BOOK REVIEW: The Other Side of Fear

The Other Side of Fear

Uncertainty, anxiety and fear: only fictitious superheroes are exempted from this all-too human sequence. The trouble is that fear is paralyzing because it feeds our minds with negative thoughts. In a second, fear can turn the idea of courage into one of recklessness, and then it’s all downhill to a point where determination is put aside in favour of ‘playing it safe.’ Sadly, fear can stop you from doing anything slightly risky. It’ll keep you locked up in the prison of the comfortable and predictable where you’re more likely to die of boredom than might from any of the dangers you fear. So, what’s to be done? The simple answer is that risk-taking and adaptability are as much part of our human heritage as uncertainty-inspired fear. It’s finding a balance that matters most. Fear is a useful tool for making better life-directing decisions, but fear must never be allowed to control the direction of your life. That way you lose the opportunity of reaching your true potential. I hope this book will inspire you to transcend your fears and achieve all of your dreams. The greatest prison you can live in is the prison of your own fears. Nothing of value can be achieved when we allow fear to control our life. Grab a copy of “The other side of fear” be inspired to live above your fears. You can purchase E-book & paperback on amazon. First and foremost, I want to thank God for guiding my every step towards completing this project and to every other person who contributed to this. I’ve learned that if we can find the courage to begin something, God will empower & enable us to complete the task. There’s nothing we cannot accomplish if we are determined enough. I was inspired to write this book because fear has kept a lot of people locked up in the prison of comfort. Too many people are living in a self-made prison of their own fears, they are stuck, unable to move forward and achieve their meaningful dreams. Fear has the power to limit your greatness, and blind you from seeing the opportunities that lies ahead of you. Everything you desire is on the other side of your fear, don’t stay trapped behind the walls of your fear for the rest of your life. It’s time to move towards your fears instead for trying to avoid them. I can confidently tell you that this book will inspire and challenge you to transcend your fears. And also provide principles to help you on the journey.

Grab a copy of this book to bless yourself, a friend or a loved one. You can read online, download, & order hard copies of this book online click on the link. www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Fear-M-K-Slim-ebook/dp/

B088RKSDW7/ref=sr_1_8?

Thank you

By M.K. Slim

About M.K. Slim

For much of my life, I’ve been fully committed to my music career, but I’m also an entrepreneur and a budding writer. I’m very motivated and mentally resilient: a genuinely optimistic person who believes that anything can be achieved if I’m determined enough. I strive to create a positive impact in the lives of those around me and I believe the highest of human acts is to inspire others to reach their potential. I strive to inspire as many people as I can. I’d like others to say of me, “Because you didn’t give up, I can do the same.” That’s the legacy I hope to leave behind when I die.

Victory Outreach Church Almere is a Pentecostal Church, a 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 in this new year 2020. You can visit us every day of the week as there is a Resident Pastor available to your demand. 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 through the help of the Holy Spirit 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 Signed: Pastor Roel & Ida van Rooij Senior Pastors Victory Outreach Almere. Barbeelstraat 12, 1317 PZ Almere The Netherlands. Telephone: 036-8417007; Telephone: 036-7505571

E-mail: info@voalmere.nl

Website: www.voalmere.nl

Join our church service every SUNDAY in church and also online service via FACEBOOK Victory Outreach Almere

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Write to the Editor - Email: info@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Kindly follow our policy on letter to the Editor for your letter to stand the chance of being published in our magazine. Your letter must include the writer’s name, address, email and contact number. Also keep your letter short, concise and precise to the point. We are also allowed to edit where necessary. All details will be kept confidential. The views written in the Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the views of our magazine therefore we do not take any responsibility for the views stated by those who write to the Editor. The Voice magazine also reserves the right not to publish letters that we find offensive to others please. Thank you for your usual cooperation. TV Management.

Why is age the problem in African politics?

Dear Editor, I was wondering why we Africans think that the problem of leadership has to do with age particularly in Africa? All I hear now is that the youths should be given the chance but in advanced countries, the problem does not seem as age. For instance in the American presidential polls that took place very recently, the two major Presidential candidates are 74 and 77 years respectively. Their Senate Majority leader (Mitch McConnell) is 78yrs old and has been in the senate for 35yrs. Their House is led by an 80 years old woman (Nancy Pelosi) and she’s been there for 31yrs. Nigeria’s problem is not age but

