The Voice News magazine

ISSN:1571-3466

ISSN:1571-3466

Motto: Actuated towards Africa’s advancement

Volume 21 NO. 201 January 2021

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First complete African magazine published in The Netherlands since August 1999

Prosperous 2021 to you all

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Nigeria is in a state of wasted brilliance of hard working people says Kwevi Quaye

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YOUR COPY NOW....

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

BOOK REVIEW Pastor Elvis Iruh’s new book is out……

Title: “Getting to know you” - A book on marital steps with information about marriage Author: Pastor Amb. Elvis Iruh 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

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The Voice magazine

THE VOICE MAGAZINE TEAM

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

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

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

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

On the Editorial board are Pastor Amb. Elvis Iruh, Jonathan Mgbejume, Sandra Iruh-Monsels, and Henry Oduenyi READ THE VOICE ON LINE AT www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com Our Affiliate partner: www.thenigerianvoice.com Registration NO: (Kvk. Nr. 34.110.928) TAX (BTW) NO: NL806215809B01 ISSN: 1571-3466 (For Print edition) ISSN: 2588-8807 (For Digital edition)

Publisher: Stichting Paddi Europa

For payments, use these bank details: Stichting Paddi Europa SNS Bank Account No: NL29SNSB0908374372 Swift Code: SNSBNL2A OR Stichting Paddi Europa Knab Bank Account No: NL77KNAB0725202238 Swift Code: KNABNL2H

Editor-in-Chief Pastor Amb. Elvis Ndubuisi Iruh elvisiruh@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Founding/Contributing Editor Edward Idahosa Ogbee apexbest2000@yahoo.co.uk

Principal Photo Editors: Handy Tims Azeez Badris fatim_26@hotmail.com PA to Publisher Lilian Akintokun (Mrs) raven_lilian@yahoo.com Magazine Designer David Banjoko

Managing Editor Henry D. Oduenyi (Nigeria Office) henry@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Project Coordinator Ifeyinwa Ezeagabu i.ezeagabu@thevoicenewsmagazine. com BUREAU CHIEFS Femi Ikutiyinu (London) afpaprint2000@yahoo.com

MEDIA CONSULTANT Jonathan Mgbejume Abeka Salmin Abdallah Mildred Kleinbussink Pastor Duncan Spier Engr. Barry Igbeare You can as well contact our Office Address: Stichting Paddi Europa Inz The Voice Jeroen Boschplantsoen 82 1318 HH Almere, The Netherlands

Middle East Vice- President Amb. Laila EL Aftani Rahhall

Land Line: +3136-8801341 Tel.: +31 (0)6-48519292 Mobile: +31 (0)6-84999548

CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD Barrister Eze Eluchie (Nigeria) paddingr@yahoo.com Kehinde Aig-Imoru (Nigeria) aigimoru@yahoo.com

E-mail: info@thevoicenewsmagazine.com

Project Editor (Nigeria) Rev. Tammy Abusi (Port-Harcourt) t.abusi@thevoicenewsmagazine.com

Websites: www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com www.thevoiceachieversaward.com www.elvisiruh.com

Eubaldus Enahoro enabadus2000@yahoo.com

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

The Voice magazine is published in the Netherlands by Stichting Paddi Europa and it is p ­ ublished online since 2016 around the world. It is registered at the Chamber of Commerce Amsterdam. The Voice aim to serve as a vital link among African readers in the Diaspora and we ­provide ­objective information and organizes opinion exchange among African people both in the ­continent and abroad. Thus it strives to foster and enhance complete understanding of ­developing c­ ountries problems and bring information to help address those issues. You can support this project now with as much as one euro a month to help keep publishing our digital copy for you.

TV MANAGEMENT

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Volume 21 www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

NO 201 January 2021

Contents Get fast results by advertising with us.

Others are doing, join us today. Call us on +31684999548 or +31648519292 E-mail: info@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Page 6- Editorial: Reflection on 2020 and starting 2021- Still no respite Page 8 - Book Review: The Other Side of Fear Pages 12-15 – Feedbacks: Your letters to the Editor and opinions Pages 16 & 17 – Mrs. Olugbemisola Abiodun Giwa at 70 Pages 18- 21 – Nigeria is in a state of wasted brilliance of hard working people says Kwevi Quaye Pages 22 & 23 – Dr. A. O. Ajayi: Daddy your legacy lives on (One year on) Page 26 – Malawi signs extradition papers for self-proclaimed prophet Page 28 - Tribute to a great Ijaw Son – Late Chief (Captain) Samuel Timinipre Owonaro (Rtd) JP. Page 29 - Online training called “Break Free and Breakthrough from fear” has arrived!

Pages 34-36 – Amb. Laila Rahhal El Atfani: The woman with a heart of gold for humanity.

Pages 38 & 39 - Meet Joe Biden, Mr. Politics in America- The new President of United States of America Pages 40 & 41 - Made in Nigeria: The Grandson of Fela Kuti Upholds His Family’s Afrobeat Message Pages 42 & 43 - How a Nollywood Netflix Drama Sheds Light on Nigeria’s Human Trafficking Crisis Pages 44 - 49 – Presentation of my book: “Getting to know you” Page 50 – Everyone’s voice should be heard in a free society, says king in Christmas speech Pages 52 & 53 - Dutch news in focus Page 54 - Graham Shema: Seven-year-old boy who adores Elon Musk is sensation on Ugandan aviation scene Page 55 – US President Donald Trump vetoes national defence policy bill, calling it ‘gift’ to China Page 57 – LISSU: I will use my time abroad to tell the world the story of Tanzania Page 58 – Four Things to Know on How Liberia Is Reforming Its Economy Amid COVID-19 Page 59 – Ugandan Presidential Candidate Fears for Life, Dons Bulletproof Vest Page 60 - Uganda Issues New Directives for Foreign Journalists Page 61 – ICC prosecutor seeks probes into Nigeria and Ukraine war crimes Page 62 - Sudanese singer faces deportation from Netherlands despite safety fears Page 63 - German population of migrant background rises to 21 million Pages 64 - 66 – Inauguration of Legionaire foundation with a symposium on mental health of youths and its impact on nations Page s 68 & 69 – Sports stories

The Voice Magazine Volume 21. No 201 January 2021 Edition

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Give a DONATION from one time, one-month, each month, quarterly, half a year or a year.

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E DITORI A L:

Reflection on 2020 and starting 2021- Still no respite There is a single word that serves as a fitting representation of 2020: resilience. Very few periods over the course of modern history have tested our resilience and shaped humanity, culture and politics the way 2020 has. From a global health pandemic, racial injustice and an increasingly volatile climate to complex geopolitics and a divisive U.S. election, the impact of this year will be felt for decades to come.

Our ability as a society to adapt, innovate and grow on a global and local level has been extraordinary.

From innovations in science and medicine that accelerated a COVID-19 vaccine even though there is still so much confusion on the efficacy of the vaccine. Then the social awakening of citizens and corporations taking action in support of Black Lives Matter to communities rallying together to fight natural disasters to the largest turnout of voters in the history of U.S. presidential elections, last year has demonstrated our humanity, scars and all, and what it truly means to be a global citizen.

As a media organization, we have also been challenged, our finances has greatly been affected with low income through advertisements. We saw the best rise from our employees, consumers and partners, the support has been tremendous, many worked without complains despite inability to meet all our financial commitments to them. Our employees came together like never before, helping each other tackle the struggles of working from home.

A year in review might suggest that the moments are behind us.

We don’t think so we appeal to all to continue to observe the rules and listen to guidance’s; things seem much under control in Africa than Europe but care need to be taken particularly opening Pastor Elvis Iruh our air space and borders to Editor-in-Chief foreigners at this early part of the New Year. Caution must be 6

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applied.

The world awaits to see the changes with the election of Joe Biden as President of United States of America and all the drama associated with Donald Trump leaving office, for the first time in a long while, Biden won both the electoral and popular vote with overwhelming majority despite objections by Trump that the election was neither free or fair but all took place under his administration watch.

Then Ghana loss their former President, Jerry Rawlings to COVID 19 complications and went into an election that was won by the incumbent president, Nana Akufo-Addo despite disputed claims by the opposition leader, John Mahama who is challenging the result in court.

This month another crucial election would be held in Uganda where the youthful opposition leader, Bobi Wine challenges long serving president Yoweri Museveni for the office. The whole Africa is closely watching events in that country and prayerful hope it goes well with the country after the elections.

All we can wish us all is a very happy New year and ask people to remain optimistic, resilience, courageous and willing to continue to make sacrifice and hoping for the best in 2021 Here’s to a healthy and happy 2021 for you and yours.

Best regards, Pastor Elvis Iruh Editor-in-Chief

ONE EURO A MONTH SUPPORT TO THE VOICE MAGAZINE .....

Since you’re here... Support the Voice magazine so we stay publishing for your reading pleasure…..

Happy New Year (2021) to you our readers and our followers. We have a small favour to ask. More people, like you, are reading and supporting the Voice News magazine since we stopped the hard copy print in 2016. We have continued to serve you the magazine in the same format with all production cost covered like editing, page designs, photography and digital distribution via online channels. The Voice News magazine has been an independent organization, we do not receive any form of subsidy except the support of our advertisers, readers and friends. We made the choice to keep our reporting open for all, regardless of where you live or what you can afford to pay. Our advertising drive continue to grow. You can support us through this medium by promoting us among your friends, colleagues and clients as well,. You can promote your businesses and services with us as your way of support.

Our editorial independence means we set our own agenda and voice our own opinions. You are free and welcome to contribute both commercial and political independent articles for our reading audience without bias. We want to continue to give a voice to those less heard, exploited or turn away. We continue to rigorously challenge those in power to do what is right and just.

We hope you will consider supporting us from now on. We need your support to keep delivering quality journalism that’s open and independent. Every reader contribution, however big or small, is so valuable.

Support The Voice News magazine as little as one EURO and it only takes a minute through your bank account.

For The Netherlands Account Name: Stichting Paddi Europa IBAN: NL29SNSB0908374372 SWIFT CODE: SNSBNL2A (For payment from abroad) Bank: SNS BANK Address: Utrecht, The Netherlands Thank you.

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BOOK REVIEW

The Other Side of Fear Uncertainty, anxiety and fear: only fictitious superheroes are exempted from this all-too human sequence. The trouble is that fear is paralyzing because it feeds our minds with negative thoughts. In a second, fear can turn the idea of courage into one of recklessness, and then it’s all downhill to a point where determination is put aside in favour of ‘playing it safe.’ Sadly, fear can stop you from doing anything slightly risky. It’ll keep you locked up in the prison of the comfortable and predictable where you’re more likely to die of boredom than might from any of the dangers you fear. So, what’s to be done? The simple answer is that risk-taking and adaptability are as much part of our human heritage as uncertainty-inspired fear. It’s finding a balance that matters most. Fear is a useful tool for making better life-directing decisions, but fear must never be allowed to control the direction of your life. That way you lose the opportunity of reaching your true potential. I hope this book will inspire you to transcend your fears and achieve all of your dreams.

