The Voice magazine

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Pastor Amb. Elvis Ndubuisi Iruh elvisiruh@thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Managing Editor Henry D. Oduenyi (Nigeria Office) henry@thenigerianvoice.com

Project Coordinator

Ifeyinwa Ezeagabu Ndubuisi Ezeagabu Joy Onoilu (JEBITV) (Belgium) jebitv2003@gmail.com

Middle East Vice- President Amb. Laila EL Aftani Rahhal

CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD

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Contributors Rev. Tammy Abusi (Nigeria) tamabusi@gmail.com

Kester Kenn Klomegah (Russia) Eva Nakato (Uganda) nakatoeva91@gmail.com Jimmie Nicks (Kenya) kollywoodhorizons@gmail.com Eubaldus Enahoro (Nigeria) enabadus2000@yahoo.com

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Abeka Salmin Abdallah Amb. Patrick McCaffrey Mildred Kleinbussink Engineer Barry A.O. Igbeare Guest Writer: Amb. Ms. Albena Jones

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Volume 22 Get fast results by advertising with us. Call us on +31684999548 or +31648519292 E-mail: info@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Send all your articles for publication....

Pages 6 & 7 – Editorial: Crucial year 2023 ahead of some countries holding elections

Page 8 – President Obiang is the clear winner of the elections in Equatorial Guinea

Page 10 - The need for realistic solutions from COP27

Page 11 - Opinion: Hope for a New Nigeria

Pages 18 & 19 - Mozambique strengthens bilateral relations with the UAE

Pages 26 & 27 - China, Russia, and South Africa: Perspectives on BRICS Expansion By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

Pages 28 & 29 - Trauma, “my shadow companion” by Caroline Omondi

Page 30 – Lupita Nyong’o pays a moving tribute to Black Panther co-star Chadwick Boseman on his first death anniversary.

Page 31 – Wakanda Forever “will honor Chadwick Boseman’s legacy.”

Pages 32 & 33 - The Justina Mutala Foundation launches a US$10 million STEM scholarship for Zimbabwe.

Page 36 – Mitigating the current economic crisis - Written by Nicera Kimani

Pages 38 & 39 - Climate Yes! The roadmap to climate justiceWritten by Martha Nalukenge

Pages 40 -42 - “Ghana needs research-and-policy synergy to boost development.” By Martin Luther King, Jr.

Pages 48 & 49 - An irony called Nigeria By Enahoro Eubaldus

Page 52 - Interview with Ambassador Onowu

Pages 54 & 55 - My Dubai Experience - Written by Ritah Atuhaire

Pages 60 & 61 - The Shrinking Park of Kenya - Written by Nicera Kimani

Pages 64 & 65 - Meet the young Ugandan dance group taking the world by storm.

Pages 66 -67- The wedding of the year 2022 in the UK

Pages 68 & 69 - Sports: Jeanne Marie Abou’ou speaks out after Embolo pubished Cameroon at the world cup

REGISTER WITH NIGERIA EMBASSY THE HAGUE

On behalf of the Nigerian Embassy in The Hague, this is a general public announcement and appeal to all Nigerians resident in the Netherlands either as Students or full time residents with Dutch Nationality or any other nationality but you have proof of being a Nigerian. We kindly advise you to register your current location address and contact details through the Nigerian Embassy for your safety and accountability purposes in case of an emergency of evacuation or exchange of information. The Russian /Ukraine conflict is a learning curve for us all. We live in a time of uncertainty around the world.

Note: Your information is not going to be compromised or used for any other purpose than for documentation and records purpose if you are to be reached.

Kindly register yourself, spouse, children or any other family member resident with you even if they are undocumented in the country.

The link to follow is below or visits the Nigerian Embassy website at www.nigerianembassythehague.nl

Signed: Nigerian Ambassador to The Netherlands Her Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Mrs. Eniola Ajayi The Hague, The Netherlands

Crucial year 2023 ahead of some countries holding elections

As we begin to round up for the year 2022, it has been a challenging year for many African countries, and the coming year does not hold much expectation as many of the African countries will be going into an election year to elect new leadership. Elections in Africa have not received pleasant commentary internationally, but this coming year, there are great expectations for change in nearly all the countries going into elections. Depending on where you live in Africa, you might have been hearing a lot of the election chatter that has characterized this season and the coming year. One crucial one is that of the biggest and most populous black nation in the world, Nigeria. On February 23, 2023, Nigeria would be voting for a new government, including a new president and new legislators, both at the state and federal levels. The focus is very much on Nigeria’s presidential election, which is being contested by three leading candidates at the moment: Babatunde Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress, which is the ruling political party in the country; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party, the present opposition party in the country; and finally, a newcomer to the race

who is gaining media publicity and social media popularity, Peter Obi, a former state governor and former vice presidential candidate. The Nigerian election would be a watershed for the rest of the African continent’s elections in 2023.

Other elections to look forward to in 2023 include that of Sierra Leone, scheduled for June 23, 2023. The

elect the president and House of Representatives. The incumbent president, George Weah, is eligible for a second term, and from all indications, he would take the offer and challenge to ask for reelection. The President is elected using the two-round system, while the 73 members of the House of Representatives are elected by firstpast-the-post voting in single-member constituencies. Already he is facing many opponents wanting the top job, including Nathaniel Barnes, a former Liberian Ambassador to the United States of America. In January 2022, he announced his intention to run for the presidency as an independent candidate.

There are expected elections in Madagascar in 2023.

President Andry Nirina Rajoelina is most likely to stand for reelection. He was first elected in 2019 after being mayor of Antananarivo for one year prior to his election as president. Also in 2023, Mauritanians will hold parliamentary elections; the election is expected around the first quarter of 2023. If the election goes ahead, it would be the first parliamentary elections held after the first peaceful transition of power in the country as a result of the 2019 presidential elections, in which Mohamed Ould Ghazouani was elected president after incumbent Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was not able to run due to the two-term constitutional limit.

Parliament and President will be elected. Members of Parliament will be elected by proportional representation after a presidential decree by President Julius Maada Bio in October 2022 abolished the first-past-the-post system that had been used since 2008.

General elections are scheduled to be held in Liberia in 2023 to

South Sudan, after very challenging years since independence, would attempt to organize a national election in 2023. Since 2015, the country has struggled to agree on what type of government system to use to govern the country. The election was postponed again in 2021. Following the peace agreement that ended the civil war, a transitional period of three years was

President George Weah of Liberia

agreed upon, which would be followed by this election in 2023. In the same vein, the country they separated from, Sudan, would be having its own general election also in

July 2023. Although a constitutional convention is expected to be held before the end of the transitional period to draft a permanent constitution that should define the form of government and electoral system to follow, Article 19 of the August 2019 Draft Constitutional Declaration forbids “the chairman and members of the Sovereignty Council and ministers, governors of provinces, or heads of regions” from running “in the public elections.” This section is still a subject of contention in the country as they try to move away from the ear of the former leader, Al Bashir.

In 2023, the Democratic Republic of the Congo would also hold a general election, according to a roadmap released in February 2022 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). Simultaneous elections will be held for the president, the 500 members of the National Assembly, the elected members of the 26 provincial assemblies, and, for the first time under the new constitution, the members of around 1,000 local councils (commune, sector, and chiefdom councils).

A Zimbabwean general election is expected to be held in Zimbabwe in 2023. The President of Zimbabwe is elected using the two-round system. The 270 members of the National Assembly consist of 210 members elected in single-member constituencies and 60 women

elected by proportional representation in ten six-seat constituencies based on the country’s provinces. Voters cast a single vote, which is counted for both forms of election. The 80 members of the Senate include 60 members elected from ten six-member constituencies (also based on the provinces) by proportional representation using party lists; the lists must have a woman at the top and alternate between men and women. The other 20 seats include two reserved for people with disabilities and 18 for traditional chiefs. Swazi general elections are expected to be held in Eswatini in 2023. The House of Assembly consists of 59 elected seats and up to ten seats chosen by the Ngwenyama. The 59 members are elected in a two-round system. A primary election is held in each of the 385 chiefdoms to choose a candidate for the secondary election, with between three and twenty candidates in each chiefdom. In the secondary election, the country is divided into 59 constituencies (increased from 55 in the 2013 elections); each winner of the primary election then stands in the constituency that covers their chiefdom. Both rounds operate on a first-pastthe-post basis, with all candidates running as independents. Finally, the Gambia, after success at the presidential polls at the start of 2021, would be holding local elections to elect leaders for the provinces. The elections are slated for May 13, 2023.

With all of these elections holding in 2023, it becomes more crucial for these African countries to maintain peace, order, and stability to reduce instability and conflicts into which many African countries are thrown after elections. It should be recalled that few countries presently are under military rule again because of the inability of the political class to organize itself and govern the country with transparency and accountability.

Our prayer is that 2023 will be peaceful in all of these countries that we have mentioned in this editorial, and may the people’s wishes prevail. Have a happy, peaceful, restful end-of-year celebration, and I look forward to seeing you all in 2023. Thank you for your support and patronage in 2022. You made our year a successful one.

God bless you all.

Amb. Elvis Iruh Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Pastor

President Julious Maada Bio of Sierra Leone

President Felix Tshisekedi of DRC

President Obiang is the clear winner of the elections in Equatorial Guinea

With all the votes counted in the elections in Equatorial Guinea, the President’s party, Teodoro Obiang, manages to consolidate itself as the clear choice of the Equatoguinean citizens in the presidential and legislative elections, which took place last month.

The Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), led by President Obiang, obtains a clear majority, which exceeds 90% of the votes. In second place is the opposition party Convergence for Social Democracy (CPDS) and in third position is the Social Democratic Coalition Party (PCSD).

This election is a clear indication that the President victory shows he is very popular with his people and they continue to support his government despite all the attacks from the west over his style of leadership. His clear victory in the

In fact, the Central African country is positioned today as one of the five most prosperous economies on the African continent.

According to statements by the Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea in Brussels, Ambassador Carmelo Nvono-Ncá, “if all this is added to the greater stability, order and security of the continent, it is obvious that the people want to grant the current President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the opportunity to choose to another errand. He continues to serve the interest of his people and that is what is most important.

The Voice magazine is in talks with the Ambassador on possible coverage and big reportage on the country for the rest of the world to see how great this country is doing both economically and socially.

Congratulations to His Excellency, President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo on his reelection.

elections in Equatorial Guinea by President Obiang, is nothing more than the confirmation of decades of hard work and effort to position Equatorial Guinea as one of the reference countries in the African context.

Health is Wealth - Take care of yourself by protecting yourself

SELF TEST AS A PROTECTION AGAINST COVID

Wehave seen a lot of changes in the measures surrounding the Corona Pandemic in recent months and the past year. A booster shot has been added, the QR code, facemasks, quarantine rules and much more. It is difficult for many people to keep up with the flow of information and also to get a good idea of what is true and where you can find reliable information. However, the organization, INCLUSIA continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, to enlighten, educate and promote vigilance on the part of the populace. The campaign is that we all need to remain vigilant as we enter the winter season of the year and many people are reported sick. You are encouraged to get the self-test kits to test yourself for Corona virus symptoms and if you test positive then make appointment to get vaccination. There are tem of information officers in various languages to ensure that reliable information in your own language reaches people with a migration background. They provide information about the measures, QR code, and Booster vaccination and where people can go for more information. They organize these meetings throughout the country and it is possible to join one of

these meetings if you are interested.

The schedule and how to join a meeting or get more information, please contact Madam Fester Imoh on +31634135262.

United Nigeria Platform, The Netherlands in collaboration with Inclusia, sponsors this information

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The need for realistic solutions from COP27

Developing countries will require an additional US$1 trillion in external financing to meet the challenges posed by the climate crisis, according to a report commissioned by the current and previous COP hosts, Egypt and Britain. Speaking at the World Economic Forum High-Level Nature and Climate Dinner during COP27, Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO at Africa Finance Corporation, stressed that “being serious about closing the climate funding gap for the developing world, and particularly for Africa, requires recognition of the distorted global financial architecture made in the US and Europe, which causes a tragic irony when it comes to climate action.” “Those countries suffering, through no fault of their own, the most extreme ravages of climate change and, therefore, the places most in need of finance to pay for resilient buildings and infrastructure, are also the ones with the least access to capital and the highest cost of borrowing.”

Expanding on the scale of the challenge that African economies face when accessing finance, Mr. Zubairu explained how, contrary to popular belief, “Africa’s default rate on project financing is lower than every

region in the world, below the US, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.” Only the Middle East has a lower default risk. “And yet most African countries pay more to borrow than a country like Greece at the height of the financial crisis of 2008.”

