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NIGERIAN WATCH tHE uK’s lEadiNg aFricaN NEWspapEr WitH tHE largEst circulatiON

BEFFta cOmmuNity NEWspapEr OF tHE yEar 19 June - 2 July 2015

Issue No 054

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To Inspire, Inform and Entertain

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From now on, it’s…

Tragic loss of mother taints end of 22-year prison ordeal for Tolu page 14

patti Boulaye OBE How the child of Nigeria’s civil war became the toast of Britain – page 3

tHE ONE HOur passpOrt The immigration revolution at the High Commission page 12 tHE BrEEdiNg grOuNd FOr tHE BritisH pOlitical ElitE dEclarEs itsElF ‘iNstitutiONally racist’ - p2

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WATCH CommENT

The next step must be taken now n a little over one month's time (July 22-25) representatives of Nigeria’s 30m-strong global diaspora will gather in Abuja for Nigerian diaspora Week. for the delegates there are only two issues to discuss; the creation of a diaspora Commission and diaspora voting.

If I was a betting woman, which I’m not, I would stake my money on our new President, muhammadu Buhari, using the occasion to announce a diaspora Commission is to be established.

The bill allowing for such is awaiting his assent. He can ill-afford to shun the opportunity.

The bottom line is Nigeria can for no longer be allowed to be seen as a country that won't do business with its own people.

That raises a question that draws only unpalatable answers.

It is not what the diaspora alone can bring that should be focusing the President’s mind, it is what it can leverage.

That is the main reason why the diaspora is referred to as the “change agent”. A diaspora Commission is the next logical step in the development of Nigeria.

That step must be taken.

I

maryanne Jemide, md

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 fortnightly 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.

ISSN 2051-4670

oxford union declares itself “institutionally racist” The UK’s breeding ground for political luminaries, the Oxford Union, has declared itself “institutionally racist”, following an outcry over the use of offensive slave trade imagery to promote a cocktail on the night it met to debate the motion “This House believes Britain owes reparations to her former colonies”.

The brandy, peach schnapps and lemonade cocktail went by the name of the Comeback Cocktail and was advertised by a poster featuring a picture of black hands in chains.

Oxford Union officers now face being sent to racial awareness workshops amid growing concern about a “culture that marginalises black and minority voices”.

At a Standing Committee meeting to address the fallout over the cocktail, the society’s Treasurer Zuleyka Shahin proposed a motion that the society was “institutionally racist”.

The most widely accepted definition of “institutional racism” comes from the McPherson report into the killing of Stephen Lawrence. This states, “The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture, or ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people.”

Kiran Benipal, co-chair of the Campaign for Racial Awareness at Oxford University, told the Daily Telegraph there was an “uncomfortable silence” just before the motion was unanimously passed. “We had been discussing whether the cocktail was racist, and whether the way the Oxford Union dealt with it was indicative of further problems,” Ms Benipal said. “The Treasurer proposed a motion that ‘The Oxford Union is institutionally racist’ and it was discussed for about 15 minutes before being passed.”

Ms Benipal, a first year Classics student, added, “They now have to do some work to deal with the fact that they have recognised that they are an institutionally racist organisation. The cocktail was symptomatic of a wider problem in the Union of racism. There is a culture where someone felt comfortable enough to make a poster like that and felt that it would go unpunished.”

She said that the Union had got in touch with her about arranging race training workshops for its officers.

Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, a spokesman for Rhodes Must Fall, an Oxford University group which campaigns against imperialism, said, “Officers realised that [the cocktail] was reflective of an

THE oxford uNIoN Founded in 1823, the Oxford Union is the second oldest debating society in the UK – pre-dated by the less wellknown Cambridge Debating Society.

It is the more famed of the two, however, partly because it has never shied away from courting controversy, which is paraded as being emblematic of its commitment to freedom of speech.

For example; in the 1960s, Malcolm X came to the Union and demanded black empowerment “by any means necessary”. In the 1970s, Richard

Nixon in his first public speech after Watergate admitted, “I screwed up - and I paid the price”. In the 1980s, Gerry Adams, still under his IRA television ban, addressed the Union’s members. In 1996, OJ Simpson made his only public speech in Britain after the controversial “not guilty” verdict in his criminal trial.

More recent controversies have arisen over invitations to far right speakers, such as the leader of the BNP Nick Griffin; leader of the French equivalent, the Front National Party, Jean Marie Le Pen; and holo-

institutionally racist culture that marginalises black and minority voices. This motion sends a very clear message that the Union and its leadership acknowledge the scale of the problem and that there is a systemic problem in the Oxford Union that silences certain voices.”

The row over the cocktail prompted the resignation of the Union’s Black, Minority and Ethnic officer Esther Odejimi. She told the student newspaper Cherwell that she was “disgusted” at the way the society had behaved over the “ridiculously insensitive poster”.

The Union did not respond to questions posed by Nigerian Watch..

A spokeswoman for Oxford University was at pains to distance the institution from the Oxford Union, which is a wholly independent organisation.

She told Nigerian Watch, “There is no place at Oxford for the kind of crass and insensitive attitude that the material produced by the Oxford Union suggests. If students were to display such material on University premises, the University would immediately take action. While we are confident that it in no way represents the vast majority of Oxford students, racially insensitive comments or behaviour of this or any kind are unacceptable at Oxford and its colleges.”

However, her statement continued to reveal that the University has had its own issues regarding race.

“Last year we held a joint summit where University staff and members of the student union and the student-led Campaign for Racial Awareness and Equality discussed issues raised by students and agreed a set of concrete steps, including substantial work to review its curriculum in several subject areas with an eye to ethnicity and diversity, working in consultation with minority ethnic students. This work has already produced concrete outcomes, and we are also organising a university-wide series of events to facilitate the curriculum change process.

“We welcome the fact that students caust denier David Irving. from Oxford are actively invested in A great many officers of discussing what more can be done to the Union go on to achieve ensure a fully inclusive university high office. Notable names inexperience, and we expect to be held to a clude Mayor of London Boris very high standard. Students have given Johnson; Lord Chancellor and us a detailed and nuanced account of Secretary of State for Justice black and minority ethnic student Michael Gove MP; and MPs experiences at Oxford.

Damian Hinds, Jacob Rees“It showed that while BME students Mogg, Nicky Morgan and Sam generally thrive and do well at Oxford, Gyimah. there are incidents of insensitivity and Not all former officers go some students can feel isolated. The on to become Conservative University is committed to addressing politicians. this, and welcomes the fact that its Former Labour luminaries students can raise these issues in a Michael Foot, Tony Benn and constructive and co-operative Roy Jenkins were all former atmosphere.” officers of the Union.

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PATTI AT THE PALACE

… but the next time she goes it will be on official business - to pick up her oBE BEloW: On stage at The Pheasantry, London May 2015 wearing one of her own costume designs. rIgHT; At the opening of Support for Africa Health Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. April 2005

BEloW: With Ray Winstone.

Patti Boulaye, the singer and actress known to many Nigerians as the “darling of the diaspora”, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

As the pictures above show, Patti is no stranger to Buckingham Palace – a frequent guest at Royal events, including the annual summer garden party that took place on Saturday (June 13).

But the next time she goes it will be on official business to receive her honour, awarded in recognition of her “charitable services in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Ms Boulaye told Nigerian Watch she received news of her OBE on her birthday.

“I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it’s happened.

“It’s incredible and makes me so grateful. I’m a believer in whatever gift we receive, we are supposed to share and use it to help others.

“I’m hoping and praying it’s just the next stage to some of the work I do.”

To many in the diaspora

and Nigeria Patti will be forever the face of Lux – a starring role she played for 29 years. To others she will be recalled as the record-breaker who won New Faces in 1978 – the Britain’s Got Talent show of its era – and was the first performer to ever score perfect 10s from all four judges. She went on to have her own prime time TV show in the Eighties; the Patti Boulaye Show, broadcast in Britain and Nigeria – a remarkable first in so many ways.

There was success in the charts, movies – Ms Boulaye had a starring role in Bisi Daughter of the River, which is one of the biggest grossing African films ever made, and Hussy with Helen Mirren – , and on stage in West End musicals; her breakthrough role was in the then scandalous Hair and her most celebrated was in the acclaimed The Black Mikado.

A child of the civil war in Nigeria, Ms Boulaye never forgot her African roots. She performed at the inauguration of President Obasanjo and

over 14 years conceived, wrote and staged her own celebration of Africa, the West End musical Sun Dance.

But it is for her charitable work that she has been honoured. And this is equally as legendary.

During her career Patti has lent her support to numerous charities, and was patron of five, including Eastside Educational Trust, Barnardo’s, SOS and Women Into Business. Patti was also a Founder Member and Patron of (HRH Prince Michael of Kent) Enterprise Club for GENESIS, the facilitator organisation for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the promotion of Small Business.

She is also on the Advisory Board of The ImanFoundation Worldwide, which promotes dialogue and challenges extremism to bring about change.

