The Voice magazine

ISSN:2588-8807

ISSN:1571-3466

Motto: Actuated towards Africa’s advancement

Volume 21. NO. 185 June 2019

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First complete African magazine published in The Netherlands since August 1999

President Buhari sworn-in for 2nd & final term in office in Nigeria

TVAA announces 2019 awardees www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Contents

The Voice Magazine Volume 21. No 185 June 2019 Edition

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FROM THE VOICE MAGAZINE Get fast results by advertising with us.

Call us today on +31684999548 or +31648519292 E-mail: info@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Page 8 - Editorial: President Buhari: Can Nigeria work again?

Pages 10 & 11 - Feedbacks – Pages for your letters Pages 12 & 13 - The Voice Achievers Award releases names of awardees for 2019 Pages 14- 15 - President Buhari meets with 36 State Governors and Service Chiefs on Security Matters in State House Page 17 - Mrs Tokunbo-Ajayi receives her 2018 The Voice Achievers Award Pages 18- 19 - Ibom Air commences commercial operations Page 20 - Villagers Kill Ebola Health Worker In Eastern DR Congo Page 21 - Pope kissing our feet, a blessing or curse if … - South Sudan president Page 23 - Nigerian secures UN top job for one year Page 26 - Tanzania’s John Magufuli shops with basket after plastic bag ban Pages 30 &31 - Favour marries Efosa in Italy Page 32 - Sudan to hold elections within nine months Page 33 - Tanzania latest African nation to ban plastic bags Pages 34 & 35 - ‘Father of democracy’: DRC’s Etienne Tshisekedi laid to rest in DRC...

Pages 46 - 49 – MOGEM bringing good news to rural communities Pages 50 & 51 - Tiger Woods receives Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump at White House Page 53 - 2020 Gov. Polls: The Naked Dance by Politicians Pages 54 & 55 - VAS participated at Ascension Day run in Delft Pages 56 & 57 – Vocals 4 Christ foundation held her yearly Impact Makers Awards Pages 58 - 69- Sports stories around the continent of Africa

Send us congratulatory message on our 20th anniversary of the Voice magazine

For just 50 euros, you can wish us well and be part of the celebration this year. The date is 16th August 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya. If you can join us on this trip, still celebrate with us. Many of you have been part of the journey so far with your finance, advertising, subscribing to the magazine and making donations. All is appreciated now and forever.

Be part of this celebration.

Thank you. TV Management.

Account details: Bank Name: SNS Bank Iban No: NL29SNSB0908374372 Account Owner Name: Stichting Paddi Europa www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Living positive

Eliane

Facts about HIV and lifestyle • Smoking is bad for any person’s health, but even more detrimental for people living with HIV. • Any medication, including HIV medication, has possible side effects and some of these effects increase with an unhealthy lifestyle.

• Regular exercise and a diet with fresh vegetables and fruits are beneficial for cholesterol levels and counteract some of the side effects.

• A good balance between physical exercise and relaxation is important, as well as managing stress levels and getting enough sleep.

A healthy lifestyle One can have a serious health condition and follow a healthy lifestyle at the same time. This is only good to improve the quality of life and health!

Improving one´s health through a healthy lifestyle requires some patience and perseverance. After years of living with diabetes and HIV, I increasingly felt the urge to live and see my children grow up. If there is anything I can do to prevent from getting worse, I am prepared to give it a good try. And it was about time to take action. I was on so many medication for different diseases and I was worried about the future of having even more health complications. It was a wake up call, having a heart attack in 2015 and losing my brother Melance due to diabetes complications in that same year. I had to do something about my health issues and change my lifestyle to a healthier one. I decided to do sports and to go to the gym twice a week, I changed my diet to healthy food, reduced alcohol consumption and went swimming once a week and take a sauna bath. I have a choir rehearsal every week and I continue my dancing and singing. I started feeling better. And even really good! I was so happy when my cardiologist was telling me the good news that I could stop the medication I was using and that blood pressure and cholesterol check-ups can be done by my GP. This was the first tangible positive result of my change of lifestyle.

Then the diabetes specialist said that if I could level down my hypoglycaemia, I can also reduce to one tablet instead of four!

So, I decided to do even more sports and started using an eating app, which helps me to count my calories intake per day.

I picked up other sportive activities and started weekly training for walking 20 kms in the Night of the Refugees for fundraising.

It’s a positive motivation to help others while I am also helping myself! After my sugar level had gone down, I could indeed reduce that medication too. I am very happy and proud as well as my healthy lifestyle pays off now. Because of the fact that I could reduce a lot of the medication I was taking in 2015, it had become possible to change the HIV medication too! In the past years several regimens were not possible because of interactions between the different medicines. Since it had become possible to reduce some of the pills I was taking, I can now have a one single pill a day regimen for HIV. This is because of the efforts I made by doing more exercise and control my diet. I used to think that it was not possible but step by step and with a positive attitude I managed. The physical exercise is good for me and I enjoy doing it as well. Besides that it is good for my health, it makes me feel happy.

Hiv Vereniging The Dutch Association of People Living with HIV (Hiv Vereniging) represents the interests of all people with HIV in the Netherlands, irrespective of background.

We provide information about living with HIV and organise all kinds of meet-ups.

Servicepunt Our team of expert volunteers can be contacted for any question about living with HIV, by telephone on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 14:00 – 22:00 hrs, or by email: servicepunt@hivvereniging.nl.

See www.hivvereniging.nl

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Editorial

President Buhari: Can Nigeria work again?

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n the wake of the swearing in of President Buhari on Nigeria, the question on the lips of millions of the people is ‘can he make Nigeria work again? Of course his campaign slogan was NEXT LEVEL!. One would really wonder which level is Nigeria right now and what level are the Buhari administration taking Nigeria to? Nothing much has changed since he took power over four years ago rather people are now saying even under the corruption of Jonathan administration, the ordinary citizens fared better than what they have now. Life is hard for ordinary Nigerians and they have not felt the impact of the Buhari administration.

The country seem to have been hijacked by few self-centred moneymonger politicians camouflaging in patriot’s toga. The main aim of most African political elites particularly Nigeria continues to be money. And the civil servants who were once above board have contaminated the epidemic.

The slogan is “if you can’t beat them, join them.”

Instead of repairing the bad roads, they go and buy four wheel drives so only the masses suffer the effect of the bad roads. Instead of providing electricity, they purchase heavy generators or now go for solar installations. The President and his Minister’s residence are powered by generators and solar systems. Is this the next level for Nigeria?

The national treasuries have been shamelessly looted, and the populace are continually taken for a ride with the crumbs falling from politicians’ table as if that is their worth. These politicians continue to lavish the stolen wealth while at the same time turning deaf ears and blind eyes to what their own conscience is telling them. Or should it be said that they don’t have conscience anymore?

They believe they are clever and others are not, if not these others would have done the same thing. Some are manipulated to accept the doctrine and follow the same steps. Imagine how those once considered respectable people could become shamelessly greedy and divert what is meant for the betterment of members of the public. They put their loot into personal and that of their family’s use without thinking of the fate of the ordinary people.

What has been happening in Nigeria the past decade shows the extent these callous politicians could go to toy with the lives of their fellow citizens? One of such acts is the diversion of over a billion dollars meant to fight insurgents who were killing, and continue to kill Nigerians in their hundreds. Compounding this are the discoveries of millions of dollars and other foreign currencies (in cash) stacked in private properties or buried in homes (in one 8

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case a pit latrine) and graveyards.

That is not all. There are millions also hidden in foreign banks while the Federal, States and Local governments find it difficult to pay salaries.

In 2015, Muhammad Buhari as presidential flag bearer in that election came on the agenda of genuine effort aimed at correcting the impasse and sanitize corruption, but on the contrary it seems to be nursing a hidden agenda to hand on to power while he turns Pastor Amb. Elvis Iruh Editor-in-Chief a blind eye to all sort of allegations against his cabinet or ministers.

Buhari was elected with the hope that he could tame corruption, the epidemic that does not only retard the progress of the country but also destroys it and its people. He was and still is known for his anti-corruption posture and his simple lifestyle but that cannot be said for those who surrounds him.

The economic situation of the country when he assumed office was not robust but it is far worse now than he met it.

The Boko Haram insurgents seem wellequipped than under Jonathan and now we have the herdsmen terrorizing all parts of the country. Kidnapping has become a new source of generating funds by criminal gangs.

Now it is becoming more obvious that Nigerian politics is not to serve but rather to amass wealth. So the next four years is very crucial to see what future lies ahead of Nigeria. If things continue as it is, Nigeria may witness an uprising like the Arab spring.

It is expected that parliamentarians will support Buhari’s efforts to fight corruption and wanting him to succeed unlike the past parliament. President Buhari seem to have regain good health, therefore he has strength to confront the challenges facing Nigeria at this point in time in history. Next four years is very crucial of the future of Nigeria and we all look to this government to provide direction as it has promised.

As we wish him well in his second and final term, we pray that he would address some pressing challenges facing the country particularly the area of security and provision of basic amenities for the people. A country with a growing youthful population like Nigeria and does not engage them is looking for trouble now or soonest.

TV Management.

