Zambia’s Chinese debt nearly twice official estimate, study finds Pages 44-51 - Profiles of awardees in details continue Pages 52 & 53 - Arts exhibition at The Voice Achievers

Zambia’s Chinese debt nearly twice official estimate, study finds

Zambia’s debt to Chinese public and private lenders is $6.6 billion, almost double the amount disclosed by the previous Zambian government, the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) has estimated from an analysis of loan data. Copper-rich Zambia became Africa’s first coronavirus-era sovereign default last November and its ongoing debt restructuring has become a test case of Western multilateral efforts to get countries to disclose their full borrowings. The previous government, led by Edgar Lungu, said Zambia’s Chinese debts stood at $3.4 billion. But the estimate published by CARI on Tuesday chimes with comments from President Hakainde Hichilema, who took office last month, that the debt load is likely to be higher. The finance ministry said its official figures were “broadly consistent” with the CARI estimate, adding that the government’s reporting on public debt was accurate and transparent. “Key creditors and stakeholders, including the International Monetary Fund and advisers to the bondholders’ ad hoc committee have received more detailed data on the makeup of the public debt under each category under non-disclosure agreements,” it added in a statement. International creditors, with which the government is in talks, have complained that the lack of detail on Zambia’s China loans - which carry specific non-disclosure terms, has hindered the process of restructuring Zambia’s debts. “Given the complicated situation ... reaching consensus on burden-sharing is likely to prove exceptionally difficult,” CARI researchers Deborah Brautigam and Yinxuan Wang wrote. The $6.6 billion figure is based on data collected by CARI at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. It does not include penalties or interest arrears that continue to build up. But Washington in particular has urged China to provide more data to other creditors about its loans, noting that some Chinese entities have not participated fully in the DSSI. Tuesday’s study estimated that $7.77 billion in loans had been disbursed to Zambia and its state-owned enterprises by 18 major and minor Chinese banks or funds from 2000 to August 2021. Of those, Zambia has repaid at least $1.2 billion. The estimate does not change Zambia’s total debt load of $14.3 billion, the researchers said, but shows that the Lungu government “was not transparent about the heavy weight of Chinese financiers among its many external creditors”. Bwalya Ngandu, finance minister under Lungu, has said it is not true that Zambia’s debt numbers were understated. “We have never hidden any debt,” he said in a statement earlier this month. Asked about the new Chinese debt estimate, he did not immediately provide a response. The researchers found six instances in which Chinese lenders had cancelled debt owed by Zambia, for a total of $392 million.

China is Africa’s largest creditor. It is part of the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), which is supported by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and has suspended debt payments to dozens of the world’s poorest countries.

Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni

Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni is an internationally recognized advisor on blockchain use cases. Dr. Al Zarouni is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Cryptocurrencies. He is the CEO of Dubai Blockchain Center (DBCC), an impact business and a strategic partner to Dubai Future Foundation. The center was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum under the Area 2071 initiative in May 2018. It aims to create a fertile ground and a holistic ecosystem for blockchain companies and projects to thrive in. DBCC regularly hosts a number of blockchain startups within Area 2071 and also conducts educational classes and seminars around blockchain use cases in government and private sector. Dr. Marwan is currently the Director of information Services at Digital Dubai and a member of Dubai Future Council for Blockchain and is the lead for the Digital Asset Task Force (DATF). The purpose of the task force is to conduct comprehensive studies to provide clear guidance on how digital assets can be regulated. The purpose of the blockchain council is to cement Dubai’s position as the global blockchain capital, offering a prominent platform for decision-makers from various local and international governments and private sector entities to explore future-forward, blockchain-based solutions. Dr. Alzarouni is also a member of Smart Dubai’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics Committee. Dr. Alzarouni is also the Managing Partner at Accelliance Consultancy LTD which provides its services to the UAE’s Center for 4th Industrial Revolution (C4IR) and the World Economic Forum (WEF). Accelliance regularly conducts research and studies into the applicable use cases for blockchain technology and aids in creating toolkits that can be tested and implemented by various businesses and government entities worldwide. Dr. Marwan is a regular on informative TV shows, radio, podcasts and YouTube videos. He provides his expert opinions to the media when it comes to expert commentary on news and events related to blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. Dr. Alzarouni is a holder of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Computer Science from Embry-Riddle University in the United States while his higher education was conducted in Edith Cowan University in Australia. His Master’s Degree studies were in Information Security and Intelligence and his Doctorate was in Information Technology with specialization in Smartphone Forensics. Dr. Alzarouni has written a number of well-regarded publications in academia and commercially. This includes but is not limited to papers in cyber security, mobile phone forensics, information superiority and blockchain technology. Dr. Alzarouni previously served on a number of boards and committees within the UAE. This includes but is not limited to: UAE’s Covid 19 Contact Tracing Sub-Committee, Dubai Sports Council’s Strategy Committee, Dubai Data Committee, and Dubai’s Information Security Committee.

