lassana showed real bravery in risking his own life to save these people, setting aside

considerations of prejudice and standing against a member of his own faith.”

While Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has personally thanked the young Malian for his heroism, the state has not honoured him for his actions.

Since the country’s inception, however, Israel has had a tradition of honouring gentile’s who have saved people from anti-semitic murder.

“By elevating Lassana we elevate humanity,” said Ms Bennet, urging people to sign her petition.

To sign the petition search “change.org + lassana + Israel”

NIGERIA ACTS TO CONTAIN BIRD FLU Nigeria on January 21 confirmed that five states have been hit with the H5N1 strain of bird flu, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of poultry but no human cases.

Agriculture Minister Akinwumi Adesina said the first cases were confirmed on a commercial farm in the northern city of Kano and at a live bird market in Lagos State on January 8.

“While we quickly confirmed that the cases were due to H5, we could not at the time determine the biotype.

We have now confirmed that the cases were due to the H5N1 virus,” he added.

“We are taking all measures necessary to ensure that public safety is protected and that the poultry industry is not significantly affected by the spread of the bird flu.”

Adesina told reporters in Abuja that the five states involved were Lagos and Ogun in the southwest, Delta and Rivers in the south and Kano in the north.

But Adesina said there was “no cause for alarm” and “we are not in a state of any epidemic”. The risk to humans was small, he said, but urged enhanced hygiene procedures to be taken.

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OUR KATE IS MAKING HISTORY

NIGERIAN WATCH 6 - 19 Feb 2015

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WE’RE BACKING EMMANUEL TO WIN THE VOICE

FAWP launch (from l-r): Valerie Vaz MP; Cllr. Susan Fajana-Thomas; Andy Love MP; Kate Anolue; Meg Hillier MP; and Jenny Okafor

FROM TOP: Kate Anolue, Ayfer Orhan and Kate Osamor

Diaspora favourite Kate Anolue is making history.

She is on a record-breaking shortlist that is guaranteed to deliver an ethnic minority woman MP to parliament in May’s general election.

The historic moment was revealed by Andy Love, MP for Edmonton in north London, who has held the safe Labour seat since 1997.

The three women vying to replace him are Ms Anolue, Ayfer Orhan and Kate Osamor.

Mr Love was speaking at the House of Commons launch of the Foundation for African, Caribbean and Asian Women in Politics (FAWP).

The campaign – which aims to get more ethnic minority women in politics by mentoring prospective candidates across all levels of the political spectrum – is the brainchild of Ms Anolue, who is the founder and CEO. Mr Love told the meeting, attended by over 100 women and men, “This is the first time ever there has been an all woman, all ethnic minority shortlist in the country. I am pleased that Edmonton is at the forefront of that change.”

Because Edmonton is such a Labour stronghold he declared to great cheers, “We will have an ethnic minority woman being elected as an MP, you can be sure of that.”

He was joined at the launch by fellow MPs Meg Hillier (Hackney South & Shoreditch) and Chi Onwurah (Newcastle-

upon-Tyne Central). A host of other MPs, including the first black woman ever to be elected to parliament Diane Abbott, lent their support throughout the evening.

Ms Hillier caught the mood of the evening when she said, “When I’m in parliament and look across at the opposition benches they are not normal.

Hackney is. I want parliament to look more like what you see on a Hackney bus.”

She said Ms Anolue’s FAWP was much needed as at the last election there was a shortage of black candidates, male and female, wanting to stand. “You do need the fellowship of other people, which is why the Foundation is so important,” she said.

She concluded by saying, “I offer the Foundation my wholehearted support in the hope that some of you in a few

years time are standing here as MPs.” But the audience was advised, it won’t be an easy ride. If you want to stand as an MP in four years time you need to get involved now, knocking on doors and campaigning.

There are no shortcuts, no magic wand.

Ms Onwurah told the meeting, “You either stay in the background and accept the world the way it is or you put your hat in the ring and try to change it.”

She told the meeting she had become an MP because her mother had impressed on her throughout life that “good housing, good schools, good hospitals, good doctors didn’t just happen – it’s what people fought for”.

Kate Anolue graciously thanked her supporters and said she had long dreamt

THE EDMONTON SELECTION The final decision on who will become the prospective parliamentary candidate for Edmonton will be taken on February 21. Ms Anolue is vying for the role against fellow councillor Ms Orhan, who is of Turkish descent and the Enfield council's current cabinet member for education.

The third candidate Ms Osamor is a GP practice manager in Edmonton and trade union activist.

She is also the daughter of Martha Osamor, a former Haringey councillor and community leader on the Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham. She was famously selected by the local Vauxhall Labour party in Brixton, south London for a by-election in 1989, only to be controversially removed by Neil Kinnock prompting a race row. Ms Osamor was also vicechair of the Labour party's Black Section.

about this moment.

“Everything in life is politics – as of today you need to stand up and do something about under-representation of women and ethnic minorities.”

An Enfield councillor for 12 years and former Mayor, rewarded with the freedom of the borough for her service to the community, and a lawyer and midwife, Ms Anolue said, “I started attending meetings to be the voice of the voiceless.

You women have to wake up and get up.”

In his blind audition on the BBC’s The Voice Nigerian Emmanuel Nwamadi performed a soulful version of Sade’s Sweetest Taboo – and simply wowed the judges with his moving rendition.

Ricky Wilson was the only judge to spin his chair, but Tom Jones obviously regretted missing his chance saying, “To be quite honest with you, you finished the song before I realised it was over. That’s the only reason I didn’t push my button.” Rita Ora had mouthed during Emmanuel’s song “Wow, he’s good.” And when she turned her chair gushed, “You’re so handsome, you are really distracting.

Too handsome. Welcome to the show!”

The 23-year-old singer, who was born in Nigeria and moved to London when he was child, is currently studying Commercial Music Performance at the University of Westminster. He is constantly singing and playing his guitar, and isn’t fussy about where either; parks, gyms, barbers.

In a quick-fire Q&A with Emmanuel he revealed his daily motto is, “Never let others get you down.”; the secret that no one else knows is, “I get really nervous when I’m around girls.”; what makes him happy is, “Sad emotional music, technology and listening to the piano.”; what makes him mad is, “What music has become. It is all about sex and that really annoys me.”

Support Emmanuel in Team Ricky on The Voice, BBC TV, Saturday evening around 7pm.

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NIGERIAN WATCH 6 - 19 Feb 2015

NEWSWATCH

Fourth teen killed since New Year Seventeen-year-old Shaquan Sammy Plummer, known as Shaq (inset), became the fourth teenager to be killed in London in January after he was stabbed in the chest during a knife fight at house party in Enfield on Saturday night.

It represents an alarming escalation of fatal violent attacks – throughout the whole of last year 11 teens died on the streets of London.

His senseless murder has led to an extraordinary

appeal from the trauma surgeon who treated him, Tom Konig (pictured right).