The greatest prison you can live in is the prison of your own fears. Nothing of value can be achieved when we allow fear to control our life. Grab a copy of “The other side of fear” be inspired to live above your fears. You can purchase E-book & paperback on amazon.

First and foremost, I want to thank God for guiding my every step towards completing this project and to every other

person who contributed to this. I’ve learned that if we can find the courage to begin something, God will empower & enable us to complete the task. There’s nothing we cannot accomplish if we are determined enough. I was inspired to write this book because fear has kept a lot of people locked up in the prison of comfort.

Too many people are living in a self-made prison of their own fears, they are stuck, unable to move forward and achieve their meaningful dreams. Fear has the power to limit your greatness, and blind you from seeing the opportunities that lies ahead of you. Everything you desire is on the other side of your fear, don’t stay trapped behind the walls of your fear for the rest of your life. It’s time to move towards your fears instead for trying to avoid them. I can confidently tell you that this book will inspire and challenge you to transcend your fears. And also provide principles to help you on the journey.

Grab a copy of this book to bless yourself, a friend or a loved one. You can read online, download, & order hard copies of this book online click on the link. www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Fear-M-K-Slim-ebook/dp/ B088RKSDW7/ref=sr_1_8?

Thank you

By M.K. Slim

About M.K. Slim For much of my life, I’ve been fully committed to my music career, but I’m also an entrepreneur and a budding writer. I’m very motivated and mentally resilient: a genuinely optimistic person who believes that anything can be achieved if I’m determined enough. I strive to create a positive impact in the lives of those around me and I believe the highest of human acts is to inspire others to reach their potential.

I strive to inspire as many people as I can. I’d like others to say of me, “Because you didn’t give up, I can do the same.”

That’s the legacy I hope to leave behind when I die.

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

What would you like to know? Our vision?

Which activities we organize? Or would you like to hear testimonies about how we follow God? One thing is certain, we would like to get to know you and therefore you are more than welcome to visit one of our services in this new year 2020. You can visit us every day of the week as there is a Resident Pastor available to your demand.

You may have been a believer for many years already.

Or you might still be searching for the meaning of life and asking yourself whether or not there is God. Within Victory Outreach Almere we would like to help you find the answer. We will gladly teach you through the help of the Holy Spirit the exact meaning of “a living faith�.

With us you will truly see

and experience the supernatural power of the living God. You can always count on love and comfort when you need it. You will discover that we have a wonderful diversity of people with lots of different backgrounds, characters and personalities. But there is one thing we have in common. We all follow the same God, Jesus Christ.

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

We personally hope to meet you during one of our services. God bless you as you come in Jesus Christ name. Amen Signed: Pastor Roel & Ida van Rooij Senior Pastors Victory Outreach Almere.

Barbeelstraat 12, 1317 PZ Almere The Netherlands.

Telephone: +31646890203; Telephone: 036-7505571 E-mail: info@voalmere.nl Website: www.voalmere.nl

Join our church service every SUNDAY in church and also online service via FACEBOOK or YOUTUBE

Victory Outreach Almere

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Feedback Congratulation on Magazine 200th edition

I am very happy and glad to hear that your magazine has completed 200 successful publications outside special editions you have printed along the line. All this is because of everyone’s handwork and cooperation. Without the co-operation of all the staff, reporters and editors seeing this day would have surely been impossible. Please keep up the good work and aim for 500 editions, it is all possible.

Thank you for serving us each month Yours truly Florence Morah Nairobi, Kenya

Congratulations on your Magazine 200th edition

Dear Editor, I am happy to know that your magazine has come this far and I probably have missed few editions in your 200th edition last December 2020. It is a great accomplishment and I want to congratulate you and your team, past and present for the wonderful publication you have created for our African community in The Netherlands and beyond. I still remember how it all started and to see how far you have come. I am learning endurance and perseverance from your team. Never to give up and the Voice magazine is proudly in many homes now.

Your aim a few years back was to make this magazine a popular one and today it stands popular in all major cities of around the world. It is indeed a matter of joy and success. Congratulations to you and your team for this grand success and may your magazine reach great heights in the years to come.

Babatunde Adeyinka Amsterdam, The Netherlands

We are proud of The Voice news magazine

We are glad to hear that your magazine has reached this height and we continue to do business with your company. I still know the day when you cherished the first edition when the magazine was set up. I was your lifetime dream. I know you have gone through difficult and challenging times but you remain focus and hard working. We pledge to support you as 12

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far as we remain in business and we have done that till date. I hope your magazine performs even well in the future.

Congratulations to you once again.

Mildred Kleinbussink All Round Shipping Amsterdam The Netherlands.

Editor’s Note: Dear Mil, thank you so much for all your support over the years and still continue to patronize us as you pledged to be part of this magazine as long as we continue to publish. How we wish we had committed business interest that stands with us through it all.

Thank you for your patronage and friendship and happy New Year to your team at All Round Shipping, Amsterdam. Looking forward to a better 2021.

Attributes to Pastor Elvis Iruh God bless you Pastor.

I thank you for your ministry in Kenya, you showed us the way of life and I am grateful.

I often pray that you consider reopening victory outreach here in Kenya. I have grown and put my life in order.

I was not married when you were here but I saw your commitment to married couples and to hear that you have written a book on marriage is exciting to me and others I have mentioned it to.

Please bring our copies, we would buy and promote it.

Greetings from my wife and children. Thanks for impacting on me the spirit of a servant.

Brother Dixon Mahero

Thank you pastor Ndubuisi Elvis Iruh for inspiring us and many other couples around the world with this awesome book. We believe it will encourage and challenge us to keep on investing in Gods perfect union of marriage so we will enjoy it to the fullest. #Lovegettingtoknowyouevenmore Pastor & Mrs. Sebastiaan Boonstra

Wow Pastor, the cover looks attractive and we are very grateful for the support you gave us on our walk towards marriage. My husband and I are planning to call you by this weekend. Our regards to your family. We look forward to reading the book.

Congratulations.

Loretta Achieng

Asante sana Pastor Elvis Iruh for this, God is using you to impart more lives. May I one day be able to do something special in your life, we always remember you and also say thank you for being part of our lives. It was really a blessing to be part of that time, season and generation, thank you always for being the one who made my life straight and brought me out of bitterness and gave me a will to focus and make something out of myself in life. Thank you for employing me which made me get skills which has enabled me to raise my family and even build a house for them.

May God bless you for the wonderful foundation in his word which l have always kept despite being human and capable of mistakes. I have never departed from the works of God and his will for humanity and it’s all through your coming to Kenya.

Thank you for joining me with my wife with whom I have wonderful daughters and through which l have learnt that God’s time is the best. Just like Abraham l was once impatient for a child and even tried with my strength but God came through at his time. Lots of words l have for you but above all my God has a special place for you. Asante.

Antony Alaka

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Congratulations to Sam Iruh @ 83 On behalf of Pastor Elvis Iruh and his siblings we wish our Dad a blessed 83rd birthday in good health and strength of the Lord.

You are alive by his grace and that grace will continue to sustain you in Jesus Christ name.

Congratulations Papa Iruh

Samuel Aliemeke

Signed: Pastor Elvis Iruh For: The entire Iruh family

Karin Denekamp @ 50

May you have the fortune and the strength to carry on in the other half of the century that is waiting for you.

Happy birthday Karin.

From Family Iruh

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Dear Mum, You have taught us well and we have hold on to your lessons of life. On your birthday on behalf of all your children, in-laws, grand children and the rest of the family, we wish you long life, peace, joy success, good health and all the desires of your heart in Jesus name.

Amen

Congratulations to

Mrs Olugbemisola Abiodun Giwa at 70

Mrs. Elizabeth Adeola Iruh on behalf of the family.

Lots of love to the best mum at 70 Greetings from Husband – Mr. Oyewumi Giwa Children Wynston Adeday Adebiyi Emmanuel Adeleke Adebiyi Elizabeth Adeola Iruh (Nee Adebiyi) Several Grand children and other family relatives in Nigeria and abroad

Happy birthday to a wonderful mum @ 70 The groom himself

The celebrant, Mrs. Olugbemisola Abiodun Giwa at 70

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I N TERVIE W

Nigeria is in a state of wasted brilliance of hard working people says Kwevi Quaye

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ur New Year kick off interview guest for Face to Face is Mr. Kwevi Quaye. He is a known person for his professional prowess. He is the President of Diaspora Showcase, a holding company with global interests in architecture, entertainment, media, sports, fashion, travel, real estate development and investment. His diaspora’s projects are developed through the establishment of international joint ventures that offer the opportunity to penetrate new markets worldwide and provide the company with a unique expertise in alliance management.

He was a regular at The White House briefings on Economic and Business Development for Africa, during the Clinton administration, Mr. Quaye was appointed by the United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to co-ordinate the 1996 “ Food For All” campaign in commemoration of “The World Food Day”. He was also responsible for the development of Essence Magazine’s brand extension “Travel As Entertainment”, which culminated in the establishment of the “Essence Travel Club” and “Essence Music Festival Cruise” properties that later became part of the Time-Warner acquisition of Essence Communications.

In 2004, Mr. Quaye created the critically acclaimed and award winning Diaspora Showcase, an annual event that features the music, food, dance and fashion of Africa. The showcase format also provides visibility to charitable and humanitarian organizations that have made significant contributions to Africa.

Mr. Quaye is architecture, a graduate from the University of Arizona, an art dealer that managed the career of his brother, Mr. Tayo Quaye, whose works are in several notable collections globally, including the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C., and Victoria Albert Museum, London, England. He served as a board member of the Ethiopian Children’s Fund, the Ghana Education Project, Tucson Jazz Society and member of Technoserve, an organization that helps entrepreneurs in poor areas of the developing world to build businesses that create income, opportunity and economic growth for their families, their communities and their countries.

Enjoy this special interview; even though it took months to get him to grant us this exclusive chat, it is ready for your reading pleasure.

Gregory’s College.

TV: Introduce yourself to our worldwide readers please and what you do professionally?

TV: How is life in the United States of America compared to Nigeria?

Kwevi Quaye, an Architect and Producer. Though, this is a limiting introduction, because of the scope of businesses that I have developed in the arts, media, entertainment, sports and travel industries.

TV: Where do you come from in Africa? I know you live in the United States of America, and how long have you lived in that country?

Kwevi Quaye: I am a descendant of immigrants, who migrated to Lagos, when it was a British Protectorate.

My family background is over 2,000 years of ancient history. But I am an American. Some of my formative years was in Nigeria, where I was born.

I also obtained my early education at the prestigious High School, St.

