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Feedbacks - Letters to the Editor Page 11- Madam Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra
APPRECIATION TO THE VOICE ACHIEVERS AWARD Dear Elvis Iruh, We are extremely grateful for your trust and confidence in us to handle the event of the Voice Achievers Award in our facility and the good compliments we have received from your guests who stayed in our hotel. Their invaluable feedbacks are source of encouragement to us. It’s truly rewarding to have positively impacted your experience with our brand; this is our top priority at InterContinental Dubai Festival City as we persist with delivering true hospitality to all our guests. We look forward to welcoming you back to our hotel and to our unique “Festival City” destination, with second-to-none conference facilities with endless daylight, a variety of award-winning culinary outlets and breath-taking waterfront views. Thank you once again; your kind note is music to our ears. Please feel free to connect to us through reservation.dfc@ihg.com when planning your return. Live the InterContinental Life! Sincerely, By Sayed Tayoun Cluster Hotel Manager Editor’s Note: Once again on behalf of our team, we say thank you to all your staff and workers during our stay and the award ceremony itself. It was superb to say the least. Yes we look forward to coming back and recommending your facility to our friends. Thank you very much TV Management.
Dear Editor, Where Is The Justice In Nigeria Under Buhari? By Reno Omokri
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“Channels Television granted an interview to Sheikh Gumi, in which Gumi repeated his lie that Christian soldiers were behind the killings of Fulani herders suspected of banditry. The National Broadcasting Commission did not punish Channels for that Gumi interview. Now, the Buhari regime want to punish Channels Television for their interview with Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue, in which he spoke the truth? Where is the justice? “ “ A Muslim cleric named Ustaz Abubakar Salihu had in a viral video last month threatened to kill Christians in retaliation for the Plateau killings. Nobody has even invited Ustaz Salihu for questioning. Yet, the Buhari regime persecutes Bishop Matthew Kukah for speaking the truth. “ “Where is the justice in Nigeria under Buhari? Or is it now a sin to be a Christian in Nigeria?” © Reno Omokri
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah on the paradox of the Nigerian society!
“Nigerian educational systems have surprising outcomes. The smartest students pass with First Class and get admitted to Medical and Engineering Schools. The Second Class students get MBAs and LLBs to manage the First Class students. The Third Class students enter politics and rule both the First and Second Class students. The Failures enter the Underworld of crime and control the politicians and businesses. And best of all, those who did not attend school become Prophets and Imams and everyone follows them. What a paradox of life. This can only happen in Nigeria where corruption is the order of the day.” WELL SAID ..., BISHOP KUKAH
Madam Fatima Maada ONE EURO A MONTH Bio, First Lady of Sierra SUPPORT TO THE VOICE Leone attends the Opening MAGAZINE ..... of Dubai Expo 2020
due to the Expo opening activities. It would be recalled that Her Excellency, who doubles as Sierra Leone’s Commissioner General for the EXPO, is in the Gulf state on the invitation of the UAE leadership and the organizers of the mega exhibition event. The Dubai EXPO 2020 is expected to run from the 1st October 2021 to March 31st 2022 with over 190 participating countries. The event will provide a unique platform for participating countries to showcase their opportunities, create networks and attract investment. Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the UAE, Amb Rashid Sesay and hundreds of Sierra Leone citizens received Madam First Lady at the airport. By Mohamed L. Massaquoi Information Attachè, UAE
Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Her Excellency, Madam Fatima Maada Bio participated on the opening ceremony of Dubai EXPO 2020 which has been globally advertised. She flew in from United States of America where she has accompanied her husband and President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency, President Bio to the General Assembly sessions. While in United Arab Emirates, Her Excellency would be meeting with her fellow citizens who reside there or they are visiting
4Pillars Community Church Almere is based on the fundamental scripture from the book of Acts 2:42.
Our vision? Connecting people, families, communities Teaching and leaving them with a legacy for the future with a message of hope and security for eternity through the infallible word of God You can visit us every day of the week, as there is a Resident Pastor available to you. We would like to welcome you to one of our services in the week. Prayer evening on Monday, Studies on Wednesday and Youth Service on Friday. Then Family Service on Sundays from 10am prompt. You are more than welcome Our strength is in our diversity and love for God, through Jesus Christ. Signed: Pastor Roel & Ida van Rooij Senior Pastors 4Pillars Community Church Almere Barbeelstraat 12, 1317 PZ Almere The Netherlands. Telephone: +31646890203; Telephone: 036-7505571 E-mail: voalmere@gmail.com ; info@4pcca.nl Website: www.4pcca.nl
ORGANISES A ROOTSSYNERGY ROUNDTABLE ON
BLOCK YOUR DIAIRY DATE: OCTOBER 17th, 2021 TIME: 7–10 PM (BERLIN TIME)
MAIN FOCUS
The implication of the UNGA Political Declaration with the Theme: “Reparations, racial justice and equality for people of African descent”
THE WAY FORWARD
AS WE HAVE PROMISED: WE WILL NOT LET THE DDPA DISAPPEAR
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: http://www.durbanplus20.org REGISTRATION VIA: https://bit.ly/3B6ekgD
THE ORGANISATION OF THE ROUNDTABLE INCLUDES
THE GLOBAL PAN-AFRICAN COALITION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DURBAN DECLARATION AND PROGRAMME OF ACTION; EUROPE REGION CIVIL SOCIETY COALITION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT; GLOBAL AFRICAN DIASPORA UNION, DECEMBER 12th MOVEMENT, THE DRAMMEH INSTITUTE, GLOBAL AFRICAN SHEROES UNION, AFRICAN VIEWS NSDC, MEADUC, ENGOCCAR; INOSAAR, PARCOE; SRDC (WHS).