In a graphic open letter to the media (right) Mr Konig calls on youths to lay down their weapons.

Shaq, who was a pupil at the La Swap 6th Form College in Camden and had a part time job in Waitrose, saving his wages to go to university to study law.

Yet on Saturday he was stabbed once in the chest and collapsed in the street.

He was taken to hospital but

died soon after.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, 24-year-old Clive

Massi was shot and killed in the early hours of Sunday morning in Woolwich.

VICTORY FOR NIGERIAN COMMUNITY LEADER’S CAMPAIGN A gang-busting initiative championed by Nigerian community leader Dr Toyin Idowu and this newspaper is to be piloted by the Met Police.

Dr Idowu with Prof Kennedy

given area, and you tell them that the next one to instigate any violence is going down, for a long time. All of them, using a variation of the UK law Joint Enterprise.

“We say we know who you are, we know where you live, we know what you are doing.

From now on when somebody who is a group member is violent we’ll hold the group responsible,” Prof Kennedy told the conference.

And when it happens that a violent episode occurs – “as it always does” – the weight of the law comes down on the perpetrators like a ton of bricks. At the second meeting,

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH Dr Konig’s graphic open letter to youths, after his desperate efforts to save Shaquan Sammy-Plummer on Jan 30th

“OPERATION SHIELD” TO TARGET GANGS

The London Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) is providing £200,000 funding for “Operation Shield” to be trialled in Haringey, Westminster and Lambeth.

The initiative is based on the Ceasefire model devised by US criminologist Professor David M Kennedy, which was first reported in this newspaper and led to his being invited to a MOPAC conference on gang violence in June 2014.

At that conference Prof Kennedy revealed that when first adopted in the US city of Boston gang related violence and crime had fallen by 60%.

It is a very straightforward approach and has subsequently proved successful in cities across America, Latin America and Europe.

First, you have a call in of gangs, all the gangs in any

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you repeat the message and show the new life and jail terms of their incarcerated foes.”

Under “Shield”, the main offender’s prosecution will be fast-tracked and other gang members will also face sanctions.

Gang members associated with an offender who has committed a serious crime – such as a stabbing – will face injunctions preventing them from entering a certain area or, if they are on licence, they will be recalled to prison.

Police officers and community members will also call in gang members for face-

to-face meetings to issue warnings about their behaviour. In addition, members will be offered help to leave gangs.

The Met’s Trident gang crime team will work with the three boroughs for the 12month pilot.

According to the Met Police, gangs in the capital are responsible for 40% of all shootings and 20% of all recorded violent crime. There are 186 gangs in the capital with 58 accounting for twothirds of offences where a named gang is identified.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said the pilot would give gangs a ‘clear ultimatum’.

MOPAC chairman Stephen Greenhalgh said, “The rules are that whole gangs will be chased after by whatever means.”

But he added, “It doesn't mean a gang member of whatever age is going to get the same sanction as the person that is the brains behind the machine that is causing the mayhem.”

“After we had finished handing over one patient to the team at St Mary’s hospital we were alerted to another job. The information we were given was of an adult male, stabbed to the chest. We donned our protective stab vests and plotted a route to the scene.

What we found was the all too familiar scenario of a young boy with a single stab wound to the chest, who was in cardiac arrest. Our teaching is to make a very quick assessment, then proceed to attempt to repair the damage that has been done.

We performed a resuscitative thoracotomy — immediately opening the chest to gain access to the heart and lungs to simultaneously diagnose the injury and treat it. In this instance the sac around the heart was tense and filled with the blood that had leaked from the stabbed heart deep within it. The heart struggled to beat again and as it did it bled from its wounds and a significant wound from the aorta, the main artery that leaves it to take blood to the rest of the body.

The wounds were sutured, warmed blood was transfused directly into the heart and adrenaline infused to stimulate it to beat again. We held the heart of a young boy in our hands and willed it to beat and to survive.

We continued to hospital but our efforts and the efforts of the hospital team could not save this young man. Another victim of the awful epidemic of senseless knife crime that is causing the death and disability of too many young men with the whole of their lives ahead of them.

Not long after, I was notified of the arrival of the victim’s mother in the emergency department. Someone would need to tell her that her young son was dead. How best to break this awful news? Do we talk about the injuries sustained, our efforts to treat them, how we hoped that we had been successful, our optimism? No, this occasion called for brutal honesty.

“I’m sorry but I have awful news. Your son is dead, he was stabbed in the chest and died. We tried our very best, we really did, we operated, we gave him blood, we held his heart in our hands and willed it to beat on its own, but it was badly damaged and he had bled terribly. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

She heard little of what followed after I told her he was dead. If only we could have brought him back, we tried, oh how we tried. Another teenager killed by the hand of another on the streets of London. Another life lost, another family torn apart, another perpetrator set to spend time imprisoned to dwell on their crimes. No one wins, everyone loses.

Many have been blamed for what some believe is an epidemic – the broken families, schools, politicians and police – but ultimate responsibility lies with the hand holding the knife. The person who decides to carry a weapon that they are sadly all too ready to use to resolve a dispute.

Enough is enough.

It is time to put your knives down. Find another way to argue and to fight, now, before it’s too late.”

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NEWSWATCH The man who is…

KING Few people become legends in their own lifetime. Dr Martin Luther King did for his heroic leadership of the civil rights struggle. David Oyelowo has stepped into the great man’s shoes and not just in his acclaimed protrayal. Here he talks to AJ James about the struggle to get Selma made, the lies about black films and audiences, why western leaders still fear the ‘dark continent’, the atrocities in Baga and Paris, cop killings in Ferguson and New York and how growing up as a Nigerian in the UK informed his portrayal of Dr King.

T

he sensational civil rights movie Selma opens today (February 6). It is a mustsee. The reviews have been electrifying.

“The best film of the year” say Time Magazine; “a triumph”, says the New York Times; “magnificent” says Rolling Stone; “tremendous… a flat out great film… Oyelowo is electrifying as Dr Martin Luther King”, says the Daily Telegraph.

That the undoubted star of the show David Oyelowo has been overlooked for an Oscar for his portrayal of Dr King has caused massive controversy. The nominees for both Best Actor and Best Actress categories this year are all white, raising heated debate about the predominantly all white selection committee. It is one of many the film has sparked, all with racial undertones.

In the US a media frenzy has been whipped up about the portrayal in the film of President Lyndon B Johnson (LBJ); the ‘President’s men’ claiming LBJ’s role in galvanising the historic march from Selma to Alabama in 1965 has been undermined.

Or as David Oyelowo puts it, “There are people out there who are like, ‘So, you’ve made a big movie where black characters are the central characters, so let’s talk about the white guy!’”

Although he adds, “If these custodians of LBJ’s legacy were truly concerned what they would be talking about is the fact that the very voting rights act that he passed is being dismantled.”