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Kwevi Quaye

Kwevi Quaye: America has progressed more into a racially and economically divided country, during the Trump administration. And this has nothing to do with just race or ethnicity. It is more of a shift in the social order, between the various competing ideological and political groups. The racist conservatives, the liberals or moderate conservatives, and the progressives, all have a different vision for America. We have seen this played out consistently, during the past four years, even with the contested U.S. election results. But America has a very strong democracy with solid institutions, that has been tried and tested for more than two centuries. Compared to America, Nigeria is still grappling with nation building, with a new Constitution that was written in 1999. It does not have strong institutions,

Face to Face with Kwevi Quaye which monitors bad governance or the adherence to the rule of law. Corruption is endemic. Politics is for personal gain, rather than service to the nation. Until this weakness in the strands of Nigeria’s development is resolved, I do not see how the nation could improve. What is bothersome about the retrogressive state of Nigeria is the wasted brilliance of a very hard-working people.

One of my favourite, is the “Greer House”, which my client gave me complete creative freedom. The building, is a study in procession, and an exercise in form and spatial concepts.

The interior of the house has five levels. However, from any

TV: You are trained as an Architect. Do you still practice?

And What type of work do you do?

Kwevi Quaye: There are three projects now in the pipeline that I am developing with my sister, Ayeleh, one of the project is an event center, that will be dedicated to my aunt, Tutu.

My architectural projects are varied from high priced residential buildings, to commercial restaurants and apartment complexes.

What I enjoy designing the most are the private residences, because they are a lot more challenging aesthetically and functionally.

vantage point outside of the building, the house looks like a two-storey building. The space and form compositions were achieved by multi-layering.

TV: On your Biographical Profile, you are also a soccer coach. Is that a hobby or something you do?

Kwevi Quaye: It started as a hobby. I was asked to coach a local Women’s team, La Fuerza in my city. A year later, I started my own Women’s team called “Sistema”, that became “Sistema Soccer Club”.

During the best years of our Club, Sistema was a 3-time Arizona State Champions, and we won just about every tournament on the West Coast of America. From “The Chancellor’s Cup” in Riverside, International Games in El Paso, O”Rourke Cup in Northridge, Ladies Invitational in Torrance to the Bufallo Soldier tournament at Fort Huachuca. However, at our 1989 Continued on Page 20 www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Continued from Page 19

Sistema Soccer Classics in Tucson, Arizona, which our club hosted 52 teams from 10 countries and 25 U.S. cities, we ended up in third place. But our sister team, “California Tremors”, won that tournament. Dynamo Kyiv from the former Soviet Union took second place, and Sistema came third. Most of our players played for the top universities and colleges in the United States, and five played on the U.S. National team. Carin Jennings, Julie Foudy, Amy Allman, Joy Biefeld, and Brandy Chastain were amongst the best players in the world, and it was quite a delight to be part of their development. In 1991, I was honoured when the U.S. Soccer Federation and the University of Santa Barbara appointed me to produce the final exhibition games for the U.S. Women’s National team. This was in preparation for the first Women’s World Cup in China. Team USA won that World Cup. Carin Jennings won the Golden Ball and Most Valuable Player (MVP). After the World Cup, my good friend, Coach Jerry Zanelli of “Sacramento Storms” wanted me to join him to start a Women’s Soccer Professional League, but 8 of my players had signed with the company, Asahi, to play in Japan.

TV: You love Entertainment and eventually started a company to cover the industry. Tell us more about this venture?

Kwevi Quaye: My partner in Sistema Soccer Club, Clarence O. Smith, who was also the Co-Founder of ESSENCE magazine, used to tell me that, “Africa must be synonymous

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with excellence”, in order for Blacks in the Diaspora to be respected. Diaspora Showcase Africa was a result of making Africa synonymous with excellence.

TV: What is Diaspora Showcase?

Kwevi Quaye: Diaspora Showcase is a media and entertainment company that was founded in 2004. It produces several entertainment events, including its flagship, “Diaspora Showcase Africa”, which presents the Fashion, Music, Dance, Culinary Arts and Entertainment of Africa, in a unique format. Starting with “African Fashion Drama

Trilogy”, “The Princess and The Porcupine” (2004), “The Wedding” (2005) and “African Renaissance” (2006), Diaspora showcase has featured more than 20 thematic shows. The Diaspora Showcase brand also produce, “Africa Night Dance Fusion”, and the “Diaspora Showcase Program Magazine”. Our underwriters include many global brands, such as Mercedes, Lexus, MAC Cosmetics, Southwest Airlines, JP Morgan Chase, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Toyota, because they saw the uniqueness of our show and the level of excellence.

TV: Is there any form of collaboration with you and other Diaspora organisations in America?

Kwevi Quaye: The best collaborations I had, was with ESSENCE magazine for 20 years with developing the brand beyond the magazine. Some of the brand extension included the ESSENCE Travel Club, which we integrated into the ESSENCE awards television show, ESSENCE Music Festival and Cruise and Jazz at sea. Today, more than 300,000 people, now attend the music festival annually in New Orleans. And several millions watch the

annual ESSENCE awards on television.

TV: What have been your challenges living and doing business in America?

Kwevi Quaye: Not everything has been completely rosy, but overall, I have had a great ride. Collaborating with ESSENCE and partnering with Clarence O. Smith to develop several top industry companies was a marvelous experience. Being invited to State Ceremonies at The White House, when African Heads of State visit, during the Clinton Administration or attending White House Briefings on foreign policy that pertains to Africa, were the highlights of my career.

TV: What do you plan to do in the next few years, or where do you expect to see yourself?

Kwevi Quaye: As a kid, my favourite place was the Whitney M. Young American Library near my house in Lagos. I was always there, during my holidays to read magazine and checkout books. I hope I can build and fund several libraries in Africa.

TV: You have received several awards for your work. Are there any particular ones that stood out for you and why?

Kwevi Quaye: I will have to say The Vanguard Awards. I was honoured for all my community work and the charitable organisations, that I have been part of for so many years. But The ADDY Awards for Design and Advertising Excellence would be a close tie too.

TV: Lastly, what would be your advice to our readers?

Kwevi Quaye: My father used to tell me “You are only as rich, as the people around you. If everyone around you is poor, then, you are poor. This is why it is important to build up your community”.

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Dr. A. O. Ajayi: Daddy your legacy lives on (One year on) We count the days for our birthday, friend's birthdays, and our family's birthday but I count down the years passing by of my dad's death, his birthday, his anniversary. It’s like every single moment passing by, I will always be reminded of how a part of my life is taken away. The day he died, I remember flipping that switch in my brain into a robot because I didn’t want to acknowledge the pain I felt. He was a wonderful dad, husband, friend, and brother to me and to all. He was deep with knowledge, a heart of gold as well as full of confidence my mom would describe him. Mostly, though, he was never around like a typical father, he would still virtually send me emails to always check up on me because he cared. As I now come to terms with my dad's passing I will always be grateful for the things he did for me as well as sacrifice for me. Without him, I wouldn’t be here right now but lastly, I want to say l love you so much and hope I make you proud.

- Hosanna Ajayi (Daughter on behalf of my sister)

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One year Remembrance A daily thought of You Unending silence Unforgettable pains My dear Husband

Late Dr. Olarotimi A. Ajayi To my dear late husband, 356 days has passed without you in my life and that of your children. You left us to be with your maker. Thank you His Excellency, Dr. A.O. Ajayi for the love you had for your country, your family, your friends, the truth you stood for speaks volume of you. Rest on.

The way I miss you is different now. Even though I could not see you very much but I knew you were there for us. I hope you know you meant so much to us. (The children & me) I still think about you every day. I just love and miss you in my own special way.

Continue to rest in peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen Your wife, Amaka Ajayi on behalf of children, families & friends. www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Malawi signs extradition papers for self-proclaimed prophet

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hepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, are wanted in South Africa on money laundering, theft and fraud charges.

Self-proclaimed prophet and controversial millionaire Shepherd Bushiri could be extradited from his native country of Malawi to South Africa where he is wanted on money laundering, theft and fraud charges.

Last month, Malawi’s government agreed to South Africa’s request to extradite Bushiri and his wife, Mary, to face trial in South African courts.

The fugitive pair skipped bail in South Africa in November 2020 and returned to Malawi, claiming they fled because their lives were in danger and they would not have a fair trial.

Malawi’s Information Minister and government spokesperson Gospel Kazako said his Homeland Security Minister Richard Chimwendo Banda had signed the documents for the pair’s extradition.

Kazako stressed, however, that it was up to the courts to decide whether Bushiri and his wife should be arrested and sent to South Africa. Should an arrest warrant be issued in Malawi, the pair would likely face justice in Malawi first and then will possibly be returned to South Africa on later date.

It was not yet clear if the Bushiris would be arrested and some have suggested the extradition process could take years.

Bushiri, the founder of the Enlightened Christian Gathering church, is known for a lavish lifestyle that includes expensive clothes, sports cars and large properties. He claims to have cured HIV patients, treated blindness and brought back people from the dead.

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The fugitive preacher has also built a business empire mainly through a company called Shepherd Bushiri Investments, described on his church’s website as having “interests in mining, real estate, an airline and other entrepreneurial pursuits”.

He says men of God should be rich and justifies his venture into business as a way to support his family. But his swift rise from humble beginnings to amassing a fortune remains a mystery to many and has raised eyebrows, including allegations of swindling members of his church.

Bushiri and his wife have also faced various criminal allegations in South Africa, including fraud and money laundering charges amounting to some $6.6m.

The couple, which denies the charges, was released on bail in early November and had their passports taken away by South African authorities. But on November 14, it emerged that Bushiri and his wife had broken their strict bail conditions and fled to Malawi.

It remains unknown how the Bushiris managed to flee undetected but the news rattled South Africa and prompted questions about the effectiveness of the country’s justice and border control systems.

The escape coincided with an official twoday visit by Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera to South Africa. Both countries have denied that the preacher escaped through the plane, which carried the Malawian officials.

Chris Muronzi contributed to this report.

COLUMN

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Tribute to a great Ijaw Son – Late Chief (Captain) Samuel Timinipre Owonaro (Rtd) JP.

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feel sad to be writing this tribute but at the same time, I am happy and appreciate all members of the Izon Egberi Association with special thanks to Mr Rolland Ekperi, Mrs Deiya Boro for the honour and befitting celebration of the life of Chief (Capt) Samuel Timinipre Owonaro Rtd JP; Tibi-Ola 1 of Kaiama and also our entire family, the good people of Bayelsa State and well meaning Nigerians both in the Diaspora and at home. I call him “Daddy” because I grew up knowing him as a father figure in my life. He called me ‘number one’ and that voice I really miss and it would remain so forever. As I continue to read sweet memories of him being shared around the world, for me I can write a book on our life journey together. I still vividly remember your visit to my home in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, where you came to receive medical treatment and spend close to two years with my family (1999-2001). Many times friends came around you and despite your pains, you still kept your charm, courage and told your stories.

I remembered every moment of it, you remained a strong soldier, never gave away any form of weakness, your humour never disappeared. You bear the pains as a true soldier. Daddy you have played your part and fought a good fight in our struggle as Ijaws. No surprise how the youths who grew up only to hear and read your story are celebrating your life today. For sure the Ijaws would continue to agitate for the same things that you and your former colleagues fought for and live and died for.

