The Voice magazine

ISSN:2588-8807

ISSN:1571-3466

Motto: Actuated towards Africa’s advancement

Volume 20. NO. 177. October 2018

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First complete African magazine published in The Netherlands since August 1999

Nobel peace prize goes to campaigners against sexual violence

Uganda’s liberation is near - Bobi Wine

“Tributes to Apostle Dr. Hayford Alile (OFR)

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Page 4: Editorial: Politics of coronations!

Page 6: Column: Let’s get real Page 8 – Feedback: Letters to the Editor Page 9 – My reflection: Nigeria a great nation Pages 10 & 11 - From village icon to global acclaim: Promising young Ghanaian keeps soaring while saving lives.

Pages 12-15 - Tribute to Apostle (Dr.) Hayford Ikponmwonsa Alile, OFR, NPOM Pages 20 & 21 - The Voice Achievers Award, The Netherlands, Releases List of 2018 Awardees Pages 24-27 - Traditional wedding of Chioma & Chigozie Page 28 - Nigeria: Chibok girls activist Oby Ezekwesili to contest against Buhari Page 29 - Akon plans solar projects to support Sierra Leone’s smart president Pages 34 & 37 - Report on NTC Business link program from 24th to 28th Sept. 2018 in The Netherlands Pages 40-41 - Presidential Aspirant: Donald Duke “In the race to make a difference...”

Page 45 - For Buhari & Atiku, it ll be Eagle vs Eagle- Bakare Pages 46-47 - Kwaku Adoboli: The man needed in Ghana to clean up our banks Pages 48-50 – Nobel peace prize goes to campaigners against sexual violence Pages 52 & 53 – My Political Diary by Segun Odegbami.

Pages 54-57 – Uganda’s liberation is near says Bobi Wine Page 58 - NBA to develop partnership with Africa for more opportunities in Sports & Education Page 59 – Ethiopia’s ruling Amhara bloc announces name, logo overhaul Pages 60 &61 - Al Tareq Rehabilitation and Autismus center introduces “Therapeutic Diet” Page 62 - Is Cameroon ready to host AFCON 2019?

Page 63 - FIFA ‘welcomes’ Pinnick back to Football Family Page 64 - Senegal capital gets historic female mayor in person of Soham El Wardini

The Voice Magazine Volume 20. No 177 October 2018 Edition

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Editorial

Politics of Coronations!

W e are at this period of politicking in Nigeria and for the rest of Africa, as we look at Nigeria, Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo who are preparing for elections in the coming months. This election cost huge sums of taxpayers’ funds, which are scare, and yet wasted on coronations, sorry for my language but in all ramifications, this is how African elections particularly that of Nigerian seems to project. So far so good, the coronation exercise has begun in Nigeria body polity even at political parties’ primaries; we can only imagine what will happen at the real elections. The ruling party, APC as well as the main opposition party, PDP are the same in style, operation and modules of selecting their candidates for the February 2019 elections; it is either they give you a direct ticket, so no contest of your policies and popularity with the populace like they have done for the President, Buhari will contest 2019 not on the platform of his performances but because they claim he deserves a second term. At the state level, like in Lagos State, they also claim that the Governor does not deserve a second term so they pick a candidate to ‘coronate’ as their next Governorship aspirant despite objections from the populace. On national television, a party delegate had this to say, ‘we listen to our leader, he says the party top leadership do not want Ambode again, and we are here to execute that order, nobody will be allowed at this ward to vote for Ambode; our vote is for the new candidate (name unknown)’. These how political leaders are elected to go and contest in an election – the choice of the political leader of political godfather? This is supposed to be elections at the primary level within the party, no state has not had complains against the political stricture or the manner with which the elections are conducted. And we want the world to accept this as credible process and applaud you as having held elections. To us this are no elections, we should call it a different name. What is close to this is a coronation exercise where a group of people comes together to pick one out of several and anoint him or her as whatever candidate they should to call him.

A process that do not respects the wishes of the people or even allow the people to make their own choice is evil to say the least. We hear Nigerian politicians say we already decide who our candidate is! We know who will win the election! Then why waste all of these resources in organizing an election that you already know the outcome?

The ruling party, APC whom we are entrusting to organize elections at the national level cannot conduct primaries within its party that could be adjudged as free and fair. None of the primaries of APC has not been in dispute. Then coming to the elections proper, two state elections, Ekiti and Osun States respectively has been marred with allegations of vote buying, intimidation, harassments, ballot stuffing, no elections, lack of materials and rigging of the votes and false election results declaration. All of these had taken place in the two states and

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it is a prelude to what to expect at the national elections. It is obvious that these two elections are political water shield the government planned to use for the national elections. We can say here that the election is a scam and fraud – waste of taxpayers’ money and useless exercise. The elections would not be free, fair or transparent – it is politics of Pastor Elvis Iruh buy the vote if you cannot rig it.

Editor-in-Chief We have seen it already, where they cannot rig the votes, they get the opposition particularly the smaller parties so we are not surprised of the volume of mushroom parties emerging at the period close to election in Nigeria. Is this practice truly an attribute of democracy? We don’t think so; the expectations of the public or masses are not put into consideration. For instance in Lagos State, the incumbent Governor has fallen out in favour of the powers that produced him that they do not want even his name to appear on the ballot; they out rightly are working against him that he does not make it through the primaries. They have coronate a new candidate, no surprises, four years ago; he was also coronate in the same manner.

Our concern in all of these is the huge budget allocated for organizing these elections! It is ridiculous. In Cameroon, President Paul Biya is contesting against 11 others and the projections says the president has 83% approval rating and acceptance so we wonder why waste the scare resources of the country on an election that the world already know who the winner is? If 11 candidates cannot make any significant gain at the polls, then why waste time and resources on going on with the elections? In Democratic Republic of Congo, President Kabila had to be persuaded not to contest after his two tenure expires but he would be eligible again after the next five years.

So he is interested in who succeeds him so he can oversee a coronation exercise that would give him an easy passage back to power. Who the people allow this to happen to them? Tell will tell.

Borrowing the words of Obi Ezekwesili, the highest power lies with the people and not the president or the political elite so the people have to learn how to use their power to elect and dismiss when they are not satisfy.

Happy new month of October to you all, our event is fast approaching – The Voice Achievers award 2018. Join us to celebrate the best of Africans and friends of Africa.

Enjoy your edition and see you in November in Amsterdam.

Pastor Elvis Iruh Editor-in-Chief

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 af­ filiated to any of these bodies or to any other ­publishing institution or political interest or group.

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THE VOICE MAGAZINE TEAM Publisher: Stichting Paddi Europa Editor-in-Chief Pastor Elvis Ndubuisi Iruh elvisiruh@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Founding/Contributing Editor Edward Idahosa Ogbee apexbest2000@yahoo.co.uk Managing Editor Henry D. Oduenyi (Nigeria Office) henry@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Project Coordinator Ifeyinwa Ezeagabu i.ezeagabu@thevoicenewsmagazine. com Project Editor (Nigeria) Chiedu Harris Ify harrisbok4real@gmail.com BUREAU CHIEFS Gbenga T. Okunlola (London) teejayok@gmail.com Joel Savage (Belgium) juskosave@yahoo.com Femi Ikutiyinu (London) afpaprint2000@yahoo.com Middle East Vice- President Amb. Laila EL Aftani Rahhall CORRESPONDENTS ABROAD Nicholas Noghayin Ehioghiren (Madrid, Spain) nicholasmicnita@yahoo.com Barrister Eze Eluchie (Nigeria) paddingr@yahoo.com Kehinde Aig-Imoru (Nigeria) aigimoru@yahoo.com Rev. Tammy Abusi (Port-Harcourt) t.abusi@thevoicenewsmagazine.com

Eubaldus Enahoro enabadus2000@yahoo.com Principal Photo Editor: Handy Tims Azeez Badris fatim_26@hotmail.com PA to Publisher Lilian Akintokun (Mrs) raven_lilian@yahoo.com Graphic Designers David Banjoko Wil Gomersbach (Web Master) George Adegite Printer: Drukkerij Palteam www.palteam.nl MEDIA CONSULTANT Jonathan Mgbejume Abeka Salmin Abdallah Mildred Kleinbussink Pastor Duncan Spier Engr. Barry Igbeare You can as well contact our Office Address: Stichting Paddi Europa Inz The Voice Jeroen Boschplantsoen 82 1318 HH Almere The Netherlands Land Line: +3136-8801341 Tel.: +31 (0)6-48519292 Mobile: +31 (0)6-84999548 E-mail: info@thevoicenewsmagazine.com www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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The Voice magazine is published in the Netherlands by Stichting Paddi Europa and it is p ­ ublished online from 2016 around the world. It is registered at the Chamber of Commerce Amsterdam. The Voice aim to serve as a vital link among African readers in the Diaspora and we ­provide ­objective information and organizes opinion exchange among African people both in the ­continent and abroad. Thus it strives to foster and enhance complete understanding of ­developing c­ ountries problems and bring information to help address those issues. TV

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October 2018 www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Column:

LET’S GET REAL

The favorite quotes of Christians nowadays is “don’t judge me” or who are you to judge me. It used to be the quote of unbelievers as we call people that have not given their lives to Jesus Christ. This was their way of justifying a sinful life, living an unrepentant and independent life from God. But some way, somehow it has now become the favorite slogan for many Christians in church. Having this mindset, attitude and church culture is one of the reasons our churches are full of psychopaths, sociopaths or what they call antisocial personality disorders, pedophiles, slanderers, sins and lifestyles the bible says we should all repent from. They are in church but not to worship or seek Christ. They have not come to repent or become saved, no that’s far from their goal.

Because we keep shouting “YOU CANT JUDGE ME” it seems there’s nothing wrong with staying as you are. There are no marks set before us to strive to achieve, why? Because we keep saying God is love and Jesus loves me just as I am. Yes, he loves you but not the madness you call a good life. Yes, Jesus loves you but not the havoc you are secretly creating at home.

Yes he loves you but not the lifestyle you’ve chosen for yourself. He loves you but not the terror you have become to your church and community. He loves you yes, but not the nightmare you are to little boys and girls at your care. The truth is you are sick, yes SICK and you hide behind the love of the church. You hide behind being a Christian. You have a mental problem that you truly need deliverance and healing from. Yes you, sitting there in the church even as a leader. Now tell me….who are you leading? And again where are you leading people to?

REPENT, REPENT AND AGAIN REPENT!!

Many of our leaders suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorders, hidden low self-esteem and making the lives of their congregations a living hell. Nowadays young girls and boys are not safe in the house of God, why? Partly because of the “you can’t judge me, we keep saying!

Everything goes these days in church. Let me announce

By Evelyn Amo

to the body of Christ that we have entered a season of cleaning up. And as we keep shouting “we are in the last days” let’s get something clear. If Jesus comes today how the bride (the church) is like? What have we turned his bride into?

Have we forgotten that judgment will start from the house of God? Aren’t we the people filled with the Holy Ghost? The ones that ought to know better, do better, teach and guide others to Jesus? Are we not the ones supposed to arise and shine so that the sinners in our communities will see the glory of God upon our lives and come to Christ? Now tell me, we think that God is just going to love us into hell? Do you think that the God of justice and of righteousness is just happy with us turning his mercy into a license to sin? Let’s repent from our bad attitudes and behaviors. They stink and are keeping souls ready for harvest away from the church!

The compassion and love Jesus had for us got him angry enough to take a whip and start clearing the temple of people that had not come to seek God but kept the church full. People that only see the temple as a perfect business place. Our player brothers and sisters only see the church as their hunting ground for the opposite sex. To others the church is just a social club, a fun place to be. Let’s not even talk of the pedophiles calling themselves priest! Has anybody force you not to marry? If you know you are not graced to be celibate the apostle Paul said then marry. So please get an adult and marry and leave the kids alone!!! Yes, we are the ones that have turned the church into what we are all seeing today.