*mentality*: “turn by turn”, “chop-I-chop”, “Yahoo Yahoo is brain at work”, “cheating is smartness” etc. No nation becomes better until they change their mentality, it does not matter the age you vote them in. Nigerian has had a couple of young people under 40 years of age in power, what came out of their elections or opposition t h e y occupied. For instance we had Dimeji Bankole at 34 become National House Assembly speaker; Yahaya Bello becoming Governor at 40, Anyim Pius Anyim elected Senate President in August 2000 at the age of 39 among the long list of names. What indelible marks would you say Dimeji left as speaker being a young man? Or any of these other names mentioned? Our problem is not the age of aspirants or candidates but our mentality; the likes Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu was 29 when he already saw the problems ahead and took action. Those who benefited from his sacrifice started ruining the country from their youths and some of them are still around and their children are beneficiaries of those struggles. Those shouting *’Not too young to rule*’ must also remember *’NOT TOO YOUNG TO STEAL*. Our problem is not age, sex, qualification, tribe or religion but lack of determination and commitment to serve. It’s about being ‘God FEARING AND POSSESSING LEADERSHIP QUALITIES’ like AHMADU BELLO, AWOLOWO, ZIK and others but very few in the context of Nigeria. They were also youthful when they came on board. So, it is NOT just about their AGE. They just were determined to serve. May God help our country, Nigeria.

SARS IS WORST THAN CORONA VIRUS IN NIGERIA Dear Editor, I can confirm that Nigerians are more scared of the police or the unit formerly called SARS than they fear the outbreak of the coronavirus. These member are thugs in uniform and allowed to carry guns, they were worse than terrorists, all you need to experience them is to fall a victim of their raid or search; they make ridiculous demands, someone on a motorbike called keke, you demand for a bribe of 50,000 naira; where do you expect such a person to get such amount of money? When you are detailed by them, you need to source 100,000 naira, they call money as if they print it themselves. It does not matter what name the government calls it, SWAT or SARS, it is the same people. Let the government work on reform of the entire police force and its associated agencies, the traffic control officers also behave in a similar manner. I hope the government is listening to the cry of the people, the police structure as it isn’t proud of what is good for Nigerians. I salute the few good elements in the force but the rot is too much that it spoilt the whole force. Thank you Eliab Adeboye Lagos, Nigeria.

As we embark on launching the BBI at the Bomas of Kenya and creating the basis for the conversations addressing challenges we face as a nation, it is not lost on me that from where I sit, the BBI is meant to satisfy two different classes; the Common Mwananchi and the political class. If we as a nation are honest with ourselves, you must be alive to the fact that the BBI offers some form of good/benefit to each of these two classes. While it is true that there needs to be more streamlining of the report to be more comprehensive

on several matters......It is a starting point....a starting point to shift discussions to be more ideological based. It might take us five years, 10 years...50 years, but I have hope that we will get there...we will get to a nation that is united as one. That is the audacity of Hope!!!! By Nesta Louis Nairobi, Kenya

Who are the real looters? Politicians or hungry citizens? Dear Editor,

What is above my imagination is that Nigeria Governors, Assembly members, ministers, top ranking politicians, and kings were hiding food meant for the poor masses during the lockdown and no prominent Nigerian is blaming this extreme wickedness in the land, but arrested people who went to recover their stolen food and labelled them as looters. In a sane society the people who kept those relief materials will be in jail and not the so-called looters. It is the biggest shame on earth that Nigeria’s so called big men and women are stealing food from the poor masses. The most irritating thing about it is that Nigeria security officers arrested the hungry poor Nigerians who went to recover their stolen food by Nigeria government at all levels. I appealed with humility that all Nigerians arrested for looting by attempting to recover their stolen food by the government at all levels should be released with immediate effect with no charges or fines. Any judge that tries to sit on these cases without refusing the hearing on the basis of lack of merit will receive the anger of almighty God upon themselves, family, and generations unborn starting this moment. Please and please to people in authority, what you’re doing right now in arresting poor hungry people you stole their food is an abomination unto the almighty God. Please, let as many as you have arrested for the stolen food be set free before natural disasters fall on Nigeria for wickedness

Thank you for your time and support. By Joachim Okhai Lagos, Nigeria

President Trump is his own enemy!