I still remember after your return to Nigeria and subsequent medical treatments abroad in London with your wife on your side. How the IPA in London celebrated Boro’s Day and then they recognized you as the last hero of the 12

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day revolution. Your departure is a celebration of life because you lived your life to the fullest despite the natural challenges that came your way.

I salute you daddy and I pray that your soul will rest in perfect harmony with the lord. I remain your number one – Pere Owonaro.

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Jeffangs Beauty

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

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

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Amb. Laila Rahhal El Atfani: The wom

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er Excellency, Ambassador Laila Rahhal El Atfani is an international ambassador for peace and tolerance, she is resident in Dubai in the United Arab Emirate from where she runs her business – Business gate among other business interest worldwide. She is also a very well known humanitarian. Laila is highly praised in the Middle East as well as in Africa, for her contribution in promoting business groups within the region. She is a Goodwill Ambassador for numerous charitable organizations around the globe particularly due to her unyielding involvement in humanity works, which is quite significant.

She is generally very flexible and a professional communicator in English, French, Spanish, Turks and Arabic languages. She has been a gateway for all

intents and purposes for many African/Arab groups round the globe developing networks and expanding their visibilities to new opportunities.

HE, Ambassador Laila Rahhal El Atfani is a Special Advisor to the President of Arab/ African Council for Integration and Development (AACID) and Director for International relations and Diplomacy for the same organization, a role she has made significant contributions to its advancement in global affairs.

She is the founder of Businessgate.org, an establishment she uses to bridge business gaps within her network around the world and helping would-be investors to find the right business match on a global scale. She is the proprietor of 34

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man with a heart of gold for humanity.

Macan FUEL and petroleum products engaged in buying and selling of these products worldwide. The Vice President of Diva Production Company based in the United States of America where she connects journalists, arts and fashion experts together in the world business gateway to reach more clients.

With the advent of the social media, Laila has been very active participating and using the power of the social media to carry out her work activities and expanding her global outreach, you will find her on all the major social media handles like Facebook and Twitter. She posts her videos, photos and reports of her events particularly now when travelling is restricted globally so she remains in constant contact with her global network. Her followership runs into thousands now across the social media channels around the world.

On 11th November 2020, Laila shared her picture with some businessmen with a caption, which translates to, “Nice to meet a delegation of outstanding businessmen coming for real estate business investment in Dubai�. Not long ago,

Zorinstv uploaded a video on YouTube of an exclusive interview with Laila El Atfani Rahhall. in the video she talks about her business and how she started it.

She also talks about The Voice News Magazine and her other international engagements to share more light on what she does and why she does them. Truly, she is a delight to listen to and follow her passion to spread positivity through her work.

Laila continues to tell her story of how she started as a young woman and determined to empower other women particularly from the Arab world where women was to be seen but not heard, all that changed for her and she is willing to impact millions of young women and men around the world of the possibilities before them if they work hard enough.

Many of her followers describe Laila as a woman with the heart of Gold and they are not far from the truth, she is truly a woman with the heart of gold as she continues to bring her experience and expertise to bear wherever she is needed.

She is a publisher of her own magazine but she Continued on Page 36 www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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signed an agreement with the Dutch based African magazine, The Voice News magazine when she was appointed VicePresident to cover the Arab league countries to promote the magazine and expose the magazine to the Arab world with Africa interest. Laila actually is also a writer with interest in magazines, exposing the huge business possibilities in the Arab world to Africa.

Since 2017, her role and involvement has seen the presence of the Voice News magazine becoming more visible in the Arab world and they are becoming more interested in doing business with Africa and Africans. On the pipeline is to have the Voice Achievers Award, one of the major highlights of the magazine to be held in Dubai. Discussions are ongoing and we would keep our readers informed in this New Year 2021.

Also acting as Goodwill Ambassador Laila Rahhal El Atfani is ensuring the message of peace; love, reconciliation; tolerance and happiness in the world are much more spread

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to a wider audience both in the Arab world and the rest of the Western world. Laila has become a bridge bringing people together and using her base in Dubai as a rallying point for global activities.

Despite the pandemic which has slowed down most of her international engagements in terms of traveling but she continues on visual activities and you can follow her through her various handles with her name typed in.

She is a recipient of many international awards, certificates, plagues and mentions but her best joy is to see people empowered and exposed to new groundbreaking opportunities that would improve quality of humanity worldwide.

You will be reading more on her business activities in the coming months of this year 2021.

By Pastor Elvis Iruh Editor-in-Chief

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Meet Joe Biden, Mr. Politics in America The new President of United States of America

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hird time lucky is an apt phrase to describe the remarkable rise of Joe Biden, a veteran in US politics for around five decades, from being one of the youngest senators in history to the oldest American president. The 77-yearold six-term Democratic senator, who triumphed over incumbent Republican President Donald Trump in the Presidential election, last November 2020, ran twice unsuccessfully for president - in 1988 and 2008.

The presidential dreams that the veteran leader from Delaware had harboured since childhood seemed all but over for a third time until he won South Carolina’s Democratic Party primary on February 29, forcing most rivals out of the race and making one of the most dramatic comebacks in American political history.

Biden, a familiar face to many Americans who has spent five decades in Washington and served two terms in the White House as former president Barack Obama’s vice president, capitalized on that experience to portray himself as a tested leader and a better alternative to Republican incumbent President Donald Trump.

While accepting the Democratic presidential nomination in August, Biden pledged to restore the ‘soul of America’, and be an ‘ally of the light, not the darkness.’

“The outgoing president has cloaked America in darkness for much too long. Too much anger. Too much fear. Too much division. If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us, not the worst. I will be an ally of the light, not of the darkness,” he said.

Biden defeated 74-year-old Trump in the bitterly fought presidential election, becoming the oldest person ever to occupy the White House.

He has a strong track record of being an ardent advocate of a strong India-US relationship both as a Senator from Delaware for over three decades and then as deputy of President Obama for eight years.

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to setting up the goal of a USD 500 billion in bilateral trade, Biden has strong ties with the Indian leadership across the aisle and has a large number of IndianAmericans within his close circuit.

At a fundraiser in July, Biden had said that India and the United States were natural partners. “That partnership, a strategic partnership, is necessary and important in our security,” he said when asked whether India is critical to the US’ national security.

Referring to his eight years as the vice president, Biden said that he was proud to have played a role in securing Congressional approval for the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement, which he said was a “big deal”.

“Helping open the door to great progress in our relationship and strengthening our strategic partnership with India was a high priority in the Obama-Biden administration and will be a high priority if I’m elected president,” Biden had said.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1942 to a Catholic family, Joe Robinette Biden Jr studied at the University of Delaware and then earned a law degree from Syracuse University in 1968.

He was first elected in 1972, and served six terms as a senator for the state of Delaware.

Aged 29, he was one of the youngest people ever elected to the US Senate, and his age at his first election contributed to him being consistently ranked as one of the least wealthy members in the Senate.

Biden unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988 and 2008 before finally securing his party’s backing this year with strong support among Black voters.

Known for blunt talk, Biden speaks openly about his family’s tragedies including the 1972 car crash that killed his first wife Neilia and their 13-month-old daughter Naomi, while his sons Beau and Hunter were critically

injured in the accident.

Biden met his second wife Jill Jacobs in 1975, and they married in June 1977. They had a daughter, Ashley, in 1981.

In 2015, Beau, an Iraq war veteran who had served as Delaware’s attorney general, died of a brain tumour aged 46. Biden’s son Hunter struggled with drug issues as an adult.

Biden himself had a health scare in 1988 when he suffered two brain aneurysms. He has referred to his personal losses on the campaign trail, and declared: Healthcare is personal to me.

In October, Biden pointed to his son’s terminal diagnosis and said: “I can’t fathom what would have happened if the insurance companies had the power to say last few months, you’re on your own.”

He secured the Democratic nomination when his last competitor Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out in April 2020.

Biden faced allegations from former staffer Tara Reade in 2019, who said she felt uncomfortable with Biden during her time in his Senate office in the 90s.

In March 2020, she also accused him of sexual assault in 1993. Biden and his campaign team has strongly denied the allegation.

During his tenure, Biden voiced support for LGBT rights, calling himself ‘absolutely comfortable’ with the idea of same-sex marriage.

He also led the Gun Violence Task Force in the wake of the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting in 2012.

His loyalty to the first African American President was rewarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, presented by Obama days before he left office in 2017.

Obama officially endorsed Biden in April. He has praised him, saying, “Biden is my brother. I love Joe Biden. And he will be a great president and he treats everyone Joe Biden’s grandchildren when they discovered their grandfather had won the US presidential election became an emotional group, hug each other and cried and one of the grand daughter, Naomi Biden, 27 made the emotional picture gone viral on the social media.

The story of America’s new first family is a large and complex one, encompassing four children, seven grandchildren, divorce drama, untimely deaths and some scandal.

For President Biden, 77, the centre of his family is his wife of 43 years, Dr Jill Biden, of whom he wrote in his 2007 memoir, Promises to Keep: “She made me start to think my family might be whole again.”

Having suffered through the death of his first wife, Neilia Hunter Biden, who died in a car crash in 1972 along with their 13-month-old daughter, Naomi, Biden also buried his son, Beau, in 2015 after he passed away from brain cancer at age 46.

And it is these experiences, of both tragedy and triumph that friends and family say have shaped him, making him an empathic choice as the 46th President of the United States.

“People don’t care what you know until they know that you care,” Biden’s sister, Valerie Biden Owens, told the press. “And because Joe has tasted tragedy as well as triumph, as he has walked the walk, people respond to him. And there’s comfort in knowing that somebody else gets it.” The world waits to see the direction of his presidency, definitely opposite of his predecessor, Donald Trump. www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Made in Nigeria: The Grandson of Fela Kuti Upholds His Family’s Afrobeat Message Multi-instrumentalist airs hopes and frustrations on his solo debut

“A self-centered way of life will bring all of us down in the end,” Made Kuti sighs on “Different Streets,” the saddest funky track to come out in 2020.

The song [a cut off his forthcoming solo album, For(e)ward] starts off on an invigorating note, with an Afrobeat rhythm driven by a pulsing riff. Kuti delivers a freeform alto sax solo and lays down thick layers of drums, playing all the instruments himself. But when he sings, the Nigerian musician sounds defeated.

“We must now understand just how scary it is that we are facing the same problems from the ’70s,” he murmurs during a mid-song monologue, his voice low in the mix as he echoes the frustrations of his late, great grandfather, Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

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Throughout For(e)ward, Made offers a fresh take on the Afrobeat sound that Fela pioneered in the 1970s and ’80s. Just as importantly, Made (pronounced “Mah-day”) carries the torch for his family’s Black consciousness and activist politics, using his songs to address government neglect, police brutality, and the need for progressive action in Africa’s most populous nation.

“You cannot deny the things that you are taught as a child, and you cannot deny the things that are expected of you as a child as well,” the 25-year-old musician born Omorinmade Anikulapo-Kuti tells SPIN over WhatsApp from his home base in the Nigerian megacity of Lagos. He clearly takes his role as an artist seriously—in his family, he says, “You are forced to always think and learn.”