This shows us that it’s always people that turn the temple or the church into something else. Jesus had to clean the place up and restore order. Telling them what the temple, the church or the house of God is. They seemed to have lost focus, and mind you their leaders were also part of it.

They allowed it all to go on. Jesus told them my house is a house of prayer for all nations!

The remaining part of this article will be published next moth including the next article.

You can follow me on social media Or e-mail me at evelyn.bamfo@gmail.com www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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WE MOURN

We have loss a dear wife, mother & sister, Mrs. Omobola Alayaki I woke up this morning thinking I had a bad dream and that the news last night was not true. I have been expecting a phone call to say, she is back to life. We issued her death release too quickly but nothing of such came so I have to write a tribute this morning to the wife of my children friend and brother. Dr. Adewumi Alayaki. After several years of not communicating and we reconnected; he invited me to his home and his wonderful, beautiful elegant, gentle, humble wife was at hand to receive me with care and love to their home in Abeokuta. My stay was wonderful, enjoyed a family reception. Just May this year, we spoke again, she was pleading with me so she cooked again but I was such in a hurry to get back to Lagos. Never waited to see her or eat her food, as she was busy on her job. Looking forward to have her and Doctor with me again at this year’s award in November and then death struck. Death took her but I don’t accept that, you only went to your father in heaven to rest, a place where there is no sickness or pains any more. We would miss your physical presence among us but you left us with much love to remember you for a lifetime. My brother, Dr. Alayaki, no words to console you at this time. You couldn’t speak when I called but it is okay, you and the children and the rest of the family have to come to terms with this. As a Doctor, I have watched you help saved so many lives. If it were within your power, you would have done it over and over again. It is well with you and the rest of the family. God knows best.

Adieu our sister, mother and wife.

Pastor Elvis Iruh on behalf of my family and the Voice magazine management.

Dr. Adewunmi Alayaki loses wife

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renowned medical practitioner and founder of Hope Hospital in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr Adewunmi Alayaki has lost his wife, Omobolanle to the cold hands of death at the age of 46, after a Neurosurgery.

Dr. Alayaki is a personal friend and brother figure to our publisher, Pastor Elvis Iruh and a Goodwill Ambassador to The Voice Achievers Award in The Netherlands. He confirmed the sad event to our publisher via telephone conversation. Until her sudden death, Mrs. Alayaki was a Biology Teacher at Lafenwa High School (Snr), in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

The former Secretary General of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) said, his wife passed away on October 4th after undergoing a successful operation at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, explaining further that she had a neurosurgery done at the hospital and she was discharged home.

However she later developed some complications, which she did not survived. She is survived by her husband, and son, Olanrewaju.

A service of song was held in her honour and memory, and was buried on October 5th in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Since her death, the Alayakis have received several goodwill messages of condolence and personal testimonies of people

encounter with her. It has all been good compliments of her kindness, loving heart and gentle spirit.

Our founder is heartbroken and short words to describe her demise. He has since sent a condolence message to the family and he is also using this media to pay tribute to the wife of his dear brother, Dr. Adewunmi Alayaki.

Her death is an irreplaceable loss to the immediate family, but Ogun State where her services as a Teacher would be greatly missed. She was a good teacher, mother, councilor and a reliable support for her husband at the hospital. Only the Almighty God can console the family in this time and years to come as they live with the reality of her death.

Opinion

MY REFLECTION: NIGERIA A GREAT NATION Just return from Nigeria after one-month mission trip. On Oct 1st 2018 we became 58years old as a nation. At 58 we are still not able to manage the nation for the benefit of all. At 58 Nigerians live without electricity. At 58 we have no vision, our political system has been hijacked for personal enrichment instead of serving the nation.

Politics has become the best way to quick wealth. We enter into politics not because of the love to serve but because politics guaranteed power influence and quick access to getting rich. Few who are above the law of the land have hijacked Nigeria as a nation. I can’t understand how our senators could be earning about 65,000 USD every month while millions of the population go to bed without food.

This is more than greed but wickedness. I learnt that Governors are allocated security vote they can spend, as they like and nobody knows the exact amount! All the 57 local government chairmen their secretary and councilors in Lagos State are now riding brand new imported cars just after barely one year of taking office. The same is the case in all-local government in all the 36 states of the nation. I learnt that more than 74% of our national income is being used to service the Government. How can Nigeria move forward if this is the case?

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whole nation is corrupt even those who are at the lowest strata of the society are also longing to enter politics for the purpose of grapping their own cake. We celebrate people who are rich and powerful without questioning

how they get their money.

Nigeria is now one of the first five poorest nations of the world despite our wealth and resources. What baffles me most is the way we practice our faith. I learnt with dismay how people in powerful positions especially in the spiritual area are manipulated innocent ordinary people. I was shocked to learn that believers were made to engage in a 21 days all night prayers for miracles and breakthrough. Some even as much as 40 nights. How on earth can we be productive after spending 21 to 40 nights in the church praying? It is in Nigeria that I see everybody praying for everything, like when driving a car through a water logged road that God should help to see the car through. Many of the issues we invite God into are things we can handle with the wisdom and knowledge we have in Christ. In my opinion God should not be troubled for a bad road. We should be bold enough to hold those in government accountable for the mismanagement of our God given resources. If all those who claim to follow Jesus could really follow him to love care and serve as our Lord Jesus did, confronting every form of injustice, it wouldn’t take two years for Nigeria to be transformed. The change that we are desperately hoping for cannot be accomplished by any of the current leaders and politicians. A repented church that fully understands her mandate to be light and salt is the only hope of our nation. I do not believe there are followers of Jesus in our government services.

Nobody can be in the current senate, house of rep or in the state house of assembly and sincerely claim to know Jesus unless the person doesn’t know what it means to be a follower of our Lord Jesus.

As long as the blinds continue to lead our nation we will continue to suffer in darkness. My hope is that the change we are desperately hoping for will begin with you and me.

By Rev. Moses Alagbe Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Celebration OF SUCCESS

From village icon to global acclaim: Promising young Ghanaian keeps soaring while saving lives...

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t’s no mean feat to be recognized by the most powerful countries in the world and the most influential leaders especially when you are under 30 years old and the son of a peasant and charcoal seller in a remote village in western Ghana.

This is the success story of Shadrack Frimpong, the founder and CEO of Cocoa360, an organisation that develops farming communities and facilitates access to education and healthcare through cocoa plantations.

With several awards and recognition from Queen Elizabeth II of England (2018 Queen’s Young Leader Award), former UN SecretaryGeneral Kofi Annan, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the U.S. White House, Ghana’s Jubilee House, Ghana Legacy Honours (2017 Future Award) among many others, Frimpong is still achieving global excellence.

Shadrack Frimpong was recently chosen as the recipient of the prestigious Boyer Scholarship which will fund his Masters Degree in Non-Profit Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania and to make him an Honorary member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, a unit of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard – the oldest and among the most decorated in the United States.

This honour makes Shadrack the second African recipient in the Fund’s 64-year history and the first from West Africa. “I

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am particularly excited about the scholarship and my goal is to use the skills of discipline and confidence that I will gain during training in the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry to equip and position me to become a global leader in healthcare.

“I returned to Penn to pursue a Master’s degree in Non-Profit Leadership (NPL) to hone my leadership skills particularly to fine-tune and guide Cocoa360’s strategy. My work with Cocoa360 over the past three years has taught me soft skills such as empathy as well as crucial first-hand lessons in leadership. As the organization continues to grow and expand, it became imperative that I re-position myself for more knowledge and experiences to guide our growth in the years ahead,” Frimpong told Face2Face Africa.

The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) in the United States is his alma mater and he enrolled on a full scholarship after his high school education at Opoku Ware School in Kumasi, Ghana, where he graduated with the help of a Ghana Cocoa Board scholarship.

As the first person from his village of Tarkwa Breman to attend and graduate from college, Shadrack Frimpong left Penn in 2015 with a degree in Biology and the prestigious $150,000 President’s Engagement Prize. He is the first black student and one of five in his graduating class to be awarded the prize.

He went back to Tarkwa Breman and transformed his Tarkwa Breman Community Alliance nonprofit into Cocoa360 which has developed a model school for girls and a community hospital that is selfsustained by proceeds from a community cocoa farm plantation.

“So far, we have enrolled 120 young girls in our tuition-free school. We have 33 staff members (about 95% of whom are local), and directly serve over 30,000 farmers and their families. We have drilled 2 boreholes on our campus, each providing over 4,000 liters of clean water daily.

“In less than a year, we have attended to over 2500 patients at our health facility. Annually, we anticipate that about 242 children will be immunized, over 450 babies will be delivered and we will have over 930

malaria clients in care,” he explained.

Cocoa360 has over 30 staff members who are based in Ghana and Frimpong is guiding organizational strategy and leading the research and evaluation activities of the organization.

“It has taken us a lot of mistakes to finally get to where we are today. To be fair – I would say that a high turnover is inevitable for any organization in the startup phase. However, we have eventually been able to navigate this by setting an organizational culture as a team,” he says of his team.

He was quick to add the support they gained from the Tarkwa Breman community which is benefiting from the tuition-free education and subsidized medical care by providing labour on the community-run cocoa farm.

“So far, we have enjoyed the most support from the community – they donated 50 acres of land to help us begin work … Proceeds from the farm are then used to support the school and clinic’s operations,” he added.

Ghana’s leadership future is secured with people like Shadrack Frimpong who aims to stay in the United States to pursue further advanced degrees and gain work experiences in the field of healthcare and leadership so as to help develop his community and country.

As described by the late Ghanaian diplomat and former secretary-general of the United Nations Kofi Annan, Shadrack Frimpong is “an embodiment of youth leadership”.

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Tribute to Apostle (Dr.) Hayford Ikponmwonsa Alile, OFR, NPOM

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he Spiritual Leader was born on the 24th April 1938, Apostle Hayford Alile briefly attended the University of Ibadan as a scholar in Physics and thereafter proceeded to Howard University, Washington D.C, where he earned his B.A degree in Economics and Mathematics.

He later attended Rutgers Graduate School of Management, New Jersey, USA for his MBA and the Harvard Business School for AMP. Apostle Alile’s rich working history began as Economic and Financial Consultant to Louis Berger Inc, East Orange, New Jersey, USA in 1968. Between 1969 and 1972, he served as Assistant Director, Rutgers University Entrepreneurial Development Center, New Jersey and Rutgers Minority Investment Co. Inc. He worked as an Investment Advisor/Broker with Investors Diversified Services Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, 1972-1973.

In 1973, he returned to Nigeria to head the Management Consulting Department of the Center for Management Development, Lagos, and he was from there appointed in 1976 as the Executive Director /CEO of the then Lagos Stock Exchange in 1979. He retired from that position in 1999 and was in that same year appointed to the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He was also on the Boards of the (Mint) The Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc, and the Central Securities & Clearing Systems Limited (CSCS). At the Centre for Management Development, he was responsible for the establishment of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMCON) and the Nigerian Association of Management Consultants (NAMCON). He was currently the Chairman of Oceanic Bank International Plc and UTC Nigeria Plc until his death.

A life member of the Nigerian Economic Society, he is a Fellow of several professional

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bodies including the Nigeria Institute of Management ( NIM), Institute of Directors (IOD) and Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Company Administrators, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers.

Apostle Alile holds the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (DSC) from Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria and also a recipient of the Nigerian National Honour Awards of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM).

Apostle Alile has authored several books in Management Development on Nigeria Economy, the Capital Market and Christian life. Apostle Alile was the Secretary General of the then National Union of Nigeria Students (NUNS) 1963/64 and the Treasurer/ Trustee of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) for over twelve years (1984-1996).