Mr. Zubairu closed with a note of optimism, stating that organizations like the Africa Finance Corporation are executing solutions. “We have developed the tools to de-risk climate investments and offer strong returns that incentivize funding from institutional investors.” With financial institutions having pledged at COP26 to align portfolios worth US$130 trillion to achieve net zero emissions, dedicated funding is limited only by our ability to work together and innovate.

Opinion: Hope for a New Nigeria

Atrue Nigerian won’t pray to go through what we are going through now in Nigeria again in life. But that is not to say that those who have agreed with their destiny to suffer and remain poor will not go out of their ways to renew their contracts with backwardness, suffering, lack, and begging.

I remember vividly that in 2015, I warned everyone closer to me not to dare vote for this government, and boom, hell was let loose. I didn’t receive any insults. But I thank God for vindicating me and others who foresaw the mess we are in today in Nigeria. Today, just like the Israelites did, we have cried unto the Lord our Maker, and He has heard our cries and groans, and He has touched the heart of one of His children (Peter Obi), and with speed he came out. And we can all see how God has overturned the whole scenario. Today, the last is now seen as the first, which the giants are even afraid of. Never in my life have I seen this type of 360-degree turnaround. Well, I have nothing else to say than to use this medium to still call on Nigerians to say that it is still possible to come out of bondage if you truly make up your mind to. Let no one deceive you by reminding you of how they have helped you. That they helped you, or are still helping you, doesn’t

make them your god. God is giving us another opportunity and grace. Please don’t let us miss this great opportunity.

2023 is around the corner. Think of your children, grandchildren, and also the generations yet unborn. Go and collect your PVC. And let’s jointly and uniformly cast our vote for “Labour Party.” OUR GOD IS A REWARDER OF LABOR.

And don’t forget that “THE WISE MAN BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK.” Let’s be wise this time. Say no to manipulators. Vote for Peter Obi and Yusuf Ahmed Datti. Vote Labor Party for a New Nigeria

By Dr. Ambassador Lumazio Azubuike President/Founder, Lugami

She writes from Abuja, Nigeria.

Eunice Atuejide: New available face for House of Representatives via Labor party of Nigeria

2023 Labour Party Candidate for the Federal House of Representatives, Apapa Federal Constituency, Lagos State is Eunice Atuejide. She is 43 years old, from Ukehe, Igbo-Etiti LGA of Enugu State. She’s mum to five children and has a granddaughter. She was born and raised in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Eunice is a legal practitioner, business development consultant, and a politician. She is the founder and National Chairman of the now defunct National Interest Party (NIP). A technology driven political party designed to conduct all intra party elections, congresses and party primaries online. She vied for the Presidency under the NIP platform in 2019. Eunice served as the Deputy Secretary General of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) from 2018 to 2020.

Eunice studied Agricultural Economics at the University of Ibadan, in Oyo State; Business Administration in Germany, French, German and Spanish languages in different countries in Europe; Film Making, Acting and Communication skills in the USA, completed degrees and postgraduate qualifications in law including the GDL, LLB, LPC, LLM and the QLTS in the UK.

She also completed the requisite training at the Nigerian Law School to enrol as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Eunice is enrolled as a Solicitor

of England and Wales, and she is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Eunice speaks fluent Igbo, Yoruba, German and English languages. She has a working knowledge of French and Spanish languages and is currently learning Hausa language. She has visited, lived and worked in more than 80 countries and over 250 cities in the world, she holds a black belt in Taekwondo, and she is an avid golfer.

Eunice worked as a young girl behind the scenes of the Nigerian movie industry popularly known as Nollywood, later producing and co-directing her own movie - Heartbeats. She marketed and promoted Nollywood movies, Nigerian actors and musicians, athletes and politicians.

Eunice worked with several local and international companies to introduce and promote their goods and services to various markets in different parts of the world. She worked with several private and public organisations across the globe to procure goods and services, as well as facilitate investments in infrastructure development projects in Africa –particularly Nigeria, Cameroon, and Uganda. Eunice is passionate about Nigeria and Nigerians and her unwavering faith and love for her country and people is why Eunice led a team of young Nigerians selected from every corner of the country

to form the National Interest Party (NIP) in 2017, sponsor several young people to race for various offices, and herself vie for the Presidency in 2019.

Eunice believes that a government of good leaders is the surest way out of the abyss Nigeria has been in since inception. She believes Nigeria needs men and women of high class and undisputed integrity to entrust the leadership of the country to. Men and women from every corner of the country bound by a common objective to create a Nigeria that works for every Nigerian.

A government, which offers our people transparency and accountability at all, levels. A government made up of leaders who are not moved by religious, ethnic, tribal, gender or any other prejudices. People who are ready to work together for the common good, irrespective of their differences. People whose collective purpose would be to create a country which works for every Nigerian.

It is for this reason that Eunice is in the race at the 2023 General Elections for a seat as the member of the Federal House of Representatives representing the good people of Apapa Federal Constituency. Eunice hopes to from there, build her profile up for her ultimate ambition, which is to one day become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. She fully supports and backs the ambition of His Excellency, Peter Obi as the next President of Nigeria. She is a member of the Big Tent team – this is the parallel campaign structure for Peter Ob’s campaign.

This group is organizing for the campaign in such a manner as to replicate everything Labour Party

needs to put in place for the campaign and election monitoring. According to her, this platform is reaching out to all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria in the Diaspora and at home so supports the effort to bring the change Nigerians desire through Peter Obi.

Nothing is too little or too much to actualize this vision, as you know he is contesting against people who have amasses wealth for the purpose of stealing the peoples’ conscience through bribes. We need to each every Nigerian with this message of hope and chance we cannot allow to elude us now.

She recently visited Europe, United Kingdom and the Netherlands to gather support for her campaign and that of Peter Obi.

You can still support this whole process by contacting her through the following means:+447466944480 (Whatsapp only)

JOB OPPORUNTITY FOR YOU TO HAVE A FRESH START…

Event Title: DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN WORK & INCOME

You are invited to be part of this major event of the year or recommend it to one person in the Netherlands seeking a job, a job change, or new challenges! There are many opportunities in the health sector now! Take advantage of it now!

Event Title is DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN WORK AND INCOME

Empowering and training migrants and third-country nationals (TCNs) through career mentoring and entrepreneurship ventures. Join us at the venue or join us online via Zoom. http://jobfair.vitalaid.org/ ABOUT EVENT

Vital Aid Foundation (VAF) is an organization based in The Hague with more than 18 years of experience in migrant integration and related issues.

Our forthcoming event, titled: Diversity and inclusion in work and income, will deliver 3 workshops under the thematic issue of labor integration of migrants and third-country nationals (TLCs). The event is a project initiated by the Vital Aid Foundation and her EU partners under the name “AMIF Program.”

Together with our local partners, we are presenting these educational and impactful workshops to assist migrants in their quest for labor market integration by offering information packages and workshops on Change in career paths and studies combined with employment opportunities in the health care industry

Job readiness and opportunities in the Dutch labor market

Self-employment opportunities and procedures in the Netherlands Business start-ups for entrepreneurs SAP system application

The event will feature the best labor market experts and partners presenting papers and workshops on the subject, which will include: PEP Den Haag, Africa Cultural Promotion Center (ACPC), Vic-Proactiv Zorg BV, and SAP software consultant RAVIRAJ B.

VAF understands better than anyone what migrants face in the Dutch labor market and how to achieve break-even by working together with experts and target groups. Whether it concerns migrants with a low level of education or those who are highly skilled, this event is a must-attend for those concerned

Mozambique strengthens bilateral relations with the UAE

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

Reviewing carefully the primary significance of the working visit of Mozambican President, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, shows the level of recognition given by African leaders to this country in the Arab world. In the month of October, he headed a government delegation on three working days in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Simply and popularly referred to as the “Emirates,” they are located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula and share borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia while having maritime borders in the Persian Gulf with Qatar and Iran. Abu Dhabi is the capital, while Dubai, the most populous city, is

total population has increased to around 10 million. The UAE has good general infrastructure; the system’s major advantage is the domestic macroeconomic stability and steady growth, and this key factor positively impacts its economic and business relations with the external countries.

Consequently, African leaders, corporate business leaders, tourists, and even the youth have the desire to take a glimpse of the country. African leaders, among them, for instance, President Filipe Nyusi, have the aim of establishing and strengthening multifaceted economic ties with the UAE.

an international business hub. As of 2021, the United Arab Emirates has an estimated population of roughly 9.9 million. Many have asked the most traditional and often-asked question: why this Arab country has attained such a high level of prominence as a business and tourism destination, even as a transit spot for travelers. The United Arab Emirates has the most diversified economy, an admirably well-planned city, and a refined, welcoming culture in the Arab world. As impressive as economic growth has been in the UAE, the

According to reports, Filipe Nyusi officially visited at the invitation of the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. President Nyusi and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed various aspects of UAE-Mozambique relations and the opportunities available to expand the scope of common interests. In this context, the two sides affirmed their common interest in developing bilateral relations and pushing them forward to serve the interests of the two parties

and their peoples.

The meeting touched on cooperation in the field of environment and combating climate change in light of Mozambique’s membership in the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) co-led by the United Arab Emirates and the United States, which was announced in 2021.

The two sides stressed the important role the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP 28), which will be hosted by the UAE next year, can play in this regard. The two leaders exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common concern.

Filipe Nyusi also held a meeting with the Emir of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the vice president, and later visited the Port of Dubai, managed by DP World, which currently participates in the management of the Port of Maputo. He interacted with Mozambican citizens residing in the UAE. In order to facilitate and promote tourism, Mozambique and the Emirates were looking to be exempt from entry visas under the Economic Acceleration Measures Package.

As part of reviewing bilateral relations, there are contacts to establish a visa waiver agreement on diplomatic and service passports, and this agreement should be extended to normal passport holders. Both countries attempted to fix a direct air link between the two countries.

In the UAE, the diplomatic talks resulted in a series of agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and two memoranda of understanding on defense cooperation and counterterrorism were signed. According to official reports, Mozambique and the Emirates attach great importance to economic and business cooperation and also provide necessary assistance in combating terrorism.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and President Nyusi witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering various sectors. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Verónica Macamo, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique, signed an MoU on security and counterterrorism.

For his part, President Nyusi expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Highness for the warm reception, noted that the visit constituted an important boost to relations between the two countries in various fields, and finally stressed his keenness to continue working with him for the growth and prosperity of bilateral relations. The meeting was attended by a number of senior UAE officials.

In general, the UAE and Africa have excellent, dynamic relations. Dubai International Chamber operates four representative offices in Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Ghana. Over 1,600 new African member companies have registered with the Dubai Chamber since October 2021, after it hosted the sixth edition of the Global Business Forum Africa (GBF Africa).

According to Gulf Business, the Dubai International Chamber’s strategy is to boost membership, which aims to attract companies and foreign direct investment from the continent to the Emirates. That is to say, efforts are directed at attracting African businesses to the Dubai market and connecting local companies with business opportunities emerging across Africa.

It is interesting to note that President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi’s October visit underscored the UAE’s keenness to bolster trade and commercial relations with Mozambique and possibly other African countries. It further shows the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation that bind the two countries and their keenness to explore ways of expanding their partnership to promote mutual investments and enhance stability and prosperity. After a thorough study and review of several reports, UAE businessmen have enormous interest in investing in Mozambique. According to O Pas (Rádio Moçambique), President Nyusi unreservedly expressed his pride in the strong relations between Mozambique and the UAE at the end of the visit. With an approximate population of 30 million, Mozambique is endowed with rich natural resources. It is one of the 16 countries with collective responsibility to promote regional socio-economic integration and security cooperation within the Southern African Development Community.

African Renaissance Cultural Conference and Honors concluded successfully in Dakar, Senegal

By: Meredith Beal

The inaugural African Renaissance Cultural Conference & Honors took place last month in Dakar, Senegal, and it was a resounding success, capturing the attention of the Senegalese conscious community, broadcast on World Democracy Radio in 12 West African countries, television news in Senegal, and resonating throughout the global African diaspora. In the last several months, as word of the event spread, we were contacted by offspring of the founding fathers and mothers of the Pan African liberation movement who wanted to participate, including the children or grandchildren of Haile Selassie, Kwame Nkrumah, Milton Obote, Kenneth Kaunda, Nelson Mandela, Idi Amin, Julius Nyerere, and the family of Cheikh Anta Diop. I even spoke with Mama Nyerere, wife of Julius Nyerere, the father of Tanzanian independence, and she is 100 years old! Though there was not enough room to accommodate everyone this time, now that we are connected, IT’S ON AND POPPIN!

