The Voice magazine April 2018 edition

ISSN:2588-8807

ISSN:1571-3466

Motto: Actuated towards Africa’s advancement

Volume 20. NO. 171 April 2018

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First complete African magazine published in The Netherlands since August 1999

Only African female President resigns after scandal In it to serve my people – Prince Obasuyi www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Contents 16-17

The Voice Magazine Volume 20. No 171 April 2018 Edition

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38-40

ARTICLES

Page 4 - Editorial: Africa should be ready to chart her own course for economic freedom Page 7- Rwandan visa on arrival for all nations around the world Pages 8 & 9 - ICC gets a new President Pages 10 &11 - Political tension grips Sierra Leone as new president is elected Pages 12 & 13 - Nigerian Politics: In it to serve my people – Obasuyi Page 21 - Zimbabwe ruling party to strip Mugabe of Immunity, Privileges?

Pages 22 & 23 - Man Vastgoed: Offer to own Real Estate without stress Pages 26 & 27 - Egypt election: Lack of challenger for Fatah al-Sisi Page 29 - Deadly flash floods set to worsen poverty and hunger in Kenya, experts say Page 34 - Kagame to African media: Tell your continent’s story Page 35 - Rwanda’s Kagame hosts African leaders meeting to sign free trade deal Page 41 - South Africa’s Zuma may challenge decision to prosecute him.

Page 42 - Madonna to direct movie based on life of ballerina Michaela DePrince Page 43 - Robert Mugabe says ‘disgraceful’ Zimbabwe coup must be undone Page 44 - Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann to travel to Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire Page 45 - Burundi sets May 17 referendum date Page 50 - Last male northern white rhino’s death highlights ‘huge extinction crisis’ Page 51 - female troops to support UN mission in Mali Page 52 & 53 - Africa’s ‘City of Innovation’ to Host Conference on ‘Uniting Africa’ Page 54 - Morocco bid needs $16 billion for plans to host 2026 Page 55 - Mohammed Salah eyes golden shoe Pages 58 59 - Dapchi: Nigeria’s Politically Choreographed ‘Abductions’

SUBMISSIONS: Articles and photographs for publication are welcome but the publisher while exercising all reasonable ­ caution cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage.

Please ensure that all materials are sent by e-mail to our official email. For other inquiries, e-mail us as well at: info@thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Editorial

Africa should be ready to chart her own course for economic freedom

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uring the ongoing African Union of Broadcasters General Assembly taking place in Kigali, President Paul Kagame raised a very pertinent question: Why the rights to broadcast African football competitions being held on African soil are held by outsiders and not Africans themselves. They end up charging extremely high prices that many countries cannot afford to broadcast, even when their national teams are playing.

Why can’t African countries take African matters in their own hands? The above illustration is just one of the many examples where African countries have delegated their rights to be managed by others.

None is more explicit than the CFA franc zone, a group of 14 countries, 12 of them former French colonies who have no money of their own but use a common currency

that is guaranteed by the French treasury, ever since before independence. Is this not new colonization? It means that these countries cannot but depend on France. And the reason for all the conflicts still in French speaking parts of Africa – France wants to determine what goes on in Africa through their leaders. Simple.

Some former colonies realized they were being ripped off and left to create their own currencies. Guinea was the first to do so in 1960 followed by Mali two years later.

Mauritania and Madagascar did the same in 1973. But Mali’s estrangement lasted 22 years before it was coxed to rejoin. The CFA zone has a combined population of about 150 million, approximately that of the East African Community. The difference with those two blocs is that the economic prospects and sustainability of one of them 4

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is determined by its own people while the other is in the hands of a foreign power. Without mincing words, CFA survives on the whims of France’s economic performance.

It is a paradox that will not change as long as many African countries fail to change their mindset and strive to stand Pastor Elvis Iruh Editor-in-Chief on their own two feet. Let us hope that the signing of the Continental Free Trade Area, made possible under the Presidency of Paul Kagame of Rwanda who is now the President of the African Union will make positive change in the mind set of African leaders. This development should be the starting point of self-determination.

With the FIFA world cup 2018 around the corner, it would be interesting that African countries represented in the global soccer event can earn the broadcast rights of viewing the matches to millions of viewers across the continent and generating more capital for the African continent rather than the sharing of revenue determined by these super powers.

Once Africa is able to achieve this fundamental rights, it could spread to other areas where foreign influence and dominance continue to affect Africa’s advancement including politics.

Enjoy this edition full of interesting stories, particularly on elections in Sierra Leone and Egypt. I do hope that when next we write to you, we already know and welcome new Presidents for both countries whose elections are on at press time.

We would like to read from you, contribute articles to our opinion pages and feedback on stories you have read in the previous edition or on current issues around Africa.

God bless you.

Pastor Elvis Iruh Editor-in-Chief

The Voice magazine The Voice magazine is editorially independent although we enjoys the support of our readers, subscribers, advertisers, non-­ governmental organizations and in­dividuals of like minds; however the magazine publishers are in no way af­ filiated to any of these bodies or to any other ­publishing institution or political interest or group.

The Voice magazine strives to foster awareness among the African audience and bridge the widening gap between Africans and the rest of the world in news gathering and dissemination.

The Voice is published digitally online except on demand, we print hard copy..

If you wan to receive a copy, send us your email address.

On the Editorial board are Elvis Iruh, Jonathan Mgbejume, Sandra Iruh-Monsels, and Henry Oduenyi READ THE VOICE ON LINE AT www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com Our Affiliate partner: www.thenigerianvoice.com Registration NO: (Kvk. Nr. 34.110.928) TAX (BTW) NO: NL806215809B01 ISSN: 1571-3466 (For Print edition) ISSN: 2588-8807 (For Digital edition) For payments, use these bank details: Stichting Paddi Europa SNS Bank Account No: NL29SNSB0908374372 Swift Code: SNSBNL2A OR Stichting Paddi Europa Knab Bank Account No: NL77KNAB0725202238 Swift Code: KNABNL2H

THE VOICE MAGAZINE TEAM Publisher: Stichting Paddi Europa Editor-in-Chief Pastor Elvis Ndubuisi Iruh elvisiruh@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Founding/Contributing Editor Edward Idahosa Ogbee apexbest2000@yahoo.co.uk Managing Editor Henry D. Oduenyi (Nigeria Office) henry@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Project Coordinator Ifeyinwa Ezeagabu i.ezeagabu@thevoicenewsmagazine. com Advert Executive Faith Ehanire ehanire4607@gmail.com Project Editor (Nigeria) Chiedu Harris Ify henry@thevoicenewsmagazine.com BUREAU CHIEFS Gbenga T. Okunlola (London) teejayok@gmail.com Joel Savage (Belgium) juskosave@yahoo.com Femi Ikutiyinu (London) afpaprint2000@yahoo.com Middle East Vice- President Amb. Laila EL Aftani Rahhall CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD Nicholas Noghayin Ehioghiren (Madrid, Spain) nicholasmicnita@yahoo.com Barrister Eze Eluchie (Nigeria) paddingr@yahoo.com Kehinde Aig-Imoru (Nigeria) aigimoru@yahoo.com Rev. Tammy Abusi (Port-Harcourt) t.abusi@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Eubaldus Enahoro

enabadus2000@yahoo.com Principal Photo Editor: Handy Tims Azeez Badris fatim_26@hotmail.com PA to Publisher Lilian Akintokun (Mrs) raven_lilian@yahoo.com Graphic Designers David Banjoko Wil Gomersbach (Web Master) George Adegite Printer: Drukkerij Palteam www.palteam.nl MEDIA CONSULTANT Jonathan Mgbejume Abeka Salmin Abdallah Mildred Kleinbussink Pastor Duncan Spier Engr. Barry Igbeare You can as well contact our Office Address: Stichting Paddi Europa Inz The Voice Jeroen Boschplantsoen 82 1318 HH Almere The Netherlands Land Line: +3136-8801341 Tel.: +31 (0)6-48519292 Mobile: +31 (0)6-84999548 E-mail: info@thevoicenewsmagazine.com www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com In memory of our late colleague, LUCKY OSAHON

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

The Voice magazine is published in the Netherlands by Stichting Paddi Europa and it is p ­ ublished online from 2017 around the world. It is registered at the Chamber of Commerce Amsterdam. The Voice aim to serve as a vital link among African readers in the Diaspora and we ­provide ­objective information and organizes opinion exchange among African people both in the ­continent and abroad. Thus it strives to foster and enhance complete understanding of ­developing c­ ountries problems and bring information to help address those issues. TV

Volume 20

NO 171

April 2018 www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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RWANDAN BEGINS VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR ALL NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD

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he Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East African Community of the Republic of Rwanda presents its compliments to the Diplomatic and Consular Missions (Resident and Non Resident) as well as international and Regional organizations accredited to Rwanda, and has the honour to communicate the following NEW VISA Regime of the Republic of Rwanda.

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30 days visa upon arrival: Citizens of all countries to get visa upon arrival without prior application starting from 1st January 2018. Before that, only Nationals of African countries and few others were getting visa upon arrival.

2.

COMESA Member states to get 90 days visa upon arrival. Citizens of COMESA Member states to get 90 days visa on arrival (on payment of the prescribed fee) as provided

by Article 4 of the COMESA protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Labour, Services, Right of Establishment and Residence. Rwanda ratified the protocol on 13th July 2016.

Currently citizens of COMESA Member states were getting 30 days on arrival as other holders of African passports.

3.

Rwandans living abroad with dual nationality allowed to use national IDs on entry. Waive visa fee to Rwandans traveling on foreign passports in possession of a Rwandan Identity card for countries that permit dual nationality only. Initially Rwandans traveling on a foreign passport in possession of a valid Rwandan passport were the only granted visa free on arrival.

The ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East Africa Community of the Republic of Rwanda avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Diplomatic and Consular Missions (Resident and Non Resident) as well as international and Regional Organizations accredited to Rwanda the assurances of its highest consideration.

NEW VISA REGIME Reference to Cabinet meeting of 08-11-2017 that approved the establishment of new visa regime for the Republic of Rwanda; the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration would like to inform the public the following New Visa Regime: 1.

Reciprocity: Rwanda will grant visa free of charge with 90 days validity to the following countries on reciprocal

basis: Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Senegal, Seychelles and Sao Tome and Principle. This is in addition to Democratic Republic of Congo, East African Community Partner States, Mauritius, Philippines and Singapore. This takes immediate effect.

2.

Visa waiver for diplomatic and service passports – The Government of Rwanda has entered into Visa Waiver Agreement for holders of Diplomatic and Service passports with; Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, India, Israel, Morocco and Turkey. This take immediate effect.

3.

Visa on arrival to all national: Citizens of all countries

to get visa upon arrival with validity up to 30 days without prior application, starting 01 January 2018. Before that, only nationals of African countries and few others were getting visa upon arrival.

4.

COMESA Member states to get 90 days visa upon arrival- Citizens of COMESA member States to get 90 days visa on arrival (on payment of the prescribed fee) as provided

by Article 4 of the COMESA Protocol for Free Movement of Persons, Labour, Services, Right of Establishment and Residence. Rwanda ratified the protocol on 13th July 2016.

Currently, citizens of COMESA member states were getting 30 days on arrival as other holders of African passports. This take immediate effect.

5. Rwandans living abroad with dual nationality allowed to use national IDs on entry – Waive visa fee to Rwandans traveling on foreign passports in possession of a valid Rwandan passport were the only granted visa free on arrival. This take immediate effect.

6. Foreign residents to use their Resident ID cards for entry – Returning residents holding valid residence permits with corresponding resident cards will be allowed to use them on entry, including using electronic gates (Automated Passenger Clearance System) at Kigali International Airport.

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CELEBRATION OF success

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ICC gets a new President

he judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), sitting in a plenary session, elected Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji (Nigeria) as President of the Court for a three-year term with immediate effect. While Judge Robert Fremr (Czech Republic) was elected First Vice-President and Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut (France) was elected Second Vice-President.