Dear Editor, The only reason why Trump was not reelected was simple, he was too polarising. I’ve always said HE is his own worst enemy. His inability to show empathy at the end cost him his position as President of the United States of America. The people have chosen and decided that they have had enough of him, this is how democracy works. President Obama was in office 8 years, how many times did he visit Nigeria? Not once, why is that? What was his African policy? You do realise that the Islamic ban that Trump initiated when he entered office was actually instilled by his predecessor. As I write, many black males are sitting in prison due to the wonderful 1994 crime bill, do you know the author of the bill? The future president sounds a bit hypocritical but I pray for a smooth transition. Remember these guys are all millionaires and have no idea how the common man survives. They turn up once every 4 years and promise heaven on earth. 4 years ago the people chose Trump, now they have chosen Biden. It is the people right! They have spoken, it should be carried out. Now it’s his turn to lead and time will tell as the proof they say is in the eating. My hope is that Biden and Harris carry out the peoples mandate at the end, my support is for the common man. By Armstrong Okobia The Netherlands

President Trump Presidency ends Dear Editor, Having watched the American Presidential 2020, I am not surprise at the arrogance of African leaders who are copying the west form of democracy, my argument is not if Trump lost the election but the manner with which the election was conducted was obviously faulty and nobody is complaining about the electoral system. My appeal to African leaders is that we should come up with what is suitable for us during our elections instead of copying this western system that is complex for them to understand themselves. Azuka Edozie Florida, USA

My short story journey from Freetown, Sierra Leone to The Netherlands.

I fled Sierra Leone during the civil war in 1997 to the Netherlands and asked for an asylum. It took me 7 years to be granted a refugee status. The Dutch language was a challenge, but I thrived. I worked low paid jobs from one factory to another and sometimes jobless. I knew I had to do something to change my status. I first learned the language as a tool to succeed if I ever get the chance to empower myself. Being a sport lover in fitness and Martial arts back home (Freetown), I enrolled myself (2009) in sport education which eventually led to medical fitness and completed my education in 2015. In the year 2012, I had already made up my mind to return home after I have gained enough experience in my career of choice (therapy/training). In 2015, my wage changed from low paid jobs to earning €80 an hour (self-employed) and in 2017, my status changed from a refugee to a Dutch citizen. Finally in 2019 I return home to the motherland, Sierra Leone. I did not return home with a load of cash, but a load of courage, determination and a firm focus to face the challenges, take the chances and make use of the opportunities. Another thing I have learned in life is that you will have to do it yourself and stop the blaming. Success is in all of us. Make up your mind and thrive towards your goals. THE ALMIGHTY IS IN CONTROL. By Alphah Jalloh Freetown, Sierra Leone

Trump administration officially begins transition to Biden after weeks of delay

President-elect, Joe Biden called President Trump’s unwillingness to concede the presidential election an “embarrassment” but said it wouldn’t impede his White House transition, despite a standoff with the administration that is preventing the president-elect’s team from accessing key

resources. The Trump administration hasn’t issued a typically routine technical designation that would allow Mr. Biden’s staff to view detailed classified information, send representatives to embed with government agencies and have the State Department... After nearly three weeks of delay, General Services Administration chief Emily Murphy told President-elect Joe Biden that the Trump administration is making federal resources available for his transition into office. The letter from Murphy is the closest indication that the President is admitting he has lost his bid for reelection to Joe Biden. The Trump administration’s clearest acknowledgment of defeat in the Nov. 3 election was revealed minutes before President Donald Trump tweeted that he approved the move. But President Trump has still refused to explicitly concede the race to Biden, who is projected to win 306 Electoral College votes to Trump’s 232. President Trump has falsely asserted that he won the election “by a lot,” and has promoted a variety of conspiracies that allege widespread electoral fraud without evidence. That effort made his supporters to continue to press for recount of the results in many battle grounds which has been done and yet it has increased the lead of Joe Biden, making him the most popular candidate in America political history to gain close to 80 million public vote in any presidential elections beating President Obama;s record under whom he served twice as VicePresident of United States of America. Lawyers for the Trump campaign, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, have lodged lawsuits in many of the key swing states that helped put Biden over the top in the election. Most of them, which in some cases have asked judges to block states from certifying their final vote tallies, have been rejected. Murphy’s letter followed the latest series of setbacks in Trump’s efforts to overturn the projected outcome of the election, including another court loss in Pennsylvania and the certification of the vote totals in Georgia and Michigan. Murphy said in her letter to Biden that her decision frees up more than $7 million in federal funding for his transition. Biden’s team was already fundraising in the wake of Election Day and had been on track to achieve its fundraising goals.