For the record, what the scene shows is a dramatised meeting between a pragmatic LBJ – how am I going to bring America along with me?

– and an impatient civil rights leader in Dr King.

David explains, “With any film you need a point of view and in this film it is Dr King’s. In Lincoln I played a character who in 1865 is asking the President for the vote. I play Dr King in 1965, 100 years later, 19 presidents later, asking for the vote. He was impatient. He wanted answers. LBJ had passed the civil rights act after JF Kennedy had been assassinated. He wasn’t in a rush to pass the voting rights act because he was pragmatist.

He wasn’t in a rush to badger and force the civil rights act and voting rights act to be passed within 12 months. No President wants to do that.

“But a guy who has seen 400 years of slavery, and has written a book saying why we can’t wait, who has said from a Birmingham jail there is a word that rings in the ears of every negro with piercing familiarity, the word ‘wait’. He’s not going to go up against that President who is saying, ‘Give me a minute,’ and say, ‘Ok, take a moment, Johnson, I’ll be right back.’ That’s what we show in the film, that Dr King was impatient and it is his point of view. And I think there are people to be perfectly frank who just don’t enjoy this being his point of view.”

For an actor on the cusp of Hollywood superstardom David is refreshingly outspoken on the issues of race and civil rights that the film

naturally generates questions about. Essentially have we achieved the dream? And he speaks so eloquently, with such calm consideration, that the lines between actor and character he plays with such impact are easily blurred.

David is impeccably spoken, impeccably dressed, and has an impeccable grasp of the issues. His clarity requires little commentary from yours truly. That Selma has reached the big screen is a remarkable story in itself and owes much to his determination to see it made.

It has been on Pathe UK’s books for nine years. David became involved seven years ago and the British born Nigerian is credited as the person who kept the dream alive.

It was only when he enlisted the support of Oprah Winfrey – who he had co-starred with in The Butler – that the project became possible, that Hollywood’s glass ceiling could be broken.

“Why films like this haven’t been made is

because people who have green light ability are people who want to see their stories told, which is why we had a J Edgar Hoover movie before we had a King movie.”

It must be remembered that Hoover was a reactionary, who wanted to maintain the status quo, dedicated himself to trying to undermine King (and many others) in the most tawdry ways and even alluded to removing King permanently.

“It takes someone like Oprah going, ‘You know what, I want to see myself on screen, a representation of my family, my history, on the big screen and I have the reputation and power to support that.’ I went to her and said we need you and she came on board and that was the change agent, she was the rocket fuel we needed.”

N

ow the film is here, nigh on 50 years after the assassination of Dr King in 1968 at the tragically young age of 39. It is remarkable the hurdles and number of firsts it has scored in the process.

“This film is the type of film that has taken so long to get made because of the theory, the

notion, the lie, that films with a black protagonist don’t travel beyond the US. Europe doesn’t want to see a film about Dr King, we are told. That’s why it has taken nearly 50 years since he died for a film centred around him to be made.

“I am sitting here talking to a group of international journalists about a film that has been made about Dr King. That is a huge, huge leap forward. It is going to be distributed internationally, that is huge. It was directed by a black American woman, Ava Du Vernay – that is massive. It had a huge red-carpet premiere in Leicester Square. This just doesn’t happen with these films.”

Du Vernay got the director’s chair thanks to David. He had worked with her on the acclaimed indie film Middle of Nowhere, budget $200,000.

Whereas other directors said they needed more than the $20m budget available to make Selma, Alabama-born Du Vernay leapt at the chance.

How those others must be kicking themselves.

She has delivered first and foremost a great movie; which is also a groundbreaking and Oscarnominated movie.

“I know that I’m in a film that has done something rarely seen,” says David. “Because what never happens in Hollywood – and I haven’t seen happen since Malcolm X, which Spike Lee had to fight so hard to get made – is a black character who’s a leader, who challenges the status quo – in a film like this doing the business it’s doing so that to me is an indication of progress.”

The march from Selma Dr King instigated in 1965 changed the course of history in the US – enshrining in legislation the right for black people to vote, which was central to securing justice as only those registered to vote could serve on a jury.

Before the change achieved by the bloody confrontation in Selma racists quite simply had a licence to kill black people as all white juries would acquit. As we have just seen police officers in America acquitted for killing a black man, despite using an illegal choke hold.

Selma also comes to our screens at a time when race has returned as a major issue in

political spheres around the world, which is itself in the throes of a religious war. The film’s relevance could not be clearer.

“It’s very important for the world right now.

Even just seeing the images in France recently after the awful events in Paris and seeing leaders linking arms and marching together, in the way you see in our film – in the way that’s evocative of marches that have taken place in America, when you see what’s happened in Ferguson and New York recently, when you look at racial and religious unrest across the world – to see how effective love in the face of hate can be, how effective peaceful protest can be, how effective it is when you decide something isn’t a black problem but a human problem. And so therefore white and black, young and old, people of all faiths come together to say this isn’t OK, and march against it and make our feelings known in the hope that governmental change will happen.

And in Selma it did. That is a very, very powerful thing to see in the day and age we are in.”

Y

et, as we in the diaspora are all too well aware, there was no such show of unity in the face of the Baga massacre, leading to charges of double standards. David is sympathetic to the view.

“I think in the same way that in Selma the reason why black and white came together over that issue was because they saw the images of Bloody Sunday and there was a very clear wrong that the people decided wasn’t ok. The very minute Dr King started talking about economic equality, a lot of that support dissipated because it wasn’t beneficial to some of the people who supported him early on. I think for world leaders in the west to support France is beneficial, economically, in terms of what it looks like to the world.

“To support Nigeria in its plight not necessarily so beneficial. I think that again this is what I so admire about Dr King.

He lost a lot of his own black support when he started to talk about Vietnam, economic equality

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and Kennedy because he was broadening out to issues that people said doesn’t concern you, you are a black preacher, why are you talking about these things. But he was a citizen of the world and that again is what’s so incredible about him and that’s why he was cut down.

“And I truly believe the reticence on Nigeria stems from a fear of being cut down; you know, ‘I don’t understand what’s going on in Nigeria, what does it mean, it doesn’t really apply to me, that’s the “dark continent”.’ One of the biggest problems I have being an African is the representation of Africa. I’m going to Nigeria next week and one of my friends asked, ‘Are you going to be OK?’ Because there’s just this notion of what it is. That’s what you’re dealing with: prejudice is born out of what you don’t know and therefore you fear it and I think that that’s what is playing out.”

S

o did growing up as a black man in the UK inform the role. “Hugely,” he says, “and I lived in Lagos for seven years.”