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

THE VOICE MAGAZINE TEAM Publisher: Stichting Paddi Europa Editor-in-Chief Pastor Amb. Elvis Ndubuisi Iruh elvisiruh@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Founding/Contributing Editor Edward Idahosa Ogbee apexbest2000@yahoo.co.uk Managing Editor Henry D. Oduenyi (Nigeria Office) henry@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Project Coordinator Ifeyinwa Ezeagabu i.ezeagabu@thevoicenewsmagazine. com

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OUR MISSION STATEMENT

The Voice magazine is published in the Netherlands by Stichting Paddi Europa and it is ­published online from 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. TV

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NO 185

June 2019 www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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feedback for a parliamentary seat at the European Union. party, ChristenUnie-SGP retained its two My gratitude to you all from Our seats in the European Parliament. Compared Patience Mayaki-van der Horst. to 2014, we got extra 10,000 votes this year. The two seats will be taken on by Peter van Dalen Hello Pastor, Thank you with your team for all (CU) and Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP). Both were no the support during my campaign 1 & 2 on the list. I specially want to thank you for your extraordinary support all through the campaign period. Really appreciate the words of encouragement and visibility given through the Voice magazine. I know the Lord is taking us places so we keep marching on. Stay blessed. We keep in touch. Shalom!

By Patience Mayaki-van der Horst.

Candidate at the last European Parliament election.

Den Haag, The Netherlands

Dear Editor,

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Chris Olekah on their marriage ceremony Picture from the marriage of Mr and Mrs Chris Olekah held in Lagos Nigeria recently. The father of the bride Anita in green cap Mr Greg Enahoro literally turned the wedding into one of the greatest show with over seven fist rated Nigerian and American artiste performing live at the traditional and wedding ceremony . Amongst them was music maestro and legend Victor Uwaifo, Flavour, TuFace, Omawunmi, Olumide etc.

Courtesy of Mr. Ubaldus Enahoro

Nancy, we mourn with you on your mom’s passing on Condolence to Millicent & Family on the loss of their dear mother after a brief illness. She and her siblings has since buried her in Kenya in June 2019.

Our sincere condolence and prayers are with you Millicent Nancy Scheibner and your family in these difficult times.

God will console you all and wipe away your tears in Jesus Christ name. Amen Courtesy of The Voice magazine management.

FEEDBACK Dear Editor, Moved by Saraki valedictory speech as Senate President Dr. Saraki speech at the red chamber melt my ego, and got me thinking.

The valedictory section was like a graveyard when Saraki read his speech at the floor of the senate.

The world knew his intentions were right, and that it wasn’t time for him to quit the stage because the monkeys and baboons are still out there.

I must tell you, I cried as it became done on me that he won’t be at the 9th senate to defend democracy.

I felt something like Nigeria democracy will be insecure without him.

History will reward him for all the effort and sacrifice for

Good tribute to Christy Among Dear Editor, I don’t usually read the Voice magazines, but I read this one because of the piece on Christy Among. I didn’t realise you knew her. She was very close to us and we prayed about everything- her son in prison, daughter pregnant, husband, mother.... everything.

Our leaving Holland created a big gap, but I’m so pleased that you filled it. I pray the Lord provides cover for her loved ones Dr. Mrs Ebun Abarshi London, United Kingdom. ******************* Editor’s reply We did what we could collectively to support her. The lord decided it was time she comes back home. We are grateful that she allowed us to be part of her life.

Thank you for remembering her too.

Editor

Nigeria.

Saraki didn’t make it to the 9th senate not because he is not a good politician, but because he fought against principalities and powers who wanted to hold the country hostage.

I stood up from my seat as he salute Nigerians for their love and support for him when the night men came for his head.

Saraki gave his all, his seat, his ambition, all to demonstrate what true patriotism is all about.

May the almighty Allah bless him and keep him.

He has my support any day anytime in politics.

Thank you Doctor Bukola Saraki.

Wishing you well.

Festus Tony Abuja, Nigeria

Dear Editor, Well done with this wonderful publication that has lasted this past 2o years and continues to wax stronger. May the Voice speak louder and have more impact in this new season and in the next twenty years to come in Jesus precious name.

Amen Pastor Dr. Mrs. Ebun Abarshi London, United Kingdom.

Editor’s Reply.

Thank you so much ma for the prayers and best wishes.

We received it on behalf of our staff and team of fans out there.

Your support, patronage and prayers have kept us this far and we would need it for the future.

God bless you.

Editor

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The Voice Achievers Award releases names of awardees for 2019 T

he final list of awardees for The Voice Achievers Award taking place in Nairobi, Kenya have been released after vetting and screening of nominations for 2019.

The awardees were chosen from a pool of well qualified individuals, companies and organizations contributing to the advancement of Africa. Candidates are drawn from various countries in Africa and from around the world. On the final list are noble men, women and young promising personalities who cherish a better future of Africa.

The 2019 awardees will be joined by colleagues, families,

friends and well-wishers to celebrate them at the occasion in a two day event with a business summit to promote Kenya to the world of vast opportunities.

The Voice Achievers Award is one of the biggest African social events in the Central Europe, dedicated to appreciating dedication and contribution of daughters, sons and friends of Africa who through their activities have impacted positively on the lives of Africans.

The award is on its 10th anniversary and for the first time, it is being hosted in African continent, Nairobi- Kenya. The distinguished awardees for 2019 are: Her Excellency, Mrs. Isaura Nyusi, First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch (rtd), Prof.

PLO Lumumba, Arch Bishop Arthur Kitonga, Rev Mrs. Josephine Kitonga, Hon Ababu-Terrah Namwamba, Rwanda Air, Bishop Dawn Willis, Bishop William Tuimising, James Mureu, Dr. Swarup Ranjan Mishra, Rev. Ademola Afolabi, Emerging Leaders Foundation (ELF), Hon Esther Passaris, Connie Aluoch, Obi Emelonye, Lydia Tett Olet, Kevin Mulei, Dr. Kennedy Waningu, Angel Wanjiru Ngugi, Ken Wakia, Kadogo Naus-Nyawade, Ahadi Trust Kenya, Hon. Patriciah Mutheu Musyimi, Blue Cross Kisumu, Raphael Obonyo, Marc Broere, Rachel AkemHarumi, Hajia Zainab Kessington Momoh, Ambassador Comrade Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP), Namusoke Asia Mbajja, Eva Nakato, Robinah Babirye, Sarah Munyi and Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Vero Tangbowei Emmanuel (JP), Kevin Mulei and Reuben Kimani The Voice Achievers’ Award Committee and the entire award team heartily congratulate all the recipients for the great feat.

More information on can be obtained on: thevoiceachieveraward.com.

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event www.

President Buhari meets with 36 State Governors and Service Chiefs on Security Matters in State House

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resident Buhari meets with 36 State Governors and Service Chiefs on Security Matters in State House on 7th June 2019 However, the NGF chairman said the matter would be thoroughly explored by the National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and comprising the governors and government officials who oversee economic matters. His words: “On whether state governors should be involved in state policing, the position of NGF on that is that we have not taken position because experiences vary. There are governors and states that do not necessarily lend themselves to evolve policing at the states. “There are also states where there are agitations for it. There are governors who have the views that that will work better in such states. And of course, there are the economic issues relating to that.

“So, we have the issue of capacity at the state level to fund state policing. Those are all issues that will come into play when we get to the National Economic Council meeting that has been called, particularly, because there is a committee that is looking into it after the submission of the report on SARS. So, we will take all of these together.” Fayemi further spoke on the security challenges in the country, adding that the issue was extensively discussed with President Buhari.

According to him, the president was informed about the magnitude of insecurity crises bedeviling the nation, ranging from banditry, herders’ violence, kidnapping, militancy, insurgency and cultism. He said the issue of the criminal justice system which gives room for impunity because criminals are not punished was looked into, adding that the connection between economic and security issues was also examined. Fayemi said the meeting also looked into how the governors could assist the president in addressing the crises, pointing out that the

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president also indicated interest in working with the governors in the area of intelligence gathering, community policing and strengthening of the criminal justice system, among others.

“So, we discussed extensively all of these issues and looked at the various ways that we felt as governors we could assist Mr. President as the commander-in-chief to curb these issues. Of course, we were able to in the first instance, look at the nexus between our economic challenges and the security challenges as well and the importance of tackling the causes of crime, not just crime on its own. “We also looked at the criminal justice system that appears to give some room for impunity. When people commit crimes and they are not punished effectively in accordance with the statutes, it then creates an opportunity for replicating such crimes, and of course, Mr. President was also equally concerned about that. “He made it clear to us that we all knew that he campaigned on the basis of security, economy and accountability and these things are still the most germane issues on his agenda and that he will also work with us to address questions of intelligence; of broadening community policing; of ensuring interservice coordination among the various security agencies; of strengthening the criminal justice system; of working with our states innovatively on mechanism for addressing these issues, be it security trust fund that brings the public and the private players together in order to fund security and increase the resources available to security institutions. “Already, all of us are involved in funding. There is no governor that is not buying security vehicles, ammunition for police, giving allowances to our security agencies, be they (State Security Service) (SSS), or police, or in some cases, the military, where the military is involved. We are already involved. It is just to ensure that we have a better and much more coordinated mechanism for addressing this,” Fayemi said.

