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FIFA World Cup 2014: Can Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Others Deliver?

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The voice of Africans in the Diaspora

Kenya’s Martey-Ochola

Beauty: Is Your Skin Ready for Spring?

MAKING DEALS, BRIDGING GAPS Lupita Nyong’o Now!

WHO’S NEXT?

African Movies

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IS HOLLYWOOD’S

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Me Mo m Th me orab e O nt le sca s at rs

Regrets Isaiah Washington

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Ghana Goes For Gold In Brazil Pg. 40

LET’S DO IT AGAIN – In London! Pg. 28

NICKY AKANDE – Only The Best … Have You Seen Pg. 11 The SON OF GOD? Pg. 24

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The voice of Africans in the Diaspora

CHAMPION OF CHANGE

A Publication of USA Media LLC The voice of Africans in the Diaspora Vol. 2, Issue 1 | 2014 USA Media LLC

CONTENTS 5 | From the Editor’s Desk:

PRESIDENT ‘Tunde Kolawole, MS, SPHR VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE/ADMINISTRATION Bola Ajebeku vpfinance@usafricajournal.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ‘Tunde Kolawole editor@usafricajournal.com

From Los Angeles With Pizzazz!

MarteyOchola: Champion of Change

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS A.Obafemi Animasaun, Mark Finlay, Betty John, Patrick Obinna, Jessica Banda, Tosin Obiwale, Esther Olatunde, Isaac Oluwole, Renny Vonne, Sadiat Makuna, Folorunsho Moses, John Kay, Eldana Mengesha. CHIEF ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE, USA Ninilola Ogundare advertise@usafricajournal.com New York Bureau Joseph B. Oyewande nyoffice@usafricajournal.com

8 | Editorial: Sustaining Africa’s Economic Growth

Cover 2:

11 | African Students: Nicky Akande Wants To Be The Best

13 | News-Africa: Gambia Gears Up; Rwanda Kwibuka20

12 | StaightUp Folasophical: What Do You Seek?

Washington DC/Maryland Bureau Kayode Adewumi kadewumi@usafricajournal.com

16 | Faith-FULL: God Rewards

GRAPHICS graphics@usafricajournal.com

18 | Health: Sex Heals, Sex Saves!

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Wedding Bells: Chinenye Charms Chibuzor!

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35 | Beauty: What’s Your Skin Type? 36 | Business

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38 | Immigration Cover Story: Isaiah Washington Says, I Have No Regrets ON THE COVER: Isaiah Washington - Bukley | Shutterstock

VOL. 2, ISSUE 1 | 2014

COVER 2: Christine Martey-Ochola – Credit: WHITEHOUSE.GOV

39 | Automobile: Best and Worst Cars 40 - 41 | Sports: How Far Can Africa Go In Brazil?

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

From Los Angeles With Pizzazz!

inally, the bone crunching cold that enveloped the east coast this past winter is gone, and spring, oh spring is here! This issue took us about 6000 miles away from our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania base to Los Angeles and set us right in the midst of stars that make tinseltown twinkle even in the dreariest of days. Just before 30-year old Kenyan Lupita Nyong’o got into Oscars’ history book as the first African to win the Actress in a Supporting Role award, the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) held in Los Angeles unleashed a 12-day movie marathon on film buffs from far and near. We went, we saw and we brought you stories and images – from a uniquely African perspective. As you might have noticed, across Africa and in Hollywood, Nyong’o is in vogue but while Hollywood is still mesmerized by her dazzling performance in 12 Years A Slave, and her grace and comportment in the build up to the Oscars, the race for the next Lupita is on in Africa. You’ll find our coverage of the Oscars and PAFF in our expanded Arts & Entertainment section. Don’t forget to fasten your seat belt. From page 19 to 25, it’s full speed all the way. On the cover this issue is our exclusive interview with Isaiah Washington. Yes, the real one, not one of