ONE EURO A MONTH SUPPORT TO THE VOICE MAGAZINE .....
Since you’re here... Support the Voice magazine so we stay publishing for your reading pleasure…..
Welcome to you our readers and our followers. We have a small favour to ask. More people, like you, are reading and supporting the Voice News magazine since we stopped the hard copy print in 2016. We have continued to serve you the magazine in the same format with all production cost covered like editing, page designs, photography and digital distribution via online channels. The Voice News magazine has been an independent organization, we do not receive any form of subsidy except the support of our advertisers, readers and friends. We made the choice to keep our reporting open for all, regardless of where you live or what you can afford to pay. Our advertising drive continue to grow. You can support us through this medium by promoting us among your friends, colleagues and clients as well,. You can promote your businesses and services with us as your way of support.
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Thank you. TV Management
Getting to know you written by Pastor Elvis Iruh Pastor Felix Asare wrote the foreword
BOOK REVIEW
Pastor Elvis Iruh’s new book is out…… Title: “Getting to know you” - A book on marital steps with information about marriage Author: Pastor Amb. Elvis Iruh
About the book
Whether you’re preparing for marriage or want to enjoy a deeper union with your spouse, this guide will help you enjoy a relationship built on solid Christian values. Pastor Elvis Iruh is a licensed minister with Victory Outreach International. His book highlights simple principles that are often taken for granted. Learn how to: • get to really know a love interest before deciding to marry; • avoid mistakes that lead to divorce; • appreciate the sanctity of marriage; partners can carry out with each other as well as guidance for pastors and church leaders who may need help in advising couples. This guide will help couples enjoy marriage that is built to last. *****
About the Author
ELVIS IRUH is a native of Delta State, Nigeria. He attended numerous schools in Nigeria, including the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Lagos, Nigeria, before continuing his studies in Europe and earning a degree in theology from Victory Education & Training Institute. He worked for several media organizations in Nigeria as well and has been the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Voice news magazine since August 1999. He is serving as an associate pastor at Victory Outreach Almere, The Netherlands. The book can be used for educational purposes as well as educating your children on the subject of marriage. He is also available to speak on related topics covered in the book at any organized event or church activities. He is open for collaborative efforts to strengthen marriage institutions worldwide. It is a mission he has dedicated himself to helping the younger generation to talk and address the challenges they face in building good and solid relationships which could end up in marriage. You can purchase the book in Holland via his website: www.elvisiruh.com or through his publishers’: www.authorhouse.com/ Elvis Iruh or on www.amazon.co.uk via this link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/ aw/d/1665580844/ref=ox_sc_act_
• forgive your partner when they make mistakes. Before you think of getting married, you should take the necessary steps to really get to know your partner. Your past should not contain any surprises - and your values must be aligned. This revealing book is filled with practical exercises that image_1?smid=AHRB2OK2Q2YCL&psc=1 You can contact him directly through any of his social media handle for your questions or comments, he would look into it and respond would be sent to you accordingly.