Omar Tom (Dukkan Media)

Omar Tom, commonly known as OT is an entrepreneur, strategic planner, educator and public speaker. OT is the Cofounder and CEO at Dukkan Media, a firm that helps businesses understand the people of the Middle East. Through which, OT has made a name for himself in the industry as a cultural expert and catalyst, connecting businesses and communities together. Moving at the speed of digital cultural change, and nurturing deep roots, OT has developed award winning and impactful work for a diverse range of brands across the Middle East and San Francisco working with clients such as The Executive Council, Nike, Dubai Sports Council, Google, YouTube, McDonalds, Red Bull, GMC, Kiva.org, and Arabian Radio Network to name a few. He is currently a guest lecturer at the American University in Dubai (A.U.D.) on and AUD. Strategic Planning and Opportunities in New Media. His expertise extend to building unique, purposeful brands, as well as developing original content programs and intellectual property such as Dukkan Show (Dukkan Media’s pilot podcast), Legal-Ish, The Forever Student, and Switch/ Flicks. He is the driving force behind creating deep and culturally rooted creative business solutions. OT is a celebrated graduate of both Miami Ad School

Mohamed Dekkak, is a Moroccan businessman, investor, and philanthropist. A Moroccan expat, he is best known as the Chairman and Founder of Adgeco Group of Companies. Mohamed Dekkak has been overseas for an extended period. He is a business professional and a successful Moroccan entrepreneur with high academic & business qualifications; Mohamed Dekkak holds his passion for building inventive start-up companies. He is a man with the excellent background in crafting collaboration with multi-national companies in an extensive range of industries from oil and gas, through power and energy and energy via construction and engineering. Multilingual, Mohamed can read, speak and write English, Arabic, and French, some leading factors why he eventually became a successful Moroccan expat. The Moroccan national is a front runner of several businesses and charitable organizations in the UAE and Morocco. Mohamed Dekkak has awesome mission of financial advancement. He is enthusiastic about genuine social advancement. He is a sincere champion of CSR in the UAE and MENA alike. He is man full of ideas too by which battling individuals and frail companies could turn out from their emergencies and sail towards shores of financial dependability and manageability. Mr Dekkak’s humanitarian Initiatives are impressive and too numerous to be mentioned here but his philosophy and statement is that: We will go that extra mile to facilitate projects for those who need them most. Dedicating ourselves to focal points every year… the field is so extensive we cannot embark upon all the challenges simultaneously.

Mr. Yasser Ali AlGergawi

Mr. Yasser Ali AlGergawi is the Director of Programs & Partnerships under the Ministry of Tolerance & Coexistence office. He has also double as the Chairman of Dubai National Theater where has continued to use his good office to encourage the youths in the country and abroad. His long experience in organizing events or celebrations for government/ semi-government institutions is well documented. He is also an expert with all national identity details (audio - visual - printed) and he has managed the Emirati, Arab and international festivals and competitions He is also responsible for preparing materials for HR development. The training materials are prepared according to the request of the federal authorities or institutions in the UAE or The Government of Dubai. He has provided a series of courses in the Physical places of the Ministries or Dubai Government. Currently, he provides online courses for employees at the request of the government or non-governmental institutions. He is vast with languages as Arabic and English which makes him to work freely with all levels of society.

She is President- of the National Association of Freight and Logistics-NAFL (Fiata). A UAE National, with more than 20 year experience, Nadia is a marketing, freight and logistics professional, who worked for some time in the family Business - DULSCO - founded by her late grandfather in the 1930’s , one of the oldest and largest manpower supply companies to the shipping trade and logistics industries. In addition she is on the board of directors for the special needs centre called Al Noor centre for children with special needs. She has also been an active voice for women in logistics and transport and heads the WILAT, Women in Logistics and Transport for the Middle East Region. Ms. Nadia is part of various consultative government councils and Continuously strives to support foreign investments in the UAE. Conducted regional and global events and took delegations from the UAE to India, Germany, Rwanda, CIS, and Tanzania. She has also received many international delegations in the UAE. She has worked with ministries of logistics and economy of Ethiopia and ensured their connectivity with the UAE government authorities and ports. She won the Dubai Quality Excellence Award and managed to enhance all services offered by the association.