Last year was my 10th anniversary of living in Africa. I was pondering how Africa was different since I came—what is better, what is worse, and what hasn’t changed. After having a dialogue with His Majesty Prince Ermias Selassie, grandson of His Imperial Highness Emperor Haile Selassie, which we neglected to record, we promised to create another occasion and make sure we document it. We were pondering questions like, “What would the pioneers of Pan-Africanism think about the state of Africa today?” Last July, I was going to accompany Dr. Julius Garvey, son of the legendary founder of the Black Star Line and the Back-to-Africa Movement, on a trip he was planning to take a group of African Americans and African Caribbeans to Ghana to unveil a statue of Marcus Garvey. The trip was cancelled because of the pandemic. Dr. Garvey and I continued our discussions.

My friends and I were discussing how to celebrate the 10year mark, but because of the pandemic, we decided to hold off until this year. We wanted to enjoy this milestone

in a memorable way, so Oko Drammeh and I organized this African Renaissance event and invited Dr. Garvey to honor him and the legacy he maintains. With the support of our longtime brothers Edmond Allmond, Mahtar Njai, Jonathan Clark, Dr. Arnette (Carl) Duncan, our dear brother Amadou Thiam, Michael Williams, our on-the-ground manager in Dakar, Habib Kamara, Keidi Awadu, and a host of others too numerous to list here but who will be acknowledged elsewhere, My deep gratitude to all of the patrons, colleagues, sponsors, family, and friends who came together to support a step forward in expanding Pan-African unity and the important knowledge sharing and relationship building that took place last weekend.

My sister Michele and a few family and friends made the trip; it was her and a few others’ first time in Africa. I appreciate their presence and support, and it sure looks like they had fun as well. I hope it was a memorable experience for them.

The 2-day conference took place Friday and Saturday,

November 4 and 5, in Dakar, Senegal, at Place du Souvenir. Dr. Garvey’s keynote speech was an in-depth lecture, chronicling the formidable activities of the people upon whose shoulders we stand and detailing the devilish actions and impact of colonial and neo-colonial oppressors with an eye on where we go from here, particularly directed at African youth. Dr. Garvey shared that he has been to Senegal a number of times, but this trip has been the most meaningful. He also said that though his father never made it to Africa, because of his activities on this trip, he feels that his father’s spirit is finally in Africa. Our deep gratitude and thanks to Dr. Garvey, who, despite daunting challenges, made the trip to Senegal and gave an incredible lecture, which was listened to intently by academics, students (particularly from Cheikh Anta Diop University), representatives of government, and the business and cultural communities of Senegal and neighboring countries. Dr. Garvey is the recipient of the inaugural African Renaissance Cultural Conference and Honors Champion of Pan-Africanism.

Video messages were received from His Majesty Prince Ermias Selassie, Professor PLO Lumumba, Irungu Houghton of Amnesty International Kenya, Ambassador Mussie Hailu, Global Envoy and Representative at the UN and AU for the United Religions Initiative—Africa, Professor Toyin Falola, and Makeda Kumasi, Western Region President for the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations.

In addition to Dr. Garvey’s powerful lecture, Day 1 included a presentation by Hon. Alioune Ndoye, Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, who also is Mayor of Dakar-Plateau, along with Pasadena, CA, USA City Attorney/City Prosecutor Michele Beal Bagneris (my sister). Under the theme of “Building Bridges,” the two city officials shared how they formalized a sister city relationship in 2019 that they hope will foster cultural and educational exchange and encourage business relationships. This pact resonates with one of the themes of the conference: the reconnection of Africans from the diaspora with Africans on the continent. It provides a bridge for African-Americans in Pasadena to connect with their brothers and sisters in Senegal. Other speakers included Dr. Dialo Diop of Chiekh Anta Diop

University; Edmond Allmond, VP of Eureeqa, Inc., who spoke about the importance of owning and protecting African intellectual property; Mariam Wane Ly; Mahtar Njai; and author Dr. Aoua Bocar Ly Tall.

On Day 2, I shared some perspectives of my decade on the continent and offered highlights from the 10-Year Africa Report 2011-2021, authored by me, Dr. Arnette Duncan, and Keidi Awadu, which will be published in December of this year.

International recording artist Idrissa Diop closed the event with a powerful performance in a concert for Marcus Garvey. Dr. Garvey said that Idrissa’s personally directed performance was the highlight of the event for him.

I was delighted to find a community of conscious African Americans living in Senegal who are working together on progressive things, have businesses, and are paving the way for others to do the same. Come on over. The gathering demonstrated that the Back-to-Africa Movement is far from dead; it is more vibrant than ever, with more and more diasporans exploring African culture, tourism, business, repatriation, and reparations. Mark your calendars for next year, the first week in November 2023: The African Renaissance Cultural Conference & Honors, Dakar, Senegal. More to come...

My Remarks:

My name is Meredith Beal. I am an African who happened to have been born in the United States. Ever since high school, I have dreamed of living in Africa. I grew up during the civil rights and Black Power eras of the 1960s and 1970s. We followed news about Kwame Nkrumah, Haile Selassie, Marcus Garvey, W.E.B. Du Bois, and the other African freedom fighters around the world and their revolutionary movements.

I began studying classical African history and culture under the mentorship of Dr. John Henrik Clarke and Dr. Yosef benJochannan, and they taught me about the monumental work of Dr. Cheikh Anta Diop.

I got the opportunity to move to Africa when UNESCO called the U.S. National Association of Broadcasters, initially looking for a mentor for some radio broadcasters in Liberia,

which led to a much more robust, continent-wide program to strengthen the management skills of African media owners. I have long experience in multiple areas of media—I was a reporter for the Los Angeles Times when I was in my 20s; I have been an editor-in-chief of a number of newspapers and magazines; I was director of marketing at Motown Records in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s; and I was Dell Computer’s

63 countries in the world and 27 African countries, and I have had projects in 20 African nations. What is different about Africa after 10 years? What is better, what is worse, and what hasn’t changed? Reflecting on that is part of what led to this conference. I want Africans in the diaspora to know that we can be successful here, that though there are significant challenges, there is opportunity, that we are welcomed, and

first global webmaster. While at Dell, I bought several radio stations, and in 2007 I was named Texas Broadcaster of the Year.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation sent me to Kenya to manage the project they funded in 2011. When I arrived, I found TV broadcasters struggling with the analog switch-off and the transition to digital broadcasting. I wrote a guide for African TV managers that was used by broadcast regulators in every African country, and I worked with the African Telecommunications Union to conduct workshops all over the continent to usher in the new media landscape. I’ve lived in Africa for more than 10 years now. I have visited

that we have something of value to offer.

In all of my travels, I’ve found that most people around the world are concerned about four basic things: they want to be safe and secure at home; they want to be able to feed and clothe their families; they want to be gainfully employed and productive members of society; and they want their children to have a better life than they had—simple.

In looking at the continent in 2011 compared to 2021, what have been some of the major observations? We’ve focused on a few key areas to reflect on. We’ll share a few highlights today of the 10-Year Africa Report by two of my colleagues and me, Dr. Arnette Duncan, who is here, and Mr. Keidi

Awadu, who could not be here today. We will be releasing the report at the end of the year.

A few highlights:

Gender and Women’s Participation in Government

2011: In looking at women and men in cabinet positions across the continent, we find that 26 percent of women in East Africa held cabinet positions or Southern Africa 23%; the Horn of Africa: 21%; Central Africa: 18%; West Africa: 17%; and the least participation in North Africa: 11%.

2021: In looking at that picture in 2021, we found in East Africa 32% women, Southern Africa 26%, the Horn of Africa 23%, Central Africa 20%, West Africa 19%, and the least participation in North Africa at 13%. *According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance The country with the world’s highest female participation rate in parliament is Rwanda at 61%.

Food Security

According to the World Economic Forum, in 2011, an estimated 240 million Africans suffered from hunger. In 2021, that number will have increased to nearly 280 million people, or 20% of the African population.

Economics GDP

In 2011, the GDP of the African economy, comprised of 54 economies, was 1.85 trillion U.S. dollars with a growth

rate of around 4%. 10 years later, it was around US$2.7 trillion. If we implement and manage the African Continental Free Trade Area—the world’s largest economic zone—well, that number should skyrocket.

Across the continent, a thriving technology sector is fueling Africa’s economies. There is a correlation between internet connectivity, literacy rates, and economic growth. 70% of the population in the southern region has internet connectivity. Only 30% of the people in east and central Africa have connectivity. In the east and central areas, connectivity is a primary driver of economic activity. Nigeria’s information, communication, and technology (ICT) sector contributed 18.44% of its GDP in the second quarter of 2022, superseding its oil sector, which accounted for only 6.33% of its GDP. That highlights the importance of the relationship between connectivity and development. We Are Back! The African Diaspora is back, stronger than

ever, with brilliance, experience, resources, and relationships to take the continent to the next level. African-American culture has been a powerful engine influencing global culture for a long time. Hip-hop culture has been one of the biggest drivers of not only global culture but economics, generating high-net-worth individuals who, when enlightened about the power of African culture and the promise of what Africa can offer the world, can accelerate the development of the continent.

The cover of the Economist magazine in 2000 read: “Africa, the Hopeless Continent.” In 2010, it read “Africa Rising.” In 2020 it will read The African Century. What will the cover read in 2030? Jerejef, merci beaucoup, and thank you.

China, Russia and South Africa Perspectives on BRICS Expansion

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

Within the current global geopolitical changes, growing support is underway to provide enough preparations for Saudi Arabia and possibly a few others to join BRICS, an organization made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. China will hand over the chair to South Africa in early 2023.

China and Russia have been pushing for the expansion of BRICS, soliciting support for the multipolar system of global governance instead of the existing rules-based unipolar directed by the United States. It is often explained that a bigger BRICS primarily offers huge opportunities among the group members and for developing countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club held October 27, reaffirmed Russia’s unshakable support for Saudi Arabia joining the BRICS. “Yes, we support it, but this requires a consensus among all the BRICS countries,” he said.

According to him, Saudi Arabia is a rapidly developing country, which is due not only to its leading position in the hydrocarbon market. “This is also due to the fact that the Crown Prince and the government of Saudi Arabia have very big plans for diversifying the economy, which is very important.” “They have entire national development plans designed for this goal,” the Russian President said.

He expressed confidence that, given the enthusiasm and creativity of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, these plans will be implemented. Therefore, of course, Saudi Arabia deserves to be a member of major international

organizations, such as the BRICS and the SCO. “Most recently, we determined the status of Saudi Arabia in the SCO and will develop relations with this country both bilaterally and on multilateral platforms,” Putin added.

With the current unstable and volatile global situation creating skyrocketing uncertainties in global economic recovery, China has unreservedly shown its contribution to strengthening the BRICS. For 16 years since its inception, China has offered the largest financial support for the BRICS National Development Bank and contributed tremendously in other directions, including health, education, and economic collaboration among the group.

That is why BRICS has gained extensive recognition. More and more countries are willing and interested in becoming members of BRICS, making joint efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges, and realizing common development and prosperity.

On May 19, China’s State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired a video conference dialogue between foreign ministers of BRICS countries and their counterparts from emerging economies and developing countries. It was the first BRICS Plus dialogue at the level of foreign ministers. Participants in the dialogue came from BRICS countries as well as invited countries such as Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria, Senegal, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand.

According to Wang Yi, the dialogue’s importance was to

further expand cooperation between the BRICS countries and other emerging economies and developing countries. In addition, Wang Wenbin, during his weekly media briefing on October 20, explained that as the BRICS chair for this year, China has actively supported the BRICS in starting the membership expansion process and advancing the “BRICS Plus” cooperation.

During the 14th BRICS summit, successfully held in June 2022, President Xi Jinping noted at the meeting that BRICS countries gather not in a closed club or an exclusive circle but in a big family of mutual support and a partnership for

“Europe and the United States dominate institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, and to some extent many others,” explained Robertson in an emailed query.

According to him, “Russia and others in the BRICS would like to see larger power centers emerge to offer an alternative to that Western-dominated construct.” That is reasonable enough, provided there are countries with the money to backstop the new institutions, such as China supporting the BRICS bank, and if the countries offer an alternative vision that provides benefits to new members.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has repeatedly said that BRICS as a dynamic group would usher in a new global development era that promises a system of more inclusive, sustainable, and fair principles. The BRICS group, in an expanded form, can support a sustainable and equitable global economic recovery.

For South Africa, Ramaphosa further believes that the BRICS is simply a highly-valuable platform fixed to strengthen ties with partner countries in support of South Africa’s economic growth, for discussing global economic problems and challenges, and for strengthening the role of developing countries.

win-win cooperation. At the summit, BRICS leaders reached important common understandings about BRICS expansion and expressed support for discussion on the standards and procedures of the expansion.