Reacting to the questions on how the $1 billion that the federal government took from the excess crude account with the support of governors was spent, Fayemi said he did not have details of the expenditure. “On the $1 billion, it may seem like a huge amount of money and it is a huge amount of money but when you are dealing with security issues, where a Tucano jet costs more than $50 million and you are getting say $20 million, you know how much that is already. “I am not giving you specific details of how that money was expended. We will be happy to do that but we feel that that is really not a matter for us as governors.

Yes, we were supportive of it because our position has always been whatever is required by the commander-in-chief to resolve security challenges in Nigeria, we will line up behind him and support him. “Of course, yes, we demand accountability.

We will like to assure you that the $1 billion taken was definitely expended among the various security services but the details I cannot give you on top of my head because I wasn’t expecting you to ask that question,” he stated. Meanwhile, the governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met earlier before the general meeting with Buhari

of killings across the country and called for effective measures to curtail the troubling development. The PDP governors at the meeting in Abuja, expressed deep concerns over alleged

and reportedly demanded for an immediate establishment of state police as an effective response to the worsening insecurity in the country. The governors, in a communiqué read by the chairman of the forum and governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson, after a late night meeting at the Bayelsa Governors Lodge, Maitama Abuja, expressed deep worry over the spate

federal government, its agencies and operatives of the other political parties in the various states. They explained that the growing calls for the establishment of state police was in response to the security situation in the country.

politicisation of the security apparatus in every state by the

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Mrs Tokunbo-Ajayi receives her 2018 The Voice Achievers Award

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s our tradition, we make sure all our awardees receive their award. During a short visit to Nigeria, the Publisher of The Voice magazine and Chief organizer of the Voice Achievers Award, Pastor Ambassador Elvis Iruh was received in audience by Mrs. Tokunbo Ajayi, the Managing Director of United Capital Trustees at her office in Lagos where he was able to present her with her prestigious award of 2018.

She expressed her gratitude to those have nominated her for the award and to the Voice Achievers Award for the recognition.

She apologized that she was not able to personally attend but she pledge to participate in the future of the award ceremony.

She expressed her desire to support any of our laudable projects in the future of which the publisher thanked her and look forward to working with her. She presented a gift item to the publisher after a refreshing entertainment.

Congratulations once again to Princess Mrs. Tokunbo Ajayi.

Ibom Air commences commercial operations

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bom Air, the Akwa Ibom state owned airline has commence full commercial flights early this month, precisely on Friday, June 7, she made her maiden flight from Uyo to Lagos. The airline managed and operated by Ibom Air Company Limited is one of the signature projects of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s first term, launched amidst pomp and pageantry on February 20th 2019 with three aircraft on its fleet. A statement sent to journalists by the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr. Ekerette Udoh, noted that the airline has met all regulatory conditions and requirements and has been certified fit to commence commercial operations.

“It will maintain regular daily flights to both Lagos (MMA2) and Abuja respectively. “The aircraft in its fleet (Bombardier CRJ 900) have the distinction of being relatively new, all three, under 10 years old,” Udoh said.

He said Akwa Ibomites and other Nigerians had celebrated the commencement of the commercial operations by Ibom Air as a testament to the visionary

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leadership of Gov. Udom Emmanuel. “The governor who seems determined to break conventional wisdom concerning things long thought to be impossible to achieve,” he added. Governor Emmanuel recently rededicated the state to God with a promise to always magnify God in everything.

Akwaibomites celebrate Governor Udom Emmanuel

Speaking at a special interdenominational thanksgiving service to mark the 2019 Democracy day and his second term inauguration in Uyo, the governor declared that he would only be satisfied when he sees God glorified. “I stand on behalf of the people to say where ever we have gone wrong, Lord forgive us. I rededicate this land of Akwa Ibom state and rededicate my government to God that as we are beginning, God will be with us,” the governor said.

It is on record that Ibom Air has become the first commercial airline ever to be owned and operated by a state government anywhere in Nigeria and indeed Africa. It has commence full commercial operations last week. The Airline which represents one of the signature projects of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel’s First Term was launched amidst pomp and pageantry on February 20th this year with three aircrafts by the former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

Having fulfilled all the regulatory conditions and requirements, the airline was certified fit to commence commercial operations, leading to the maiden flight from Uyo to Lagos. It will maintain regular daily flights to both Lagos (MMA2) and Abuja respectively.

Akwaibomites and other Nigerians have celebrated the commencement of the commercial operations by Ibom Air as a testament to the visionary leadership

of Governor Udom Emmanuel, who seems determined to break conventional wisdom concerning things long thought to be impossible to achieve.

With this development, Governor Emmanuel’s avowed determination to open the three gateways to industrialization-land, sea and air appears to be on course.

By Ekerete Udoh Senior Special Assistant, Media/Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

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Villagers Kill Ebola Health Worker In Eastern DR Congo

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illagers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo killed a health worker engaged in the fight against a major Ebola outbreak and looted a treatment centre, according to an official report made available to the press last month.

“Part of the population of Vusahiro village, in the health sector of Mabalako (North Kivu province), rose up and attacked the local team fighting back against Ebola,” said the daily health ministry bulletin release early this month. It said the incident happened over a week ago.

“A hygiene agent in the team for the prevention and control of infections died of his injuries during his transfer to the hospital,” health authorities said in the bulletin.

“The health centre in Vusahiro was trashed and looted and three village houses were burned down,” the bulletin added.

In a separate incident, the triage centre at Valumba in the Butembo health sector, was vandalised overnight from Saturday to Sunday, the report said.

The Ebola outbreak declared in eastern DR Congo last August has killed more than 1,200 people in two provinces - Ituri and North Kivu and new cases have surged in recent weeks.

Efforts to tackle the crisis have been hampered both by militia attacks on treatment centres, in which some staff have been killed, and by the hostility of some local people to the medical teams.

Since the outbreak began, attacks on health centres have killed four people and wounded dozens more, including patients, according to a tally released by the health ministry last month.

North Kivu has suffered from massacres blamed mainly on the Ugandan Islamist rebels of Alliance of Democratic Forces, according to Godefroid Ka Mana, an academic

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expert with the Pole Institute think tank in provincial capital Goma.

In April, a Cameroonian doctor working for the World Health Organization was murdered while taking part in a meeting at a university teaching hospital.

Working with the international medics are local health teams formed after DR Congo’s 10th outbreak of the highly contagious and often fatal viral disease. They are made up of villagers trained in measures to battle Ebola.

But some locals are hostile to the prevention protocols enforced by international teams, such as the special measures imposed for the burial of Ebola victims.

These measures, designed to prevent loved ones being infected, rule out the traditional wakes and funerals.

The WHO has accused local politicians of turning people against the health workers.

In the meantime, the deaths continue. Since the outbreak started, “the cumulative number of cases is 1,912, 1,818 confirmed and 94 probable,” the health ministry said.

“In total, there were 1,277 deaths (1,183 confirmed and 94 probable) and 496 people healed,”

Pope kissing our feet, a blessing or curse if … - South Sudan president South Sudan President Salva Kiir says he was shocked and shaken when the Pope kissed his feet during a visit to the Vatican for a special retreat in April. Pope Francis kissed the feet of Kiir, his main opponent Riek Machar, Rebecca Garang, wife of former leader John Garang and Taban Deng Gai, Kii’s first vice president.

All four of them looked visibly shocked by the gesture as the Pope knelt down to kiss their feet in turns. In his first

He also reiterated his peace stance and extended another invitation to Machar to return to Juba for efforts to establish a transitional government to take place.

“I re-extend my invitation to Dr. Riek Machar to return home. I have completely forgiven him and he is no longer my opponent. I call upon all armed opposition to work with our army to continue to open corridors for freedom of movement and open up trade routes.

On neighbouring Sudan, he said: “It is important to remind international and regional actors not to interfere in Sudan.

The people of Sudan are perfectly capable of managing their own affairs. Let us prove the world wrong.

reaction since the incident, Kiir said it could signal one of two consequences: a blessing or a curse.

“I was shocked and trembled when His Holiness The Pope kissed our feet. It was a blessing and can be a curse if we play games with the lives of our people,” he said during the opening of the country’s parliament last month.

“We are not war mongers, we are peace loving people and we are a proud and dignified nation,” he is quoted to have said. Neighbouring Sudan continues in a state of political flux since Omar Al-Bashir was ousted on April 11.

Transition deadlock between the junta and protest leaders is reportedly making headway. Protests have meanwhile broken out in the second city of Omdurman, reports said.

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Nigerian secures UN top job for one year

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is Excellency, Professor Tijjani Muhammad Bande, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nation (UN) was early this month elected by acclamation as the President of the 74th session of the United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) on 4th June, 2019.

In so doing, Nigeria made history again. Since 1946, the only time Nigeria has held this exalted 1-year post was in 1989 when the late Major General Joe Nanven Garba held the post!

The President of the United Nations General Assembly is a position voted for by the 193 representatives in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on a yearly basis. The President presides over the sessions of the General Assembly which kick off in September

and conclude in December.

One of the many poignant and interesting aspects of this development is that during the UNGA, every President that makes a statement will first have to bow to Prof MuhammadBande, the new PGA, before making their statement and thereafter refer to him as ‘Mr. President’! This includes our own and his own President! Lol! Those will be slightly awkward but proud moments for Nigeria, that will be in charge of the world....so to speak....at the UNGA and for the duration of 1 year!