“I am deeply honoured to have been elected by my peers as President of the International Criminal Court. As I take up my duties, I feel encouraged that I am able to rely on the wide experience of the two VicePresidents, Judge Robert Fremr and Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, both of whom I have closely worked with previously.

I look forward to working together with them as well as with all the judges, all the Officials and the staff of the Court in a spirit of collegiality. I also look forward to collaborating with the Assembly of States Parties, civil society and the international community at large, acting together to strengthen and reinforce the Rome Statute system, the 20th anniversary of the adoption of which we celebrate this year”, President Chile Eboe-Osuji stated following the election. “I am also

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grateful to the previous President, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, and Vice-Presidents, Judges Joyce Aluoch and Kuniko Ozaki, for their work and leadership,” he added.

The Presidency consisting of the President and the two VicePresidents plays a key role in providing strategic leadership to the ICC as a whole. The Presidency coordinates with the other organs and seeks the concurrence of the Prosecutor on matters of mutual concern. In accordance with the Rome Statute, the ICC’s governing treaty, the Presidency is responsible for the proper administration of the Court, with the exception of the Office of the Prosecutor.

The Presidency oversees the activities of the Registry and provides input into a broad range of administrative policies affecting the Court’s overall functioning.

Furthermore it conducts judicial review of certain decisions of the Registrar and concludes Court-wide cooperation agreements with States and international organizations.

For further information, please contact Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson/ Head, Public Affairs Unit, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-9152 or 31 (0)6 46448938 or by e-mail at: Fadi.

El-Abdallah@icc-cpi.int

CELEBRATION OF success

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Profile of the New President of the ICC

e was appointed a Judge on 11th March 2012, for a term of nine years. He was assigned to the Trial Division; assumed full time duty on 16th March 2012. He is a National of Nigeria, elected from list A (competence in criminal law and procedure) on 16th December 2011. Prior to joining the ICC, Judge Eboe-Osuji was the Legal Advisor to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, during which time he led the writing of submissions to the European Court of Human Rights and the United States Supreme Court. He served as Principal Appeals Counsel for the Prosecution in the Charles Taylor Case at the Special Court for Sierra Leone (2007-2008), and has held several posts at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, including Head of Chambers (2008-2010) and Lead Prosecution Trial Counsel (2000-2003).

He has taught international criminal law as adjunct professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Ottawa, Canada, and has an extensive record of legal scholarship and publications.

Judge Eboe-Osuji served as legal expert to Nigeria’s delegation to the ICCASP Special Working Group on the Definition of the Crime of Aggression and practiced law as a barrister, appearing in many criminal, civil and constitutional cases before national courts in Nigeria and Canada.

He holds an LLB from the University of Calabar, Nigeria (1985), an LLM from McGill University, Canada (1991), and a PhD in international criminal law from the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2011).

Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji (President) Nationality: Nigeria (African States) Term: 11 March 2012 - 10 March 2021 Assumed full-time duty: 16 March 2012 Elected from: List A on 16 December 2011 Assigned to: Trial Division Current chamber: Trial Chamber V(a), Trial Chamber IV, Appeals Chamber

Separating refugee children from their parents is cruel I have read some articles on the immigration policy of the European Union that allows children to be separated from their parents, in some cases even the children taken away from their parents, no matter what the intentions are, it is unfair to separate children from their parents. It is either you are considering granting them asylum as a family or let them all go but please do not take away their children. This is human rights abuse and I would want more peace loving people to join me to condemn this act of separating children from their parents. This is part of the horrific practice going on in many asylum centers. The increasingly common practice of separating asylum-seeker children from their parents is often done for no reason other than to deter the family from seeking protection. The Department of Homeland Security has publicly stated deterrence as the intended outcome, and its suggestion now that it is doing so to protect children is misleading and shameful. This is outrageous, as well as cruel, costly and illegal. What’s more, this practice is increasing. The human rights’ organization should be made aware of these cases. I hope that the European Union will guide against this practice and back toward respect for parents’ and children’s right to seek asylum.

Steven Ifejiofor Torino, Italy www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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OPINION Summary of the Matter:

Political tension grips Sierra Leone as new president is elected

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irst round of voting could not produce a new present for the west African nation of Sierra Leone so there would be a second round of voting among the teo leading candidates. The result would be known by the time of our next publication but you can follow us on our website who is the new president of the country. There were pockets of violence during the first round and observers warns that the politicians should guide their followers against any act of violence from previous experiences from past elections in the country. For over a decade, the country has remained peaceful and it should be allowed to continue for progress of the country. A lot of work still needs to be done in Sierra Leone.

During the first round, there were reports of beatings, stone-throwing and arson attacks blamed on ‘tribal rhetoric’ from both main parties but with just two parties left in the race, the tension is expected to reduce and coalitions formed to gain more votes in the second round of the election.

The results of the first round of elections have set off a spate of political violence amid accusations of tribalism made against both main parties.

Police have sent an extra 4,000 officers on to the streets and diplomats have called for an end to “tribal rhetoric” after at least five violent incidents involving beatings,

SLPP candidate, Julius Maada Bio in the run off election to be President of Sierra Leone

stone-throwing and arson, and after politicians had criticized voters for “regionalism” seen as a euphemism for tribalism in deciding how to vote.

The main opposition, the Sierra Leone People’s party (SLPP), won slightly more votes than the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) in the first round of a historically peaceful election on 7 March and the two parties have been trying to win over voters ahead of the runoff later in the month of March 2018, causing growing tension in the west African country.

The presidential spokesman Abdulai Baratay suggested on state radio that more SLPP supporters than APC ones had voted along tribal lines – language he later denied using – there was an increase in the number of violent incidents.

The APC candidate, Samura Kamara, said that supporters of the SLPP candidate, Julius Maada Bio, had thrown stones at him and that when he stopped at a bar en route to a rally they burned it down shortly after he had left the venue.

APC Candidate, Samura Kamara in the run off election to be President of Sierra Leone

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Police confirmed that there had been street brawls between Pa Alhaji, an APC politician in east Freetown, said that supporters of the APC and the SLPP in the capital, Freetown, opposition youths had stormed his compound and attempted and that candidates from both sides had their houses and cars to burn down his house. Black streaks from the fire stretched up the side of the building and his car was a burnt-out shell. set on fire by “youths”.

Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, who won an SLPP seat in west “They poured fuel on my front door and lit it on fire, and Freetown, said that he had been attacked twice while completely demolished my car,” he said. “I believe they did this because my building campaigning but the has been a center for police had stood by and party operations during done nothing, even after the election. We’ve done he had taken a suspect to the police station. trainings, campaign “The police made organizing, distributed no arrests and I was election supplies. “This smuggled out of the is a political issue. We’ve station in police uniform definitely been targeted for so no one would our party support.” recognize me,” he said.

Many of Sierra Leone’s “As I’m talking to ruling party supporters you now I can’t come come from northern out, I’m in hiding. I’m districts, while the largest struggling to get my percentage of opposition family out because I’ve supporters live in the South. heard rumours they’re Some members of the two going to make an attempt largest ethnic groups, the on my home.

Out going President of Sierra Leone, President Bai Koroma Temnes and the Mendes, “I’m so scared for myself have quietly claimed campaigning for his party candidate, Samura Kamara and my family and I don’t regional discrimination during their respective turns as the opposition, but serious regional divides have been outwardly dormant since the country’s 11-year civil war ended in 2002.

“The battle lines have now been drawn and you’re either red or green, north or south,” said Derrik Gbla, an APC supporter in east Freetown. “You’re either with us or against us. You don’t have a fence to stand on now.”

Ethnicity was not a widely discussed issue in the six months leading up to the first round of voting.

“Party members feed their fellow supporters with information, and they are bound to take what they hear to heart, but there has been little [tribalistic] talk out in the open,” said MB Kamara, head of Sierra Leone’s criminal investigations department. “When people are desperate to make a point they’re going to use whatever channels are available to them, including intimidation.”

But the presidential spokesman accused of triggering the Spokes person for the out going government, incidents by criticizing southerners for how they voted said Mr. Abdulai Baratay denies allegations of tribal that he “would never talk about tribe” and that the issue he sentiments in the Presidential election of had raised was very different.

Sierra Leone “I have studied the Rwandan genocide and know the trouble with that,” said Baratay. “What I was talking about was know what is going to happen next. I fear that they’re just regionalism, which people often get confused with tribe going to keep coming until I’m dead.” here. www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Nigerian Politics: In it to serve my people – Obasuyi

‘I

feel the value of joy more when I divide the joy with people’ The coming general elections in 2019 parades growing political interest from Nigerian professionals, technocrats, entrepreneurs, bright, urbane and upwardlymobile people within and outside Nigeria. One of them is Prince Afolabi Obasuyi who is seeking to bring his expertise to governance in his Ondo Central Senatorial District. He is from Akure, his paternal and maternal sides.

Prince Afolabi Obasuyi needs no massive introduction to the Akure people. He is a household name, a Prince and philanthropist with many years of experience across the continents of the world.

Certainly not a green horn in politics, Obasuyi was a Senatorial aspirant in 2012, and also a keen supportive force in the Arakunrin Akeredolu romp to Alagbaka. He has now thrown his hat in the ring as he continues his quest to be a political force in Ondo State. This time, he is in the race to acquire a seat at the National Assembly.

Despite stern opposition, Obasuyi believes it’s his time to offer his service to the good people of Akure, Ondo Central Senatorial District in particular.

“I am in the race to put smiles on the faces of the masses in my senatorial district. A lot is happening in the political scene today, but what the youths and our women need is

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job opportunities. My brief in politics is to touch as many lives as possible and I will do all that is humanly possible to do just that” said the aspirant.

Prince Obasuyi has extensive domestic and international business experience in numerous sectors of the economy.

A dynamic and hardworking entrepreneur, he also exhibits the strength of character, vision and dedication required to be successful in an often challenging and demanding environment.

Obasuyi wants to leave a lasting legacy, he has royalty in his blood and has always been driven by the pull to be of help having experienced deprivation and having worked his way to the top in business, with a firm belief that life would be more meaningful if we commit ourselves to supporting the weak and the downtrodden. In his words “helping people takes nothing out of us as we feel fulfilled by helping the needy”.

He has affected the lives of many Akure indigenes through its domestic projects which include: Education Programme Health Services Programme Youth Empowerment Programme Infrastructure Development Programme.

Projects and construction of Borehole

Graded the road where his house, WAEC and INEC offices are located and eventually supported and facilitated the asphalt laying.

Empowerment of Women groups.

Empowerment of school children in his Senatorial District Sent academically gifted but economically disadvantaged students on scholarship abroad under his multi-faceted approach to education to date, over 5 scholarships have been granted.

To achieve his political aspiration, the consummate and passionate entrepreneur has narrowed his campaign focus on vigorous development of human and material resources through youth empowerment, education and job creation as well as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) using his firms to brighten the faces of the people.

Asides having a striving construction firm Poinsetts Group of company with Ondo State indigenes as staff, he plans to commission D-Royal table water and Juice Company situated at Oke Ijebu with staff capacity of 50 to start with. The Juice Company, when in operation will provide a major source of employment to Akure dwellers.

The Prince has also invested in health services. Only recently Obasuyi realizing that it is difficult to be a productive member of the society when you are sick, heeded to a call by a young man whose mother was seriously sick and needs urgent medical attention at the state hospital in Akure by sending money to offset the hospital bill.

It is believed that the emergence of fresh ideas such as the one Prince Afolabi Obasuyi is bringing to the political scene, will usher in the desired solutions to the many problems the people are faced with.

Prince Afolabi Obasuyi (FCIDA) Fellow Civilian Institute of Democratic Administration. www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Mauritius at 50

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auritius is marking 50 years of independence. The island nation is seen as a success story but the celebration is marred by a political scandal which cause the country’s president to step down.

The flags are up, buildings decorated and lit in national colors for the 50th anniversary of independence. The island nation of the 1.2 million people is seen as one of Africa’s most stable in terms of peace, politics and the economy.