Her work in Africa has been phenomenal through her charity Support for Africa, that boasts former PM John Major as a supporter. Through staging fundraising concerts and charity football matches

Arise, Sir lenny Henry of dudley and Jamaica The man who, like Patti Boulaye, launched his career as a mimic on New Faces, went on to become an acclaimed stand-up and TV comedian before becoming a celebrated Shakespearean actor, has been Knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

An outspoken campaigner demanding there be more representation of black and minority ethnic faces in the media – and in front of and behind the camera

on British TV – he has been given his Knighthood for services to charity and comedy.

As founder and one of the chief drivers of the Comic Relief charity, Mr Henry has been instrumental in raising more than £1bn – to help under-privileged children in Britain and Africa. An astonishing achievement that has saved and touched the lives of hundreds of thousands on the African continent.

she has built five selfsustaining health care clinics in Africa; three in Nigeria and two in Cameroon.

Her charity also assisted in the building of the Sentebale School in Lesotho, in collaboration with the charity of that name, established by Prince Harry. The school was

opened in 2010.

Meanwhile, acclaimed actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, already the holder of an OBE, was awarded a CBE for his services to drama – a reflection of the great impact his performances in 12 Years A Slave, for which he won an Oscar nomination, and Half a Yellow Sun.

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A diaspora Commission could unleash a staggering $1trn investment in Nigeria, say campaigners. AJ James reports Expat Nigerians have been dubbed the $1 trillion diaspora as the clamour grows around the world for Nigeria to create a Diaspora Commission.

At home and in the pockets of the diaspora the squeeze is being felt from the collapse in oil prices, highlighting how unsustainable the ongoing ad hoc relationship is.

A Commission would formalise the relationship with the diaspora and its proponents say open pathways to reverse the brain drain into a brain gain and open the floodgates to investment.

Voices backing the introduction of such a government department have been raised around the world and in America particularly.

The bill that would enable a diaspora commission is currently awaiting the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari, having been passed as one of the last acts of the outgoing administration.

It seeks the introduction for an “act to provide for the establishment of the Nigerian Citizens in Diaspora Commission to ensure the protection of Nigerians in diaspora and promote and facilitate their effective participation in economic, political and social development of the nation and for related matters.”

The chief cheerleader for the bill in the global diaspora is Titus Olowokere, executive vice president and CEO of the US Nigeria Trade Council, President Emeritus of the Alliance of Nigerian Organisations in Georgia (US) and Director of Administration of NICORE, an organisation that facilitates the economic development of Nigerians and their communities in the US. In a lengthy paper on the subject exhorting the global diaspora to launch a mass lobbying campaign to see the Diaspora Commission Bill

passed into law he argues that around the world other countries have recognised the power of their diaspora to be “agents of national

ABovE; Titus Olowokere

development” and that the “lack of a structured institutional framework has inhibited the effective contribution of this important resource of national development.”

He continues, “The choice before Nigeria is either to keep the country perpetually in the club of the underdeveloped

currently prevent the transfer of skills and investment to Nigeria - a long-standing complaint of many diaspora organisations in the UK. Coordinator of the UK Buhari Friends Organisations Network (BFON), Chairman of the Nigerian Entrepreneur Association, UK and Second Vice Chair of the Central Association of Nigerians UK, Charles Sylvester Emukowhate told Nigerian Watch, “We in the diaspora will want the president to establish a Diaspora Commission.

This commission, when put in place, will harness the human and material resources of Nigerians living in different parts of the world and galvanise them for national development.”

Chief Joe Mmeh is simultaneously calling for the same in Germany.

Another US advocate for a Diaspora Commission and recent delegate to the National Conference Chief Temitope Ajayi told the Vanguard newspaper that its creation would open the floodgates to housing development in Nigeria, putting the figure at $1trn.

Popularly known in the US as Mama Diaspora, she said the 30 million Nigerians in the diaspora were keen on deploying their resources into the building of one million homes in Nigeria in conjunction with the Federal Mortgage Bank in the first phase of their contributions to the country.

She said the potential investment could be over $1trn – but it would require reform of Nigeria’s banks and financial institutions.

Ms Ajayi said, “The Diaspora Commission will afford Nigerians living outside the country the opportunity to contribute more of their quota towards nation building and investing in Nigeria’s economic development. We, in the Diaspora, are very excited.”

“Tap into the overflowing potentials of Nigerians living abroad and make the country a major player in global affairs” world or tap into the overflowing potentials of Nigerians living abroad and make the country a major player in global affairs.”

He outlines a vision for what the Commission might do (see box above right), which includes a call for Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation to be scrapped and replaced with a Diaspora Office at all missions.

He says NIDO has become tainted by the scourge of “Godaftherism… motivated by the prospects of contracts, political jostling or promises of land allocations in Abuja”.

But primarily he says the commission should break down the barriers that

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WHAT NIgErIANS IN dIASPorA WANT To SEE ENABlEd By A dIASPorA CommISSIoN The Diaspora Commission (Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Organisation NIDCO) should implement skills transfer schemes and programmes directed at professionals such as doctors, engineers, professors and information technology experts.

For the educational system, this can be achieved in practical terms, through mandating each of the Nigerian Universities, private or public, to reserve at least two faculty positions for Diaspora Nigerian professors who desire to do their sabbatical in Nigeria thus facilitating interchange of knowledge and sharing of ‘lessons learned’.

For the non-academic professions, a competitive working environment should be put in place to attract Nigerians working abroad to fill human resource gaps in the country, including through recruitment services that facilitate and coordinate the recruitment of foreign-based Nigerians.

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The Diaspora Commission should establish collaborative relationship with medical institutions and facilities abroad. Many of them are open to exchange programs and surplus equipment donation.

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There is no doubt that the financial capacity of the majority of diasporans to make significant investment is severely limited, thanks to family members and ‘friends’ who constantly hound, harass and pester you, for money, even though they live well

in Nigeria!

In order to facilitate effective diaspora engagement, NIDCO should work with financial institutions and responsible government agencies to attract small and medium diaspora businesses through loans, credits, and matching funds arrangements.

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Incentives such as a diaspora-friendly tax regimes for the import of personal belongings and capital goods, as well as tax holidays during the initial period of investment are needed to stimulate the small and medium enterprise sector..

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For Nigerians in Diaspora to be fully engaged in the political growth of the country, NIDCO should expedite the legislative representation of Nigerians in Diaspora in the National Assembly in tow with the passing of the Diaspora Voting rights.

This is not far-fetched. Abuja is not a State in Nigeria, but has legislative presence in the House as Federal Capital Territory.

We should have “Diaspora Territory” as a defined constituency to enable Nigerians in Diaspora to participate in the formulation of laws and constitutional direction of Nigeria.

Such elected Representatives from Nigerians in the Diaspora will have the similar geographical spread and numbers as in the Diaspora Commission: North America - 3; Europe -2; Asia/Australia – 2; Canada -1; China - 1; Africa - 1; South America – 1.

Evening Standard

‘Incredible, intimate photography’

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That Nigerians in Diaspora remit about $20 billion annually is no longer news.

Channeling remittances into productive investments is the challenge.

Certain measures can be considered to this end. One such way is to generate development opportunities: NIDCO should encourage banks and other financial institutions to provide remittance investment and housing opportunities, disseminating information to the diaspora on savings and investment options for remittances.

Too many times, “dependable” family members and friends, under unstructured arrangements have been sad experiences.

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A Diaspora Housing scheme should be pursued by NIDCO.

Note: The paper also addresses a welfare fund for destitute Nigerians in Diaspora and tax relief on emergency aid.

Read Mr Tolu Olowokere’s The Time is Now paper at www.proshareng.com

damilola Taylor Trust saved from closure The Damilola Taylor Trust – the charity founded in memory of murdered schoolboy Damilola Taylor – has been able to clear all its debts just six months into a furious fundraising drive inspired by its near closure.

The campaign was the brainchild of Listen Fundraising, an award winning telemarketing agency, whose fundraisers’ voluntary efforts resulted in £20,000 of vital income for the struggling organisation – which the company itself then doubled.

Staff members undertook a huge array of events, including bake sales, sponsored push ups, hot dog eating challenges, and a special fundraising finale – A Night for Damilola - in April.

With outstanding debts now cleared, DTT has been able to begin funding projects once again.

Listen first became involved with DTT’s plight after hearing its founder – and Damilola’s father – Richard Taylor OBE make a heartfelt plea for help through the media in late 2014. It donated an initial £25,000 to relieve some of the organisation’s most pressing debts, before pledging to match-fund a further £20,000 last November.

Richard Taylor OBE, Founder of DTT, said, “I am delighted that the Trust’s vital work with inner city communities can continue unabated thanks to the commitment of Listen, corporate donors like Wilmington Trust and creditors such as Cambridge House, who agreed that a portion of the debt owed could be treated as a donation to the charity.

“We have always been determined to continue our work in Damilola’s name and reach out to young people like him who dream of a life without fear, and full of opportunity. And today, that work is fully possible again. I wish to say a big thank you to Listen and all those who stepped forward and supported us in our time of need.”

Tony Charalambides, Managing Director of Listen Fundraising, said, “Listen is so proud to have been able to step into the breach and in just six months help rid a really important and hugely relevant charity of its debts. Above all, it means the Damilola Taylor Trust can continue supporting young disadvantaged people – which is critical, life changing work.”