It is a time for every Nigerian to be mighty proud on the international stage!

Congrats Prof. Muhammad-Bande!

Congrats Nigeria!

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

What would you like to know? Our vision?

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

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

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with lots of different backgrounds, characters and personalities. But there is one thing we have in common. We all follow the same God, Jesus Christ.

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

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

God bless you as you come in Jesus Christ name.

Amen

Pastor Roel & Ida van Rooij Senior Pastor Victory Outreach Almere.

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Tanzania’s John Magufuli shops with basket after plastic bag ban

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anzanian President’s defiance of convention is likely Plastic pollution can have a huge effect on marine life and to give more weight to the ban by his personal lead plastic bags have been blamed for flooding in cities by on the campaign by showing a good example to blocking drains. his people. The President was recently caught on camera “In a few years’ time the country will be safe from the effects shopping with a basket. It is unusual for a man to carry a of plastic bags,” the president said. shopping basket in Tanzania, especially someone of the A local journalist shared his amusement on Twitter about the president’s status. president’s shopping trip.

On his trip to the fish market in the coastal city of Dar CLEAN-UP es Salaam, President Magufuli, who is nicknamed “The Bulldozer” because of his no-nonsense attitude, said he It is not the first time the 59-year-old Tanzanian leader has wanted to prove that shoppers in Tanzania no longer needed made a stand against pollution. to use plastic bags.

In 2015, shortly after he was elected, he replaced independence In 2015, shortly after he was elected, President Magufuli day celebrations with a public clean-up operation and was replaced Independence Day celebrations with a public clean- pictured picking up rubbish outside State House. up operation and was pictured picking up rubbish outside His hands-on style of governing has won has praise from State House. some, but critics accuse him of cracking down on freedom of Tanzanian President John Magufuli made a surprise visit to expression during his more than three years in office. a fish market sporting a wicker basket in a move to support a new plastic bag ban.

THE BAN Those found with plastic bags now face fines of up to $87 (£68) or up to seven days in jail, local media reports. For anyone caught manufacturing or importing plastic bags, the fine could be $430,000 or up to two years in prison. Tanzania is one of more than 30 African countries to have brought in a ban on single-use plastic.

Travellers arriving in Tanzania - a tourist hotspot - are now being asked to surrender This picture obtained from the Tanzania State House shows plastic bags President John Magufuli shopping for fish in Dar es Salaam at the airport. following the country’s ban on plastic bags.

THE GOAL On his trip to the fish market EFFECTS in the coastal city Fish and large aquatic mammals can be killed by plastic of Dar es Salaam, pollution. Whales can eat plastic bags, making it impossible President Magufuli, for them to consume real food which can eventually lead to who is nicknamed death.

“The Bulldozer” When plastic debris breaks down from wear and tear, it because of no- does not decompose the way other products like wood do nonsense attitude, - but instead breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, said he wanted to becoming “micro plastic”. prove that shoppers These tiny fragments often end up in fish and can then be in Tanzania no passed on to humans. longer needed to Large volumes of plastic waste wash up on beaches, where use plastic bags. they can be eaten by sea birds and other animals and kill He added that customers should not pressure fishmongers to them. hand over plastic bags.

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Nigeria Presidential inauguration as Buhari starts second term with Vice-President President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has taken his oath of office for a second and final term in charge of Africa’s of the most populous black nation in the world. On 29th May 2019, he sworn to continue his fight against corruption and take Nigeria to the Next Level; all of this happened on the back of his re-election on February 23. That victory is still a matter of legal battle as we report before the election tribunal but with the look of things, the President would serve out his second term.

The event took place at the Eagles Square in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja where alongside his serving Vice-President, they both took their oath of office with a large crowd watching and some celebrating while others looked on. It would be recalled that the Electoral Commission returned President Buhari as winner of the election having secured 15,191,847 votes against the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s 11,262,978 votes.

This is the text of the oaths sworn to by President Buhari OATH OF ALLEGIANCE I, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, do solemnly swear/affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

So help me God. OATH OF OFFICE OF PRESIDENT I, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, do solemnly swear/affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria: that as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability, faithfully and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law,

… and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will strive to preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; … that I will not al- low my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; … that I will abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; … that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as President; … And that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria. So help me God

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Inauguration pictures of President of Nigeria - President Muhammadu Buhari

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Inauguration pictures of Vice-President of Nigeria - Prof. Osinbajo

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Favour marries Efosa in Italy Families of Mr. & Mrs Stephen Aibangbee and Late Mr & Mrs Felix Mathias Ehanire were extremely joyous when then they gave approval for the marriage of their children, Favour Egbaremwen Aibangbee (Bride) and Efosa Mathias Ehanire (Groom). The traditional wedlock took place in Benin City, Nigeria while the white wedding marriage took place in Cesena, Italy on 19th May 2019. The wedding attracted families, friends and colleagues across the world. The wife to the groom, Lady Faith Ehanire who

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was in attendance at the wedding in Italy with her daughter is sponsoring these few pages to publish the wedding photos and congratulate her younger brother, Efosa and his wife on the successful marriage and wishing them all the best of wedlock now and for the future.

The wedding reception took place at Pepper, in via della Crocc 7, Forlimpopoli, Forli-Cesena, Italy.

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Efosa Ehanire.

Courtesy of Lady Faith Ehanire, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Sudan to hold elections within nine months

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udan’s military announced that elections will be held within nine months, adding that it had decided to cancel all that had been previously agreed with protesters about the country’s transition.

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s announcement came the after Sudan’s military forcefully broke up a weeks-long sit-in outside Khartoum’s army headquarters calling on the country’s ruling generals to hand over to civilian rule, leaving more than 30 dead.

“The Military council decides on the following: cancelling what was agreed on and stopping negotiating with the Alliance for Freedom and Change, and to call for general elections within a period not exceeding nine months,” Burhan said in a statement broadcast on state television early on Tuesday.

Burhan added the election would take place under “regional and international supervision”.

The Transitional Military Council ousted president Omar al-Bashir in April after months of protests against his authoritarian rule.

What had been agreed with protesters?

It had agreed a three-year transition period for transferring power to a civilian administration and that parliament be composed of 300 members for the transition, with around two-thirds from the protest alliance and the rest drawn from other political groups before talks broke down on May 20.

Thousands of people remained camped outside the military headquarters calling for the generals to cede power before security forces used force to break up the sit-in, leaving some 30 people dead and hundreds wounded, according to doctors close to the protesters.

It drew sharp international criticism, with both the US and the UN condemning the breaking up of the sit-in.

The UN Security Council will meet behind closed doors on

Tuesday to discuss Sudan, after Britain and Germany requested the talks, diplomats said.

The Alliance for Freedom and Change had announced “the end of all political contact and negotiations with the putschist Council” following the deaths.

Burhan said that the military council would order an investigation into it.

“The military council promises an investigation into today’s events and invites the general prosecutor to take that over,” he said in the address. eams of income.

Tanzania latest African nation to ban plastic bags

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plastic bag ban comes into force in Tanzania on Saturday, as Africa leads efforts to stem the tide of plastic blighting the farthest reaches of the globe, and depths of the ocean.

Tanzania is banning the importation, production, sale and use of plastic bags, becoming the 34th African country to implement such restrictions, according to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).

“Let me be clear on this, once it reaches June 1, the government is not planning to add any more days and we will not tolerate anyone who will be caught using them. No plastic bag will be allowed in the country,” Tanzania’s vice-president Samia Suluhu Hassan said when announcing the move in April.

Tanzania - whose wildlife is a popular tourist draw - has also issued a notice to travellers that they will have to “surrender” plastic bags in their possession before entering the country.

The government expects that, in appreciation of the imperative to protect the environment and keep our country clean and beautiful, our visitors will accept minor inconveniences resulting from the plastic bags ban,” said the statement.

According to local media, anyone caught manufacturing or importing plastic bags and plastic wrappings could get a fine of one billion Tanzanian shillings ($430 000, 390 000 euros) or face imprisonment for up to two years.

Possession and usage can lead to a fine of $87 or imprisonment for seven days, or both.

Degrees of success Globally, 127 countries have some sort of plastic bag legislation, 91 of which include a ban or restriction on manufacturing, importation and retail distribution, according to UNEP. Africa has 34 of these countries, followed by Europe with 29.

Patrick Mwesigye, UNEP’s regional co-ordinator for resource efficiency told AFP that the degree of success of the bans varied in Africa.

Rwanda’s plastic bag ban has been in place for over a decade and is considered one of the most successful.

“But Rwanda had an advantage that there wasn’t much

manufacturing of plastics,” in the country when the ban was implemented, said Mwesigye.

Countries with manufacturing and import industries, where jobs are impacted by bans, have struggled more to enforce them.

“In Kenya... it has been very effective. Still you have some plastic smuggled from neighbouring countries” like Uganda, he said.

Kenya’s 2017 plastic ban imposed particularly harsh laws, with fines of up to $38 000 (32 000 euros) and four-year prison sentences.

However in reality, while there have been waves of arrests, fines and jail terms have been far less than proscribed.

Mwesigye said some countries put bans in place before ensuring there were suitable alternatives in place, while monitoring and practical enforcement were also a challenge.

Scourge of single-use plastics Joyce Msuya, UNEP’s Acting Executive Director, praised Tanzania for joining the nations implementing the ban.