“Mauritius is an African success story,” said Alex Vines who heads the Africa Programme of the London-based thinktank Chatham House. Mauritius has topped the Mo Ibrahim index, which ranks countries according to governance indicators, for the last five years. changes of government fairly regularly and co-habitation On the US-based Freedom House index, it ranked first in between parties and alliances, so it has not been so marked terms of political rights and second on civil rights. by the long-standing big-man politics that we have been Mauritius’ festive mood seen on continental Africa and was however slightly there’s also been more tradition of subdued by the country’s political pluralism,” explains Vines. current political scandal.

From a sugarcane economy to a On Friday, March 9, multi-ethnic nation the country’s Prime Mauritius was uninhabited when Minister, Pravind Portuguese sailors established a Jugnauth, announced base there in 1507. Arab and Greek that the president, sailors may have discovered it even Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, earlier. The Dutch, the French and would step down in the the British controlled the island coming days following over the following centuries. The a financial scandal. She British and French brought slaves was accused of having and laborers from other countries to used a credit card from the island to work on the country’s a London-based Planet sugar plantations.

Earth Institute to buy After several rebellions against clothes, jewelry, and slavery, the practice was abandoned other items. Guribin 1835, but the descendants the Fakim said that she had slaves and slave owners remained. refunded all the money.

Today Mauritians of Indian descent, Aside from this most many of whom are Hindus, make up recent scandal, Mauritius about 70 percent of the populations. has had little in terms Around 30 percent, the Creoles, of political crises since are of mixed African and Indian independence in 1968.

Mauritius Prime Minister: descent.

“There have been Pravind Kumar Jugnauth

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ANALYSIS: MAURITIUS - A NATION PROGRESSING FORWARD .......

C

hristina Meetoo, a lecturer at the University of Mauritius thinks that multi-ethnic make-up of the population is an aspect that the country could improve on.

“One problem we have to come to terms with is our national identity. Mauritius has this unique characteristic of having different ethnic and religious groups and sometimes it is difficult to navigate this,” she says.

“We do make sure that everybody finds a place in the society in an inclusive manner and that there is better equality among the different components of society.”

According to Vines, one point of growing tension lies between the island’s Hindu majority and the Muslim minority. But, he notes, the problem is being managed better than in many other countries.

Economic divide Another social divide lies in the country’s economy. With a per capita income of €7,800 ($9,627), Mauritius is one of Africa’s top earners and a middle-income country. Most of the money comes from tourism and financial services - this island has made a name for itself as a tax haven. But not

everyone benefits from this.

“There is growing youth unemployment and particularly inequality,” explains Vines. “The growth rates of the Mauritian economy have been quite impressive, there have been some winners, but also lots of losers, so the middle class has felt squeezed.”

At the same time, the state itself is finding it more difficult to support these people. “We have a welfare system that we all want to maintain, we have a free educational system, we have free healthcare, free transport for those going to school as well as for the old people,” says Meetoo. “But how do we balance that with the fact that we don’t have sufficient revenue for the state to compensate that, so the deficit keeps growing.”

Should Mauritius not manage to solve these problems, new issues might arise. A small number of Mauritians have even joined the IS terror group. “These are signs that some of the global problems have also reached Mauritius,” says Vines.

Daniel Pelz DEUTSCHE WELLE

www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim resigns over credit card scandal

auritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, who has been embroiled in a financial scandal has resigned her post as President despite her pledge that she would not resign but clear her name from the financial scandal. According to her lawyer, she decided to resign to respect the country’s constitutional just days after she refused to stand down.

Gurib-Fakim, Africa’s was the only female head of state left in Africa after Liberian President hand over to President George Weah. According to press report, she submitted her resignation in the “national interest,” her lawyer Yousouf Mohamed told reporters.

She has vowed to fight the accusations that she used a bank card provided by an NGO to make personal purchases, including jewelery and luxury goods worth at least 25,000 euros, according to local newspaper l’Express in her country.

Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth announced earlier last month that Gurib-Fakim had agreed to resign, with a date set for her departure after the ceremonies celebrating the Indian Ocean archipelago nation’s 50 years of independence.

However, a statement from the presidency lashed out after “weeks of attacks and false allegations” and said Gurib-Fakim planned to clear her name and would not resign.

It is not clear what prompted her about-turn, but her lawyer said she was “relieved” she had made the decision to resign after enduring a “difficult” time in recent weeks.

Gurib-Fakim, whose role is mostly ceremonial, is a scientist and biologist of international renown, and in 2015 joined the London-based Planet Earth Institute (PEI) to try to develop scientific capacity in Africa.

The presidency said that in May 2016, she received a credit card to pay for travel and logistical expenses linked to her role but inadvertently used it for unrelated expenses.

Gurib-Fakim said she immediately informed the PEI and paid back the amount, as well as all expenses paid by the PEI for her missions.

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Zimbabwe ruling party to strip Mugabe of Immunity, Privileges?

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imbabwe’s ruling party says Robert Mugabe would lose his immunity and privileges as a former head of state and face expulsion from the party.

This comes after Mugabe last month told journalists that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had been imposed by the army and was in office illegally.

“Zanu-PF will have to meet to discuss these new developments to review whether it is still necessary or

not for him (Mugabe) to continue enjoying the status we had given him,” the party’s secretary for legal affairs, Paul Mangwana told the press.

Apart from his comments to international journalists, Mugabe has also been criticized for holding a meeting last month with a former cabinet minister, Ambrose Mutinhiri, who now leads an opposition party.

Mangwana said a former president had to be a “father figure” and “should not join active politics, particularly opposition politics after his tenure in power”.

“If the party is satisfied that he has violated that principle, he will lose his Zanu-PF membership, he will also lose the privileges and immunities accorded to a (former) head of state and forfeit the respect he was enjoying,” Mangwana added.

Mugabe resigned last November after the army took control of the country, and MPs from Zanu-PF and the opposition MDC began proceedings to impeach him. Mugabe kept his membership of the party though, and Mnangagwa has avoided criticizing his former boss.

But last month, President Mnangagwa’s office said Mugabe was entitled to “express himself freely”, but said “the nation has moved on”.

Mnangagwa’s List of Looters Who externalised Foreign Currency President Mnangagwa has named and shamed corporates and individuals that externalized money and ignored his call to return the loot in the past three months. The published list is dominated by individuals and companies in mining, agriculture, manufacturing and cross border freight business.

Established mining companies who looted money include African Associated Mines ($62 million), Marange Resources (54, 2 million), Canadile Miners ($31, 3 million), Mbada ($14, 7 million), Jinan ($11 million).

Gold Driven Tobacco externalized $10, 6 million while Allied Timbers spirited away $4, 3 million. Pacific Cigarette Company looted $4, 1 million. The list contains more 200 companies involved in the loots over the years of Mugabe rule of the country.

www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Man Vastgoed: Two ladies helping you to engage in Real Estate without stress After their own successful investments in real estate, the ladies decided to turn their passion into their profession more than a year ago. They offer their clients, including the smaller investors, the possibility to invest in real estate.

Anuschka Wiebers was formerly a tax adviser at the PwC office in Amsterdam-Sloterdijk. Johanna Held worked for years as a traffic advisor at the municipality of Amsterdam.

Johanna explains the change: “We are passionate about real estate and have made good investment properties ourselves in recent years. We have, among other things, a number of buildings and a building plot in Purmerend. Apart from passion, we also have a feeling for real estate and we really enjoy sharing this with others. Our own successful investments and the pleasure we have in searching for new projects gives us so much energy that we have opted for a career in real estate. “Johanna adds:” Real estate is there for everyone, not just for the big ones. It is precisely the little man who has the

opportunity to invest with us. We issue certificates for this, which are notarized. Investors receive a five percent return and a 10 percent redemption premium. That is something else than hardly any interest from a bank. “

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Property management Investing in real estate can be very lucrative, but it also takes time to manage it. “That’s why it’s nice and easy for owners to hand over the management. The owner / investor can enjoy his return without worries, unburdens Man Vastgoed through administrative management, financial management and technical management, “says Johanna.

Rental office units and flexible workspaces The ladies are now active throughout the North Holland region, but their office is located in Slenkstraat 201, in the office area of Purmerend. Although they were looking for their own small office, the entire top floor is now the ladies.

Their own office is located there and the other units are for rental to (smaller) companies and for flexplaces. The tenants can jointly use the beautiful meeting room, the kitchen and toilet facilities.

There are still two office units and 6 flex workstations available.

Anuschka: “Working from home is not ideal for many entrepreneurs and anything but productive. The distraction is great, it is difficult to receive customers and you can not spar with other entrepreneurs.

We offer a total package for entrepreneurs: a good workplace with fast Wi-Fi, for a fixed amount per month, in the center of Purmerend. The entrepreneur can work in peace and meets other entrepreneurs in the hallway. This is a beautiful location. “ Feel free to contact Man Vastgoed, Slenkstraat 201, 1441 MN Purmerend.

Tel: 0299-770980, 06-12678583 or 06-21171080. www.man-vastgoed.nl e-mail: info@man-vastgoed.nl

Congratulations, your first step to real estate has been taken!

BUY YOUR VOUCHER TO EARN FREE ONE YEAR ACCOMMODATION Dear Customer, Thank you for purchasing the Man Vastgoed promotion package. In your package you will find a piggy bank and one or more voucher (s). With this voucher (s) you receive a discount on one of the services of Man Vastgoed and you have a chance to win one of our great prizes.

Your free ticket number can be found on your voucher. We wish you good luck with your raffle (s).

Man Vastgoed for everyone If you choose to save in the piggy bank, you can hand over your filled piggy bank to Man Vastgoed. You will receive 5% interest per year and 10% redemption premium on your savings balance respectively. The savings balance remains fixed for a maximum period of 28 months. By handing in your savings, you enable us to invest in real estate projects. You can return your filled piggy bank to us by 31 December 2018.

Calculation example: If you invest €100, you will receive €122, 10 after 28 months. Your total interest on your invested capital then comes to 12.10 percent. €100.00 + 5% = €105.00 per 12 months (1-12months) €105.00 + 5% = €110.25 per 12 months (13-24 months) €110.25 + 5% = €112.10 per 4 months (25-28 months) Redemption premium 10% is 10.00 Payout is €112.10 + 10 is then €122.10 With this savings campaign, we at Man Vastgoed hope to make it possible for everyone to invest in Real Estate.

ManVastgoed, * The services that can receive a discount are: Housing support and workshops info@man-vastgoed.nl Slenkstraat 201, 1441MN, Purmerend,The Netherlands Kvk: 67719171; BTW: 857147.511 Account: NL22ABNA0246322934; Tel: 0299-770980

Free living for a year. We pay your rent or mortgage for a year Because of its one-year existence, Man Vastgoed is holding a promotional campaign to allow you enter easily into real estate business. As a customer, you can buy a voucher for €5, - which entitles you to a 20% discount on the services provided by Man Vastgoed. The voucher is also a ticket for you to enter a raffle draw.

The winners have the chance to win (3) iphones X, (2) IPad and as a first prize, you have free accommodation rent a year. There are (10) other sets as a consolation prizes.

Order your voucher (s) now By transferring the amount of (numbers x €5) to the following account NL22ABNA0246322934 of Man Vastgoed. You can qualified To submit your vouchers, log in to the promotional page on www.man-vastgoed.nl Limited number of tickets (20,000) are available because of this big win opportunity. Get yours today…..

For terms and conditions see: www.man-vastgoed.nl I am a reseller of this promotion. If you want to order, please mention code D with your payment.

Thanks in advance. www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Victory Outreach is a Pentecostal Church, Bible based believing people in the trinity of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

What would you like to know? Our vision?

Which activities we organize? Or would you like to hear testimonies about how we follow God? One thing is certain, we would like to get to know you and therefore you are more than welcome to visit one of our services. You can visit us every day of the week.

You may have been a believer for many years already.

Or you might still be searching for the meaning of life and asking yourself whether or not there is God. Within Victory Outreach Almere we would like to help you find the answer. We will gladly teach you the exact meaning of “a living faith�. With us you will truly see and experience the supernatural power of the living God. You can always count on love and comfort when you need it.