He continues, “What’s been most interesting for me playing Dr King and now living in America, and having lived most of my life in UK, and making Lincoln, The Butler, The Help, Red Tails and now Selma I’ve really seen what it is to be a black person on planet earth, and it’s very different to live on a continent where you are the majority rather than the minority. So I have felt what it is to walk the streets like a king and to have every opportunity available in that society afforded to you, and living in Europe and America I know what it is to get out of bed every day and go ok here we go time to face the beast yet again.

“So Dr King to me represents an amalgamation of both. He somehow managed to not to take on a minority mentality. He knew he was worthy of every opportunity any society should afford him and he managed not to be bitter and angry in spite of centuries of murder and degradation, slavery and marginalisation. He managed – and I think it so beautiful that his name was King – because somehow he embodied that as a black man at that time, but he was dealing with inequity, people who have suffered marginalisation. He was giving a voice to people who were voiceless, who were broken by the legacy of slavery. I know what those two things feel like having lived on these three continents. So, yes, it helped me a lot.

“Because there is a bearing you have knowing that you are worthy to be any room, with the president or the people, that can’t be manufactured. You have to know it deep in your soul and somehow Dr King had that and I think I have experienced that.”

A

man of faith himself, David believes that’s where Dr King found his resolve. “I think it came from his faith. That he saw himself and everyone as a child of God. He saw that God didn’t see race and that was something that humankind had imposed on different peoples.

His faith was a big factor. Dr King was a preacher, a man of God, and he saw people as God sees people, and that’s where it came from and enabled him to love everyone and not have that bitterness, which was completely understandable to have. He somehow managed to transcend it because he was constantly going back to his source, which was God, to show him who he was and what humanity is.”

And there is the key to David’s magnificent performance. He has mainlined the spirit of Dr King and thankfully doesn’t give us an impersonation or sanitised version of the icon. It must be recalled that Dr King was a humble preacher who had greatness thrust upon him, and as with all such people had his vulnerabilities and doubts. It also shows him as a great collaborator and strategist and that David says was “a big thing for us”.

“The civil rights movement wasn’t just about a man but a movement. He was a leader of leaders, that was one of the incredible things about him. He surrounded himself with great minds and that’s what we try to show in those scenes where he’s talking to his comrades about what do we do next, how do we strategise, how do make this work? Dr King’s unique and special gift was the ability to distil all of those ideas into an eloquent articulation of what was needed in the corridors of power. No one else quite had that gift and when he died no one could fill his shoes.”

Few leaders since have shown his fortitude, which explains why Dr King remains an inspiration for us all.

“He’s won the Nobel Peace Prize, 10 years in to having his life threatened every day, he’s sick at that time, his health is failing him, people are dying, getting hurt on the bridge. These were all terrible things for any compassionate human being but especially for someone like Dr King, these weighed so heavily upon him. We wanted that to be something you see but we do not have to talk about because he was never someone to complain, or talk about how hard it was for him, because he felt the call of God to be selfless. He insisted on not spending a penny of the Nobel prize money because he never wanted to be accused of benefiting from the movement. You can’t name one leader alive today who was like that. It’s something we wanted to show without telling, something you should feel, and be a moment where you go, ‘That’s how I feel. This is tough what this guy is going through.’ If you can see elements of yourself in Dr King then we are really doing something.”

Without doubt, and without fear of contradiction, Selma and David Oyelowo are really doing something.

You will see this movie, be shaken to the core and yet leave the cinema uplifted and personally empowered.

Selma is a triumph in every respect.

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NIGERIAN WATCH 6 - 19 Feb 2015

KASUMUWATCH

9

The SAMUEL KASUMU Column

In the 21st century we should discard the saviour syndrome Election season for me is the moment when we realise just how easier it is for us as humans to defer our own collective responsibility to an individual.

Most of us will base our decision on who to vote for, or whether we vote at all, on who we believe has the power to make our own lives easier.

Many of us will never realise our leadership potential! This is partly because often it is easier to delegate our Godgiven freedom to influence our own outcomes to others. It’s also easier to focus on oneself than to have to find a way to influence others. So we defer our leadership potential to someone else.

In a democracy we can decide every so often who to place our hope in for a better future.

Economically, we can rely on a job with not a second thought on how one’s salary is paid. We often find it much easier to simply appoint some form of king to rule over us and take ultimate responsibility for our outcomes.

There’s an interesting story which helps to better articulate my point. It involves my namesake; Samuel, from the Bible. Many people regard Samuel as the last judge of Israel when actually, if you read closely, you’ll find that his two sons were in fact judges in his old age.

They were cunning young men that would accept bribes, and a point came when the people of

Israel had enough and desired a king. There’s an interesting statement that they make when Samuel questions why they are so keen to have one. They say to him that they would like someone “that will fight our battles”.

We almost always desire to elevate another to a status of

“Great collective successes only come when leadership is shared, and everyone plays their part” superiority when in reality those who are most successful do the very opposite. They realise that they can reach the very top and their actions are aligned to that conviction. Great people are not interested in someone else being responsible for how their life pans out. That is the key difference.

In Barack Obama we see a man who was looked to by the poor, the ethnic and young, to bring about a level of change that was simply unrealistic.

There was no way that one man could be responsible for taking the most marginalised Americans to a better future on his own… but the people desired a king. It also benefited him to run a campaign that sold the vision of him being that king, a saviour of sorts.

Faith communities are no different. A pastor can stand on the

stage and tell the poorest and most vulnerable that giving offerings is all they need to do to amass great wealth. This is, of course, a message with very limited foundation, and is often contradictory to the lives lived by these men in private.

The desire for a king is not simply the preserve of the poorest.

With the stock market, shares jump in minutes when a new CEO is appointed to a struggling firm. So many look at Steve Jobs as a king-type leader with so much of Apple’s success simply down to him. But if you look closer you will see that there were, and still are, leaders within that institution, all the way down to the shop floor.

I’m not discounting the pivotal role that many inspirational leaders have made in our world. It is often important to have a focal point when there is a need to pull in one direction. But great collective successes only come when leadership is shared.

Where everyone plays their part and responsibility is not the preserve of one individual.

In my organisation this year there is an emphasis on building a culture based on a set of shared values.

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others, and feeling empowered to take pride and ownership are key things that emphasis has been placed on.

As we continue to grow there is no way I can make every decision and therefore everyone will have to lead in some respects.

The biggest problem with having a king is the human element; every man is inherently imperfect. Also, what happens when the king is no more or is caught up in a scandal?

When the CEO moves on or the politician lets you down? Hope deferred makes the heart sick.

It is important never to put ones trust fully in the hands of another individual with the potential to one day fail. Instead we must share responsibility and understand that no one person can be responsible for collective success!

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NIGERIAN WATCH 6 - 19 Feb 2015

NEWSWATCH

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Spicy food heartburn could be disguising cancer in African men A national ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign is urging people to visit their doctor if they have heartburn most days for three weeks or more, as this can be a sign of oesophageal or stomach cancer.