“It is critical that bans now be complemented by efforts to identify effective alternatives to single-use plastics...”

The world currently produces more than 300 million tons of plastics annually, and there are at least five trillion plastic pieces floating in oceans, scientists have estimated.

Most of the items polluting oceans and landscapes and causing horrendous deaths for the creatures that live there, are made to be used once and thrown away, such as bags, straws and food packaging.

In March nations failed to agree to a timetable to phase out all single-use plastics, opting instead to “significantly reduce” their production.

Neither the United States, Canada or Australia have national plastic bag regulations - although some American states like Hawaii or California have implemented bans.

The European Union in March voted to ban a dozen forms of single-use plastics from 2021.

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‘Father of democracy’: DRC’s Etienne Tshisekedi laid to rest in DRC...

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ore than two years after his death in Brussels, Etienne Tshisekedi’s body was repatriated to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he was finally laid to rest in the land of his ancestors.

Etienne was a towering figure in the Congolese political scene. Briefly appointed Prime Minister in the 1990s, he was considered an eternal opponent.

For four decades, he denounced successive government’s abuses, first under the self-proclaimed “Marshal-President” Mobutu Sese Seko, then Laurent-Desire Kabila and finally Joseph Kabila - Laurent Kabila’s son.

The veteran opposition leader was stubborn, quick-tempered and often impulsive - a personality that was far from flawless and deemed unpredictable by many.

Among those who came to pay a last tribute last month was Jean Lebosomo, a civil servant, and member of Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the party Etienne had founded, with others, in 1982.

Jean had a shirt made for this event, with the face of his

“hero” printed on it.

“He was the father of democracy”, he said. “He taught us not to fear, and to fight for our rights,” he said.

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“He didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy the results of his struggle, but we will follow the path he made for us.”

Affectionately nicknamed “le vieux” (“the old man”), or “leader maximo” by his supporters, he was very popular in Kinshasa.

The capital was his stronghold, the headquarter from where he led his political resistance for 40 years.

Etienne died of pulmonary embolism (a disease of the lung) at 84, on the February 1, 2017, in a hospital in Brussels - the capital of the former colonial power, Belgium.

At the time, political tensions were high in DRC, and the veteran leader was in the middle of a long and exhausting confrontation with then President Joseph Kabila, who delayed polls multiple times, extending his stay in office.

But even after his death, he was still perceived as a threat by the authorities.

For two years, his body had been kept in a mortuary in Brussels, awaiting permission from the Congolese government to be repatriated home. “It would be a recognition of the noble cause he carried,” said Nathan Tshinkunku, one of his grand-nephews. He fought for several decades “for our rights and for the rise of democracy in DRC”.

If Etienne has finally been able to return to Kinshasa and receive a state funeral, it is because his son, Felix Tshisekedi, was proclaimed winner of the December 2018 presidential election.

Felix, 55, was sworn in as president in January in the first peaceful handover of power since the country’s independence in 1960.

Felix’s ascent to power came after very contested results and following a secret agreement of power-sharing with Kabila who left the presidential chair, but still holds the reins of many key sectors. A compromise, many whisper, Etienne himself would have opposed.

Felix’s ascent to power came after very contested results and following a secret agreement of power-sharing with Kabila who left the presidential chair, but still holds the reins of many key sectors. A compromise, many whisper, Etienne himself would have opposed.

Felix positions himself as his father’s political heir, wearing the same trademark flat cap.

The two-day funeral, during which the president didn’t speak publicly, fulfilled one of the first promises he made in office.

Dignitaries of the Catholic Church, representatives of the UDPS attended, as did several African heads of states, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

“We forgive those who offended you,” said the eldest of Etienne’s grand-daughters. The deceased could be made a “national hero”.

The state funeral was organized after several delay, and the 80,000-seat Martyrs stadium in Kinshasa, where the ceremonies were held, was never full. A few thousand people had gathered around the roads to see the hearse passing, carrying the mortal remains, in a black coffin covered with the Congolese and the UDPS flags, to their last resting place.

It was nothing compared to the huge crowds that Etienne could mobilize during his lifetime.

Etienne Tshisekedi was the face of the DRC’s opposition for decades. Some wondered if people in the capital grew tired of waiting for his body to return or an expression of a lack of enthusiasm for the new president. UDPS members attending the funeral fondly remembered him as well. “He was a man of principles, deeply rooted in his convictions. He wasn’t someone who wanted to make sure that his son would be the one succeeding him as the head of the party after his death,” a party member, who declined to be named, said.

Albert Moleka, his former head of cabinet, said: “Now Felix must find his own way to lead.”

Martin Fayulu, one of the presidential candidates, who still disputes the results, paid tribute to Etienne’s “fight for democracy and justice”, but said he wouldn’t attend the funeral.

Etienne was buried in an unachieved $2.5m mausoleum in Nsele on the far outskirts of Kinshasa.

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AYETE FOR CHRIST 2019 CRUSADE

MOGEM bringing good news to rural communities

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ountain of God Evangelical Ministries in collaboration with Christian Association of Nigeria, Ayete branch held a five-day crusade with the theme – “Set the captives free”. They invited two international ministers from The Netherlands, Pastor Elvis Iruh of Victory Outreach Almere and Evangelist Hans Griffioen, an international Evangelist to Nigeria.

It is the second year in a roll that the two men of God has been invited to bring the good news of Christ to these area of Oyo State in Ibarapa North local government area of Oyo State.

This area is comprised of 4 villages. The villages in Ibarapa North are 4 and they include, Idere, Ayete, Tapa and Igangan.

This area has great influence of Islam but they were this

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time open to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. The people were open, heaven was open and there were healings and manifestation of the Holy Spirit; the team held house to house Evangelism and prayed for the city, the king, the people and many gave their hearts to the Lord. We held street-to-street, house-to-house evangelism in Idere and Igangan. The Royal King of Igandan issues a plead that we have to come in 2020 to bring a crusade to his own village as well. The King gave the missionaries an open invitation to come back to their land and bless them.

The crusade of 2019 was well organized, as there was great outreach to all parts of the city with posters place in front of nearly every home in the villages. It was five day of packed action, with teachings, evangelism in the daytime and at evening session; we held open crusade for revival, healing and restoration for the people and their land.

The crusade chief Organizer, Rev Ademola Afolabi assured us that in 2020, the crusade will be bigger and better as they planned to host the crusade both in Lagos and Oyo States respectively.

In appreciation, both men of God were given gift items including sewn clothes, honey, fruits and bush meat which is a local delicacy but unknown to Evangelist Hans therefore Pastor Elvis Iruh being a Nigerian enjoyed it.

The two missionaries thanked Pastor Afolabi and his wife and their team for great hospitality throughout the week.

Evangelist Hans said he would be reporting back to his board on his experience in Lagos and his heart desire for the future.

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Tiger Woods receives Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump at White House At times choked up by the magnitude of the White House proceedings as President Trump listed many of the milestones of his career, Tiger Woods received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a ceremony at the Rose Garden.

On a beautiful sunny spring evening, an emotional Woods reached another peak in a comeback for the ages. He is the first active athlete among the 33 from the sports world to earn the medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

A humbled Woods took the podium to a standing ovation after Trump delivered about 15 minutes of introductory remarks lauding Woods’ professional and philanthropic accomplishments.

“This has been an unbelievable experience,” said Woods, who was particularly moved by mentions of his family by the president. “It’s an incredible privilege to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” Woods later tweeted. “Considering the recipients, history, and what this means to me and my family, it’s also very humbling. Thank you all for your support and I hope this inspires others to never give up on their dreams.”

Woods’ fifth victory at Augusta National at age 43 last month capped off “one of the most incredible comebacks that golf, or any sport, has ever seen,” Trump said. “Tiger, we are inspired by everything you’ve become and attained.”

Woods wore a blue suit, white shirt and red tie, looking nearly identical to the president as they stood side by side.

Among those in attendance were vice president Mike Pence, Sen. Mitt Romney; Woods’ mother, Kultida Woods; his son, Charlie; his daughter, Sam; his girlfriend, Erica Herman; and his caddie, Joe LaCava. Trump also paid tribute to Woods’ late father, Earl. Trump pointed out LaCava by name for a quick round of applause.

He called Woods “one of the greatest athletes in all of sports … a true legend.” Trump credited Woods with introducing golf to many people around the world.

The president offered a detailed rundown of Woods’ golf biography and timeline, and detailed his medical comeback from various setbacks. During his speech, Trump offered several detailed examples of Woods’ success on the course.

“It was in 1997 at Augusta National, Bobby Jones’ temple to the sport of golf, that the game would forever change,” Trump said. “For four straight days at the Masters tournament, 52

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Tiger stunned the world with his power, grace and strategic brilliance.”

Woods would win that first green jacket by a record 12 shots, becoming the youngest Masters champion at age 21 and the first person of African-American or Asian heritage to win at Augusta National.

As the New York Times headline said the next day, “Woods tears up Augusta and tears down barriers,” Trump said.

“Incredible achievement.

“We can’t wait to see what next Tiger is,” Trump added at the end of his speech. “There are no winners like you.”

Both Trump and Woods laughed when the president recalled how Woods fell to No. 1191 in the Official World Golf Rankings. Woods is holding steady this week at No. 6.