those wax works at Madame Tussauds! Seven years after Washington was kicked off the set of Grey’s Anatomy (where he played Dr. Preston Burke), for using a homophobic slur during an on-set argument with a co-star, and his subsequent labeling by Hollywood as a persona non grata, Washington, against all odds, has clawed his way back into reckoning in Hollywood. In our exclusive interview with him, Washington talked about his foray into the Nigerian film industry via Dr. Bello in 2012; his journey to Africa and his swearingin as a Sierra Leonean citizen based on his DNA, his efforts at bringing the world’s attention to the plight of Sierra Leoneans; and of course, Hollywood. Talking about Hollywood, something strange is definitely happening in that neck of the wood. Christian-themed movies are hitting the big screens in quick succession. Son of God is one of such movies currently showing in theaters nationwide. Though the movie has the support of a broad spectrum of Christian interest groups across the country, critics aren’t quite bowled over completely. Their persistent question remains: Is the Son of God worth seeing? Find out on page 24. Our guest columnist in FaithFULL , Pastor Timothy Babatunde the founder and pastor of Christ Temple World Outreach Ministry, Darby Pennsylvania takes the discourse about God from a different perspective. The thrust of his message on page 16 is God Rewards.

Asking questions and seeking answers do seem to have their rewards too. Dr Christine Marty-Ochola, a Kenyan immigrant began with the basic inquiry; how do you do business with Africa? About four years later, her journey in search of practical answers to that poser landed her right at the White House where she was honored by the Obama administration as a Champion of Change. Wondering how a Kenyan immigrant with a passion for science and technology went from being a university professor of pharmaceutical chemistry to a decorated international business consultant and facilitator? Dr. Martey-Ochola shared the secret with us on page 6. In Sports; it’s samba time in Brazil. The FIFA World Cup tournament kicks off on June 12, 2014, and while the world awaits the spectacle in Brazil to unfold, the pertinent question for us is how will the five African countries representing Africa fare at the World Cup 2014? We made some projections. See if you agree with us on page 42. Our other regular columns: African Students, Automobile, Beauty, Business, Folasophical, Fashion, Health, Immigration, Business and many others are all packed with interesting bits and pieces guaranteed to tune you up for the coming months. So what are you waiting for? Dive in, and have a good read.

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COVER 2

Christine Martey-Ochola: Making Deals, Bridging Gaps By Jessica Banda | USA

Flashback 2012: The phone rang. Dr. Christine Martey-Ochola glanced at the phone flashing and vibrating by her side. With the deft flick of her wellmanicured finger, she answered the phone. “Hi,” the voice at the other end of the line announced gleefully. “I’m calling from the office of the President of the United States. You have been selected to receive an award for …” “I think you got the wrong number,” Martey-Ochola chipped in and hung up. Almost immediately, the phone rang again and the same upbeat voice came on. “I’m calling from the White House to inform you that we have this award for you ...” “Yes. Okay, thank you,” “MarteyOchola hung up again and sighed. “Pranksters,” she thought. “It’s not even April yet and someone was trying to make an April fool out of me. Better luck next time.” Few minutes later, Martey Ochola received an e-mail. The message was short and succinct: The same lady who had called twice in the last few minutes stated her name, office and added; “Please call me at this number …” “So I called her back,” MarteyOchola recalled. And the rest, as they say, is history. Weeks later, Christine Martey-Ochola , was honored at an exclusive ceremony in the White House by the Obama Administration for, among other things, facilitating the entry of U.S. based businesses into multiple African countries, and advising hundreds of companies on best practices in doing business in Africa.” Christine Martey-Ochola, president of the sub-Saharan Chamber of Commerce (SSACC), is officially a Champion of Change! 6

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NOW “I felt completely inadequate,” Martey-Ochola said as she brought us back to the present. “I felt that I was being recognized for the work that our team did because the people that I work with at the chamber are phenomenal. They put in crazy hours, to come up with great ideas and support businesses; and I felt that it is the organization that should have been given that recognition.” Two years hence, Martey-Ochola and her team at SSACC remain on track with the chamber’s mission of enhancing mutual partnership, trade and investment with Sub-Saharan Africa; serving as an information resource for strategic market data; facilitating stakeholder networking; brokering key transactions; and being a voice for members and business community in the creation of ideal business and economic conditions that foster growth and prosperity in the private sector. However, the private sector is not the only place feeling the impact of Martey-Ochola’s skills and knowledge. She has conducted several notable researches on cancer chemotherapeutic