“Today’s decision is a needed step to begin tackling the challenges facing our nation, including getting the pandemic under control and our economy back on track,” the Biden transition team said in a statement. “This final decision is a definitive administrative action to formally begin the transition process with federal agencies.” Under federal law, the head of the GSA held the power to free up millions of dollars that are allocated toward presidential transition spending. After withholding those funds for weeks despite news outlets projecting Biden’s victory, the low-profile agency was thrust into the spotlight. Murphy had become the target of intense criticism and pressure from the public and lawmakers alike, who insisted that she immediately make the ascertainment of Biden’s win and allow his team to make use of the funds. House Democratic committee leaders last month demanded that Murphy brief them personally on the funding hold up. In the letter to Biden, Murphy strongly defended her actions and pushed back on her critics, who in some instances accused her of acting with political motivations. “I have dedicated much of my adult life to public service, and I have always strived to do what is right. Please know that I came to my decision independently, based on the law and available facts. I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any Executive Branch official - including those who work at the White House or GSA — with regard to the substance or timing of my decision,” Murphy wrote. “To be clear, I did not receive any direction to delay my determination. I did, however, receive threats online, by phone, and by mail directed at my safety, my family, my staff, and even my pets in an effort to coerce me into making this determination prematurely. Even in the face of thousands of threats, I always remained committed to upholding the law,” Murphy wrote. “Contrary to media reports and insinuations, my decision was not made out of fear or favoritism,” she added. “Instead, I strongly believe that the statute requires that the GSA Administrator ascertain, not impose, the apparent president-

elect. Unfortunately, the statute provides no procedures or standards for this process, so I looked to precedent from prior elections involving legal challenges and incomplete counts.” Trump, in a pair of tweets following the release of the letter, thanked Murphy by name “for her steadfast dedication and loyalty to our Country.” “She has been harassed, threatened, and abused – and I do not want to see this happen to her, her family, or employees of GSA,” the president tweeted. Trump maintained that his legal efforts continue “STRONGLY,” adding, “I believe we will prevail!” But he added: “Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same.” Biden’s team has been preparing for the White House throughout the post-election period, despite the lack of federal funding. The transition has already unveiled some of the key officials who will populate Biden’s Cabinet, including the announcement earlier that he has chosen former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to be Treasury secretary. And many other announcements including that of John Kerry.

Dr. Adekanmbi, Martins had his first degree, BSc (Ed) Physics in University of Lagos, Second degree, MSc Solid State Physics, in Rivers State University of Science and Technology and bagged his PhD in Solid State Physics in the University of Port-Harcourt. He currently lectures in Physics at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Rivers State where he handles undergraduate and Postgraduate students. He is currently the Head of the Department of Physics and he is the brain behind Physics Workshop where students can graduate with extra skills in welding, Auto Mechanics, Electronics and Electrical Technology. The Voice magazine London Bureau Chief, Gbenga Okunlola pinned him down despite his very tight schedules to arrange this interview for our magazine. Congratulations on a job well done, kindly enjoy excerpts from their conversation.

TV: In brief, tell us about the journey that shaped you as a scientist/lecturer? Dr. Adekanmbi: I have always loved science though I didn’t know what it was about. Then there was a Medical Practitioner called Dr. Anna, a white man, working in Maria Asumpta Hospital Ado-Ekiti, my home town. Whenever I was taken there, I always talked to him, so he was like my mentor and model. I desired so much to be a medical Doctor just because of Dr. Anna. I took science courses and passed my West African School Certificate Examinations in Ado Grammar School in 1986, as one of the best science students. My mates were already in the Universities and my parents had to make me go and read Physics at the Faculty of Education in University of Lagos under the tutelage of Prof Michael Oke Akande who became my academic mentor. That was how I left off the pursuit of being a Medical Doctor and took on the teaching line. I loved shaping my surroundings with my knowledge of sciences hence the pursuit of Physics to the terminal degree. TV: Nigeria’s police have long been an object of irritation and a focal point for petty corruption. Ordinary Nigerians have suffered at the hands of the infamous SARS unit, what is your take on policing in Nigeria? Dr. Adekanmbi: Police men are part of the Nigerian Society which has become so capitalistic that people can do anything to attain a rich status. The SARS went extra mile in becoming a law unto themselves hence the reports of extra judicial inimical activities. Despite all the obnoxious activities of some policemen, there are still some that are highly professional with ethical and moral values. There is however a general need for a societal paradigm shift which would invariable affect the Policing of Nigeria state. TV: Like the Black Lives Matter movement in the US, protests’ demands extend beyond civil rights to investigation and prosecution for crimes of state violence. Would you say the lack of accountability laid bare by President Buhari’s fumbling response thus far – can be traced to elite bargains of the 1999 transition, and the architecture of authoritarianism planted by Buhari in the 1980s? Dr. Adekanmbi: Nigeria Problem seems to be spectacular. We need to trace back the negotiations before Nigeria was amalgamated in 1914. There were the southern, Northern and the Eastern protectorates; the fundamental problem emanated from the shady deals that led to the formation of Nigeria. The philosophies of the respective regions were different including their culture; so the amalgamation was a mere association of birds of unlike feathers. During the agitations for independence, we learnt from history that the northerners did not want independence because the southerners were much more frontal intellectually and economically. However, the powers that be convinced them and