Woods is the 33rd sports figure and fourth golfer to receive the medal. Arnold Palmer (2004), Jack Nicklaus (2005) and Charlie Sifford (2014) were honored previously.

Woods again Monday called Sifford “the grandfather I never had.” Woods said he named his son in Sifford’s honor.

Sifford, who died in 2015 at the age of 92, began playing golf in an age when much of the nation was still legally segregated. Sifford was the first African-American player to earn a PGA Tour card. After the age of 45, he won Greater Hartford Open Invitational and the Los Angeles Open.

Woods has won 81 PGA Tour events and 15 major championships. Trump announced he would present Woods with the award, the nation’s highest civilian honor the president can bestow, the day after Woods won his fifth Masters last month.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded for “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

Woods and Trump have been frequent golfing partners and have a relationship that pre-dates Trump’s run for the presidency by nearly 20 years. During his speech the President noted how he met Woods through his foundation, and praised him for his philanthropic efforts.

After Woods won the 1997 Masters at the age of 21, he celebrated his victory in Atlantic City at Trump’s Taj Mahal casino and was photographed with the future president. Trump named a villa in Woods’ honor at Trump National Doral Miami. Woods in 2014 agreed to design a golf course in Dubai for a project that was to be managed by the Trump Organization.

Trump remained loyal to Woods during his multiple personal and professional comebacks.

Woods, meanwhile, has faced criticism for his relationship with Trump. And even more heat for remaining non-partisan when asked about it.

After Woods finished the Northern Trust with a 70 on Aug. 26 last year, he was asked the following question in his post-round press availability.

“At times, especially 2018, I think a lot of people, especially colored immigrants are threatened by him and his policy — what do you say to people who might find it interesting that you have a friendly relationship with him?”

Woods answered with the following: “He’s the President of the United States. You have to respect the office. No matter who is in the office, you may like, dislike personality or the politics, but we all must respect the office.

Politics aside, the medal ceremony marked another milestone for Woods during what is his most impressive comeback of all.

Woods was arrested in May of 2017 on DUI charges and later completed a pre-trial diversion program and his probation term one month early. The timeline between his fourth Masters victory in 2005 and fifth in 2019 also included four surgeries on his back and four more on his knees, a humiliating public breakup with his ex-wife after a calmatious incident the day after Thanksgiving in 2009, a five-year victory drought on the PGA Tour, reinventing his approach to golf and rebuilding his ability to play.

Before he entered the 2017 Hero World Challenge, Woods had fallen to that 1191 number in the Official World Golf Ranking due to his extended absence from competition.

Woods spent the late winter, spring and summer of 2018

finding his lost swing, extending his endurance on the course and resurrecting his game. His steady-but-unfulfilling run included six top-10 finishes and built to a crescendo at the Tour Championship at East Lake in late September. Woods rolled to a two-shot victory in the PGA Tour’s final event of the 2017-18 calendar on Sept. 23 and savored in the adoration of thousands of spectators as they overflowed onto the fairway and flooded the 18th green.

Woods played in 18 PGA Tour events in 2018, in addition to the Ryder Cup, the Hero World Challenge and his pay-perview match with Phil Mickelson. He admittedly struggled at the Ryder Cup and would surprisingly lose to Mickelson in their one-on-one event the day after Thanksgiving on the 22nd hole.

Woods said in December he would pare back his schedule in 2019. The Masters was only the sixth event Woods has played on Tour this year. The one-shot victory at Augusta National was the first major victory for Woods since the 2008 U.S. Open and his first green jacket since the one he won in 2005.

He will play again next week in the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y. There are never any guarantees when it comes to Woods and his competition schedule. But it is entirely reasonable to see him playing a schedule limited to the PGA Championship, the Memorial, the U.S. Open, the British Open, the WGC event in Memphis and the FedEx Cup playoffs for the rest of the season.

Perhaps with one additional event between the U.S. and British Opens to be determined.

Follow Golfweek’s Bill Speros and Adam Woodard on Twitter @billsperos and @AdamWoodard.

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VAS participated at Ascension Day run in Delft

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ereniging Afrika Sport (VAS), an African organization established to promote sporting activities among Africans and others participated in large numbers at this year’s Golden ten run in Delft on Ascension Day last month. Both men and women members of the club took part in the 5 kilometer race and the 10 kilometer race as well. The following persons represented VAS at the competition 5 Kilometers 1. Ngozi Emeh finished 29 minutes 2. Adanna Emeh finished 33 minutes 3. Nneoma Emeh finished 34 minutes

4. Eng. Cornelius Obot finished 35 minutes 10 Kilometers 1. Pst Emma Emeh finished 50 minutes 2. Mr. Rui Ramos finished 52 minutes 3. Pst Dom Emeh finished 53 minutes 4. Mr. Vic Ekpemogu finished 57 minutes 5. Pst Clement Sawyer finished 58 minutes 6.Pst Sam Okorocha finished 59 minutes Congratulations to all who ran but those who did not run were at hand to cheer the runners up. According to Pastor Emmanuel Emeh, it was a huge success and they give God all the Glory for the strength and the enablement. For more details on their activities, you can visit their website at https:// www.verenigingafricasport.com

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Vocals 4 Christ foundation held her yearly Impact Makers Awards Last month, the Publisher of The Voice magazine, Pastor Ambassador Elvis Iruh was among men and women who were recognized at the yearly award event organized by Vocals 4 Christ Foundation. The event took place at Pastorijstraat 4, Hasselt, Belgium. The award ceremony was well attended as the principal organiser, Minister Amanda Lazmon (Nee Amuebie) also used the occasion to present her much publicized book – “Purposed beyond my Scars to the public.

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She expressed her gratitude to all who attended her event and in particular her husband and children, her church and friends and families from far and near whom came to support her and show love towards her and her projects.

Congratulations to our Publisher on this added award to his long list of collections. God continue to endear you to greater heights.

TV Management.

Caster Semenya can compete after Swiss court ruling The Swiss Federal Supreme Court has ordered the International Association of Athletics federations to suspend action against South African athlete, Caster Semenya until her appeal against testosterone rules has been finalized according to the athlete’s lawyer.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport last month approved IAAF’s rule which requires athletes with differences in sexual development to lower their testosterone levels to compete with women in the 400m range.

South Africa announced also that it had joined Caster Semenya’s appeal against the rule which the athlete says did not consider medical protocols and health consequences.

This means that for now, the Double Olympic champion is free to run without taking medication.

The IAAF has until 25 June to respond to the application.

The Olympic 800m champion, 28, last month lost her challenge to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the implementation of a restriction on testosterone levels in female runners. The ruling would have affected women competing from 400m to the mile. “I hope following my appeal I will once again be able to run free,” she said.

“I am thankful to the Swiss judges for this decision.” Following the Semenya tweeted: “Born a winner”. Following the decision by CAS, the South African took her appeal to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, citing the need to defend “fundamental human rights”.

Her legal representative Dr Dorothee Schramm said: “The court has granted welcome temporary protection to Caster Semenya. “This is an important case that will have fundamental implications for the human rights of female athletes.”

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African Cup of Nations: Nigeria predicted to top group!

African Cup of Nations: Nigeria predicted to top group!

As the draws for the 2019 African cup of Nations was made known , the Super before the tournament kicks off later this month, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been predicted to come out tops having been handed what is supposed to be ‘easy opponents’ in group B for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

The Eagles will square up against Guinea, Madagascar, and Burundi in group B to advance to the knock out round in the summer African tournament at the Alexandria stadium.

Egypt the host nation is drawn against DR Congo, Uganda, and Zimbabwe in group A. Cote D’Ivoire who will be featuring for the 23rd time at the African showpiece in Egypt is paired against Morocco, South Africa and Namibia in group D.

Group D will also see a Cosafa derby between South Africa and Namibia.

The draw ceremony was held behind the famous Giza Pyramids last month. The 32nd Africa Cup of Nations will hold from June 21st to July 19th, 2019. For the first time the soccer event will be held after the major close of the European football season so Africa is expected to have their best players in the world on display at the championship.

Group A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania Group D: Morocco, Cote D’Ivoire, South Africa, Namibia Group E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea Bissau SIX STADIUMS FOR THE GROUPS: Group A: Cairo Stadium Group B: Alexandria Stadium Group C: Air Defense Stadium (Cairo)

Group D: Al Salam Stadium (Cairo) Group E: Suez Stadium Group F: Ismailia Stadium

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Kenyan runner gives up on winning race to rescue collapsing rival

It is better to have a golden heart than to have a gold medal.

This was a true show of sportsmanship. Last month, Kenyan long-distance runner Simon Cheprot lost the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race in Nigeria to rescue a collapsed rival.

Cheprot was about to cross the finishing line when he noticed

his opponent and countryman Kenneth Kipkemoi collapsing.

He immediately stopped, lifted him up and dragged him to the finish line before summoning medics.

He may have lost the race but Cheprot has won the hearts of many across the world, mostly the organizers of the competition who hailed him as a selfless athlete and a true definition of sportsmanship.