Decades ago, Fela Kuti became famous across the globe for his bold Afrobeat grooves. In songs that routinely filled both sides of an LP, he laid down a potent distillation of West African highlife, Yoruba rhythms, and James Brown-style funk. Singing in Nigerian Pidgin English—a widely-spoken dialect that helped him reach a broader audience across the country and continent—Fela lampooned corrupt officials, zombie-like soldiers, and colonial mentalities that still held sway in the years after Nigeria’s independence from British rule in 1960.

Made was a toddler when his grandfather died in 1997. But Made’s father, Fela’s oldest son Femi, has kept

the Afrobeat message alive in more recent decades as the leader of his own band, The Positive Force. (Fela’s youngest son, Seun Kuti, also is an established Afrobeat artist.)

As a kid, Made grew up immersed in the art and activism of the New Afrika Shrine, a rebuilt version of the famous venue that Fela operated in the 1970s, where his father’s concerts frequently stretched for hours into the night.

“I’d wake up for school the next morning and I’d see him still playing,” he recalls with a chuckle.

Made was eight years old when he first picked up the alto sax, and these days, he plays bass full-time in The Positive Force— though he’s also studied classical music, composition, and piano. “I have an internal

clock for Afrobeat, in that playing Afrobeat rhythms are almost second-nature to me. I feel almost too much at ease playing them sometimes,” he says.

For(e)ward is his first-ever release. Set for release on Feb. 5 via Partisan Records, it’s coming out in conjunction with Stop the Hate, a new solo effort from Femi Kuti.

The albums will be packaged together as a double-LP entitled Legacy+—emphasizing not just the connection between father and son, but also their shared concern for their home country, a major hub for culture and politics in Africa and across the globe.

Just days before speaking with SPIN, Made was in the streets to join mass protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, aka SARS, a notoriously corrupt and violent police unit. On his track “Your Enemy” (recorded

before the #ENDSARS movement began in October), Made bemoans the police brutality that has become endemic in his country: “What did he do? What did she do? Where are you taking them?” he calls out over a dense layering of keyboards, drums, and saxophone.

Like many Nigerians, Kuti’s frustrations don’t stop with SARS. In other parts of his album, he tackles shortsighted educational goals, the corruption of Nigeria’s political class, and sexual harassment in the country’s universities. And like his father and grandfather before him, Made Kuti refuses to stay quiet as he leverages the power of music to promote change.

“We must try to find a way to revolt without it being violent,” he says. “I believe the best revolution will come from the mind. It will come from thinking. It will come from rediscovery.”

Written By Peter Holslin www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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How a Nollywood Netflix Drama Sheds Light on Nigeria’s Human Trafficking Crisis

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igerian filmmaker Kenneth Gyang’s new film tackles its bleak subject matter in unflinching details

By Tambay Obenson

International media reports have painted many dire pictures of African struggles in recent years: Nigerian women and girls trafficked for exploitation, African migrants caught in slaverylike conditions in Libya, and others dying as they cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe in search of better lives. As these situations continue, African filmmakers have started to take note. Mati Diop’s Cannes-prize winning “Atlantics” provided one high-profile recent example, but it’s hardly alone.

In Nigerian filmmaker Kenneth Gyang’s Netflix film ‘Òlòtūré’ (“Endurance”) tackles the same troubling subject matter in unflinching detail.

Set in Lagos, “Òlòturé” is the story of a naïve young journalist (Sharon Ooja) who goes undercover to expose the brutal underworld of human trafficking. She’s caught off-guard by the dangerous environment she finds, a place teeming with cruel traffickers, pimps, madames and unscrupulous politicians.

She ultimately bonds with a group of prostitutes and becomes deeply buried in their world. Yet in her unrelenting pursuit to tell their stories, she’s so successful in inserting herself inside the trade that she doesn’t know how to get back out again, or whether she even wants to.

In an interview, Gyang said he was inspired to make the movie after absorbing the experiences of Nigerians suffering in exile around the world and realizing some of them didn’t get very far. “I travel a lot, especially in Europe and I see Nigerian sisters, West African sisters in dark corners of countries like Luxembourg,” Gyang said. “But I was especially outraged by a BBC documentary series a few years ago about a Nigerian girl who left to go to Europe because she was promised work, and

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ended up in Agadez [Niger], sold to different men everyday to make enough money so that she could earn enough for Libya.”

Gyang was already working on a trafficking project when EbonyLife, the production company belonging to Mo Abudu, otherwise known as “Africa’s Oprah,” approached him in 2019 about “Òlòturé.” The film is the first of a multi-title partnership that Netflix and Abudu’s EbonyLife entered earlier this year, as the streamer continues to make inroads into the African continent.

Under this partnership, Abudu is producing Netflix Original series and branded films that will be licensed to the service. The dark, gritty film is unlike anything EbonyLife -which is mainly known for comedies like “Chief Daddy” and soap operas like “Fifty” has produced before. The movie is also a break from Nollywood conventions. Nigerian cinema continues to evolve beyond a stigmatized Nollywood, as up-and-coming filmmakers challenge stereotypes about their country’s cinema. As a Nollywood production, “Òlòtūré” is atypical for the local industry with its

larger budget and adventurous style.

Gyang assembled the film out of disparate real-life stories. “A couple of years ago, I had a conversation with a friend from Malta about Nigerian women coming to his country,” Gyang said. “He wanted to understand what the root of this was. These are the real-life stories and discussions that informed the film.

With ‘Òlòturé,’ I got to tell this particular story from a Nigerian perspective.”

The film also draws on the true story of Tobore Ovuorie, an

investigative reporter with Nigeria’s Premium Times, who went undercover in that country’s human trafficking underworld and penned a report on her experience that won her the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (which is named after the famed Nobel Prize winning Nigerian playwright, poet and essayist). “Six out of every trafficked person arriving in the West are Nigerian,” Ovuorie states in her report. “So we need to look at what causes all these, mostly young, people to put their fate in the hands of these criminals.” She also noted in the piece that many women willingly go into prostitution hoping to escape from impoverishment. Sex work in other parts of the world, particularly in Europe, seems like a much more promising proposition than staying home. It is known as going to “the next level,” a phrase which is used in “Òlòtūré.” (Gyang thanks Ovuorie and the Premium Times at the end of the film.)

The film concludes on a very bleak note, with Òlòtūré’s fate uncertain. It’s not quite the happy ending that audiences might be hoping for. For the filmmaker, that’s the point. “I didn’t want a ‘Hollywood ending’ for this film because I want people to talk about the film, and the only way you can really talk about it is to show the reality of these women’s lives,” he said. “Because very few of them are actually saved in real life. “ He referenced a 2019 report that said as many as 20,000 Nigerian girls were sold to prostitution rings in the west African nation of Mali alone. “I watched the report on Al Jazeera and it made me

so mad,” he said. “I didn’t want all that stuff about them being saved because it’s just not the reality of most of these women, and it would not make sense to represent this fantasy that people will watch and maybe believe that that’s how it ends for most of them, because it’s not the case.”

It is impossible to say how many women are trafficked within and outside of Nigeria, because the data available isn’t dependable, according to Human Rights Watch. However, Nigeria is currently listed as one of the top countries with trafficking problems, particularly in Europe, with victims located in over 34 countries in 2018, per the US State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. ‘Òlòtūré’ falls into a long tradition of African cinema that tackles the effects of colonialism and the aspiration to find what are expected to be better lives elsewhere, dating back to Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembene’s “Black Girl” (1966). Like the migrants risking their lives to reach the shores of Europe, Gyang suggests Africans should not ignore these stories in favor of films from North America and Europe. He calls for an investment in cinema made at home, on the continent, and emphasized that there are plenty of real-life stories for filmmakers to tap into. “Nigeria is a huge country where we have a lot of trafficking happening, but none of us has ever made a film on the subject at this scale, so we need to actually start telling our own stories, and not allowing Nigerians to be influenced by films they see from the west,” he said.

While “Òlòturé” is brutal to watch, it explores a world few know anything about in unflinching detail. Despite movements to change the Africa narrative overseas of poverty, famine, war, disease and despair - what novelist Chimamanda Adichie calls the danger of the single story - Gyang also wants to tell stories that have social impact and reveal truths that could lead to change.

“If you look at the conversation that’s happening on Twitter about the film here in Nigeria, it’s encouraging,” he said. “It’s raising awareness of the issue, because it’s in a film. People are saying that they were not aware of the conditions of these women. Most people won’t watch documentaries, so you have to show these realities to them in a way that they will watch and appreciate. It just confirms to me that we need to be telling these kinds of stories.”

He’s hopeful that the film could inspire the Nigerian government to act more aggressively on the issue of human trafficking, although that has yet to happen. “I’ve seen a lot of important personalities talking about the film in Nigeria and I think that should get the government’s attention,” he said. “Organizations like NAPTIP [National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons] are not really doing enough to protect these women.

But yes, I feel that as long as the conversation around the film continues locally, it’ll start driving towards policymakers in the country.” “Òlòtūré” is now streaming on Netflix.

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Presentation of my book: “Getting to know you” Author: Pastor Elvis Iruh Despite the Covid-19 challenges, the official presentation of the new best selling book written by Pastor Elvis Iruh titled-“Getting to Know you” – A book on marital steps with information about marriage was presented to the public on 19th December 2020 at a very colour ceremony at Victory Outreach Church, Almere, The Netherlands. The event although a selected audience with compulsory registration and observing the Covid-19 rules was not robbed of its colour and beauty. Professional photographers cover the event and it was broadcast on live stream via Facebook on the said day.

The author, Pastor Elvis Iruh expressed satisfaction to all those who could physically attend and those who sent in congratulatory messages and sharing how the book could be purchased globally. Get your copy if you have not, it is a book for the whole family. Enjoy some pictures caption of the event.

Enjoy the photo collections by our ace professional cameramen, Femi of Africa Web TV, Handy Tims Photos & Johnson Adesida of Naija TV Thank you all for your professional work and contribution to the successful presentation of my book - “Getting to Know you”.

Get a copy via my website at www.elvisiruh.com or www.authorhouse.com/ Elvis Iruh

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Getting to know you is out - Get your copy

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Book presentation of Getting to know you

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Everyone’s voice should be heard in a free society, says king in Christmas speech

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ing Willem-Alexander placed the need for everyone’s voice to be heard, including ‘those who speak quietly’ at the centre of his televised Christmas speech to the nation on Christmas day.

‘So many faces, so many personal stories,’ the king said, as he opened his speech, which focused on the impact of corona virus on society. He spoke about nurses and doctors, ‘students in Breda, longing for a normal student life,’ and the theater director who sits at home and thinks ‘tonight we would have played Midsummer Night’s Dream.’

‘At the end of a tough year, this is not the Christmas we hoped for,’ the king said. ‘We’ve all had to adjust our plans… In living rooms all over the Netherlands, chairs remain empty, while we would have been more than happy to bring in extra chairs.’ The king said his heart went out to everyone whose ‘lives have been turned upside down’, those who have lost their business, those who are lonely and those who have lost loved ones.