“This has been well received in the international community, and many countries have expressed interest in joining the BRICS.” China supports and welcomes this. “Going forward, China will work with fellow BRICS members to steadily proceed with the BRICS expansion process and enable more partners to join this promising endeavor,” Wenbin said at the media briefing.

Despite its large population of 1.5 billion, which many have considered an impediment, China pursues an admirable collaborative strategic diplomacy with external countries, and that has helped it attain superpower status over Russia. A careful study and analysis monitored by this author vividly show that muscle-flexing Russia largely lacks public outreach diplomacy, contributing to its own “cancel culture” policy, and this is seriously detrimental to the emerging new global order.

South Africa was a late, minor addition to the group to add a bridgehead to Africa, says Charles Robertson, Chief Economist at Renaissance Capital. All the BRICS countries are facing economic challenges that need addressing urgently. The BRICS are keenly aware of the importance of contributing to Africa’s development agenda.

Therefore, it could expand because the BRICS are underrepresented in the global financial architecture.

After his official visit to Saudi Arabia in mid-October, President Ramaposa said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud had expressed the desire to join the BRICS. “The Crown Prince did express Saudi Arabia’s desire to be part of BRICS.” “They are not the only country seeking membership in BRICS,” according to the local radio station ABC.

Ramaphosa reminded everyone that South Africa will hold the BRICS rotating presidency in 2023. “At that BRICS summit next year under the chairship of South Africa, the matter of expanding BRICS is going to be under serious consideration.” “A number of countries are consistently making approaches to BRICS members, and we have given them the same answer: that it will be discussed by the BRICS partners, and thereafter a collective decision will be made,” the president elaborated.

Historically, the first meeting of the group began in St. Petersburg in 2005. It was called RIC, which stood for Russia, India, and China. Then later, Brazil joined, and finally South Africa in February 2011, which is why now it is referred to as “BRICS.”

The acronym BRICS is derived from the member countries’ names in English. The organization seeks to develop comprehensive cooperation among members in the economy, finance, education, science, culture, and other areas. The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) collectively represent about 26% of the world’s geographic area and are home to 2.88 billion people, or about 42% of the world’s population.

A sharing from the MindBeautySphere

By Caroline Omondi

Trauma ‘my shadow companion’

This may be an uncomfortable truth to some, but I feel safe in saying that we are all traumatized. Trauma can be caused by an outside event such as an earthquake, a car accident, or a violent robbery. It can be the result of the actions of strangers; more often, it happens as collateral damage of interacting with people that are close to us. Parents may unintentionally pass on bad experiences they had to their children to safeguard them from being hurt in the future. like the mother who was abused as a child and never trusts her own child with any man, next of kin, stranger, or even its own dad. You may think, “Well, these are extreme and exceptional cases,” but sadly they are not. We can all think of incidents that affected us badly and left us wounded for the rest of our lives.

Someone tells you: “You are stupid at age six.” Your dad is telling you that you are a big boy now and too old to play with those toy soldiers. A “friend” fat shamed you. What about having parents that don’t know how to regulate their emotions or that always focus on your physical appearance? What if you experience early on in your life that you are not seen or heard? If no one seems to respect your boundaries, when parents are always gaslighting you and belittling your reality. Tiny moments that are seemingly insignificant but that

nevertheless dictate the rest of your life It’s known from developmental psychology that early childhood trauma creates children with intense coping mechanisms. These children are often seen as mature for their age and “old souls,” and while this may be true, it often negates the fact that their innocence was taken away from them at an early age and they are in survival mode. Trauma is the result of such negative events. It occurs when you feel emotionally or mentally hurt by something that has happened, like in the examples just given. It could also include events such as the death of someone you love, experiencing abuse, a difficult relationship, or a breakup. The trauma isn’t the event or experience itself but rather your body and mind’s response to it. However, none of us is doomed to live as its livelong victim. Getting past trauma begins by accepting that it exists, that it hurts you, and that you want to heal. You also acknowledge that it’s okay that you may have to be open to accepting the help and support of others to get there. This might turn out to be true for much of your healing journey, which involves community support and even individual therapy. Whatever route.

It’s going to take place naturally, and you will have the best chance of healing well if you are in the space of accepting support. This might come from loved ones, a support group, a therapist, or from friends or colleagues. The important part is to get yourself into a mindset where you understand that others may be able to help you and are willing to accept that help.

Healing from trauma is a bumpy road. It takes time, and you will need a lot of patience, both with the process and, for sure, with yourself. It is important to talk with others about how you feel and to let them know that sometimes their behavior will unintentionally trigger negative emotions in you, activating trauma that you are

living with as your constant shadow. The key to growing out of trauma is to face your pain and work with your feelings, which all starts by accepting how you feel. Lean on your friends, maybe your community; get involved in activities that are gratifying and with people that make you feel good. Connecting with others is the key to human happiness. Sometimes finding a trauma-informed therapist with whom you have an emotional click is what you need to help you on your way. There is no shame there, since trauma is a relational injury and all of us need others to love, heal, and grow. Know that in our lives we constantly switch roles. One day we are the recipients of care, in need of a shoulder to lean on, someone to talk to; the next day it is us that service the emotional needs of those around us. It is important to practice self-care. Set time aside to care for yourself; do things that make you feel good and that make you feel loved. While working through trauma, resist the temptation to use “recreational” substances, like indulging excessively in social drinking, because you won’t be able to work through your feelings if you are actively avoiding them. What is a proven friend

is getting involved in physical exercise. In addition to directly helping you heal, exercise will provide your body with much-needed feel-good chemicals. From dance to workouts to yoga to biking to walking, really anything that involves moving your body will help you heal. Expressing gratitude for the everyday beauty and loved ones around you is a great healing tool too. Healing from trauma is energy-consuming; hence, you should take breaks and be gentle with yourself. Have fun, listen to music, sing out loud, write poetry and stories, and keep a journal. Healing from trauma can feel overwhelming. Especially now, at the end of the year, with all the festivities going on and families coming together, you feel the warmth of it all, but sometimes these family reunions resurrect emotions that are connected to your trauma. Stay patient with yourself. Know that there are many options at your disposal to overcome trauma, and if you use them, you will be on your way to feeling better soon.

Lupita Nyong’o pays a moving tribute to Black Panther costar Chadwick Boseman on his first death anniversary

Lupita Nyong’o pays a moving tribute to Black Panther co-star Chadwick Boseman on his first death anniversary.

On Chadwick Boseman’s first death anniversary, his co-star Lupita Nyong’o shared an emotional post remembering the late actor. Lupita Nyong’o pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman on his death anniversary.

Chadwick Boseman tragically passed away on August 28, 2020, following a long battle with cancer. One year after his death, Boseman’s Marvel co-star Lupita Nyong’o shared a moving tribute remembering him. Posting a throwback photo of herself sharing a laugh with the late actor, Nyong’o expressed how much she misses him in an emotional note.

The throwback photo of Boseman shared by Lupita captured the amazing bond she shared with the late actor, as she wrote about keeping his memory alive in herself. In an emotional message on his first death anniversary, the Black Panther actress wrote, “I did not know that I could

miss both his laughter and his silence in equal measure.” I do. I do... “One year after his passing, the memory of @ chadwickboseman remains this alive in me.”

While fans also shared their tributes for the actor in her post’s comments, other celebrities also expressed their grief over Boseman’s passing in the post. Commenting on Lupita’s post, Viola Davis wrote, “My heart,” along with heartbreak emojis. Also, author Elaine Welteroth commented, saying, “Holding space for your heart today,” along with heart emojis.

Apart from sharing the post, Lupita also seemed to have changed her profile picture to a photo of herself with Boseman. Among other Marvel stars, Michael B. Jordan also changed his profile photo to an amazing picture of himself with the late actor.

Chadwick’s final performance in the MCU was recently honored by fans as an episode of Marvel’s animated series What If...? featuring his voice aired on the streaming platform.

Chadwick Boseman’s legacy’

Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther co-stars say Wakanda Forever is dedicated to honoring his legacy. The US actor, who played heroic crime-fighting king T’Challa, died of cancer in 2020, aged 43.

Co-stars Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, and Lupita Nyong’o say they are still processing his untimely death.

But Danai, who plays Okoye, says it is the cast’s “hope and prayer” that the sequel’s attempt to honor him “is felt by the audience.”

“Some scenes make you want to break down and cry,” adds Letitia.

“[Grief] is still there, like that’s one of the things about this project that’s been one of the hardest; you can’t run from it.”

“We walked through it together, and we just made sure that every line and every scene was just dedicated to him.”

“I knew he was listening.”

Speaking to Radio 1Xtra, the trio also discussed returning to set after COVID lockdowns, filming underwater, and inspiring change in Hollywood.

Wakanda Forever, released on Friday, returns to the fictional African country with incredibly advanced technology.

Letitia Wright plays Shuri, the Black Panther’s sister; Danai Gurira stars as Okoye, head of the Wakandan armed forces; and Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o plays Nakia, an undercover spy in service to Wakanda.

“We have a predominantly female-led film,” says Lupita.

“We already did something like that with the first Black

Panther, but now, in the absence of T’Challa, the women have taken the fore in a remarkable way.

“That this film is as big as it is with that feminist agenda is so cool.”

And on the subject of women leading the way, Rihanna released her first solo single in six years, “Lift Me Up,” to accompany the film.

The sequel comes four years after Black Panther was released to rave reviews and big box office receipts.

And for the actors, it was their first return to filming since the COVID pandemic.

“It felt more intense maybe because we were coming out of a lockdown situation; it was like one of the first things I did outside of being in my house for a year,” says Danai.

For the first read-through, the actors had to be 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart due to restrictions, which Lupita admits was a bit “awkward.”

But she remembers feeling that “as we read, it just started to feel more possible.”

In another first, the film features underwater sequences.

“Before this film, Ryan [Coogler, director] sent me a cryptic text message saying, “On the scale of one to 10, how well can you swim?” says Lupita.

“I said four because I swim like a panicked puppy.”

She had to take swimming lessons, followed by extreme performance training.

It involved underwater tasks, like walking along the bottom of a pool, to increase her breath capacity.

“My thinking was they’re going to be asking me not just to swim but to act like I’m swimming,” she says.

The trio is tight-lipped about the possibility of a third film but said they had “so much fun” on set.

“In this film, I felt really loved, and I really have a family here,” says Danai.

“No matter how many times you come back to do this or where life takes us, I definitely have a family.”

JUSTINA MUTALE FOUNDATION LAUNCHES

US$10 MILLION STEM SCHOLARSHIP FOR ZAMBIA

The Justina Mutala Foundation launches a US$10 million STEM scholarship for Zimbabwe.

THE Justina Mutale Foundation has launched a US$10 million (ten million US dollars) Africa Presidential STEM Fellows USA Program for Zambia.

Under the name Justina Mutale Foundation Presidential STEM Fellows USA Programme, the program will offer students in Zambia who hold a first degree in a STEM-based subject (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) an opportunity to study at the master’s degree level in the USA. The program is part of the African Presidential STEM Fellows Programme, which is run as a fellowship program for African presidents, vice presidents, royalty, foundations, and billionaires. The program’s initiators, SOS Global Investments, partner with civil organizations that are involved in championing education and student scholarship provision in Africa.

The program has been running successfully in Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Malawi since 2018. The program is now being rolled out to 10 more African countries, including Zambia and the seven countries in the Eastern African Community.

The Justina Mutale Foundation Presidential STEM Fellows USA Programme will provide a unique opportunity for unemployed and underemployed graduates in Zambia who hold a bachelor’s degree in STEM, business, healthcare, or journalism to be enrolled in a USA university to study at the master’s degree level with access to student finance. “We are honored to be selected to run this program in Zambia. Access to finance is critical to the attainment of advanced higher education. “The lack of access to finance has been a hindrance for many Zambian bachelor’s degree holders to proceed to advanced higher education,” says Dr. Justina Mutale, Founder and President of the Justina Mutale Foundation.

Under the program, successful candidates will have the opportunity to access financing of up to US$100,000 (one hundred thousand US dollars) per student to cover their Master’s degree study.

In addition, selected students will receive a scholarship worth US$2,500 (two thousand five hundred US dollars).

The US$2,500 will cover a 12-week preparatory study with the NekoTech Center of Excellence, headquartered in Ghana, which was founded by legendary US music artist Isaac Hayes and supported by legendary Hollywood actors, Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise and Steven Seagal at the opening ceremony officiated by then Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi

Annan, in July 2000.

Dr. Mutale says the Africa Presidential STEM Fellows USA Programme is a gateway for African degree graduates who are unable to find work to proceed to master’s study at a USA university with the option of being placed in companies for professional work in the USA as part of the work-duty program after their master’s degree graduation.

Candidates for the Justina Mutale Foundation Presidential STEM Fellows Program must hold a STEM-based first degree with distinction, merit, or credit.