You will discover that we have a wonderful diversity of people with lots of different backgrounds, characters and personalities. But there is one thing we have in common.

We all follow the same God, Jesus Christ.

In that diversity and love for God we are a family where you are more than welcome.

We personally hope to meet you during one of our services.

God bless you as you come in Jesus Christ name. Amen

Pastor Roel & Ida van Rooij Senior Pastor Victory Outreach Almere. Barbeelstraat 12, 1317 PZ Almere Telephone: 036-8417007; Telephone: 0367505571 info@voalmere.nl www.voalmere.nl

INVITING NEW MEMBERS!!

Join Ika speaking people of Delta State every last Saturday of the month for our regular meeting where we discuss issues affecting our State of origin, homeland, future of Nigeria and our wellbeing in The Netherlands It is open to every sons and daughters of Ika Kingdom

Time: 6.30pm - 9.00pm YOU ARE ALL WELCOME. For details, Call: 06-87510616, 06-87508082, 0655516057 Address : Fortuinlaan 39 , 1561JB, Krommenie www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Egypt election: Lack of challenger for Fatah al-Sisi

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y the time of this publication, the Egyptians would have elected a new President but the result is already known as there is no challenger to him at the polls. During this report, on the streets of downtown Cairo, there is little evidence that anyone is running against Abdel Fatah al-Sisi in Egypt’s presidential election.

The only candidate contesting against him as no poster even outside the headquarters of the Ghad party, whose leader, Mousa Mostafa Mousa, is the sole competitor against the incumbent president. There are no posters of Mousa anywhere but he says he is no puppet. According to him, his participation is to legitimacy democracy in Egypt.

Inside, however, there are floor-to-ceiling posters of the architect and long time politician. Mousa says he is cautiously optimistic about his chances of beating Sisi, despite entering the race after every credible candidate was removed.

“We entered with the aim of winning. How we win, it I don’t know; with what kind of votes, I don’t know,” he says. “I think I have a chance. Doesn’t mean I’m sure.”

Mousa entered what remains a one-horse race at the very last minute, after five other candidates were jailed or otherwise prevented from running. Despite this, Mousa says he felt morally compelled to prevent the election from simply being a “referendum” on Sisi’s rule, and fends off criticism that he is simply there to give a veneer of democracy to elections Sisi is all but certain to win.

“I’m no puppet. I’m a leader, in all things including my business,” he says. “Whoever wants a puppet could get one from the 104 political parties.

He cannot make a puppet out of me, and everyone in this country knows that ... Puppet is an imaginary word,” he said.

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The evidence, however, suggests otherwise. Sisi won the 2014 election with 97% of the vote after coming to power following a popularly-backed military coup a year earlier.

Nothing much has changed since his first election, he is obvious to win again.

This year, candidates seeking to present a challenge to Sisi were unable to get on the ballot. The former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq was deported from the UAE and subsequently dropped out of the race, the former military chief-of-staff Sami Anan was arrested for allegedly entering the race illegally and Col Ahmed Konsowa was jailed for making a campaign video in military uniform.

Both the leftist lawyer Khaled Ali and Anwar Sadat, the nephew of Egypt’s former president, pulled out of the race citing intimidation.

Mousa was an ardent public supporter of the Egyptian president until the day he announced he would run. A screen shot of his Facebook page, circulated in the Egyptian press when he declared his candidacy, shows a pro-Sisi banner.

“This is bullshit, it had nothing to do with me,” he says when asked about it. “This was a falsification. Did you see this banner in a computer or in reality? It’s a trick of photo shop.”

The impression that Mousa does not intend to challenge Sisi’s rule on the campaign trail is buoyed by his bland policy platform, which carefully avoids anything that could be interpreted as a criticism of the president’s previous term.

It includes price controls for low-income citizens, reopening formerly shuttered factories, and a programme to fight congestion on the streets of Cairo.

The 65-year-old also has a long history of government cooperation. A 2008 US government cable published by WikiLeaks describes a “violent clash” between Mousa’s Ghad party and the splinter Ghad al Thawra faction that ended with the torching of the party headquarters.

Commenting on the incident, the author remarked on the strange absence of the police and that it was “unlikely that the progovernment Mousa would have marched on party headquarters without informing the Egyptian government of his intentions and obtaining at least tacit approval”.

Since announcing his candidacy, Mousa has repeatedly refused to name the 20 members of parliament who reportedly endorsed him, allowing him to enter the race. He initially reported that he received roughly 47,000 endorsements – more than the 25,000 required to enter the race – which, he says came from unofficial petitions among members of his

centrist, pro-government party, which has 42,000 members.

His party endorsed Sisi’s presidential bid just 10 days before he announced his candidacy.

“Don’t get confused,” he says. “My party was endorsing Sisi before we decided to participate in the elections. We decided only to enter the campaign when we found everyone was thrown out.”

Mousa says he is providing a real choice for Egyptian voters when they go to the polls on 26-28 March, although he adds that should Sisi win, he will gift his programme to the president. His reluctance to criticize Sisi is being misinterpreted, he says.

“I’m not a naive a man who would enter into competition with the president and also support him, this is game playing,” says Mousa. “I would never tell people I’m supporting my competition – that would be a newcomer, not me.”

His message has at least resonated with Ghad party supporters such as Mona Safey, who sat in the waiting room of the party headquarters expressing her joy at both candidates being on the ballot.

Safey says that had Sisi been on the ballot alone, she would have happily voted for him but she saw potential in both. “I can tell you that one of them is an army man, and the other is an economics man ... one is about power and the other one is about money,” she says.

“We are blessed, I think Egypt is blessed now – we have something good, and something else good, what more do we want?”

www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Doctors of the World helps people without papers to the doctor

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ou are sick, but you don’t have a health insurance. What can you do? You receive a high bill from the hospital, but you don’t have papers and no health insurance. What can you do?

Many migrants in the Netherlands without a residence permit don’t know that they have the right to visit the doctor for a medical consult and that their safety is guaranteed.

Everyone is entitled to medical care, with or without papers, with or without an insurance, with or without money. Doctors of the World helps people without a residence permit to gain access to healthcare because we believe that everybody, regardless of their background, is entitled to physical and mental wellbeing.

How does Doctors of the World help people without a residence permit?

1. Consultation hours in Amsterdam and The Hague We help with health care-related questions, such as enrollment with a General Practitioner (‘huisarts”) or midwife. We will also contact other institutions when there are any problems in your way to healthcare.

Where can you find us?

Four days a week our healthcare bus, the mobile office of Doctors of the World, runs in Amsterdam and The Hague. On our website you can see where this bus is located and at which time. and on what day.

Website: www.doktersvandewereld.org/need-help-2/ 2. Giving group presentations at various locations (churches, mosques, community houses) about

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healthcare and how to get care without a residence permit Would you like to host a group presentation of Doctors of the World for your own organization and ‘followers’ ? Please contact our Outreach coordinator Carola Leering at: 020—4652866 or 06-28444803 (Monday, Wednesday or Thursday) Email: zorgrecht@doktersvandewereld.org 3. Provide information via our telephone help-desk.

We provide information about rights and obligations and answer questions of people without a residence permit. Healthcare providers, support organizations and other stakeholders can also make use of our helpdesk service for advice on access to health care for migrants without a residence permit.

Phone helpdesk: 020-4083424 Email: zorgrecht@doktersvandewereld.org

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Deadly flash floods set to worsen poverty and hunger in Kenya, experts say

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aging floods, which have killed over 26 people and drought, which the Kenyan government declared a national forced almost 25,000 from their homes in Kenya disaster in February. last month, will exacerbate hunger and poverty among herders who have already lost livestock to the worst drought in five years, charities warned.

Flood waters have swept away almost 9,000 cattle in northern and coastal Kenya, areas dominated by pastoralists who were hard hit by drought in 2017 and just last month, according to Kenya Red Cross Society spokesman Venant Ndigila.

Refugees in north-eastern Kenya’s Dadaab camp have been up to their knees in floodwaters which have swept away thousands of homes and food supplies, the United Nations refugee agency said on its website, with the rains set to continue until late May. “Fewer animals means less income, less food and increased poverty,” Piers Simpkin, a livestock expert with the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) told the press.

“If you lose 50 percent of your sheep and goat It is time both President Uhuru Kenyatta & Opposition leader, flock it takes at least 3 years to recover. If 50 Raila Odinga help their people in Kenya. The rains and flood percent of the cattle are lost, it can take 10 years to after their peaceful discussions to work together for the peace recover.” and unity of Kenya.

The flooding came after some livestock herding communities lost their entire herds to a prolonged Eastern and southern Africa were hard hit in 2016 by drought exacerbated by El Nino - a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean - that wilted crops, slowed economic growth and drove food prices higher.

The torrential seasonal rains have caused landslides and floods in coastal and western Kenya, as well as flooding in Somalia, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The United Nations estimated almost three million of Kenya’s 46 million people now need humanitarian aid, along with almost eight million people in Ethiopia and seven million in Somalia.

By Daniel Wesangula Nairobi, Kenya.

www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Jeffangs Beauty

This is a one-stop shopping center for all your hair and body products.

We have sections for all beauty and body care products for men and women at Jeffangs Beauty Supply & Salon in Rotterdam We offer you the latest hair and skin products with fantastic prices.......

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Kagame to African media:

Tell your continent’s story

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resident Paul Kagame has challenged African broadcasters to be more proactive in telling African stories and undo the current status quo whereby the continent’s stories are often told by outsiders.

Kagame was speaking during an interaction with delegates at the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) General Assembly in Kigali yesterday.

The session was moderated by Emmanuel Wongibe, the Deputy Director General of Cameroon Broadcasting Corporation.

The President said that, for far too long, the African story has been told by outsiders who often tell it with bias and in disregard of context or circumstances.

The failure to tell the African story by the continent’s broadcasters, Kagame said, has led to a vacuum which is being filled by outsiders.

The President found it somewhat strange that people living in Africa have to resort to foreign media outlets for news and updates about their own continent.

“We need our own content and our own way of transmitting it to the people of Africa and beyond. What we have had for far too long, is that outsiders owning our ‘mouths’ that should be telling our story. They end up telling our story the way they perceive it and not the way it is,” Kagame said.

The President said that the continent was not short of skills and capabilities to fill the vacuum.

“You have people who work in the industry who can develop and create the content that tells the right story about our continent. The general public needs to know what happens in their own countries and continent. But who tells them? You cannot have people from outside the continent telling the general public in Africa about them,” Kagame said.

Going forward, he called for the empowering of African broadcasters which would eventually lead to a strong panAfrican voice.

African football broadcasting rights Kagame also went on to comment on the absurdity concerning the rights to broadcast African football matches, played on African soil, by people from outside the continent.

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This has led to a challenge whereby the rights to air the matches have become too costly for African countries to afford.

“I am told that there is difficulty faced by our broadcasters obtaining rights to broadcast football and other sports because of how that industry is structured. It is a problem that we need to confront.

“It is an embarrassment, our rights and our citizens’ rights to watch African football in Africa is managed by people from outside. This is scandalous. There is nothing to be proud of. How can we keep like this and for how long?” he asked.

Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 2015 sold worldwide rights for the Afcon and Champions League games to French-based company, Lagardère, for about $1 billion from 2017 through to 2028.

That gives the French firm a right to sell airing privileges at costs of their choice.

That has made it difficult for African broadcasters to afford the rights. For instance, during the previous Africa Cup of Nations in 2017, only 13 countries could afford the rights.

Kagame however said that money was not the main problem but rather the structuring of the industry which ought to be adjusted going forward.

The week-long general assembly of the African Union of Broadcasters has ended.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, Arthur Asiimwe, was elected vice chair of the AUB while his counterpart from Botswana will head the body.

Rwanda’s Kagame hosts African leaders meeting to sign free trade deal African Heads of States arrived in Kigali to launch the historic Continental Free Trade Area on 21 March 2018 that will allow Africans to trade and move freely on the Continent. A historic milestone towards the unity of African countries.