Being forced to keep our distance goes against human nature, he said. Yet at the same time, he said, the corona virus pandemic has awakened a sense of responsibility, camaraderie, helpfulness and solidarity.

Uncomfortable debate despite this, the pandemic has also ‘confronted us with the sharp and uncomfortable

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sides of ourselves and society’, the king said. ‘We live in a time when we seem to be expected to take a stand, for or against,’ he said. But perhaps some people are tired of the suspicion about the motives of others and of fanaticism. ‘Even the quiet voices deserve to be heard,’ the king said.

Nuance ‘Sharp debates about outspoken views or radical ideas are part of a free society… but the hallmark of a free society is also having space for nuance, for reason and gentleness, for curiosity and research, for irony and selfperspective, and for forgiveness.’

Forgiveness, the king said, is an ‘almost oldfashioned concept’ but one which is still beneficial. ‘We humans were not created to hate each other,’ he said. ‘Christmas is traditionally the festival of the returning light after the darkest period of the year,’ the king said. ‘Have patience, the sun will return… Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed again. We will be able to meet and hug each other again.’

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New Dutch Connections get new Chairman

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veryone has dreams of the future, but not everyone gets the chance to pursue them. For example, the situation of (ex-) refugees in the Netherlands is often hopeless.

The New Dutch Connections Foundation inspires and motivates (ex-) refugees to believe in themselves again. This is done by offering workshops together with companies, organizing unique encounters by, among other things, producing theater performances and linking (ex-) refugees to coaches and buddies.

As from January 1, 2021, Mpanzu Bamenga will be the new chairman of the Supervisory Board of New Dutch Connections.

Mr. Bamenga was already affiliated with NDC as a general member of the Supervisory Board and has extensive experience in the fields of integration, diversity and inclusion.

Government launches campaign to win public backing for vaccinations The Dutch government has started a campaign to convince people to get vaccinated against coronavirus, following approval for the vaccine by the European Medicines Agency. In particular, the government has taken out full page adverts in newspapers, headlined ‘vaccinations can begin’ and outlining the route to the approval process. The EMA and Dutch medicines council only approve a vaccine if ‘the efficiency, quality and safety have been proved’, the advert states. ‘The development and assessment [of the coronavirus vaccine] was carried out more quickly than usual. That has been possible because research into vaccines took place worldwide and at the same time, and knowledge was shared. That saves time.’

Research published last week does suggest growing Dutch acceptance of the need to vaccinate, although 30% are still in doubt and one third of them will say no. The advert also includes the January 8 start date for the vaccination programme, and states that vulnerable people and those who work with them will be first in line for the vaccination. The 25 drop-in vaccination centres will be open from January 18. So far, no updated information about the vaccination programme has

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Bamenga is the coordinator and team manager of the Regiegroep Undocumented Amsterdam. He is also a member of the Supervisory Board of the Dutch Council for Refugees in the South of the Netherlands and coordinator and co-founder of Incleaders, the Dutch Inclusion Leaders Network.

Mpanzu Bamenga succeeds Carolien Schippers who, as chairman, has skillfully brought NDC into calmer waters in recent years.

They encourage you to stay connected with them and if you would like to chat with them? You could reach them by phone, email, Facebook, LinkedIn and video calling!

Be careful, look after each other and wish you good health You can reach us directly via: 06 534 416 77 or info@newdutchconnections.nl https://www.newdutchconnections.nl

been published in English. EMA The Amsterdam-based EMA on Monday gave its approval to the Pfizer/Biontech vaccine.

The Netherlands will start with just over 500,000 doses, which is enough to vaccinate 250,000 people. By the end of the first quarter, the Dutch share of the EU’s Pfizer/Biontech delivery will have mounted to almost 2.5 million doses, Marc Kaptein, director of Pfizer Nederland, told Nieuwsuur. Meanwhile Biontech chief executive Ugur Sahin has told German news agency DPA it will be clear by the beginning of January if the vaccine also works against the coronavirus variant now going round in Britain. He said he is optimistic this will be the case.

Negative test result mandatory for all plane passengers to NL from December 29

Everyone flying into the Netherlands from a high risk area will have to be able to show a negative coronavirus test from December 29, the Dutch government has announced. Given that the rest of the world is classified as either red or orange, this means that everyone travelling to the Netherlands by plane will have to hand over a negative PCR test result no older than 72 hours before boarding. The test requirement was introduced for travellers from Britain and South Africa on Thursday and was introduced for all nonEU residents on December 15. It will now apply to all passengers, including Dutch

ABN Amro to cut workforce by 15%, sell its Zuidas head office ABN Amro said it is selling its Zuidas head office and will cut its global workforce by some 15%. The announcement, made ahead of a ‘virtual investor day’, means some 2,800 out of 18,952 jobs will have gone by the end of 2024. ‘We will redevelop one of our locations in Amsterdam into a Paris-proof workplace designed to facilitate the trend of remote working.

Alongside this we will sell our head office building and lease back part of it,’ the bank said in a statement. The transaction is

nationals, the infrastructure ministry said in a statement.

New arrivals are also being urged to go into quarantine for 10 days. ‘The government is looking at options for expanding the stricter entry requirements to EU passengers travelling to the Netherlands by other means of transport, such as trains, coaches and ferries,’ the statement said. Belgium has already imposed the negative test rule on residents of the Netherlands travelling to Belgium, and France has introduced the same requirement for Eurostar passengers travelling from the UK to the Netherlands, the ministry said. Some of the documentation on the websites Rijksoverheid.nl and Government.nl initially had December 25 as the introduction date for the mandatory negative test but this was updated to December 29, 2020.

We would continue to monitor situations of things and update via our website

expected to result in a book gain.

ABN Amro is the latest of the big Dutch banks to publish a strategic review, which includes both job cuts and branch closures, although ABN Amro did not say how many local offices will close. In particular, the bank says it is to ‘focus on attractive segments in the Netherlands and Northwest Europe where we can grow profitably’ and aims to increase its position in the business and small firm market to above 20%. Business bank ABN Amro said in August it is to cut some 800 out of 2,500 jobs at its business banking unit CIB and pull back from its activities outside Europe. The bank, which is still 56% in the hands of the Dutch government, reported a net loss of €5m in the second quarter of this year, after cutting costs 8%.

Operating profit of €786 was hit by a €703m provision to cover bad debts – of which €591m was down to the CIB, including loans to bankrupt German payment processor Wirecard. The bank is also still waiting for the result of a criminal investigation launched in September over alleged failures to carry out proper money laundering checks. ING Earlier this month, ING announced plans to close offices in South America and Asia, and downsize integration operations in several EU countries, shedding some 1,000 jobs in total.

A week later, the Financieele Dagblad said Rabobank is planning to reorganise its local branch network by reducing the number of regional head offices from 89 to 71 and cutting the number of local branches to between 100 to 150.

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Graham Shema: Seven-year-old boy who adores Elon Musk is sensation on Ugandan aviation scene

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By Elias Biryabarema 7-year-old Ugandan boy has become a sensation in his country with his precocious display of aircraft knowledge and budding flying skills. Graham Shema has been interviewed on local television and his name is prefixed in newspapers and on social media with “Captain” Germany’s ambassador and the country’s transport minister have invited him for meetings.

A lover of math and science, the student has flown as a trainee three times on a Cessna 172.

He says he wants to be a pilot and an astronaut, and someday travel to Mars. “My role model is Elon Musk,” said the boy, a pilot’s white shirt and black slacks hugging his small frame.

“I like Elon Musk because I want to learn with him about space, to go with him in space and also to get a handshake.”

Musk founded SpaceX and the private rocket company recently launched two Americans into orbit and hopes to one day send humans to Mars.

One recent morning at Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport, his instructor asked him to explain how the engines worked on a Bombardier CRJ900 plane parked on the tarmac.

His voice struggling to rise above the roar of a plane’s running engines, Shema rattled off the answer: “The inlet tubes suck in the air and inject it into the compressor, the compressor squeezes it with the fans, after squeezing it with the fans, it becomes hot,” Shema said, playfully gesturing and proceeding to detail how an engine creates thrust.

Shema’s curiosity for flight was piqued by a freak incident.

When he was 3 years old, a police helicopter flew so low to the

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ground that it blew off the roof of his g r a n d m o t h e r ’s house on the outskirts of the Ugandan capital Kampala while he was playing outside.

“It triggered something in his mind,” said his mother, travel agent Shamim Mwanaisha, 29.

Her son began peppering her with endless questions about how planes

work, she said.

Last year, she contacted a local aviation academy and Shema began lessons at home on aircraft parts and aviation vocabulary.

After five months of coursework, Mwanaisha paid for practical flying lessons for her son.

“I felt like a bird flying up,” Shema said of his first flight. He had never flown on a plane before.

He flew three times as co-pilot between January and March before the pandemic stopped his practice.

He has since been focusing on aviation theory, and immersing himself in videos about aviation and space exploration on his virtual reality viewer.

Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; editing by Maggie Fick and Lisa Shumaker

US President Donald Trump vetoes national defence policy bill, calling it ‘gift’ to China President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed the annual defence policy bill, following through on threats to veto a measure that has broad bipartisan support in Congress and potentially setting up the first override vote of his presidency.

The bill affirms 3 per cent pay raises for US troops and authorises more than $740 billion in military programmes and construction.

“Unfortunately, the act fails to include critical national security measures, includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our military’s history, and contradicts efforts by my administration to put America first in our national security and foreign policy actions,” Mr Trump said in a statement.

Mr Trump has offered a series of rationales for vetoing the bill.

He has called for lawmakers to include limits on social media companies he claimed are biased against him and conservatives, something that the technology giants deny.

Lawmakers from both parties have called for modifying or even eliminating Section 230, and even some Trump allies said it was the wrong place and the wrong time to wage a battle with the social media giants.

He has called for stripping out language that allows for the renaming of military bases such as Fort Benning and Fort Hood that honour Confederate leaders.

Without going into detail, he has claimed the biggest winner from the defence bill would be China.

Both the House and Senate passed the measure by margins large enough to override a veto from the president.

Mr Trump had vetoed eight bills previously, but those vetoes

were sustained because supporters did not gain the two-thirds

vote needed in each chamber for the bill to become law without Mr Trump’s signature.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in a rare break with Trump, had urged passage despite Trump’s threat to veto it.

McConnell said it was important for Congress to continue its nearly six-decade-long streak of passing the defence policy

bill.

In advance of the veto, Mr McConnell has said the bill would help deter Chinese aggression.

Other GOP backers of the measure, including Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the second-ranking Senate leader, and Representative Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, have tweeted that the bill would counter threats from countries such as China.

Senator Jack Reed, of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Trump’s declaration that China was the biggest winner in the defence bill was false.

Mr Reed also noted the shifting explanations Mr Trump had given for the veto.