‘The very ordinariness of the images – their humour and easy self-confidence – that makes this exhibition special.’

Observer

Time Out

From documentary to portraiture, Staying Power documents experiences of Black Britain from post-World War II to the 1990s.

To ensure a balance in the management of the affairs of Nigerians in Diaspora,NIDCO should encourage state governments to have Directorates of Diaspora with emphasis on engaging the Nigerians in Diaspora from their own States, the same way that Nigerian Missions abroad would have a ‘Diaspora Office.

1 Windrush Sqaure, Brixton, SW2 1EF

bcaheritage.org.uk 020 3757 8500

Tues – Sat, 10am – 6pm

@bcaheritage #inspringpower

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The Staying Power project is a partnership with the V&A and is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund:

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WOW! AND DOUBLE WOW!

NIgErIA’S BEAuTIful mINdS ArE SHININg BrIgHT IN THE WorldS of mATHS ANd CodINg Forget pidgin, mathematics is clearly the second language of Nigeria, which is why we traditionally excel in subjects like accountancy and engineering. But even for a nation steeped in this tradition, the exploits of

engineering graduate Ufot Ekong and schoolboy coders and Osine Anesi Ikhianosime stand out.

Mr Ekong (below) recently graduated from university having achieved the highest grades at a Japanese university

for the past 50 years, solving along the way a mathematical equation that had baffled mathematicians for 30 years.

Mr Ekong, from Lagos, achieved a first in electrical engineering at Tokai University in Tokyo, scoring the best marks since 1965.

Mr Ekong is quite remarkable. Away from his studies he plays the saxophone and runs a retail clothes and accessories shop in Japan called Strictly African Japan.

The Nigerian speaks English, French, Japanese and Yoruba, and paid his way through university himself.

He currently works for Nissan and has already patented two products, as well as making an electric car which reaches up to 128 kmph.

During his time at university, Mr Ekong has won six awards for academic excellence.

Meanwhile, Nigerian brothers, 13 and 15 year old Anesi and Osine Ikhianosime, have developed a mobile phone browser. The dynamic coding duo – pupils at

Greensprings School, Anthony Campus, Lagos – got tired of waiting for Google Chrome to load on their mobile phones, so decided to do something about it instead of complain.

They decided to build a better mobile browser last year and called it Crocodile Browser Lite. The plan to create a better browser for low end featured

phones is one that is needed for the developing world.

While Chrome and other browsers work great on high end smart phones, the majority of the world are not using this technology and need a low-end option that still provides a quick browser response, so this is what the young men did. It is currently

live and ready for your download in the Google Play store right now.

The self-taught coders have always been fascinated with technology, creating, building and solving problems and hope to complete their studies at the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US. Hats off to all three.

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The

Samuel KaSumu Column

A new journey begins The next time I begin to write my Nigerian Watch column I could be writing as the newest father in town. My wonderful wife is now in the latter stages of pregnancy. All of the various things that mothers are adamant the baby will need have been bought, and the challenge of assembling these things has consumed most of my recent weekends.

Fatherhood will therefore be my newest, and perhaps greatest challenge, and one which I hope not to fail.

five very independent children, the idea of starting a family didn’t really go beyond having a wife to share my life with. Perhaps subconsciously the challenges that we faced growing up aided in me the feeling at

Having children was never something I ever felt was a certain thing for me.

Growing up as the fourth of

times that children were maybe not for me. I always had the ambition of one day adopting children… giving

“There is no manual.

Parenthood seems to be very much an on the job training role ”

some a stable environment that would improve their likely outcomes in life. But to have my own child was just not something high on my list. It took me a long time to even entertain the idea, and I would reckon there are many people who have also been deterred because of their own experience.

I have friends that have told me very directly that parenthood is not something they feel they could embrace because of this very reason.

Unfortunately so many Nigerians in my generation have grown up with fathers that were either physically or mentally absent. To find a family that has stood the test

Successful enterprises are lean, focused and ready for anything We’re nearly six months into the year and as someone involved in both running and promoting enterprise there have been three things that I have learnt in 2015: Those who succeed in growing businesses do not spend unnecessarily. It’s a lesson I learnt first when I was 19 and seems to have become even more relevant. There is always the temptation to get the flash offices in a central location, to have the best looking business cards, and to invest in online marketing. But the truth is if you cannot measure the return on investment then you’re probably better off not spending. Good businesses understand that waste is not acceptable and flash doesn’t always equate to success. It’s important to keep costs low, not just at the start-up stage. Justify every penny, have a budget, and stick to it.

It is better to have less of the right people than too many of the wrong people. Businesses succeed primarily because of the talent that exists within it. I’ve seen businesses over the last six months that have struggled because

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they do not have the right talent, and very often have too many people on their team that fall short of the standards their ambitions require. It is usually better to hire one person at a premium that can take you to the next level as opposed to many mediocre people that will struggle to help you even to maintain your current position in the market Plan for the best but prepare for the worse.

Quite often entrepreneurs believe when that contract comes through, when that new shop opens, or when that marketing campaign goes live, things will turn around. If I had a pound for every time I saw such a thought not go to plan I’d be a richer man today. We must have a plan but ultimately it’s important to plan for when things do not go the way we thought. Some organisations have what they call a disaster recovery plan. Others have business continuity plans and others just a worst case scenario budget. These things will help you to stay afloat and to keep going when inevitable challenges arise. Always plan for the best but prepare for the worse!

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of time is very rare, and the scars of having no father are rarely visible, particularly in men. We can only hope for better outcomes going forward.

Something that has recently begun to consume my thoughts is what type of child do I want to have and how can I make this a reality. Anyone involved in business usually has a very high locus of control. This means they usually feel that they can dictate the outcomes in any given situation based on their internal ability to influence their environment. But the challenge with parenthood is that ultimately at some stage a child must be able to grow into an adult, making their own decisions.

Many people want their children to be a geniuses, but clearly so many fall short of achieving such an aspiration. Even those financially able to send their children to private school have often found themselves question-

ing the value for money when their children return with average grades. From the articles I’ve been reading so far, it seems that the key to raising children successfully is investing time in communicating with and understanding each child.

Success is of course relative.

For some a good child is someone emotionally balanced and able to find contentment in what they do.

For others its high academic attainment, and for others it is simply based on the quality of relationship that the child has with their parent.

There is no official manual for parenthood. No child is the same and very seldom do you hear the secrets as to how a parent has managed to raise good children. Parenthood seems to be very much an on the job training role. I suppose when my child comes into the world,

by God’s grace, in many respects they won’t be the only one on a new journey of discovery.

KEEPINg IT rEAl WITH KENNy

The Kenny Report is a serious research centre shining a light on the issues most relevant to young people in the UK today. The brains behind the series, Kenny Imafadon, is a young man of Nigerian heritage that I recently had the privilege of meeting. What struck me about Kenny more than anything is his ability to keep things simple and accessible through his research. He is certainly one to watch in the years ahead. Check out his report here: http://www.kennyreport3.com/

NIGERIAN WATCH 19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015

Education – an issue in multicultural Britain A day-long conference will explore the issue of “Nigerians in Multicultural Britain [Education]” on Saturday June 27, at Council Chambers, London Borough of Bromley Civic Centre.

The conference aims to enable parents and teachers to understand the issues faced by the next generation, grappling with Nigerian heritage and their daily experience in muilcultural

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Britain and offer support and advice to pupils and students so they can successfully compete in the modern world.

Among those speaking at the conference is Mr Seyi Obakin.

Mr Obakin is CEO of Centrepoint and Chair of the Tobi Adeyemi Foundation and was named in the JP Morgan Powerlist 2010 as one of the 100 most influential black people in Britain.

His foundation awards grants to disadvantaged young people who have shown potential in school, to help them achieve a first class education.

The event has been organised by the Nigerian Schools Sports & Family Funday in conjunction with the British Nigerian Education Trust.

Entry is free but registration is required.

For more details visit www.nssff.co.uk

ISmiles Photo

10

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The foremost Nigerian women’s organisation in the United Kingdom, Nigerian Women in Diaspora Leadership Forum (NWDLF) celebrated its fifth anniversary with a dinner at the Copthorne Tara Hotel in Kensington on Friday June 5, with a renewed vigour to champion the cause of vulnerable women and girls.

NWIDLF, which has held more rallies in the UK for the missing Chibok girls than any other group, promised to donate proceeds of their dinner for the Women displaced by the terror group, Boko Haram.

Guests included Britain's first female black MP Diane Abbott; the former Mayors

of Hackney, Enfield and Waltham Forest, Susan Fajana-Thomas, Kate Anolue and Anna Mbachu, and Nigerian Watch publisher Maryanne Jemide.

Ms Abbott affirmed her support for the cause of the NWIDLF, but went further to

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challenge the women to aspire to leadership positions in British Society.

She told the packed gathering that if she could do it, there was no reason they too could not break barriers.

The former Mayor of Enfield Ms Anolue, in her closing remarks told the former shadow secretary for public health that the Nigerian women are firmly behind her candidacy to become the Mayor of London, which she is contesting on the platform of Labour party - Ms Abbott is one of three Labour hopefuls hoping to win the party's ticket for the 2016 elections of Mayor of London.