His Excellency, Awad Mohammad Sheikh Mogrin

His Excellency, Awad Mohammad Sheikh Mogrin holds Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Colorado State University. He also has an Honorary Ph.d. in Modern Journeys Literature from Yeovil College University in Kentucky, USA. He was chosen by the supreme board of the Olympic Sports Film Festival in its 33rd round in Italian city Milano to honor him for his great achievements in the field of solution and travelling and the qualitative leap that he achieved in Modern Journeys Literature and what emerged of it from scientific, cultural, civilizational and heritage activities. He has been touring around the world with his Emirates Travellers team. Among places they have travelled includes East Asia – Australia – Indonesia – Malaysia - Singapore – Thailand – India – Nepal – Pakistan – Iran – Iraq. And on the Africa axis, they have travelled through South Africa – Zimbabwe – Zambia – Tanzania – Kenya – Sudan – Egypt – Libya – Tunis etc. He has documented all these traveling’s into printed document and documentaries which has been produced into movies and this has helped to develop new materials being used for studies on modern journeys literature. Through his voyage, a yearly international Voyagers festival has been established to celebrate these various countries they visit and showcase their beauty to the rest of the world. They have done tours on Africa’s soil on camels and they have documented their journey of climbing the Kilimanjaro’s peak on Camels in coordination with UAE Voyagers Media Office, and it was shown in Reel Cinema Hall in Dubai Mall. He is a great achiever in drawing attention to Africa through his works.

Ms. Patience Nyange

Ms. Patience Nyange is a media, communications and advocacy specialist with over fifteen years of experience in various communications fields, including international relations, diplomacy, broadcast and print journalism, global communication management, strategic communication and social media management. She has worked with international media houses (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation and BBC) and local media houses in Kenya and made great networks while at it. Patience, who currently serves as Council Member at the Media Council of Kenya, previously served as an Assistant Director at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and Communications Advisor, Ministry of Devolution and Planning. Patience recently got appointed as a Delegate-at-Large representing Africa at the Executive Board for the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management. She serves as an Executive Board Member and Advisor at BAME2020 representing Kenya/Africa. She’s also a Board Member and Mentor at Emerging Leaders Foundation in Kenya. An organization geared at growing future leaders in Africa! Patience is a Chevening Scholar for the year 2019 in which she holds a Master’s Degree in International Public Relations and Global Communication Management from Cardiff University, UK (Class of 2020, Distinction). Patience is the founder of #KenyaWomenSeries a Kenyan online project born out of a desire to showcase how powerful #KenyanWomen are, highlighting stories of women in Kenya disrupting the status quo and making a difference in society. The project curates stories of incredible, inspiring, powerhouse women and what they’re doing to change their communities. We help them hoot their trumpet by giving them a platform to tell their stories. Patience is a member of the Charted Institute of Public Relations (CIPR, UK), Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) and Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK). She is very passionate about women and girls’ rights, specifically in the advancement of women’s voices and empowerment. She has been at the forefront advocating for gendersensitive reporting in Africa. Patience has a solid footing when it comes to matters human rights, governance, devolution, policy development and implementation. Patience is an ordinary girl on the path to extraordinary!

His Excellency, Dr. h.c. Raphael Nagel

Dr. Dr. h.c. Raphael Nagel is a distinguished philanthropist and Investor living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dr. Raphael Manuel Nagel is a renowned Investor, a Lobbyist, Philanthropist and Senior Advisor to Royal Families. He has been doing business in Dubai since 2001, where he heads a private equity firm. In 2020, he founded the Abrahamic Business Circle, an inclusive business group that includes members of all religions and creeds from around the world. His philanthropist mission has always lead his way in business, as he believes everyone deserves an opportunity to be educated in order to have a better world. Dr. Nagel has been awarded with many awards from around the world for his outstanding contributions to Economic Diplomacy in the Middle East. Amongst other relevant activities, he is an active member of the Scientific Committee of the Chair in Security at the Andorra’s Universitat Europea. Additionally, he is the co-founder of a Spanish investment bank specialised on cross-border transactions and debt restructuring. He has been chosen as one of the most inspiring business leaders of the year by Forbes Magazine.