THERE’S A LOT TO LYCA ABOUT TOPPING UP SAY CUSTOMERS We all know it is good to phone home, especially over the festive period. But for 24 lucky winners using Lyca mobile top-ups that call turned out to be great – because it landed them in a spectacular festive draw.

So it was on January 27 that people from a kaleidescope of nations resident in the UK descended on Lyca HQ in Docklands to receive their prizes.

One lucky winner Maciej Ianowski “drove” away in a

Mercedes Benz A class, while two others could look forward to holidays in Barcelona.

Gerson Oliveira, who comes from Portugal and is of Mozabiquan heritage, won twice because his partner Sandra Morais from Cape Verde revealed, “He tops up so much!”

Gerson walked away with an iPhone 6 and PS 4. In total 12 iPhone 6 handsets, three iPad Air, three PS4 consoles and three Lycamoney cards charged up with £100 pounds each

were given away.

Lycamobile Chairman, Subaskaran Allirajah, said, “This campaign was for our customers, to give them something back for their loyalty to our service.

“We are delighted with the results, and the encouraging way people both responded to the campaign and engaged with us on social media. It was fantastic to welcome so many happy faces at our HQ this morning.”

The campaign launch coincides with results of a new survey commissioned by Public Health England, which reveals only 1 in 2 people (55%) would visit their doctor if they had heartburn most days for three weeks or more.

Early diagnosis of oesophageal or stomach cancer (also known as oesophago-gastric cancers) is crucial and means treatment is more likely to be successful.

Around 67 per cent of people diagnosed with oesophago-gastric cancers at the earliest stage survive for at least five years. This figure drops to around 3 per cent for those diagnosed at a late stage.

According to the survey findings, 59% of respondents did not know that heartburn could be a sign of cancer with just 15% saying they were certain that it is a symptom.

Professor Chuka Nwokolo (pictured), Gastroenterologist, Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital, said, “The campaign message is clear – you should go and see your doctor if you have heartburn most days for three weeks or more, it could be a sign of cancer.

“You won’t be wasting the doctor’s time – you

will either get reassurance that it isn’t cancer, or if it is, you will have a better chance of successful treatment.

“In African and Caribbean culture we’re accustomed to eating spicy food which can sometimes cause heartburn and as a result we may ignore symptoms thinking it isn’t serious.”

Another symptom highlighted by the campaign is that of difficulty swallowing food. Here the survey found that 70% did not know food sticking in the throat could be a sign of cancer, and just 13% of those surveyed said they were sure it is a symptom.

It has been estimated that around 950 lives could be saved in England each year if our survival rates for oesophago-gastric cancers matched the best in Europe.

The UK, with the Netherlands, has the joint highest incidence rate of oesophageal cancer in males in the European Union and the highest incidence rate of oesophageal cancer in females in the European Union. This may be due to smoking, low consumption of fruit and vegetables over time, rising obesity levels and consuming alcohol on a regular basis.

Of those diagnosed with oesophago-gastric cancers, more than 9 out of 10 people are over the age of 50, making this the target age group for the campaign.

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NIGERIAN WATCH 6 - 19 Feb 2015

YOURWATCH

Letters to the Editor Let us know what you think. Put pen to paper and send your letters to: The Editor, Nigerian Watch, Chartwell House, 292 Hale Lane, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 8NP, or email us at: editor@nigerianwatch.com Letters to be included in the next issue must be received by no later than February 16, 2014. Anonymous letters will not be published. Please include your full name, postal address and contact telephone number.

Names and addresses can be withheld, if preferred.

Letters may be edited for publication.

Satellite television and the epidemic of greed As the British Psychologist Oliver James put it in his book Affluenza I could conjecture that there is a correlation between the in-

creasing access to satellite television and the epidemic of greed we are witnessing today in Nigeria.

With just the press of a button or the click of a switch we can instantly bring the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Mumbai, Shanghai and Dubai into the sitting rooms

of Nigeria with the result that television might be making a lot of Nigerians dissatisfied with their lives.

Television feeds many a Nigerian’s dream of owning the clothes, cars, private jets and mansions they see not only on satellite TV but also in glossy magazines.

These platforms seem to make many Nigerians receptive to the Gospel of prosperity, to the effect that consumerism has become the new religion.

Various brands of goods are now to be worshipped as gods with the result that every year 140,000 Nigerians are on “pilgrimage” to the shopping “Cathedrals” of London.

The new evangelists are the advertising men, the sales men and brand consultants.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria it is people stealing money they do not need .

Scientific studies suggest that it is our interactions with our friends, family and community that are meaningful and make us happy not the size of our bank accounts.

We have all heard the phrase, “The rich also cry.” But a typical capitalist would respond, “It is better to be rich and unhappy than to be poor and happy.”

As the Author Carol Graham put it, we live in a world of “happy peasants and miserable millionaires”. Things must change.

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NW COMMENT

I

n the week that sensational civil rights movie Selma opens, reminding us of the long march to justice, it seems fitting that we in the diaspora are able to celebrate a groundbreaking moment in British political history.

For the first time ever a parliamentary constituency has drawn up an all woman, all ethnic minority shortlist to become an MP at the next election.

It comes as no surprise to us in the diaspora that Kate Anolue is among the three women selected.

For the past 20 years she has been a superb community leader and politician. If anyone deserves the opportunity to enter the House of Commons she does.

As a lawyer and midwife by profession, she has proven herself to be both constructive and compassionate in public office.

We wish her well at this historic moment.

The only surprise is that in Britain, the home of democracy, it has taken so long to reach this point – nearly 50 years after the bloody battles and march in Selma won the right for black people to vote in America. The long march continues.

But with people like Ms Anolue to the fore, the dream of a parliament more reflective of the society it serves comes closer. And that is something to be celebrated and built upon.

while ignoring opposing viewpoints, just as selective retention retains certain messages, ignoring others.

In some past and recent elections, Nigerians selected their choice of candidates, in some cases, electing different parties for the governorship and presidential positions something of a hand-picking pattern.

Thus the pattern for this election might end up being a selective election theory or approach. This political theory of mine suggests that people select and elect personalities across different political parties.

This would guarantee good candidates from weak political parties a space in government. Thus, a vote for Buhari may not automatically translate to a vote for any face that shows up in the name of his party.

In the same vein, for lovers or haters of President Jonathan, a vote for or against him may not equally just trickle down to be the fate of other candidates for other offices within the party.

It is essential that Nigeria has, this year, a cornucopia administration in which the president, state governors, lawmakers and the rest, may not be uniform in party identity, but are identical in passion and compassion geared towards liberating the masses and transforming the nation.