“The mentality of Nigerians that are joining the police force is in dare need of change”.

relinquished power to them eventually with unwritten agreement that gave them a fake superiority complex over others hence the “Born to rule” mentality. Ever since, the Northerners have been involved in a lot of amorous practices to clinch the power of the state. So, it is not a surprise when the 1999 constitution tended towards unitary kinds of governance making the federal government (if it is Federal) the centre of governance instead of regional government that was negotiated for ab-initio. It is not surprising if President Buhari continued with the programme that has been initiated by his predecessors and what they did during operation “Araba” after the Ezeogwu coup of 1966. Buhari is just acting the script and you could not blame him much because the “course” is beyond him as the first lady announced before his second term election. He couldn’t have shown much responsibility and accountability. TV: As peaceful protests against police brutality have turned deadly in Nigeria, with several demonstrators killed by security forces, what is your analysis of the situation in Africa’s most populous country? Dr. Adekanmbi: It was quite unfortunate the way the protest turned out. The people that started the protest were elite youths and professionals dissatisfied with the way and manner the leaders were “ruling”. Police brutality was just the ice on the cake or the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Improperly oriented youths took over the protest which led to looting and manners of irresponsible attitude that the army used as acclaimed, to shoot at protesters though they are still denying shooting with life ammunitions. I was highly displeased and exasperated when I heard that people holding Nigerian flags and protesting peacefully were shot at! Where is patriotism amongst our so-called security officers that were supposed to protect the lives and properties of the citizens and also our territorial integrity? TV: SARS has been dissolved since the protests erupted; the clamour for wider reforms in the police force is undiminished. Would you say that a new police unit, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) will essentially replace SARS as a new tool for oppression? Dr. Adekanmbi: You don’t change the personality of a person by changing their clothes. The mentality of Nigerians that are joining the police force is in dare need of change. Ask the reason an average Nigerian wants to join the police force and you will hear manners of reasons that summarise into getting rich quick and oppression of others. How can any group formed under such a mentality offer a good service to humanity? The rebranding of the unscrupulous elements in the police would only lead to a worse situation. TV: What would you consider as important takeaways from this protest? Don’t you think that criminals have taken over the protests and have declared war on ordinary citizens of the country? Dr. Adekanmbi: The leaders should take the protest as a warning sign. The Nigerian populace of over 250 million people could rise up one day and cause a mayhem that might lead to an unwanted situation. The society created miscreants that took over the protest and perverted the genuine intentions of the original protesters and many innocent people suffered as a result. TV: President Muhammadu Buhari urged protesters to stop demonstrating and instead engage with the government “in finding solutions”. He made no mention in the speech of the shooting of protesters in Lagos? Dr. Adekanmbi: Not mentioning about the shooting was part of the irresponsibility of the government. It could also be interpreted as government culpability in the shooting of the peaceful protesters. However, the gesture that a round table be created for discussion is a step in the right direction if the government has a good intention. TV: Looking at the security architecture of the country, do you support state policing?