Dr. Adewunmi Rafiu Alayaki

Dr. Adewunmi Rafiu Alayaki is a highly resourceful, focus and optimistic professional. He is a versatile, humble and hospitable personality with a large heart willing to help and give to less privileged in the society. It is no surprise he choose to study medicine and today he is a very successful medical practitioner in Nigeria and Africa in general. He has received several awards and honours for his meritorious service to humanity and medicine. His kingdom’s work principle is excellent. He is a member of many professional associations and affiliations that he has served including being a member of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria; member of General Private Medical practitioner of Nigeria (AGPMPN); Member National Association of Government General Medical and Dental practitioner (NAGGMDP); Nigeria Medial Association (NMA) and Associate member World Medical Association. He has held positions in several capacities in his over two decades of service to humanity that it is too numerous to recall them all in this short piece.

His Excellency, Ahmed Elmetwally

His Excellency, Ahmed Elmetwally have been nurtured by Emirati culture and values. As proud resident of United Arab Emirates, his focus is always to bring prosperity to his nation in all sectors. Through the guidance and effort of the founding father, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, he has been inspiration to his life. Currently he is the CEO of The Private Office of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. His work is to bring new technologies, ventures and investment to the region in various sectors. Since 2015, he has worked as the Director of Partnerships of a prominent royal family office in the country and that helps to sharpen his skills and achievement his goals. He studied Business Administration in New York University in Abu Dhabi, where he developed interest in the field of merging and acquisitions. As administrator of the Private office of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, his job includes garnering long term strong relationships with prominent government delegates and business tycoons in the region and the world. At our private office he encourages businesses and entrepreneurs that need the support and push to scale up their operations and guide them to enter the regional market. Our entity is the strategically placed and a launch pad for businesses who would want to enter the MENA region. He believes in transparency, humanity and giving back to society.

His Excellency, Hon. Dr. Fahed Merehbi

H.E Dr. Merehbi was born in Kuwait in 1983 from Lebanon origin and an aristocracy family class in Lebanon who have been there since 1714. The family played an important role in government decision making and management of people affairs in north Lebanon. However, he did not depend on his family but relied on himself, he worked in and study after school. At the age of Nineteen he founded the small shop and to sell foods staff “ojeh Group” by not relied on other or family after that worked in bank for 4 years till he open his own group Zurich capital funds which financed education and sports. H.E. Dr Fahed is an Astute Economist. Enthusiastic to take on challenging projects involving product development, pricing, modeling, reserving, profit testing, and financial reporting in support of key organizational business objectives. H.E. Al Merehbi is unique in that he pursues opportunities to support green development for low income real estate along with his pursuit of large scale luxury properties. Chairman/ CEO of Zurich Capital Funds, an international holding company with businesses across various sectors like Finance & Investment Group and Real Estate, Renewable Energy, Modern Agriculture, Telecommunication, LED and General Trading And other many activities. He is the founder and board of Trustee of CAAFI , a not for profit organization that focuses on Human Rights and Education for all humanitarians across the world An ambitious businessman and philanthropist with strong network in India, Middle East and Africa Dr Fahed, Ambassador At-Large. (Institutional Development) - MENA-GCC- & Eastern Europe of IIMSAM, an Intergovernmental Institution for the Use of Micro-Algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition the Intergovernmental Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council Under ECOSOC, registered under United Nations Treaty Series No. 37542-37543, dated 12th June 2001; in accordance with the Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations. Ambassador Dr Fahed Merehbi he is President for Lebanon office Board member Arab Union for Real Estate Development • Ambassador Dr Fahed Merehbi is President for Lebanon office of Arab African for development and real Estate Investment Organization • Ambassador Dr Fahed Merehbi is a board member of the Council of Arab International Enterprise Manager, the wish of the Egypt-based Economic in Lebanon. Ambassador Dr Fahed Merehbi received an honorary doctorate from the police of united Arab emirates Dubai on the Corse of we are all police and he received the medal of excellence from Dubai airport police and he received several medals and certificates from various initiatives and activities humanitarian and social activities and appreciation of the efforts made in the service of the community and its humanitarian work Ambassador Dr Fahed Merehbi has also received an honorary doctorate from the royal family of UAE, Sheikh Nayan Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan - The voluntary Human initiative. Ambassador Dr Fahed Merehbi was chosen at the most influential Arab figure in the Arab world and he was ranked number Eight out of 20, of total 100, the selection was made by academics and experts from Harvard university, Georgetown university and George Washington, commissioned by the workd association of former United Nations interns and fellows, the influential Arab figures in politics, finance and economics and social H.E. Dr Fahed Al Merehbi was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador of the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition, IIMSAM, to help the organization realize a world free of malnutrition and hunger, and in support of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by mainstreaming the use of Spirulina to eradicate malnutrition, achieve food security, and bridge the health divide with a special priority for the Developing and the Least Developed Countries. H.E. Dr Fahed Al Merehbi joined the list of IIMSAM Goodwill Ambassadors from across the world who have committed themselves towards the mandate of the organisation. H.E. Al-Merehbi’s priority area would be to help the malnutrition initiatives of IIMSAM in the Republic of Kenya, Guinea Bissau, Tanzania, Ghana, Haiti, China, Korea, and any place required help and support where Spirulina would be utilised to save lives due to malnutrition and to counter various deprivations associated with it.