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NIGERIAN WATCH 6 - 19 Feb 2015

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EMBASSYWATCH

NEWS FROM THE NIGERIA HIGH COMMISSION, LONDON

Diaspora – phone home to get the vote out The critical role of the diaspora as key influencers in Nigeria’s imminent elections was highlighted at the High Commission on Monday when a mighty delegation of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) paid a courtesy call on the High Commissioner Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, OFR, CFR. TAN is an electoral organisation championing the achievements of President Jonathan and working to secure his re-election. Fearful that the great strides forward made over the last four years in particular – and since democracy returned to Nigeria in 1999 – the group has been visiting Nigerians in the diaspora around the world to promote the President’s record.

The over 30-strong delegation was led by Christian Udechukwu, who told the meeting, “The diaspora is very important to getting the vote out. We are urging all Nigerians living abroad to call family and friends to share with them their thoughts on the President’s achievements.”

He spoke at length about those. How the President had tranformed the economy of Nigeria, making it the biggest in Africa and close to being one of the top 20 economies in the world.

He highlighted the opening up of the oil and gas sector, and the dramatic increase in food production as a result of empowering farmers.

As a result, despite the fall in both the oil price and exchange rate for the naira against the dollar and pound, food prices had remained stable. And Mr Udechukwu added as a result of that success farmers in Nigeria had been able to donate $5m to the APC campaign.

The highest ever mileage of roads had been repaired and tarred because if “people can move easily, trade improves”. Trains, also, were running again “so that you can travel from Lagos to Kano or Port Hartcourt as if on Eurostar”.

The privatisation of power and change in

management structures had earned money for the government to re-invest in infrastructure and resulted in a doubling of supply. Fourteen universities had been built and investment had been made in the primary and secondary sectors.

He was emphatic in saying the war against Boko Haram would be won, since the President had secured $1bn from the National Assembly to further arm them.

He also addressed diaspora voting and how the lack of this negatively impacts on diaspora engagement with the elections.

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“Change is being manifested, as is evident from the National Conversation [which came out in favour of the diaspora being given the vote],” he said. “No government will be better placed to implement those changes than the government who inaugurated the conference. Because of these changes, and I could go on and on, we’re fully in support of the President being returned,” he said.

Dr Tafida, who is known to be allied with the President’s party the PDP, reminded him that in office, as an Ambassador, he remains apolitical.

However, he said, the idea of TAN is good as “many in Nigeria pretend not to know what the government has achieved”. He also illuminated the meeting as to what “transformation” means.

“When I was posted here to the court of St James the idea of transformation was at the forefront of my mind. I wanted to leave this place better than I met it,” Dr Tafida said. “When you know about Nigeria, you know what has happened, then you can appreciate the transformation of your country.”

Dr Tafida concluded with some advice to the delegation, “Speak to the influencers, there are thousands in this country. There are many who can afford to return home to vote, and they can broadcast their reasons. You are the people who can make things happen, you should go from town to town. You are preaching here to the converted.”

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NEWSWATCH

13

NIGERIA 2015 ELECTION SPECIAL

ONLY DAYS TO GO Journalist and political analyst Lagun Akinloye considers what voters should be asking themselves before they go to the polls on February 14

A

s both candidates traverse the length and breadth of Nigeria canvassing votes for their respective presidential ambitions, there has been a marked absence of policy direction and coherent strategies on how to stimulate growth in the Nigerian economy.

Recent slides in the global price of oil and the tumbling of the Nigerian currency has created alarm in a country fraught with contrasting economic figures.

Nigeria in 2014 was assessed to be the largest economy in Africa with Growth Domestic Product (GDP) remaining consistently high at above 6%. Yet poverty rates continue to grow, with the current rate standing at 54%, incorporating upwards of 20 million Nigerians who remain without employment.

Rather than sell the electorate the fine print of what each respective candidate proposes to do with the economy once granted the mandate of the people, the tactic of choice at most political rallies during the campaign has been mudslinging, accusations and attempts at discrediting each other, which has placed a dark cloud over the election campaign.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration has recorded some successes during his tenure, mainly driven by the non-oil sectors, which include agriculture, rail and air transport alongside manufacturing.

Yet the opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari continues to ask valid questions on Nigeria’s lacklustre power sector and the growing inequality between the rich and poor, promising to bridge the gap and to better the lives of the average Nigerian.

All this will count for nothing if a strong economic policy is not fashioned out by the candidates as the economy continues to slide with Nigeria needing more than promises alone to stave off a long term economic crisis.

THE GOOD Though many argue that much more could have been done by Jonathan to spur on the Nigerian economy since he came to power in 2009, it cannot be said that the country has remained stagnant. Being a middle income, mixed economy with an over-reliance on oil revenue, Jonathan’s job was always going to be a difficult endeavour.

But Nigeria has remained a ‘one to watch’ on all major emerging market forecasts with an expanding financial, communication and

entertainment sector leading to the upward review of the economy – to the tune of $522bn – last year, making it the largest in Africa and 23rd in the world.

CNN Money, a business analysis programme, recently listed Nigeria as one of the fastest growing economies for 2015, expecting 7% growth, putting the country on par with China and Qatar. The government has pointed to achievements in construction, retailing, hospitality, banking and other sub-sectors of the economy as proof of its true effectiveness.

AGRICULTURE – THE NEW OIL? After it was announced that Nigeria had overtaken South Africa as Africa’s largest economy, many would be forgiven for thinking oil was the main driver behind the new position.

the treacherous fertiliser cartels and increased access to loans for millions of farmers.

Nigeria, with its abundance of resources – 84 million hectares of arable land and a youthful workforce – must utilise the agricultural sector if it is serious about diversifying from oil and the current administration seems to have a firm grasp of what is required.

FROM LAGOS TO KANO There has been a marked difference in rail transportation under the Jonathan administration with the recent completion of the main artery route of Lagos to Kano finally reopened after 10 years of inactivity.

The last six years have witnessed the most concerted capital investment in the railways by the government in decades, with the signing of a $1.49bn contract with the state-

“The candidates’ rhetoric seems to be purposely oblivious to the economic situation” Yet agriculture, once the mainstay of the Nigerian economy in the 1960s has witnessed a rejuvenation of sorts under the maverick minister Akinwumi Adesina, who last year declared, “In Nigeria, we’re making agriculture the new oil.”

Annual rice production has risen from 2.2 million tonnes to 3.1 million tonnes in four years; foreign direct investment has increased with the entrance of Indonesian and American companies into the mechanised farming business; and the private sector has responded positively to the conducive investment climate with the construction of 14 new industrialscale rice mills nearing completion.

Nigeria has cut its imports of wheat flour, replacing it with highquality, home-grown cassava flour, while sugar imports are also being reduced.

Initiatives such as the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme – aimed at improving access to fertilisers and seeds – and the Nigeria Incentive-based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending have broken

owned China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to build a railway between the commercial capital Lagos and Ibadan and the completion of the Enugu to Port Harcourt line, with various others routes nearing finalisation.