delivery, isolation of beneficial cancer chemotherapeutics from herbal infusions, and the impact of cigarette smoke toxicants on normal human lung cells. She also currently teaches a pharmaceutical chemistry class for graduate students at Lehigh University (her alma mater). As a wife, mother of two, international business consultant and university professor; MarteyOchola’s responsibilities are huge, demanding and diverse. Yet she wears an ambiance of inexplicable calmness which very few in her position exude. “I operate best when I’m busy,” she explained. “When I have just one or two things on my plate, I’m constantly thinking what the next thing for me to do is.” When we met with Martey-Ochola few weeks ago in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, her hands and plate were full but she was nice enough to carve space on her already loaded plate for a chat with USAfrica Journal. Excerpts: What exactly does the chamber do? The chamber actively supports U.S. businesses looking to enter Africa and vice versa; we also look at policies that govern bilateral trade and support

From left: Mumbi Dunjwa-Njoroge, Christine Martey-Ochola, Esther Ndegwa-Brown

What has been difficult is really being able to crack through that barrier of bias with regard to the way Africa is branded. Africa tends to be branded as being resource and financially poor; a sick continent; a place of significant war where one war for example in Democratic Republic of Congo is projected as if the whole continent is at war. those that create an enabling environment for equitable trade between the U.S. and Africa; and we support young African and American students regardless of their disciplines, who want to engage in international business. How long have you been doing this? The chamber as an entity has been in existence for five years. It was started by three Kenyan women; Mumbi Dunjwa, Esther Ndegwa-Brownand myself as a U.S.-Kenyan Chamber of Commerce but very quickly we realized the need across the continent. Of all business support ventures that you could go into, why did you start a chamber of commerce? In one word, frustration! As young Africans in the Diaspora, we wanted to engage with our continent from a skill, education, technology and, transportation perspective but we didn’t know how to do it. We reached out to the government sector; we contacted embassies; we spoke with the commercial attachés and of course they gave us the standard dialogue on how to do business in Africa, and we tried those too but it still didn’t work. So we realized there was a gap in terms of knowledge

COVER 2 “I know that on my own, I would not be able to do it because a lot of this stuff is not what I went to school for. So I have to recognize that without God creating g an environment that allows me to have this role and impact, I probably would not have been able to do anything.” about what is needed to be able to successfully start and grow a business in Africa. We realized that if we as Africans in the Diaspora didn’t know how to do it, how would the foreign investors find their way? We opted for a chamber umbrella because we know that a chamber is recognized as being not just a knowledge bank for doing business but also a location for businesses to meet and partner. So how has it been? Any challenges? What has been difficult is really being able to crack through that barrier of bias with regard to the way Africa is branded. Africa tends to be branded as being resource and financially poor; a sick continent; a place of significant war where one war for example in Democratic Republic of Congo is projected as if the whole continent is at war. These messages are so strong and so prominent in the media that it makes it difficult for a potential investor, even Diaspora African investor to consider doing business in Africa. People talk about corruption, lack of processes etc. Those are there, but they are in every society. So, perception is what we see to be the biggest barrier. But you are still standing strong. What keeps you going? What keep us going are the successes that we’ve had with large companies that have been able to successfully expand into Africa. We are energized by the associates that we work with at the chamber who have gone on to become leaders in their respective countries or start businesses or finish college when they didn’t think they could do it, or start social entrepreneurship organizations based on realization of an existing gap. We remain energized whenever we communicate or interact with both the U.S. and African government officials and they see the value of what we are proposing which is the business of looking at Africa as a viable trade and investment location. Your academic background is the sciences. What lured you into business? My passion has always been in science and technology but I’ve also always been involved in business.