“President Trump clearly hasn’t read the bill, nor does he understand what’s in it,” Mr Reed said. “There are several bipartisan provisions in here that get tougher on China than the Trump Administration has ever been.”

The measure guides Pentagon policy and cements decisions about troop levels, new weapons systems and military readiness, military personnel policy and other military goals. Many programmes can only go into effect if the bill is approved, including military construction.

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LISSU: I will use my time abroad to tell the world the story of Tanzania

By CHRISTOPHER KIDANKA Tanzanian opposition leader in exile Tundu Lissu spoke with Christopher Kidanka on mass action and democracy Inspector General of Police Simon Sirro has said that you can return home and your safety will be guaranteed. He says he will provide protection for you and your family.

Are you ready to return?

The IGP cannot be trusted. I already had police protection for the 60 days that I campaigned and it was immediately withdrawn after the election. A day later I received death threats. The two are connected. They removed protection so that I could be hit.

Before I returned to Tanzania in July, I had written to the IGP on my intention to return seven months earlier, in December 2019, and that I needed police protection because those who wanted to kill me are still at large. That letter of December 23 was never responded to. We wrote a reminder in January this year and that too was not responded to.

The IGP is on record saying that I would be arrested upon my arrival. When I said in August 2017 that there were people who were trailing me, the same office dismissed my fears, and a month later I was shot 16 times.

You were protected in the 60 days of campaigns because you were a presidential candidate not because of the previous threats on your life.

I should have been protected because my life was in danger.

As a citizen of Tanzania who has survived an assassination attempt by still unknown people, and after specifically requesting protection before returning, I should have been given protection as a matter of right.

Your party, Chadema, lost the election. What is its next move in your political career?

My party did not lose any election to CCM. There was no election. CCM is in power illegitimately. When one door closes, another opens. I will use my time abroad to tell the world the story of Tanzania. To tell the world to punish the criminals in the regime, isolate it diplomatically to target those responsible through targeted sanctions, travel bans and asset seizures.

Saying the government in power is illegitimate is a serious allegation.

Do you have credible evidence that can stand in court?

Under the current Tanzanian Constitution, it is not possible to challenge the results of a presidential election. And even if we had evidence, which we have, we cannot challenge the so-called results. We are not Kenya, Uganda or even Malawi. In all those countries it is possible to challenge the results of the presidential election.

We have to find ways of getting democracy back, and that is through popular mass action and international action.

How are you helping those still in Tanzania?

Hundreds of our party leaders and activists are facing criminal charges which have no credibility. It is our duty to help them by making sure their families get the assistance they need to free them.

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Liberia

By Mika Saito - IMF, African Department

Four Things to Know on How Liberia Is Reforming Its Economy Amid COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic hit Liberia at a time of pre-existing fragility. The country held elections in 2017, leading to

in terms of economic slowdown, trade disruptions, and food insecurity. The IMF, along with other partners, provided emergency support during the height of the crisis. This most recent IMF assistance complements those actions as Liberia accompanies the difficult reform agenda the authorities have been pushing through amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The government’s decisive actions and reform efforts have begun to bear fruit. At its peak in FY2018/19, the civil service wage bill accounted for 10 percent of GDP (or 70 percent of domestic revenue), which was crowding out the government’s fiscal space for much needed development, infrastructure, health, and education spending. The authorities took the difficult but necessary decision to cut the wage bill in all three branches of the government by 10 percent in the FY2019/20 budget, while still allowing the lowest-paid government employees to receive the minimum wage. The government also eliminated allowances that were not only costly but also adversely affected the morale of civil servants due to perceptions of unfairness. The action eliminated central bank financing of fiscal deficits. This eased inflation providing benefits to the poorest Liberians who mostly earn Liberian dollars in this dual currency economy.

Reform efforts at the central bank have focused on rebuilding confidence in the banking sector. In October 2020, the National Legislature approved amendments to the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) Act. With this amendment, the CBL now has more operational autonomy in enhancing the

the first democratic transition of power between different political parties since 1944. Following the inauguration of the new administration in 2018, the United Nations Mission in Liberia, which had been in the country since the peace agreement of 2003, handed over its security responsibilities to the national police and military. These transitions coincided with the winding down of increased foreign aid after the 2014-16 Ebola outbreak. These events caused a sharp decline in net foreign exchange inflows to the country.

This, in turn, heightened pressure on the Liberian dollar exchange rate and on inflation. To stabilize the economy, the authorities had to make difficult adjustments to an economy with less foreign exchange inflows, which created significant hardship for the Liberian people. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Liberia during this difficult adjustment phase.

The government has worked hard to meet humanitarian needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. By taking lessons from the Ebola crisis, policy response was prompt. On March 21, the government mandated a general lockdown and enforced severe social distancing. But this policy response was costly 58

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quality and quantity of Liberian banknotes. The CBL also has a formal mandate to ensure financial stability. With this new mandate, the CBL is committed to strengthening the financial supervisory and regulatory framework and, in turn, the banking sector that can support post-COVID recovery efforts.

Africa

Ugandan Presidential Candidate Fears for Life, Dons Bulletproof Vest

By Halima Athumani

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COVID-19 spreading to the population beyond the capacity that we can manage.”

Wine accuses Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni of having double standards, since he, too, has been holding rallies with large crowds. Wine says he has no control over who comes to see or hear him.

“Every time I show up for a campaign meeting, droves and droves of people show up to show solidarity to us,” he said. “These people line the sides of the road; we don’t have control over them. And all I do is stand on my car and wave to them. Now, that has been turned into a crime.”

On the campaign trail, Wine has about 12 police pickup trucks trailing him. He says the presence of the security

n Uganda, Singer-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, has seen his campaign almost turned into a battlefield, with gunshots, heavy use of tear gas and beatings of his supporters by police.

Now Bobi Wine, leader of the opposition National Unity Platform Party, wears a bulletproof vest. Yes, a bullet proof vest during his campaign activities in recent weeks.

He says that after three attempts on his life, it is clear the government wants to kill him and he has to take preventive measure even he knows that his life is in the hands of God. “A grenade was thrown at me in Kayunga,” he said. “Our car was shot at, all tires flattened, and another shot came through the windscreen. And just two days after this incident, our car was shot at by the police in uniform. In Jinja it was the military; two days after each other event and this time around, it was by the police.”

Police and military officials say they are enforcing standard operating procedures to protect the public from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and that Wine has failed to observe the guidelines. But on the other hand, the incumbent President is campaigning without disturbance despite huge crowd following him including government machinery.

Flavia Byekwaso, the Uganda People’s Defense spokesperson, says Wine does not understand the pandemic has gone beyond controllable levels.

“The security forces are not sabotaging Kyagulanyi,” Byekwaso said. “They are only implementing the SOPs [standard operating procedures] teams causes delays and cuts him off from supporters and to make sure that we do not have this pandemic or creates unnecessary tension.

Wine has met with Uganda’s electoral commission to ask that the security forces be withdrawn. The military says its deployment is backed by law.

“It says where the police feel that they are going to be overwhelmed, they will always come for the military for support,” Byekwaso said. “So, we are doing this within the ambits of law.

We are doing this because the police cannot adequately dominate the entire country at the same time.”

Despite the pressure, Wine continues to campaign. Ugandans head to the polls January 14 to elect the next president for the country.

Difficult election campaigns are ahead in the few weeks left before the polls are open to decide the next President and members of parliament for the next five years for the country. www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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UGANDA

Uganda Issues New Directives for Foreign Journalists

By Halima Athumani

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uman rights activists are denouncing a new Ugandan directive to scrutinize journalists working for foreign media ahead of elections in that country later this month.

Last December, Paul Ekochu, the chairman of the Ugandan government’s Media Council, said journalists working in the country for foreign outlets must register anew and submit to a vetting process, or risk having criminal charges brought against them.

Ekochu argued the scrutiny is needed if journalists’ security is to be guaranteed.

He recalled all the accreditation cards possessed by journalists working for foreign media, saying new ones with security features will be issued after reporters re-register.

“In the next seven days, all media practitioners in these media houses and in the country are registered with the media council and issued with the relevant press tag, which will allow them access, coverage of public events, state events and in particular, these elections,” he said, referring to the January 14 presidential election.

Ekochu said those who do not comply may face criminal penalties.

“Two, it’s a criminal offense under the law to do what you have been told to practice without a certification when you have been informed you should certify yourself,” he said. “Three, it’s again a criminal offense to disobey a lawful order.”

Growing concern Liam Taylor, who co-chairs the Foreign Correspondents Association of Uganda, said journalists are increasingly concerned about the arbitrary, ambiguous and ever-

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changing rules the Ugandan state is imposing, saying the rules interfere with their work.

“Coming just weeks before elections, this is very worrying indeed,” Taylor said. “That’s a disturbing precedent. And, we are not asking for any special treatment. All we want is the right to do our work.”

Local journalists are also required to apply for renewal of their press passes by the end of the year.

Robert Sempala, National Coordinator of the Human Rights

Network for Journalists in Uganda, said these are moves by the government to prevent journalists from reporting on some presidential candidates.

“The timing, who gives seven days to accredit journalists nationally? Who does that if it is well intentioned? But also, to create this feeling of fear, that you have an accreditation that is newly issued so you have to be extremely careful,” Sempala said.

Call for protection Muthoki Mumo, the Sub Saharan representative for the Committee for Protection of Journalists, noted that the new guidelines are disingenuous and do not focus on journalists’ safety despite the Media Council’s claims.

“Identifying them differently is not the solution here,” she said. “Stop obstructing the work of journalists, start protecting journalists, investigate attacks on journalists.

Holding those who’ve attacked journalists, whether they are security personnel or members of the public, accountable is the solution to the issue of safety of journalists on the campaign trail.”

The new guidelines come just days after accredited journalists working for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation were deported from Uganda.

ICC prosecutor seeks probes into Nigeria and Ukraine war crimes

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atou Bensouda says she had enough evidence to open a full probe into continuing violence in Nigeria

by Boko Haram fighters and security forces.

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has said she will seek full investigations into possible war

government forces and Boko Haram and its various splinter groups in western and northern Nigeria since 2010.

She said the office recognised that the vast majority of the crimes were attributable to non-state actors, but that it had also found a “reasonable basis” to believe that members of the Nigerian security forces had also committed crimes.

This included murder, rape, torture and cruel treatment, as well as enforced disappearance and forcible transfer of the population and attacks directed at civilians.

Boko Haram began its violent campaign in northeastern Nigeria in 2009 with the goal of imposing its version of strict Islamic law. Thousands have since been killed and many more displaced.

Bensouda’s office has been reviewing the conflict between government forces and Boko Haram and its various splinter groups since 2010.

Its main group claimed responsibility earlier this month for the massacre of farmworkers in an area outside Borno state’s capital Maiduguri, in which dozens of labourers were mowed down by gunmen on motorbikes.

Agricultural workers were also tied up and had their throats slit in the attack believed to be seeking revenge on

crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Nigeria, as well as during the Ukraine conflict.