Email: info@elvisiruh.com or elvisiruh@gmail.com
Meet all the AWARDEES FOR 2021
1. Emirati Iconic Leadership Award His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan **************** 2. African Woman of the Year Her Excellency Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia ***************** 3. Icon of Democracy Award His Excellency Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka Former Vice President of Kenya ***************** 4. African Icon Award Her Majesty Empress Shebah Kasambu ’Ra Queen of Sheba III ****************** 5. Humanitarian Excellence Award Her Highness Deli Matsebula Queen of Ejura, Ghana Obaahemaa Boahwenie ******************* 6. ESG Excellence Award His Excellency Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi Seafood Souq ******************* 7. Humanitarian Excellence Award Her Excellency Shaikha Dr. Fatimah Tagwai Aji-FMCA, GOOA ******************* 8. Humanitarian Excellence Award Her Excellency, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi Minister of Culture and Youth 9. Business Excellence Leadership Award His Excellency Awad Mohammad Sheikh Mogrin ******************* 10. African Business Excellence Award Mr. Abubakary Jawara ****************** 11. Humanitarian Excellence Award Honorable Dr. Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay ****************** 12. African Inspirational Award Her Excellency Minister Lindiwe Sisulu
******************* 13. Humanitarian Excellence Award His Excellency Ahmed Elmetwally ******************* 14. Humanitarian Excellence Award Dr. Quudus Adegboyega Yusuff 15. Humanitarian Excellence Award Mr. Yasser Ali AlGergawi
***************** 16. African Motivational Award Dr. Maxwel Otieno Okoth ***************** 17. Hospitality Excellence Award Mubarak Bin Fahad & Natasha Sideris Tashas Group ***************** 18. Humanitarian Excellence Award His Excellency Professor Prince Waheed Musah ***************** 19. Technology Excellence Award Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni ***************** 20. Humanitarian Excellence Award Dr. Adewunmi Rufus Alayaki ***************** 21. Humanitarian Excellence Award Nadia Abdul Aziz ***************** 22. African Image Maker Award His Excellency Dr. Bonface Obare, PhD ***************** 23. Humanitarian Excellence Award Mohammed Abdullah Alhaj Al Zaroni ***************** 24. Humanitarian Excellence Award His Excellency Honorable Dr. Fahed Merehbi **************** 25. Humanitarian Excellence Award Dr. Abayomi Oluseye Olajide ***************** 26. African Community Figure Award Ms. Patience Nyange ***************** 27. Business Excellence Award His Excellency Dr. H.C. Raphael Nagel ***************** 28. Entrepreneurship Excellence Award Mohamed Dekkak ***************** 29. Humanitarian Excellence Award Lord Rami Ranger ***************** 30. Culture Innovation Excellence Award Omar Tom Dukkan Media ***************** 31. NGO Excellence Award Kim Winter Oasis Africa
The Voice Achievers Award 2021
This year’s event was chair by His Highness; Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan who was represented by his Private Secretary from his office as special guest of honour, His Excellency, Ahmed Elmetwally Mohamed supported by many of the high profile personalities from the United Arab Emirates. The awards were presented to these recipients by various personalities during an elaborate ceremony well attended by representatives of the Royal family and Emuratis. The list of awardees was drawn from United Arab Emirates and Africa itself, many of the individuals have direct interest in Africa and there was pleasant exchange of contacts and communication during the whole night of the event.
Photos from the event in Dubai, UAE
His Excellency, Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Former Vice President of Kenya
His Excellency, Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (born 24 December 1953) is a Kenyan politician who was the tenth Vice-President of Kenya from 2008 to 2013. Mr. Musyoka has served in the government under President Daniel arap Moi and was Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1993 until 1998; subsequently, under President Mwai Kibaki, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs again from 2003 to 2004, then Minister of the Environment from 2004 to 2005. He was later appointed in a peace deal as Vice-President by Kibaki in January 2008. His Excellency, Dr. Musyoka is the party leader of the Wiper Democratic Movement (formerly Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya). He also serves as Chief Commissioner for The Kenya Scouts Association. He is the founder of Kalonzo Musyoka Foundation and since 2006; he has continued to use it to serve his people at all levels of society creating opportunities for the larger population. He was born in Tseikuru, in a remote part of Mwingi District (then part of Kitui District) in Kenya’s Eastern Province. Between 1960 and 1967 he studied at Tseikuru Full Primary School to attain basic education. Then he went to Kitui High School in Kitui for the ordinary level and eventually to Meru School in Meru from where he graduated in the advanced level in 1973. Kalonzo Musyoka graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Nairobi in 1977. He continued further studies at the Kenya School of Law in 1978 where he was awarded a Post graduate diploma in Law. In 1979, he attended the Mediterranean Institute of Management in Cyprus where he earned a post graduate Diploma in Business. In 2009, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Divinity in Nairobi and ever since he has received more doctorate award recognitions. Dr Kalonzo Musyoka has, since 10 June 2013, served as the University Chancellor of the Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU). In July 2019, Dr Kalonzo Musyoka was appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta as a special envoy to the republic of South Sudan. In February 2020, he was able to broker a peace deal in South Sudan between President Salva Kiir and former rebel leader Riek Machar. The deal saw the two form a unity government. Dr. Kalonzo Musyoka is married to Pauline. They have four children.
Queen Shebah Debra 111, Queen of Sheba
The Queen of Sheba, H.I.M Empress Shebah Kasambu ‘Ra - Queen Sheba III. The African Continent NubiaSheba Mother Throne Queen of Queens. The Head of State of Kingdoms of the African Kingdoms Federation and Vice-President of AACID-Arab African Council for Integration, headquarters to Egypt. Her Imperial Majesty is formally since 2017 signing and 2018 confirmation the Chairman and Throne Head of the UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status ISEA Foundation HighLevel Financial Technical Committee of 20 Member seat, for the Mobidollar Currency dissemination and integration towards Poverty eradication globally with start focus the Continent of Africa. Her Majesty is the African Kingdoms Federation Head of State and Imperial Matriarch. Empress of the Royal Kingdoms Nations Mother Throne of Thrones of the Continent of Africa. The First Civilization. The NubiaEgypt Royal Kingdoms Nubian descendant Nation of the Queendom of Sheba which forms the African Continent present day Federation of South Kingdoms; The African Kingdoms Federation-AKF. She is practically involved with all aspects of human society to create a better future for humanity.