“Cheprot was men’s title winner in 2016 and was first runner up in the 2018 edition, his ambition was to become first participant to scoop two titles since its inception in 2013.”Simon may not have fulfilled his ambition of becoming the first athlete to win two Okpekpe titles since 2013 when we began this race but he came to Okpekpe this year, ran and left as the hero. He did not win any medal but he won hearts,” noted Mike Itemuagbor, the event promoter He also received an award of $10,000 from local politician in the State of Edo with Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu of Edo State contributing KSh 500,000.

This athlete, Simon Cheprot forfeited his win at Okpekpe

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Int’l 10KM Road Race in Nigeria to help his friend & track rival Kenneth Kipkemoi who collapsed a few meters from the finish line! Race organizers & IAAF rep awarded him with Sh1 million each for his #ActOfKindness.

Cheprot said he saw Kipkemoi staggering and slowed down to help him cross the finish line. “I was touched to see him stagger as he gazed at the line. I did not think twice. I rushed to his side and lifted him.

I could not run past a friend who was obviously in trouble,” the father of two added.

Kipkemoi was much ahead of him and could have finished in fourth position had his body not failed him, just about 15 metres from the finish line.

They both trudged to the line where, in another sign of selflessness, he let Kipkemoi cross ahead of him at position 12 with a time of 31:05. Cheprot was position 15, clocking 31.10.

When Cheprot was visited at his Iten home, he was surprised that his actions had made him famous. He had not been online since he left Nigeria.

Visitors were already streaming to his home to congratulate him for the heroic act. Cheprot’s pastor, Elias Kimutai, was one of the many visitors.

“I was surprised that Cheprot forgot what took him there in order to help a fellow athlete. It shows how human he is and we’re very proud of him. You never know what might have happened to Kipkemoi,” the pastor said.

Cheprot’s wife, Ms Linet Chebet, said she was watching the race and that she was also touched by his action. “It touched me to see the athlete struggling to finish the race, but I was very happy when I saw my husband helping him cross the line,” Chebet said.

Kipkemoi could not be reached for comment but Cheprot confirmed that they travelled to Kenya together. Cheprot is a member of Jesus Voice of Trumpet International Ministries, Iten.

He said that his faith in God made him drop his ambition to win to help a fellow athlete. “Many people would wish to reward me for what happened. But I would request them to help me build a church in this area. We’ve been renting space for our services every Sunday,” he said.

He asked Deputy President William Ruto and other wellwishers to help him realize his dream.

Cheprot represented Kenya at the 2014 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he was position 22.

In 2016, he was also selected for the same event, which took place in Cardiff, the United Kingdom, where he took the sixth position.

Born in Kapoiywo, Mt Elgon Sub-County in Bungoma,

Cheprot developed interest in athletics when he was at school. He took the decision to fully focus on the spot after dropping out of school in Form Three due to lack of fees.

“I was introduced to athletics by my cousin James Kwalia who used to represent Qatar. I was a student of St John Skinwa Secondary School,” the athlete said.

The IAAF silver label Okpekpe International 10 kilometre road race is organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Ltd in conjunction with the Edo State Athletics Association and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

Ethiopian Fikadu Admasu Dawit won the race, clocking 29 minutes, followed by compatriot Berehanu Tsegu (29.02).

Kenyan John Kipsang was third at 29.17.

In the women’s category, Kenyan Sheila Chelangat won after clocking 32:59, followed by Dorcas Jepchirchir (33:03) and Ethiopian Kasegen Asefa (33:17).

CAF President Released In France Without Charge

being questioned by the French authorities in relation to allegations related to his mandate while President of CAF.” World football’s governing body said it had asked: “the French authorities for any information” that might be of interest to its Ethics Commission.

Ahmad is already the subject of an investigation by the commission, opened after Fahmy submitted a dossier in March alleging “mismanagement”. Ahmad has denied the accusations and any wrong doing.

FIFA’s statement on the arrest concluded: “FIFA is now clean from the scandals that tarnished its reputation and this same determination should prevail in governing bodies such as confederations. FIFA will be at the forefront of ensuring that this is enforced by everyone involved in football.”

The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Ahmad Ahmad, was released without charge in France, a day after being arrested for questioning, the Marseille public prosecutor said. He was arrested on allegation of money laundering and other charges made against him in France.

Prosecutor Xavier Tarabeux said Ahmad was arrested in Paris last month and he was questioned as part of a probe into corruption, breach of trust and forgery.

Ahmad was in Paris for the FIFA Congress ahead of the start of the Women’s World Cup. His confederation’s marquee event, the African Cup of Nations, kicks off in Egypt on June 21.

The French investigation concerns CAF’s breach, shortly after its signature in December 2017, of a contract with Puma to supply equipment and clothes to 580 volunteers at the 2018 African Nations Championship, an event for national teams made up of African players with clubs on the continent.

CAF allegedly tore up the contract in favour of a better offer from a small French-based company which supplies Adidas gear, according to documents seen by the media.

That company is based in La Seyne-sur-Mer, on the Mediterranean coast east of Marseille, a source close to the case said.

Puma “asked for compensation of $100,000, but CAF did not pay,” Amr Fahmy, a former CAF Secretary General, who is already involved in a separate investigation of Ahmad, told the press.

In a statement by FIFA, it said that it had “taken note of the alleged events concerning Mr. Ahmad Ahmad, who is

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Anthony Joshua camp in disarray after first defeat in United States of America

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t is no longer news that Anthony Joshua was dethroned by Andy Ruiz Jr in a spectacular fashion knocking the former champion down four times before the referee stepped in in the 7th round to stop the contest and prevented what could have earn Joshua an hospital bed. From round 3, he was physically dazed and he struggle to stay in touch with his opponent.

The Brit’s American debut ended in a disaster and so many reasons and excuses are been given to justify why AJ lost the fight. According to the boxer himself, he makes no excuse but accept the defeat in good fate but not his camps and followers. They are seeking for explanations for events before the fight. Why did Joshua delay in appearing in the ring? Was there a problem with his health of fitness? Why was his training not properly publicized, as there are allegations that he was injured in preparation leading to the fight and he underrated his opponent.

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Referee Mike Griffin waved off the contest after Joshua was dropped for the fourth time and he was physically looking very tired and confused. Was he drugged or his food touched?

Defeat to Ruiz, who had six weeks notice to prepare for the bout and was a 30-1 underdog, saw Joshua relinquish the WBA (Super), WBO, IBF and IBO titles, event to his own surprise that AJ was not as strong as he thought of him. He could not take punches and he could not respond to the speed of the unknown MexicanAmerican boxer.

The question now on many boxing fans lips are: How will Joshua deal with the first major setback of his professional career?

AJ’ is confident he has what it takes to bounce back from his crushing defeat, citing the trials and tribulations he went through as a youngster as a testament to that fact.

“I come from a good family,” said the Watford native, who once spent two weeks on remand for cannabis possession and six months in a Nigerian boarding school. “Where I was as a lad, I’ve been in more s**t than this. I’ve dealt with some big losses and bounced back.

“Life is a journey and if I was to look back at my setbacks back then, and I had stopped what I was doing, I’d have been f****d.

“But I didn’t do that. I kept my headstrong. I walked like a champion and bounced back. I feel this is just part of the journey I’m on. This is boxing.

It’s a test, but it’s not the ultimate test because there are going to be plenty more. I’ll address the situation and move forward.”

Joshua’s road to redemption began shortly after his humiliating defeat to Mexico’s first heavyweight champion when he bravely faced the media.

And much like British boxing legend Lennox Lewis did after his crushing losses to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman, Joshua has insisted he won’t let his maiden loss break him.

“I won’t let this moment define me,” said Joshua. “There’s still a lot I can do. I’ve got the rematch.

“But there’s more I need to focus on. Losing is not something we like, but it’s something we can learn from, tighten up and get smarter.

“I’ve got to keep looking forward.”

Questions have been asked over Joshua’s motivation ahead of his unsuccessful American coming out party, with Ruiz believing the 29-year-old underestimated him and that he had one eye on a unification bout with WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder.

Joshua insists that’s not the case, saying: “No, I wasn’t distracted.

Naturally, people are going to talk about Dillian Whyte, Wilder and Tyson Fury.

“So rather than block it out, I’m all ears to it. It would be rude of me not to give you an answer. That’s how it is.

“Rather than try and block out the fact there’s other competition out there, I keep my eyes on the prize and these are the guys I still want to compete with.

“We’re talking like it’s the end of my career. There’s a lot more to come, so stay tuned.”

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Eddie Hearn reveals why Anthony Joshua’s dad fumed after Andy Ruiz Jr loss

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ddie Hearn has revealed what Anthony Joshua’s dad, Robert, said when he fumed at the promoter in the ring.

Joshua was surprisingly beaten by Andy Ruiz Jr on his American debut at Madison Square Garden.

The Brit surrendered the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight world titles, which he fought so hard to get ahold of.

Joshua’s dad appeared to be the most furious man in the ring after the referee waved off the contest in the seventh round.

Robert rushed towards Hearn and launched a verbal tirade in the direction of the Matchroom Sport boss. And Hearn has revealed exactly why temperatures rose in the aftermath.

He told Behind The Gloves: “Anthony’s dad was upset with the result.

“It’s a very emotional time for everyone, we were trying to keep calm.

“I think sometimes you have to just forget what’s in play – the money, the networks, the belts – and just remember it’s sport.

“I’ve been brought up to say that, if you lose, you lose.

“And you get beaten by someone who deserves to win. That’s what happened tonight.”