Fatou Bensouda said in a statement on Friday her office had completed a preliminary examination and found a “reasonable basis to believe” that Boko Haram and its splinter groups had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Nigeria, through murder, rape, sexual

slavery and torture. Judges must approve the request.

Bensouda’s office has been reviewing the conflict between

villagers for seizing the group’s fighters and handing them over to the authorities.

Amnesty International welcomed the announcement as an “important milestone” and urged the ICC, which was set up in 2002 to try the world’s worst crimes, to swiftly begin an “effective and well-resourced investigation”.

“ICC Prosecutor must now follow with immediate action to open a full investigation,” Netsanet Belay, the group’s director of research and advocacy, wrote on Twitter.

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Sudanese singer faces deportation from Netherlands despite safety fears

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ejection of Mohamed alTayeb’s asylum case comes amid changes to immigration policy critics say are an attempt to placate far right A Sudanese singer whose television appearance on The Voice brought him threats from security officers is facing deportation from the Netherlands, where he has lived for two years.

Mohamed al-Tayeb, 30, who appeared on the Arabic version of the show in 2015, has been told his request for asylum had been rejected. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (INS) said it did not believe he would be harmed if he returned to Sudan, following the ousting of Omar al-Bashir last year, but critics accuse the Dutch government of playing politics over anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Tayeb’s case comes as the Netherlands introduces a policy to reassess asylum claims of other Sudanese people from Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile who have temporary residents’ permits or who were granted residency on the basis of safety.

The INS said “the situation in these areas has improved in recent years”. So far 100 people have been told their claims are being reassessed but up to 3,000 could be affected.

Tayeb, who comes from central Sudan rather than any of the regions affected by the policy change, said he felt angry at his rejection and has lodged an appeal.

“There’s no justice in this universe. I lost hope in the immigration authority and in the entire world,” he said.

Tayeb has spent the past two years in temporary accommodation and living on €59(£53) a week. His claim to asylum followed his appearance on The Voice – watched by more than 16 million people, and making him the most viewed Sudanese singer online – which he said marked him out to the Sudanese authorities, who then tried to get him to perform, at their political events, which he refused to do. He claims the refusals led to him being arrested

by Sudanese intelligence officers.

“They [the government] tried to manipulate me to sing for them and at their events. When I refused, they threatened me,” he said in a phone interview.

He was arrested twice in 2016. In January 2018 he was held for three

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days after protesting against austerity measures and rising commodity prices.

He said the authorities tried to stop him working and cancelled a performance.

Tayeb said he does not feel safe going back to Sudan, and fears for the safety of his mother and younger siblings who are still living in central Sudan.

In June, men in plain clothes visited his family home and threatened his mother after a song he performed in memory of those killed in demonstrations in June 2019 was aired on a pro-democracy TV channel Sudan Bukra.

“I fear for my life and my freedom after threats of being detained by the militias and the security authorities, because I was arrested three times in Sudan and they threatened my mother recently.”

A number of organisations have written to the Dutch authorities urging them not to deport Tayeb. Freemuse, a Danish-based NGO, wrote: “Freemuse is convinced that Mr Mohamed will face a serious security situation, and possibly longterm imprisonment, upon his return to Sudan. Therefore, we strongly support his request for protection.”

Pieter Smit, a Dutch academic researching asylum policy, said Tayeb’s case is an indirect result of the government in the Netherlands trying to stop anti-immigrant sentiment.

“The government attempts to limit the argument, and they fear the far right-wing opposition,” he said.

El Imam Musa of the Sudanese Asylum Seekers Committee in the Netherlands said the new policy was unfair. “Some of these people are witnesses of the genocide in Darfur. I don’t know why this government wants to send them back,” he said.

Margriet Luttikhuizen, a spokesperson for the INS, said: “Sudanese applicants from Darfur, South Kordofan and the Blue Nile no longer receive subsidiary protection solely because of the general situation, ie conflict in the region. They can receive international protection or subsidiary protection on an individual basis, if they are eligible for such protection.”

German population of migrant background rises to 21 million

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ermany saw a 2.1% increase in the population with a migrant background in 2019, though the rate of increase was the least rapid since 2011. The largest group hails from Turkey, around one in three are from the EU. The share of people with a migrant background in Germany rose to 21.2 million last year, the Federal Statistical Office said in a report. They represent roughly 26% of Germany’s population.

The figure represented a 2.1% increase from the previous year, but it was the slowest rise in people with a migration background since 2011.

In Germany, a person is considered to have a ‘’migration background’’ (Migrationshintergrund) if they, or at least one of their parents, were born without German citizenship.

Being born in Germany is not an automatic qualification for citizenship as in some countries, although in the majority of cases, eight years residence will suffice.

Of the 21.2 million people with a migrant background, just

over half were born as German citizens, meaning at least one of their parents had become or was a German citizen.

Europeans form majority Some 65% of all people with a migrant background came from another European country. Of these, roughly, 7.5 million (35%) people with migrant background came from a fellow EU member state.

Asians accounted for 4.6 million people or 22% of all inhabitants with a migrant background. Some 3.2 million

(15%) came from the Middle East and just under 1 million people (5%) had roots in Africa. A little over half a million people (3%) came from North, Central and South America and Australia.

The largest single group, forming some 13% of people with a migrant background, originated from Turkey. Those from Poland and Russia followed respectively.

Location varied significantly, with a higher share of people with migrant backgrounds clustered in the west.

The northwestern city-state of Bremen has the highest figures, with 36.5% of its total population having a migrant background. In contrast, the eastern state of Thuringia had only 7.8%.

Migrants still in demand Petra Bendel, chairwoman of the Expert Council of German Foundations for Integration and Migration (SVR), said that Germany would continue to rely on migration for the foreseeable future, even in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bendel said migration was the key to solving the problem of “demographic shrinkage of the population.” Despite rising slightly in recent years, Germany has consistently had one of the world’s lowest birth rates since the end of the second World War. But the study also showed that, as migrants settle in Germany, many lagged behind the German population on high-paying jobs and qualifications.

“People with a migration background are clearly overrepresented in cleaning jobs, warehousing, food production and care for the elderly,” the SVR chairwoman said. “In the future we will continue to need more skilled workers.” www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Inauguration of Legionaire foundation with a symposium on mental health of youths and its impact on nations

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espite the COVID-19 Corona pandemic strict regulation that allowed only a maximum of 30 people observing a 1.5 meters social distance within a conference hall, we were able to organize a historic and resourceful inauguration and symposium.

The Speakers were the Founder/Executive Director of Legionnaire for Mankind’s Health Prof. (Dr.) Ernst Franzek, the Founder of Yes We Can Clinics, Mr. Jan Willem Poot and Mr. Alex Ebimiebo, the Minister from the Nigerian Embassy in The Hague. The event was moderated

by Comrade Sunny Ofehe, the Secretary-General of the organization.

In attendance was a diverse participants representing various fields of government, civil society, professional and private sectors. The most part of the event was interactive sessions that gave room for exchange of ideas and knowledge.

We want to use this medium to apologize to all those we couldn’t invite due to the limited number of persons allowed to the event. The good news is that we have resolve to make this an annual conference. Hopefully, next year everyone interested will be able to attend our conference.

The journey to providing our knowledge and human resource to the Nigerian mental health care sector begins now.

For more details about what the aims and objectives of Legionnaire for Mankind’s Health is, visit www. lmankindhealth.com

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Messi will be pushed out of Barcelona if he doesn’t accept pay cut, says presidential candidate Rousard

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he candidate discussed the future of the club’s superstar captain amid transfer speculation and the coronavirus pandemic Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona if he does not accept a pay cut, according to presidential candidate Emili Rousaud.

Messi’s future remains an important topic at embattled La Liga giants Barca after the superstar captain handed in a transfer request following a tumultuous 2019-20 campaign.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was tipped to join Premier League powerhouse Manchester City before opting to remain in Spain, though he has since been linked to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and Inter.

Rousaud, who is in the running for the presidential election,

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which takes place on January 24 following Josep Maria Bartomeu’s resignation in October, discussed Messi’s future amid the coronavirus pandemic “We’ll have to sit down with Messi and ask him to make a salary cut,” Rousaud told the Spanish press.

“Right now, with things as they are, it’s unsustainable.

“We’ll ask him to make the sacrifice. If there’s no agreement, then Messi will leave.”

Rousaud added: “Messi has written the most brilliant pages in the club’s history. We have to honour our legends, but the reality is what it is.

“I believe that things have to be said as they are. We can’t fool our members. We’ll make every effort to ensure he stays, but always with the interests of the club first.”

Messi scored as Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Levante in La Liga before the end of last year.

After losses to Juventus in the Champions League and Cadiz in La Liga, Barca bounced back courtesy of Messi’s 76th-minute winner to move within nine points of competition leaders Real Sociedad but with two games in hand.

Messi has been involved in 37 goals in his La Liga career against Levante (22 goals and 15 assists), more than against any other team in the competition.

The 33-year-old has scored 449 goals in La Liga and he is just one shy of becoming the first player to reach 450 with just one club in the top five European leagues.

Boxing

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Nigeria gets a new World Boxing Champion after 57 years

resident Buhari has sent congratulations to the New World Boxing Champion, Ridwan Oyekola alias “The Scorpion”. He achieved this fit after winning on points to become the new World Boxing Federation (WBF) International Super Featherweight Champion of the world.

President Muhammadu Buhari warmly felicitates with new World Boxing Federation (WBF) International Super Featherweight Champion, Ridwan Oyekola, “The Scorpion’’, joining all Nigerians to celebrate the historical feat after 57 years.

The President affirms that Oyekola’s victory over an Argentine fighter, Lucas Montessino, brought more glory to the country, in a sport where another Nigerian, Anthony Joshua consistently blazes the trail, even though he represents United Kingdom but

he pride his Nigerian roots. The President enjoined all youths to diligently follow their passion to the point of global recognition and celebration.

President Buhari believes the new Super Featherweight Champion realized his dream after many years of focus and

discipline, urging more commitment to sustain his place in history, after the Late Dick Tiger.

The President equally commends the Local Organising Committee for the WBF Title Match, which ensure that the title fight was held in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Following the footstep of the President, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has congratulated new World Boxing Federation Super Featherweight Champion, Ridwan Oyekola, on his victory over his Argentine challenger.

In a congratulatory statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Dare said, “I want to on behalf of millions of Nigerians congratulate new boxing champion, Ridwan ‘The Scorpion’ Oyekola on his victory in the World Boxing Featherweight bout. Coming few weeks after Anthony Joshua’s feat is not only heart warming but also quite inspiring. This is really worthy of celebrating. Ridwan, you have really broken the ice and reconfirmed Nigeria’s pole position as a force to reckon with in not just amateur boxing, but at the professional stage. All Nigerians are indeed proud of you for registering our country’s name on the global stage.” The Minister added:”Ridwan’s victory is special coming 57 years after another Nigerian Dick Tiger attained the same feat. This is a special way to end the year.”

Oyekola secured a unanimous victory over Argentine pugilist Lucas Montessino in the fight that took place in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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