Continued from Page 19

Dr. Adekanmbi: State policing has its Pros’ and Cons’. Currently, with the jihadist operations, herders marauding alongside of accusations of ethnic cleansing, I will side in with state policing despite the possibility of it being hijacked to perpetuate oppression and intimidation of state opponents. TV: Do you think it is time for security to be separated from politics? There is this suspicion that every crime has a political undertone. Dr. Adekanmbi: In actual fact, for us to have it good in Nigeria, we should make the security independent of politics. The police need to be a serious arm of the judiciary while the soldiers become more professional concentrating on the defence of our territorial integrity. TV: Let’s look at restructuring, what is your stand on this? Dr. Adekanmbi: Restructuring is a definite way of fostering the unity of Nigeria and a means of allowance to make all sections to grow independently a n d competitively. Before the advent of the oil based economy, the west was growing on the productions of Cocoa, cocoa products and timber. The East was on oil palm majorly and the North on Groundnuts, yams and the likes. The economy was manageable then with relative peace in all the sections. With the advent of the oil based economy, some sections started venturing into the space of others, exploiting others, making one sided laws that are inimical to the detriment of other sections of the nation leading to lack of development and abject greed of the bourgeois. Every section of Nigeria is blessed with Natural resources that can be independently exploited leading to greater development. With restructuring, there will be relative peace as everyone would concentrate in developing their section and restricting would also affect security management and all other things. It will not give room to racial or tribal discrimination and will also disturb anything called ethnic cleansing. TV: Would you say ‘Operation Amotekun’ is a needless controversy and the most important is to secure the lives and property of the people living in Yoruba land? Dr. Adekanmbi: Operation Amotekun was necessitated by the unscrupulous and dastardly act of the Fulani herdsmen combined with uncurbed utterances of MiyettiAllah. It seems as if the Fulani led administration of our current president was condoling the massive killings and ethnic cleansing of the criminals and the Yoruba’s being wise, had to protect themselves, the citizens leaving on Yoruba soil and their properties when there was no protection coming forth from the Federal government. TV: Gender based violence is a common social problem in Nigeria especially in the Northern parts of Nigeria. There has been an increase in the cases of domestic violence, sexual exploitation, forced early marriage, and rape of minors since the spate of Boko Haram insurgency? Dr. Adekanmbi: Before the Advent of Boko Haram, there have been all these vices in Nigeria except early Child marriages peculiar to the Northern Part of the country. Recently, there were laws promulgated to protect the female gender since they seem to be the major victims of these vices. The Nigeria Populace frown at the increase of these obnoxious acts and efforts are being made by sincere government agencies, NGO’s and individuals to reduce if not totally obliterate the menaces. TV: Can corruption ever be eliminated in Nigeria? Dr. Adekanmbi: Yes through proper orientation and reduction in capitalism. The laws preventing civil servants from contesting elections by mandating them to resign their appointment

before contesting should be repealed. Civil servants that want to contest election could obtain a leave of absence to do so; when he is through, he could come back to his job and finish his service obtaining his pensions at the end. This will reduce or ultimately eradicate corruption! TV: What do you think of the current concepts of equity and equality? Dr. Adekanmbi: Though, these concepts are enshrined in our Policy of education and or codes in Nigeria, in practice, it is not. Saliently we know some people have been brainwashed that they are superior to others and they can have things easily where others fail. The issue of the quota system allows for cheating and inequality in the system. TV: What do you think are the main causes of inequalities? Dr. Adekanmbi: Sectional value system, lack of proper education and the entrenched quota system that eradicate wholesome and healthy Competition. TV: What are your key recommendations for policy makers to promote equity? Dr. Adekanmbi: Eradicate Quota system, review the policy of Education, review educational curriculum to inculcate skill based subjects, increase proper interstate relationships and repeal the laws that prevent the civil servants to participate actively in Politics. TV: Best Regards Rev Dr. Adekanmbi Martins. Fcai, Sipm JP Dr. Adekanmbi: Thank you for this interview

By: Gbenga Teejay Okunlola London-Bureau-Chief teejayok@gmail.com

Pretoria’s relations with new Malawian President Chakwera get off on wrong foot

South Africa’s relations with Malawi’s new President Lazarus Chakwera have started badly, clouded by suspicions that he helped a fugitive escape South African justice and complaints that Pretoria damaged his dignity by delaying his departure from South Africa. At first, Lazarus Chakwera’s visit to South Africa, the regional superpower, was going really well. Malawi’s newly elected president had a good meeting with his counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, in Pretoria last Friday, and signed an important economic co-operation deal. At about 1pm, Chakwera returned to the Sefako Makgatho presidential guest house to rest before his flight home on a chartered Malawi Airlines Bombardier Q400. He was as usual by a delegation that accompanied President Chakwera on his flight into South Africa, and was at Waterkloof Air Force Base with Malawi’s advance delegation when things started to go wrong. Chakwera’s excitement, and that of his entourage, turned first to anxiety and then to outrage as they learned that the advance delegation had been accosted by policemen at the airport, and denied access to the plane. The police were looking for controversial self-proclaimed “prophet” Shepherd Bushiri, reputed to be among the wealthiest religious figures in Africa. Bushiri and his wife were charged in South Africa with fraud, but were released on R200000 bail. They had disappeared that morning. Bushiri is one of Malawi’s most famous sons, and the police thought that Malawi’s president might be helping to smuggle him out. They were willing to break diplomatic protocol to check if Bushiri was on the plane. As it happened, the police were wrong. At that point, the Bushiris were already in Lilongwe; later, they would announce their escape to the world. “Our coming to Malawi … is a tactical withdrawal from the Republic of South Africa, solely meant to preserve our lives,” said Bushiri in a statement. “We have to be alive to testify.” After a delay of nearly 10 hours, Chakwera and his team were finally allowed to fly back to Lilongwe. Chakwera was furious. His diplomatic triumph had turned into a major diplomatic incident; and, once again, he found himself at odds with Bushiri, despite their shared background in Malawi’s evangelical community. Shepherd Huxley Bushiri was born on 20 February 1983 in Malawi’s northern district of Rumphi. Growing up, he was an average student, but he was always driven by his Christian faith. One of his former teachers at the Moyale Barracks community day secondary school said that Bushiri did not pass his high school exam at the first attempt. “He was too much into SCOM [Students Christian Organisation of Malawi] activities,” the teacher recalled. “He was staying with his brother Misheck and was a member of the CCAP [Church of Central Africa Presbyterian] church. How he became a prophet is a mystery.” A childhood friend, who asked not to be named, said that he remembers Bushiri as being secretive, creative and prone to prayer. “Of course, Bushiri was always a prayer man, such that he can leave you concentrating on books and he goes out for a prayer arrangement. You could tell he was so much into religious things. Behaviour-wise I don’t think I remember him picking