Professor Dr. Waheed Musah is one of Africa’s finest Ancestral writer, Poet, Spoken word artist and a cultural activist, extremely innovative and talented in the field of promoting Afrocentric activities. Motivating and empowering the young African generation to stick to their valuable culture and tradition. After some series of personal researches he made, found out that many Africans do not know their cultural roots. His stage performance has also brought him close to legends and renowned writers, poets and authors all around the world; which have become the fuel that spurs him on to a greater height. Dr. Waheed is the founder and President of Waheed Centre for Humanity and Humanitarian Development {W.C.H.H.D}. Through this foundation, he is engaged in humanitarian activities and bringing development to society at all levels. He is providing solutions to protect and sustain the consciousness and integrity of humanity and Humanitarian development via educational empowerment and avenues of diplomatic relations. His vision is to create an exemplary world class Centre for Humanity and Humanitarian Development, Sustainability, Integrations, Research, Teaching and Learning Centre, highly oriented in finding solutions to the most pressing problems facing Humanity in the 21st century and beyond.

His Excellency, Dr. Bonface Obare, DID, DGD, DPed, EdMD, DRD, DGLM,DEC, DSc, FOLt, PhD

He is a Kenyan resident in South Africa, Botswana and Birland where he works as Bio-informatician, educationalist and university board of directors, youth policy consultant and foreign relations negotiator and initiator, activist, civil servant, public analyst and a global leader. As a leader he has worked on sustainable development goal projects, agribusiness investment in crop and dairy farming, entrepreneur in travel industry, university development, human rights, international diplomacy, public policy, advocacy on cultural diplomacy and global multilateral affairs. Presently he is the Foreign Affairs Minister on International Diplomacy and Public Policy for Africa’s new emerging country BIRLAND (Bir Tawil) between Egypt and Sudan. He has passion for humanity especially for the vulnerable and less privileged in society. He supports a safer and economically empowered world. He educates, teaches and guides with passion on how to become a responsible citizen and importance of pedagogy. An activist of a green world with food security and clean water, human rights, social economic empowerment, conflict resolution, education, youth empowerment, governance, public policies, development and international diplomacy.

Dr. Abayomi Oluseye Olajide is a medical practitioner with speciality on mental health He has made tremendous contribution to the health care industry in Nigeria with particular focus on mental health which has been a challenging health issue for decades in Nigeria. He is a renowned pragmatic medical practitioner, unparalleled and an outstanding African philanthropist. Majority of his works are focused on rural community areas in Nigeria. His modest efforts are making a far-reaching positive impact on the lives of the Nigerian population and inspiring hundreds of Nigerian youths who are repositioned to a hopeful future through his trusteeship. Dr. Abayomi Oluseye Olajide is a well-motivated and optimistic person, focused, goal and result oriented with adorable personality.