During my years in Kenya, I started an organic juice business. I paid for college in Kenya with money realized from that business. However, after my doctorate degree in pharmaceutical chemistry, I went into academia. About six years ago, the desire to get involved in business became pretty big and about that same time, we were having conversations, as Diaspora Africans on this business of transforming the way we do business, not in, or for but with Africa, because it has to be a partnership. So what happened to your love affair with sciences and academics? I still teach. I run a pharmaceutical chemistry class for graduate students at Lehigh University, Pennsylvania, which is where I graduated from and I’ve done that for almost eleven years now. That’s probably the longest job I’ve ever had! I enjoy both worlds. You are married and blessed with children, how do you handle your professional responsibilities without getting in trouble at home? I got in trouble for a while! Honestly, I think God has been amazing for letting me have a husband and kids who are very supportive of who I am and what I am doing. God has also sent my way colleagues that enable me to accomplish all these things that I like to do. I know that on my own, I would not be able to do it because a lot of this stuff is not what I went to school for. So I have to recognize that without God creating g an environment that allows me to have this role and impact, I probably would not have been able to do anything. What do you do when you are not closing cross-continental business deals or imparting knowledge to graduate students? I love going to church. I spend some time doing church activities. With the family, we tend to do hiking, biking, swimming type of thing. Not much of movie or TV watcher, but I talk. My husband says I’m being paid to talk, and it’s true. I love talking. CHRISTINE continued on page 42

EDITORIAL

Sustaining Africa’s Economic Growth Africa’s economy, hitherto grounded in doldrums is in fact rising. And the world is taking note. Virtually every economist of note is predicting and projecting Africa as the most likely place to produce the best investment returns over the next ten years or so. African leaders should therefore ensure that this becomes a reality.

wanda, Kenya, South Africa and lately Nigeria are reporting robust economic growth that is attracting more than cursory glances from the global investment community. While there is not yet a complete turnaround for Africa’s economy, the continent is nonetheless marching steadily towards recovery - unlocking its feet, one after the other, from a quagmire of poverty and inefficiency. Last year, renowned economist Jim O’Neil caused quite a stir in the economic community with his new coinage: MINT. Just like he did in 2001 when he coined BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) as the next economic powerhouses, O’Neil has identified

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four countries namely Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey as the great wealth frontier for the next ten or twenty years. Buttressing O’Neil’s submission is a study by WealthInsight, a Londonbased research service which noted that in 2014, MINT countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey), will surpass BRICSs in the world race for millionaires. According to the study, MINT countries as a whole will perform better than both BRICs and the G8 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK and the U.S.). Indonesia is expected to see a 22 percent increase in the number of millionaires, followed by 10, 8 and 7 percent in-

creases in Nigeria, Turkey and Mexico respectively. In short, business is booming in Africa; and the global business community’s confidence in Africa’s economy is getting stronger. With a present so promising, and a future so bright, what is left for African countries to do to actualize this dream is get their houses in order. African Development Bank (AfDB) president Donald Kabureka, in his address at a symposium on Financial Inclusion in Africa held last year in Mauritius, noted that while roads, water systems, ICT networks and electricity grids are springing up in Africa, “we are doing it too slowly.” According to

him, “inadequate infrastructure holds back economic growth everywhere on the continent by at least two percent each year, and reduces the productivity of the private sector by as much as 40 percent. This, he said, equates to 40 billion dollars in lost GDP every year. The way forward, Kabureka said, is to manage Africa’s abundant natural resources “at all levels of the value chain” and accelerate infrastructure delivery in Africa. The energy issue will have to be dealt with at the individual country level, especially in Nigeria, Africa’s sole representative in MINT, for any meaningful consistent development to occur. The challenges in the Nigeria’s energy sector is so crucial that experts are saying that if Nigeria could somehow find a solution to its erratic power supply problem, the country’s economy could actually grow at up to 12 percent from its current 6.8 percent. Tackling the energy and power crisis, widespread corruption, slow pace of infrastructure developments, etc. may be tricky, perhaps complex, but it is certainly not rocket science. Experts say all it takes is the will. Nigeria (and indeed Africa) can, and must fulfill its destiny as the next global growth engine.

AFRICAN STUDENTS

GOODWILL SCHOLARSHIP Helps Kenya Native Blossom at College

aureen Nyokabi Muturi, 25, of Chichester, has an infectious laugh, a warm personality and an incredible work ethic. Muturi, who graduated last year with a 4.0 average and high honors, received a scholarship from Goodwill Industries of Delaware & Delaware County, Inc. that enabled her to complete her education at the College. She achieved high honors at Delaware County Community College, while working more than five hours a day, four days a week as a waitress in Philadelphia. Looking back on the experience, the Kenya native has fond memories of professors and administrators, and sees how the College helped her blossom into a well-rounded student. “I miss Delaware County Community College so much,” she said. “The professors were great.” While at the College, Muturi not only took advantage of the educational programs, but also immersed herself in campus life, becoming a mentor for the College’s student success program and joining a friend from Bolivia to form the Latin Flavor student club.