The African Union Extraordinary Summit on the African Continental Free Trade Area that was held in Kigali, Rwanda which made steadily progress despite earlier setbacks including snubs by Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni.

The Free Trade Area is one of the flagship projects of Agenda 2063 and aims to deepen the integration process, by allowing Africans to trade and move freely across the continent.

The project is being driven forward along with other key related initiatives such as the Single African Air Transport Market and the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and the African Passport.

Rwanda’s foreign affairs minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, who also doubles as the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers said the agreement should come into force as soon as possible.

“By signing and ratifying it, we would signal that we are determined to play our part as a global player while promoting the continent’s economic interests as one, through a single African market,” she said.

Intra-Africa trade currently stands at about 14 per cent with the agreement expected to facilitate an increase to about 52.3 per cent by 2022.

The Kigali Extraordinary Summit was agreed to during the ordinary session of the Assembly of the Union held in Addis Ababa in late January 2018.

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame who also took over as chair of African Union pledged to achieve free movement of persons this year.

Nigeria’s Buhari opted out of the Kigali conference saying he wanted further domestic consultation on the continental deal after media reports said labour unions in Africa’s largest economy warned against the deal.

The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat urged countries to overcome fears and self-interests as they continue to be barriers of regional trade and growth. www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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EVENTS LISTING, INVITATION AND TICKETING WEBSITE DEBUTS A new website designed for event organizers and users has launched. Inviterite is the next-generation platform intended to assist event organizers with the creation of stunning listings and sending email invitations to the attendees at the press of a button.

Public, private and business events can all be listed, as well as sending bespoke invitation notes and sale of tickets. All these are built in to the platform, complemented by a user-friendly and aesthetically-pleasing 3-step process with features that are easy to navigate.

Inviterite aims to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with existing providers of service in this sector, by creating a niche market with added values and a platform that is backed by a vibrant digital media and marketing outlet. It will consistently improve upon both the mechanisms and dynamics of its operations without disruption to the users.

Franklyn Frantos, Co-Founder of Feferity Media Group Limited, owners of Inviterite said: “We have in Inviterite an all-encompassing event listing, invitation and ticketing portal where no facet of celebration or social activities are ignored. Grand celebrations, small group private events, formal ceremonies and social get-togethers are all allowed on our platform. Users of this website will be treated warmly as clients, and not just as some obscure website visitors logged on somewhere. This way, we aim to build a community of client-users who will have at their disposal functional data sets built up from constant patronage and which can then be used to assist in planning future events.”

We also have a vast understanding of the nuances of events organizing among the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups. These would be brought to the fore and used to the fullest advantage to ensure events are completed to perfection.

Inviterite will massively deploy social networking media promos for more visibility of users’ events prior to its holding.

What’s more, we are allowing users free access to this platform, so no commissions or charges are incurred whether organizers list free-of-fees or fee-based events.

Event organizers are enjoined to register on our platform and upload current and future events. It doesn’t matter if they are listed elsewhere already. It would simply increase the events’ visibility.

Visit https://inviterite.co.uk to register and use this exciting new service. And, remember.... It’s FREE! -EndsNotes to editors * Inviterite is the first event listing website designed to consider, specifically Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups in its provisions. * The portal has both the capability and the resources to fully engage the vast array of social and formal events, specific to these groups, thereby making the most success of events listed on the site. * The services are being provided free as neither fee nor commission is charged for the usage. * Inviterite is powered by Feferity Media Group Ltd, a consolidated media outfit, publishers of Feferity magazine (online/ digital and print editions). The online edition is due to go live early in October while the preview (print) edition will be on the newsstand 1st week in December. * Feferity will offer event organizers who use Inviterite the requisite pre-and post-event media support to make their events exceed expectations in terms of success.

(Public, Private and Business Event Listings, Invitation & Tickets) Feferity Media Group Ltd Kemp House, 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX United Kingdom Tel: 03330 110 781 Web: inviterite.co.uk Facebook: Inviterite; Twitter: @inviteriteuk Pinterest: Inviterite; LinkedIn: Inviterite

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PRESS RELEASE: EMBEZZLED $3B COULD HAVE BUILT 7 MAJOR

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uhari administration now undertaking these projects “Today, with less revenue but no leakage, we have increased funding capital in Power, Works and Housing, Defence, Transportation and Agriculture by as much as 400%.

“We are two quarters out of the recession and firmly on the path of recovery. Our external reserves are at their highest levels in five years. Inflation has dropped for 13 consecutive months, manufacturing confidence is on the rise and in 2017, Nigeria moved ahead 24 places on the World Bank’s annual Doing Business Index. And the World Bank reported that Nigeria is among top ten reforming economies in the world.”

“We cannot talk of the Nigerian economy without talking about the blight that was caused years ago by people simply stealing the resources of this country. Here is a list of possible roads 3 billion dollars could have built: Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road, 2nd Niger Bridge, Enugu-PH road, East-West road, Sagamu-OreBenin road, Kano-Maiduguri road, Abuja-Lafia-AkwangaKeffi road, Plus Lagos-Abeokuta (old road).”

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE 2018 OGUN STATE INVESTORS’ FORUM, HELD IN ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, ON TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018.

PROTOCOLS I’m delighted to be here at the 2018 Ogun State Investors’ Forum. When we last gathered here for this forum two years ago, Nigeria was slipping into its worst recession in decades, after a dramatic fall in the price of crude oil. Dollar shortages left businesses and manufacturers reeling, inflation rose, and unrest in the Niger Delta drove down our oil output.

Between then and now, we have launched and implemented a comprehensive Economic Recovery and Growth Plan; we pursued peace in the Niger Delta; we focused on improving our business environment; we scaled up our investment in agriculture and infrastructure, and aggressively worked on e x p a n d i n g Nigeria’s revenue base.

The ultimate goal has been the diversification of the economy, away from the kind of unhealthy dependence on oil and gas revenues

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that led us to the dire straits in which we found ourselves.

We were also zealous about reversing the trend of underinvestment in infrastructure that had characterized our recent history. But perhaps most importantly, we have reversed grand corruption in public finance, and the impunity which attended the conduct of public business especially in the past five years.

Yesterday at the Quarterly Presidential Business Forum, I said that the main reason for Nigeria’s recursive growth is not just a matter of our relying heavily on a single commodity, it is the fact that the proceeds of that single commodity were regularly hijacked consistently by a few. The most of the proceeds go to rent seekers, who invest little in industry and production.

So, for example in a so called strategic alliance contracts with the NDPC, the promoters of the companies made away with over 3 billion US dollars, almost a tenth of our reserves at a point!

Here is a list of possible roads 3 billion dollars could have built, and at the moment we are in the course of getting 3 billion dollars to build these roads that I am about to name: 1. Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road 2.

2nd Niger Bridge 3.

Enugu-PH road 4.

East-West road 5.

Sagamu-Ore-Benin road 6.

Kano-Maiduguri road 7. Abuja-Lafia-Akwanga-Keffi road 8.

Lagos-Abeokuta (old road) That is what 3 billion US dollars that some people made away with could have done, and that is why it is important for us to understand that our country’s problems must be analysed from the perspective of what the real issues are. We talk of the Nigerian economy without talking about the blight that was caused years ago by people simply stealing the resources of this country.

In one single transaction, the sum of N100 billion and 289 million dollars in cash were released a few weeks to the 2015 elections, it was not released as such, it was the money embezzled.

When you consider that, in 2014, when oil prices were an average of 110 dollars a barrel, only N99 billion was spent on Power, Works and Housing. Agriculture and Transportation got N14 Billion and N15 billion respectively.

So, the total spends on capital in these critical areas I have mentioned was only N153 billion, and over N150 billion was released and shared within three days. This is enormity of what we are talking about; there is no country in the world that can survive on grand corruption on the scale that we are talking about. And that is why it is important for the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse that grand corruption.

R ROADS ACROSS NIGERIA, 2ND NIGER BRIDGE – VP OSINBAJO So, we spent, in 2017, N1.3 trillion on capital, the highest spend in the history of the country, earning almost 60% less than we were earning in 2014. So, you can do far more with less if we are prudent with the resources of this country.

Today, with less revenue but no leakage, we have increased funding capital in Power, Works and Housing, Defence, Transportation and Agriculture by as much as 400%.

Today, we are two quarters out of the recession and firmly on the path of recovery. Our external reserves are at their highest levels in five years. Inflation has dropped for 13 consecutive months, manufacturing confidence is on the rise and in 2017, Nigeria moved ahead 24 places on the World Bank’s annual Doing Business Index. And the World Bank reported that Nigeria is among top ten reforming economies in the world.

All present here today can therefore see why this is a great time to be speaking confidently about ‘consolidating gains, and accelerating growth.’

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I see strong similarities between our ambitions at the Federal level, and those of Ogun State; in terms of the commitment to raising domestic revenues, attracting investment, and the emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, industrialization and technology.

Ogun State has seen a ten-fold increase in internally-generated revenues, between 2011 and today. I am also told that a significant portion of the Foreign Direct Investment that came to Nigeria between 2016 and 2017 ended up here in Ogun State.

It is not difficult to see why. Between 2011 and today, the State has moved from 35th place on Nigeria’s subnational Doing Business Index, all the way to the fifth place.

Ogun’s claim to the title of ‘the Industrial Hub of Nigeria’ is more than mere rhetoric. I was here in December 2017 to commission the largest Petroleum Tank Farm in Nigeria, the Petrolex project, which includes a refinery in its plan. And again, just last month, we commissioned a new Nestle factory and the Belloxi Biscuit factory, all here in Ogun State. These are only two of the several industrial facilities that have opened here in recent years.

In the past 18 months, the State has also made giant leaps in agriculture and has advanced boldly to take on the whole value chain, especially with rice, from farm to market.

Reforms championed by the State Government have touched everything from soft infrastructure – land acquisition, construction permits, and business registration to hard infrastructure – an ambitious programme of road upgrades across the State. And I’m sure that all of us who came here today would have seen all these developments.

And the future looks even more promising. Last year I flagged off construction of a new standard gauge railway line that will run from the Ports Complex in Lagos, through Ogun State, to Ibadan – one of the terminal sections of a network that will run

more well over a thousand kilometres across the country. We expect the line to be completed by the end of the year.

But ahead of that, we are creating an inland terminal at the Railway station at Ilugun on the Lagos-Kano narrow gauge rail route. Illugun is between Ogun and Oyo states, about 150km from Apapa.

The GE led consortium through the APM Terminal is providing the investment and they expect that the project will take ten weeks. This will be used to move freight from Apapa port to Illugun and importers will take their freight from there and same for exporters. This will decongest Apapa port and bring more opportunities to this axis.

The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, one of the busiest highways in the country, and at the moment the primary land connection between Lagos and the rest of Nigeria, is another infrastructure priority of the Federal Government. We expect that now that the contractors are back to site, that project would move on very quickly.

These two transport projects will further bolster Ogun’s special standing as Nigeria’s “gateway” state and no doubt attract even greater investment – and migration – to the State.

Ogun’s status as home to the largest concentration of tertiary institutions in Nigeria is also a pointer to the size of its potential for youth-driven innovation. One of the practical ways by which the State Government can help unleash this potential is implementing policies that will attract private sector investment into the rollout of broadband across the State.

You can be assured that high-speed Internet will be a gamechanging proposition for Ogun State’s technology ambitions.

It is unlikely that any administration since the birth of the State has developed infrastructure as rapidly and as sure-footedly as the Amosun administration, the Governor and his team certainly deserve the loudest commendation.

I am, therefore, here today to encourage Governor Amosun and his administration; to say to them that there is no room to relent in the efforts to fast-track the growth and development of the State.

The successes recorded so far by your ‘Mission to Rebuild Ogun State’ ought to inspire even more ambitious reforms now and into the future. The reward for hard work they say is more work.

It is heart-warming to note that Ogun State has made clear its aspiration to move from 5th place on Nigeria’s Doing Business Index for States, to 1st.

On our part as the Federal Government, we will continue to do everything within our power to support every State in Nigeria to reach its full economic potential. It is gladdening to note that Ogun has been consistently enthusiastic in its reception of our hand of cooperation.