Nigeria’s road users have witnessed dark days due to the lack of rail transportation in the country with heavy duty trailers causing multiple accidents, exorbitant fees charged by bus operators and armed robbers laying siege on those making journeys cross country. This is why a viable rail system is a must for Nigeria’s growing population and will facilitate easier trade, business and transport with a positive knock on effect for the economy.

The same has also been witnessed in air transportation with the refurbishment of the nation’s 11 major airports, which are now proudly wearing a new look alongside the newly constructed Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, which has finally connected air travellers to the eastern part of the country.

THEY WANT TO KEEP POWER WITH NO POWER Whilst agriculture and transportation have recorded successes under the Jonathan, Buhari and the APC have on numerous occasions pointed to Nigeria’s inability to provide its citizens with adequate power generation as one of the governments many failures.

Despite having an abundance of natural gas reserves the country’s electricity supply and service is among the world’s worst, with half of the 170m population lacking access to the grid. Nigeria’s peak output stands at a little over 4,000MW, with per capita consumption just three per cent that of South Africa, the country’s main economic competitor on the continent.

Frequent blackouts mean that the majority of Nigerians have come to rely on privately owned petrol and diesel generators, greatly increasing business costs and adding to the frustration of the general populace, who are at the mercy of ruthless fuel racketeers and suffer the inherent health and noise issues.

Previous attempts to reform this vital sector have foundered, despite the injection of billions of dollars.

The 2014 privatisation exercise of the nation’s power assets – which the world bank described as “one of the most complex undertaken in Africa” – has yet to spur on improvements in power generation levels.

The government has asked for more time to fix the endemic problems in the power sector, but as the Nigerian people grow more impatient and the business community groan under the continued harsh operating environment, the APC can easily point to the sector as a failure of the current government.

WHERE IS THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY BILL? The long-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) – widely seen as the much needed remedy to the issues bedevilling Nigeria’s petroleum industry – remains elusive, collecting dust in the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly.

Seen as key legislation by the Jonathan administration, the bill aims to establish a new legal framework to create efficient and effective regulatory agencies in the oil industry alongside reforming the corruption-laden Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

The inability to pass the bill has

stalled billions of dollars of investment in the petroleum sector as Nigeria continues to haemorrhage earnings at an alarming rate.

The bill was first introduced to the National Assembly in 2012 and the government have continued to blame mounting opposition against the president, the lawmakers disapproval of the current petroleum minister and sabotage by international oil companies as the reason for its delay.

While there is national consensus that reform is urgently required in the nation’s petroleum sector, a major component of the Nigerian economy, the various contentious issues within the bill, including the overarching powers of the petroleum minister, the establishment of a new Petroleum Host Communities Fund (PHCF) and the confusing provisions on taxation, have led many to view the government’s handling of the bill as a failure.

FOCUS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? The vulnerability of the Nigerian economy to the price of oil has once again been made apparent as the price of oil has fallen from a high of over $100 a barrel last year to around $50 currently. Nigeria, which relies on crude oil for 90% of export earnings and 70% of revenue, have reacted to the drop in oil prices with spending cuts and an increase in interest rates to a record 13%.

The Naira has also taken a hit and now trades at around N200 to $1.

The current crisis has led to 20.3% decline in Nigeria’s foreign reserves in the past year alone, from $43.16 billion to $34.38.

The campaign trail and the candidates’ rhetoric seems to be silent or purposely oblivious to the ongoing economic situation, with the PDP not wanting to cause panic and the APC unwilling to fully inform the Nigerian people of a crisis that may draw questions on their economic policy and experience.

The Nigerian Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has attempted to provide an artificial cushion for the country by downgrading the economic forecast for 2015 but the signs remain ominous. Unless the political parties propose a strong economic strategy and great strides are taken to ensure economic stability and growth, the progress witnessed in sectors such as agriculture and transpiration will fritter away and the economic problems will only deepen.

But as the presidential D-day draws closer, Nigerians don’t want to hear words, they want to see action.

14

NIGERIAN WATCH 6 - 19 Feb 2015

The Fortnight

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The celebrated tUnE-yArDs bring their live experience to the Royal Festival Hall with Ibibio Sound Machine, fronted by London-born Nigerian singer Eno Williams, performing a clash of African and electronica, inspired in equal measure by the golden era of westAfrican funk and disco and modern post-punk and electro. 5th Mar. From £17.50. http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk

What to see and do over the next 14 days...

Antigone BAFTA Award-winning playwright Roy Williams (Kingston 14, Sucker Punch) returns to Theatre Royal Stratford East with this thrilling and fastpaced new production, based on Sophocles’ acclaimed Greek classic.

When Creon refuses to bury the body of Antigone’s unruly brother, her anger quickly turns to defiance. Creon, in an attempt to retain control, condemns her to a torturous death – she’s to be buried alive.

19th Feb - 14 Mar, matinee and evening performances. From £12.

Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 www.stratfordeast.com

FILM

Grand Theft Africa: History of the Benin Bronzes with Dr Ama Biney A talk by expert Dr Biney followed by a showing of the historical epic Invasion 1897, which recounts the British looting of Benin. Dr Biney will give details of this theft and take questions on the present fate of the Benin Bronzes, currently held in the British Museum.

Feb 7th. 12:00 pm - Talk; 1:00 pm FREE. Film; 2;00pm, £6.50

THEATRE

EXHIBITIONS

Yarico

El Anatsu

Yarico, is a young woman with great dreams and a fierce, independent spirit… When a British merchant is shipwrecked on her island, he faces certain death at the hands of the islanders. In a courageous act, Yarico intervenes and saves him from his fate, marking the beginning of an extraordinary love story, which ultimately takes them to the island of Barbados.

El Anatsui’s sculptural experiments with media and form have challenged the definition of sculpture itself. The exhibition will focus on a range of intricate metal sculptures.

17th Feb - 14 Mar, 2:30pm & 7:30pm. From £18 London Theatre Workshop, 65 New Kings Road, Eel Brook Public House, SW6. http://londontheatreworkshop.co.uk

My Father and Other Superheroes by Nick Makoha

12th Feb - 28th Mar. Tues – Sat:12.30 - 5.30pm Free 24 Old Gloucester Street, Bloomsbury, WC1N www.octobergallery.co.uk

Through the people’s lens Greater progress is being made today than at any other time in history, with poverty rates plummeting and striking advances across all areas of human development.

The Royal Geographical Society with PhotoVoice showcases photographs and

narratives from China, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nepal, Peru and Tunisia sharing their views on what's working and why.

16th-27th Feb, 10am-5pm. Free.

Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 http://geographical.co.uk

Dubwise sounds with a broad musical outlook. From ethiojazz to full on funky grooves with a little afrobeat thrown in for good measure, all thrown into the blender, yet loving put

MUSIC

Usifu Jalloh, The Cowfoot Prince African storytelling peppered with live traditional African music by Usifu Jalloh, an energetic, funny and deeply inspiring performer from Sierra Leone.