Her Excellency, Shaikha Dr. Fatimah Tagwai Aji – FCMA, GOOA
She is a Medical Professional who, through her tireless efforts in galvanizing economic support for the African continent, has become widely known and respected around the globe for her work in poverty alleviation and the promotion of sustainable development with special focus on the empowerment of women and children in difficult circumstances. She supports the promotion of information technology as a key tool for both social and business-to-business networking and this is an essential part of her mission to improve the quality of life for women in Africa, and to create meaningful opportunities for all. Dr. Aji was one of the first women to organize the All African First Lady Summit on peace, economic development, and the empowerment of women in Africa. She is the Princess of support, encouragement, empowerment, and hope, for the woman of Peace. She is the very charismatic Chairperson and CEO of the H&HGT LLC Group of Companies, and Executive President of “Voice of Women in Africa” and “Global Voice of Women Organization” and also the Vice President of International Organization for Economic Development –(IOED). Dr. Aji is recipient of numerous local and international awards and numerous commendations and accolades, including the prestigious title of (Grand Order Of Africa) “Ambassador of the Renaissance African” at the World Council of Pan-African Organizations (PANAFRICA). All of Dr. Aji’s many business endeavours are for the purpose of financing Humanitarian projects in Africa to improve the lives of women, children and other private projects in Africa.
Her Excellency, Lindiwe Sisulu
Ms Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu is currently the Minister of Tourism having served in various other positions as Minister for water, Sanitation and human settlement, Minister of International Relations and Corporation, Member of the National Working Committee of the ANC, Member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC and a Member of Parliament since 1994. As deputy Minister of Home Affairs, she has been responsible for establishment of Film and Publication Board and legislation. She was also responsible for first Refugees Bill and legislative requirement for identification for elections. Her NGO, Votani Mawethu is helping to assist in providing free photos for identity documents for voters which has increased access to millions of people for easy identification during election process in South Africa particularly during the 1999 elections. For all her contributions, she has been locally and internationally recognized with several awards of distinction for her work for humanity. She has written many papers on different subjects to improve the quality of life for not just South Africa but for women in general across the African continent. Her Excellency, Ms. Sisulu continues to work for the improvement and good working conditions for Women in South Africa and across Africa.
Honorable, Dr. Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, a wife, mother, and grand-mother, she is a trained journalist by profession, and a seasoned international leader with track record of decades of public service both on a national and international levels. In Gambia, Hon. Ceesay held various leadership positions from state to National levels including presidential spokeswoman and press secretary to the President. At the Gambia National Assembly, she served at various capacities including as Chair Women and Children Affairs, and the National Speaker of the Assembly, She has served in many committees including Women & Children Rights, Foreign Affairs, and Defense & Peace committee. In West Africa, Honorable Dr. Ceesay served at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at various capacities as well, from Resource Person for ECOWAS on Gender to Regional Stakeholders Consultative Forum. She is the first Woman to hold a Deputy Speaker position in the ECOWAS Parliament; and a founding member and Coordinator of the Economic Community of Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA). She headed and participated in several missions from Peace Keeping, Conflict Resolution, Reconciliation; Fact Finding, Elections Observation, Omen Peace Missions, and Negotiations for countries such as Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Guinean Bissau, Benin/Nigeria border, Liberia, and MANU River, Pakistan, Kenya, Botswana, Lesotho on behalf of Commonwealth and ECOWAS. Hon. Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay has been elected to serve the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) at various levels from Executive Council, to Board of Directors. In 2008 she was elected as President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and she became the first woman to hold the president office at CPA. She continued to serve many countries and organizations as an International Consultant on Gender, Governance, Electoral Reforms, Parliamentary, Peace/Conflict Mediation, and Children Affairs.
Mr. Abubukary Jawara
Abubukary Jawara hails from Gambissara Village of Jimara, Upper River Region of The Gambia. He was born on 10th February 1974. He started an industrious journey of business in Nigeria in 1994 and from there to Congo Brazzaville with the sole purpose to look forward for a greener pasture.
In 1995, he undertook another fruitful journey to Angola and stayed with his brother and accumulated v a s t experience in the business domain. He later returned to The Gambia and reignited the family love and genuine pleasure of friendship in Gambissara Village. In his quest to achieve excellence, the pragmatic and business minded Abubakary Jawara paved his way to Hong Kong in 2001 and later onto China in 2003 with enthusiasm and commitment in all frontiers. On his return, he started his company the Gambia, Angola and China Global Company (GACH) and since 2007 he has expanded the company to several other African countries in a growing business empire. He oversees one of the fastest growing companies in Africa. He runs a multi-million dollar Tomato paste factory on the continent. He is into real Estate and inter regional businesses across West Africa and other parts of Africa. His humanitarian work and philanthropic gestures are too numerous to count and mentioned here. He has been recognized with several awards both locally and internationally for his great works. The challenges faced by his country, The Gambia dues to the Covid 19 pandemic has given him more opportunity to help the most venerable of the society and providing employment of vast numbers of youths in his country.
