The Voice magazine for October 2022

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@thenigerianvoice.com

Project Coordinator

Ifeyinwa Ezeagabu

Ndubuisi Ezeagabu

Joy Onoilu (JEBITV) (Belgium)

jebitv2003@gmail.com

Middle East Vice- President

Amb. Laila EL Aftani Rahhal

CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD

Barrister Eze Eluchie (Nigeria) paddingr@yahoo.com

Contributors

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

Elizabeth Kameo (France) Eva Nakato (Uganda) nakatoeva91@gmail.com

Jimmie Nicks (Kenya) kollywoodhorizons@gmail.com

Eubaldus Enahoro (Nigeria) enabadus2000@yahoo.com

PA to Publisher

Lilian Akintokun (Mrs) raven_lilian@yahoo.com

Magazine Designer David Banjoko davosban@gmail.com

MEDIA CONSULTANT

Jonathan Mgbejume

Abeka Salmin Abdallah

Amb. Patrick McCaffrey Mildred Kleinbussink

Engineer Barry A.O. Igbeare

Guest Writer: Amb. Ms. Albena Jones

The Voice magazine

The Voice magazine is editorially independent although we enjoys the support of our readers, subscribers, advertisers, non-governmental organizations and individuals of like minds; however the magazine publishers are in no way affiliated to any of these bodies or to any other publishing institution or political interest or group. The Voice magazine strives to foster awareness among the African audience and bridge the widening gap between Africans and the rest of the world in news gathering and dissemination. The Voice is published digitally online except on demand, we print hard copy.. If you want to receive a copy, send us your email address.

On the Editorial board are Pastor Amb. Elvis Iruh, Jonathan Mgbejume, Sandra Iruh-Monsels, and Henry Oduenyi

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Contents

Page 6 -Editorial - Nigeria old political structure versus movement of the people!

Pages 7 – 11 – Feedbacks (Pages for your letters)

Page 25 - Sammyoung first visit to the Gambia

Pages 30 & 31- The Voice Achievers Award 2022 in The Gambia (Photos)

Pages 26 – 29 - Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele paper presentation at the Gambia Voice Business Summit in the Gambia Page 30 & 31 - APC, INEC and 2023 election rigging

Pages 34 & 36 - President William Ruto before global audience

Pages 40-42 - OPINION: Obi & Ahmed ticket rekindles hope of redemption and freedom from chains of captivity

Page 44 - The Netherlands Drops All Entry Requirements And Travel Restrictions

Page 46 & 47 - Ground Breaking of Lebarty Medical Hospital holds in Benin to reduce medical tourism

Pages 48 & 49 - Clergymen, preach the truth

Pages 50 & 51 - From a school dropout to a manager Pages 52 & 53 - The shattered dreams of a hopeful mother

Pages 58-60 - MOVIES: The Woman King Softens the Truth of the Slave Trade

Pages 64 & 65 – Helena weds David Banjoko in Ghana

Pages 67 & 68 - Bloomberg on 2023: A surprise candidate leads the race to lead Nigeria, poll shows

Pages 69 & 70 - Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan Makes Top 5, Ese

Brume Leaps 32 Places In Latest World Athletes Women Chart

REGISTER WITH NIGERIA EMBASSY THE HAGUE

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

Note: Your information is not going to be compromised or used for any other purpose than for documentation and records purpose if you are to be reached. Kindly register yourself, spouse, children or any other family member resident with you even if they are undocumented in the country.

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

Signed:

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

Nigeria old political structure versus movement of the people!

As the official campaign period begins toward electing new President for Nigeria come 2023, the battle line is drawn – the battle is not going to be between the old political parties of APC and PDP rather we would witness a shift as Nigerians continue to demand for true and genuine change in Nigeria. It is obvious that the 2023 elections would definitely start the reshaping process of Nigeria. When we listen to the argument of the two main political parties, APC and PDP, there argument why there would be no change in 2023 is that the third party emerging, the Labour party has no elected representative at any level of government, no legislature, no senator, no Governor or even a local government chairman therefore they do not stand any chance in 2023, yes it is absolute truth but all that is about to change in 2023. A vote against the President Buhari administration is not only a target at the Presidency

but every structure of the political system in Nigeria. The failure of the government at the Federal level is a reflection of the failure at every other level of government from local government to Federal government. Therefore the problem of Nigeria is not just leadership at the top, but the political structure and arrangement that produces such leadership. What is expected in 2023 is a tsunami that would wipe away many of the old political structures, a big shift

through peoples’ power to vote out corrupt and incompetent leaders at all levels of government. The Presidential candidate of the PDP, Abubakar Atiku is underestimating the power of the people, he says Peter Obi may have good followership but he does not have the structure to back him up. The Nigerian voting populace on the other hand is saying we the people are the structures he needs to bring change to Nigeria. We want to see who wins, the current

political structure or the will of the ordinary people of Nigeria. Our concern is INEC to be an unbiased supervisory body of these crucial elections. The world is watching Nigeria and its political leaders. Despite it all, congratulations to all Nigerians on their 62nd Independence Day celebration. We have many more interesting stories in the magazine for you.

God bless you all.

Pastor Amb. Elvis Iruh

Editor-in-Chief

Dear Editor, Who is this Halima Jawara who stopped the President of Gambia’s award?

Is that her responsibility or someone else neglected his or her duties? What is the response of the government to your request for an investigation? And also what is the First Lady of the Gambia whom you claimed invited you to the Gambia is saying about all of these?

The honour is meant for her husband and all of these happened over her watch. I just hope that you have not incurred debts in organizing this event in the Gambia for it is a lot of cost.

Alagie Buba Banjul, The Gambia ****

I read with disgust your report on the events leading to the award ceremony held in the Gambia last August, how is it possible that one person in government can stop the President Award nomination?

Editor’s Comment Dear Mr. Buba, Thank you for your letter. The matter is with the Gambian authorities, we hope they would address the complaint we have raised and act upon it. And if not, we would take necessary action on our award. We do not force or impose our award on any candidate, the President has the prerogative to reject the award and that is acceptable by us, we skip 2022, as there is no winner of the Icon of Democracy award for 2022. Thank very much for your concern, the event went well and we have no losses.

Editor

Dear Editor,

THE ONLY WAY TO DO GREAT WORK IS TO LOVE WHAT YOU DO” - Steve Jobs

I’d like to express my genuine gratitude to the The Voice Achievers Award for acknowledging me with the Humanitarian of the Year Award 2022 which took place in the Gambia last month. It was the greatest honor for me to stand in front of all distinguished Guests, Awardees and Organizers, in the heart of The Gambia, and to receive this award from Africans, for my humanitarian work in Africa. I feel so humbled, grateful and blessed. It brings more self-belief and dedication to my work. I am also immensely thankful to Dr Angela Unufe - the outstanding woman of substance, passionate humanitarian, my Soul Sister & Friend for presenting my award to me at the stage, I am incapable of conveying in words how much I appreciated it. Special thanks to Yorghas Foundation team, my family, friends and well-wishers, for supporting me on this journey. Truly it was the unforgettable night. Thank you, dear All, so so so much, I hope to see you again soon!

B y Ambassador Alina Pelka Poland.

Dear Editor,

Time to step aside

The best he can do is to step aside and let the law its course like in the case of Ace Magashule and others.

- Bethuel Mtolo

Dear Editor,

The President of South Africa needs to answer the public

The President needs to be held accountable for what was discovered on his farm. Why is he hiding money there? Why if it is “clean” money, not put it in the bank? Parliament is just as guilty of corruption that is why Cyril Ramaphosa is not forced to explain. South African citizens do not care if it’s his right or not to explain, we as tax payers’ needs answers to our questions. - Suzette Kotze Johannesburg, South Africa

Nothing will happen to President Ramaphosa

Having met with various EU and British MPs none of them are above bending the truth. When we get to African politicians it’s a whole different ball game, especially South Africans. Lies and corruption together with gross incompetence is the name of the game. As for President Cyril Ramaphosa, what can one say. He doesn’t rule, in fact if he were half as good a president as he is a farmer, South Africa would be in a much better state of affairs. I suppose he is the best of the rest but that’s nothing to boast about. Nothing will happen to him. If Zuma still walks among us what chance is there for the law or tax legislation to take any action with President Ramaphosa.

By Richard Wilding Pretoria, South Africa

Dear Editor,

Congratulations to Her Excellency, First Lady of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Fatimah Bio Brain, beauty and youth! All combined in this African woman. Her nation and Africa is blessed and The Voice remains a blessing for digging out some of these hidden treasures for the world to see and appreciate. Congratulations, madam First lady on this recognition. It is well deserved. You are a true daughter of Africa. Keep it up ma.

By Collins Nweke Belgium Dear Editor, Within his rights

I think, as the matter is still under investigation he is absolutely right not to say anything to anyone until the investigation is done. Let’s not get carried away. I am not a politician and I hate corruption but as long as the matter is under investigation he’s within his rights. Once he is charged he will step aside. People must just not get carried away over nothing.

By Mkhululi Donsa Cape Town, South Africa

Dear Editor, Learnt a few lessons from his predecessor

I think Cyril Ramaphosa has learned from his predecessor on how not to be accountable. Jacob Zuma has taught him how to disregard the rule of law. Zuma had absolute power and that is why he was absolutely corrupt. There is too much lawlessness in this country. Look how the EFF has been disregarding the rule of law. South Africa needs very capable people with the right moral compass to rule the country out of the economic, social and political quagmire we find ourselves in.

By Thomas Dire Pretoria, South Africa

Raila Odinga should quit politics for good

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has failed in his fifth attempt to be President of Kenya despite help from former President Uhuru Kenyatta. There would never be a better opportunity than this one, which was presented to him in plate of gold, but he blew it with poor electoral preparations. He is now shifting blame for his election loss from the voters to the Supreme Court, which did not find an error in Forms 34A enough to overturn President William Ruto’s victory.

Since Raila even failed to hire polling agents for his Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition, who would have been crucial in his election petition, it

meant his lawyers were merely on a blind fishing expedition to be seen as having fought the poll results.

As per the 2017 High Court ruling on the Maina Kiai case, polling results start and end at a polling station. To dismiss election results, there must have been disputes at polling stations by party agents about the filling of Forms 34A. Without one, Raila’s case was dead on arrival and that’s why we witnessed shifting of alliances by some new MPs long before even the case had started.

Much as I empathize with Raila, it is time to quit politics for good, he could remain a strong opposition leader to check and balance the new government through his coalition partners. Next election would be too far for him to reach and grab. With the determination of President William Ruto, I see him doing a two-term presidency before there would be vacancy in the State House Nairobi. Lastly, if D. Ruto was able to defeat a sitting government while literally an outsider, though the Deputy President, now that he’s in charge means expecting him to lose in 2027 is daydreaming. Raila should just accept defeat and move on by grooming a new leader. Let his defeat be a lesson to future presidential candidates never to be government ‘projects’.

Robert Musamali

Nairobi, Kenya

I’m Not Stingy, I Have Given Away More Money Than Your Popular ‘Philanthropists’ - Peter Obi

“ What I don’t do is, I have allergy for money not used properly, public or private, I don’t spend money carelessly, I spend it for what it’s used and people can see it and it has nothing to do with anybody, it has to do with my family, everybody knows, if you call my wife today, she will tell you, Peter will not buy this, Peter will not do this.