OUR GRATITUDE & APPRECIATION

The Voice Achievers Award ceremony is a traditional award event that takes place annually during our magazine’s anniversary. However, this year is very special because it is took place in Dubai, an Arab city and country for the very first time despite the corona pandemic. The event has become one of our most successful events in 12 years of the award event globally. Thanks to the benevolent support of The Voice Achievers Award committee in Dubai led by Her Excellency, Ambassador Laila Rahhal and her husband, AbdulAziz Ahmad who initiated the contacts and network to make the Voice Achievers Award happen in Dubai 2021. Some amazing personalities worked behind the scene, one of them is Pilar Stella (Ingargiola) who connected us to Bruce Matthews of KPMG Lower Gulf and he made it happened that his company solely sponsored the Voice Achievers Award 2021 in Dubai. Apart from sponsoring the event, they provided us with their workers both within the company and external to ensure this event was a huge success. Nader Haffar, Bruce Matthews, Fahad Kazim, John Macintosh, Asma Al Otaiba, Nisha Patel, Abhiraj Bector and Mohammed Al Majedi. From the external team we have H.E. Jamal Al Jarwan, Saif Al Mazrouei, Yousef AlNaabi, Dr. Hamad Al Ali, Mansoor Al Habtoor, Imad Alameddine and Amna Al Maghrebi. We had support of musical groups like Sammyoung, Nigerian based musician in Dubai and Dibba Al Harbyah, a musical band from Dubai. We also had a great art exhibition show exhibited, organized and coordinated by Jesno Rengi and her colleagues. (More about them in the next issue of The Voice magazine) We also say thank you to Abeka Salmin Abdallah, Marion Van der Voort, David Banjoko, Ken Aide and Henry Oduenyi, (Managing Editor) for their inputs. We sincerely appreciate the commitment of everyone that has traveled from every

part of the work to grace the event in Dubai. We hope to see you in our future events particularly in 2022 when we go to Banjul, The Gambia. Our appreciation to others whose names are not mentioned here but worked behind the scene, the event planner, decorators, electrical technicians, sound team, Master of Ceremony, photographers, video and camera crew, journalists from various Arab media organizations. Thank you all. Once again, we say Congratulations to all the awardees. Thank you to all our guests. Thank you for your attending.

Arts exhibition at The Voice Achievers Award 2021 in Dubai

The Voice Achievers Award 2021 took place at the @Intercontinental Festival City Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 19th September 2021 with the theme-“Bridging Cultures UAE & Africa”. The celebration was hosted for the first time in an Arab country by The Voice News Magazine and I am Africa, with the kind support of KPMG Lower Gulf. The Voice Achievers Award collaborated with ‘I am Africa’ under the leadership of Her Excellency, Ambassador Laila Rahhal to foster culture and business relationships between UAE and Africa. Jesno Rengi, Founder of Art4you Gallery helped to organized a sideshow of great artists based in Dubai to have their works on display. Art4ugallery were glad to organize the Art exhibition titled “Bridge to UAE and Africa” curated by @jesnojackson with 8 amazing artists from diverse cultural backgrounds. “I would like to extend my gratitude to HE Laila Rahhal for hosting this amazing event that build cultural and economic bridges between peoples, countries and continents. She also thanked Pastor Elvis from The Netherlands for bringing together these high profile personalities to celebrate the various cultures. Jesno also thanked her professional colleagues who accepted to participate in the exhibition. We share some photos from the event, the award ceremony opening and exhibitions by our 8 artists with their 22 artworks on theme UAE and Africa. Hope u will enjoy it and those interested to purchase art, please email us at art4you.artgallery@gmail.com Congratulations to all!

Africa continent has come a long way and has a long way to go. Independence in Africa come with merit and demerits. Among the demerits of the newly founded self rule was the founding fathers feel of entitlement, the kind that made the founding fathers run Africa countries in manner to suggest they had earned the right to do whatever they wanted. As a result political father heads created Africa godfathers who ran the