Meanwhile, Joshua was bizarrely calm after tasting defeat for the first time in his professional career.

He even stepped in to stop his father having a go at Hearn.

“My dad’s upset. Losing isn’t a good night, but it’s something we can learn from,” Joshua said on the night.

“My dad said, ‘Tighten up and get smart. When things are going good, nothing’s going wrong, then something bad happens, you realise’.

“Dad’s upset, natural reaction. Mum’s cool. She doesn’t come to the boxing. So she separates the two – son from boxing.

“Whole team, soldiers. Check, ‘You alright, you all good’. And we roll with the punches. Good and bad.”

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Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa all set for Women’s World Cup

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t the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, Africa’s hope of good participation lies on the shoulders of women from Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa. As at press time, the 24 participating teams have arrived in France and the tournament already kicked off. Unfortunately all three teams lost their opening matches bur there is still hope for progression from the remaining group stage matches.

In a similar development, the South Africa female team, Banyana Banyana are assured to earn as their male counters in the world cup as a motivation for good performance. They came second to Nigeria in the African championship.

The SA Football Association president Danny Jordaan announced that the women Banyana Banyana players and their Bafana Bafana counterparts will for the first time earn the same amounts for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)

respectively.

“This will go a long way towards closing the pay gap

between the men and women footballers in this country and it is a happy day for South African football‚” Jordaan was quoted as saying.

The Banyana and Bafana players will get R320‚000 each if their teams are able to reach the Last 16 stage of the World Cup in France and the AFCON finals in Egypt.

Banyana captain Janine van Wyk is quoted as saying: “It is truly amazing as you know that we have been fighting for equality in sport for a long time. To know that we are going to get the same incentives as Bafana is amazing.”

The SABC is reporting that Jordaan has promised that a local Women’s Premier League will be launched in August this year.

Jordaan made the promise during the send-off ceremony for Banyana Banyana.

“Teams have also agreed to sign players from outside the country, we already have interest from Zambia and Zimbabwe. From the legacy trust we have put aside R30 million as an investment to make sure that the league will be able to kickoff, probably on the 9th of August.”

Their star striker Thembi Kgatlana was named top player and goal scorer of the tournament and African Women’s Footballer of the year in 2018.

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Nigeria: Govt presents documents of apartment promised Westerhof 25 years ago

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he Federal Government last month in Abuja presented documents of the apartment promised to former Super Eagles’ chief coach Clemens Westerhof for leading his team to world glory in 1994.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who made the presentation on behalf of government said it was regrettable that a promise took so long to redeem.

“It is unfortunate that this is a promise that has taken us so

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long to redeem. But it is indeed better late than never in this case,” he said.

Mr Westerhof, a citizen of Holland, had in 1994 led the senior male national football team to Nigeria’s second continental triumph.

The team had won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at Tunisia, coming 14 years after the country’s first triumph in Lagos in 1980.

His team went on to shock the world at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., where they lost in the second round 1-2 to Italy after extra time.

Mr Fashola said Nigeria as a country and all Nigerians as a group are grateful to the Dutchman because he really did the country proud with his achievements.

“I thank Westerhof on behalf of all of us for the services he rendered to Nigeria, and we are proud that he has come to receive the documents alive,” he said.

The minister went on to disclose that Mr Westerhof’s apartment was under renovation and he would only get the keys after the apartment was ready for occupation.

Mr Westerhof, while responding, said he was highly surprised and thankful that he was finally getting the apartment which is in Gwagwalada in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.

“I am thankful to you all, and now I can feel myself more of a Nigerian now. I can now stay here when it is so cold back there in Europe.

“I also thank God for this blessing of being invited here today to collect my papers. I hope I will soon get my keys, because you never know with Nigeria,” he said.

The former Super Eagles Chief Coach assured that Nigerians would now see him more in Nigeria, because “this is my second fatherland”.

“I got a lot of support here, from the late Gen. Sani Abacha, the late Augustus Aikhomu and many others everywhere.”

The Dutchman praised his team for the players’ resilience, saying he was grateful and happy that the players coped with his regime of training.

“Nigeria is a country where people love to win at all times, and Nigerians were not ready for any nonsense.

“This was very clear to my players, and that is why we were able to move the country from number 79 on the rankings to number five by the end of the World Cup. “But my trainings were hard and tough, but the players still coped,” he said.

Mr Westerhof then expressed regrets at the death of some members of the team, such as Rashidi Yekini, Thompson Oliha and Stephen Keshi, and prayed for the repose of their souls.

Earlier at the occasion, Dickson Onoja, the Director of Public Buildings at the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, had traced the history of the promise made by the federal government.

He said government’s promise was a fallout of a historical achievement by Nigeria 25 years ago, then under the leadership of the late Head of State, Sani Abacha.

“Abacha had then in 1994 announced the package, but

it was not until 2017 when Bonfrere Jo, who was one of Westerhof’s assistants, sent a passionate letter of appeal to government on the matter.

“Our minister (Fashola) looked into the matter and Bonfrere Jo got an apartment. Few months ago, Westerhof sent in his own and the minister instructed that the right

thing must be done again, and that is why we are here today,” Mr Onoja added.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, was represented at the occasion by Tayo Oreweme, the ministry’s Director of Federations and Elite Athletes Development (FEAD).

The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, was also represented at the occasion by the federation’s Second Vice-President, Shehu Dikko.

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Rematch for Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz Jr. According to Boxing promoter and Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn after consulting with Joshua’s team, they have revoked the rematch clause which would see a fight again before the end of this year, probably month of November or December 2019 but many of Joshua’s followers are worried that it is too short a time for him to fully recover and challenge for his 4 loss titles again.

Even some think that Joshua will find it harder to climb after this shocking defeat but time will tell if he is able to make a comeback like the many greats before him including Lennox Lewis but he is worried about Joshua’s training team. “He needs to change his coach NOW before things get worst for him. They have come this far but the challenges ahead are tougher and they have not learnt AJ how to adjust”. According to Lewis, there are many dark horses in the heavyweight at the moment, unknown to the world but dangerous and Andy is just one of them. He thinks Joshua need to take a break, reflect and consider his options before signing up to fight again.

Although Joshua is not making any excuses, he accepted that he was beaten on the night by a better boxer but he vows to ‘get his belts back’ after ‘minor setback’.

A rematch between Anthony Joshua and his conqueror Andy Ruiz Jr will take place in November or December, says Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn. Although Joshua initially claimed that he did not sign a rematch clause because he was so sure of victory, I guess his manager did knowing anything could happen in boxing.

American-born Mexican Ruiz produced one of the biggest shocks in heavyweight boxing history to take Joshua’s IBF, WBO and WBA world heavyweight titles in New York last month.

A rematch clause was part of the contract for the fight. Hearn said the clause had been triggered after talks with Joshua management team and the rematch would happen soon.

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“After meetings with AJ, Rob McCracken - Joshua’s trainer] and the management team in NY, we have triggered the contracted rematch clause with Andy Ruiz Jr,” Hearn said on Twitter .

“The fight will take place in Nov/Dec at a venue to be confirmed shortly.”

There are so many questions now. AJ has lost his belts and his invincibility’ so what next for Joshua after Ruiz defeat?

It would be recalled that Joshua, 29, was floored four times as Ruiz defied his underdog status to win in seven rounds at Madison Square Garden. The London 2012 Olympic champion subsequently had a concussion test after the first defeat of his 23-fight career. He was clear to be okay and he could talk and

gathered himself back. He has since returned back to the United Kingdom.

Ruiz, also 29, took the fight at short notice after Joshua’s original opponent Jarrell Miller failed drug tests.

The new champion, who was born in the United States but fights under the Mexican flag, has previously said he will take a rematch at any time. In a post-fight news conference, Joshua was asked about potential fights with WBC world champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.

“I still want to compete with those men but a rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr is where we are at now,” he said. “I’m still a champ and I will rectify it to get the belts back.”

At the same time, Hearn said a rematch is a “must win” because Joshua’s options will be “nothing after that”.

Serena Williams is the first athlete on Forbes’ Richest Self-Made Women list Serena Williams is making history again. The tennis legend is the first athlete to ever make Forbes’ list of richest selfmade women in America. According to Forbes’ profile, Serena Williams is worth an estimated $225 million, but her rich successes wasn’t all made on the tennis court. She commands lucrative endorsements with Nike, high-profile fashion and beauty collaborations and a large portfolio of advertising and media work which have made her a recognizable face even among people who have never watched a single serve on the tennis court. In recent years, Forbes reports, Williams has invested in dozens of startups and launched her own venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, this April 2019. She is also planning the launch of a jewelry line and a fashion brand.

“I want to be a part of it,” she tells Forbes. “I want to be in the infrastructure. I want to be the brand, instead of just being the face.”

Joining Serena Williams on the list is Rihanna, who was named the world’s wealthiest female musician. Kylie Jenner of Kardashian fame is also on the list. Last July 2018, Forbes raised some impeccably-shaded brows when it named the reality star-turned-beauty-empress, then 21, the “youngest ever self-made billionaire.” Some critics argued the publication was playing fast and loose with the term “self-made,” since Jenner started with a healthy amount of capital, both financial and social, from her famous family.

In other billionaire news, Forbes also recently named Jay-Z as the first billionaire rapper in United States of America.

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