“

I have a young man, who travelled to Rwanda this morning, and I was supposed to travel with him, and he said to me, ‘ I have booked your hotel in so so and so place, but they said it’s a thousand and five hundred dollars per night and I said, ‘No way!’ is it not just to sleep? How can you do a thing like that... Is it not bed they have there, Is there hotel where they pay 250 dollars per night, he said yes, I asked how can I spend five times the amount “ Isn’t not the same sleep? Money is meant to be used usefully. “Go and read what Bianca wrote about me, I am not a stingy man, I spend more money more than those people who do give away.

READ COPY OF THE VOICE

CUPP EXPOSÉ ON INEC’s Compromised Electoral Register, Victims Cry Out

In response to CUPP’s damning exposé on electoral fraud, INEC had issued a Press Statement, ostensibly after the INEC Board met and claimed that no name had been added onto the Voters Register yet – this flat lie is exposed here by a lady who tried registering in Ibadan, Oyo State, but her name crops up as one of the fictitious names on the list for Imo State.

this crop of liars manning INEC superintend over the 2023 elections? Certainly NOT! Mahmud Jega and his cohorts at INEC need to resign, and allow people of integrity to.

Barrister Eze Eluchie Abuja, Nigeria

Concern over Cancer worries Dr. Maxwell Okoth of Kenya

incidence burden is expected to rise to over 85% in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. In Kenya the annual incidence of cancer is about 28 000 new cases with an annual mortality of 22 000 cases, that is, 78.5% of the victims do not survive. With this grave statistics there has to be a concerted effort in both public and private sectors to advance investments in cancer care.

the Kenyan health-care system

infrastructure to provide appropriate prompt treatment

most patients.

deeper

findings

care and the limited affordable supply(

a chance to visit and be taken round by the Managing Director of Hannibal International Clinic in Tunis. The leading oncology hospital in Northern Africa serving patients from the entire Maghreb region. Performing over 150 radiotherapy sessions a day. Kenya is in need of such investments as we strategically position ourselves as a medical tourism hub for east and central Africa to enhance

quality and outcomes of our patients and to foster early

adequate

By Dr. Maxwel Okoth MD, RFH Healthcare Nairobi, Kenya

Healthcare

Who are those behind ObiDient movement?

Onething that surprises me is that the key guys who are promoting the ObiDient rallies nationwide are doing it totally free. Obi is not funding anything or giving any of them shishi. All the billboards you see are privately funded. Obi has no idea those behind all the campaign.

Those organizing the rallies have no interest to even meet with Obi; they are only interested in seeing Nigeria working again. That is what they call patriotism.

We have several patriotic Nigerians in Diaspora willing to put in so much money into the campaign; again they have no single interest to join politics, no interest to join government in Nigeria, no interest for contracts, no interest to be known. All they want is for Nigeria to work.

As Obi travels the world, volunteers are paying the bills, hosting events and they are so happy paying for the events. They expect nothing from Obi, absolutely nothing other than for Nigeria to work again. Who are these selfless hardcore ObeDients?

They are independent wealthy businessmen and women who just want to see a better Nigeria. They are excited and happy to spend their money to see a new Nigeria.

They are students who just want to see a better educational system and a better Nigeria. They spend their money to buy data and promote Obi. They give there all from the little they have. We are so appreciative of them.

They are ordinary Nigerians who just want a country

with safe rail, safe roads, and better sleep at Night and security.

The ObiDients are your regular mechanics, traders, jobless youths; hungry people whose only hope of a square meal going forward is Obi winning. To this group, if Nigeria must continue after 2023 then Obi must win.

Many Nigerians have no other option for a better life or hope for tomorrow other than Obi winning. So, Obi must win!

An event whose time has come cannot be stopped.

You are either with us or an enemy of a better Nigeria. Those who are not with us have betrayed their conscience and their fathers land. Join the march when it comes to your city. ObiDients are selfless and patriotic.

In the new Nigeria, you do not need connection to get anything, services shall be readily available, a new Nigeria is possible.

The momentum is growing, join the team.

Dr. Evelyn Azih bags Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in High Performance Organizations

Iwasconferred with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in High Performance Organizations at the Swiss School of Management (SSM). This research area is focused on how organizations can quickly and efficiently change their operating structure and practices to meet needs, focusing on long term success while delivering on actionable short term goals through a flexible, customer focused, and highly effective teams.

This World-Class Research was made possible by our Lord Jesus Christ and His Mother, Blessed Virgin Mary, who saw me through this essential period of my life.

My Doctoral Degree Certificate is dedicated to all men and women especially the vulnerable ones, the less privilege, and all those struggling to make ends meet. I want to assure you that you are not alone. God is there for you and will always be your anchor. To all members of my family, Mgbowo Community, Enugu State Progressive Union-the Netherlands (Marunwanne), my friends for life, all Nigerians residing in the Netherlands under the umbrella of the Nigerian National Association-The Netherlands (NNANL), the Federal Ministry of Science & Technology, NBTI, the Knights of St. Johns International and to the Dutch Government, I say thank you for your unequivocal support.

I cannot end this without acknowledging the efforts of the SSM team, the SSM Research Director, Prof. Robert Geodegebuure, my supervisor and my external reader who gave me this indelible knowledge that can not be erased.

Finally, I owe my appreciation to Chevelyns International BV, an Educational consulting firm in the Netherlands, enhancing the literacy level of Africans abroad. I say thank you for opening the doors of learning to all.

Every success story starts with the conception of a wonderful idea, which if not jettisoned, will surely manifest. Nothing good comes easy, but with determination, diligence and hard work, you will surely excel.

I pray that whatever anyone aspires to be in life must be accomplished in Jesus Name. Thank you and God bless you.

Dr. Evelyn Azih

Dear Colleagues,

Award ceremonies are schools without walls aimed at awakening the best human values that may lie dormant in awardees and inspire others to develop the best in them to prove that they are capable of being as deserving as the honoured.

In this way we succeed in building a peaceful and prosperous society of winners who would celebrate each other’s achievements.

Duty is worth responding to whenever it calls. I am at your service as long as the call is to add value and integrity to a process.

While appreciating your recognition of whatever service I have rendered to humanity, please my dear colleagues receive the assurances of my highest consideration and esteem.

High Regards

Hon. Halifa Sallah Banjul, The Gambia

*****

Editor’s Comment

Dear Honorable Sallah, Thank you so much for your kind words and we pray that you would continue to contribute to the advancement of humanity.

God bless you.

Editor.

Angola elections: Ruling party wins, incumbent President re-elected

Angola’s ruling party has won the legislative elections, giving a second term to the outgoing president, Joao Lourenco, according to official results announced last month

In the most hotly contested election in the country’s history, the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) won with 51.17 percent of the votes cast, compared with 43.95 percent for the leading opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (Unita), the National Electoral Commission said at a news conference.

UNITA leader Adalberto Costa Junior had earlier rejected the results, citing discrepancies between the commission’s count and the main opposition coalition’s own tally. He did not immediately respond to the announcement of the final results.

The announcement came a day after the funeral of Angola’s longserving ex-ruler and MPLA stalwart, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who died in Spain in July, so security in the capital Luanda was tight

YOUR

NOW....

BOOK REVIEW

Pastor Elvis Iruh’s new book is out……

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

Author: Pastor Amb. Elvis Iruh

About the book

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

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

Learn how to:

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

• avoid mistakes that lead to divorce;

• appreciate the sanctity of marriage;

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

This revealing book is filled with practical exercises that

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

About the Author

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

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

can purchase the book in Holland via his website:

or through his publishers’: www.authorhouse.com/ Elvis Iruh or on www.amazon.co.uk

Pastor Roel & Ida Van Rooij Senior Pastor 4Pillars Community Church Almere

VP Jewel Taylor Urges Mulbah Morlu to Bring

All Disenchanted Partisans Back to the Party

Liberian

Vice President, Jewel Howard Taylor, the vice standard bearer of the CDC has tasked the party’s chairman, Mulbah Morlu, to ensure that all members who left the party for various reasons return fully reconciled with the party.

“Mr. Chairman, we have to bring everybody home. Whatever it takes we must reach out to them, maybe some people may not want to come back but let’s make the effort because President George Manneh Weah is the President for all Liberians whether here home or in the diasporas,” she said.

Speaking in Gbarnga, Bong County last month during the party’s national retreat, the vice president intimated that it is mandatory and at all costs that the chairman must go all out to bring back those aggrieved partisans and recruit as many Liberians as he can to make the CDC very powerful again.

“When you look the broom is very difficult to break but one straw is easy to break, this means when we are together in

oneness no political party can defeat. It is time for us to come together for the progress of our party and the country at large. In unity, there is strength and success. I am totally certain that Bong County will use the hundred percent votes comes 2023,” she said.

Madam Taylor praised Morlu’s leadership for selecting Bong County as the venue for the retreat on grounds that Bong is the central point and the heartbeat of the country.

According to her, the CDC had developed a strategy to bring everybody together; the chairman must reach out to those who have lost, reaching out to those who are discouraged. There were thousands who were here but have left for various reasons.

The NPP strongwoman said that it was unity that brought Liberia’s People’s Democratic Party, the National Patriotic Party, and the Congress for Democratic together to make up the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and subsequently led them to a massive victory, and that unity must be maintained and sustained.

Madam Howard Taylor stressed that with unity returning to the table of the ruling establishment, 2023 would be a rally victory for her boss, Weah, the CDC, and the Liberian people.

He narrated that no CDCians are useless to the

purpose of moving the party forward and promised to extend an olive branch to partisans and beyond.

Chairman then appreciates the delegates for their full attendance and that the presence at the Gbarnga event is a clear manifestation of their political commitment to the CDC and the standard bearer uncompromising.

Providing the importance of the retreat, Chairman Morlu said that leadership of the party, following several consultations, realized that the CDC, which is a conglomeration of the National Patriotic Party, the Liberian People Democratic Party and the Congress for Democratic Change, needs engagement with the people and to redevelop method of unity.

Morlu explained that the leadership of the ruling establishment took a decision to dissolve its structures both at local and international level, but with an understanding of restructuring and reorganizing all departments for progressive engagement and to make it effective.

When the decision was taken by the national executive committee of the ruling establishment to dissolve all leadership, it created noise but the CDC is not a political party that is distracted by noise so, the decision of the leadership stands but today the exercise has reached its completion.

“After months in the United States, all structures there were restructured through a democratic means, followed by an engagement at the counties’ level. The national leadership headed by him made several trips throughout the counties to restructure and reorganize the local leadership. The strength of the CDC is from the people in the communities, counties and those many considered ‘masses’ they are owners of the CDC. So, any decision-making affecting the leadership of the CDC they are consulted,” he said.

The activities of the CDC slowdown for some period because some local leaders at the time had overstayed, some were over-relaxed, while some had traveled or had been engaged

in national politics through government appointment, but the CDC is a focused political and revolutionary establishment double its engagement by restructuring all departments, leagues and the entire leadership ahead of the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections.

The convergence of the party’s leadership in the central region of Gbarnga Bong County is due to the restructuring of local leadership. terming the new officers as problem solvers, committed and diehard partisans who are willing to sacrifice all it takes to redeem the political points and achievement of the CDC ahead of the 2023 race in which President George Manneh Weah is seeking reelection.

According to him, last weekend’s event under the banner of ‘Coalition for Democratic Change’s Gbarnga retreat 2022’, bearing the theme; ‘reinforcing the patriotic mandate, Weah 2023, Reelection strategy’.

The responsibility of the newly elected local leadership is to ensure that President Weah and his Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor get reelection comes 2023, adding that those elected at the party’s level are achievers whose first priority is to ensure total victory for the CDC.