economy and public resources without caution. However that error has slowly faded away with new leadership taking form. In this new error, every woman, every youth, every child counts. Awareness which now recognizes the role of the different stake holders in African society is in realization, there is alot that women are now contributing in leadership. Often than not we are made to feel that the leaders on top are the real deal. However the structure of a society can be strong as her grassroot operation permits. The millions of projects and actions at grassroot level create the monument of a country. In the Kenyan society at grassroot level is a lady called Fatuma-the founder Engange Jamii Initiative. Fatuma Kamene Juma is currently the Director- Engage Jamii Initiatives a community based organization which focuses on connecting women with their children and youth throughout their lives in advocating for effective and conscious parenting in Countering Violent Extremism[CVE] and empowering women economically in CVE, thus empowering community to have stable family units and peaceful nation. Previously, she served as a Gender Officer. Fatuma holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences from the University of Nairobi and has completed several trainings and professional courses including an Exchange Program to the USA thus an International Visitors Leadership Program Alumni. She is an expert in Peace and Security programs. She is a Mentor and a trainer who empowers women and girls in different spheres of life. Our columnist Jimmie Nicks had a discussion with Fatuma and following is inlook into Fatuma and Engage Jamii Initiative. TV. Welcome to The Voice News Magazine Fatuma. Thankyou for having me TV. Engage Jamii Initiative is a noticeable CBO due to the impact it has had in Kenya communities, what is your story? Fatuma: I was orphaned at a tender age, as a result I grew up lacking parental guidance during adolescent stage, lack of school fees and enduring lots of challenges to complete high school education. Luckily I got school bursary through my previous School Principal Madam Florence Lihanda. Immediately after form four, I opted for early marriage with assumption of running away from worldly troubles, this led to early divorce due to unknowingly marrying a man who had already divorced 5 times. Due to my strong religious background, I picked myself up, got myself an office assistant job, and used my savings to go back to college, did several certificates and diploma courses due to lack of career guidance and later on at the age of 34yrs graduated with the Bachelor of Arts Degree from University of Nairobi. TV. Is your experience as an orphan related to the birth of EJI Fatuma. Definately, I truly understand why girls are vulnerable and in dire need of parental love, guidance and support. I also

believe that most parents are hurting their children knowingly or unknowingly by not being there for them therefore they should be trained on conscious and effective parenting in overcoming societal challenges that are currently facing our children. Girls need mentorship to be able to cope up with the changing world that is full of technological exposure. Women need to be economically empowered to be able to

be financially stable since they carry the burden of their families when divorced, widowed and mostly when their husbands abscond parental responsibilities. Women need peace and security to thrive, this is because, when there is violence, women are forced to run with their children, at times they are raped due to their vulnerability during war. TV. Lets talk about EJI Fatuma. Engage Jamii Initiatives is a community based women led organization that bridges the gap between parents and the youth through various training that unites families. EJI was started in 2016, and with the generous support from the US Embassy Public Affairs Section in Nairobi, has managed to successfully train and mentor more than 100000 women and girls in Nairobi areas such as Pumwani, Kawangware, Kariobangi, Huruma, Mombasa areas like Kisauni and Likoni and Kilifi areas like Mnarani, Kiwandani, Mabirikani, Mtaani, Kwa Mwango, Marembo, Kibaoni, Kisumu Ndogo, Mambrui, Malindi, Magarini. In past we have had hundreds of community meetings and training but due to COVID-19 we have had to minimize the physical meetings and introduce online training. Example is four whatsapp groups that EJI is using to do training including Parenting for both parents aimed at discussing challenges and solutions in parenting, Religious group strictly for women for religious nourishment, Entrepreneurship for networking between sellers and buyers and Charity group for sadaqa when various religious organization and hence pastors and imams can use such opportunities to preach tolerance and help their following to correlate well with other faith organizations. Failure to play key role on right teachings puts entire

community at a vulnerable state. Unlike churches who have more forums, mosques need to come up with supporting systems like hospitals, libraries, financial structures. TV. Has the government been supportive in dealing with issues radicalization? Fatuma. Initially we had alot of stigma surrounding radicalization. Parents of radicalized youths would often get harassed when such occurrences happened. But with more awareness there is now a realization that this parents are equally suffering especially having their kids involved in terror and worst dying in the process. Currently we are in constant working relationship with the local administration to create more awareness. TV. How can parents discern signs in their children behavior to counter radicalization Fatuma. Common traits of youths under radicalization can be noted through the following 1. If your child suddenly became religious 2. When the child begins to withdraw from family but easy with newly found groupings 3. If your child becomes Symantec to terror just over night TV. How do you support this programs Fatuma. EJI runs its programs through donor support, and now that you are asking about it, we are looking forward to more donor support in order to achieve our objective of empowering more women and girls. TV. Your parting shot Fatuma. Our children are what we are as patents, lets join in upbringing our children in the best way possible. By Nicholas Jimmy (Jimmie Nicks)

need arises. We also net work via facebook page and a website. TV. How do you think religious organizations can help in curbing radicalizations Fatuma. Religious gatherings give periodical access to community people. Many people are affiliated to their