Dr Maxwel Okoth: Founder and CEO, RFH Healthcare (Kenya) Limited. Dr Maxwel Okoth, 35 has 10 years of leadership chronicle as a CEO, Founder, and Director of his private practice. Prior to being the CEO of Ruai Family Hospital, Maxwel served in various senior roles in the public health sector including Deputy Director of Health, Nairobi County. In his short career, he has managed to transform business and entrepreneurial acumen into strategic action, setting up and operationalizing RFH Healthcare from the ground-up (with US$3000 in seed capital) to a fully-fledged hospital with an asset base of US$4Million over 9 years, and over US$5Million in annual turnover. Charting and overseeing execution of organizational vision and strategy, leading staff and dayto-day facility operations, and directing delivery of health services. Dr. Maxwel is a graduate of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Nairobi, a Certified Public Accountant from Strathmore College of Accountancy, Managing Healthcare Business from Strathmore University, Stanford Seed Transformation Program from Stanford Graduate School of Business and Senior Executive Program from Harvard Business School. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Health Economics, Policy and Planning at the University of Nairobi as well as the Global CEO Program at IESE Business School.
Dr. Yusuff Quudus Adegboyega FRSPH; MPH; MBBS
Dr. Yusuff Quudus Adegboyega hails from Ogun State, Nigeria. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Health with special interest in infection prevention and control of diseases. He is engaged in international researches to curbing infectious diseases and providing hygienic environment for citizenry. A strong advocate on efforts to control climate change and protect mother earth. He has also been involved in Emergency and Disaster Management committees across the board. He is an excellent Public Service practitioner and Community Health Practitioner in Nigeria. He has received several awards in recognition of his contributions to public medical care at community, national and international levels
Lord Rami Ranger
Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi Co-Founder and Chairperson Seafood Souq Fahim is the co-founder and chairperson of Seafood Souq; the region’s leading digital marketplace and traceability technology for the trade of seafood. As chair of the board of directors, Fahim leads the corporate governance, strategic initiatives and shareholder relations of the company. Fahim is the managing partner of AQ&P, a corporate advisory and familyowned investment firm based in the UAE. As lead investor in the early funding rounds of Seafood Souq, AQ&P plays an active shareholder role in the development and growth of Seafood Souq. With his experience in corporate governance, Fahim holds a number of responsibilities in the private and public sector. He is a member of The Executive Council Of Sharjah in his capacity as The Executive Chairman Of The Department Of Government Relations; responsible for the cooperation between Sharjah Government departments and International governments and NGOs. He is also the Chairperson of the Higher Committee for Digital Transformation in the Emirate of Sharjah. Fahim holds a number of board directorships in a diverse range of industries and previously served as a member of the board and chairman of the audit committee of Abu Dhabi Media Corporation. Prior to this current position, Fahim worked in strategic advisory and performance monitoring of a portfolio of state owned assets in the UAE. With a background in public sector strategy and investments, he supported the Government in developing policies to achieve both financial and socio-economic returns in state owned enterprises. Earlier in his career, Fahim has worked with both the private and semi- government sector in the areas of foreign direct investment, economic diversification and competitiveness in the Gulf region. He has advised Government agencies on policy development for sector-specific growth and has been involved in programs for foreign direct investments in Asia. Fahim holds a master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Cambridge and speaks English, Arabic, German and French.