He runs a foundation, The Hayford Alile Foundation (THAF), a humanitarian platform structured for

the delivery of social values. He is happily married to his wife Staff Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Nohuoma Alile and the union is richly blessed with eight adorable children. Until his passing on, he was the Spiritual Leader of the Church- St. Joseph’s Chosen Church of God International with headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.

Our path crossed in 2014 when he accepted to receive The Life Time Achievement Award from The Voice magazine in The Netherlands. He personally attended and we all have fun memory of sharing his life experiences with him. He was truly a giant in the Christian faith, a firm believer in Nigeria and its prospects. He did all he could humanly to motivate the young ones like us to be the best we could.

Papa Alile as we fondly calls him. He will miss your words of knowledge, encouragement and wisdom.

Rest in perfect peace sir and adieu till we meet again.

Tribute from The Voice magazine Almere, The Netherlands.

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Late Apostle Hayford Ikponmwosa Alile was Nigeria’s great asset – Children

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postle Hayford Ikponmwosa Alile, OFR, B.A., MBA (Hon), D.Sc, one of the nation’s greatest assets is dead. He died in his home on October 1, 2018. He was 80 years old.

Apostle Alile was an avid philanthropist, the former Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)

and Spiritual Leader of St. Joseph Chosen Church of God. He was a leading investment analyst who in the last four decades made valuable contributions to national economic growth and public policy formulation “Daddy just had a way about him. He gave 100% to everything he did. You would wonder how a man could excel in career, philanthropy, and spirituality and still be the most amazing father and amazing Husband. My siblings and I are very very sad but we are joyous because we know he lived an exemplary life for us to model,” said Osayi Alile,

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his 3 rd child, CEO Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation (ACT). “His work transcended many fields, but most notably as an investment analyst, an economic and financial consultant. The world has been changed by his tireless work to change the financial landscape of Nigeria; a claim that not many can make. A multitude of family friends worldwide are left behind but his spirit of excellence continues through us all.” “My Dad was an exemplary leader,” His only son Ikponmwosa Alile explained. “He was shameless about his deep love for God and carried his values in everything he did and led many people to a deeper spiritual understanding.

Growing up, he was more than a career man; he was always a man of the people. St. Joseph Church, where he acted as a Spiritual leader, was very much a part of his every day.” Osaruese, his 7th daughter says, “My earliest memories of my Daddy were of all the exotic countries he would visit for work and church. His experiences shaped my outlook to live; He inspired my sense of adventure and individuality. His vacuum can never be filled Apostle Alile was the Council Member at The Nigerian Stock Exchange.

He served as Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange 1979- 1999. He served as Investment Adviser and Broker at Investors Diversified Services Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, from 1972 to 1973. He served as Chairman and Director on numerous boards, such as Central Securities Clearing Services, UTC Nigeria Plc, Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Director of Industrial And General Insurance Company Limited and Nigerian Security Printing & Minting Company. He served as Director of The Central Bank of Nigeria from 1999 to 2005. From 1969 to 1972, he served as Assistant Director of Rutgers University Entrepreneurial Development Center, New Jersey and Rutgers Minority Investment Co Inc. He was for 12 years a Trustee and Treasurer of the Nigeria Olympic Committee. He was also President of the Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria. He was a recipient of the Nigeria National Honours awards of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM).

Apostle considered himself a citizen of the world and enjoyed traveling. Apostle Alile is survived by his wife, Pat, their eight children, 9 grandchildren and 3 siblings.

President Buhari, Governor Obaseki, clerics mourn the passing of Dr. Alile Pioneer Director-General of Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, and Spiritual Leader of St Joseph Chosen Church of God, SJCCG, International, Apostle Hayford Ikponmwonsa Alile, is dead.

Though the family was yet to formally announce his demise, it was gathered that he died on October 1, 2018, at his Lagos residence, at the age of 80.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, and some clerics were among eminent Nigerians, who condoled with the family.

President Buhari in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, he commiserated with his family, friends and close associates of Dr. Alile.

Late Apostle Alile served variously on the board of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other blue-chip companies.

The President affirmed that the late Spiritual Leader served the country extensively, especially in the structuring of the economic landscape of both the private and public sector and consistently advocated a synergy for national development.

President Buhari believes in the rich educational pedigree of Apostle Alile and his strong spiritual background which he used for the benefit of the country, commending his sense of patriotism and national outlook in promoting peace, unity and setting up The Hayford Alile Foundation to cater for the poor.”

Gov Obaseki similarly said he was deeply saddened by the demise of the renowned administrator. He said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Apostle Hayford Alile, who was a father figure to me and clearly one of the finest personalities in our country. “Pa Alile was a courageous and incorruptible professional, who championed the global outlook for the Nigerian Stock Exchange through several reforms and pioneered the

revolutionary ideas, which positioned the Stock Exchange for international recognition. “He contributed significantly to the take-off and growth of the country’s organized private sector, through his visionary leadership on the boards of several leading companies across the country and left a good legacy everywhere he worked. “Pa Alile was a role model to many of us and we admired how he succeeded in striking a balance between Christian ministry, work, and family.

Alile lived well; served well says Msgr Osu, the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Gabriel Osu described Alile as a peaceful and highly spiritual man.

More tributes would be pouring in as the family officially announces his passing on. His son also spoke on the father in a separate article.

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Living positive Facts about HIV worldwide • 36,9 million people globally living with HIV, of which 1,8 million children (under the age of 15), 21,1 million people – (59%) have access to treatment.

• In The Netherlands almost every person living with HIV has access to this life saving treatment.

• U=U stands for: Undetectable equals Untransmittable. A person living with HIV who takes medication as prescribed and has an undetectable viral load cannot pass the virus on.

Eliane

• There is no cure for HIV yet. But current medication, when taken daily, gives a very good health perspective.

(Source: UNAIDS)

AIDS2018: a positive vibe This is the second column on living with HIV in The Netherlands. Eliane Becks shares her experiences during AIDS2018 as an activist and a stigma fighter.

It was a special week from 23rd till 27th of July, when the International Aids Conference was held in Amsterdam RAI. I met wonderful, inspiring people and many activists from all over the world. The Global Village was busy like an African market place. I received many compliments for my picture on the poster of Positively Dutch campaign, to welcome all the international participants to the conference.

It was so nice to tell the story of having children and have them together with me on these colourful posters.

I have been busy all week, as a woman and a mother, an activist and a stigma fighter. I started in the Women Summit and in the U=U pre-conference claiming attention from scientists that we need proof to sustain that women with HIV can indeed breastfeed when they take HIV medication.

I used my story of being breastfed for several years and the psychological damage I had when I was not allowed to breastfeed my sons. Women living with HIV and on effective treatment need clarity about breastfeeding as science has made a lot of progress. Many were inspired by my presentation and I am happy I could represent the HIV positive mothers and mothers to be. On the Positively Dutch booth in the Global Village there were two activities I participated in. The first was

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a Positive Prayer led by Pastor Elvis Iruh. He thanked our Lord Father for the gift of life and preached that HIV is not a punishment, and that everyone will die when time comes.

God loves all his children and does not punish them by giving them any disease. It was a nice, short and educational church service. After that It was my turn.

I used my personal story combined with music and dance to educate and empower. Many sisters and brothers from African countries and other parts of the world joined my dance. This is how I fight the stigma around HIV/AIDS. William Matovu, a young HIV activist from Uganda, joined in. We danced like it was our last day on Earth. It felt like we have been friends for years while before this week we were only friends on Facebook! Many people expressed appreciation for my ability of educating people using my talents. I will never stop sharing my story of hope, of encouragement and empowerment for women and girls living with HIV. Hiv Vereniging The Dutch Association of People Living with HIV (Hiv Vereniging) represents the interests of all people with HIV in The Netherlands, irrespective of background.

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

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

See www.hivvereniging.nl

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

What would you like to know? Our vision?

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

You may have been a believer for many years already.

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

You will discover that we have a wonderful diversity of people with lots of different backgrounds, characters and personalities. But there is one thing we have in common.

We all follow the same God, Jesus Christ.

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

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

God bless you as you come in Jesus Christ name. Amen

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

Barbeelstraat 12, 1317 PZ Almere Church Telephone: +3136-5247322; Men’s Home: +3136-7505571 Women’s Home: +31368417007 info@voalmere.nl www.voalmere.nl

UNIC MULTISERVICE, Bijlmerdreef 1127A

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The Voice Achievers Award, The Netherlands, Releases List Of 2018 Awardees Almere, The Netherlands - 1st October 2018 – The Voice Magazine, the organizers of The Voice Achievers Award has released the official list of the 2018 winners as part of activities to mark the Magazine’s 19th year anniversary. The Award is an appreciation of individuals, organizations and professionals that have made exceptional contribution towards the advancement of Africa and her people in various fields of human endeavour.

This year’s list contain multi-facial recipients drawn from around the world.

The awardees will be recognized on November 23rd at the annual “The Voice Achievers Award” holding in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Preparations are underway to celebrate the winners at African’s most elegant ceremony in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

It is a two-day event commencing from 22nd of November with a round table discussion/business networking on the theme: “Reinventing the future of Africa now”. A panel of discussants will interrogate this subject in an interactive session with the audience. There will be an exhibition of goods and services across the hall, thereby creating a window for the exposition of your goods and services. This is a strategic opportunity to promote your businesses and services to a unique audience.

The 2018 Award Committee, rigorously and meticulously chose from a pool of prominent nominees for their notable accomplishments in various fields of human endeavour businesses and service to humanity.

As it is in our tradition, the unblemished and conscientious work of our Award Committee bears its testament to these wonderful set of awardees for 2018.

Below is a complete list of 2018 Awardees.

(1) Governor Godwin Obaseki, (Nigeria) (2) Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu (Nigeria) (3) Dr. Osahon Enabulele (Nigeria) (4) Miatta Fahnbulleh (USA/Liberia) (5) George Wachiuri (Kenya) (6) Gloria Jones (USA/Sierra Leone) (7) Patti Boulaye, OBE (United Kingdom) (8) Eyo Bassey (Nigeria) (9) Emeka Okonkwo (E-money) (Nigeria) (10) Her Excellency, Ambassador Vestine Nahimana (Burundi) (11) Princess Tokunbo Adenike Ajayi (Nigeria) (12) John Bunyeshuli (Rwanda) (13) Pastor Chuks Anizor (Nigeria) (14) Margaret Anizor (Nigeria) (15) Terabel Marini (Cameroon/Italy) (16) Don Ceder (The Netherlands) (17) Abada Iwuchukwu (The Netherlands/Nigeria) (18) Patrick Ngambi (Cameroon) (19) Ambassador Charles Onyebuchi Onyieke (Nigeria/ Germany) (20) Funke Oshonaike (Nigeria/Germany) (21) Owuor Jakano (DJ) (Kenya) (22) Tony Airhenbuwa (Germany) (23) Uche Nwatarali (Nigeria/The Netherlands)

(24) Christine Among (Uganda) (25) Sunday Eromosele (United Kingdom) (26) Mary Tataw (Cameroon) (27) Princess Tina Amuziam (Nigeria) (28) Joy Zenz (Germany) (29) De Cardinals International Friends Club (The Netherlands) (30) Assumpta Gahutu (Angola) (31) Eve Pamba (France) (32) Dr. Angela Okemena Unufe-Kennedy (United Kingdom) (33) Gideon Boateng (Belgium/Ghana) (34) Lilian Ogechi Esoro (Nigeria) (35) Shan George (Nigeria) (36) Hon. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero (Nigeria) (37) Iwan Wilfred Leeuwin (Surinam) (38) Dennis de Almeida (Ghana) (39) David Smith (United Kingdom) (40) Prince Afolabi Obasuyi (Nigeria) (41) Muzaffer Kosan (Turkey) (42) Shirley Ogechi Igwe (Nigeria) The Voice magazine has been a trusted media name for almost two decades, communicating news, events, promoting businesses and connecting consumers to top-rated services across the Diaspora. We provides unique media tools and support business activities to improve the local service experience for both clients and consumers.