Successful candidates will undergo a 12-week preparatory program with NekoTech College to adequately prepare them for study at the master’s level in a foreign country.

In a statement from London, Dr. Mutale says activities at the prep school will include preparation of documentation, facilitation, USA university admission applications, student finance application preparation, pre-departure orientation, and USA life skills boot camp and settlement services.

She says: “The world is now in its fourth industrial revolution, and STEM is undoubtedly the most important field that can be used strategically to provide accelerated socio-economic development for Zambia and the rest of the African continent, in line with the Africa Agenda 2063 in this digital age.”

The Africa Presidential STEM Fellows Programme is the brainchild of SOS Global Investments, a job placement specialist company specializing in placing African and Diaspora workers in excellent and well-paid job positions overseas since 2008.

SOS Global Investments serves as a consultant on the African Union Labour Migration Advisory Committee as well as the Government of Sierra Leone, where this project has been running successfully.

“The fact that only a few young Africans choose to pursue STEM-related career fields is a big issue.” “It potentially translates into the fact that, regardless of Africa’s talent pool, public and private institutions would have to source workers in these STEM fields outside Africa, using non-Africans,” says Rev. Dr. Princess Asie Ocansey, CEO at SOS Global Investments.

Upon completion of the two-year Master’s degree study, the Zambian STEM graduates will be placed in full-time, highpaying STEM jobs in the USA for three years, with expected

salaries ranging from US$60,000 to US$150,000.

Successful candidates will be required to open a dollar bank account and mortgage savings account and to register for a

The Foundation advocates for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in political leadership and economic empowerment by providing leadership and

housing program to enable them to have a stable financial base and own a home in Zambia while they are studying in the USA.

In keeping with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the gender ratio for the Justina Mutale Foundation Presidential STEM Fellows Program will be 60 percent female and 40 percent male students.

SOS Global Investments, in line with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and Romans 12:2, is engaged in the spiritual, economic, and socioeconomic development training of African youth in preparation for high-quality STEM careers during this era of the digital revolution, intentional integrity skills, youth transformation, and empowerment leadership skills via the SOSTransfer2Transform initiative.

“The Africa Presidential STEM Fellows Program not only provides an opportunity for human capital development, but uniquely provides well-paid jobs in the USA for the spiritual and social-economic transformation of African youth,” says Rev. Dr. Ocansey.

The Justina Mutale Foundation is a non-governmental and non-profit organization headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with offices in Lusaka, Zambia.

The Foundation was launched at the House of Lords at Westminster Houses of Parliament in London in 2016.

entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and coaching.

The Foundation also advocates for quality education and the retention and completion of tertiary education for young women and girls from rural, disadvantaged communities in Africa by providing them with university scholarships to access tertiary education around the world.

The Justina Mutale Foundation Scholarship Program was officially launched at the Chancery of the Zambian High Commission in London in June 2016.

The Scholarship is an Africa-wide initiative that aims to provide opportunities for academically talented African youth from underprivileged and disadvantaged communities in Africa to access higher education overseas.

“The Justina Mutale Foundation Scholarship Programme was set up to equip African youth with the necessary skills and competencies to enable them to compete on an equal footing with their overseas counterparts and to help realize the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” says Dr. Mutale.

The deadline for applications to join the Justina Mutale Presidential STEM Fellows USA Program is Friday, November 25, 2022, for the autumn 2023 intake.

For more information, email: scholarship@justinamutale.com.

Mitigating the current economic crisis

Written by Nicera Kimani

The current financial turmoil the world is going through has brought to the fore the importance of financial literacy. As much as factors beyond our control have contributed to it, appropriate financial knowledge will go a long way in helping us navigate through it successfully.

The rising cost of living in Kenya, which has soared in the last six months, has become an imperative issue for its citizens. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) on the cost of living, known as the Consumer Price Index, showed that a kilogram of edible cooking oil rose by 47 percent year-on-year, retailing at an average of 371 shillings in major towns around the country. This is compared to 252 in the same month of the previous year. Similarly, the retail price of a 500-gram can of cooking fat also rose by nearly 45 percent to retail for an average of 176 shillings, compared to 122 shillings the previous year. The report reveals that prices of essential commodities like sugar, maize flour, wheat flour, gas, and groceries have skyrocketed due to certain mitigating factors that are not under our control. For instance, the increase in the price of cooking oil is due to a disruption in the supply of palm oil, its major ingredient, from countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Palm oil is also a key ingredient in the production of detergents and cosmetics, which explains why we have been paying more for bar soap and laundry detergents. Economic turmoil

On the other hand, prices of wheat products have also shot up due to the Russia-Ukraine war, affecting two of the world’s largest exporters of the product. The local agricultural sector has also been hit by the high cost of fuel, mainly petrol and diesel, which remain key in operating farm machinery. Farmers have been forced to pass on the cost to consumers, hence the high food prices. This situation forced the former Head of State, President Uhuru Kenyatta, to intervene and introduce a government subsidy program that would see the price of maize flour drop by half to 100 shillings. This saw Kenyans rush to supermarkets to take advantage of the lowered prices, leading to another shortage two weeks after the announcement. The situation has gotten worse even with the new administration in place, which came into power with a pledge to lower food prices in less than three months. Naftali Nyaji, a resident of Nairobi, laments about the hard economic times. “The former government’s introduction of new taxes and borrowing spree immensely contributed to this situation.” By the end of 2021, Kenya’s

debt stood at nearly seventy percent of the GDP, up from fifty at the end of 2015. “The pressure is augmented at the bottom of the pyramid because the majority of the people who are there focus their expenditure on food and housing,” he says.

Financial Literacy

“The concern with money is not that it exists, nor is it that you have too little or too much,” he states when I ask him why money is a concern for everyone. “Money problems are always deep-rooted, always exceeding our salaries, and never enough for our budgets.” There has to be a holistic approach to dealing with the rising cost of living.

“I find it a bit unusual that issues having to do with money are looked at as symptoms rather than a root issue in our present society.” A key indicator of bad governance is the mismanagement of funds. “The principle that applies at the top of management should be taught in societies from childhood: proper management and utilization of the resources at our disposal,” he asserts.

Knowledge is power, and education is an important global tool that will eliminate the current ignorance on issues of money. It will arm people with the necessary tools and get the most out of the least. We need to reexamine our curriculum and find out what we can do to teach proper financial awareness. Economic issues are a pressing matter for today and tomorrow, with some factors falling outside of our control.

The only tool we have is raising awareness through proper educational platforms and focusing on coming up with long-term solutions to economic issues. We need to question the issue of money from a different lens, using the resources we have to ensure we fix the root of the problem, not the symptom.

Nigerian Christians under persecution HELP US PLEASE.......

Climate Yes!

The roadmap to climate justice

Written by Martha Nalukenge

Christian youth from around the globe have proclaimed with one voice that the time to act is now regarding climate change. Having been sidelined from key decision platforms, they formed an ecumenical campaign that seeks to hold politicians to account while calling for climate justice.

Climate change has had adverse effects on the socio-economic aspect of Africa. From the drought in the Horn of Africa and water-related calamities in Zimbabwe and Tanzania to the landslides in Uganda and the extreme weather patterns being experienced across the continent, This has resulted in the loss of lives and livelihoods, as well as damage to crops and properties. The ripple effects have affected social relations, leading to increased hostility and conflict even in homes and resulting in cases of GBV.

Environmental racism has led developed countries to create conditions for grants meant for climate action, stifling muchneeded interventions in Africa.

Caption: The roadmap to climate justice

Youth have been on the sidelines for far too long despite having sustainable ideas on climate action and justice. Climate Yes is the fruit of COP-26 in Glasgow. The youth saw the need to be on the frontlines to salvage the situation and solve this problem for the benefit of the next generation. It is an interfaith initiative that is anchored on the sacredness of creation and the mandate and order that emanate from it.

Climate Yes, Nairobi Hub was instrumental in mobilizing youths to create a network of like-minded people who share the vision and passion of making the world a better place through climate justice.

For far too long, climate action has been regarded as charity work, with no clear long- or short-term goals to be met. African countries have adopted certain practices aimed at mitigating climate change, like tree planting exercises. Though these are great initiatives, they are not sufficient. As youth, there is a need to come up with concrete strategies for dealing with the adverse effects of climate change. For instance, should they be long-term, short-term, or just symbolic? What are the measurements of success and impact? What are the indicators? What threshold do we

hope to achieve with Climate Yes?

Caption: Plan of action

Africa suffers due to a lack of systems and mechanisms that are related to climate change, biodiversity, and ecosystems. So as we delve into climate financing, we should also create markets for the ecosystem, the prerequisite structural operating procedures, and well-drafted designs. These will aid in the accountable implementation of climate justice interventions that are sustainable and that will benefit society as a whole. The existing mechanisms have failed in their accountability aspect, leading to climate fraud and injustice. Climate Yes is aimed at streamlining these injustices by strengthening the capacity of the youth and providing them with a platform to design, develop, and implement climate justice interventions at their various grassroots levels. It has conditioned the youth to not accept the bare minimum when it comes to climate justice. It is beyond the broad terms of mitigation, adaptation, advocacy, and resilience. Creating awareness is more than just making people know about climate change, its impact, causal factors, and adverse effects on the economy. Rather, it is geared toward making it known, understanding it, and putting it into practicability. It is our duty as climate justice delegates, champions, advocates, and stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the work we are doing and ensure we meet the objectives we have set out for ourselves. We have to practice what we teach, lead by example, and uphold the teachings of faith in how our climate works.

Caption: Martha Nalukenge, Climate Activist

We are hummingbirds in a contemporary world. The little

actions that we have been, are, and will be working on will pave the way for the greater good. The time to act is now. Speak up and call the stakeholders into action for their role in being the mitigators of climate change. It is beyond the umbrellas that we have shielded ourselves under. We have to take the mantle of climate justice into our hearts through our resources, time, and energy, not to achieve perfection but to bring change to society. We should retrace our steps back to creation and reclaim the mandate of taking care of our environment. Colonialism, Christianity, intersectionality, and activism are key aspects of climate justice. It is bigger than the major conferences, summits, and events that we hold at the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and COP 26 or 27, amongst others, on climate justice. Resolve needed This is the road map to COP-27. What are the pressing and emerging issues, and what is the go-to way in regards to climate justice? How do we hold countries accountable for their contributions to climate change? How do we make governments and states capable of bargaining on equal terms when sourcing for grants and other collaborations? Such questions have all concluded that individuals can make a difference. However, it

lies in their motivation and principles in achieving this difference concerning climate justice. The fact is, Africa contributes less than three percent of carbon emissions, yet it suffers the most adverse effects. Her biodiversity has suffered huge losses, bringing out the negative impacts that Africans have to contend with. Poverty has been a major factor as it spurs the destruction of forests as individuals look for sources of income and other products. The issue of the stakeholders’ contributions to climate change has been overlooked. Companies have contributed to the loss of trees and forestry through their exploration of fossil fuels and mining. NGOs, with their heartfelt interventions, never achieve their intended objectives and only end up exploiting society, while the government lacks political goodwill and is led by greedy and selfish individuals who only pursue their own interests. We are the hummingbirds of the contemporary world; the little actions we take have a greater capacity to heal and nourish the beauty of nature for a greater good. Our wings may be broken, but that won’t stop us from flying for the betterment of Mother Earth.

“Ghana needs research-and-policy synergy to boost development”

By

Ghana can achieve equitable and sustainable economic growth and development by deliberately creating a synergy between evidence-based policy and decision-making, as former president of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Professor Aba Andam, has advised.

Prof. Andam, who is also the first female physicist from Ghana, gave the advice recently at the 2022 science bar camp held in Accra.

She said the country will also save scarce public resources if policy decisions are based on evidence as well as doing what has been shown to work.

The event was organized by GHScientific in collaboration with the Ghana Science Association, GhanaThink, and Ghana Young Academy.

GHScientific is a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)-based Ghanaian non-governmental organization with a primary focus on promoting science education and engaging the public with science.

GhanaThink Foundation is a social enterprise that seeks to mobilize and organize talent for the primary benefit of Ghana, Africa, and the world at large.

The Ghana Young Academy (GhYA) grew out of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences as its youth wing. It identifies and brings together talented young scientists to create the opportunity for better solutions to national and international challenges.

A yearly gathering, the bar camp brings together persons in and outside of academia in Ghana to share knowledge and experiences around a given theme.

This year’s theme, “Making Science Matter: Moving from Research to Policy,” seeks to capture how researchers manage and

Martin-Luther C. King, Accra, Ghana

conduct research in Ghana in such a way as to influence the decision-making process in the country.