President of NWILDF Jenny Chika Okafor said, “We have been in existence for five years now and during that time, have organised and conducted numerous campaigns on behalf of the African woman, including FGM, child marriages, the Chibok girls and gender equality.”

She pledged the group to another five years of championing the rights of women and girls and ensuring their voices are heard, including plans to launch a mentorship programme to develop the women leaders of tomorrow. The organisation is also looking at engaging the Nigerian government and offering time in paid and voluntary capacities in rural areas to inspire women there.

APPlICATIoNS oPEN for £1,000 ‘PoP’ AWArdS Projects which save lives, reduce property crime and tackle anti-social behaviour can now be entered for the 10th annual London Problem Orientated Partnership (POP) Awards.

The POP Awards are a collaboration between London Councils, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and Transport for London (TfL).

They celebrate projects which respond to local needs and address the causes of crime – rather than just the conse-

quences – and that are designed and implemented in partnership with local police and communities.

Cllr Lib Peck, London Councils’ executive member for crime and policing, said, “London Councils is pleased to once again support the London Problem Orientated Partnership Awards, which have been an important part of local policing for the last decade.

“These awards recognise the very best local policing solutions, which understand the needs of

local people and work with them and a range of partners to make a tangible improvement in people’s lives.”

Any organisation may enter either POP Award: eligible projects must involve partnerships between agencies, with at least one agency being the Metropolitan Police.

The deadline for applications is 9am, Friday 10 July.

Application forms available by searching for the ‘POP Awards’ at www.londoncouncils.gov. uk

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NIGERIAN WATCH 19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015

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11

Letters to the Editor Soyinka, a towering ďŹ gure of literature of Einsteinian brilliance As Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka is in the news seeking to become Professor of Poetry at Oxford University (NW 53) I was

and Wole Soyinka on the one hand and Berlin and Ibadan on the other.

Note that Ulm and Ake are both three letters.

Einstein has been Einstein and Soyinka have described as the greatest both been associated with the scientist of the 20th century and Wole Soyinka perhaps the world’s greatest living dramatist.

Einstein and Soyinka both won the Nobel Prize. They are both associated with social and political causes.

Einstein loved sailing and Soyinka is a self confessed Sea Dog and Einstein Soyinka are both known for composing and playing string instruments. In the case of Einstein it was the violin, whereas Soyinka plays the guitar.

Einstein and Soyinka were at Âą ĺÀ ¡´à ° ÂŹ ÂŻÂŹĂ„ ¹¿°½ #Y ďŹ rst not successful °¡¡R ĺÀV½° ºš ĺÀ½ ºÂš Âş as married men.

They both remarried.

Einstein And Soyinka Albert struck by some strange unconventional. developments and Einstein was born in Ulm, campaigned against lives coincidences happening Germany, a Federal Republic; wasted, by the First World between Germany and and Wole Soyinka was born in War and road accidents Nigeria, particularly as it Ake, Nigeria, now a Federal respectively Einstein had a friend, concerns Albert Einstein republic.

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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 June 29, 2015. 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. fellow physicist Max Planck.

When the recognised head of German science, he gave a lift of some sort to Einstein in the academic circles.

He brought him into the fold of the Berlin Academy.

Planck was President of the Kaiser Willem Society (now Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science).

Einstein and Planck parted ways.

Soyinka had a friend, the physicist, Muyiwa Awe, ďŹ rst President of the Science Association of Nigeria. Awe was a member of the appointment and promotions committee of the University of Ibadan, just before a ďŹ nal decision was to be taken as to the suitability or otherwise of Wole Soyinka for a professorship.

Soyinka did not bag the professorship. Awe raised a

technical objection to the procedure of the committee, as he revealed in the book, Before Our Very Eyes (Spectrum), a tribute to Wole Soyinka (edited by Dapo Adelugba).

Like Einstein and Planck, Soyinka and Awe parted ways at least spiritually. Soyinka did write in the Guardian Newspaper that Awe had a penchant for fouling up relationships.

Planck retired from the University of Berlin and Awe retired from the University of Ibadan.

Note that Berlin is the political and cultural capital of Germany and Ibadan is the political capital of the Yoruba Nation, and used to serve as the cultural capital of Nigeria.

Interestingly , Ulli Beier, a German Jew like Einstein, has been described

as the Father of Yoruba Culture. In Berlin there is the German Institute for Economic Research and in Ibadan is the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic research.

In Berlin we have the free University of Berlin, founded in 1948, the University of Ibadan was also founded in 1948.

Einstein went into exile avoiding the German Military Dictator Adolf Hitler.

Similarly Soyinka went into exile to evade the Nigerian Military Dictator, Sani Abacha.

There is the Albert Einstein society, and there is as well the Wole Soyinka society.

Both are of course great men with great minds.

Regards Augustine TogonuBickersteth, London, England

12

NIGERIAN WATCH 19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015

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News from the

NIGERIA HIGH COMMISSION London

Dr Tafida’s immigration revolution delivers Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, OFR, CFR, went through the motions of collecting a new passport on Friday June 5 – not in preparation to return to Nigeria, but instead to show off the latest innovations that have made the visa and passport service at the High Commission the equal of any in the world.

The transformation in the immigration service since His Excellency assumed office a little over seven years ago is nothing short of astonishing.

The minister and head of chancery Ahmed Inusa made this plain as he opened proceedings ahead of a tour of the refurbished facilities.

“Previously we were heavily criticised and pilloried for our shortcomings in service delivery; it was appalling,” he recalled. “Now, it is amazing.”

His Excellency Dr Tafida recalled his first few weeks in office “were harrowing”.

“I came here over seven years ago and everyday initially it was harrowing for me,” he said.

“Everyday my desk would be weighed down with letters of complaint and petitions about the service.”

That was when securing a passport was akin to a game of British Bulldog, with scrums, fights and arguments breaking out all over the place and the service was peppered with corruption and favouritism. Those were the days when crowds in the hundreds would gather all special pleading to be seen first.

Confronted with such mayhem Dr Tafida acted fast, recognising this was the primary point of contact the diaspora had with the High Commission and the current service was dragging the reputation of Nigeria through the mire.

He consequently established an emergency committee of senior officers to re-imagine the service

ToP: Dr Tafida, flanked by Ministers and guests, opens the new facilities; HE awaiting his number to be called; visiting the collection office; (below) community leaders (l-r) Henrietta Abraham, Babatunde Loye and Sir Martins Bakare

facilities on a working day.

The entry to the immigration service is via the door on the road known as Great Scotland Yard, about 50 yards down from the main entrance to the High Commission on Northumberland Avenue.

Here the first example of change is evident. Whereas previously members of the public were met by anonymous, besuited immigration staff, today they are met by readily identifiable uniformed personnel.

An innovation to stamp out corruption and favouritism.

“It used to be horrendous, with people fighting to be seen, but when I came recently I was seen in one hour. Dr Tafida, I commend you for your foresight, vision, wisdom and leadership” and over the years it has been transformed, to rival any in the world, including the American Embassy.

The comptroller of immigration Muhhamadu Aminu Muhammadu recalled Dr Tafida drew a line in the sand. “He told us our people should be served with dignity”.

And today that is what happens, as was evident on a tour of the

On entry to the newly refurbished immigration hall you receive a numbered ticket that assures your place in the queue and becomes your reference number throughout the process, the progress of which is broadcast on a digital screen. Assuming your paperwork is in order, on payment of the fee, that’s it.

When you come to collect your

passport, again the offices have been refurbished, with wood panelled booths to ensure privacy.

This is only the tip of the iceberg; all manner of cutting edge technology has been introduced over the years to ensure that today the process not only serves Nigerians well but meets with international standards (see box).

Yet Dr Tafida said, “We still believe we have a long way to go.”

The next target is to ensure that once your paperwork has been checked and documented it will remain on record, meaning customers will not have to present them again to renew their passport or visa.

He said he hoped the system that had been created would stand the test of time and that “those who replace us will not be able to reverse it”. He was confident that Nigerians in the diaspora would not allow that to happen.

“Nigerians in this country know their rights – they cry aloud when things are not going their way”, he observed, recalling how when standards slipped back in 2011 – during the period he was in Nigeria masterminding Goodluck Jonathan’s successful Presidential bid – their were howls of protest and damaging headlines in the British

newspapers.

“It is important to have a process that doesn’t allow for corruption to thrive,” Dr Tafida continued. “It is important that it doesn’t allow favouritism, a feeling that you’re showing favouritism to some customers. It is of these things that Nigerians rightly complain.”

He revealed that in his time he had found it necessary to return a handful of officers to Nigeria “who were not living up to our expectations”.

It was also revealed that the pay

of home based offices had been improved, as part of the drive to stamp out the corruption that had previously mired the service.

But those days are long gone.

Rather than complaints Dr Tafida said he now received only letters of commendation about the service. “It embarrasses me. They praise me but it is not me. All the people here in the Mission delivered it, I only set the direction.”

His Excellency concluded by exhorting the diaspora to remain vigilant.

“Keep advising us,” Dr Tafida encouraged those present. “If you have raised an issue and advised us and it is not done then you can complain. We are here for you, not for anyone else.”