Raminder Singh Ranger, Baron Ranger, CBE is a British businessman, and the founder of Sun Mark, an international marketing and distribution company. He is also chairman and managing director of Sea Air and Land Forwarding Limited. He was born on July 1947 in Gujranwala (in undivided India) He has seven brothers and a sister. Since the family had migrated to Patiala in the Punjab state of India during India’s partition, Ranger was given admission to the Modern School in Patiala. After the completion of his school education, he went to Mohindra College, and then obtained a BA degree from the Govt. College Chandigarh. Ranger ceased his studies after reaching the UK where he had gone to study Bar at Law in May 1971. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of West London in July 2016. Ranger was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2005 Birthday Honours for services to business and the Asian community and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to business and community cohesion. He was nominated for a life peerage and a seat in the House of Lords under Prime Minister Theresa May’s administration. He was created Baron Ranger, of Mayfair in the City of Westminster, on 11 October 2019. He continues to serve humanity
Mohammed Abdullah Alhaj Al Zaroni’s name has become synonymous with the UAE Red Crescent Authority which is a major channel through which the country is helping the world’s needy populations. Mohammed Abdullah Alhaj Al Zaroni is the appointed Manager of the Dubai branch of the UAE Red Crescent. The UAE Red Crescent is a member of the world’s largest group of humanitarian non-governmental organisations – the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, which includes societies in 178 countries with almost a hundred million employees and volunteers. The organisation focuses on providing healthcare and disaster management in areas affected by warfare or natural disasters and promotes volunteering as a key humanitarian principle. Mohammed Al Zarooni seems to know so much about the UAE Red Crescent and talks with such conviction about it that it is hard to believe he joined the organisation few years ago. The UAE Red Crescent has 11 overseas branches - in Gaza and Jenin in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Thailand, Indonesia, Somalia, Yemen, Albania, Kosovo and Sudan. This network is complemented by another 42 offices in UAE embassies throughout the world. The organisation seems to have come a long way since 1983, when it was founded. The UAE Red Crescent currently has a network of ten branches in all regions of the country, employs more than 100 people and has twice the number of volunteers. In 2002, a presidential decree turned the society into the UAE Red Crescent Authority of today, underlying the government’s commitment to humanitarian causes. The UAE Red Crescent is active within the country as well, providing help to needy people and families without discrimination. In 2003, the total cost of programs executed by the organisation throughout the UAE was over Dhs.47 million. This included providing financial support to over twelve thousand needy families, providing free medical assistance and supporting the educational requirements of needy students, caring for prisoners and supporting various activities carried out by the country’s punishment institutions. Orphans and disabled people are also among recipients of aid distributed by the UAE Red Crescent and so are poor Muslims, whom the organisation provides with the treasured chance to perform their Haj pilgrimage. The organisation is very active during the Ramadan and Eid, when it gives the needy the chance to break their fast and gives out clothes and family parcels. With so many ongoing projects, the UAE Red Crescent can accommodate volunteers of diverse backgrounds and interests and Al Zarooni is inviting everyone to volunteer and do their share of good. “I’d like to see more volunteers joining in,” he says.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU IS NOW AVALIABLE IN THE MARKET AGAIN
We have new books in stock now, you can order a copy or bless a friend, family or colleague. We are approaching end of the year, a good gift for the family to enjoy together. My appreciation goes to Pastor & Pastor Mrs Ibrahim Abarshi. She came all the way from United Kingdom and ensured she got a copy for the family. Visit my website at www.elvisriuh.com to place your order today. And if you are ordering from abroad, you can order via online retail bookshops or amazon. Copies are still available. Thank you and God bless you. Author.
Tashas Group
Tashas Group is a hospitality company operating out of Dubai, UAE. The company is owned by Natasha Sideris, the Founder and CEO. The group has 5 brands under its umbrella: Tashas, Le Parc by Tashas, Flamingo Room by Tashas, Avli by Tashas, Galaxy Bar. operations of the group. She is passionate about growing the business organically, together with like minded partners in international markets based on her three core tenets.
Natasha Sideris -CEO & Founder, Tashas Group Mubarak bin Fahad - Chairman – Dubai Restaurant Group
Natasha Sideris is the Founder and CEO of Tashas Group and the maverick of the casual dining scene in South Africa and now in the UAE. 3rd generation in hospitality, Natasha grew up at the side of her father, a restaurateur, learning the business from a young age. Even though she studied Psychology at University, she returned to her true passion, hospitality. In 2005, after many years working in and owning franchised restaurants, she founded Tashas, filling a gap in the market for a casual dining concept where the interiors were beautiful, the food genuinely fresh, and the service second to none. From the moment she opened the second tashas, Natasha parted with the cookie-cutter franchising model and decided to make every tashas just a little bit different, providing guests with a surprising, yet delightful experience based on three principles: brilliant food, stunning environments, engagingly delivered. And it’s a recipe that worked. There are currently 15 tashas in South Africa and 5 in the UAE with another set to open in 2020. She is the mastermind, not only behind Tashas, but also Flamingo Room by tashas, Avli by tashas and Galaxy Bar, but she’s also notably humble, putting her success down to the team that makes up TTG. She’s a stickler for detail and a hound for exceptional quality. Natasha now resides in the UAE, where she oversees the Mubarak bin Fahad belongs to the breed of accomplished UAE nationals who combine first-class education with a ‘can do’ approach to both business and life. He holds a post graduate MBA from Birmingham and Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University, Boston, USA. Mr. Bin Fahad’s personal passion lies within the food and hospitality sector. He has been an active and valuable partner in the founding and development of award-winning restaurant concepts and brands, including the highly acclaimed La Petite Maison, tashas, Flamingo Room and Avli. Reflecting the great respect held for him within this industry, he was recently nominated Chairman of the Dubai Restaurants Business Group, formed under the umbrella of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry to support the city’s important restaurant sector and unify the voices of its 15,000 members. Mr. Bin Fahad is an astute, insightful and respected venture capitalist. He is also on the Board of Directors of several companies including Commercial Bank International. His past experience includes high profile tenures with Dubai World Trade as Director General where he received the coveted ‘Middle East CEO of the Year’ Award. He also spent time in Singapore and the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing. Mr Bin Fahad has been honored with many important accolades during his esteemed career.