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Continued from Page 39 It would be hard to find a Federal Government in Nigeria’s recent history that has been as supportive of the development ambitions of the States as the Buhari administration. We have been attentive and responsive to their needs and wishes, and have treated State Governments, regardless of partisan affiliation, as partners, not minions. So far, in terms of support, which includes the Paris Club Refund which Ogun state was owed, we have spent N1.91 trillion on support to the various states.

A significant number of our programmes and policies have been designed with them in mind; our Anchor Borrowers Programme that provides cheap credit and input to small holder farmers; the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative has revived the domestic fertilizer blending industry and delivered cheaper fertilizer to our farmers; our Social Investment Programmes where we are now feeding about seven million school children in public primary schools in 21 States; the Budget Support Facility has enabled States better cope with the shock arising from the drop in the price of crude oil.

Let me, in closing, highlight something about what is, without doubt, one of Ogun State’s greatest assets: its proximity to both Lagos State and the Republic of Benin.

I am pleased to note that the State government has already

begun to prepare for a future in which it will be the norm for people to live in Abeokuta or anywhere in Ogun State and commute daily to Lagos for work.

I would even go a step further to say that it should not be that

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difficult to foresee a time when Ogun State will be home to business districts that rival those in Lagos, and when some of Nigeria’s busiest air and inland ports will be found here.

Already, Ogun State is the industrial hub of the nation, but it must also be the business hub; it must also be a business district of choice for everyone who wants to do business in Nigeria.

It feels almost inevitable, that as Lagos grows in the most feasible direction: which, of course, is upward; that Ogun State is going to be a very important rival indeed.

This proximity between both states and the fact that they will significantly affect each other for good or for ill in the years to come ought to be the starting point for more deliberate economic cooperation between the two States.

A few weeks ago I attended the first joint Economic Summit between Lagos and Kano States. There is no reason why there should not be a similar collaboration between Lagos and Ogun States, for mutual benefit.

The closeness to Benin Republic means that Ogun is a potential trade gateway to West Africa and the rest of the continent. This is one potential that must be exploited. So, we must see a sub-regional meeting, a sub-regional summit between Lagos, Benin Republic and Ogun State. This is the kind of collaboration and cooperation that will take us to the destination that we set for ourselves.

The words of the Ogun State Anthem, a persuasive call to labour, to service, offer a fitting way to end this address.

“Omo Ogun, ise ya a. Ise po fun wa lati se e.” “Ise si po fun wa lati se o!”

Thank you.

Released by: Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) Office of the Vice President

South Africa’s Zuma may challenge decision to prosecute him

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ormer South African president Jacob Zuma may challenge a prosecutor’s decision to reinstate corruption charges over a $2.5 billion arms deal, news broadcaster eNCA has reported in the media despite the soft landing deal he secured before he accepted to step down as President of South Africa.

Zuma, who was forced to resign by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) last month, was at the centre of a 1990s deal to buy European military kit that has cast a shadow over politics in South Africa for years.

Chief state prosecutor Shaun Abrahams told a media conference that Zuma’s attempts to head off the charges hanging over him for more than a decade had failed.

He said the 75-year-old Zuma denies all the allegations against him.

Zuma’s lawyer Michael Hulley said the reason behind Abrahams’ decision was not clear from the “one-page and somewhat terse response” received from him “advising

that the representations made on behalf of Zuma were unsuccessful,” eNCA said on its news website.

“In the circumstances, the likely course of action would be to take the decision of the NDPP (National Director of Public Prosecutions) on review. The decision will however only be made after careful consideration and consultation with Mr Zuma,” Hulley was quoted as saying in a screen grabbed text.

Zuma will face 16 charges relating to 783 instances of alleged wrong doing, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku declared.

Twelve are of fraud, one of racketeering, two of corruption and one of money laundering, the plan charges been prepared against Zuma.

Adieu Lucky Osahon (a.k.a Oscar) We are still in shock over your death but your sweet memories remain with us forever.

We continue to pray for your children and family.

We would always remember you.

Not even your death will take your place or change that ....

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Madonna to direct movie based on life of ballerina Michaela DePrince

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GM has announced that world famous singer, Madonna will be directing a new movie titled “Taking Flight”, the story of DePrince’s journey from war orphan in Sierra Leone to worldclass ballerina living and working in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Last edition, the Voice magazine did an exclusive profile on her. It is an amazing story for the movies. It would touch lives and change the dynamics of thinking, all things are possible with a strong will to fight and not give up.

Madonna is to return to the movies after a seven-year absence to direct Taking Flight, a feature film based on the life of Michaela DePrince, a war orphan from Sierra Leone who became a leading ballerina.

According to Deadline, Hollywood studio MGM has been developing the project since 2015 when it acquired the rights to DePrince’s memoir, co-written with her adoptive mother, Elaine.

“Michaela’s journey resonated with me deeply as both an artist and an activist who understands adversity,” Madonna said. “We have a unique opportunity to shed light on Sierra Leone, and let Michaela be the voice for all the orphaned children

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she grew up beside. I am honoured to bring her story to life.”

DePrince, 23, lost both of her parents in Sierra Leone’s civil war when she was three years old. The following year, she was adopted by a New Jersey couple and brought to the US, where she developed a passion for ballet. She was one of the stars of 2011 documentary First Position, about young ballet hopefuls, and is a soloist with the Dutch National Ballet and Opera. She also appeared in Beyoncé’s music video album, Lemonade.

“We were immediately awestruck by Michaela’s journey and know Madonna’s vision and passion for the material will deliver a film that inspires audiences everywhere,” said producer Leslie Morgenstein.

No cast or released date has yet been finalized. Camilla Blackett, writer of the comedy series Fresh Off the Boat, will write the screenplay.

Madonna is the bestselling female recording artist of all time but her movie career has been more chequered, especially behind the camera. Her 2008 feature debut, Filth and Wisdom, was described by the Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw as “a dumb and tacky comedy-drama about three people sharing a flat in a quaintly conceived ‘London’”. Its follow-up, 2011’s WE, in which Andrea Riseborough played Wallis Simpson, was also critically panned, with Bradshaw describing it as “one long humourless and necrophiliac swoon at the Windsors’ supposed tragi-romantic glamour”.

Madonna wrote, produced and narrated 2008 documentary I Am Because We Are, about children in Malawi orphaned by the Aids epidemic. She has adopted four children from Malawi, including twin girls in 2017.

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Robert Mugabe says ‘disgraceful’ Zimbabwe coup must be undone

ormer leader. Robert Mugabe continues to talk. He says military has taken over the country and leadership of President Mnangagwa is ‘illegal’ and ‘unconstitutional’.

Former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe described his departure from office in November last year as a “coup d’etat” that “we must undo” in his first Television interview since then.

Mugabe who is 94, spoke slowly but clearly to South Africa’s SABC broadcaster from an office in Harare, dressed in a grey suit, sitting in front of a portrait of himself and his wife Grace.

“I say it was a coup d’etat. Some people have refused to call it

a coup d’etat,” said Mugabe referring to the brief army takeover which led to Emmerson Mnangagwa assuming power after Mugabe’s resignation.

“We must undo this disgrace which we have imposed on ourselves, we don’t deserve it... Zimbabwe doesn’t deserve it.”

Mugabe said that he did not hate his successor President Mnangagwa, 75, but insisted he would not work with him and suggested that his presidency was “illegal” and “unconstitutional”.

“People must be chosen in government in a proper way. I’m willing to discuss, willing to assist in that process – but I must be invited,” he said.

Gideon Chitanga, an analyst at the Johannesburg-based Political Economy Southern Africa thinktank, said that Mugabe’s intervention was significant “coming at a time of elections”.

Presidential polls are due by the end of August in which Mnangagwa will face his first major electoral test.

“In the back of his mind (Mugabe) still sees himself as part of the problem and part of the solution,” said Chitanga.

Mugabe’s media appearance was apparently organized by the new National Patriotic Front (NPF) party which hopes to unseat

Mnangagwa’s government in polls expected by August.

Mugabe sent shock waves through the ZANU-PF ruling party when he recently met with the NPF’s leader, retired general Ambrose Mutinhiri.

In response to a widely-shared image of the two, ZANU-PF Youth League supporters chanted “down with Mugabe” at a rally, a rare outburst from the normally disciplined party that Mugabe led for nearly four decades.

Mugabe was forced to quit the political scene he had dominated since independence from Britain in 1980 when the military stepped in and ZANU-PF lawmakers launched impeachment proceedings against their once beloved leader.

Since his dramatic reversal of fortune, he has largely stayed out of public life – until breaking his silence with this interview.

Despite widespread jubilation following the army’s seizure of power, many Zimbabweans are now disenchanted by what they see as a mere changing of the guard at the top of Zimbabwe’s authoritarian system.

“It was a coup with a script to turn this into a military state. The people wanted a change of the entire ZANU-PF system not just one individual,” businessman Munyaradzi Chihota, 40, told the press.

“The situation has not changed since they removed Mugabe. If anything, we are worse off. (Mugabe) is 100% right that this was a military coup, that this country has been turned into a military state and that this has to be undone.”

The military moved against Mugabe after he sacked his thendeputy and heir-apparent Mnangagwa, seemingly fearing the nonagenarian was grooming Grace to succeed him as president.

The former first lady had cultivated her own factional support base within ZANU-PF known as “G-40” that was seen as hostile to the security establishment and Mnangagwa in particular. “I never thought... he would be the man who turned against me,” said Mugabe.

“It was truly a military takeover, there was no movement visible unless that movement was checked and allowed by the army.”

Evan Mawarire, a pastor who became the face of anti-Mugabe demonstrations last year, tweeted that Mugabe “destroyed our lives”.

“Today he appears on foreign media which he banned and claims he must be invited to a transitional process for Zimbabwe.

What a joke, there is also moves to stripe him of all privileges he continues to enjoy as former president which includes, retiring with 20 staff, enjoys private air travel and he is left with fleet of cars, most of these will be reviewed with his attack on the new administration.

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Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann to travel to Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire

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he aim of the visit is to support and promote the Swiss until 25 March. On arrival, he held official talks with members private sector in the Nigerian and of government led by Prime Minister Ivorian markets, deepen bilateral Amadou Gon Coulibaly, and including economic relations with the two countries Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister and to assess the business climate of Trade and the Promotion of SMEs, Federal Councillor Johann N. SchneiderAdama Kone, Minister of Economy Ammann was on a trade mission to Nigeria and Finance, Ramata Ly-Bakayoko, and Côte d’Ivoire last month accompanied Minister of Higher Education and by an economic delegation. He was joined by Scientific Research, and Mamadou a scientific delegation on the Côte d’Ivoire Touré, Secretary of State for Technical leg of his visit. The aim of the visit was Education and Vocational Training. to support and promote the Swiss private The meeting took place at the African sector in the Nigerian and Ivorian markets, Development Bank (AfDB) and at the President Outatara of Cote d’ Ivoire deepen bilateral economic relations with Swiss Centre of Scientific Research the two countries and to assess the business in Côte d’Ivoire (CSRS), followed by climate. The subjects of scientific cooperation and vocational exchanges with the Swiss business and scientific community education and training was also covered in Côte d’Ivoire. in the country. In Côte d’Ivoire, Mr Schneider-Ammann was Nigeria. The head of the Federal Department of Economic accompanied Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) was in Abuja where by a twentythey held meeting the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, and s t r o n g delegation of Swiss business representatives and a dozen representatives from the field of science and education, as well as by Kemi Adeosun, Nigeria Finance Minister members of parliament and high-level members of cantonal governments. The official meetings focused on developing bilateral economic relations, scientific cooperation and vocational education and training.

Economic indicators Mr Schneider-Ammann Nigeria Executive Trade volume (2017): CHF 711.4 million (Switzerland’s 5th Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission largest partner in Africa) (NIPC), Yewande Sadiku. He then traveled on to Lagos where Imports from Nigeria: CHF 526.4 million he met Swiss businesses active in the country, as well as local Exports to Nigeria: CHF 185.0 million authority representatives. Before he made his onward journey Swiss direct investment in Nigeria (2016): CHF 465 million to Abidjan, he used the opportunity to meet the Minister of Jobs created by Swiss businesses (2016): 8,685 Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah.