“The award honours top on the ladder of success stories and recognizes upcoming individuals whose ambition is to make it to the top. It is a blend of the young and the older generation to share experiences and exchange ideas and network for future advancement of their services.

The Publisher and Chairman of The Editorial Board of The Voice Magazine, The Netherlands, Elvis Iruh, sums it up: “It is our belief that the Award winners will continue to have significant effect on the advancement of Africa and her people.

Through the support of their businesses, hard work, social activities, philanthropy, service to humanity, academic and personal development skills, we are simply encouraging you to continue the good work because one day you will be publicly appreciated and acknowledged. It is our obligation to empower and inspire the younger generation coming behind to improve the life experiences of others through their career and other works”.

The Voice Achievers Award will host ‘a dress to impress’ Award Gala Evening at De Koning Party & Event center, Amsterdam.

The event will showcase the awardees and celebrate their success stories.

For more information & Media Contact: The Voice media department Elvis Iruh: +31648519292 Abeka Salmin Abdallah: +31629340503 info@thevoicenewsmagazine.com https://www.thevoiceachieversaward.com www.thevoiceachieversaward.com www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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INVITING NEW MEMBERS!!

Join Ika speaking people of Delta State every last Saturday of the month for our regular meeting where we discuss issues affecting our State of origin, homeland, future of Nigeria and our wellbeing in The Netherlands It is open to every sons and daughters of Ika Kingdom

Time: 6.30pm - 9.00pm YOU ARE ALL WELCOME. For details, Call: 06-87510616, 06-87508082, 0655516057 Address : Fortuinlaan 39 , 1561JB, Krommenie www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Traditional wedding of Chioma & Chigozie

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Traditional wedding of Chioma & Chigozie The families of Mr. & Mrs. Ikechuwku S. Ezenwa and Late Mr. James & Mrs. Christiana Ezema gave out their daughter and son to be joined in holy matrimony on 28th April 2018 at St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church at Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. The whole ceremony started with the traditional engagement and wedding, which we did not capture in our coverage last month due to space. This edition, we bring you exclusive photos from the traditional engagement and wedding of Chioma and Chigozie.

Enjoy selection of pictures from their colourful traditional marriage.

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Chigozie Ezema

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Traditional wedding of Chioma & Chigozie

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Traditional wedding of Chioma & Chigozie Ezema

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Nigeria: Chibok girls activist Oby Ezekwesili to contest against Buhari

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igeria’s anti-corruption crusader and prominent Chibok girls’ activist Oby Ezekwesili will contest against President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming 2019 elections.

Ezekwesili’s presidential bid was announced by her running mate Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly ministries.

“By the way, my sister Oby is stepping into politics now, she is going to contest for the office of the president, and I am waiting for October 7 to throw in my cap, so we can crash the entire system and begin to demand for a new Nigeria that we deserve,’‘ Bakare said.

Bakare, who is a former vice-presidential aspirant for the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), asked Nigerians to engage politicians and demand for a new Nigeria.

Ezekwesili, a former education minister, addressed the nation on Monday, in a speech described as a response to Buhari’s 58th Independence Day address.

She addressed a range of issues including national security, the state of leadership in the country and shared her vision for Nigeria. ‘‘We simply cannot get used to the idea that a life of a Nigerian

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is no longer as meaningful as we once knew that to be,’‘she said in her address, indicating that security might be a pillar of her campaign manifesto.

Who is Oby Ezekwesili?

Born on 28 April 1963, Ezekwesili is a chartered account, who co-founded the anti-corruption body, Transparency International.

She served as minister of Solid Minerals and then as minister of Education during the second-term presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo.

Ezekwesili, who served as the vice-president of the World Bank’s Africa division from May 2007 to May 2012, holds a master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos.

Ezekwesili used her Bring Back Our Girls advocacy group to draw global attention to the plight of all persons who have been abducted by terrorists from Nigeria’s war ravaged northeast region.

She was instrumental in the viral social media campaign #BringBackOurGirls.

Ezekwesili is married to Pastor Nedu Ezekwesili of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Akon plans solar projects to support Sierra Leone’s smart president

S

enegal’s international music star Akon is planning a solar investment programme for Sierra Leone as part of plans to support the government of President Julius Maada Bio. Akon, real name Aliaume Damala Badara, met with the president in the United States on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly, UNGA. Local media reports that his investment will comprise the provision of 5,000 solar street lights and 2,500 traffic lights to support the government.

In an interview shared by the Sierra Leone presidency, Akon said: “Actually (the president) motivated me a lot more, you know; he is a very smart guy (and) he definitely understands Sierra Leone and he understands the future where Africa needs to be.

“Meeting with a lot of the younger Africans who have been elected now is really motivating because my biggest challenge was getting presidents to understand the vision, and with him we speak the same language.

“We pretty much have the same thought process so I think he’s going to do very well for Sierra Leone,” he added.

Akon has already taken his solar investment program to his native Senegal and also to Gambia where he met with President Adama Barrow last year.

Popular African-American Singer, Songwriter, businessman, record producer, actor and philanthropist, Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam has promised to provide 5,000 solar street lights and 2,500 traffic lights to support President Bio’s new direction agenda in Sierra Leone.

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Jeffangs Beauty

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

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Look no further than PURECARE Salon in Almere Buiten We offer the latest hair and skin products and our services are world class.

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Report on NTC Business link program from 24th to 28th Sept. 2018 in The Netherlands

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hich made some of the Nigerian delegates to miss the business activities. For those who came, they joined other Nigeria businessmen and women in The Netherlands to have a good program. The purpose of bringing together Nigeria and The Netherlands was accomplished The opening ceremony took place at Fletcher Hotel, Nieuwegein-Utrecht, The Netherlands With arrival of participants and registration completed, master of ceremony, Pastor Elvis Iruh introduced the various speakers and the chairman of NTC Nederland; Mr. Jonathan Mgbejume gave a brief run down of the past activities of NTC and the expectations of the fourday intensive visitation to companies and farmlands across the Netherlands.

Prof.

Fatima Sawa, Provost, Federal College of Horticultural Technology spoke on behalf of the Nigerian delegation high lightening the challenges she is faced in Nigeria and other persons involved with agricultural development of Nigeria. She offered her institution support to any interested Dutch inventor who wishes to partner with them.

Dr. Jude Roys Obuh gave a presentation titled, “Transforming Nigeria’s Agricultural raw material for job and wealth creation using Nigerian stable crops like Yam and Cassava. The presentation was an eye opener for all on the vast potential Nigeria has to make it great in agriculture.

Pastor Duncan Spier also made introduce of solar systems as part of the new technology to help improve agriculture in Nigeria. With his product, solar roof tiles, it threw attention from all participants present.

The representative of Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Ambassador Ngofa represented by Mr. Kabiru Musa delivered His Excellency good will message and encourage more of this fruitful activities of Nigerians in The Netherlands. He assure of the mission support to venture of this nature as they plan towards organizing a Business seminar in the coming year in the Netherlands.

Of course the issue of difficulty in getting visas for Nigerians coming to do business in the Netherlands became a subject of discussion and Mr. Musa assured Nigerians that they are aware of the problems and they are discussing with their 34

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Dutch counterparts to find a solution to the challenges. He assured that it was not a diplomatic talk but a memorandum of understanding between both countries.

After all the talking’s, the real work began the next morning with a visit to Bakker Brothers, a seed producing company already doing business in Nigeria. We had a tour of their farms here in the Netherlands.

Thank to Mr. Coen Niesten, the Area Manager North, West & Central Africa.

The delegation also visited Mush Comb, Horst where Bob Holtermans, CEO/ International speaker & Mushroom specialist, received us On 27/09/2018, we visited Omnivent, Storage Company, Zeewolde. The training was given and tour done by Errol van Groenewoud, Director Omnivent Techniek Finally, the delegation visited Aeres International Training Centre, Barneveld supervised by Teus Korevaar. We also received information from Gerbrand van den Brink who is into construction of various demands in Africa and they are interested in Nigeria. During the tour of the college, we met two Nigerian students who are studying in The Netherlands. They expressed their joy to study in Holland and how professional studies and college is organized.

For more information, you can make contact with through this address and telephone number.

Stichting Nigeria Trade Centre Flamingo 10 3435 XG Nieuwegein The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0) 625396142 • +31 (0) 684999548 Chamber of Commerce Company Number: KvK 850718934 (The Netherlands) Bank Details: Triodos Bank Acount number: NL49TRIO0391221981 SWIFT Code: TRIONL2U info@ntc.africa.com www.ntc.africa.com

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Opening ceremony of NTC business link for 2018 in Utrecht

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Land reform to boost black ownership in Namibia Namibia’s

president Hage Geingob called for a change to the constitution to allow the government to expropriate land and redistribute it to the majority black population. The country wants to transfer 43 percent, or 15m hectares of its arable agricultural land, to previously disadvantaged blacks by 2020. At the end of 2015, 27 percent has been redistributed, according to the Namibia Agriculture Union.

Namibia, which was ruled by colonial Germany and then apartheid South Africa until 1990, has large swathes of agricultural land, as well as major diamond and platinum mining industries.

As in South Africa, thousands of black Namibians were driven off their land in the 19th and 20th centuries, banished to barren and often crowded homelands known as Bantustans while being denied official ownership or tenure rights.

Twenty-eight years after independence, wealth in Namibia is still skewed along racial lines laid down in the colonial period. The level of inequality is one of the highest in the world, according to the World Bank.

2019: Pastor Tunde Bakare confirms Oby Ezekwesili will contest for presidency The General Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has revealed that former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, will be contesting for presidency next year.

Bakare stated this while speaking at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Lagos on Monday.

“By the way, my sister, Oby is stepping into politics now, she is going to contest for the office of the president.

“I am waiting for October 7 to throw in my cap, so we can crash the entire system and begin to demand for a new Nigeria that we deserve,” Bakare said.

The former vice-presidential aspirant for the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), also said Nigeria has been structurally skewed to run a system that perpetuates bad leadership.

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He called on Nigerians to engage the polity and demand for a new Nigeria, as envisioned by our founding fathers.

“Fellow Nigerians, the essence of this restructured pathway is to resuscitate the dreams of our founding fathers with respect to the Nigeria of our dreams.

“It is to revive the spirit of the stunted child, and transit her from her rested development into the great and prosperous motherland God designed her to be.

“It is to unite the six geo-political brothers to a winning and an unstoppable economic team. It is to unlock the diverse economic potential of our nation, until the dreams of our fathers are realised.

“Those dreams were written in the creeds, contained in our founding documents, they were crafted in speeches made by our founding father, they were inserted in the lyrics of our founding national anthems,” Bakare added.

Congratulations to my QUEEN on their birthday We wish you God’s blessings and strength as you celebrate another year on earth on 1st October 2018

Happy birthday to you dear mom, you are best for us.

We love you very much and we wish you happy birthday

Signed: Pastor Elvis Iruh (Husband Deborah & Esther Iruh on behalf of the Iruh & Monsels families. www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Presidential Aspirant: Donald Duke “In the race to make a difference...”

D

onald Duke was born 30 September 1961 in Calabar.

He is a Nigerian politician who aspires to be President of the Republic.

He was a former Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. And he did left behind an enviable record of performance but will the political environment give him the chance to do what he did for Cross River State for the nation as a whole?

It was rumoured that he was a candidate before President Goodluck Jonathan emerged.

Duke was born to Henry Etim Duke a great fan of Walt Disney, and the second indigenous (after Ayodele Diyan) and longest ever serving Controller General (then referred to as Chairman board of Customs and excise duties) of the Nigerian Customs service.

He received his LLB degree in 1982 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria - Nigeria, the B.L in 1983 from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos and a L.L.M. in Business Law and Admiralty in 1984 from University of Pennsylvania.