Testimony to the changes that have been achieved under Dr Tafida’s time as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK came from those who know best; people who have had cause to use the service both in the past and the present.

Babatunde Loye, chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK said, “I came here in 2001 and it was a gruelling experience. I was here for eight hours. Today what we have just seen is exactly what they have in the American Embassy.

Everyone involved should be commended.”

Henrietta Abraham, chairwoman of Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation said, “It used to be horrendous, with people fighting and pushing to be seen, but when I came recently I was served within one hour. Dr Tafida, I commend you for your foresight, vision, wisdom and leadership.”

The chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Communities, Sir Martins Bakare, said word had spread throughout the United Kingdom, “the High Commission serves our people and serves them well.”

The transformation of the immigration service at the High Commission has been an ongoing process since Nigeria’s Ambassador to the UK Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, OFR, CFR arrived. First, he immediately instituted a training programme for staff, to end the daily clamour at the immigration centre that was resulting in corruption and terrible PR. The next step, to better serve Nigerians outside London, was the introduction of a postal and mobile enrolment service, which processed over 5,000 applications in its first year.

An on-line application and payment service followed. There were teething troubles initially, especially involving payments. Sorting these out was problematic for applicants as the payment service provider’s office was in America. Recognising the issue, Dr Tafida alerted the company and successfully persuaded them to open a UK office to resolve such problems. When Dr Tafida realised Nigerians were being sent from immigration to find a photocopier to copy documents, he had one installed in the Immigration Service area for public use.

Behind the scenes digitisation has improved the Commission’s archives and data collection, which has dramatically speeded up the process and stamped out fraudulent applications and now meets international standards.

Today, there are dedicated call centres for Visa, Passport and Emergency Travel Certificate enquiries. Visit the Nigeria High Commission for details, www.nhc.org.uk

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15

FREEDOM FOR TOLU TINGED BY TRAGEDY Stabbed teacher is Nigerian Nigerian father of two Vincent Uzomah is recovering in hospital having been stabbed on June 11 while working as a supply teacher at the Dixons Kings Academy in Bradford.

The school day had only just started when 50-year-old Mr Uzomah was attacked, apparently stabbed after confiscating a mobile phone.

A 14-year-old pupil has subsequently been charged with attempted murder. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has also been charged with possession of cannabis.

Mr Uzomah, who is married with two children, is a PhD student at Salford University, after graduating with a degree in civil engineering at Leeds University.

Just two days after Tolu Akinrosotu received the news in early May that he was to be released from jail – where he has served a 22 year jail sentence for a first-time non-violent drug offence – his joy was punctured when he was informed that his mother had died.

Tolu was jailed in 1993 when he was just 23 for having arranged flights for people who turned out to be drug mules – found guilty on the witness testimony of the “Mr Bigs” behind the conspiracy to import drugs.

Having read the case papers we reported on his and petitioned plight President Obama on his behalf having been contacted

by Debo Adewumi, a former classmate, who revealed the St Charles’ Grammar School Osogbo Old Boys Association UK branch had launched an international campaign to secure his release.

On June 9 this year, five years short of fulfilling the full term of his original sentence, Tolu left prison

where he has spent almost half of his life as an exemplary prisoner to start afresh.

He is now living in a halfway house in Brooklyn and enjoying the freedom, albeit still limited.

Speaking to Nigerian Watch on the phone he said freedom “felt good and a little bit strange”.

Armed with exemplary references from prison, where he worked as a clerk to pay off a $50,000 fine he received as part of his sentence, and an enviable track record of promoting and recruiting users for a dual sim service mobile operator in New York, he

started work at the company’s Manhattan offices this week (June 17).

On release he was looking forward to two things, sleeping in his own silence and having a slice of the legendary Junior’s cheesecake.

While the former has been a joy, the latter has been put on hold until Tolu has time to savour the moment. In the halfway house, tenants receive time-limited passes to undertake certain tasks.

He was at pains to thank all those who supported his many appeals for clemency and kept his spirits high throughout his ordeal.

The radio station where every hour will be women’s hour The first-ever radio station dedicated to women – and Africa’s only fully-fledged commercial station – is set to be launched in Lagos on October 1 .

Former Choice FM presenter Toun Sonaiya (above in yellow dress) unveiled the details of WFM that will be broadcast on 91.7fm at a glittering launch in Mayfair London.

The station, which is owned by St Ives Communications and will be based in Isheri on the border of Lagos and Ogun States, is designed to cater for women and their families and will engage on issues of local, national and international importance for everyone.

According to Ms Sonaiya, although WFM 91.7 is licensed to broadcast for women, it will cater for the men and the family. She added that it will operate for 24 hours, addressing everyday issues and will be a reliable, leading and trusted source for news, information and matters of interests.

Ms Sonaiya said, "I feel that this platform will allow us to give a voice to women who cannot speak for themselves as we will cover everything giving it a female slant. My brother who made this possible, put the money together and as he owns a hospital, he has always worked with women and is knowledgeable about their affairs."

16

NIGERIAN WATCH 19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015

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HEALTHWatcH

STROKE, THE FAST KILLER diagnosis:

Did you know that stroke is the second leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult morbidity and mortality worldwide?

It is likely to worsen as a public health issue in developing countries over the next decade based on the projections by the World Health Organization (WHO).

With the current scourge of HIV/AIDS and the battle against other communicable diseases like multi-drug resistant malaria and tuberculosis, Nigeria stands to risk the further straining of its limited resources as a result of the increasing prevalence of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases due to epidemiological transition. The current prevalence of stroke in Nigeria is 1.14 per 1,000 while the 30-day case fatality rate is as high as 40%. Management of the disease is largely conservative while there is little or no funding for high-quality research. A sad state of affairs!

Nigerians, especially, suffer from strokes due to preventable circumstances such as ignorance, undetected and poorly-managed conditions like hypertension, diabetes and lack of adequate health care facilities.

160,000 cases of stroke occur in Nigeria every year; this does not include the statistics of patients who see herbalists, pastors, Imams and so-called traditional healers to manage their condition. And this is on the increase. Compare this to the 115,000 people a year in England and Wales that suffer a first stroke.

The majority of Nigerians who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, end-stage diabetes and other conditions that predispose to stroke do not even know that they have these

THrEE THINgS you dId NoT KNoW: A plasminogen activator found in the saliva of a blood-feeding vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) is a promising future treatment for patients with ischaemic stroke.

The only approved drug for ischaemic stroke treatment is the tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) alteplase (Actilyse), which produces reperfusion by dissolving or breaking the thrombus (clot).

Postmenopausal women who have a diet rich in potassium are less likely to suffer a stroke than women whose intake of the mineral is smaller.

1

2 3

conditions. 80% of these cases could be prevented if there were well-equipped hospitals and if Nigerians living with high blood pressure and diabetes managed their health properly.

A prevailing factor why stroke patients in Nigeria do not survive is the myth associated with the disease; research conducted revealed that more than 50% of stroke victims seek medical care from unqualified persons. The widespread belief that stroke is a spiritual attack prevents many patients seeking appropriate medical advice. Every ethnic group has a culture and tradition that may impact on their perception and understanding of stroke.

Stroke has been interpreted as a sign of the “gods” or “spirits” being angry, and has struck the person in anger, causing “paralysis” that can

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be blamed on everything from “the neighbour has poisoned him” to “his bad deeds have caught up with him” (remark from relatives and friends of stroke patients). Public education on the risk factors associated with stroke will help diffuse such perception and hopefully increase patients being brought in for early intervention.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a brain attack. It happens when the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off.

Blood carries essential nutrients and oxygen to your brain. Without blood your brain cells can be damaged or die. This damage can have different effects, depending on where it happens in your brain. It can affect the way your body works as well as how you think, feel and communicate. Most strokes are caused by a blockage cutting off the blood supply to the brain. This is an ischaemic stroke.

However, strokes can also be caused by a bleeding in or around the brain. This is a haemorrhagic stroke.

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) – also known as a mini-stroke – is the same as a stroke, except that the symptoms last for a short time and no longer than 24 hours. This is because the blockage that stops the blood getting to your brain is temporary. A patient with a TIA has more than a 5% risk of having a stroke within one week, this drops to around a 1% risk if a person gets emergency care immediately after a TIA. It is important that TIAs receive immediate diagnosis and treatment; for every minute in which a stroke is untreated, 1.9 million brain cells are lost; the phrase “time is brain” is applicable in describing this emergency.

Rapid diagnosis of stroke is focused on the following: l Determining whether the symptoms are due to a stroke l Localising the brain injury l Establishing the type of stroke l Establishing the most likely cause of the stroke, taking into account the risk factors

risk factors: The major risk factors for stroke can be differentiated as non-modifiable factors (e.g. age, sex, genetic predisposition and ethnicity) and modifiable factors (e.g. hypertension, smoking and other lifestyle factors and diabetes). Studies in Nigeria have confirmed hypertension as the most dominant risk factor of stroke. Primary prevention is the key to reducing the burden of the disease in a country with such poor resources.

It is very important to note that dietary supplements, such as the antioxidant vitamins beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E, DO NOT PREVENT STROKE.