Nigerian Christians under persecution

Profile: Pastor Steve Olorunpomi making impact in lives of people around him and beyond

Steve Olorunpomi is the Head, Foreign Operations, Unity Bank Plc. The Mechanical Engineer turned Banker has vast experiences in the areas of international Trade, Treasury, Investment, Import, Export, Trade Finance and Trade Facilitation and also the Pastorin-Charge of The Redeem Christian Church of God, Power of God Area Headquarters in Lagos Nigeria. He is a Philanthropist, a mentor, an advocate for better living. Through his experience and giving nature, a lot of people both in the church and outside the church have benefited in his monthly and yearly empowerment programs.

Pastor

Pastor Steve has made it an habit to supplying food stocks to members of the church monthly, he and his team have been able to set members up with businesses by supplying them with the necessary equipment needed such as cars for taxis, motorcycles, deep freezers, sewing machines, popcorn machines, grinding machines, hair dryers, make-up boxes, ring lights, mannequins, just to mention but a few. All these materials are to be used for businesses to generate income to support those families. He has also paid several house rents for the indigent and poor among his congregation or those who crosses his path in life. He also provided solar lightning during the PROJECT “LIGHTNING ALAPERE” for the communities.

He has equally organized several medical outreaches by bringing medical personnel with free drugs to thousands of people and also pays school fees for many children whose parents couldn’t afford their fees.

Out of his benevolence, he has sponsored 3 persons to the United Kingdom and at the moment, he is currently busy with helping 4 other people in processing their admissions in various universities abroad.

JEBITV/THE VOICE MAGAZINE TEAM was able to sit with down with him for a short interview during one of his business trips to the CARIBBEAN (BARBADOS) Excerpts:

JEBITV: Good morning Sir, how’re you doing today?

PASTOR STEVE: I’m doing very well thank you for asking.

JEBITV: Let’s get to know you sir

PASTOR STEVE: Well, my name is STEVE OLORUNPOMI, I was born 10th August, 1977 in AyetoroGbedde, Kogi state, I am the Pastor -in-charge of The Redeem Christian Church of God, Power of God, Area

Interview by JEBI LOVE for The Voice magazine

Headquarters in Lagos. I am a husband and father to 2 beautiful children.

JEBITV: You earlier mentioned to us that you are a mechanical engineer turned banker, why the change of career choice?

PASTOR STEVE: I actually studied Mechanical engineering at the UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN where I bagged B.ENG (HONS) and later I proceeded to the University of Ibadan where I bagged M.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Thermodynamics. I still wanted to challenge myself and in my quest for leadership and administration, I proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife where I bagged MASTERS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA EXECUTIVE).

JEBITV: How did your career as a banker started?

PASTOR STEVE: Well, I started my career as a banker in FINBANK which later merged with FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK (FCMB) in February 2007 and I was working in the international operations department.

I later joined UNITY BANK in AUGUST 2014 as a Team leader, Trade Service where we were able to develop a robust trade operation process flows. In Sept 2016, I joined SunTrust Bank were I pioneered Trade service. We were able to grow the trade business exponentially before I returned to UNITY BANK in September 2017. Part of my job entails travelling within and outside the country attending several courses in the area of trades, treasury and compliance and also visiting and training Regional managers, branch managers, branch service managers and other staff in the area of international trade which has yielded exponential growth in trade related transactions. JEBITV: Due to your busy schedule, how do you cope with your full time job, pastoral work and business travels?

PASTOR STEVE: All my life, one of my strength I have admire, is my ability to multi task and to excel in everything that is being placed in my care. Excellence is one key word to life and to Excel; you have to be able to

put in a lot of work, time and commitment to all that is put in your care. By the grace of God, I have been able to separate these functions and dealt with each differently in order to succeed in all.

To balance all, I have also apportioned time for each function. Also as a leader, I imbibe the attitude of delegating functions to other people for the work not to be overwhelming.

JEBITV: We’ve also noticed the empowerment projects on going in the church, what motivated you to start up the EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM?

PASTOR STEVE: Growing up, I have always not wanted to succeed alone; I have always wanted to carry people along with my successful journey. This is the drive force behind the empowerment program. The power to imbibe knowledge in others is so key to a growing man. In my journey to fulfilling a purposeful life, I want to keep impacting knowledge in people. In doing so, I am also helping myself and staying updated.

JEBITV: How does it make you feel when you see those you have assisted in starting up in businesses and they are excelling?

PASTOR STEVE:

It’s my Joy to see people excel naturally. Everyone would be happy to see their product excel and by product, I mean humans. So, when I see a seed and cultivate it, I expect it to germinate. The way a farmer is always happy to go back to his farm during harvest and see fruitful seeds, same way I feel when I see people I have invested in or assisted in one way or the other flourish.

JEBITV: How did you enjoy your stay in the Barbados and was it your first time?

PASTOR STEVE: I have visited several countries and this is mainly geared by my inquisitive nature to gain real life experiences on trade and international operations. One of the countries I have always wanted to visit was BARBADOS and it was exciting moments to make the dream a reality as I travelled to the country for the first

time. My visit to Barbados exposed me to some salient Africaribbean discussions on trade and investment and the benefits. How these investments will favour the African and Caribbean countries. Aside from the trade aspect of the trip, the tour around the beautiful country of Barbados was a real exciting moments.

JEBITV: What advice do you have for the youth of today?

PASTOR STEVE: My advice for the youth of today is that whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your heart, mind and body. Also, whenever you find an opportunity, make good use of it. Most especially, do not remove the God factor in whatever you do.

JEBITV: Thanks so much for your time all you do for humanity.

PASTOR STEVE: Thank you so much for having me. God bless.

Sammyoung first visit to the Gambia

Asit was widely published, the international music sensation, Dubai based Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer, Sammyoung was among the over hundred international guests who participated at the Voice Achievers Award event in Banjul, The Gambia.

Although he had a rough time getting to the Gambia as his luggage was tampered with during his stopover in Morocco on his way to Banjul, his jewelries, which are his trademark during performances, were all stolen. Every effort made by the immigration officers and the police in the Gambia to trace the stolen items was not successful. Sammyoung did not allow this to stop him from entertaining the audience in the Gambia.

Everywhere he went, he was sort after, at his hotel he entertained guests to his latest hit song, “WALANBOLO” and recorded video shoots with guests at the poolside. He also was received in audience by the Nigerian Ambassador the Gambia, His Excellency, Ambassador Mohammed Manu alongside other delegates from the Voice magazine team attending the awards in the Gambia. He granted television interview to one of the best television station in the country, QTV. Due to his tight schedule, many of the nightclubs wanted him to perform for them but he promised to be back in the nearest future to the Gambia. He was among the selected few decorated with the Voice Achievers Award 2022. He received his award with appreciation to the organizers and delegated the award to all music lovers around the world. On his impression, he said, ‘despite my losses, the event itself compensated and I would in the future be part of the activities of the Voice magazine. “The founder, Pastor Elvis Iruh is like a big brother to me now and I would always be there to support his activities, looking forward to next year’s event”.

On his Instagram page, he wrote, “ Big thanks to THE VOICE and the entire crew for having me at the Voice Achievers Award Gambia 2022 and also honouring me with an award. Finally big up to QTV for having me too and my Gambian fans. God bless you all real good”. Sammyoung has since returned back to his base in Dubai, UAE. You can follow him on @sammyoung_official on Instagram

“Building a Developed, Valued, and Respected Africa Now: A Clarion Call for a Collective Participation by Africans for African-Led Solution” (Part 2)

Being the text of a Keynote Address delivered by Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele, Executive Director (Networks), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHCO) during the 2022 International Voice Achievers Award holding at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Banjul, The Gambia from the 18th to 20th August 2022. Continued from September edition 2002. Happy reading ....

Thus, following the exit of Nyerere from office in 1985, the country jettisoned the socialist model for a liberalized economic system. This started with the gradual lifting of restrictions on economic activities from 1986 onwards. The opening up of the economy to private participation (Tanzania Country Report, 2022), injection of private capital and innovative ideas from which the country has benefitted immensely particularly when considered against the backdrop of the distressed economy of the

1980s. Tanzania did not adopt it wholesale but based on the envisaged needs by the leadership under the homegrown agenda for change tagged MKUKUTA in the mainland and MKUZA on the Island of Zanzibar (IMF, 2009). The World Bank report in 2020 shows that the diversified economy of Tanzania witnessed two decades of sustained growth with the notable sectors being tourism, mining, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. The logic here is that a combination of local developmental concepts and the adoption of free market economic policies appear to have facilitated economic stability. In North Africa, Morocco and Egypt like other countries in that part of Africa had run an economic system known as Dirigisme in which the state actively controlled the economy. But this was no longer sustainable in the 1980s when Morocco broke with the old order to embrace the liberal economic ideology of market economy in 1983. Egypt began a gradual opening of its economy to private investors within the country in the 1970s but it was in 1987 that the country officially accepted market economy. A common feature of the two North African economies was the delay in implementing the recommendation of the International Monetary Fund. In fact, it took Morocco ten years, 1993, to privatize the first state enterprise (Khosrowshahi, 1997:244). Although governments in the two countries formally espouse market economy, they nevertheless still exercise much control over the economy because the social and cultural environments remain what El Malki, (1986:113) describes as non-capitalist. Like Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa who adopted different approaches to development, Nigeria and Ghana in West Africa also chose opposing development paths immediately after independence despite the fact that they both shared similar experience as former colonies of Britain. Nkrumah’s obsession with socialism as the sure way to post-colonial Africa’s development reverberated across Africa but evidence shows that Ghana under Nkrumah could not be justifiably called a socialist state. For instance, more than 80 percent of Ghanaian industries were privatelyowned while the state controlled a few as 15 percent (Ghana Central Bureau of Statistics, 1973).

Therefore, beyond the rhetoric of socialist state Ghana can be appropriately called a mixed economy. The same description slightly fits Nigerian economic system since inception, even though the country during the First Republic did not hide its bias for the capitalist West (Osoba, 1980). While Nigeria is touted as the largest economy in Africa today this has to do more with its huge population than the performance of its oil-based economy that successive administrations have not been able to successfully diversify over the years. Ghana’s economy stands at 12th among 47 states in sub-Saharan Africa but falls below average globally.

In the Southern Africa region Botswana and South Africa stand out as the two most prosperous economies. The two minerals-rich countries have successfully managed the resources well to escape the “resource curse” theory that has impoverished many African countries. South Africa has a peculiar history in the region, its drive towards development was not complete until after the end of its infamous apartheid system (Knight, 1988). It is also has mixed economy with strong government regulation, yet it

revenues derivable from export (Skidmore-Hess, 2002) which shows that managerial skill and transparency in the handling of resources can make so much difference in Africa.

In this lecture, I have decided to adopt the experience of Rwanda as a developmental model for other African countries still battling with the challenges of sustainable development.

The Rwanda Economic Miracle

A recent UNESCO report put together by Alphonse Nkusi underscores the place of African-led growth as a major driver of sustainable development. According to him and we are all aware that about a quarter of a century ago, the bloodiest chapter in the contemporary history of Africa was written in Rwanda. In less than four months, more than a million people lost their lives, millions were displaced and millions became orphans, widows and widowers.