a fight with anyone, apart from if friends provoked him. However, you could not trust him fully because he appeared very secretive,” said the friend. Bushiri began his ministry in Mzuzu, the country’s third-largest city, and he made a name for himself among university students for his spiritual counsel on love and relationships. Even then, however, he seemed to attract scandal, and was accused of impregnating a woman in his congregation. These accusations were later dismissed by a court. From these beginnings, Bushiri built one of the largest, most influential and most lucrative ministries in Africa — the Enlightened Christian Gathering. This growth was fuelled by the “miracles” he claimed to perform: curing people of HIV, making the blind see, uplifting the impoverished and, on at least one occasion, walking on air. At the same time, he was accumulating enormous wealth, investing the tithes from churchgoers into everything from hospitality and real estate to transportation and mining. Bushiri’s net worth is thought to be more than R1-billion, and, unlike Malawi’s president, he has his own private plane. But controversy was never far behind. Bushiri was in the headlines in 2017 after the Botswana government imposed visa restrictions on him, because the local branch of his church had failed to submit audit accounts. He has been repeatedly implicated in adultery, and in 2019 he was accused by two churchgoers of rape (allegations that he strongly denies). Question marks also surrounded how he was able to grow his fortune so quickly. One notable critic is Lazarus Chakwera’s son. In 2017, Nick Chakwera sharply criticised Bushiri on social media for exploiting his congregation to make a profit. Both Chakweras are major figures in Malawi’s evangelical church movement, and Bushiri did not take kindly to the rebuke. “My warning is going to [Lazarus] Chakwera because I expected him, as a man of God and also a politician, to realise that his son has made a mistake,” said Bushiri at the time. “He should tell his son to leave me alone.” It was in South Africa that Bushiri’s controversial commercial activities appear to have finally caught up with him. After a yearslong investigation, the Hawks — the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation - arrested Bushiri and his wife Mary last month. They were charged with fraud and money-laundering worth more than R100-million. In a statement, one of Bushiri’s alleged victims, Felicia Sibeko, said she had invested R130000 in Bushiri’s gold, forex and commodities scheme. “I got the money from selling my taxi, which used to put food on the table for my family. Ever since the investment, my life has been ruined. He has made me and many others promises with huge returns, something which didn’t happen,” she said. “Instead, I got nothing but lies and promises day after day with the last excuse from him being that money was frozen. I invested to better my life and that of my family. Instead I have become a laughing stock in my community. When people see me they laugh, and say I believed and prayed with Papa Bushiri and he took my money.” Bail for the couple was posted at R200000 each. Apparently, it should have been even higher. Undeterred by losing R400000 between them, Shepherd and Mary Bushiri fled the country last Friday. It is still not clear how exactly they were able to cross South Africa’s borders — although we can rule out Chakwera’s jet. But if Bushiri was expecting a warm reception at home, he may have miscalculated. On Monday, Malawi’s police issued a warrant for the arrest of Bushiri and his wife. On Tuesday, they raided their house, but did not find them. On Wednesday, having run out of options, the Bushiris turned themselves in. They will oppose South Africa’s anticipated request for extradition, although have not yet stated on which grounds they intend to do so. “We don’t know which treaty they will use. For now, it will be preemptive to cite the grounds [on which] we will challenge extradition, but we will definitely challenge it,” said their lawyer, Wapona Kita. This means the case could drag on for some time, if the example of another high-profile extradition saga is anything to go by. It took six years of protracted legal battles before Malawi was able to extradite Misozi Chanthunya from South Africa; the case went all the way to the Supreme Court of Appeal. In the end, however, justice was served, and Chanthunya was convicted of murder.