Patients with an acute stroke present with sudden symptoms that can be assessed with validated tools like Face Arm Speech Time (FAST). FAST is easy to use and suitable for use by the general public and is highlighted in the Public Health England’s Act FAST campaign.

Under the FAST tool, a patient only needs to have one of the following symptoms before an ambulance should be called: one-sided droop on the face; weakness in one arm; slurred speech.

It is very important to be able to recognise the symptoms and get medical help as quickly as possible; the quicker a patient receives treatment, the better the chances for a good recovery.

Another tool, Recognition of Stroke in the Emergency Room (ROSIER) scale, is designed for hospital emergency department use.

The most important diagnostic test to differentiate the type of stroke is computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); these together with a neurological examination are used to classify the type of stroke syndrome. Unfortunately, in Nigeria there is a widespread lack of this important equipment. The major limitations to its ready use where available are high cost; on average a brain CT scan costs about £250 - £300 (N75,000 – N90, 000 in Nigeria). In England these scans are performed as a matter of course, and normally immediately the patient gets to the hospital. In Nigeria, it is a case of whether the patient can be taken to a hospital quick enough to prevent any long term disability.

Once they get to a hospital the next hurdle is whether the hospital has the necessary equipment; and if it does have the equipment does the patient have the money to pay for the service. Again, all this impacts on the time needed to verify the nature of the stroke and start therapy. As one can imagine, the situation is dire, so too the unfortunate consequences.

management: Urgent evaluation is necessary after a stroke or TIA because of the risk of a recurrent stroke.

Brain imaging is required for diagnosis, classification and management. In an acute (hospital) setting, patients with a suspected stroke receive a CT scan to rule out a cerebral haemorrhage. CT scans are quicker than MRI scans, but MRI is more sensitive. The risk of a recurrent stroke is highest soon after an ischaemic stroke or TIA — about 1% at six hours, 2% at 12 hours, 3% at two days, 5% at seven days, and 10% at 14 days. Early intervention to rapidly restore and maintain blood supply to the ischemic area in the brain, minimise brain damage and hence impairment as well as disability and secondary complications which will reduce the risk of death.

In England and Wales, if you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.

In Nigeria, if you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, collect your 90,000 Naira, call a friend, relative or neighbour and ask them to get to the nearest hospital, preferable one that has a working CT scan.

For more information about stroke: ng.strokeaction.com/taking-action-strokes www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Stroke/Pages/Introd uction.aspx www.stroke.org.uk/what-stroke Chima Olugh, MRPharmS. Public Health Pharmacist. Royal Pharmaceutical Society Public Health Pharmacist of the Year Award Winner 2014.

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NIGERIAN WATCH 19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015

LEISUREWatcH aFrOJam aNd drummiNg WOrKsHOps at The Husky studios - see dance listings overleaf.

Fortnight

WHAT To SEE ANd do ovEr THE NExT

fashionWATCH

By OBAH IyAMU

Checking out summer We are here with a fresh dose of summer fashion to take you to the top of the most delectable trends of the season. gingham The famous check print has temporarily knocked pinstripes off any clothes rail. A versatile summer piece for the trendy girls, gingham print gets an extreme makeover this summer.

Everyone who’s trying to score fashion points is tapping into this schoolgirl staple.

Dress it up in structured dresses and heels for that powerful office dress code or take the toned down approach and pick a sorbet-coloured pattern, (yes!

Grown ladies can wear pink) and blend with luxe accessories to give that extra oomph. Mixing a gingham print with a floral print is the ticket to fashion paradise.

Suede skirt The utility vibe is playing this summer in the form of suede skirts, an incredibly difficult cut to wear but it can be pulled off to perfection with the right styling.

First of all, pick from a medley of russet colours – no primary colours allowed! From A-line to pencil silhouette, a suede skirt is just the thing to give you the little lift onto the retro lane. Choose a form that compliments your figure and combine with a simple top to show off your skirt. If you have leg envy the A-line mini is your jackpot. We all know that the fringing is the BFF of anything suede; I'm still in search of that fringed suede skirt that will make my life.

17

SugAr ANd SPICE THEATrE The green Stone Bead If you haven’t had a chance to see The Green Stone Bead with it’s spellbinding crosscultural storytelling, singing, dancing and drumming, then catch it’s final performance along with an exhibition and a lecture; “The Myth of MamiWata across West Africa and Beyond” by Prof. Osita Okagbue.

20th Jun (Exhibition: 3.00 to 3.30 pm, Lecture: 3.30 to 4.15 pm Performance: 4.15 to 5.00 pm). FREE Iroko Music Theatre Goldsmiths University of London, New Cross, SE14 www.irokotheatre.org.uk

The Initiate A British couple are seized by Somali pirates. In East London, a Somali taxi-driver decides to rescue them.

Meeting disbelief with determination, he dismisses his wife's fears and flies out to negotiate their release.

Speeding from the banks of the Thames to the now unfamiliar world of his homeland, he confronts the family he left behind and the bravado of the defiant men he once called brothers.

Ongoing until 18th Jul, Performance times vary see website for details.

Roundabout, Southbank Centre Belvedere Road, SE1

14 dAyS...

Sasha has fallen in love for the first time. Gabriel brings passion, excitement and the chance to be known and respected in her local area. Sasha will do anything to preserve her new found fame…

Sugar & Spice is a play and Forum Theatre workshop for young people aged 13+. It challenges attitudes around gender stereotypes and asks the audience to explore what it means to be a young person growing up in London today.

Through watching the play, the audience are exposed to the reality of gangs, peer pressure and sexual coercion amongst young people.

Following the performance the audience are invited to get involved as actors and directors to change the story for the characters. The facilitated forum workshop stimulates reflection and debate from the young audience members and, through performing their chosen alternative stories, we see how the audience might navigate through their own worlds whilst changing the world of our characters.

1st July, 11am and 2pm. Tickets £6 Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, E8 www.arcolatheatre.com

14+ Tickets from £18 www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Beautiful one day

A dramatic performance based upon the events surrounding the death of an Aboriginal man in police custody. Beautiful One Day tells the Palm Island residents' story through their own words, combining documentary-style footage with conversation, reportage, stories and images. As raw as it is shocking, the show stars three Islanders in their first theatrical appearances.

24 - 25 Jun lbijerri Theatre at Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre Belvedere Road, SE1 www.southbankcentre.co.uk

18

NIGERIAN WATCH 19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015

fIlm murderer in law

Hidden Colors 3: The rules of racism

Nollywood on the big screen in London with Murderer in law, the story of Lola and TJ’s relationship. TJ lives at home with his mother who sees Lola as a threat to a relationship with her son.

In this the third instalment of Hidden Colors, a documentary series covering the untold history of people of colour, the taboo subject of systematic racism in America is tackled.

Exploring how institutional racism effects all areas of human activity and the rules, laws and public policies that are utilised to maintain it.

26 Jun, Red carpet from 8pm, Screening from 10pm. Tickets from £20 Odeon Cinema, Bugsby Way, Greenwich, SE10 www.eventbrite.co.uk

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LEISUREWatcH 27th Jun, 1pm - 5pm. FREE St Ann's Library, Cissbury Road, Tottenham, N15 For further information, please call Dawn Gobourne on; 020 8489 4560

The mask you live In

How can we, as a society, raise a healthier generation of boys and young men?

The Mask You Live In follows young males as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating our culture's narrow definition of masculinity.

29 Jun. Tickets £25 For ages 16+ Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 www.southbankcentre.co.uk

THE Bfm INTErNATIoNAl fIlm fESTIvAl from Africa, North and South America to the Caribbean, The Bfm film festival screens fiction, documentaries, shorts and animation – many of which have never been seen in the uK. Highlights include;

Ekema (who’s the only one who seems to be aware of the change) gets to spend a day “in Joffi’s shoes” and his experiences throw a whole new light on his view of Joffi’s feelings.

Beleh

Every day during exam season, as the sun sets over Conakry, Guinea, hundreds of school children begin a nightly pilgrimage to the airport, petrol stations and wealthy parts of the city, searching for light. This evocative documentary tells the story of these children’s inspiring struggle for education in the face of the country’s own fight for change.

In Cameroon, the difficulty Joffi faces in her first pregnancy is made worse by the petulant and selfish demands of her irate and uncompromising husband, Ekema. One morning, things have mysteriously changed in the village and there’s a total role reversal between the sexes.

Black out

Pumzi Set in a future South Africa, (pictured) where water is held as the highest premium, a postapocalyptic world on the surface of the earth is left barren. ‘Asha’, who lives and works as a museum curator has dreams that the earth can be reborn again. This is more poignant for her as she’s received a container with soil in which she’s planted an old seed… which grows.

See website for further details 2nd Jul - 5th July. Tickets from £9.

Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham Green, London N15 4RX. www.bfmmedia.com

ComEdy Seyi law Yoruba comedy from Nigerian Seyi Law.(Pictured below).

27th Jun, Doors open 5pm.

From £25 Discovery Centre, Jenkins Lane, Barking, IG11 cokobar.com

ArT/ExHIBITIoNS Staying Power Featuring photographs, drawn from the V&A’s collection, that document the experiences of Black people in Britain in the latter half of the 20th century, a time when photography served as an archival tool to capture historical moments.