The first concern of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, RPFInkotanyi, the political party led at the time by the current Rwandan President Paul Kagame, was to stop the genocide and restore peace and security. Interestingly, the strategies to put a stop to this genocide and kick start the reconciliation and developmental process were firmly rooted within the framework of the local traditions of Rwanda. Thus, priority was given to unity and reconciliation. To this end, the gacaca, the traditional system of justice, was revived. This allowed the trail of the perpetrators and the acceptance of their request for forgiveness. In ten years, the gacaca courts judged 1.9 million cases, before they were officially closed in May 2012. In fact, in the aftermath of the genocide, another traditional method was used to enable citizens participate in public affairs. It consists of a commitment to planned activities in a management system that provides for contracts called imihigo. In the past they were oral and endorsed by a ceremony, today they are written and signed, but their function remains the same: they engage the individual to carry out a number of tasks during a year, at the end of which their performance is evaluated by the community. This method has contributed significantly to the improvement of public services in present-day Rwanda, which has opted for consensual democracy and powersharing.

is the most industrialized, technologically advanced with a diversified economy in Africa (Venter et al, 2012). Botswana with its prosperity is not industrialized like South Africa. Its economy is basically driven by the mining of diamond and export of beef, but the much advertised miracle is attributable to the skillful and prudent management of the

Thus, with an average growth rate of more than seven per cent per year since 2000, Rwanda is now one of the leading African countries in economic growth. According to official figures, its investments in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, mining and tourism have lifted more than one million people out of poverty. This development is accompanied by the country’s increased integration into regional economic structures, but also by its greater participation in the international community. With 6,550 personnel, Rwanda is now the

fourth-largest contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations. The country has been investing consistently first and foremost in people to achieve all-inclusive development. That is why it places women at the forefront of public life. In order to ensure women’s protection at least thirty per cent of positions are reserved for women in all state bodies at all levels. Today, sixty-two per cent of parliamentarians, fifty per cent of ministers and forty-four per cent of officials in the judiciary are women. Education and health are two other priority sectors, which have absorbed thirty per cent of the annual national budget for several years. The rate of school attendance in the twelve years of compulsory education is ninety per cent and health insurance coverage is eighty-seven per cent. Health services have improved considerably in remote areas since the arrival of Zipline drones, which, according to the chief executive officer of the American start-up, made more than 4,000 deliveries of blood and medicine between October 2016 and April 2018. Education, too, is slowly but surely changing as a result of new information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly since the launch of the “One laptop per child” initiative in June 2008. 4,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cables have already been rolled out in the country. It is expected that wireless Internet and fibre-optic will soon cover ninety-five per cent of the country. The vast majority of the population already has access to mobile phones and more than 4 million Rwandese can now shop and pay their bills, taxes, and even police fines, using mobile applications. The same applies to administrative procedures. Simply go to the portal Irembo (the word means access in Kinyarwanda) to find most government services online. Banking and business transactions are facilitated through mobile services. Urban transport is also facilitated by car and motorcycle services controlled via mobile applications. Artificial Intelligence (AI) officially entered the university curriculum in 2018. It is our hope that Rwanda will continue to march forward in its current developmental strides. The bottom-line is that Rwanda is today an economic giant in Africa partly because as it was borrowing ideas from outside, it also looked inwards and re-enacted its indigenous culture for fundamental solutions to its developmental challenges. The 2022 SDGs’ Report and Africa’s Performance Interestingly, the United Nations eventually came out with what it termed the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These are:

• Eradication of Poverty

• Zero Hunger,

• Good Health and Wellbeing,

• Quality Education,

• Gender Equality and Inclusion,

• Clean Water and Sanitation,

• Affordable and Clean Energy,

• Decent Work and Economic Growth.

• Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure,

• Reduced Inequalities,

• Sustainable Cities and Communities,

• Responsible Consumption and Production,

• Climate Action,

• Life Below Water,

• Life on Land, and

• Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Comparatively, the Sustainable Development Goals embrace wider issues than the previous global agenda, and this shows that the concerns are not to meet the needs of

Engr. Ifeoluwa at the summit in Banjul, The Gambia

the current world population alone but also on how the present generation will not compromise the existence of coming ones, hence the call for the judicious use of available resources. In other words, the global agenda seeks to create a world liveable for now and in the future through a sustainable development system.

The big question is where is the place of Africa in the context of this new definition of development and how far has it succeeded in achieving the SDGs? As noted earlier, the whole essence of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to ensure that humanity live a good and fulfilling life and that a sustainable planet is guaranteed for future generations. It is therefore incumbent on the leaders and the led across the world to work conscientiously and assiduously towards realizing the 17 goals of the SDGs. With particular reference to Africa, the 2022 SDGs Report is a pointer to the fact that sub-Saharan Africa has not made the expected progress towards achieving the goals. In fact, its performance is abysmally low and uninspiring

for a people that needs to progress in a direction that conforms to global standards.

The Report shows mounting domestic and external debts and the precarious situation of African economies. The recent development in Nigeria where it was reported that that the amount to be spent on debt serving has exceeded the country’s revenues best illustrates the unpleasant economic situation in most African countries.

The lack of electricity and running water in most rural communities is another low point that deserves to be improved upon to create a sense of belonging for the African rural populace and discourage rural-urban migration. The condition of workers has also not improved as most workers live in extreme poverty as noted in the Report. Inadequacy of unemployment benefits appears to have further deepened poverty in Africa. Currently, there is food insecurity all over Africa and the situation has been further compounded by the ongoing military debacle in Ukraine.

Considering the vast arable but uncultivated land in Africa, one would wonder if Africa really should have problem food shortage, let alone good nutrition that aids healthy growth of children. The case of the highest neonatal mortality, lowest intervention against neglected tropical diseases, and the missing out on essential vaccine are testaments to the great challenge confronting the people of sub-Saharan Africa. The low ratio of health professional to patients on the continent which is partly a fallout of the migration of skilled workers to Europe, North America and Asia for better working conditions confirms the insufficiency of investment in the Healthcare Sector. As far as gender inequality and access to leadership positions by women is concerned, Africa only comes second to Latin American and the Caribbean, but it leads in extremely low access to clean cooking fuel and technology. It worthy of note that sub-Saharan Africa is a non-starter with the report of its performance in every area of the SDGs. However, in the aspect of the coverage of mobile broadband the region has made appreciable progress which can be improved upon given the significance of modern communication to development.

To be continued next edition in November 2022

APC, INEC and 2023 election rigging

PresidentBuhari Sir, remember that you promised Nigerians free and fair election in 2023, but with the look of things today, Nigerians are no longer sure that the election will be free and fair. The reason is the weighty allegation by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) that your party All Progressive Congress (APC) criminally manipulated the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) machines in order to rig the election in collaboration with some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The accusation has made every patriotic concerned citizen in Nigeria now a doubting Thomas. The potential danger of the accusation is too high a risk to be ignored. Sir, please reassure Nigerians by justifiably giving this issue the maximum attention it desires, and when ascertained, culprits quickly brought to book.

According to the spokesperson of CUPP, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, during the just concluded continuous voters registration exercise, APC connived with some INEC officials and secretly accessed the exclusive INEC registration machines and feloniously tampered them and conducted their own registration with fake names and photos.

Ugochinyere claimed that APC did so with 100s of 1000s of criminally computer generated photos, faces, passport photographs, calendars and photo albums from countries like Brazil, New Zealand, Jamaica and some other African countries. He went further to reveal that the

trained personnel for the evil job by APC fraudulently used only one fingerprint to register the 100s of 1000s of these fake names and photos. Unequivocally, he stated that these “fake registrations have all passed through successfully into the database” of INEC. This is terrifying and unacceptable.

The implication of this accusation against APC is that if the issue is not followed to a very logical conclusion now, no matter who Nigerians will vote for in 2023 only preferred “hallelujah boys” candidates will be picked and announced by the

wards were created and suspected that the numbers of registered voters in the ward of the governor were highly inflated. He depicted the alleged evil as “monumental compromise of the voters register by the chieftains of the ruling APC”. He went further to say that the “compromise of the Nigeria electoral register, the falsification and upload of fake registration (were) “forgery and treasonable offenses”.

political godfathers as winners through INEC. Be warned Nigerians, the time to stand up is now. If other political parties allow APC and INEC succeed in this evil of manipulatively making our voting rights merely formality exercises that will have no consequences of who presides over our affairs in 2023, the repercussion will be a colossal mistake and another tragedy. Nigeria could explode. Elaborating on the high level of evil committed against the good people of Nigeria by these fraudsters Ugochinyere used Imo State and cited the town of Governor Hope Uzodinma where he alleged that fake

Credence to the CUPP allegation of fake registration and forgery by INEC and APC was given by a young lady who identified herself as MJ claiming in her narration that one of the fake male photos attached in the INEC dubious registration forms in Imo was attached to her name. According to her, she had started the process of registering for her PVC in Ibadan and had filled in everything required in the online form remaining only to upload her picture, which she had wanted to do later. But when she came back to the INEC website she was denied access. Perhaps by this time the alleged APC trained criminal personnel had already blocked her and fraudulently helped her to complete the process in Imo State.

So the questions are as follows: How was someone who started the registration not able to login again? What could be the cause? How did the registration of this lady (MJ) that was started in Ibadan come to Imo State? How many millions of Nigerians have these fraudsters denied access of completing their own forms like this lady? Is there

any other body that has access to INEC machines? How are we sure that INEC machines have not been or will not be manipulated in such a way that even many that have registered and collected their voters cards will not be able to vote successfully? Is it possible that INEC machines can be manipulated that people with valid voters card may not be able to vote on the day of the election because their data may have been manipulatively distorted and their voting rights assigned to one ghost name from Brazil, Jamaica or Niger Republic etc. to be used by someone in government houses? How should we be sure now that INEC has not compromised in this coming election? Is it legally possible

for all the political parties in Nigeria to demand for their IT experts to access INEC voting machines to ascertain whether they have been tempered with or not, at least three weeks before the distribution to their various wards across the country, and also access the machines after the elections? We are worried.

This is a clarion call to all good spirited Nigerians not to be discouraged by the threat of this evil. We should continue to be law-abiding citizens. We are aware that these political monsters and vampires who are half humans and half vultures in the day and bloodsuckers in the night are not happy and comfortable in our unity. If we all had not done what was right and legitimate by massively coming out to get ourselves registered for the 2023 election, it would have been easier for these political demons to rig the election than they are finding it today. Therefore, it is a duty that we all must continue to do what is just, that includes coming out en masse on the day of election and lawfully and wisely casting our votes no matter the level of provocation. By so doing we must have succeeded in closing their still little remaining nostril of bribery and rigging until they suffocate. Go and collect your PVC or they will use it and criminally manipulate (vote) in their candidate on your behalf in 2023.

“A stitch in time saves nine”. Stand up, sit down, bend right, bend left or even squat, one thing is obvious, the buttock will always remain at the back. Truth has no duplicate. Peter Obi is our wisest choice in 2023.

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

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President William Ruto before global audience

merits of doing something vis a vis doing nothing,” he said. “It will soon be too late to reverse the course of events.”

Although Africa, which has a small industrial base, has contributed little to climate change, the continent has already endured some of its worst effects, as extreme weather events take a devastating toll on impoverished countries. Mr. Ruto’s address was a sudden induction into the top flight of foreign affairs for a leader who has spent much of recent years confined to Kenya, where a political feud with his former boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta, had limited his travel abroad.

All that changed with the hard-fought August election that Mr. Ruto, a former vice president, won by a narrow margin over his main rival, Raila Odinga.

Kenya’s

newly elected President William Ruto made his debut address to the United Nations General Assembly as a head of state on Wednesday, days after arriving from London where he attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

In New York, he nodded to President Biden’s “Build Back Better” domestic plan, proposing a global effort toward “building back better from the bottom upward.” The goal, he said, should be “including the marginalized, working majority in the economic mainstream.”