Oasis Africa was established in 2005 to raise awareness and funds to help create a better future for the disadvantaged and underprivileged children of Kenya. Oasis Africa supports children from Africa’s largest urban slum, Kibera, in Nairobi, Kenya. Kibera has no government services, with very little sanitation or clean water. Diseases caused by poor hygiene are prevalent. Most of Kibera slum residents live in extreme poverty, earning less than $2.00 per day. Unemployment rates are high, resulting in most parents/caregivers being unable to afford education for their children. Oasis Africa focusses on providing access to quality education. We support both boys and girls equally, through offering High School and University Scholarships. We bridge the gap between the inequality faced by slum-based students to access High School & Tertiary education, despite their current financial and social circumstances. These scholarships enable children and their families to escape a life of poverty. Mr. Kim Winter Kim Winter is a Co-Founder / Chairman of Oasis Africa a registered charity organization residing in UAE. As Founder / Chairman of Logistics Executive Group, a specialist global Corporate Advisory, Consulting and Executive Search and Coaching organization with offices throughout the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania – he is committed to bridging business and culture between UAE and Africa and beyond. Originally from New Zealand, Mr Winter believes in paying it forward and driving change for good, he has formal residence status in the UAE, Hong Kong and Australia, he is an ex professional rugby player and holds MBA and BA degrees.
Her Royal Highness Deli Matsebula
Her Royal Highness Deli Matsebula has over 20 years of corporate and executive experience, primarily in the ICT space. It is therefore no mistake that she is known as the IT Guru of Africa. Her Highness has designed numerous innovative solution systems some of which include designing lottery infrastructure and systems for four African countries, mind boggling technologies for a number of governments including South Africa and Mozambique among others. She sits on a number of boards but her biggest passion is her philanthropy work. Her objective is to uplift Africa especially African women who continue to be marginalized. Her philanthropy projects focus on educating the youth especially the girl child. Hers is to empower our bread winners and to bring hope to those that have lost hope. Poverty is a no go zone if you look at the projects she is involved in. Some of her projects include Poultry Farm in Ghana, a maternity hospital in Ghana, a dairy farm in Nigeria, infrastructure project in Sierra Leone and early childhood development for over 400 who are in the communities where the wind turbines are found in the Easter Cape, South Africa. She also sits on the board of MANCO which is a civil and engineering company. In this role she is responsible for strategic and operational engagements in and around Africa looking after multi-billion dollar Infrastructure Projects. She brings additional competencies of communication, negotiation and people management skills to the new structure and her track record in business, international ventures and South African multinationals adds depth of strategic guidance to the board. Hers is to eradicate poverty and create opportunities for the less privileged and so far she has been successful in achieving her goals. She also sits on the board of Vestas who are leaders in wind turbine manufacturing. HRH Ms. Matsebula continuously teaches mentors and runs one on one online session to encourage other single mothers that it can be done as well as possible to build an empire and have quality time with your family. Her time is split between her opportunities and spending quality time with her children. This is done by traveling the world and camping and appreciating nature. Her most important role is being a mother to her 3 amazing children and is passionate about the girl child and devotes her spare time to charities and is very involved in the church.
Nigerian Christians under persecution HELPUS PLEASE.......