The photographs are complimented by previously unheard oral history testimonies from the photographers and contributors.

Ongoing until 31st Jul. 10:00am to 5:45pm. FREE Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7. www.vam.ac.uk

extinct uli body and wall painting practiced by Igbo women. Uli reflects the unsung contribution of women to social development in Igbo culture. Artist Chuu Krydz Ikwuemesi introduces the Life and Work of Eziafo Okaro.

June 22nd, 5:15 - 7:00pm, FREE Room 4429, SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street Russell Square, WC1H www.soas.ac.uk/cas/

fESTIvAlS Naija In the Park 2015 Naija in the Park, is a celebration of the rich, colourful and vibrant arts and culture of Nigeria.

With Nigerian cultural performances, workshops, a childrens funfair, Nigerian arts and crafts, fashion, Nigerian food and drinks and live Nigerian music.

June 27th, 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm FREE Brockwell Park, Norwood Road Brixton www.naija inthepark.com

An uli Woman Painter’s Tale in the Igbo Heritage Crisis

muSIC A World In london - live At friday Tonic

A look at the almost

As part of the

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Southbank Centre’s series of events for Refugee Week, they are curating a day of great music.

Come and hear our cosmopolitan city at its creative best through the magic of broadcaster DJ Ritu's A World in London radio show. Hailing from Guinea, Mosi Conde and his cosmopolitan band Kaira Kora Afrika perform irresistible rhythms and vibrant vocals.

19 June, 5:30 - 7:00pm, Free The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Tunday Akintan

The creator of Yorubabeat plays a rare London concert, blending soul and funk with Fuji-inspired overtones.

1 July, 7:45pm, Tickets £12 Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 www.southbankcentre.co.uk

dANCE Afro Arts Workshops Afro Arts Projects are a collaborative cross-discipline collective, who aim to promote a new and accessible

NIGERIAN WATCH 19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015

LEISUREWatcH

understanding and appreciation of traditional and modern African Cultures, through participatory workshops, specifically for the African diaspora community in London.

Afrojam is an energetic fusion of traditional and modern African dance movement, made to the latest popular sounds coming from and inspired by the continent.

Drumming from Nigeria and Ghana - Lively, fun and informative drumming sessions where you will have the opportunity to explore a mixture of authentic instruments and learn various rythmic patterns, calls and responses.

20th Jun, 12-3pm From £5.

Prebook via Eventbrite.

Adults Afrojam dance 12:30pm-1:30pm Adults drumming 1:45pm2:45pm Childrens drumming 12:30pm1:30pm Childrens Afrojam dance 1:45pm-2:45pm Husky Studio, 29 Amelia Street, SE17 www.eventbrite.co.uk

Brent dance month 2015 Dance is an important and essential part of life. This summer Brent brings you an entire month of dance participation and

performance including; The Revolution Youth Dance Class, where you have the opportunity to learn various styles of dance including street, contemporary, African

and much more.

The month culminates in the Street Dance XXL UK and Global Championship competition on 25th July at SSE Arena Wembley.

Smith campaigner/founding member of Act for Change; and Artistic Director of Spare Tyre Theatre Company, Arti Prashar as they discuss topical issues in the performing arts.

Revolution Dance Class; 2 Jul, 6.00pm - 8.30pm Poplar Grove Youth Centre, Wembley, HA9 Download a programme of events at; https://brent.gov.uk

23 Jun, 8:30pm, £9.00 Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Road, W12 www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event /the-debate/

oTHEr The debate - hosted by the Alfred fagon Series Join Martin Edwards, Mojisola Adebayo, Kobna Holdbrook-

The Skills Show Experience at HCC: digital and Creative Have a Go activities giving young people a taste of digital and creative skills in a range of industries, with a Fashion

19

show, circus and performing arts show, art, design, media exhibition and more.

30th Jun, 11am - 4pm Prebook workshops on 020 7613 9228 Age group: 14 - 25.

Hackney Community College, Falkirk Street N1 www.hackney.ac.uk

20

NIGERIAN WATCH 19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015

Africa writes The Royal African Society’s annual literature festival showcases established and emerging talent from the African continent and its diaspora in what is now the UK’s biggest celebration of contemporary African writing

4th Jul, 3.45pm, FREE

The 2015 Caine Prize Conversation The shortlist for the 2015 Caine Prize, an award associated with mapping new directions in contemporary African writing, this year includes one past winner and two previously shortlisted writers.

Join the five shortlisted authors – Segun Afolabi, Elnathan John, F. T. Kola, Masande Ntshanga, Namwali Serpell – in conversation with 2009 winner E. C. Osondu and Guardian First Book Award winner Petina Gappah.

4th Jul, 4.45pm, FREE

meditations on greatness: Ben okri in conversation Ben Okri is the author of 10 novels, including the Booker winner The Famished Road

African Books to Inspire Hannah Pool welcomes a special selection of writers and personalities to share their favourite titles in African literature – from classics through to the latest published work.

3rd Jul, 6:30pm. From £7

West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song A preview of the British Library’s forthcoming exhibition with Dr

Follow us on Twitter @NigerianWatch

LEISUREWatcH Ben Okri is one of the most known and respected of African writers. The author of 10 novels, including the Booker prize-winning The Famished Road, he has also written collections of poetry, essays and short stories. Born in Nigeria and currently living in London, Okri has been awarded numerous international prizes and had his work translated into 26 languages.

4th Jul, 6:30pm. From £7

New Nigerian fiction Launching A. Igoni Barrett’s Blackass, Irenosen Okojie’s Butterfly Fish, E. C. Osondu’s This House is Not for Sale and Obinna Udenwe’s Satans and Shaitans, Ike Anya talks to four debut novelists about their new releases and asks ‘what is new Nigerian fiction’?

5th Jul, 12.15pm, FREE

Marion Wallace, Lead Curator, African Collections 4th Jul, 10.00am, FREE

Contemporary African lyrics: Poetry in Performance Multilingual poetry performances from emerging voices, including Cristina Ali Farah, Melissa Kiguwa and Nick Makoha. Hosted by writer and multi-disciplinary artist Malika Booker.

for CHIldrEN Arts & Crafts with the orishas Learn about the fascinating stories of the goddess of the sea, the god of metal and

many more in this workshop on West African mythology. Join NefeliMaria Zygopoulou as she explores their adventures

Sunday by Joy gharoro-Akpojotor A staged reading of Joy GharoroAkpojotor’s bold and haunting

inter-generational drama. When Mary comes out to her mother and grandmother, tragic events long buried in the past threaten to break out, consume and destroy relationships in the present. Seen through the eyes of a family based in London, Sunday is a powerful exploration of love between Nigerian women, sexuality and religion.

5th Jul, 4.00pm, FREE For venues and other events visit africawrites.org

and powers while using arts and crafts.

4th Jul & 5th July, 1.00pm, FREE Aimed at 7-12 year olds

counting, festivals, and celebrations, phonics and new vocabulary.

5th Jul, 11.00am, FREE Aimed at 5-7 year olds

The Wedding Week

gbagba

you’re invited to join Femi, Kemi and Geko the Lizard on an exciting journey discovering vibrant wedding traditions around the world.

Author Chimaechi Allan reads from her picture book The Wedding Week set in Lagos, and uses her story to discuss days of the week,

Robtel Neajai Pailey reads from Gbagba which follows a few days in the life of Liberian twins, Sundaymah and Sundaygar and explores issues of corruption through a beautifully illustrated children’s narrative.

5th Jul, 1:00pm, FREE Aimed at 8-10 year olds

Write Here. WrITE NoW! THE NIgErIAN WATCH SToryWrITINg ComPETITIoN for CHIldrEN AgEd 7-11 SEE YOUR STORY (poetry or prose) published in a fantastic compilation.

The top author at each age (7, 8, 9, 10, & 11) will receive special first prizes

Published authors will be special guests at the glittering book launch.

All published authors will have their story illustrated by a professional artist and you will get a framed copy of the picture and a certificate.

Entries close on July 22.

Submit your story via email to bookcomp@nigerianwatch.com or post to Nigerian Watch Book Competition, Chartwell House, 292 Hale Lane, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 8NP. Entries can be any length but no longer than 500 words and have “a beginning, middle and end”.

All prize winners will be featured in Nigerian Watch newspaper and all published authors will be invited to the glittering book launch.

A panel of judges including published authors will select the winning entries. The judges decision is final.

For full terms and conditions visit www.nigerianwatch.com/book comp

EDUCATIONWatcH

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NIGERIAN WATCH 19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015

Coventry University has nudged past many of its Russell Group peers to reach the highest position ever achieved by a former polytechnic in the annual and definitive Guardian newspaper league table of universities.

Coventry reached number 15 in the table, higher than many of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities including Birmingham, Edinburgh, York, Leeds, Glasgow, Cardiff, Nottingham and Newcastle.

The Guardian’s league tables rank universities according to: spending per student; the student/staff ratio; graduate career prospects; what grades applicants need to get a place; a value-added score that compares students’ entry qualifications with their final degree results; and how satisfied final-year students are with their courses, based on results from the annual National Student Survey (NSS).