Mr. Ruto described “the ever-bustling” millions of working people of the developing world as an untapped resource that could drive growth and help create a more inclusive world order.

Like other African leaders, he called on the U.N. Security Council to expand representation from the continent. To that end, Mr. Ruto invited development in Kenya and sought to give the impression of getting down to business. On Tuesday, he met with American business leaders to encourage investment in Kenya, and he participated in a U.N. forum that discussed “moving Africa from aid to investment,” the Kenyan Foreign Ministry said in a tweet. Climate change and the devastating drought that is sweeping across the Horn of Africa, endangering 20 million lives, were other themes of Mr. Ruto’s address. Reservoirs and other water sources were drying up from historic droughts, he said, affecting not just water supplies but agriculture — and, in turn, raising food prices.

“We cannot afford to waste another moment debating the

Not long ago, Mr. Ruto was viewed with discomfort by some world leaders over the charges that were brought against him in 2011 at the International Criminal Court at The Hague, where prosecutors accused

him of organizing post election violence in 2007 that killed more than 1,200 people.

But the trial collapsed in 2016 after crucial witnesses recanted their testimony and the Kenyan government withdrew its cooperation.

After his recent election win, Western countries congratulated him on his victory.

Mr. Ruto opened his address on Wednesday by alluding to the “free and fair election” that he won. The election, he said, “not only stand as testimony of the universal power of democracy but also of the manifest ability of African peoples to invest in stronger nations and a secure future.

President William Ruto addresses the United Nations General Assembly

President Joe Biden with Kenya’s First family, President Ruto and wife

President William Ruto of Kenya addresses the United Nations in New York

Wehave a golden opportunity to get people, enterprises and industries back on their feet so that the engine of development can power our societies towards prosperity that leaves no one behind.

The UN Member States and relevant stakeholders have a duty to support those affected by severe drought in not only the Horn of Africa and the Sahel regions but also in Asia, Europe and the Americas. It is through collaborations to expand inclusion that we can attain a new paradigm in multilateralism.

We must modernise agriculture and ensure — in the immediate term — that we find answers to the severe deficit in the availability, flow and accessibility of fertiliser to our farmers. This is because agriculture is the bedrock of the prosperity of many countries worldwide.

Kenya remains a strong advocate for making the sustainable use of Ocean and Blue Economy resources a development priority, holding the firm belief that significantly increased investment in this essential sector can end hunger, reduce poverty, create jobs and spur economic growth.

The World Bank, the IMF and other lenders must extend pandemic-related debt relief to the worst-hit countries, especially those affected by the devastating combination of conflict, climate change and Covid-19. The G20 must also suspend or reschedule debt repayments by middle-income countries during the pandemic recovery period.

A part of President Ruto speech during the address at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, New York, United States.

Our appreciation to all guests both Gambians and Diaspora at the event

OPINION: Obi & Ahmed ticket rekindles hope of redemption and freedom from chains of captivity

PeterGregory Obi and Datti Yusuf BabaAhmed joint ticket has all the required capacity to unlock the chains of captivity Nigerians have been caged in by selfish politicians in a corrupt riddled economy for so long and to liberate them. With the opportunity the Labour Party has given Nigerians in the duo’s joint ticket – if one goes to north, east west and south one will understand that – hope has been awoken in the hopelessness of the nation.

Nigerians are very conscious of this opportunity especially the youths who do not want the golden chance to slip away have shown enough willingness for self-emancipation. They have grabbed the project with every sense of sincerity, power, enthusiasm, passion and commitment. Their campaign has been very consistent and emphatically clear, they want good and qualitative leaders, and in Obi and Baba-Ahmed they have scrutinized and found what they seem to have been searching for in leaders. The ovations from every part of Nigeria that welcomed Baba-Ahmed as the running mate of Peter Obi were very huge, massively impressively, pleasantly joyous and extremely intimidating.

I have said this severally that

ordinary Nigerians have no problem with one another, as long as one is doing what is good, right and legitimate they embrace that person irrespective of the person’s religion or where she or he comes from. The problem has always been the policy makers – the politicians –who are supposed to be pacesetters, but always play the card of ethnicity and religion to divide us for their selfish interests. This bunch has held us in captivity for too long and Nigerian youths are in unison this time to say enough is enough.

While these politicians have always found ways to settle their differences, swum together in corruption and stuck with one another in their exploitation of the masses, we the ordinary Nigerians they exploit have not found a way to say no to their manipulation. Instead they use us and make us to fight each other while they share our collective wealth, and even sometimes they make us kill ourselves in defending them and their evil. The only time we summoned courage, did what was right and came together like them was the time of the #EndSARS protest, and we saw how scared and trembled they were. But again they had the upper hand as they forgot their political and religious differences and came together, planned their evil attack and brutally descended on us militarily and mercilessly. We will never forget this and it is pay back time. With our experience and the elders joining our OBIDIENT and YUSUFUL movement now we are currently more resolute and extra formidable to take back our country and they cannot defeat us again

– we are better equipped now and armed than them. Our Permanent Voters Card (PVC) is our AK47 and we are going to “shoot at sight” any recognized destiny destroyer since 1983 who wants to become a governor or a lawmaker etc. We will show no mercy in this mission.

Nigeria is a hijacked country that is at the verge of collapse. In security, terrorists are firmly in control of some parts of the country with the advancement to capture more places. They collect taxes in areas they invaded and occupied with citizens gnashing their teeth in agony, helplessness and disheartenment. In the judiciary, people grief that justice could elude the innocent or be bought by the highest bidder based on controversial and questionable judgments judges have given in recent times. The worst was the shocking Supreme Court judgment that brought Hope Uzodinma of APC as the governor of Imo State. That judgment was a terrible blunder and a judicial tragedy, and there was nothing supreme about it. INEC, the constituted electoral body declared Hope as coming fourth in that election. But supposedly Supreme Court judges accepted votes that came from people that were not even registered voters and gave them to Hope and declared him winner. In that Supreme Court judgment on Imo State justice died in Nigeria.

Obi and Baba-Ahmed joint ticket is a masterstroke. The duo is young, intelligent and with inspiring, clean and successful records as public servants and in their private lives. They are not corrupt. Their academical

records, age and sources of wealth are not in question or doubt. So they do not need to pay any SAN or swear any affidavit to defend a very simple question that needs a very simple answer. Therefore, while it is true that Nigeria is a hijacked project by political monsters and corrupt leaders and the country is at the verge of collapse, it is equally a fact to note that the emergence of Obi and Baba-Ahmed have risen hope of liberation and the hijacked country is at the verge of salvation Spread this message to those people who are still living in fantasies of how they will bribe us, and inform those dreamers who are equally asking for our political structures that in our quest for a better working Nigeria, we are strongly united, resolute and formidable, no religion, ethnicity, amount of inducement or political party can divide us. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Inform them that Obi and BabaAhmed are coming. On May 29, 2023 the duo will be sworn in as elected president and vice unless something drastic and unexpected happens which is unlikely. Obi and Baba-Ahmed only need to be very conscious of their security now than ever.

While our hearts ache for the state of the nation today, hope beckons in Obi and Baba-Ahmed for redemption that the economic revolution happening in Rwanda is also possible in Nigeria.

I am just being OBIDIENT and YUSUFUL to Nigeria.

Uzoma Ahamefule, a concerned patriotic citizen and a refined African traditionalist, writes from Vienna, Austria.

The Netherlands Drops All Entry Requirements And Travel Restrictions

Effective September 17th, 2022, the Dutch Government has made the decision to get rid of all Covid-19 travel restrictions and requirements. This decision applies to all travellers, including those traveling into the Netherlands from outside the EU/Schengen area. The Netherlands kept their Covid protocols for travellers in place much longer than the majority of European countries. However, as of September 17th, the country has officially taken its name off the list of the last European countries that still have entry requirements. Currently, Spain is the last major European country with entry requirements still in place. As other long-time holdouts like the Netherlands drop their final remaining protocols, perhaps Spain will soon follow. Until recently, the Netherlands had a complete ban on unvaccinated travelers from countries like America or Canada. As a result, this decision directly affects unvaccinated travelers from both countries. Before this decision, Americans and Canadians had to be fully vaccinated in order to visit the Netherlands. Visitors from EU/Schengen countries were allowed to enter the Netherlands without restrictions. Still, the country did not let up on protocols for any other travelers. September 17th’s decision means that unvaccinated travellers from all countries, including Americans and Canadians, will be able to enter the Netherlands without proof of vaccination or evidence of a negative Covid test. The country does not have any mask requirements in place, and all venues are open and operating normally. Traveling to the Netherlands now will offer an experience much like before the pandemic turned the world upside down.

Travel Chaos, Know Before You Go

This news would likely pique travelers’ interest, and some may be ready to book their next ticket out. Most travelers who visit the Netherlands go to the nation’s capital, Amsterdam. Indeed, the city was ranked as the 26th most popular city in the world in 2019 when it welcomed 8.84 million tourists. Many people wanted to visit Amsterdam this summer even when the vaccine requirement was still in place. Unfortunately, the city’s airport was woefully underprepared. As a result, Amsterdam was the European capital of travel chaos this summer.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport had a rough summer, and it doesn’t look like it will get much better for travellers interested in visiting this fall. The airport announced recently that it would reduce daily passenger counts by 18% through the end of October due to its labour shortage. The airport is one of the busiest in the world and is a significant transfer hub for many major airlines. However, the country recently made the decision to cut flights by almost 20% compared to pre-pandemic levels in an effort to combat climate change and get away from its “transfer hub” reputation.

Ground Breaking of Lebarty Medical Hospital holds in Benin to reduce medical tourism

Thegroundbreaking ceremony of Lebarty Medical Hospital was held on 24th August 2022 in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The event took place 4 days after Dr. Nosa Lebarty was among 40 other awardees recognized in Banjul, the capital of the Gambia for his contributions toward the advancement of Africa. Apart from his huge contributions and investments in United States of America, he is bringing back to his motherland; Nigeria is wealth of experience and contribution into the health sector. This project when completed would help to reduce medical tourism and provision of affordable health care for the less privileged in the society.

Speaking to Journalists in Benin City Dr. Nosa Aigbe Lebarty said he decided to come set up the five-star hospital in Nigeria, particularly in Benin City his home state to bring home world class health facilities like

the ones in the United States of America where he is a practicing doctor.

According to him, the goal is to have more than just a community center with one- or two-story buildings but a well-equipped hospital with MRI, Scans, ultra sounds, X-rays, significant ultra-modern laboratory, pharmacies because those are the things that will attract people from going away to seek help.

“The other part of this that I have not seen common is helipad. We are going to have helicopter ambulance. There are lots of huge medical centers to conduct medical procedures in Lagos. My goal is to set up partnership with such centers

“If somebody has a heart attack or needs surgery, we fly them. It will be quite easy going by helicopter compared to going by road, which will make significant differences. When you have such facilities, it will be hard for folks not to stay home instead of going abroad and when they stay home, that money stays in the country, you boost the economy and you gain employment.”

Dr. Aigbe Lebarty disclosed that to continue to take care of these less privilege folks the government also has a role to play in subsidizing health care because there are people who cannot seek adequate health care due to lack of money and unfortunately die from what they should not die from. “I am very proud to come from Benin and I want to come back after several years In America to give back to my community where I was born. I am in a hurry and very

eager to reach out to those who do not have enough. We have every body in mind especially those who cannot seek medical care because they don’t have money or they do not know where to go to for treatment.