It is a well known fact that Nigerian Christians are under severe persecution particularly in the Northern part of the country. They continued to be attacked, properties destroyed, thousands of people dead, many more displaced, farm lands destroyed, children left homeless, orphans and desolate in a nation of plenty of resources. A government unable to protect his people. We have received a request from an organization helping these persecuted Christians to get some type or relief. They are calling on us on the Diaspora to support and help through our kind donations. The organization is coordinating assistances, see the flyers published below for details of how you can support their efforts. We approve the flyers so you can send support directly or contact them for clarification or more information. God bless you all. TV Management
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg52LK6cJlw&feature=youtu.be
By Sinan Çankaya
The Hague District Court recently ruled that ethnicity can be used to single out passengers for checks at Dutch airports. That is what Mpanzu Bamenga, a city councillor and academic from Eindhoven, The Netherlands, heard soon after arriving at the airport of his hometown following a short work visit to Italy in 2018. He quickly realized that he had been selected for an extra security check because he is a Black man. After all, he was a Dutch national arriving at a Dutch airport, holding a Dutch passport. It was clear that there was no obvious reason for him to be singled out like this – other than the colour of his skin. This was not Bamenga’s first experience of racial profiling in the Netherlands – this is, after all, not a rare experience for Dutch nationals from minority backgrounds. I myself have been pulled out of the passport control cue at the Schiphol Airport for a “routine” security check in the past. I was on my way to a conference in the United Kingdom, where I would give a lecture on; I am not making this up, racial profiling. When faced with such discrimination, we all want to scream: “Is this because of the colour of my skin, is this because you think I do not look Dutch enough?” but we
don’t usually say anything out loud, because we do not want to agitate the customs officer and be held longer than necessary. We go along with it and swallow the pain. But after his experience in 2018, Bamenga decided to do something about it. He first lodged an official complaint. And later, with the backing of rights groups like Amnesty International, RADAR, Controle Alt Delete and PIPLNJCM, he brought a case against the Dutch government to end racial profiling. Marechaussee police force (Kmar), which is in charge of border security in the Netherlands, tried to legitimize its officer’s decision to single out Bamenga for special questioning by claiming that he had “matched a risk profile” because he walked quickly, was travelling on his own, was well dressed, and he looked “not Dutch”. On that day, Bamenga was a lone traveller in a tailored suit walking rapidly at the Eindhoven airport – in many ways; he was no different to thousands of other Joe Travellers passing through that airport every single day. But unlike them, Bamenga was selected for special questioning. The deciding factor, and there is no other way around it, was his socalled “non-Dutch appearance”. In Bamenga, the Dutch police saw not a Dutch professional coming home from a work trip, but a potential Nigerian trafficker. On September 22, The Hague District Court finally reached a verdict on Bamenga’s case. “Ethnicity does not have to be an objective indication of nationality, but it could be,” the judge ruled. Ethnicity cannot be the
only criteria for singling out passengers for extra checks, the court said, but it could certainly be one criterion among
others. With this ruling, the court has lumped together skin colour and nationality – it cemented the idea that to be Dutch is to be white. Of course, this was something racialized Dutch people already knew, but the court ruling made it official. The ruling is the legal, and seemingly sophisticated, stand-in for its uncritical and banal version: “Well, ‘we’ are white, and ‘they’ are Black, is it not so?” As a result of decades of migration and colonialism, thousands of people from different corners of the world – some voluntarily, some not – ended up in the Netherlands. And their presence in the country cracked the notion of “Dutchness as whiteness”. The post-colonial migration from the Dutch East Indies and the Moluccas, and later Suriname and the Dutch Antilles, the labour migration from Turkey and Morocco, and the more recent arrival of refugees from Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Congo and so on, shook up the whole idea that being Dutch equals being
white. Or so you would think. But, being “white” or “Black” are not objective indicators of anything. These racial classifications are political, not biological. What we are dealing with here is a colonial legacy. How Black does one have to be to be regularly pulled out of queues in Dutch airports? How white is white enough to not be routinely selected for “random” questioning? These questions are indeed uncomfortable and hard to answer. But what then, for goodness sake, does “Dutchlooking” mean? The court’s assumption that racism or discrimination can only occur if the security forces choose an individual for additional questioning solely or predominantly based on their racial or ethnic characteristics is also problematic for multiple reasons. The ruling gives the impression that there is no problem with racial profiling as long as ethnicity is used “in combination with” other criteria. Moreover, the practices of security forces are often messy and complex. When selecting someone for questioning, they likely rely on an amalgam of different criteria, including but not limited to ethnicity and race. In this context, it is almost impossible to determine what the “predominant” factor is behind an officer’s decision to single an individual out for additional security checks at an airport, bus station or on the street. Therefore, the court’s decision does nothing to stop security forces from using ethnicity as the sole, or predominant, criteria when deciding who to question. The Kmar, for its part, claims that ethnicity does not play a role in its generalized risk profiles in the first place.
These profiles are composed based on complex statistical calculations, it says, and correspond to a wide range of developments, for example, in the field of migration. It argues that its profiles are composed based not on race, but neutral and quantifiable risk indicators, such as the individual in question’s airport of departure, their airport of arrival, the nature of their plane ticket (one-way or return), the age or gender of those travelling with them, and so on. Considered independently from each other, these indicators indeed seem neutral, but in combination, they clearly can become a proxy for ethnicity or race. And the court’s ruling on Bamenga’s case gives a carte blanche to security forces to continue using such seemingly neutral criteria to legitimize racial profiling. In the Bamenga case, the judge seemingly gave precedence to the alleged effectiveness of the stops above principles of non-discrimination. This was a major failure, as it is the responsibility of the courts to keep the excesses of security forces in check, overturn their problematic decisions and put an end to discriminatory practices. As far as I am concerned, we should rid the world of all forms of racialized thinking – including the uncritical embrace of it among progressives. But let’s first focus on the ingrained racialized thinking in our institutions. We cannot build a post-racial world while our security forces, leading institutions, and courts continue to casually lump together race, ethnicity and nationality. Bamenga was in Italy to give a lecture on the meaning of liberty. Perhaps Dutch courts and other institutions should spare a few hours to listen to what he has to say, to make sure that meaning is not lost in his own country. By Sinan Çankaya Anthropologist and the writer of “My Innumerable Identities” (2020)