20th Feb, 7pm. FREE Open the Gate@SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H http://www.soas.ac.uk

back together on a solid foundation of Dub. This is global dub for the 21st century.

19th Feb, 7:30pm, From £10 The Forge, 3-7 Delancey Street, Camden NW1. www.forgevenue.org

African Storytelling with Atinuke

BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road Waterloo, SE1. www.bfi.org.uk

African Christianity Rising: Stories from Ghana Documenting the explosive growth of Christianity in Ghana which has become increasingly popular by becoming increasingly African—that is, becoming rooted more authentically in local cultures.

Followed by a discussion with filmmaker Dr James Ault.

19th Feb, 7:00pm, FREE SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H To book; cas@soas.ac.uk http://www.soas.ac.uk

This is the story of a poet who revisits his childhood when he learns that he is going to have a baby. For Nick Makoha, superheroes such as Superman, Spider-Man and Luke Skywalker had inadvertently provided the blueprints of how to be a good dad in the absence of his real father.

Touring the UK until April; 18th Feb, 2:30pm. Free. Brent Cultural Centre, 311a Alexandra Avenue, HA2 www.brentcouncilarts.eventbrite.co. uk 19th – 22th Mar, 2pm/5pm. From £13.50. Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19. www.polkatheatre.com

Join Atinuke at The Imagine Festival for storytelling for all the family.

Traditional oral stories from “amazing” Africa told by Nigerian-British storyteller and children’s book author.

The stories Atinuke tells are centuries old. They have travelled across the African continent and beyond, carried in the hearts and minds of the generations of Africans that have cherished and shaped them.

21st Feb, 10.30am, 11.30am & 12.30pm. FREE Imagine Festival, The Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, SE1 www.southbankcentre.co.uk

GLAM

LIBERTY AFRICAN SHOP The Feel of Africa, Finally in Borehamwood!

Have you been looking for an African Food shop in Borehamwood? Well, look no further!

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Dub Colossus Soundsystem

Delivery aer 7.30pm. Order now!

Minimum order £20.00+£ 2 delivery charge. Free delivery on orders over £50.

Cash on Delivery South African lines in store now! l Biltong, Drywors, Boerewors etc....

Share with your friends: call to book! l Box of Plantain, Box of yam, Stockfish etc....

Visit Us at: 142 Aycliffe Road, off Leeming road, Borehamwood, Herts. WD6 4DY .

0208 207 6485 On Local Buses Routes: 306 & 292 We try and stock food items om all over Aica. Why not buy in bulk to save on delivery cost. If there is any item you require that is not listed here, please let us know and we shall see what we can do to get such were possible.

Glam Africa Fashion Night is a unique fashion party taking place during London Fashion Week, showcasing exquisite collections from six African fashion designers including; Feyisola Adeyemi, Kwame Koranteng, Elizabeth Eldima, Eldimaa Fashion and Yemi Osunkoya of Kosibah.

22nd Feb, 5:00pm - 9:30pm.

From £20.

Porchester Hall, North Kensington, W2 www.glamafrica.com

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Buy to Let OR Buy to Sell The choice is YOURS! We offer properties that offer the best returns and deliver something extra to the investor.

We also offer Aftercare & Management Service to our customers It’s as easy as 3 little steps: Step 1: Sign up now for free to be part of our exclusive client list. Your privacy is respected and we never sell or rent our client list Step 2: We will advise you on the current properties available and advice you on what you need to reserve your property Step 3: We will arrange a specialist mortgage and legal experts who will take care of your property purchase

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WORKING TOGETHER FOR YOUR SUCCESS Wellsprings Solicitors are specialists in Employment Law, Landlord and Tenant Law matters, Family Law, Immigration and Asylum Law, Commercial Law, Commercial Property, Defamation Law, Consumer Law and Conveyancing.

We offer bespoke, pro-active, effectual and helpful services to our clients.

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Or are you going away and would like to rent your house or flat out on a shortlet basis?

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Based on the real life situation in Nigeria's Niger Delta, Fuelling the delta Fires is an expose and action adventure novel revealing why there is turmoil in the world's sixth largest crude oil exporter.

AVAiLAbLe noW AT: amazon.co.uk, chapters.indigo.com, waterstones.com, authorhouse.co.uk, barnesandnoble.com whsmiths.co.uk, borders.com For those in nigeria Ring Peter Agbor of walahi.com on (234)805 361 0533 Paperback £9.30 Hardback £13.60 E-book £2.60

Facebook WATCH Like us on NIGERIAN facebook.com/NigerianWatch 15-28 Feb 2014

SPORT WATCH 6 - 19 Feb 2015

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PATHWAY TO SUCCESS AUSTRIA SNAPS UP DIASPORA FOOTBALLING TALENT

Sign up for the London Cup The London Challenge Cup 2015, in affiliation with the London Football Association, is just around the corner, with teams representing the 32 London borough’s in London. The event takes place from March 31 to April 2.

To participate you need to register your team now. Scouts from professional sides will be on the ground talentspotting. So you too could end up playing professional football!

Free registration closes on March 10. Contact Pathway Sports at pathwaysports@ptwgrp.com or on tel; 020 7101 4468.

Call A Africa frica ri

By AJ JAMES From Woolwich to Austria, two of Pathwaysports’ young footballing talents have been signed by Austrian Football First League side FC Gratkorn.

The two 19-year-olds, Jordan Akande and Scott Eghaghe, signed professional contracts for the Austrian side at the end of January and have started brilliantly, with striker Scott scoring 5 goals in three games and attacking right-sided FROM TOP: Jordan Akande signs for FC midfielder Jordan Gratkorn and Scott Eghaghe sports his new club shirt. scoring two in three.

Benedict Akwuegbu, the first black coach of a professional club side in Austria, has been working alongside Pathwaysports Head Coach Jeff Iroro to prepare the lads for their introduction into Austrian league football.

Benedict is a cult hero in Austria, where he had an illustrious time playing for Grazer AK, FC Karnten and FC Wacker Innsbruck.

“This is a new challenge for me after retiring as a player. I hope to make the most of it. As the first black man to manage a club in Austria I know all eyes will be on me, so I will give it my all,” the Super Eagles 2002 World Cup star said.

“My immediate task is to help the club gain promotion to the Premier League. I played under great coaches with different philosophies, so I know how to apply my experience. The players are happy having a World Cup player as coach,” Akwuegbu added.

Under the leadership of David Doherty Pathway sports has in recent years been blazing a trail for young diaspora footballers, launching a Soaring Eagles Youth team, playing fixtures against Premier League Academies and in March a tour to Nigeria to play both the club sides and Youth World Cup Winning Flying Eagles.

The club has recently started training children from Tots to teens, both Boys and Girls, at their Charlton Based training ground.

Meanwhile Pathwaysports are preparing for the London Challenge Cup, see panel above right.

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