“The project is based on a foundation. We have Project Health Africa that operates in the United States of America and Lebarty Community foundation and with that in mind we plan to set up mini and mobile clinics in the villages, like Ikpako village where I was born and the adopted village of my grandmother Idu-owina,” he added. The ground breaking which was performed by a former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia and the occasion was well attended by government officials from the ministry of health, community leaders and other distinguished invited guests across the state and the country in general. We shall keep you posted on the progress of this project and the success of it.

Congratulations to Dr. Nosa Aigbe Lebarty.

Written by Eva Nakato

Clergymen, PREACH THE TRUTH

religious institutions should be the providers of moral and ethical education based on religious doctrines. Unfortunately, some clergymen misinterpret the Scriptures to the detriment of one gender, leading to discord, abuse, and mistreatment in some relationships.

Ideally,

Earlier this year, I met a young mother who narrated her personal experience with staunch religious in-laws. Having been in a relationship with her fiancé for a couple of years and blessed with two adorable children, it seemed like her in-laws had never approved of their relationship from the very start.

According to her, it is his family that pressured him to end their relationship. He just left home one morning and never returned. She later learned that he had gotten married to a girl from the local church, whom his family claimed was ‘suitable. Interestingly, the couple separated in less than a year.

Nowadays people hide their flaws and insecurities behind the veil of religion to mistreat and subjugate their partners, leading to unhealthy relationships. They will usually misinterpret Holy Scriptures to abuse their partners physically and psychologically, all under the guise of ‘submissiveness.’

Concealing the reality Partners in a relationship often confide in their faith leaders on a myriad of issues that may be plaguing them. Sadly, it is these leaders who lead them astray through manipulation and intimidation to maintain the image of a happy marriage. I believe in a healthy union where both partners should be honest and open with each other about any issue. Most religions have adapted and are creating safe spaces for their believers to discuss such matters.

In June 2022, the world was in shock after it was revealed that renowned gospel artist Osinachi Nwachukwu had died as a result of an abusive relationship, and not throat cancer as had been earlier stated. Her family and friends confirmed this and castigated religious leaders, advising them to stop misguiding their congregation who might be going through such tribulations. When the church leader at the church she

fellowshipped was asked about it, he said he had no idea that the late gospel artiste was being abused by her husband.

I believe there are many benefits that religion has to offer relationships. They not only create a bond in families but also contribute to a great level of discipline in the families, for both the partners and their children. Furthermore, it provides moral values and social interactions, as well as connecting people. Yet, many people have misconstrued this as control and manipulation, which degenerates into unhealthy relationships.

Character also plays an equally important role. Some people don’t want to accept that they need to change their behavior, because of the feeling of entitlement toward their partners. Change will only come to a person when they decide to adapt to it. I don’t think anyone ever wishes to be in an abusive relationship, but staying in one is a personal choice, regardless of the reason.

Most religious institutions hardly talk about solutions to such relationships, yet it is a practice they should adapt. They should play an integral part in preventing such abuses among their congregants and ensure their wellbeing, by holding conferences on such issues.

Blind beliefs in inaccurate doctrines instilled in them may lead some people to suffer silently in abusive relationships. Fear of speaking out leaves many unable to disentangle themselves from such situations.

“ “

False perceptions

Many young people (believers) have also fallen victim to this since it’s believed that religious institutions should be models of family life. There is little information on what to expect in a marriage or relationship, like the fact that problems, disagreements, and conflicts are bound. A friend happened to be in such a relationship. Her husband

started acting different and would beat and hurl insults at her, all in front of their children. Naturally, it is hard to tell what happens behind closed doors. Around family and friends, her husband was a nice and kind person, a model partner. She was afraid of what society would say. One day he beat her up so badly that she nearly died. When she met her religious leader, he was smart enough to advise her to leave with her kids and save her life. This was a onein-a-million religious leader who offered such advice to a believer.

Everyone is entitled to believe in what they believe in. However, I believe that we need more spaces for devotees in religious institutions to openly talk about what they are going through in their respective relationships. Eventually, we will find a viable solution. Religious leaders should also speak more to couples and break down the scriptures correctly, for example, one should not misinterpret and take advantage of the word ‘submissive’ to treat the other unfairly. Couples should also be encouraged to have deep and open conversations with one another, supporting and respecting each other’s spiritual disclosures. By doing this, each one of us will be able to look out for the other and find solutions to such unhealthy relationships. No one deserves to suffer silently all in the name of what they believe in.

“They will usually misinterpret Holy Scriptures to abuse their partners physically and psychologically, all under the guise of ‘submissiveness.’”

From a school dropout to a manager

Written by Ritah Atuhaire

Emmanuel

Banda is the perfect example of trusting the process. Through resilience, consistency, motivation, hard-work and discipline, anything is possible. He not only made history but also serves as an example to be emulated and an inspiration to anyone out there who may be on the brink of giving up on their dream. In the third and final installment on Emmanuel’s experience abroad, Ritah brings the story full circle on how they met, and his unwavering determination that finally paid off.

Even at his new workplace, his drive to achieve more did not wane. He blended in quickly since he already had the skills, with the bartenders consulting him regularly. The bar manager, an Indian, was not fluent in English nor was he computer literate, both of which Emmanuel was great in. He would design the work schedules, order stock, and do stock-taking on behalf of his manager without the other employee’s knowledge. He had no issue with it and never asked for payment, he simply enjoyed doing it. Besides, he had bigger dreams and considered this as practice.

From a school dropout to manager Luck seemed to be on Emmanuel’s side when he was made the interim manager for the branch since he was the only one who ostensibly had an idea of managing and running the bar. This was after the previous manager resigned due to the pressure that came with running such a big and busy branch. He ran it for two years but was never promoted to full-time manager or supervisor and was still being paid a bartender salary. When he asked for the promotion, he was told that the company was planning to get another manager soon, so he wouldn’t do it for long. He felt he was being exploited so he wrote a resignation letter the very next day, but chose to hang onto it in hopes that they would reconsider their stance and give it to him instead.

To this end, he put in even more work, with the bar performing superbly under his watch. A week later, a new manager was brought in and Emmanuel was tasked with training him. He immediately quit and handed in his resignation letter.

Afterward, he spent about a week evaluating his performance, trying to figure out a fault in his performance that warranted him being overlooked for the position, but he didn’t find any. It did not occur to him that on this side

of the world, companies rarely have faith in Africans to award them with top positions. It is a shame really that incompetent people are given higher positions while their highly qualified juniors are overlooked and instead tasked with training them, just because they are black. It can be so frustrating working here, so much so that at times you feel like ripping the black off your skin, just to enjoy a fair working environment.

Surprisingly, two weeks after resigning, the company called him back. Apparently, in that short span, they had hired two managers already, both of whom had resigned due to the nature and challenges that come with the position. Emmanuel stood his ground and asked the company to double his salary and add some benefits. He

won the negotiation and got his wish, more money, and the managerial position.

Just like he had always desired, he went back to school and is currently studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He has also improved the standard of living for his family back in Zimbabwe, got married to a very beautiful lady, and has set his eyes on bigger goals. I believe his late mother and son are proud of him, wherever they are.

First impression

When the recruitment company that brought me here abandoned me, I job-hunted for two months before I came to learn of a hospitality company that I could apply to. At the interview, I was given a written exam and told to wait for the manager who would conduct a verbal one. As I was answering the questions, two waiters came by. One of them asked if he could help me answer some of the questions that I was finding difficult, before the manager comes, to which I politely declined. He started cracking jokes as his friend, though modest, laughed along. He then picked up my exam paper and proceeded to read my answers out loud. At this point, I was infuriated because of the disrespect but somehow managed to maintain my composure. All of a sudden his demeanor changed and he started reading to himself quietly. “Are you really a barista?” he asked, to which I nodded in affirmation. He began asking me questions about coffee brewing, which I hastily answered because I wanted him to leave before the manager came. “I’m impressed with your knowledge. Finish writing and come show me how you make your cappuccino,” he told me as they walked away, leaving me perplexed at his audacity.

After an hour of waiting for the bar manager, I decided to ask the receptionist whether he was going to show up that day, which took her by surprise. She had already told him about me two hours prior. I was asked to be patient, which I obliged. The modest waiter came and invited me for lunch during the staff lunch break. At the lunch area, the loud waiter was there and he was the most talkative of them all. I noticed that his food was different from the rest. He turned to me and insisted that I had to make an introductory speech in front of everyone before I ate. I have to admit that on that particular day I was on my best behavior, mostly because I was looking for a job because no matter how much he pushed my buttons I never lost my cool.

After lunch, I was informed that the bar manager had summoned me to the bar. On getting there, I found the self-proclaimed comedian there, but this time round,

his attitude was different. “I need to be sure that you are as good as you claim. Impress me with a perfect cappuccino.” At first, I assumed that he might be the assistant manager or supervisor so I dutifully prepared the coffee he had requested as he watched. From time to time the other bartenders consulted him on various issues concerning the bar, and that was when it finally dawned on me that he was the bar manager, even though he put on the same shirt as the other waiters. He said he was impressed and would call me. I was more impressed by his humbleness, how he was very friendly and open with his juniors to the point that they addressed him by his first name instead of his official title. That’s how I met Emmanuel Banda, my current boss. When I was hired I realized he was the only African who drove to work, and the only one in management, the first to hold such a position. I got curious and asked him how he made it through. That’s when he narrated the story of his life and below is the continuation of the second phase of his life.

The shattered dreams of a hopeful mother

Written by Ritah Atuhaire

Written by Ritah Atuhaire

Mercy,

a 24-year-old Nigerian single mother of one, thought her answers had been answered by a lady she met online who promised to help her secure employment abroad, only for things to turn sour when she got there. In this first installment, she narrates the events that preceded her first job offer in Dubai and the surprise that was in store for her.

Mercy’s boutique was severely affected when the Nigerian government declared a nationwide lockdown at the height of the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020. She resorted to marketing and selling her wares online but this also failed, since clothes shopping weren’t exactly at the top of people’s priorities at the time. The business was her only source of income so by the end of the lockdown, she had already spent all her savings and had no capital to resume her business. With rent arrears running for five months and her landlord threatening to throw her out if she didn’t offset some of it, she tried to search for jobs around Abuja but found none. She had no one to borrow money from, as she owed almost everyone in her contact list money. She then started giving more time to her Facebook friends to ease her stress, hoping to widen her circle and meet some people there that would be of help.

She started chatting with a lady on Facebook who, according to her posts, seemed to be doing well. Mercy decided to open up to her, sharing her situation, and requested if the lady could lend her some money. The lady immediately called her via Messenger and expressed her concern as a fellow lady. She suggested that Mercy join her in Dubai to hustle for her daughter as she had also left Nigeria eight years prior, a decision she has never regretted making. She said the company she is working with in Dubai is hiring ladies and they can cater for her travel expenses, which she would repay when she starts working. This was a miraculous evening for Mercy. She felt like God had finally answered her prayers. The shattered dreams of a hopeful mother

After the lady’s recommendation, the company facilitated all her travel costs. She was able to travel within a month, leaving her daughter with her grandmother, hopeful that she would be able to adequately provide for her. On arrival, two men who took her to the apartment she was to live in received her. That’s where she first met the lady who had helped her, and whom everyone kept referring to as ‘mama.’ Mercy was asked to submit her passport after the lady made sure she was comfortable, which she

gladly did.

‘Easiest job in the world’

The following morning, Mercy woke up to a house full of girls who looked like they had just come from an overnight party. Everyone was doing something; some were cooking, washing dishes, and cleaning the house floor, while others arranged the wigs and shoes. One of them asked Mercy to go to Mama’s bedroom for a meeting.