Spearheading the incumbent debt of Nigeria, Duke pushed for democracy and against military control. He stated; “What got the military out of power was not democracy but the dreadful state of the economy. If we, the democratic government, cannot deliver food for the mass of people we can forget about democracy.”

Duke received praises for his contributions to the fields of agriculture, urban development, government, environment, information and communication, investment drive, and tourism and making Calabar the cleanest city in Nigeria.

He initiated the Obudu Ranch International Mountain Race, which attracted contestants and visitors from other countries.

In 2005, he created a special reserve fund for the state meant to ‘‘hedge against economic downturn, and the inevitable rainy day’’. This was meant to cushion the effect of unforeseeable economic challenges that may occasion uncertainty in the state’s Internally generated revenue, as well as monthly allocation from the federal government.

He also initiated the Calabar Carnival that started in 2004 and is popularly referred to as “Africa’s biggest street party.”

Donald Duke initiated the Tinapa Resort project as a way to boost business and tourism in the state. Over $350 million was

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spent on initial development before phase 1 opening in April 2007. BBC reported in September 2006 that Governor Duke was the only governor specifically mentioned as not being under investigation by the federal Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Four other governors were also reported as not under investigation but their names were not released.)

Donald Duke announced that he would run for the presidency in the 2007 presidential election, but stepped aside in favour of the eventual winner, Umaru Yar’Adua.

On 8th June 2018, Donald Duke declared interest in running for presidency in 2019 with media at the top of the decision publicity.

On Tuesday, 4th September, 2018, Donald Duke after much silence as to what party he’ll be running under for president, announced that he’ll be leaving PDP and run under SDP. The presidential aspirant expressed his displeasure with the former party and accused it of ‘shortchanging’ the country despite the ‘incredible opportunities’ the party got from the country.

“I have stayed with the PDP, I am not pleased with the PDP. I think it is a party that the country gave such incredible opportunities to and it has shortchanged the country,” Duke said.

Duke opined that Nigeria is an under performing and underachieving nation due to poor leadership.

He said that his achievements as are key reasons he is aspiring for the post of the number citizen of the country.

“The reason I am aspiring for the president of Nigeria is that I am opportune through education, through exposure and through opportunities.”

He noted that because of the present situation of the country it will be difficult to say one thing he would do in his first 100 days if he becomes the president.

He pledges to, however, deal with the “civil war” across the country, tackle the economic situation, get soldiers motivated and get Nigeria’s credit system working.

He said his administration would provide enabling environment to turn gas into power.

“Anything that is essential must be locally available”. Nigeria wastes useful gas every day.

On education, Duke said teachers would be trained in the digital way and builds more schools to accommodate the growing number of students. He said his government will give Nigerian an educational system that will make secondary school leavers have a requisite skill to enable them to fend for themselves even if they do not attend university.

Finally he disclosed that “If Buhari could have done a lot better, if he has been good I won’t be contesting,” Duke said. The President seems as lack of touch with Nigeria’s teeming army of youths, most of which are underemployed or unemployed, so 56-year-old Donald Duke plans to run his campaign to target the youths and address their challenges although he knows that the field is crowded with formidable young aspirants.

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Association of African Sports (VAS). An organization set up to unite Africans in the Diaspora through education and integration via sporting activities and cultural activities within the Dutch society recently organized its yearly barbecue to pick start the new school year for the children. It was fun with families, friends and people of the neighborhood who came out to enjoy good food. Nigerian Ambassador was ably represented by Mr. Kabiru Musa and other staff of the Embassy in The Hague The event took place at Centrum Vliethage at Rijswijkseweg 252, 2516EN, Den Haag We share some photos from the event. Happy viewing.

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For Buhari and Atiku, it’ll be Eagle vs Eagle -Bakare The Convener of Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare, on Sunday congratulated Atiku Abubakar on his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate.

According to Bakare, Atiku’s victory would make the 2019 election keen and interesting.

Bakare, Senior Pastor, Latter Rain Assembly, spoke to newsmen in Ikeja after making a speech on Nigeria’s 58th Independence anniversary in his church.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Atiku, a former vice-president, was declared winner at his party’s convention

in Port-Harcourt early Sunday.

He polled 1,532 votes to defeat his closest rival, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State (693 votes) and Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, among others, at the convention that took place early October 2018.

Bakare said the emergence of Atiku was a welcome development, as it meant that the battle for the Presidency would be a tough contest between him and President Muhammadu Buhari.

The SNG convener said both the President, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, and Atiku were equal match and that Nigerians would decide between the two.

“I congratulate Atiku; he makes the issue in 2019 more robust. “It is not going to be an Eaglet versus an Eagle, but an Eagle versus Eagle: an old eagle versus new eagle and probably both of them old eagles.

“I wish President Muhammadu Buhari the best in 2019.

“He has the power of incumbency and he will do his best to win the election; but Atiku is not going to take ‘No’ for an answer when the two forces collide in the election,” he said.

Bakare said Atiku, just like Buhari, has the experience, the exposure and the acceptance expected of the country’s president.

He, however, pointed out that having those qualities alone would not translate into victory for him, as the electorate would decide the parameters on which to elect the next president.

“I can’t say that Atiku will win or lose. You see, I am not advocating for him. Among all the aspirants who contested the PDP ticket with him, he is perhaps the most cosmopolitan; he is a Wazobia man.

“He was vice-president for eight years, and he inherited something from late Yar’Adua that he had held on to so

effectively. “He has been a businessman with business acumen and he has the exposure.

“But you see, that is not what qualifies you to win. A lot comes into play; so, again, I cannot say whether he will win or lose,” Bakare said.

Bakare said for the PDP to win the 2019 elections, it would need to demonstrate to the electorate that it has become a regenerated party and that it will have to “show repentance for the years of the locust they engineered.”

He added that the opposition party must convince Nigerians that they would not return to corruption, which he said was the way of life during PDP’s (16-year) rule, in order to win the confidence of the electorate.

On the chances of APC, Bakare said though the government has been trying its best, it needs for them to do much more to win the next election.

He said the country was facing a lot of challenges which the government needed to offer solutions to, in order to fast track pace of development.

The cleric said that performance and policies, and not necessarily incumbency factor, would guarantee victory for the APC in 2019.

The SNG Convener said his comments about the Buhari administration should not be interpreted to mean he was attacking the government, but he was just raising issues that needed attention.

“I didn’t take any swipe at the administration of President Buhari.

“What I have always said is that despite the acclaimed progress in the country, Nigerians are not feeling the impact in their homes.

“That does not mean the government is not working. Look at the groaning of the people, the government still has to do a lot more before the 2019 elections.

“They have to work harder to assure Nigerians that they are really up to the task of listening to their yearnings and aspirations.

“The purpose of government is the welfare and security of the people. Take that from the equation, then governance means nothing,” he said.

In his speech on the Independence titled, The Road to 2019: Quo Basis Nigeria, Bakare said Nigeria has the potential to be great with the right leadership and positive attitude of followers.

He said 2019 presents another opportunity for citizens to realize the destiny of the country by participating in the process and voting right.

Bakare urged citizens to vote according to their conscience and elect leaders that mean well for the country.

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Kwaku Adoboli: The man needed in Ghana to clean up our banks

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s I sat down late Monday night at my laptop to write, I was thinking that Kwaku Adoboli had finally resigned himself to being put on the chartered flight to be deported to Accra last month. Then the news came through that a reprieve had been announced and there would be a judicial review to the decision to deport him to Ghana. In other words, the 38-year old who became notorious as the rogue trader was not yet coming to Ghana.

Those who follow the news would remember that when Kwaku Adoboli, then aged 31, hit the news in 2011, there was a lot made of him being a Ghanaian even though he had left Ghana as a four-year-old and had been living in the UK since the age of 12 and had been head boy in one of the famous public schools (known to you and I as fancy, private, fee-paying school) in the United Kingdom. Dubbed the biggest rogue trader in British history, Kwaku Adoboli was convicted in 2012 for losing $2.3bn of the Swiss bank UBS’s money.

His huge loss and nine-week trial captivated the City of London and his downfall, coming as it did at the height of widespread antipathy towards bankers following the financial crisis, sparked an unusually hefty dose of schadenfreude at the fate of the welleducated, privileged young man who cost his bank billions.

Since he was released from prison after serving half his sentence, he has been fighting the threat of deportation. He does not want to be sent to Ghana and as he put it in one recent interview, being sent to Ghana would be a worse punishment than being sent to prison. His lawyers say that his offence was not violent and he cannot re-offend as he no longer holds a banking license so he can no longer work for or with the bank.

He has been barred from working in the financial sector again by the Financial Conduct Authority but has been allowed to give talks at seminars to traders at compliance training and been teaching at several universities and working with an initiative promoting responsible leadership since his release from prison.

Adoboli says he has a debt to help clean up the industry and prevent others from going down the path he did by holding himself up as a cautionary tale.

In an article in the Financial Times newspaper, Adoboli was asked if he thought that what he did was wrong. He reportedly chuckled and said: “I was found guilty under criminal law, so 46

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according to the law I was wrong. “The interviewer insisted, “But do you think what you did was wrong?” Adoboli nodded slowly and said: “I’ve said I’m sorry all the way along . . . I don’t want to cause pain to anyone. In fact, that’s the tragedy of all this. The pain was the result of trying really hard not to cause the pain.”

Speaking about the threat of deportation, he said: “My father wants me to come home and rebuild my life but I tell him I want to stay here and fight to make something positive here.”

I have been thinking that if Kwaku Adoboli really wanted to make something positive out of his personal debacle and clean up the banking industry, the place to be is here in Ghana.

Lessons to learn from Ghana Here we are in the midst of the biggest banking clean up in our country. Every day, the details emerge in drips and drabs. We haven’t got a Kwaku Adoboli poster boy to our banking story.

But our bankers and directors certainly seem to need lessons from Kwaku Adoboli. He might consider being sent to Ghana worse than prison but if he wanted to do something worthwhile with his life, he might find that he is needed here far more than in the UK. I do not pretend to understand what is happening in our banking sector. The only way I know of trying to understand anything is to break down the words and I have been trying to do just that:The word that has fascinated me has been fail in its many varieties as in failing banks, failed banks, bank failures. So I have been looking at the word FAIL.

FAIL-SAFE adjective a fail-safe machine, piece of equipment etc which contains a system that makes the machine stop working if one of it fails. A fail-safe plan is certain to succeed.

You can fail and you can be failed.

If a part of a machine or an organ in your body fails, it stops working.

If your sight, memory, health etc is failing, it is gradually getting weaker and it is not good.

Never fail to do something, as in my mother never failed to phone me on my birthday, so regular, it is expected. Your courage, your nerve failed, if it fails you, you suddenly don’t have it when you need it. I left the hall because my courage suddenly failed me.

A failed actor, a failed writer, wanted to be an actor or a writer but was unsuccessful.

The first time I heard the word “failed” used in relation to an inanimate thing, I was puzzled and got increasingly fascinated by the concept.

I heard it from an engineer friend who, in referring to a newly constructed road, said parts of the road had failed. The contractor was barely off the site and parts of this new road were already caving in and potholes were already developing.

My engineer friend in describing the phenomenon said the road had failed.

I asked to be educated on the use of the terminology as it was new to me. I knew about me or someone failing exam, I knew

about the teacher failing me, I couldn’t quite work out how the poor road would fail. I could indeed understand someone, like the contractor failing in his duties and thus failing the road, but how the road would actually fail was beyond me.

My engineer friend said it was a technical term, you speak about a road failing when a newly constructed road develops faults long before it should.

I wasn’t persuaded but I was ready to learn and I went along with using the terminology until the Bank of Ghana decided to clean out some long-standing filth that might yet engulf us all.

Failing banks, like failing roads, are obviously “technical terms” and the terminology is deliberately employed to obfuscate what should be a straightforward matter.