Late President Jerry Rawlings, a showman President of varied ideologies: You hate to love him.

From violent beginnings, escaped death by future and he helped shape and secure Ghana’s middle income status and allowed democracy to take root and today after Kwame Nkrumah, the most admired and spoken about President of Ghana is Jerry Rawlings who suddenly passed away at the age of 73. His story is inspiring to young Ghanaians who are made to believe they can also dream of becoming anything they desire in their homeland, Ghana. As he departs, he leaves Ghana with many questions. One, what is the future of Ghana with the departure of a charismatic former leader who was still very present in the day to day life of Ghana? Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings leaves a trail of contradictions that will divide African opinion for years to come. Ghana’s longest serving head of state, he shaped the country’s fortunes, first as head of a military junta and then as an elected president who sealed the country’s transition to democracy and greater prosperity. En route, and with characteristic flamboyance during his two decades in power, Rawlings straddled ideologies - leaping from populist revolutionary to market realist as well as styles, discarding his air force boiler suit for traditional gonja smocks. Yet Rawlings, who has died aged 73 reportedly of Covid-19 complications, may be best remembered for how he came to prominence in a bloody 1979 coup, arrested, tried, set free by his fellow associates and rules with a strong fist. The execution of three former heads of state by firing squad was out of character for Ghana. Yet, for some, that “Rawlings moment” was a necessary corrective that resonates still among West Africans frustrated by corrupt and self-serving elites. To sympathisers of the victims and several hundred disappeared in ensuing years - it was a terrifying time and its scars are yet to heal. The son of a Ghanaian mother from the coastal town of Keta, who died this year at the age of 101, and a Scottish pharmacist who never recognised him, Rawlings went to Ghana’s premier school, Achimota, where he met his future wife Nana Konadu, with whom he would have four children. On graduation, he joined the air force, becoming a star pilot before being sprung to power, aged 32, by junior officers who were similarly revolted by Ghana’s decline at the hands of its ruling generals. “His humility, his air of sincerity and his consistent declarations on behalf of the poor and oppressed, provide an embarrassing contrast to the arrogant pomp and circumstance of conventional elitist politics in Ghana,” wrote Barbara Harrell-Bond, an American anthropologist, after interviewing him at the time. These characteristics contributed to

Rawlings’ enduring appeal among the urban poor. Rawlings always maintained the executions were necessary to appease public anger. Only weeks later, he handed power to an elected government, but returned by force in 1981, in a second coup. He set up popular defence committees, championed grass roots democracy, and aligned himself with the likes of Fidel Castro, Muammer Gaddafi and Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua. But price controls emptied the shelves, shortages became chronic, and captains of industry fled. By 1983, the country was at rock bottom. None of his revolutionary friends came forward with material help. So Rawlings went to the IMF and World Bank instead. In came an alphabet soup of development programmes and a tough structural adjustment. This moulded the country’s evolution and previewed the economic austerity that would come for other indebted African countries. Currency devaluation hit the poor very hard. Redundant civil servants emigrated, draining Ghana of its best brains and economic working force. The economy stabilised and began to grow, but remained hampered by its dependence on gold and cocoa for export earnings. In the words of Joe Abbey, once his finance minister, Rawlings controlled a country trundling down the runway that never quite took off. As a mercurial showman, Rawlings may have been uncomfortable with this, but he retained his populist touch. He honed the art of the stunt - clearing gutters and appearing on his motorbike to admonish policemen who extorted money. Meanwhile, Ghana developed. At the dawn of this century, more Ghanaians had access to electricity than any other African pupil of the World Bank. The foundations for the country’s middle income status had been laid. Nor had Rawlings become the tyrant that his volatile nature suggested he might. In 2001, he stood down as president and handed over power to an elected member of the opposition. This strengthened a democratic transition favourably tested in a 2008 presidential vote decided peacefully by fewer than 42,000 votes. Having eschewed ostentatious wealth, Rawlings died humbly in a state hospital. A wistful friend commenting this month on his death suggested that Rawlings’ pragmatism had served Ghana well. But he blamed the former fighter pilot for never showing remorse to his victims and for falling short of his foremost goal. “He certainly loved his country and in his own way did his best. But if his legacy was supposed to be ridding society of corruption, he failed.” The world pulse and wait when this illustrious son of Ghana will be buried. Whatever side of the coin you are, Rawlings would forever be remembered not only in Ghana for the rest of Africa and the world in general.