There, she met Mama and a skimpily dressed lady who was directed to issue her with instructions. “Your job is easy, just let men feel your beautiful body, and get paid any amount you want,” she said while approaching her and touching her inappropriately. “You mean prostitution?”

Mercy asked in disgust. Mama interjected, claiming that it was simply her having fun and being paid in the process.

“Easiest job in the world.” That is when it dawned on her that she had been brought here for prostitution. She declined the ‘job offer’ and demanded to be taken back to Nigeria. That was when things started going south. “What about the money and time I’ve invested in you?” Mama asked, clearly agitated. Mercy begged them to allow her to look for another job so she could be able to refund the claimed amount, which had now been exaggerated fourfold. The shattered dreams of a hopeful mother

Since they had her passport, she couldn’t go anywhere nor could she go to the authorities to report it. The girls would go out every evening and return in the morning, all counting money. They seemed to be happy with their job with some sharing their experiences, persuading her to accept her new reality and cooperate if she wanted peace. Some of them were aware of what they were coming here to do while others were duped just like her and had to accept after realizing there was no way out. Despite the girls’ advice, Mercy never saw herself sleeping with strangers for money. Two weeks later, Mama presented her with a bill of utility and consumption for that duration and demanded to start getting paid. “I will make things easy for you. I got you your first guest and he’s on his way. Get ready,” she said, handing her ‘nice clothes’ to wear. The moment the doorbell rang to signify the client’s arrival; Mercy’s world came crashing down. She thought of jumping through the window but realized that was certain death and she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her young daughter an orphan. When they came to the bedroom they found Mercy still holding the clothes, crying. The man gave mama a disappointed look and left. Mama also gave her a disappointed look before going after the man, and she immediately knew that things were going to get tougher for her henceforth.

“I will make things easy for you. I got you your first guest and he’s on his way. Get ready,”

Open Letter to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Seize this unique opportunity to leave indelible footprints in the sands of time.

By Barrister Eze Eluchie ESQ.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Jagabanm Borgu) Bourdillon Road Ikoyi, Lagos

Dear Asiwaju,

Thusfar, your life has been the stuff fables are made of. You have lived a life that can easily found the script of a Holywood blockbuster for an inspirational meteoric rise from grass to grace, from very humble origins to wining and dining with Presidents and nobility; from a junior staff of a sectoral conglomerate to the defacto entity presiding over the affairs of multiple States in the Nigerian Federation, States whose total economic strength rank them in the top five bracket of economies in the African continent; from an activist involved in mobilizing against totalitarian regimes to a behemoth who almost singlehandedly enabled the emergence of Nigeria’s current ruler: General Muhammadu Buhari.

Indeed, the narrative of Nigeria’s 3rd Republic thus far, will be very deficient if your incisive and deft inputs were omitted. As a man who has put in so much in political service, it is essential that conscious efforts are made to court a positive perception by posterity whilst at the same time laying and building on foundations for a sustainable, equitable and just society.

It is in the light of the foregoing that it has become imperative and critical, that appropriate analysis and assessment of your current aspiration with regards to the 2023 general elections are made, so that whatsoever decisions your goodself ultimately arrive at, would have been one arrived at in full consciousness of the circumstances.

-Used & Neglected-

Dear Asiwaju, your role in repackaging an ethnoreligious extremist and ex-Military dictator, notorious for extrajudicial atrocities, muzzling the media and total disregard for the rule of law, as a ‘reformed democrat’, and against all odds, ensuring he attained the constitutionally required geographical spread of electoral votes which served as lifeline towards the ascendance into office of the incumbent President of the Federal Republic, Muhammadu Buhari, is all too self-evident.

Despite your role in the emergence of the incumbent President, your goodself was ignominiously sidelined in the governance structure of the APC coalition which you were vital to its emergence. With the Presidency actively engaged in efforts at whittling down your authority within your sphere of influence and encouraging your nominees into the Federal government to disparage your foundational role.

There is no doubt that your goodself might have been motivated by altruistic and patriotic desires in seeking to wrest power from the government of then President Goodluck Jonathan. The reality, however, is that due to a most extreme clannishness and religious bigotry unprecedented in the annals of Nigeria’s history, your goodself and whatever impacts you might have intended under the regime you were crucial in installing, were sidelined in a most reprobate manner.

Only for the same regime to remember your existence as they struggled towards the 2019 general elections –which you, once again, against expected indices, played yet another vital in securing for the current regime of Gen. Buhari.

Pyrrhic victory at primaries -

I verily believe, dear Asiwaju, that the means via which you emerged as your political party’s candidate at the APC Presidential primaries in Abuja a few weeks ago would have given you a clear insight as to the intendments of the characters for whom you had sacrificed so much to get them into power.

After several months of outright denial of a gentleman’s agreement your goodself asserted you had with the incumbent President and his handlers for power shift, with the government embarking on all-out schemes to compromise your worth, akin to the antics deployed during General Buhari’s first term in office. The APC Northern Governors went public with provocative comments that there had been no such agreement for a power rotation or shift, and that all Nigerians were welcome to aspire to be president under the APC platform. The APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, had progressed on that ill-informed path, daring your tenacity of purpose and convictions, by endorsing the candidature of the current sitting Senate President, Ahmad Lawal, as the preferred presidential candidate of the APC for the 2023 general elections.

Your goodself had to resort to extreme measures, to wit: your public pronouncement at a political rally in Abeokuta

where you pointedly stated, ’emi lokán’ (Yoruba phrase which means it’s my turn to rule) and later at same venue, reminding Buhari that he had come to prostrate before you, pleading for your support before you intervened to halt his serial electoral loses after three presidential polls. Your particular words at that event, ‘ose kán, ose k’eji, ose k’eta, olule’, (he (Buhari) tried once, twice and thrice, and failed flat on his face at each try), has since become part of political folklore in southwest Nigeria.

If you recollect, dear Asuiwaju, the APC Chairman, Adamu, had the temerity to publicly threaten you with dire consequences for daring to voice out the truth about your role in foisting Gen. Buhari on Nigeria as President. It was only after it dawned on these political extremists that you were willing to reveal more sordid details which would unsettle the Government, that a hasty volte-face was patched up, and the same Governors, Party leaders who had threatened you a few days earlier, suddenly reversed themselves and claim to support your candidature, and thus your eventual emergence as APC Presidential candidate at the Abuja presidential primaries.

Post-primaries permutations -

The smirking face exhibited by the President and the APC Chairman as they helped your goodself hold-up your shaky hands to uphold the APC flag at the end of the presidential

primaries, and the smugness that characterizes their mien whensoever these associates of yours present you as the APC Presidential candidate, whilst fully aware of your health and physical frailties, is self-evident and suggestive of a ploy to use your goodwill for the sole purpose of ascending into office, and thereafter do their will.

A cursory inquiry into the 180⁰ turn around and pretentious support of your candidature by the government and leaders of the APC, and their imposing on your goodself as your Vice Presidential candidate, Alhaji. Kashim Shettima, a suspected sympathizer of extremist Islamist ideology grossly implicated in the infamous Chibok ‘abductions’,

practitioners versed in the antics of the leadership of your political party who merely allowed your goodself to assume the role of the APC presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, and in line with what transpired during the 2015 presidential elections when high ranking members of the ruling PDP publicly worked against their parties presidential candidate, the same APC Governors and leaders who at the last minute adopted your goodself as their preferred candidate, have begun to declare allegiance to one of the opposing parties, in a move that is intended to expose you to public odium and in payback for your objective stance in revealing the role you played in the enthronement of the current regime.

who has, without the presidential elections even taking place, already arrogated to himself the role of Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces (in clear violations of the provisions of the Nigerian constitution), is suggestive that there is intent to take advantage of your advancing age to steer the ship of state in a direction antithetical to the secular and federal ethos of the Constitution. Clearly, if your presidential ticket continues as is, Nigeria and its peoples will be enmeshed in a far deeper quagmire than the current regime has punished the peoples of Nigeria with. In keeping with projections made by experts and

I believe you are very conversant with the facts enumerated above. You might presently be under the misconception that despite all these, it will still be possible to control the situation in the unlikely event that the elections proceed. When the reality that those behind the schemes described above are the same persons who threatened to overflow the polity with ‘the blood of baboons and monkeys’ in the event of their electoral loss, and who have confessed to having gone outside the shores of Nigeria to recruit mercenaries to thwart the electoral process, it becomes clear that it is in the best interest of all for the vile machinations planned, to be aborted long before it has any opportunity to manifest.

Dear Asiwaju, it is my candid advice, and that of those who hold you in esteem, that you use the opportunity of your nomination as the presidential candidate for the APC in the 2023 election to undertake a path and role that will forever enshrine your goodself as a man who: when it mattered most, sacrificed personal interest for national interest; who was willing to let go a ticket that will perpetuate divides amongst people in favor of an act that will cement bridges; a man who lived above treachery and ethnic schisms, whilst setting high bars for good governance and national cohesion. It is that sacrifice and willingness that you are now being, most respectfully, invited and urged to make. When your goodselve examines the other contenders for the Office of President at forthcoming presidential elections, you will readily arrive at a conclusion that the Labor Party presidential and vice presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed respectively, are imbued with those qualities and attributes that is suitable for the leadership Nigeria requires to overcome decades of bad governance; represents the requisite equity and balance that will portray Nigeria as just; and has exhibited the candor and attainments that makes them ideal to preside over the affairs of Nigeria and ready her for future accomplishments.

I do hereby humbly call on your goodself, to withdraw forthwith from the presidential race (thus denying those

who seek to rubbish your image for parochial and skewed reasons, an opportunity to so do), and wholly endorse, support and work towards the success of the candidature of Mr. Peter Obi and his Vice, Datti Baba-Ahmed, as presidential and vice presidential candidates respectively of the Labor Party in the presidential elections slated for February 2023.

If you hearken to the request above, your goodself would in addition to having elevated the bars of altruism and patriotism in service of Nigeria to a whole new level, cemented the proverbial and palpable ‘bridge across the Niger’ (and even beyond the Benue), announced yourself as a champion of equity and justice, invested in the prosperity and progress of Nigeria, and above all, carved an indelible pivotal position for yourself in posterity as a man who damned retrogression and infamy in favor of progress and glory of his country. Posterity will forever remember you and your name will join the ranks of the Nkrumah’s, Jomo Kenyatta’s, Azikiwe’s, MKO’s amongst other great Africans who rose up to be counted when it mattered most.

Remain blessed, dear Asiwaju.

Yours,

Eze Eluchie, Esq.

call to rise above

MOVIES: The Woman King Softens the Truth of the Slave Trade

By Ana Lucia Araujo

TheWoman King, directed by Gina PrinceBythewood and written by Maria Bello and Dana Stevens, portrays the ancient West African Kingdom of Dahomey (today’s Republic of Benin) and its legendary all-women regiment, the Agodjie. The film, which opens this weekend, is a vision of Black female power, starring Viola Davis, Sheila Atim, Thuso Mbedu,

“African complicity,” this film’s task is delicate, indeed. It’s not the first time that Dahomey and its female military company have appeared in the big screen. In 1987, the movie Cobra Verde, by German filmmaker Werner Herzog, based on the novel The Viceroy of Ouidah (1980) by Bruce Chatwin, represented the powerful West African kingdom and briefly depicted its women warriors. The new movie

and Lashana Lynch; its promotional material blurbs a review from Variety that calls the movie “the Gladiator of our time.” But how does The Woman King handle another part of Dahomey’s history—the kingdom’s involvement in the slave trade? At a time when the participation of African rulers and middlemen in the Atlantic slave trade gets described by Americans who want to divert attention from their own responsibility for the history of slavery as

is also set in Dahomey, in 1823. But the central character is not a white slave trader, as in Herzog’s film, but rather Nanisca, a West African woman. Played by Davis, this woman warrior is the head of the Agodjie. These fighters were mainly recruited among the many dozens of royal wives of the king of Dahomey. European traders and travelers who visited the region as early as the 18th century referred to them as the “Amazons,” evoking the female

fighters of Greek myth.