The money that Kwaku Adoboli is said to have lost his employers is said to be about $2.25 billion, which is about the sum of how much the seven collapsed banks have cost the Ghanaian taxpayer. I am not suggesting the young man needs to do any more penance than he has already done.

I also acknowledge that he thinks being in Ghana is worse than being in prison, but I do feel the Ghana situation is tailor-made for him.

He is the man we need here to talk to our bankers.

Plus they don’t call him a failed trader, they call him a rogue trader and maybe we would start calling our banks by their real names, rogue banks?

Nobel peace prize goes to two campaigners against sexual violence

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wo leaders of the struggle against sexual violence in war have won this year’s Nobel peace prize, a choice that hearten campaigners fighting for greater recognition of a grave but long-neglected problem, and may also bring hope to victims worldwide that their suffering has at last been recognized.

The Norwegian Nobel committee said that Dr. Denis Mukwege, a doctor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nadia Murad, a 25-year-old Yazidi activist, had been awarded the prize “for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a

weapon of war and armed conflict”.

Dr. Mukwege, 63, has spent decades caring for victims of sexual assault in his homeland. Murad has used her own story of enslavement and rape by Islamic State to publicize human rights abuses.

The Nobel committee said that both had “put their own personal security at risk by courageously combating war crimes and securing justice for victims. “ Dr. Mukwege was in surgery when he heard he had won the peace prize. He learned he had won because he heard colleagues and patients crying. “I can see in the faces of many women how they are happy to be recognized,” he said.

Murad said: “I share this award with all Yazidis, with all the Iraqis, Kurds and all the minorities and all survivors of sexual

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violence around the world. As a survivor, I am grateful for this opportunity to draw international attention to the plight of the Yazidi people who have suffered unimaginable crimes since the genocide by Daesh (Isis).”

The choice has been universally applauded. Some recent awards have been controversial: the former US president Barack Obama won in 2009 after less than a year in office, and the European Union won in 2012. Last year’s winner was the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.

This year’s peace prize announcement comes amid a heightened attention to the sexual abuse of women in war, in the workplace and in society that has been highlighted by the “#MeToo” movement.

The committee said: “Both laureates have made a crucial contribution to focusing attention on, and combating, war crimes. Dr. Denis Mukwege is the helper who has devoted his life to defending these victims. Nadia Murad is the witness who tells of the abuses perpetrated against herself and others. “Each of them in their own way has helped to give greater visibility to war-time sexual violence, so that the perpetrators can be held accountable for their actions.”

Dr. Mukwege, a gynecologist, founded and maintains the Panzi hospital in Bukavu, in the east of the DRC, where he has cared for tens of thousands of women who suffered sexual assault in the country’s recurrent civil conflict. Mukwege survived a kidnapping attempt in 2012 but has continued his work.

The committee described him as “the foremost, most unifying symbol both nationally and internationally of the struggle to end sexual violence in war and armed conflict”.

Murad was abducted with other Yazidi women in August 2014 when their home village of Kocho in Sinjar, northern Iraq, was attacked by Isis. Captured alongside her sisters, she lost six brothers and her mother as the extremists killed the village’s men and any women considered too old to be sexually exploited.

Gynecologist Denis Mukwege of DRC and Yazidi campaigner Nadia Murad are jointly awarded She eventually escaped and had shown uncommon courage in repeatedly recounting her own sufferings and speaking up on behalf of other victims, the committee said.

Murad is the second youngest Nobel peace prize laureate after Malala Yousafzai, who was 17 when she won in 2014. The announcement was welcomed by prominent campaigners and organizations.

“Well deserved and long awaited Nobel recognition of the fight against sexual violence in war, said Kenneth Roth, the executive director of Human Rights Watch.

Jan Egeland, the secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said he had first proposed Dr. Mukwege for the award 10 years ago. “The best Nobel Prize in a long time. Finally focus on horrific & widespread sexual violence in war. Must lead to action

against impunity for perpetrators & preventive action within armies & militias,” Egeland tweeted.

A spokesperson for German chancellor Angela Merkel, herself tipped as a potential laureate, said she has great respect for the work of both winners. Murad came to Germany in 2015 as part of a special program for female victims of violence and met Merkel in 2016 to discuss her work helping others.

Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation, a Netherlands-based international human rights organization working to end sexual violence in wars, for whom the gynecologist is an advisor, said the Nobel prize committee had sent a clear message that sexual violence in wars is unacceptable and must stop.

“We will continue to work with Dr. Mukwege and his team, as well as Nadia Murad, towards a world in which sexual violence as a method of warfare is abolished and survivors receive the care they need,” it said in a statement.

The government of Iraq recognized Murad’s courageous campaigning on behalf of victims of sexual violence during conflict.

Authorities in the DRC have congratulated Dr. Mukwege, while acknowledging that relations have been strained over the years. Dr. Mukwege in the past has criticized the government and accused its troops of a culture of sexual violence.

Lambert Mende, the minister of information, said that Dr. Mukwege has done “remarkable work” treating victims of sexual violence during years of conflict in the country’s east.

Mende said “we have not always been in agreement”, adding that Dr. Mukwege has had a tendency to “politicize” his humanitarian work. However, he said: “We salute that a compatriot is recognized.”

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Continued from Page 49 Dr. Mukwege, the son of a pastor, trained as an obstetrician in France. The first patient treated in the maternity clinic he founded was a rape survivor. Over two decades later, his Panzi Hospital has treated more than 50,000 women and girls.

As well as physical treatment, Dr. Mukwege created an approach that focused on providing psychological and socioeconomic support to the survivors, as well as founding a legal programme to help them obtain justice.

Beginning in 2013, he and his team had to care for dozens of young girls from the town of Kavumu who were taken from their beds and raped by a militia led by a provincial member of parliament who believed raping children would protect them from their enemies.

This year, 216 individuals and 115 organizations were nominated for the prize. They included the Syrian civilian aid group the White Helmets, Russia’s Novaya Gazeta newspaper, the US whistleblower Edward Snowden and the UN high commissioner for refugees. The 2018 prize is worth just over a million dollars.

One recent controversy has involved Aung San Suu Kyi, who won the award for her fierce resistance to the repressive junta in Myanmar. She has recently been criticized for failing to act to stop violence directed at the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Dr. Denis Mukwege has becomes the eleventh African to win the prestigious award. The other recipients include former United Nations Secretary-General Late Kofi Annan, ex-Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and activist Leymah Gbowee as well as late Kenyan conservationist Wangari Mathai.

Previous African Nobel Peace Prize Winners • Leymah Gbowee, Liberia, 2011 • Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia, 2011 • Mohamed ElBaradei, Egypt, 2005 • Wangari Maathai, Kenya, 2004 • Kofi Annan, Ghana, 2001 • Frederik Willem de Klerk, South Africa, 1993 • Nelson Mandela, South Africa 1993 • Desmond Tutu, South Africa 1984 • Anwar al-Sadat, Egypt 1978 • Albert Luthuli, South Africa, 1960 • In 2015, Tunisian organizations called the National Dialogue quartet won the prize.

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My Political Diary by Segun Odegbami.

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oday has been a mixture of emotions and good tidings. My Labour Party nomination forms for Governor of Ogun State are in front of me. I am about to fill them. It is significant that I am doing so on a special day set aside in Islam to celebrate the ultimate test of faith and obedience to divine instruction. So, I am looking at the forms with elation and excitement. This moment is the tipping point, one that changes everything, the point of no return. I surrender, therefore, to my Father, the Creator of all that exists.

This morning I read Day-1 of a new dairy written by my daughter. She started it today and posted it on Facebook.

It is a gripping report of her experience on the first day of going for treatment for cancer. She left me in tears – of joy and of pain! The joyful part is easily understandable.

She is in capable hands. If she were to be in Nigeria that would almost be like a death sentence. Fortunately, she lives in the USA and that calls for joy.

4 months ago, she was diagnosed with the dreaded disease.

In revealing the sad news to the family, her spirit and the manner she handled the narratives have been the pillar which the entire family has leaned on accept the news and to encourage her. She is assured by the environment, the technology and the personnel that will give her the best chance of taming an otherwise ravaging disease in the world.

She is a bright start in the family. Still in her mid-forties, she is the first Black and African Vice-Chancellor of an American University and a recipient of several international, intellectual awards and commendations in the field of education.

Before her shocking announcement, in the past one year, the family has been happily and feverishly preparing for her wedding (a second shot) coming up in November in

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Abeokuta. She is in a new relationship that we all believe is made in heaven.

Now, this! Even then we are joyous because American medical facilities provide hope.

The painful aspect of today’s mixed emotions comes from my visit, two days ago, to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, in Abeokuta, the only Tertiary medical facility in the capital city of Ogun State.

My friend and co-traveler on this political journey, Abiodun, had been admitted in the past few days into the hospital for an emergency surgical procedure following several investigative and very expensive medical tests conducted in Lagos. Two nights ago, I went to visit him in the hospital. Now, I do not know whether to wish I did not. I have been in a psychological trauma since that night.

For four days Abiodun had been in severe and excruciating pain as a result of a blocked bile duct.

He had not slept even a wink. The surgery has been postponed until after the public holiday, hopefully on Thursday. Now the trauma. The emergency ward where I found Abiodun in the FMC must rank amongst the worst in the world, without any exaggeration. I believe that nothing that bad can exist anywhere else.

My greatest fear is that any patient that undergoes an open surgery and is returned to that ward for ‘post- anything’ is signing a death warrant. That is a how bad it is. The beds are dirty and rusted.

The bed sheets are old, with permanent ‘maps’ on them from old blood and sweat marks of previous patients. Those bed sheets must be years old and were reeking of several days of unwashed sweat.

There was no water in the wards to wash anything, not even a bath by the patients who are woken up at 4 O’clock every morning to seek for their own source of water to ‘dry clean’ or bathe in the open.

The bath rooms and toilets are ‘forbidden’ areas.

There is no water supply and the whole environment reeks from the stench of urine!

The corridor leading to the wards is converted into bedrooms by people who come to help immobile patients in the ward. Dirty old and stinking mattresses were lined up against the wall of the ward awaiting night time.

Believe me, the place is so dirty that no patient operated upon will go home (if they ever do) without a new infection.

I have spoken to several doctors in and outside the hospital in Abeokuta, they confirm my fears.

The State hospitals are a little better, I am told, but they are secondary health facilities and lack the equipment and the personnel to do major surgeries.

The only option is to move the patient to any one of the Tertiary hospitals in Lagos or Ibadan. They tell me also that even the facilities in those hospitals may just be a little better than what obtains in FMC Abeokuta.

The better options are to go to a few top class private hospitals in Lagos, or to fly the patient to any one of several countries abroad. Either of these will cost an arm and a leg.

My friends tell me Nigeria is losing her best doctors and nurses to the steady migration to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and even the Americas.

The situation in the country is critical and Ogun State is not exempted. It is an urgent and critical situation to halt the slide of the only tertiary hospital in Abeokuta into a mortuary where patients go in and most end up in caskets. The nightmare in my head is of Abiodun waiting and crouching in excruciating pain on a dirty bed with dirty sheets in a dirty ward.

Unlike my daughter in America, Abiodun is not confident that he would survive next Thursday when he goes under the knife. Yet, there is nothing he can do. Abiodun is not alone in this Hammer House of Horror. The general health sector in Ogun State is in a poor state.

The Health sector has not attracted the attention and intervention it deserves from both the State and the federal governments through several regimes.

Yet, without good health everything else cannot succeed.

The doctors and nurses I saw in the hospital have this resigned look on their faces in the wards. There is little they can do for their unending stream of patients.

So, all I can do for now is wait and pray for a miraculous intervention that could take Abiodun out of FMC. If you think this is an exaggeration, please kindly go today and pay a visit to the emergency ward (or even all the wards) of the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Abeokuta, and shed your own tears.

That’s why from May 2019, Health and Education shall occupy front seat in my covenant with the people of Ogun State. It has been a very quiet Ileya day.