Côte d’Ivoire Mr Schneider-Ammann was accompanied on his trip to Nigeria Trade volume (2017): CHF 538.7 million (Switzerland’s 8th by a fifteen-strong delegation of Swiss business representatives, largest partner in Africa) as well as by a number of members of parliament and Imports from Côte d’Ivoire: CHF 471.9 million cantonal councillors. The meetings mainly focus on the state Exports to Côte d’Ivoire: CHF 66.8 million of and prospects for bilateral economic relations, business Swiss direct investment in Côte d’Ivoire (2016): CHF 300 opportunities and specific difficulties faced by Swiss firms. million Côte d’Ivoire Jobs created by Swiss businesses (2016): 3,048 The head of the EAER traveled on to Abidjan where he stayed 44

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Burundi sets May 17 referendum date Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza has set May 17 as the date for a referendum on a controversial constitutional reform that could keep him in power until 2034, according to a decree he recently signed.

Critics accuse President Nkurunziza of trying to stay in power for life and say a personality cult has developed around the former rebel chief who has led the central African country since 2005.

The government in October last year drafted reforms that would enable President Nkurunziza to serve two seven-year mandates from 2020, but they have come under fire from the opposition and the international community, particularly the African Union.

The opposition says the changes could sign the death warrant for the Arusha peace accord of 2000, which helped end a 1993-2006 civil war that claimed more than 300,000 lives.

President Nkurunziza ran for a third five-year term and was reelected in 2015 despite a two-term limit under the constitution, triggering violence that left at least 1,200 people dead and sent more than 400,000 Burundians fleeing abroad.

The government had previously announced that the referendum would take place but no date waa fixed but now it is said to hold on 11th May 2018.The reforms will be adopted if 50 per cent plus one vote cast ballots in favour.

Zodwa Wabantu banned in Zambia, Minister Says Her Show Would ‘Undermine National Values’

By Staff Reporter POPULAR South African socialite and dancer who doesn’t wear underwear when dancing, Zodzwa Wabantu, real name Rebecca Libram, has been stopped from performing in the public in Zambia because her public performances undermine the country’s “national values”.

Zodwa was also banned in Zimbabwe last year August when she was hired to perform during the annual street show Harare International Carnival. In fact even though she was allowed into the country but opposition to her performance led to the cancellation of her visa and she had to return back to South Africa.

In a letter dated 7th March to Sunset Sound Production, the director of National Arts Council of Zambia (NACZ), Maanka Chipindi, said the application by the dancer does not comply with the Zambia laws.

Zodwa is popular for her tight dress and for not wearing

underwear while performing.

“I write to inform you that your application for the clearance of Ms Rebecca Libram has been unsuccessful,” wrote Chipindi. “It does not comply with the three calendar months requirements as per NAC (Laws of Zambia).”

Chipindi added, “Based on the preview of some her shows in other countries, the conclusion of the show will be contrary to public interest and will undermine our national values.”

“Accordingly, you are free to appeal this decision to the minister of tourism and arts within twenty one days.”

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Last male northern white rhino’s death highlights ‘huge extinction crisis’

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he tragic death of Sudan the rhino should act as a warning of the need to act to prevent mass extinctions around the world, say conservationists

Matthew Taylor and Hannah Ellis-Petersen

Conservationists have warned that the death of the last male northern white rhinoceros in Kenya is a sign that unsustainable human activity is driving a new era of mass extinctions around the globe.

Sudan, the “gentle giant” who lived in the Ol Pejeta conservancy in Kenya, was put down on Monday after the pain from a degenerative illness became too great.

It leaves only two females - his daughter and granddaughter - through which conservationists hope they might save the species from dying out altogether using IVF. Colin Butfield, campaigns director at WWF, said the death of such an emblematic creature was a profound tragedy - and highlighted a wider crisis.

“There is undoubtedly a huge extinction crisis going on of which this death is just a small part,” he said.

Since 1970 average populations of vertebrate animals have more than halved, according to Butfield, and an estimated 10,000 “less celebrated” species are becoming extinct every year.

“It is absolutely huge,” he added.

In Kenya Paula Kahumbu, director of the Wildlife Direct charity, said the news of Sudan’s death had hit people hard.

“The outpouring of grief from Kenyans, especially the younger generation, who woke up to hear that Sudan was dead this morning is a powerful reminder that we must never allow this to happen again.”

Kahumbu said people were “very angry”.”

“We did not do enough to save this majestic species.

Now we must stand up and demand action – take action – to prevent the same thing happening to cheetah, elephants, black rhinos, giraffes – we must

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take ownership of this as Africans and educate people.”

About half a million rhinos roamed in Africa and Asia in 1900. But due to poaching driven by the trade in Rhino horn and habitat loss, that figure had fallen to 70,000 by 1970.

Since then the northern white rhino was one of several sub species that has been pushed to the brink of extinction.

However Sudan, who was 45, had survived. He had been moved to Dvůr Králové zoo in the Czech Republic in the 1970s before being returning to Africa, where according to those who worked in the Ol Pejeta conservancy, “he stole the heart of many with his dignity and strength”.

“He was a gentle giant, his personality was just amazing and given his size, a lot of people were afraid of him. But there was nothing mean about him,” said Elodie Sampere, a representative for Ol Pejeta.

The veterinary team said they had decided to put Sudan to sleep after his condition worsened over the weekend, leaving him with bad skin wounds. The rhino was unable to stand and was visibly suffering.

“We on Ol Pejeta are all saddened by Sudan’s death,” said Richard Vigne, Ol Pejeta’s chief executive. “He was a great ambassador for his species and will be remembered for the work he did to raise awareness globally of the plight facing not only rhinos, but also the many thousands of other species facing extinction as a result of unsustainable human activity.

“One day, his demise will hopefully be seen as a seminal moment for conservationists worldwide.”

Last night that hope was echoed by Prof Ted Benton from the University of Essex, an environmental social scientist and member of the Red-Green study group.

“The fact that this is in the news suggests there is a wider cultural feeling of regret and care about this from so many people who have never seen – and probably never expect to see – a white rhino, and that is heartening in that it shows that people care.

But he said the death was part of a “much wider and deeper issue” – the huge loss of other species.

“Through the current economic system and globalization we are taking up more of the earth’s resources and living space than it can accommodate. This is not just a threat to other species this is a threat directly to our survival as humans too.”

Butfield said the growing recognition that we are living through an extinction crisis did offer some hope.

“We are aware of it, we know what causes it and to some extent we know what the solutions are. Now it is a matter of acting on that knowledge before it is too late.”

In Kenya Kahumbu said people were ready to fight.

“For too long conservation has been seen here a something white people do but now the young generation feel very strongly that this is for us to deal with. We need to take ownership of this issue as Africans and to make sure we act before it is too late.”

Canada to send force including female troops to support UN mission in Mali

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anada will deploy helicopters and troops – including female soldiers – to Mali in support of an ongoing UN peacekeeping mission, the government has announced.

Defence minister Harjit Sajjan told reporters that Canada would deploy two Chinook transport helicopters and four Griffon attack helicopters to provide armed escort and protection in the fight against Islamist militants in Mali.

The 12-month deployment will also include an infantry unit and military trainers.

A date for Canada’s first deployment in Africa since its troubled mission to Rwanda in 1994 and the exact number of troops that will be sent have yet to be decided.

The foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, said the unit heading to Mali would include female soldiers.

“One of our priorities is to increase women’s participation in peacekeeping,” she said.

The announcement is less ambitious than the Liberal government of the prime minister, Justin Trudeau, had initially planned.

Shortly after coming to power in late 2015, Ottawa had indicated it would send up to 600 troops to Mali.

Ministers later put the plans on hold amid fears of casualties, angering allies who said they felt let down, and prompting some to speculate the delay could hurt Canada’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN security council.

In recent months, jihadists have ramped up their activities in central Mali, targeting domestic and foreign forces in outbreaks of violence once confined to the country’s north.

Four UN peace keepers were killed and four wounded in late February when a mine exploded under their vehicle in central Mali.

The peacekeeping mission, known by the acronym Minusma, currently has 12,000 military personnel and 1,900 police.

They have been deployed in Mali since 2013 to counter the jihadist insurgency and general lawlessness.

The Canadians, according to Sajjan, will conduct reconnaissance, facilitate medical evacuations for the 57 UN partner nations already on the ground in Mali, and help plan missions in the country.

James Bezan, defence spokesman for the official opposition Conservative party, accused the Liberals of sending troops to a highly dangerous country for partisan promises.

“This is about Justin Trudeau’s selfish political ambition to win a seat on the UN security council, and he is using our troops as political pawns,” Bezan told reporters.

Canada is running for one of the council’s 10 nonpermanent seats in an election that will take place in 2020.

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Africa’s ‘City of Innovation’ to Host Conference on ‘Uniting Africa’

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ext year Rwanda, one of Africa’s most technologically ambitious countries, will take over the Chairmanship of the African Union. It will also play host to eLearning Africa and the organisers are predicting that it will be the biggest conference in the event’s 13-year history. They believe it could play a significant role in pushing forward the African Union’s 2063 Agenda.

The conference, which is being jointly organised by ICWE GmbH and the Rwanda Convention Bureau under the patronage of the Rwandan Government, usually attracts well over 1,000 participants from all over the world. They are not only teachers, academics and learning experts, but political leaders, policy makers, investors, technologists, business leaders and entrepreneurs too. The conference is also the occasion for an annual round table meeting of African education and technology ministers.

In Rwanda, participants in eLearning Africa will have

a chance to see for themselves the achievements of an African Government, which has set about using technology to transform education. In 2014, the Government signed an agreement to incorporate information and communication technology into the country’s schools and colleges. The benefits of “a new system of teaching that emphasises the use of computers and internet to impart knowledge” are already starting to be felt across the country. And now the Government is confident that by 2020 all schools in the country will have at least two smart classrooms and all subjects will have been digitised. eLearning Africa 2018 will take place from 26 - 28 September in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali, which has gained a reputation for its ICT-based initiatives in a variety of sectors. So great is its apparent enthusiasm for new technological solutions that some observers have referred to it as the “Innovation City of Africa.”

In addition to its technological prowess, Kigali is also one of Africa’s most attractive cities - eLearning Africa participants will be able to take advantage of its bustling streets, ridges, valleys, and lush hillsides, not to mention Rwanda’s world renowned Gorilla trekking tours, only a short journey away.

“It is wonderful that Rwanda is now setting a real example for other countries in technology-assisted learning and hosting a conference whose theme is „Uniting Africa“, says conference organiser, Rebecca Stromeyer. „I am confident that eLearning Africa 2018 in Rwanda will be the biggest and most exciting eLA yet.”

Under the overall theme of „Uniting Africa,“ conference participants will discuss how the benefits of technology can be shared and help to improve education across Africa, making a reality of the African Union’s 2063 Vision of a “transformed continent.” A call for papers has been issued and will remain open until 30 January 2018. The organisers are looking for contributions on subjects including “creating opportunities through education,” “boosting competitiveness and ICT-centric growth,” “matching skills demand and supply,” and “overcoming barriers.” eLearning Africa 2018 - 13th International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Skills When: September 26 – 28, 2018 Where: Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda Contact: ICWE GmbH, Ms Rebecca Stromeyer, info@elearningafrica.com, www.eLearning-africa.com, Tel.: +49 (0)30 310 18 18-0

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Morocco bid needs $16 billion for plans to host 2026

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orocco would need to spend almost $16 billion to prepare to host the 2026 World Cup, with every proposed stadium and training ground built from scratch or renovated, bid organizers said to the press.

With less than three months to go until the FIFA vote, the North African nation presented the first significant details of its proposal to take on the joint bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The North American bid plans to rely on existing infrastructure, including large NFL stadiums already hosting events. For the first time, a high-risk bid that does not meet FIFA’s expectations on facilities and profit can be disqualified before the governing body’s congress votes on June 13.