Although the Agodjie may have emerged in the 18th century, they probably started fighting in military campaigns in the 19th century, especially during the reign of King Gezo (played in the film by John Boyega).

As part of Dahomey’s army, they fought wars that (by that time in history) were waged with the main intent of producing prisoners to be sold into slavery in the Americas, especially to Brazil and Cuba.

With its focus on the all-women regiment, The Woman King gets one thing right, by representing Dahomey as a centralized and militarized kingdom, and not a “tribe,” as popular movies tend to depict historical African states. The kingdom of Dahomey’s origins can be traced to the 17th century. But its expansion started in the 18th century, during the most intense period of the Atlantic slave trade. In 1727, Dahomey conquered the Kingdom of Hueda, who lived along the coast, and took control of the port city of Ouidah, inaugurating its active participation in

the Atlantic slave trade. Historians estimated that nearly one million enslaved Africans were put on ships to the Americas in Ouidah between 1659 and 1863. The port was the second largest supplier of African captives to the trade, behind only Luanda, in today’s Angola. King Gezo came to power in 1818, following a coup d’état against his half-brother King Adandozan. In 1823, when the film’s action takes place, the British had already abolished their slave trade, and were putting pressure on West African states and European and American countries such as Portugal, Spain, and Brazil to end their own. Brazil had declared independence from Portugal in 1822, but continued actively importing enslaved

Africans, including from Ouidah. Meanwhile, Dahomey had been paying tributes to the Kingdom of Oyo (a state located in today’s southwestern Nigeria) since 1748.* In 1823, under Gezo’s rule, Dahomey fought a war against Oyo and eventually succeeded in ridding itself of the tributes. This is the action that’s portrayed in the film. The first scene of the movie shows one of the raids led by the Dahomean army. The Agodjie attack a village. In the movie, the women soldiers kill the men and spare the women. In reality, more probably, the soldiers of the Dahomean army (both women and men) would take the healthy, younger villagers as prisoners and walk them to Dahomey’s capital, Abomey. The film quickly suggests the various possible fates of these prisoners, by showing that some could be kept in slavery locally, others could be offered in human sacrifices to honor Dahomean deities, and most would be transported to the coast, where they would be sold, and board slave ships sailing to the Americas, especially Brazil. In more than one scene in The Woman King, Nanisca attempts to convince Gezo that the Europeans are trying to conquer them, and that they would not stop until the whole of Africa is theirs. But at the time the film is set, both the French and the English forts in Ouidah had already been abandoned. The city’s modest Portuguese fort São João Batista was neither like the sumptuous yellowish building represented in the movie, nor was it as big as any of the existing Gold Coast fortresses of Elmina and Cape Coast, which survive in present-day Ghana. This is an important difference because, although Europeans were allowed to build fortresses on Ouidah’s shores, Dahomey and its agents always controlled the slave trade in the region.

Portuguese fort São João Batista in Ouidah, 2005.

Photo by Ana Lucia Araujo.

Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda receives The Voice Achievers Award 2022

InJuly 2022, rain caused heavy destructions across Gambia, one of the areas most affected was the constituency of His Lordship, Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda of Kanifing Municipality.During our founder, Pastor Ambassador Elvis Iruh visit to the Gambia, he was received by the Mayor in his office where his nomination letter was delivered to him and he assured of his attendance but due to circumstances beyond his control, he could not attend. Therefore a separate award presentation ceremony was organized for him. The Voice Achievers Award representative in the Gambia, Mr. Modika Bah and one of his staff did presentation of the award to His lordship. Photos from the award presentation and a video clip of the Mayor expressing his appreciation to the organizers and congratulating other awardees for 2022 were sent to the organizers. We wish the Mayor and his people speedy recovery after the disastrous flooding.

Deborah Nwakaego Iruh clocks 23

Happy Birthday to a special daughter Deborah Nwakaego Iruh

On her 23rd birthday on 20th September 2022. We pray for God to give you more years of beautiful life with grace to accomplish God’s destiny plan for your life.

Signed: Pastor & Mrs Elvis Iruh

On behalf of the family

Esther lruh turns 20

Happy 20th birthday celebration to you, our darling Esther Ijeoma Iruh as you turn 20 on 24th September 2022

May God grant you abundance of every thing in life and grow you in knowledge and wisdom of God. We love you ....

Signed: Pastor & Mrs Elvis Iruh & Deborah Iruh on behalf of the family

Celebrating Mr. & Mrs David Banjoko

Helena & David traditional wedding in Ghana

The Banjoko family, Abusi family and the Asabere family from Ghana came together celebrate their children, Helena Asabere and David Banjoko who said yes to each other and officially got married in August 2022. The two day event started with the introduction and tradition rites as the Banjoko and Abusi families from Nigeria invaded Ghana to join their son and asked the hands of Helena in marriage. The ceremony was very colourful and well attended by

families, friends and well wishers. The next day the union was celebrated in the church as they said yes to each other before a cloud of witnesses. They are both married by law and church.

On behalf of the management of The VOICE PUBLICATION, we congratulate Mr. & Mrs. Banjoko and wishing them a very happy married life in Jesus Christ name. Amen. Few selected pictures for your viewing pleasure.

ON 2023: A SURPRISE CANDIDATE LEADS THE RACE TO LEAD NIGERIA, POLL SHOWS

Asthe kick off for campaigns began in Nigeria, a third-party candidate is the top choice to become the next president of Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria according to a new opinion poll released at the close of September 2022. Although the two major parties, the ruling APC and opposition party, PDP are calling the opinion polls a joke and they seem not to take it serious. A clear majority of respondents said they intend to vote for Peter Obi, a former state governor, in elections scheduled for February 2023. The results of the survey conducted for Bloomberg News by Premise Data Corp. were published last month as the official campaign to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari kicked off.

Of the 92% of participants who said they’ve decided how to vote, 72% named Peter Obi as their first choice. Of those who are still unsure, 45% said the 61-year-old is their preferred candidate.

Presidential Race

The San Francisco-headquartered data company surveyed 3,973 Nigerians from September 5 to 20. Respondents to the app-based poll were selected from quotas developed by age, gender and location across the country’s six geopolitical zones. Results were then weighted against the original quotas to ensure national representation. About 44% of Nigerians own smartphones, according to the Alliance for Affordable Internet. The candidates of the two parties that have ruled Nigeria since the restoration of democracy in 1999 fared less well. Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress garnered 16% of decided voters and 23% of those yet to make up their minds. Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party tallied 9% and 17% respectively.

A former two-term governor of the southeastern Anambra state, Obi is running on the ticket of the Labour Party,

which won a single seat in the Senate and House of Representatives in the last election in 2019. The APC and PDP dominate both chambers of parliament.

‘Obidient’ Followers

In a relatively short time, Obi has built up an enthusiastic base known as “Obidients”, it was initially an online movement, but increasingly in the streets of Nigeria who aim to cause an upset on Feb. 25. Still, the Labour Party has a much smaller nationwide presence than the two rival parties, which are experienced at turning out voters across the vast West African country. Obi’s supporters will need to rapidly scale up their organizational infrastructure if they’re to capitalize on the campaign’s momentum.

Obi originally sought the PDP’s nomination before withdrawing from a party election that Abubakar, a former vice president and perennial presidential candidate, won in May. Tinubu, who used to govern the commercial hub of Lagos and is the most influential politician in southwestern Nigeria, triumphed by a landslide in the APC’s primaries the following month. The five-month race to the general elections gets underway as Nigerians contend with soaring inflation, a plunging currency and pervasive insecurity. Production of the

the revenue it was able to earn.

Three-quarters of respondents said that their country is heading in the “wrong direction.” A combined 88% listed the economy and jobs, corruption, and security — three pillars of the campaign that brought Buhari to power in 2015 as the most important issues facing their communities.

Campaign Issues

Voters are most concerned about economy and jobs, corruption. More than 65% named Peter Obi as the candidate best able to improve the economy, tackle corruption and reduce insecurity. Tinubu ranked second on each measure, ahead of Abubakar Atiku. Obi also came out in front in two other opinion polls published since September 15, 2022.

Despite the general disenchantment about Nigeria’s trajectory, most respondents said that they trust the election to be run fairly and think their vote will make a difference — even if almost half expect the polls to be FREE AND FAIR.

economy’s historical mainstay crude oil has also slumped to multi-decade lows, while the Buhari administration’s debt service bill in the first quarter of the year exceeded

Courtesy of the BladeNGR

Congratulations to Helena & David Banjoko

To God be the glory as one of our senior management staff, the web designer and the Voice magazine designer, Mr. David Banjoko got married to former Miss Helena Asabere in Ghana where he is based currently. It was a union that brought both families together and friends.

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan Makes Top 5, Ese Brume Leaps 32 Places In Latest World Athletes Women Chart

Thetwo athletes have continued to enjoy global acclaim as Amusan jumped 38 places to move up to 5th position in the rankings, a massive rise for her in the space of a year compared to the 43rd position she ranked in September 2021.

Popular Nigerian hurdler and athlete, Tobi Amusan, and Long Jumper, Ese Brume, have ranked high in the latest World Athletes Women Chart.

The two athletes have continued to enjoy global acclaim as Amusan jumped 38 places to move up to 5th position in the rankings, a massive rise for her in the space of a year compared to the 43rd position she ranked in September 2021. Recall that the 25-year-old hurdler has been recording incredible winning in the past four months during the Commonwealth Games.

In June, Amusan won two gold medals at the 2022 African Championships in Athletics, Mauritius. She then moved to the

United States for the 2022 World Athletics Championships where she made world history. Recall that at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, Amusan set a new World Record with a time of 12.12 seconds to win gold in the 100 meters hurdles, making her Nigeria’s first World Champion. Amusan also successfully defended her Commonwealth Games 100 meters hurdles title at the 2022 Games to set a new games record of 12.30 seconds. The World Champion also defended her Diamond League 100 meters hurdles title in Zurich, Switzerland.

In a similar progression, Amusan’s compatriot and Olympics bronze medalist, Brume ranked 93rd within the same period and leaped to 61st position in the rankings. Brume leaped 32 places up to become the second-best ranked Nigerian on the chart. Note that Brume has reportedly been the most consistent Nigerian athlete in recent years, in that she can be leaned on

to always deliver a medal for Nigeria.

According to her achievements record, Brume won a Bronze medal for Nigeria at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics that took place in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic and she has been impressive since then. She won a silver medal at the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships, Nigeria’s only medal in the competition.

Some months later, she won a silver medal also at the World Athletics Championships to make history as the first African to win two long jump medals in the history of the competition.

Ese Brume, who is 26 years old leaped a 7.0 meters jump to win gold at the women’s long jump event and also broke the game record in the event during the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Amusan and Brume were conferred with the national honours of the Order of the Niger (OON) and a cash reward of N4.5million each by President Muhammadu Buhari during a State House visit on Thursday.