Let me go now and fill my nomination forms.

By Segun Odegbami Governorship aspirant for Ogun State

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Uganda: Court adjourns treason case against Bobi Wine Singer turned opposition MP and more than 30 others accused of treason are expected back in court on December 3.

A court in Uganda has adjourned the treason case brought against music star and opposition politician Robert Kyagulanyi, local media reports.

Kyagulanyi, widely known by his stage name Bobi Wine, is being accused of involvement in an incident in August during which President Yoweri Museveni’s convoy was pelted with stones.

The case against Kyagulanyi and more than 30 others accused of treason has been postponed to December.

The magistrate court in the northern Gulu district adjourned the case to December 3 following a request by state prosecutors for more time for investigations.

Kyagulanyi was granted bail by the court in August after his arrest and detention following violence during a local election rally.

The court has not approved the bail application of several other suspects charged alongside the MP. The popular musician has emerged as an influential critic of Museveni after winning a seat in parliament last year.

The 36-year-old opposition MP has used his music to address the country’s political and social issues.

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Uganda’s liberation is near, says Bobi wine

Kampala. The Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has said the liberation of Uganda from the “oppressor” is near, urging countrymen and women to continue with the struggle to achieve it.

“I want to remind Ugandans that our liberation is near, this has all been done to us to intimidate us and other Ugandans. But they should overlook the sufferation we have gone through and keep their eyes on the price… liberation,” Mr Bobi Wine said.

“Sooner or later the oppressed shall be free and they should not be scared because the people we are scared of are more scared of us. They should continue asserting that our power is people power,” he added.

Bobi Wine made the remarks while addressing journalists at Gulu High Court premises yesterday.

He had appeared before the Grade One magistrate Yunus Ndiwalana on charges of treason slapped on him and 34 others for allegedly stoning the presidential car in Arua Municipality in August.

The Arua Municipality MP, Mr Kasaino Wadri, Jinja East MP Paul Mwiru, former Makindye East MP Mike Mabikke, among others, also appeared in court.

The case was, however, adjourned to December 3 after the State prosecutor, Mr Julius Ochen, asked for more time to finalise the inquiry into the matter.

Mr Asuman Basalirwa, the defence lawyer, told court earlier that the State had failed to present sufficient evidence pinning the accused and prayed that it would be in best

interest to adjourn the case to three months to enable them carry investigation.

He also prayed to court to order for the release of the accused persons, phones and IPad belonging to Mr Bobi Wine, Mr Mwiru, MP Gerald Karuhanga and Mr Wadri alleging that the exhibits are being used by SFC soldiers to “ensnare” people close to them.

Access to the detained Mr Basalirwa asked court to grant order for easy access by lawyers representing Bobi Wine’s body guard Eddie Mutwe and Mr Musa Ssenyange, a machine operator. Both Mutwe and Ssenyange are being detained at Gulu Central Prison on remand for treason charges.

He also asked for the release of Bobi Wine’s and Wadri’s vehicles that are at Arua Central Police station.

The magistrate in his verdict concurred with the defence lawyers adding that the three month period is enough for the State to carryout investigation.

He ordered the prison authorities to grant access to lawyers of the accused who are on remand at Gulu Central Prison and also tasked the Criminal Investigations and the Intelligence Directorate commander for Gulu and Arua districts to show court the status of the aforementioned exhibits.

Speaking to Daily Monitor in an interview, Mr Wadri said

they are giving the State the benefit of doubt within the three months and hope to see justice prevail.

“If they cannot within the next six months complete the investigation of the matter and refer us to High Court for trial, then the case falls along the way. We ask the State to speed up its investigation,” Mr Wadri said. www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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OPINION:

Why Bobi Wine is likely to fail if he takes power in Uganda

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he militarized state Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni has created is likely to undermine any democratically elected president.

“I have come to continue exactly where I stopped”, declared Ugandan MP Robert Kyagulanyi, also known by his stage name Bobi Wine, upon his arrival to Kampala on September 20. He had just come back from a trip to the United States where he sought treatment for injuries he says were caused by his torture at the hands of Ugandan security forces.

“We must get our freedom or we shall die trying to get our freedom,” he told reporters. Large crowds of supporters came to his house to welcome him, defying a police order.

Despite a treason charge hanging over his head, Bobi Wine seems intent on putting up a challenge to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

Over the past few months, his appeal has grown and his profile raised in Uganda and beyond. He has helped unseat three incumbent ruling party MPs, including in the city of Arua, where he was arrested in mid-August.

After news broke of his detention and torture, the # F r e e B o b i Wi n e campaign spread rapidly across East Africa, Europe and North America.

This put pressure on the Ugandan government to release him and allow him to travel to the US. There, he met with and lobbied US officials to withdraw support from President Museveni over the human rights violations his administration has committed. His cause was also brought up in legislatures in the United Kingdom and the European Union.

He now has many high-profile friends and sympathizers around the world who are watching every move of the Ugandan government, ready to blow the bullhorn should something happened to him again.

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Ugandans have seen the rise and fall of challengers to President Museveni over the past three decades but many seem to sense that something is different this time.

It seems the 36-year-old musician-turned-MP has managed to get under Museveni’s skin, rattling and unsettling him in a way that no politician ever has.

Quite out of character, the Ugandan president has even flipflopped on his social media stance. While just a few months ago, he was trying to tax the youth for using social media platforms to spread “gossip”, he took to Twitter to deny the obvious and to push the narrative that the rising political star is just another irritant, a troublemaker.

Museveni has also given two lengthy speeches to defend his legacy, promising to fix the country’s intractable problems but disillusioned Ugandans, mostly young Bobi Wine “die hards”, see him as an old man out of touch with reality, obsessed with past glories and clueless about present-day challenges. They even nicknamed Bosco, a technologically c h a l l e n g e d character in a popular ad released by a local mobile operator.

However, it would be foolhardy to start writing Museveni’s political obituary now. Despite his many weaknesses, he has managed to fortify himself in power in a way that gives him absolute control and unquestionable loyalty, which Bobi Wine will most likely fail to break.

One of the main challenges for any politician who eyes President Museveni’s seat is the role the military plays in Ugandan politics. Over the past three decades, the Ugandan president has managed to militarize the state by giving government and legislative positions to top military officers. In 2005 he introduced the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces Act of 2005 giving vast powers to the army.

One of the stipulations of the act provide for 10 acting army officers being elected to parliament by an army council, after being nominated first by Museveni himself.

Apart from the obvious problems with the army having a say in legislative affairs, its presence has also invited direct meddling in deliberations, including on occasion the storming of the parliament by security forces.

The act has also enabled the army to try civilians in military courts. Bobi Wine himself appeared before a military court in August after being charged with illegal possession of weapons.

The military also has a significant presence within the cabinet, with Gen Kahinda Otafire in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Gen Elly Tumwine heading the security ministry.

The people closest to the president are also army men.

Museveni’s brother, a retired general, controls “Operation Wealth Creation”, a socio-economic initiative with an enormous government budget, while his son is a top-ranking general who was initially put in charge of the elite Presidential Guard Unit and then appointed Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations. There have been some speculations that by promoting him within the army ranks, Museveni is grooming his son to succeed him.

This lack of separation between the military - the men with guns - and the civilian government in Uganda is what is likely to upset Bobi Wine’s attempt to challenge Museveni’s power or that of any other civilian politician.

Even if he manages to rally the majority of the civilian population behind his cause and gets the backing of major international actors, he will still find it difficult to bring down a president backed by the military.

And even if he succeeds, the generals will remain and they will likely do anything to keep the political and economic power they currently enjoy. They are likely to sabotage any effort to introduce major economic and political reforms that could take away their privileges.

Museveni himself has been threatened by various powerful officers within the army. It is for this reason that he has conducted purges within its ranks, despite the risk of mutiny.

So far, he has managed to silence his challengers, some as

powerful as David Sejusa, a Bush War veteran (just like Museveni) and former coordinator of intelligence services.

In 2013, Sejusa called for an investigation into an alleged plot to assassinate highranking military officials opposing Museveni’s son.

He was then accused of plotting a coup and forced to go into exile in the UK where he remained for a year before returning home; after a short imprisonment, the formerly outspoken general is now free but maintaining a low profile.

While Museveni has so far been able to handle the army, his successor might not be able to.

The events of 2011-2013 in Egypt are a good illustration of what happens when a civilian political force tries to challenge the power of a politicised military. In 2011, the Egyptian army stepped back and let the popular revolt topple President Hosni Mubarak, whose sons were perceived as a threat by the military’s top brass.

Then the army also let Mohamed Morsi take the presidency and form a government; it even let him rule for about a year. But Egypt’s military leadership blocked all efforts of his political group, the Muslim Brotherhood, to dismantle its power and eventually brought him down with a coup.

While the parallel between the Egyptian and the Ugandan armies is not a full one - the former being much more powerful than the latter - it is not a stretch to say that discontent military officers could serve as spoilers to whoever comes to power after Museveni, be it Bobi Wine or someone else.

At the same time, expectations for any post-Museveni leadership will be astronomically high (the way they were in Egypt) and his successor will risk losing whatever political capital he or she has by trying to fix decades of purposeful weakening of civilian institutions.

In this sense, while Bobi Wine is indeed a breath of fresh air in Ugandan politics, we have to be realistic about how far his political project can go.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect our editorial stand.

Eric Mwine-Mugaju is a Ugandan writer and blogger.

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NBA to develop partnership with Africa for more opportunities in Sports & Education

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wanda’s president Paul Kagame has welcomed a partnership between the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States and the African continent, saying it exposes young Africans to opportunities in sport and education.

Kagame, who was speaking at a reception hosted by the NBA in New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, thanked the organizers for choosing to source talent from Africa. ‘‘In the NBA there have been many Africans but there are many more who can qualify to be there. It is not just playing basketball, it exposes them to many opportunities, including education and many others, ’President Kagame said.

President Kagame also acknowledged basketballers from the continent who are giving back. ‘‘They come from Africa, they had these opportunities and now they are looking back and saying where we come from there are many more.’‘ Cameroon’s Joel Embiid who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, recently said he loves to come back to Africa every

year, with a hope that his story can be an inspiration to others.

Embiid’s talent was spotted at a Basketball Without Borders camp in 2011, and he was drafted in the NBA in 2014.

Kagame, who was accompanied at the reception by Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta, pledged to mobilise different countries in Africa to support the NBA’s initiative of spotting talent in Africa.

The NBA, which features several players from the African continent, organises several boot camps to identify talent and has an off-season initiative where it organises a show match between Team Africa and the rest of the world.

“In the NBA there have been many Africans but there are many more who can qualify to be there.

It is not just playing basketball, it exposes them to many opportunities, including education and many others.” President Kagame declares. President Kagame concludes that it is not just one country. We want to work together as a continent, come together around this project of taking another step for Africa in our development.

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Ethiopia’s ruling Amhara bloc announces name, logo overhaul The Amhara National Democratic Movement, ANDM, a key bloc in Ethiopia’s ruling coalition, EPRDF, has announced changes to its name and also out doored a new logo.

ANDM is to be known forthwith as the Amhara Democratic Party, ADP. The new developments were reached over the weekend and announced by state-affiliated FANA broadcasting corporate recently.

The move comes weeks after the EPRDF’s Oromo bloc announced similar changes as the coalition gears up for elections slated for 2020.

The Oromo Peoples Democratic Organization, OPDO, changed to the Oromo Democratic Party, ODP. The Oromos, the country’s most populous group, were the main catalysts behind years of anti-government protests that led to change of guard at the political helm.

The Amhara region also witnessed significant protests. The Amharas are Ethiopia’s second largest ethnic group. The bloc is currently led by deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen.

Hailemariam Desalegn resigned as Prime Minister in early 2018 according to him, to allow for much needed political reforms.