Noting that resource management that is effective and efficient will reassure citizens and promote public trust in governments, Andam, however, argued that such will only be achieved if researchers work more closely with policymakers on the generation, interpretation, and use of data.

She iterated the four key steps to make this happen, which include:

Relationship building: Academic institutions and researchers must build and maintain ties with decision-makers. As a result, understanding of the policymaking process will grow. Researchers will have more knowledge on the needs, justifications, and timing of policymakers.

Needs assessment: To determine policy priorities and pertinent evidence needs, researchers should interact with policymakers, civil society organizations, funders, government agencies, and politicians. They can brainstorm research questions together to make sure that investigations are pertinent. However, the involvement must continue both during and after the data gathering. Analysis and dissemination of the results by policy players are possible. The impact of research on policy must be considered from the outset.

Mutual capacity strengthening: policymakers lack specialized knowledge in analyzing academic publications. Researchers shouldn’t believe they can apply scientific findings to practice and policy. Therefore, researchers must determine and record

the best ways to assist them, such as through consistent training. It is up to researchers to convince decision-makers of the importance of evidence-based policy. Researchers can also learn from the vast experience of policymakers, especially in understanding the policy landscape and how to engage them. Thus, capacity strengthening must be mutual, with both the researchers and the policymakers gaining valuable knowledge and insights, and Communicating to a variety of audiences: The language of scientific publication is not always clear to policymakers. Researchers must translate knowledge so that a wider audience can understand it. One place to start is by writing and publishing a short summary of the research in plain language for the media. Policymakers need summarized documents with less scientific jargon.

The camp subsequently went into panel sessions, where discussants highlighted the challenges of research communication and feasible measures that can be implemented to address various emerging issues.

A topic of interest was one about who should best communicate research findings. While many speakers argued that researchers communicate their findings themselves, others, however, spoke otherwise, insisting that trained communicators like journalists disseminate such information. According to the former, journalists more often than not misinform the public on issues of research findings as a result of their perceived lack of or low knowledge in the field of study.

But the latter group thought otherwise, arguing that rather than downplay the role of journalists and communications experts in this instance, relevant training could be organized for them to more effectively communicate research findings. Participants also had a chance to engage the experts one-onone at breakout sessions. Categorized under four topics with designated representatives from different organizations leading the talks, the breakout

GSA; and the Ghana Science Association, GSA; and the Ghana Science Association, GSA; and the Ghana Science Association, GSA

The bar camp was attended by participants from inside and outside Ghana, including Dr. Mavis Akuffobea-Essilfie (CSIR STEPRI), Mr. Omo Oaiya (West and Central Research and Education Network, WACREN), Dr. Irene Opoku-Nti (Ghana Science Association, Accra); Dr. Ernest Beinpuo (Ghana

sessions were grouped into four: open science, which highlighted the various means of acquiring science resources, and was led by the West and Central Research and Education Network, WACREN; UNESCO recommendations on science and scientific research, which highlighted the role of UNESCO in science communication, and was chaired by AIMS Ghana; knowledge co-creation and sharing, which explored ways of collaborating and disseminating science information to and for the general public, and was handled by the Ghana Science Association, GSA; and, the mentoring a new generation session which focused on revealing measures that could be put in place to ensure that the younger generation of scientists are abreast with all methods of science communication, and was led by GhanaThink; and, the Ghana Science Association,

Nuclear Regulatory Authority), Ato Ulzen-Appiah (Kosmos Innovation Center, Ghana), Dr. Gordon Akon-Yamga (CSIRScience and Technology Policy Research Institute, Accra), Adelaide Asante (African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Accra), Forson Acher Dzotor (Ghana Science Association, Legon), Dr. Michael Osae (Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, Legon), Owen Iyioha (EkoKonnect Research Educational Initiative, Lagos, Nigeria), and Chris Atherton (GEANT, London-UK).

My Pledging to NIAP “Best Global Legislative Practice”

By thinking globally and impacting locally, I will bring to the Senate effective representation of the interests of the people of Delta North at the Red Chambers and provide effective oversight of the institutions of governance and strong advocacy for resource management, tax reform, security sector reform, and constitutional reform for an

equal, fair, just, and strong united Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Advertorial

Our future is now. I’ve been in Germany for the past 28 years. *represented the interests of over 6 million Nigerians in the diaspora (Europe). served in the Hamburg Senate Advisory Council and chaired the powerful Anti-Discrimination Committee to improve migrants’ welfare. I will bring to the Nigerian Senate effective representation of my people and provide effective oversight of the institutions of governance and strong advocacy for reforms: tax reform, security sector reform, and constitutional reform. I will help stimulate our local economy here in Anioma so our youth can have a meaningful livelihood. I will domesticate the best global legislative practices by thinking globally and impacting locally: I will invite my foreign partners to pull direct investment in agriculture, housing estates, and solar power to create jobs! Jobs! This is my solemn pledge to the Anioma people. Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi, Senatorial Candidate, African Democratic Congress, Delta North, #Gbandi4Senate

Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi Senatorial Candidate, African Democratic Congress, Delta North

Will you be there for Peter Obi?

Fellow comrades and OBIDIENTS, one of those moments we all have been waiting for in making Nigeria a great country is here. The race for Aso Rock has begun. Will you be there for Peter Obi and be part of this history?

In agony, pain, suffering, and tears, we all have been forced together and are irredeemably united, and as such, we are obliged to play our roles of liberation well.

Peter Obi’s aspiration to become the president of Nigeria has given us hope that a new Nigeria is

Written by Uzoma Ahamefule

proud of. And we will not have Nigeria unless we fight for it. The reasons are very simple. Nigeria is like a kidnapped country, and it is in the grips of the kidnappers, who are political monsters. We cannot take it back from them without being united and formidable enough. Remember that ants are little insects, but when they come together, they have the capability to devour lions. All hands must be on deck to achieve this uphill task, or we will all perish.

Peter Obi has called for your help, and no amount will be too small. And also the support groups of

possible—a Nigeria where ships can no longer enter our territory and steal our crude oil without notice and arrest. And his vision has become a collective project for all youths and frustrated Nigerians. We want a better Nigeria—a Nigeria we can all be very

Obi are calling on you. Do not turn your back on us. We need your support to help actualize what God has already ordained: that Peter Obi will become the Nigerian President in 2023. God has done His part; the rest is now in our hands. Start from anywhere you

know you can without anyone asking you to do so. To be successful in this project, we need everyone—billionaires, millionaires, workers, traders, farmers, etc.

We want to reach out to the people in interior villages before the election to tell them about Peter Obi—who he is and how and why they should vote for him—but we need campaign materials. Help and donate to make our collective dreams come true. Many of the people contesting with Peter Obi are financially influential, and they belong to the small group of powerful people that are controlling Nigeria. They are equally ready to do everything to make sure that Obi does not get there. But we know we have the power because we are in the majority. Let us help Obi get to Aso Rock so that, in return, he will help us have the Nigeria of our dreams. Those Nigerians who are living in diaspora want to go home and feel safe. Those living in Nigeria want to drive on the roads and feel safe, and go to bed with their two eyes closed without fear of attack by robbers, kidnappers, terrorists, etc. We all have been forced into this rat race, and we must survive. Peter Obi is right now our only hope for a functional Nigeria. No matter who you are, I appeal to you and to all members of every group supporting Peter Obi to please get involved, be active, be part of this paradigm shift, and donate generously. History will be fair to all of us justly, and in accord, we will shock the so-called or acclaimed political Goliaths by demonstrating that we the people are the structures and not buildings. Nigerians are aware, the world knows, and heaven has ordained that Aso Rock is waiting for Peter Obi and Datti Ahmed in 2023. But let’s do more to get it fulfilled, or it will slip out of our hands. But may God forbid such calamity, and we pray He replenishes our pockets and protects us to be alive and witness the swearing-in of Peter Obi and Datti Ahmed on May 29, 2023. Stand up, sit down, bend right, bend left, or even squat; one thing is obvious: the buttock will always remain at the back. The truth has no duplicate. Peter Obi is our wisest choice for 2023. If you are still in doubt, just go to a crowded place in Nigeria and say, “In 2023, don’t sell your vote and vote wisely.” Supporters of the

other presidential candidates will attack you. Why? They know that only Peter Obi is the wisest choice for Nigeria in 2023; any other choice is a tragedy in the making, and everyone will suffer the consequences. Remember, the choice we made in 2019 is the Nigeria we are seeing today, and the choice we will make in 2023 will be the Nigeria we will get thereafter. History will not forgive anyone who chooses darkness over light. Be wise, because evil has no friend. Thank you, and please go collect your PVC and spread this message.

Uzoma Ahamefule, a concerned patriotic citizen, a purveyor of the Peter Obi/Datti Ahmed joint presidential ticket, and a refined African traditionalist, writes from Vienna, Austria. uzomaah@yahoo.com +436607369050 (Please, WhatsApp messages only.)

Happy Marriage Anniversary

to Pastor & Mrs. Elvis Iruh

Congratulations on your 24th years marriage anniversary. God richly bless and keep you both. We celebrate you today and always.

called

Irony Nigeria an

By Enahoro Eubaldus

At 35-year-old, our billionaire friend’s wife died recently of cancer after going through the torture of chemotherapy for several years in Abuja.

Although she died as a multimillionaire at an undisclosed hospital, her life was cut short at a time when living for millions of Nigerians is becoming a nightmare in a country blessed by God but destroyed by a selfish few.

The airports are filled with Nigerians running away from their fatherland to safer countries to escape the excruciating living conditions in Nigeria.

In the midst of the hunger and suffering, some, especially the leaders, are only concerned about how to consolidate themselves in government with stockpiled money that should be in circulation.

The news from the Central Bank about redesigning the Nigerian naira notes has triggered opinions from people; some of these opinions are from insincere people who benefit from stockpiled funds. Some are politicians who have come again to seek the votes of the people whom they have impoverished over these years. They have kept these monies to themselves until nemesis now catches up with them.

It is pathetic to note that the situation of things in Nigeria is not getting better, no thanks to irresponsible leaders, yet some of them are desperate to hold on to power forever.

The other day, two trailers loaded with Nigerian currencies that had gone bad were being taken to the dustbin to be destroyed, and the drivers of the vehicles lamented that they did not have money to feed.

The roads across the nation are death traps, the basic needs of the people are beyond the reach of the majority, and millions are becoming hopeless in a nation that is blessed with so much by the creator.

Many have resorted to begging, and the rate of crime is increasing while the few opportunists have continued to make life miserable for all.

As we mourn our late sister, who had everything she could desire but unfortunately could not control what became of her wealth, we begin to see the vanity of life when we live a selfish lifestyle of accumulating wealth we do not really need,

forgetting that there are several souls out there who cannot afford a meal.

After acquiring all the material wealth, the houses in Dubai, London, and America, and all the chase for luxuries, they forget that life will one day come to an abrupt end, just like our sister on her sick bed.

Who would have thought that former President Goodluck Jonathan would be homeless in his home state of Bayelsa when the floods took over the state recently?

That is the reality of the Nigeria situation, which shows that not only the poor will be victims of the irresponsible acts of those who claim to be leaders because they will one day also

be caught up in the destruction they have caused in the polity. Now, with the increase in petrol prices and the long queue in our filling stations, the hardship is biting on everyone, but mostly on the less fortunate, who are becoming despondent as the holiday draws near.

The natives in the oil-producing communities who have been impoverished all these years since crude oil was discovered in Oloibiri in Rivers State are still at a loss as to what sin they may have committed to be treated like outcasts in their own land.

They are the goose that lays the golden egg, yet their vast swamp land and creeks, where oil exploitation has been carried out by multinational oil companies, are no longer the

same.

They live in perpetual poverty with nothing to show they are from a blessed land. There is no good drinking water, no electricity, and no roads; in fact, they have been forgotten all these years while the oil wealth is taken to other parts of the country.

How do we expect the people from the oil-rich communities to feel when they see that some persons are keeping such huge sums of money coming from their land in storage tanks and some buried under ground and several millions die of starvation daily?

Their farming and fishing communities have been left desolate. Their rivers are polluted and their vegetation destroyed, and nothing good is coming out of the area any more.

The farmland is deserted due to the activities of herdsmen who rape and kill the natives on their land, thereby contributing to the hunger and starvation in the country. What an irony Nigeria is, where the rich political class and the less privileged only come together during election season because they need their votes.

Happy 50th birthday to Mrs. Noeline Idut.

Happy 50th birthday to a wonderful and hardworking consular secretary, Mrs. Noeline Onukwugha Idut, of the Nigerian Embassy in The Hague, The Netherlands. She was celebrated last month by her boss, the Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Her Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Ajayi, at the mission house among her colleagues. The ambassador praised her and prayed for her, asking God to strengthen her and give her a long life. The evidence of her dedication was that on her birthday, she was still at work. The ambassador expressed to her the appreciation of all the staff at the Embassy of Nigeria in The Hague. I wish her a longer life and more prosperity.