When FIFA officials score the bids, infrastructure -

of which half relates to stadiums will account for 70 percent of the panel’s mark. The remaining 30 percent is based on projected costs and revenues.

For $3 billion, Morocco said it can build nine stadiums, refurbish five others and build or renovate 130 training grounds. That is part of the $12.6 billion in public investment that also requires hospital services being upgraded in 20 cities and transport networks improved for the World Cup after the jump from 32 to 48 participating nations.

The bid said another $3.2 billion of private investment is required to build hotels containing around 30,000 rooms.

Morocco’s bid team told the press the projections had been “carefully costed” but could not provide a breakdown on how the figures were reached.

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Nine new stadiums are planned, including a 93,000-capacity home for the national team in Casablanca that would stage the opening game and final in 2026.

Stadiums would also be built in Oujda (45,600) and Tetouan (45,600), organizers said. New arenas to fit around 46,000 fans are planned in Casablanca, Marrakech, El Jadida, Meknes, Nador and Ouarzazate with the intention of downsizing them to unspecified capacities after the World Cup. The five existing stadiums that need upgrading are in Marrakech (95,565), Agadir (46,048), Fez (46,092), Rabat (46,500) and Tangier (65,000).

Morocco has mounted four unsuccessful World Cup bids, most recently for the 2010 tournament, while the United States was host in 1994 and was beaten in the vote for the 2022 event.

The North American bid included 23 cities, including 17 in the United States, in documents submitted to FIFA on Friday.

Sixty games would be played in the U.S. under the bid plan, including all from the quarterfinals on. Three cities were included from Mexico and Canada, who would stage 10 games each.

Although the U.S. has a substantial stock of existing stadiums, the bid’s plans were rocked last week by three cities dropping out citing burdensome financial demands

by FIFA. Vancouver was rejected as a Canadian option because it refused to comply with FIFA’s requirements that include tax waivers and putting agreements under Swiss law.

Mohammed Salah eyes golden shoe And, Egyptian striker from Liverpool Mohammed Salah continues to upset the counters. The Egyptian, who scored his first four goals in the Premier League, confirmed his status as England’s top scorer with 28 goals. This is simply the best performance of a new Reds recruit. For now, he is leading the race for the European Golden boot and is only one goal behind an African player held by Didier Drogba.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is on course to become only the second Premier League player in the last 11 seasons

to win the Golden Shoe, awarded to the most prolific scorer in the Europe.

Salah scored four goals against Watford in their last league tally tie bringing his goals to 28 in his first season in the

premier league. He has even scored more goals in the league than his nearest challenger Lionel Messi of Barcelona.

Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint-Germain, Ciro Immobile of Lazio and Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane are all

a further goal behind. If Salah does win the Golden Shoe, he will emulate former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, who shared the accolade with Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013-14 when both scored 31 goals.

The Golden Shoe table is ranked on points rather than goals, with goals scored in Europe’s top five leagues worth two points. Jonas of Benfica has scored 31 league goals this season but strikes in the Portuguese league are only worth 1.5 points, which places him sixth in the standings.

Messi is the current holder of the Golden Shoe, with the Argentine winning it four times. Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has won it four times too -- the first coming with Manchester United in 2007-08. Since 2008, La Liga has provided 11 of the 12 winners, with Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan the other player to top of chart in 200809.

Ronaldo and Mauro Icardi moved into the top 10 on Sunday after both scored four goals for Inter Milan and Real Madrid respectively -- and that pushed Paris Saint-Germain’s 20-goal scorer Neymar, who is set to miss the rest of the season with a broken metatarsal, outside the chart.

The top 10 after last month count / games are: 1. Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, 56 points (28 goals) 2. Lionel Messi, Barcelona, 50 (25) 3. Edinson Cavani, Paris Saint-Germain, 48 (24) 3. Ciro Immobile, Lazio, 48 (24) 3. Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur, 48 (24) 6. Jonas, Benfica, 46.5 (31) 7. Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich, 46 (23) 8. Mauro Icardi, Inter Milan, 44 (22) 8. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, 44 (22) 10. Sergio Aguero, Manchester City, 42 (21) 10. Luis Suarez, Barcelona, 42 (21)

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Sports

New sponsorship deal for Zambian football federation

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he Football Association of Zambia have announced a new sponsorship deal with telecommunications giant MTN, with FAZ President Andrew Kamanga confirming the details of the partnership in a statement.

MTN are committing to backing Zambian football to the tune of $4.5 million over three years, with Kamanga revealing that the league winners now stand to pocket 500,000 Zambian Kwacha - the equivalent of just over $52,000.

FAZ’s previous sponsorship deal was $3 million over three years, and the increase will see all 20 Zambian top flight clubs receiving K200,000 - a significant leap from the K7,000 that they were previously set to earn.

“All participants in the MTN Super League are guaranteed a participating fee of K200, 000 compared to K7, 000 for the last finishers on the league previously,” Kamanga

began, as per a statement on FAZ’s official Facebook page.

“This presents a 2,757% increase.

“The Association is particularly excited with MTN’s decision to increase its sponsorship package to US1.5 million per year with US$300, 000 being in kind.

“This new contract increases remuneration packages for all 20 Super League teams

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with the league champions guaranteed K500, 000 from K250, 000 which represents a 100% increase.”

The Zambian national side are also set to receive $750,000 in sponsorship, according to the Lusaka Times.

MTN Zambia’s Chief Executive Officer Charles Molapisi also expressed his delight at the ongoing partnership between the telecoms heavyweights and Zambian football.

“Today, we are proud to be associated with the success scored by FAZ over the period of our strategic partnerships,” he said.

Zambian teams endured mixed fortunes in the CAF Champions League First Round as Zanaco were eliminated

by Swaziland’s Mbabane Swallows and ZESCO United battled back from a first-leg deficit to oust ASEC Mimosas on away goals.

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Dapchi: Nigeria’s Politically Choreographed ‘Abductions’

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aving sneaked it’s way into office under the guise of providing strong leadership, particularly in the areas security of lives and properties, the Muhammadu Buhari-led government in Nigeria was understandably feeling quite exposed with the frequency of bloody terror attacks staged across the North-east fringes of Nigeria by Boko Haram. With an economy already at the brinks, increasing frequency of murderous attacks across the country by Fulani Herdsmen militia and growing tension across the land on account of the irresponsiveness of the government to diverse national issues, there was the felt necessity by supporters of the regime to ‘prove’ or in any way whatsoever show that the government still had some bite, some exploits/abilities worthy of commendation.

Answer: Stage something spectacular and position the government to play the heroic saviour.

On February 9th 2018, something spectacular did indeed happen at the Government Girls Science Secondary School, Dapchi, Yobe State, North-Eastern Nigeria.

A few days after military roadblocks and other security

checkpoints were ordered to be dismantled around Dapchi town, a column of what is being touted as supposedly Boko Haram ’terrorists’ stormed the now defenceless school in Dapchi and strolled away with over 100 school girls.

Findings by Amnesty International reveal that efforts by persons in Dapchi to notify security agencies while the ‘abductions’ were taking place, was discountenanced. The innocent school girls who were not privy to whatsoever

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was unfolding resisted, and some of them were killed during the ‘abduction’.

After the Dapchi ‘abductions’, the Nigerian government went into overdrive to stress that it was ‘on top of the

situation’ and would DEFINITELY rescue the girls in a very short time span. The Minister of Defence proudly granted interviews within the past few days asserting that ‘gallant’ soldiers were in hot pursuit of the terrorists holding the girls and were on the verge of ‘rescuing’ the ‘abducted’ girls. President Buhari himself, apparently overwhelmed by the plot that was daily unfolding, embarked on an illadvised red-carpet media-blitz visit to the venue of the ‘abductions’ in Dapchi, where he compared his government’s response to Dapchi with how the erstwhile Goodluck Jonathan administration had reacted during the Chibok ‘abductions’, and concluded that his {Buhari’s} administration’s reaction was better. The certainty with which the government was announcing it’s impending success at rescuing’ the girls, was simply mind boggling and suspect.

With the script playing out quite well with Interest displayed by global media outlets about a second mass abduction of female students in Nigeria by ‘Boko Haram’ was sufficient to convince the principal protagonists, the Buhari-led Nigerian government, that it was time to play the ‘hero’ and move to the concluding part of the script – the ‘rescue’/’release’.

After spending 31 days in supposedly Boko Haram ‘captivity’, a long convoy of vehicles drapped with Boko Haram flags and conveying heavily armed ‘terrorists’ and the 100 ‘abducted’ girls meandered, unchallenged, through what is supposedly areas under intense security surveillance, and dropped off the ‘abducted’ girls in the centre of Dapchi town. The residents of Dapchi town, who apparently had foreknowledge of the ‘return’ of the ‘abducted’ girls, lined the streets of Dapchi to usher in the ‘Boko Haram’ convoy into Dapchi.

Pictures taken of the ‘rescued’/’released’ girls, soon after they were dropped off by their captors, of the girls decked in very neat school uniforms and each saddled with a bag of provisions and apparels, coupled with the heroic prearranged welcome of the Boko Haram ‘terrorists’ into Dapchi town, was simply too incredulous to be imagined.

Are we to believe that the terrorists were so caring that they ensured the ‘abducted’ girl’s uniforms were properly laundered? Did Boko Haram terrorists spice up their caring nature by lavishing the ‘abductees’ with gifts at the end of their ‘ordeal’?

To fully take benefit of their ingenuity, the Buhari-led government wasted no time in claiming ‘victory’ for

the ‘release’ of the girls, with the ruling All Progressive Congress {APC} political parties making pronouncements, simultaneous with the ‘release’ of how ‘effective’ the government was in handling the Dapchi ‘abductions’ when compared with how the Chibok saga was managed by the erstwhile Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The gloating over the ‘release’ of the Dapchi abductees’ has been ferocious, with nationally owned television and radio channels repeatedly broadcasting news and interviews on the heroic unconditional ‘release’ of the abductees of Dapchi.

Really? Vicious terrorists ‘abduct’ hundreds of school girls, keep

By Barrister Eze Eluchie Esq them for a month and return them t o their parents unconditionally? Without any ransom being paid or other conditions whatsoever? Does this regime really think Nigerians and the discerning international community do not see through this obvious scam?

If only the liberty, safety and lives of innocent school girls was not adversely impacted upon and the concerns of the parents of the girls, the greater Nigerian population and the international community had not been aroused, one would have had a nice lengthy laugh over the childishness of the Dapchi tragicomedy. That a government can descend so low in an effort to prop itself up as a ‘heroic’, security conscious and savvy entity is simply disgusting.

With this level of desperation, one does not need to be a rocket scientist to realize to what extent the sitting government would go in the forthcoming general elections slated for the first quarter of year 2019, towards reinstalling itself into office.

The dark clouds are gathering......

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Preparations under way for The Voice Achievers Award 2018 The Voice Achievers Award committee for 2018 is delighted to announce that nomination is open for each category of the 9th edition of the award and it is open to Africans and non-Africans. (See flyer for criteria on the next page please) This new nomination process includes, for the first time, naming the two nominees for the Voice Achievers Award Person of the year. (One from Africa and the other from the Europe Diaspora). The awardees for 2018 and the awardees in all categories, will be announced by end of July 2018 in a press statement in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Our mission as a foundation is to connect the world to the stories of these awardees and how they are making impact on Africa as a continent. We believe the best way to inspire

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others by letting them to see and appreciate what others are doing in their own way to advance the course of Africa.

On demand, the award committee is going to starting a HALL OF FAME for all its past awardees and inducting them into ambassadorial status. The foundation will continue to play the role of a bridge builder among people.

The award committee will ensure the best among the best will be recognized this year and we would also identify a project to request our worthy past awardees to support to make a direct impact on the lives of people in Africa.

The great awardees you will see in 2018 edition of our awards will help fulfill our purpose as a global platform connecting professionals and audiences through trustworthy awards to tell the African stories.

Pastor Elvis Iruh President The Voice Achievers Award Committee

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