In came Abiy Ahmed, an Oromo, who has since turned around the country’s politics and democracy.

The Ethiopia People Revolutionary Democratic Front comprises three main parties: • The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) • The Oromo People’s Democratic Organization

(OPDO) now ODP • The Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM) now ADP • The Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement, SEPDM. What the government communications office wrote about the party The congress that has been deliberating on various issues for the past few days has changed the party’s name to Amhara Democratic Party (ADP).

The organization has been using the name, the Amhara National Democratic Movement, since 1994.

The Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (EPDM), the precursor of ANDM, was founded by former members of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP).

EPDM changed its name to Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), marking its transition from a pan-Ethiopian movement to an ethnic party in 1994 at its third organizational conference.

The party has also changed its logo as part of the rebranding process. Light green, yellow and bright red with an emblem showing torch, wheat, industry and river Nile is going to be the new logo.

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Al Tareq Rehabilitation and Autismus center introduces “Therapeutic Diet” to help children with autism under the leadership of Dr. Al Tareq Saif “Therapeutic Diet” initiative was launched on Zayed Humanitarian Day in a contribution with & Al Tareq Rehabilitation & Autismus Center and other privet and government sectors.

This initiative is based on a structured frame work and clear scientific methodology. It effectively contributes to improve the services offered to Autism, food disorders and malnutrition as well as minimizing its severe effects on the family in particular and the society as a whole.

In order to continue this initiative, we have launched the title of Ambassadors of Hope from Al-Tareq Rehabilitation and Autism center in Dubai to each person according to his or her position or role in the community, contributing innovative ideas.

The aim of this title is to encourage people to volunteer and humane work, spread hope, help humanity ... and to shed light on kings, sheiks, princes, and world celebrities, whether they are an athletes or artists... For example, the Argentine football

player Lionel Messi, who highlighted medicine in the virus C , in addition to the ambassadors of official countries as Excellencies and consuls of the United Arab Emirates in different countries of the world.

Finally, we strive to keep pace with international and local developments by achieving the goals of sustainable development within the framework of the United Nations Plan 2030.

All these initiatives and humanitarian activities were carried out under the supervision of the Ambassador at large Tariq Saif Summary of the founder’s biography : • Member in the International Police Corporation of Public Security .

• Member - the International Human Rights Commission .

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• Official member in affiliated organizations to the United Nations organization, and holds diplomatic status.

• Investor in the United Arab Emirates.

• Founder and director of Al Tareq Rehabilitation and Autismus center.

• Founder and Secretary General of the Al Tareq for Humanization .

• Founder and Secretary General of the Council of British Gulf for studies & business .

• Founder and Secretary General of the Organization of Therapeutic diet in London.

• Founder and secretary general of the Al Tareq Award For Humanity to support patients with disabilities and autism centers.

• Founder and Secretary-General of the Al Huda Award For Humanity to support patients and centers of cancer.

• Founder of the group companies, including Al Tareq Center for Natural Medicine and Nutrition • The author of number of Medical books on Nutrition.

1- Proper food for Autism.

2- Proper food in health and disease • Secretary-General of the Therapeutic Diet Initiative and Founder of the International Therapeutic Diet Initiative for Volunteer in UAE .

• A representative of London International College in the Middle East.

• Goodwill Ambassador of the British Centre for Human Rights and the London International University.

• Representative of the Middle East for international initiatives in Malaysia and has the right to grant an honorary doctorate in voluntary work, as he honored more than 150 personalities from Arab world.

• A strategic partner with the Ministry of Community Development, Municipality and Planning Ajman, Sharjah University, Ajman University of Science and Technology, University of Cambridge, laboratories studio parisi.

• Founder of the test “ Nutrways Studio Parisi “ through the examination of the genes in the field of nutrition.

• The founder of the “TDI TEST FOR AUTISM “which helps for diagnosing million children with autism across the world.

• 266 important scientific researches in the field of nutrition

1. The study of ” the development of communicative skills, social and behavioral autistic children after following the diet” with the Ministry of Community Development and the Municipality and Planning in Ajman and Sharjah University.

2. the study of “The role of nutrition in the resistance to diseases of this age and its impact on the level of happiness,” in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Municipality and Planning, University of Sharjah, Ajman University, Dubai Police Force.

3. The study of “The development of communicative skills, social and behavioral disorder for children with hyperactivity and Attention Deficit After following the diet “with British Gulf for studies & business in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the protection of society.

4. The study of “the role of proteins in the diagnosis of autism cases,” in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development.

• Founder of Test of Happiness from Ajman University of Science and Technology within the scale scientific study “the role of nutrition in the resistance to diseases of this age and its impact on the level of happiness.”

• Founder of the electronic assessment under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan.

• Founder of the International Conference therapeutic diet 1 and 2 and 3 .

• Founder of the international Forum therapeutic diet 1 and 2 and 3 .

• Founder of the Autism Forum for innovation 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 .

• Founder of the inauguration of the ambassadors for the initiative of a therapeutic diet campaign to raise awareness of nutrition and its impact on autism, as ambassadors of hope , ambassadors of happiness , the ambassadors of therapeutic diet initiative .

• Founder of the March “Thank you Khalifa” for the autistic children.

• Founder of the March “Thank protectors of the homeland for autistic children “.

• A strategic partner with the largest hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

• A medical consultant in the field of nutrition and autism in Jeddah with “Hamid Sulaiman Al-Ahmadi Hospital” , “Aid Medical group “ and “Al Ansari Hospital” • Authorized by the Governor of Madinah Office of His Highness Prince Faisal bin Salman Al Saud for developing plans and curricula in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs of Saudi Arabia.

• Evaluation of 2500 children in Saudi Arabia within the british gulf center for studies and business .

Is Cameroon ready to host AFCON 2019?

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onfederation of African Football (CAF) said it will delay the decision on whether Cameroon will be allowed to go ahead with hosting next year’s African Nations Cup finals. Two separate inspection visits will be made in October and November to the Central African country, whose hosting of the finals has been in jeopardy for the last year since the decision to increase the size of the tournament from 16 to 24 teams.

CAF have made several inspections already of the five proposed venues and their executive committee had been expected to

make a final decision at their meeting in Egypt last month.

The committee did confirm June 15-July 13 next year as the dates for the tournament, which used to be held in January to the chagrin of club managers in Europe who were forced to release their African players to international duty in midseason.

Increasing the field of the Nations Cup and switching its hosting to mid-year were among reforms announced last year in a major overhaul of the African game.

Morocco has long been suggested as an alternative for next year’s Nations Cup finals and has campaigned intently to be named replacement hosts after their bid to host the world cup failed. They have the facilities ready for the tournament in case Cameroon is unable to host.

CAF said it had also sent an inspection team to Ivory Coast, which is due to host the 2021 Nations Cup. “Of the six stadiums required for the competition, four are to be built and two undergoing major renovations. For accommodation, three out of five cities have no infrastructure,” a statement from CAF stated, suggesting another drawn-out 62

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debate over the suitability of the host nation, Cameroon. The country is also going to have a crucial Presidential elections which many doubt will be free and fair.

Cameroon President Paul Biya has reiterated that his country will be ready to host the next African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Speaking to the nation, Biya said he had personally made a commitment to that effect as that Cameroon will put its best foot forward come 2018.

“As you are aware, in 2019, our country will host the large continental football family on the occasion of the Africa Cup of Nations. Beyond the purely sporting aspect, this will avail us an opportunity to offer our guests Cameroon’s warm hospitality.

“I have no doubt that, like our athletes, our population will rise to the occasion and showcase Cameroon at its best. Our country will be ready for this grand celebration of friendship. I have made a commitment to that end,” he stressed.

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon – the national team – are the reigning AFCON champions having won their fifth trophy in February 2017 in Gabon.

Before press, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Ahmad Ahmad has reassured Cameroon of its hosting rights for the 2019 African Cup of Nations finals.

Ahmad, who met Cameroon’s president Paul Biya recently said the continental football governing body has no alternative plans for the hosting of the tournament despite persistent fears that the 24-team competition could be moved to Morocco. ‘‘CAF has no plans to withdraw the hosting right from Cameroon” Ahmad said after the meeting that was also attended by Cameroon’s football legend Samuel Eto’o.

CAF has no plans to withdraw the hosting right from Cameroon. ‘‘But if Cameroon evaluates earmarked projects and think she cannot host the competition now, let us know ’‘he added..

The 2019 finals will take place from June 15-July 13, a change from the traditional January period, a change that will be welcomed by club managers in Europe who were forced to release their African players to international duty in midseason.

Increasing the field of the Nations Cup and switching its hosting to mid-year were among reforms announced last year in a major overhaul of the African game.

President Biya has repeatedly said the country will be ready to host the continent’s biggest football tournament.

FIFA ‘welcomes’ Pinnick back to Football Family

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orld football ruling body, FIFA, has formally ‘welcomed’ the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick back to the fold of its elite Football Family, following Pinnick’s re-election as NFF President at the Elective Congress in Katsina on 20th September. This is a tradition after every member of a FIFA committee is elected or re-elected into position in his country’s FA or confederation.

At the meeting of one of FIFA’s most influential panels in Zurich, Switzerland early this month, 1st October 2018 (Organizing

Committee for FIFA Competitions, of which Pinnick is a member), the Nigerian received a special thumbs-up from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

It would be recalled that in the city of Katsina, an overwhelming majority of members of the Nigerian Football Congress endorsed Pinnick for a fresh four – year term.

On Sunday, 30th September 2018, the NFF supremo was formally inaugurated as 1st Vice President of the Confederation of African Football, taking his place beside CAF President Ahmad at the 12th CAF ExtraOrdinary General Assembly in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

With the administrative issues resolved, it is expected that concentration on development of football after the world cup can begin again.

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Senegal capital gets historic female mayor in person of Soham El Wardini

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he Senegalese capital of Dakar has a new mayor in the person of Soham El Wardini who records indicate is the first woman since post-independence to hold the post.

Until her election on September 29 2018, she was the deputy mayor to embattled Khalifa Sall who has been imprisoned since March 2017 over corruption charges, despite repeatedly claiming it is a political witch-hunt against him.

Wardini polled 64 votes against 13 and 11 for Moussa Sy and Banda Diop respectively. “I am proud to be the first female mayor of the Senegalese capital,” she stressed after results of the election to replace Sall were announced.

She went on to reiterate her support for Khalifa Sall and saying that she still considered him as being the mayor. “The teams will remain unchanged. We will finish the projects he has started.

The key is to get back to work and stay united. I assure you that the fight continues,” she added to the joy of Sall faithful.

Appointed deputy Mayor in 2014, she served in acting capacity over the period that Sall shuttled between jail and the courts. Incidentally until August 31st when Sall was officially stripped of his title and tenure she visited him in prison to take instructions on how to run the city of Dakar.

But she has a little over a year before the next municipal

elections are held, when she can contest for her first official term in charge of one of Africa’s booming capitals. She has set sights on ensuring a clean capital under her tenure: “I do not want

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Dakar to be named one of the dirtiest cities in the world.

It deserves all the sacrifices, “she declared after the polls.

Soham El Wardini grew up along with ten other siblings in Latmingue. It was the death of her father, a peanut trader that caused the family to migrate to Kaolack where she received much of her high school education, graduate studies and then became a teacher.

Her political journey started in 1999 when she joined the Alliance of Forces of Progress (AFP) of former Socialist Prime Minister, Moustapha Niasse, who is the current leader of the National Assembly.

Following the split of the party in 2012 between incumbent Macky Sall and Khalifa Sall, Wardini joined the Khalifa Sall faction rising through the ranks to become his deputy.

Since its founding in 1857, Dakar has only had one pre-independence Mayoress. The almost three million inhabitants of today are experiencing history because Wardini is the first female mayor of the city since Senegal became an independent nation in 1960. And probably she would stay longer when the elections are held next year.

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