Congrats Noeline

YOUR COPY NOW....

Title: “Getting to know you” - A book on marital steps with information about marriage

About the book Whether you’re preparing for marriage or want to enjoy a deeper union with your spouse, this guide will help you enjoy a relationship built on solid Christian values.

Pastor Elvis Iruh is a licensed minister with Victory Outreach International. His book highlights simple principles that are often taken for granted.

Learn how to:

• get to really know a love interest before deciding to marry;

• avoid mistakes that lead to divorce;

• appreciate the sanctity of marriage;

• forgive your partner when they make mistakes. Before you think of getting married, you should take the necessary steps to really get to know your partner. Your past should not contain any surprises - and your values must be aligned.

This revealing book is filled with practical exercises that partners can carry out with each other as well as guidance for pastors and church leaders who may need help in advising couples. This guide will help couples enjoy marriage that is built to last.

*****

About the Author

ELVIS IRUH is a native of Delta State, Nigeria. He attended numerous schools in Nigeria, including the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Lagos, Nigeria, before continuing his studies in Europe and earning a degree in theology from Victory Education & Training Institute.

He worked for several media organizations

in Nigeria as well and has been the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Voice news magazine since August 1999. He is serving as an associate pastor at Victory Outreach Almere, The Netherlands. The book can be used for educational purposes as well as educating your children on the subject of marriage. He is also available to speak on related topics covered in the book at any organized event or church activities. He is open for collaborative efforts to strengthen marriage institutions worldwide. It is a mission he has dedicated himself to helping the younger generation to talk and address the challenges they face in building good and solid relationships which could end up in marriage.

You can purchase the book in Holland via his website: www.elvisiruh.com or through his publishers’: www. authorhouse.com/ Elvis Iruh or on www.amazon.co.uk via this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1665580844/ ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=AHRB2OK2Q2YCL&psc=1

You can contact him directly through any of his social media handle for your questions or comments, he would look into it and respond would be sent to you accordingly.

Email: info@elvisiruh.com or elvisiruh@gmail.com

BLESS SOMEONE WITH A COPY THIS SEASON OF CELEBRATION.

Getting to know you written by Pastor Elvis Iruh Pastor Felix Asare wrote the foreword

Interview with Ambassador Onowu

to

are yeilding results and fruits as more foreign interest in Nigeria continue to grow and His Excellency has been very busy. He just recently returned from a business trip to Nigeria with Belgian and Luxembourg business interests were invited to Nigeria to see for themselves the vast business opportunities available to be tapped in Nigeria. During this event, His Excellency granted several interviews, one of such interviews with the international press in Nigeria is published here.

Q: What is your impression of the current socioeconomic situation in Nigeria?

Amb. Onowu: The Nigerian economy is gradually recovering from the 2020 recession, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other unforeseen calamities that recently befell her. The rebound is driven by positive performance in the non-oil sectors such as trade, agriculture, ICT, and health sectors. I believe this trend will be sustained by the implementation of the Federal Government’s flagship program, the Economic Growth and Sustainability Plan, and now the National Development Plan 2021–2025, in addition to policy initiatives like the Ease of Doing Business, which was formulated by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC). There are several other social intervention programs introduced by the Federal Government, including cash transfers, to improve the welfare of Nigerians.

Q: How do you view the bilateral relations between Belgium and Nigeria?

Amb. Onowu: Nigeria and Belgium enjoy excellent bilateral relations. Both countries share a common view on several global issues, including human rights, climate change, the fight against terrorism, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Belgium is also a strategic trade partner with Nigeria. The recently released foreign trade report for Q1 2022 by the National Bureau of Statistics of Nigeria indicates that Belgium ranks among the top five countries of origin of imports to Nigeria. There is a strong commitment on both sides to consolidate trade relations and strengthen institutional collaboration.

Q: What are the key sectors in which you would advise Belgian investors to invest in Nigeria?

Amb. Onowu: Nigeria has abundant natural resources. The key sectors with strong prospects for Belgian investors include agribusiness, manufacturing, the creative sector, innovation and technology, oil and gas, education, transportation, logistics, green energy, and the health sector.

Q: Your Embassy is the first point of contact for Belgians who are here. How do you help them? Are there other agencies that are important to be in contact with?

Amb. Onowu: The Embassy is operating an “open door” policy to Belgians and their businesses, as well as to Luxembourg, where the Embassy is also accredited. We endeavor to welcome and assist prospective Belgian businesses with important information and advice on the business environment in Nigeria. We also address trade complaints and facilitate contacts with organized private sectors in Nigeria. Upon my assumption of duty in Belgium,

I had the privilege of meeting several Belgian businesses in September during an event organized by the Belgian Luxembourg Nigeria Chamber of Commerce (BLNCC), a partner of the Mission. We have maintained good contacts with A-Law firm and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture of Belgium, Luxembourg, and Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific (CBL-ACP) as a means of promoting people-topeople contact between Nigeria and Belgium. I would also advise any prospective investor in Nigeria to contact the focal Nigerian government agency for foreign investment, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), through its One-Stop Investment Centre (OSIC), which brings relevant government agencies to one location and provides fast-tracked services to new investors.

Ambassador Obinna Chiedu Onowu

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Belgium, Ambassador Obinna Chiedu Onowu continue his strive

promote Nigeria and attract investors from these accredited countries to Nigeria. His efforts

Happy 25th Birthday to Vanessa Moore

Happy birthday Miss Vanessa Moore

Congratulations to you Vanessa Moore on your 25th birthday on 20th December 2022.

On behalf of your mom, Ruth Moore, your brother, Jeremiah Moore wishes you good health and wealth

My Dubai Experience

Written by Ritah Atuhaire Written by Ritah Atuhaire

In the wake of his wife’s unexpected loss of employment, Billy became the family’s sole breadwinner. As his minimum-wage job was not sufficient to meet all of his needs, he decided to pursue greener pastures in Dubai. After a rough start, things gradually improved, only to be brought to a screeching halt by a lockdown. This is the first article of a three-part series on Billy’s experience in the Gulf State.

Billy, a family man with four children, worked together with his wife (a teacher) on building their future together by sharing responsibilities. From his welding job, he was building a house for them to move into and stop renting. He covered the daily home expenses, while his wife had the responsibility of educating the children. This was because they had the benefit of a fifty percent discount on their school fees at the school she was teaching. All seemed well until the school she was teaching at got closed due to an unfortunate fire outbreak. This meant the loss of her job and a change of school for their children, where they now had to pay full school fees. He was now the sole breadwinner, as his wife had become a stay-at-home mother. The building project was put on hold so he could afford to sustain the family until his wife found another job, but it was still heavy on him. There were occasions when he found it difficult to provide a proper meal, especially when he had few or no welding deals. It got to the point where the children began to notice their financial struggles, which affected their performance.

My Dubai Experience

For him, it made him feel like less of a man for failing to provide adequately for his family. On top of all that, they discovered that they were expecting when his wife started getting sick. Coming at such a problematic time, it was something they hadn’t planned for because they were certain of the birth control method they were using. There were already four kids, so how much more difficult was it going to be with five? That’s when he decided to go to Dubai to earn more money. However, he didn’t have the money to cover the

travel costs in his present condition. He tried to borrow money from friends and family, but none of them was able to help, and he was already in debt to some of them. His only option was to sell their dream house to fund the trip. He also left some money for his pregnant wife to sustain them for two months. Luckily, his travel plans turned out as expected, and in one month, he was able to travel. He did not know anyone or anywhere in the newly arrived city, but he was determined and knew that he would somehow make it; after all, he had already experienced something similar before when he relocated from his village in western Uganda to Kampala in his teenage years.

My Indian host

On arrival at the airport in Dubai, he was overwhelmed. Everyone knew where they were heading except him. He planned to start asking people at the airport for directions on where he could rent a place to stay and how to get there. However, he was overcome by a wave of fear and was unable to stop anyone for assistance. When he finally put himself together, he approached someone who seemed not to be familiar with English at all; he kept on shaking his head to mean “no” and smiling the whole time he was being talked to. Billy’s shot was clearly the wrong one.

My Dubai Experience

He stopped another man, Shahid, from India, who seemed to understand his question, though he did not comprehend his explanation at all. He only perceived that this man was willing to help from his facial expressions and his attempts to make him understand. The man was speaking English, but it was extremely broken. All he picked up from the conversation was “you gave me bed space,” which he took to mean that the man was offering him shelter, so he kept on saying “yes” to whatever he said. When they left the airport, he kept looking through the car windows to see how he could get back if things went wrong, but almost all the streets looked alike. At this point, he was at the mercy of the stranger, for he had no idea where he was headed. Despite his current predicament, he couldn’t help but appreciate the city’s beauty, which he wishes his beloved Uganda possessed.

On arrival, he was asked to pay for the taxi, but unfortunately, he only had Ugandan currency. Shahid complained but urged him to pay back after exchanging his money for dirhams. At the apartment’s bed space, he met thirty more Indians residing there. It was a three-bedroom apartment with five bunk beds in each, with a bed accommodating two people. Shahid showed him the bed he was to sleep on and said, “This is 500.” Billy was shocked to see a small bed of about three by four inches in a room of ten people, costing USD 500,000 (about 140 dollars), yet it was the cheapest.

Back home, this would have afforded him a very nicelooking apartment. That aside, he assumed that a kind person had picked him up and offered to shelter him at his home for free. Well, nothing is free in Dubai; that’s the first lesson he learned there. So for the time being, he had no choice but to accept the offer. Luckily, his housemates, who used to call him “African brother,” were very kind. They did everything they could to make him feel at home and explained Dubai’s job-

searching process. Sometimes they would share their delicious biriyani chicken and other Indian cuisines, which were often spicy. Communication was his biggest challenge because he had not yet mastered the Asian way of speaking English. Therefore, at times he would use sign language with some of them, but generally he was doing well.

Unlike most Africans who hustle for long periods before they find jobs in the UAE, he was lucky enough to get a job during his first month. It was at a construction company as a welder, which was in line with the work he was doing back home. His plan to improve his family’s living standard and save money appeared to be on track when a lockdown was declared. As a result, most companies started laying off workers. Worse still, his wife had just given birth to their fifth child and needed more care, which meant more money was required.

In the second article, he reveals his tribulations and predicament and how he weathered the storm.

“On arrival at the airport in Dubai, he was overwhelmed. Everyone knew where they were heading except him”

Nigerians in The Netherlands Celebrate Jeffrey Edogiawerie Ekhator On His Birthday

Nigerian-born Dutch politician, businessman, human capital investor, and philanthropist, Mr. Jeffrey Edogiawerie Ekhator, was celebrated last month in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The celebrant, often referred to as a “generational bridge builder,” is admired by many as a mentor, life coach, icon of business excellence, and phenomenal political leader with a modest disposition to life.

No wonder family members, relatives, business associates, political associates, members of the Nigerian diaspora in The Netherlands, the Edo community in The Netherlands,

the African community in Rotterdam, other friends, and well-wishers gathered at D’Afrique Food and Drinks Restaurant, Rotterdam (an outlet founded by the celebrant) to celebrate him.

It was Jeffrey Edogiawerie Ekhator’s 49th birthday and a platform to present his recent award in Banjul to a very delightful audience who could not accompany him to The Gambia for the investiture ceremony.

Recall that Mr. Ekhator was among the Africans who were celebrated last August in Banjul, Republic of the Gambia, for their exceptional contributions to the upliftment of

Africa in their areas of endeavor.

The founder of the Voice Achievers award, Pastor Elvis Iruh, was at the event and made a symbolic presentation of the “African Business Excellence” award plaque to Mr. Ekhator, to the full view and admiration of the audience.

The award is a testament to his determination, doggedness,

Nigerian born Dutch politician, businessman, human capital investor and philanthropist, Mr. Jeffrey Edogiawerie Ekhator was last month celebrated at the Dutch Port city of Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

resilience, tenacity, and hard work in pursuit of excellence in his business activities in Europe and Africa.

Guests came from Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and other countries to grace the occasion and celebrate the Edo State indigene. There was also a visible presence of Don Skimy Yah, a prominent Edo music producer and promoter in Europe.

“Things are tough and rough at the same time for my people in Nigeria.” “Nigeria needs a change of leadership, as that seems to be the most challenging factor to the development of the country,” Jeff stated.

He prayed that the 2023 election in Nigeria would produce leaders with vision and a plan for the youth, men, and women of Nigeria.

Nigeria has all the potential to be a great nation, but bad leadership has slowed down development. He passionately appealed to all Nigerian citizens to vote wisely and elect the right and credible leaders to move the country forward.