It was positive ratings from finalists that helped to drive Coventry University’s rise up the rankings, according to the compiler of the tables Matt

Hiely-Rayner.

“It is particularly in the questions that relate to assessment and feedback that Coventry does well. This is interesting because it is the only area of the student survey where finalists often show dissatisfaction.”

The university also has impressive student-staff ratios, he adds.

“Few institutions outside the Russell Group manage such a low number of students per member of academic staff.”

John Latham, vicechancellor of Coventry University, says it’s success is down to its focus on students’ needs. “We’re a modern university, but not just in the sense that we haven’t been around for as long - we’re very modern in our approach.

We’re challenging the system.

We’re bringing in new forms of pedagogy and listening to students.”

The university has three objectives: “teaching students well, making sure that students are listened to, and making sure they get good jobs at the end of their course,” says Ian Dunn, deputy vicechancellor for student

experience at Coventry.

Meanwhile, the University of Dundee is among the fastest risers in the 2016 Guardian University Rankings.

Dundee is placed 38th in this year’s rankings, up nine places from 47th last year. The ranking reflects strong student satisfaction scores at the University, which has been consistently rated as offering the best student experience in Scotland.

The University was in the top ten in the UK in Medicine (4th), Dentistry (7th), Mechanical Engineering (7th), Fashion & Textiles (7th) and Mathematics (8th) and top 20 in several subject areas including Design & Crafts (11th), Education (11th), Geography & Environmental Science (12th), Philosophy (13th), Civil Engineering (14th), Physics (16th) and Art (20th).

“I am delighted to see Dundee rising in the Guardian tables, which continues a strong run of league table performances for the University,” said Professor Pete Downes, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee.

UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE Our students rated us number one in Scotland for 6 years in a row*, find out why and experience Dundee for yourself…

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League leaders

Discover a World World of Opportunity Kadir Has University and Coventry University are serious about global education. In the heart of Istanbul, together, we are offfering fering a range of leading one year dual award programmes with the opportunity to spend the final semester in the UK in Coventry or London. Upon successful completion you will receive two degrees for $12,750.

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The University of Dundee offers over 200 postgraduate courses but some of the most popular with Nigerian applicants are: · · · · · · · · · · · ·

MSc International Oil and Gas Management MSc Energy Studies with specialisation in various fields LLM Energy Law and Policy LLM Oil and Gas Law and Policy MSc Management MSc International Business MSc Accounting and Finance LLM International Commercial Law LLM Corporate and Commercial Law MSc Geotechnical Engineering MPH Master of Public Health MSc Human Clinical Embryology and Assisted Conception

We also offer a wide range of undergraduate courses. Visit our website for full details.

more at www.dundee.ac.uk www.dundee.ac.uk Find out more International Office at and contact our International international@dundee.ac.uk international@dundee.ac.uk *T *Times imes Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2015

21

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World CuP SHoCK for fAlCoNS Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been sent packing from the ongoing Fifa Women’s World Cup after losing their third group game to the USA 0-1 last night at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.

The match between two of the favourites to win the competition was played out before a Premier League-size crowd of over 50,000, clearly marking the arrival of women’s football as a force to be reckoned with.

Sadly, the Falcons – one of the big draws of the competition, with the best player Asisat Oshoala – crashed out in the group phase, coming bottom of their group, in what was a disappointing outing for the highly rated team, who became African champions in style. Having drawn 3-3 with Sweden in their opening game and losing 02 to Australia in their second match, the Falcons ended up with just a point.

Although they were admittedly in the so-called group of death, expectations had been a lot higher as the bulk of this team were in the Super Falconets squad that got to the ďŹ nal of the U20 Women’s World Cup two years ago. Nigeria’ had one of the best forward lines in the tournament but the team appears to have suered immeasurably from lapses at the back.

An Abby Wambach volley seconds before half-time earned the USA victory on

NIGERIAN WATCH 19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015

SPORTSWatcH

June 16, which sent her team through as Group D winners. A well balanced ďŹ rst 45 minutes ďŹ nally fell in the Americans’ favour when Wambach struck Megan Rapinoe’s corner home at the far post.

In the second half, Rapinoe threatened Falcons’ goalkeeper Precious Dede’s goal twice from long range and Alex Morgan nearly doubled the Americans’ lead just after the interval but was denied by good goalkeeping. Team USA kept pressing on in search of a goal to ďŹ nish o the game but the Falcons held on.

Things became harder for Nigeria in the 69th minute, when Sarah Nodim picked up

her second yellow card as a result of bringing down Sydney Leroux just outside the area. With their numerical advantage intact, the USA kept possession well, with smart, experienced play delighting a significant majority of the 52,193 crowd in the stadium.

After the match Nigeria coach Edwin Okon said, "It was a great experience for us here in Canada. We weren’t focused enough in a few situations today. you always have a 50-50 chance in every game.

Today the USA made the most of one of their chances and we didn’t and we had a few.�

23

CuP douBlE for NIgErIA From page 24 The

Under-15s Team Nigeria UK lifted the African Cup of Nations for the second year running after overcoming a spirited challenge from Morocco on Sunday (June 14) at the Terrence McMillan Stadium in Newham.

up, immediately scoring from the kick o. It was then plain sailing for the Nigerians, who were in control all over the pitch.

Their wingers were an ever present threat, the midďŹ eld spread the play beautifully and they were solid at the back.

The Nigerians second goal came from a penalty shortly before half

However it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Soaring Eaglets who had to come back from being a goal down to secure victory.

The team had started sloppily when a long clearance from the Morocco keeper resulted in a headed goal from just inside the area. It was the second use of the ploy by the Moroccans, which only minutes earlier had resulted in a near miss.

Having fallen behind the Soaring Eaglets seemed to wake

time and inEaglets the second The Soaring UK have half beenthey inwere to football soak authoriup the vited bycontent the Nigerian pressure and playof onmatches the break. ties to play a series there, Twice athe Soaring Eaglets including showdown with Nigeria’shit the crossyouth bar and national team.had a goal ruled out However, for oside. the end theyhave ran theIn Soaring Eaglets home comfortable and deserved to pay their passage and board.

Team simply proving strong, winners, manager David Doherty hasto issued an well-organised and skilful for the impassioned you Tube appeal for young Moroccans. sponsors to help these young men of Thereheritage was enhance little their time Nigerian livesto celebrate afterwards as most and chances of having a football ca-of the youngsters rushing reer. It can be seen onwere the team’s home towww.teamnigeriauk.com revise for their exams. website It is hoped that retaining the

david faramola oniya suers fatal heart attack on the pitch Nigerian defender David Faramola Oniya collapsed on the pitch and died minutes into a friendly for TTeam against another Malaysian side, Kelantan.

Oniya, 30, went down after three minutes of the match before being rushed to hospital. He was pronounced dead there around half-an-hour later.

Commenting on incident, T-Team’s CEO Syahrizan Mohd Zain said that Oniya did not receive vital treatment quickly enough. “He suered a heart attack, but it could have been a dierent story had the ambulance driver been alert,â€?

Syahrizan said.

“The driver was in the stands watching the game when Oniya suddenly collapsed and our defender was deprived of oxygen for several minutes,� he told local media the New Straits Times.

Oniya had only joined the Malaysian club this season, after playing for clubs in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, and had barely touched the ball in the match on Saturday.

Syahrizan said: “There was no hard running and it was a slow tempo match.

The match was called o in the 60th minute when news was received from the hospital that Oniya had died.

Stoke intent on keeping “infectiousâ€? osaze Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes has conďŹ rmed the club’s interest in keeping Peter Odemwingie at the Britannia Stadium.

Odemwingie missed the majority of last season with a cruciate ligament injury sustained at Manchester City in August, but the 34-year-old proved his ďŹ tness in ďŹ ve substitute appearances before the end of the season.

The Nigeria forward is out of contract at the end of the month but was named on the club’s retained list and will be oered new terms, Scholes has conďŹ rmed; “We would love to keep him,â€? he said. “From the day he walked into the building he had a smile on his face and he’s an infectious character. “He’s had a diďŹƒcult year with his injury but he showed before that what he is capable of and it was good that he got a few games under his belt at the end of the season. “I would be hopeful we can do something with Peter.â€?

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24

NIGERIAN WATCH 19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015

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INSIdE

odemwingie set to retain Premier league status

SportsWATCH

NigEria’s u15s rEtaiN aFricaN cup uK crOWN

The Under-15s Team Nigeria UK lifted the African Cup of Nations for the second year running after overcoming a spirited challenge from Morocco on Sunday (June 14) at the Terrence McMillan Stadium in Newham.

However it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Soaring Eaglets who had to come back from being a goal down to secure victory.

The team had started sloppily when a long clearance from the Morocco keeper resulted in a headed goal from just inside the area. It was the second use of the ploy by the Moroccans, which only minutes earlier had resulted in a near miss.

Having fallen behind the Soaring Eaglets seemed to wake up, immediately scoring from the kick off.

It was then plain sailing for the Nigerians, who were in control all over the pitch.

Their wingers were an ever present threat, the midfield spread the play beautifully and they were solid at the back.

Turn to page 23

WINNERS: Manager David Doherty (centre) celebrates with his winning team

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