Mr. Jeff Ekhator is the founder of Jeffangs Global Trade and Investment Limited in Nigeria. He operates chains of businesses located in the city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

political journey in The Netherlands. Though he did not clinch the seat he contested for, he has continued to amass political fortunes and good will in the African community in Rotterdam.

Mr. Ekahtor, known for his extreme generosity and loved by his customers for his personal, detailed attention and services to them, observed a customer at the party.

The evening was full of fun activities as the in-house DJ provided the music, a comedian entertained the guests, and African dishes, drinks, and takeaway food handsomely reached everyone.

In his speech, the celebrant thanked his wife and children for being part of his journey in life. He appreciated all his relatives, customers, friends, political associates, and supporters from near and far that have gathered to celebrate him. He particularly expressed appreciation to all that have continued to motivate him in his quest to contribute to the development of his adopted country, the Netherlands. He further thanked everyone that has supported his strive to make Nigeria better via his charity platform for human capital development investment in Nigerian youths and support to the widows, the elderly, and most vulnerable people in his Nigerian community.

for a seat in the municipal election of the city of Rotterdam under the political party named BIJ1. The political party, nationally known for their slogan, “radical equality and economic equality for all,” availed him the window to commence his

The founder of the Voice Achievers award, Pastor Elvis Iruh was at the event and made a symbolic presentation of the “African Business Excellence” award plaque to Mr. Ekhator to the full view and admiration of the audience. The award is a testament to his determination, doggedness, resilience, tenacity and hard work in pursuit of excellence

Mr. Jeffrey Edogiawerie Ekhator came into the political limelight in March 2022 when he contested

Jeff Ekhator celebrates birthday & award in sytle

The Shrinking Park of Kenya

The Nairobi National Park is famed as the only wildlifeprotected area in the world with such a huge variety of animals and birds close to a capital city. Unfortunately, due to human encroachment and urbanization, some species are decreasing at an alarming rate, and unless swift action is taken, we stand to lose this one-ofa-kind park.

A short drive from Nairobi’s central business district is Nairobi National Park. The open grass plains, set against an urban backdrop, and the scattered acacia trees support diverse wildlife, including the endangered black rhinoceros, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes, and over 400 species of birds.

Being my first time there, I can’t help but pop my head out of the car, wondering why I have never been here before. The park is within walking distance of my home in Kibera, and I know that visitors can enjoy picnic sites, three campsites, and hiking trails. These wonders lie within easy reach of millions of Nairobi residents, as well as tourists and business visitors from all over the world. However, only a small percentage of Nairobians can afford to visit this park. Because of this, I am thankful to my friend, who made this game drive possible.

The side-by-side coexistence of a bustling metropolis and a natural wildlife paradise sets Nairobi apart from every other capital city on earth. Urbanization and conservation

The Kenyan government’s desire to urbanize fast and join the

global community necessitated the construction of a standard gauge railway (SGR), linking Nairobi with the port city of Mombasa, which cuts through the Park. This led to a major conflict between conservation and development interests and a heightened level of public concern about environmental compliance in the implementation of large-scale development projects. It also divided the conservation community in the country.

There were mixed feelings about the survival or need for the park, with some people, especially in

to defend all the other parks, reserves, forests, and areas of national heritage threatened by similar development projects.

the communities surrounding it, believing that the country has more pressing economic and social problems. They qualify based on the perception that the lowest-income residents do not benefit from it. What is clear, however, are the economic benefits of tourism and the vast ecological benefits.

Conservationists argue that such moves to develop and urbanize will set a dangerous precedent. They believe the decision is about more than just the park; it is about our vision for the future of our continent.

Allowing the railway to go through the park would make it more difficult

Pollution emanating from the construction of the SGR and other roads within and near the park and contamination of the park’s water bodies from peri-urban homes have forced some of the animals to wander out of the park into middle-class homes and low-income settlements in the park’s buffer zone. As a result, not only are there conflicts between local communities, wild animals, and other stakeholders, but the sustainability of wildlife is also threatened. Even though the local population doesn’t visit the park frequently or at all, most of them understand the environmental and economic importance the park has to Nairobi and the country at large. This is evidenced by how easily they were mobilized and stood at the forefront of efforts to protest the disruption of wildlife and the destruction of the park. This was due to the increased and uncontrolled development activities within and near it. Environmental activists were ready and on the front lines when word got around that the park and wildlife there were under threat from the construction of rail and other infrastructure developments.

Local tourism

Surprisingly, a large percentage of the local population from the communities neighboring the park had yet to visit it. This was due to the misconception that protected areas in Kenya were meant for foreign

tourists who were well-off. Among the constraints that prevent locals from visiting the park are the lack of enough income, the high price of food and services in the park, and the uninterested nature of marketers towards them. It’s only recently, after the spotlight shone, that concerted efforts to market the park to the local population were initiated. Despite the increased infrastructure activities within and through the project being considered unnecessary and having a negative impact, there is a positive aspect to the project. Due to ongoing activities, a keen interest in the park has emerged. There have been concerted conservation interventions to increase its viability and future. In a bid to stop the sale and fencing of lands that act as wildlife habitats outside the protected areas, as well as humanwildlife conflict, several donors have funded conservation NGOs that are implementing various wildlife conservation

interventions in animal habitats outside the park. Some of their strategies have included campaigns to push the government to legally protect and compensate neighboring communities that play a key role in protecting and conserving the park. They are funding initiatives to maintain the park’s sustainability by defining different zones and establishing special land uses for pastoralism and wildlife. This will prevent further subdivision and sale of the wildlife dispersal areas, as well as establish a community conservancy that will combine several parcels of community land into one large tract and remove human settlements from the area for conservation and tourism.

Effective wildlife conservation in Kenya calls for immediate and long-term changes in the practice, management, and perception of wildlife and its conservation. In the over 70 years of the park’s official recognition and existence, it has been a conducive venue for most students, teachers, and community members to learn about and experience nature. These efforts to conserve wildlife and the environment are secured through education and information programs designed for these groups by experts at the park.

My friend argues that the park should not be tarmaced since this makes it less attractive and would scare away wild animals. I completely agree.

Written by Nicera Kimani

Meet the young Ugandan dance group taking the world by storm

By Nazneen Zahan & Gregory Ward, George Stanley Nsamba

Scenes shine a spotlight on youth around the world that are breaking down barriers and creating change. The character-driven short films will inspire and amaze as these young change-makers tell their remarkable stories.

Dancing is a universal language; it inspires people of all ages and backgrounds. The power of dance can bring love and encouragement to communities, creating a better and livelier world.

triplet ghetto kids

TGK is a dance group and NGO based in Kampala, Uganda. Kavuma Dauda founded it with the sole mission of providing housing, health care, food, and education for disadvantaged children. “The mission is to make lives better through dance.” That’s our goal. We are helping disadvantaged children, orphans, and street kids. “We use dance to make their lives better,” Kavuma tells Scenes. “When you dance, you forget that you didn’t eat.” When you dance, you forget that you have lost someone. You forget everything. “You focus on dance,” he says.

Kavuma’s inspiration Kavuma uses dance to encourage children to enjoy themselves, but his main goal is to provide them with an education so they will have a better future. A stranger funded his education when he was a young boy and couldn’t afford to go to school.

He made a vow to himself that if he were ever in a position to help others, he would, as a sign of gratitude to his stranger. Kavuma’s own story could be that of any of the children he mentors. His father passed away when he was very young, and his family struggled to make ends meet. They couldn’t afford to pay school fees, so he spent his time playing football in the streets. That’s when a school football coach noticed Kavuma playing in the street and offered him a chance at a better life.

“He told me if I gave you a chance, would you go back to school?” I said, “Yes, that’s what I really want.” “So, from that day on, I promised myself that when I grew up, at least I would help one child,” Kavuma says.

Creating the chance at another life

Many of the kids in the dance group identify with trauma and poverty. Triplets Ghetto Kids member Nabakooza Patricia has five siblings, and her parents couldn’t afford

to send them all to school. The siblings would take turns attending classes and often miss school for long periods of time when the money ran out.

“We used to love school. “But then we didn’t have that ability to stay in school because we didn’t have school fees,” explains Patricia.

Now 18 years old and a senior in high school, TGK changed Patricia’s life. As her dance teacher, Kavuma, noticed that she was frequently absent, he called on her to know why. When he learned about her financial situation, he asked her one question.

“Patricia, do you love school?” “Yes,” she responded.

The very next day, he introduced her to the Triplet Ghetto Kids. He told Patricia that if she stayed part of the group, her school fees, clothes, and food would all be provided.

Her part of the deal was to continue dancing. Patricia never looked back.

From the Streets to the World Stage Triplets Ghetto Kids did more than give these kids a platform and an education; it helped them become international stars. The group filmed their dance videos and uploaded them onto YouTube.

In 2013, one of these videos, their dance cover of Eddy Kenzo’s Sytia Loss, was trending on YouTube and social media.

“While working on that video, we didn’t know that it was going to go viral because back then, we didn’t know what the word viral meant,” says 20-year-old Ronald Santiago, a member of Triplet Ghetto Kids.

From then on, they became an international sensation. They have appeared on a U.S. talk show and have been interviewed by host Jimmy Fallon. They have also performed with singer French Montana and traveled the world.

Chosen family

TGK told Scenes that belonging to a family is one

of the best things about being in a group. They see Kavuma as a father figure and a mentor, and the group members as their siblings and confidants.

“Kavuma saved me from the hard time I was going through. And not only me but everybody who is in Triplets Ghetto Kids “He is our father, who raised us,” says Patricia.

“Triplet Ghetto Kids are like family to me. “Because I grew up with them,” adds Nyangoma Rucia, a member of Triplet Ghetto Kids.

The Triplet Ghetto Kids have inspired millions of people in Uganda and are taking the world by storm. They intend to use their fame and recognition for the greater good. Their goal is to carry on Kavuma’s legacy by helping others in the community who are in need. The future for these kids looks brighter than ever.

Additional report by Monazza Asif Farooqui

Aliyah weds Jide Agboola

Wedding of the year 2022 in UK

This wedding tribute was written by a family friend, Gbenga Osifeso: “I have been to so many spectacular weddings, but from my own perspective, this is the best wedding that I have ever attended.” Nothing spectacular happened, but everyone in the Hylands Estate would tell you that we all witnessed a fantastic wedding that brought tears of joy and happiness to our eyes.

JIDE AGBOOLA AND ALIYYAH ALABI got married to the amazement of all present, particularly Jide’s accolades

for his parents. Jide’s speech of appreciation to his parents blew away everyone present.

The writer prays to God for protection, blessings, and guidance on their marriage and blesses them with wonderful children as well to show them the love they have shown to their parents.

God bless Jide and Aliyyah Agboola’s marriage forever. Amen

SPEAKS

Jeanne Marie Abou’ou, who resides in Yaounde has reacted to the ongoing fuss about Embolo scoring against his country of origin, Cameroon. His goal helped Switzerland to defeat Cameroon 1-0 and he was unable to celebrate except to lift up his hands in submission. His mother still based in Cameroon issued this statement after many comments on her son playing for another country: “My son, there’s nothing to reproach you for. We are confronted today with our own contradictions. We must rather question the way in which we manage our talents in Cameroon and in Africa. This gesture, which has caused

chills all over 237 today, including yourself the scorer, challenges us, because it is when you saw the ball in the back of the net that you realized the seriousness of your gesture.

You are a victim of the underworld who took charge, hostage of the football system in Cameroon; that rejects and humiliates talents in Cameroon.

Tomorrow it will be Mbappe, if we meet France or several other Cameroonians in foreign teams. Why are talents rejected and fought against in Cameroon instead of being groomed?

How many Cameroonians rejected by their country are bringing glory to other nations in various fields, not only football, they are very numerous.

The best medical engineers etc are rejected while the mediocre are adored. We make icons without intelligence or talent or morality, we impose them on society, this is the result.

What happened with your goal against your native land is the cliché of all sectors in Cameroon.

One day a foreign army headed by a Cameroonian if things continue like this will attack Cameroon.

Intelligence will continue to be valued elsewhere and we will use them against Cameroon like Switzerland your country of nationality has done today, my boy.

Today, you bear the burden of a dysfunction in your domain for which you are not responsible.

We pray to God that the President of FECAFOOT, this worthy son of Africa, fights in such an intense way this same mediocrity in his country.

May you have the strength to do everything so that a son of the country no longer finds himself so unhappy and disgusted at having played his role like you today.

I saw the sadness in your eyes; you were in pain when you only played your role.

God spoke to Cameroon through you, it’s up to us to understand”.

Congratulations Veronica van der Kamp on your recent award - GAM Television Management