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“While at the College, Muturi not only took advantage of the educational programs, but also immersed herself in campus life, becoming a mentor for the College’s student success program and joining a friend from Bolivia to form the Latin Flavor student club.” Had it not been for the Goodwill scholarship, Muturi said she would have probably been unable to earn her associate degree. It was her mother, Liz Livnietzel, a former Goodwill worker, and her mother’s friend who urged her to apply for the scholarship, which covered her tuition, books and materials. “That motivated me,” she said. “It wasn’t my money. I felt I had to work hard.”

Maureen Nyokabi Muturi Muturi is now a junior at Arcadia University, having transferred her College credits to the university under the College’s dual admissions program. She is studying Biology and plans to become a physician assistant so that she can provide health care to people in Third World countries. “I hope to maybe work with Doctors without Borders or the World Health Organization,” she said. Reprinted with the permission of DCCC’s alumni magazine, yourConnection.

AFRICAN STUDENTS

“I Just Want To Be

The Best” Nicky Akande

By Patrick Obinna | USA

In 2012, the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) named Olanike Akande (a.k.a Nicky Akande) the Mid-Atlantic Region Athlete of the Year for the fifth consecutive season. Described as one of Villanova University’s “most dependable runners,” Akande, a criminal justice major anchored the third leg of both the 4X800 meter relay and the distance medley relay at the prestigious Penn Relays in 2012 and 2013 helping the Villanova Wildcats to win the Championship of America back to back. At 21, Akande’s track record is impressive, to say the least. Indoor, Outdoor and Cross Country, Akande runs and rakes in top prizes from various meets across the country. Few weeks ago, Akande shared a bit of her story with USAfrica Journal. Where are you from originally? I was born in Georgia. My parents are from Nigeria. I’ve been in the south my entire life. I decided to come to Villanova because I wanted a change. How do you deal with the two different cultures: Nigerian and American? Even though I am American, and I’ve lived in America my whole life, I still consider a large part of me to be Nigerian. It has never been an issue with me. Nigerian culture has always been part of my life since I was born so it never seems like I have to try to fit in or anything like that. How did you get into running? I played soccer until my freshman years in high school when my soccer coach talked me into cross country. He said it’ll keep me in shape. He said I could try it out in fall when we usually didn’t have any soccer tournament going on. So I started out just having fun; I was just doing it to stay in shape. Somehow, one of the cross country coaches who had seen me practicing a number of times convinced me that I should quit soccer and focus on running. I don’t know what even made me listen to him but for some reasons, I did. I quit soccer, and I’ve been running since then.

Given the premium value placed on education by African parents, how did your parents react to your extracurricular activities? Education has always been important in my household. My parents have always supported me but they always make sure I’m doing well in school. I think when I quit soccer, they were really surprised. I don’t think they really took my switching to running seriously until I started doing very well and started winning things. Do you have any special rituals you engage in prior to a major competition? Not anymore. Back in high school, I’m sure I did weird things like eat the same thing the night before and the morning of a race; or wear same socks. But as I got older, I’ve dropped the ritual and superstitious stuff. I always do the same drill before a race though. What is it like being a student athlete? I think the big challenge is making sure you do well not just as an athlete, but also academically. Unlike in high school, there’s so much work to

do – reading, writing, field trips, and travels for various meets. You may get behind in your school work if you are not careful. I think one of the biggest challenges I face is balancing my running and studies.

“I think the big challenge is making sure you do well not just as an athlete, but also academically. There’s so much work to do – reading, writing, field trips, and travels for various meets. You may get behind in your school work if you are not careful. I think one of the biggest challenges I face is balancing my running and studies.” What are your goals? Is there anything in particular you are running towards? Ultimately, I just want to be the best athlete that I can be. I love running, and as long as I continue to love it, I’ll continue doing it. I want to be more competitive. I just want to win more races. I‘ll keep training hard. I don’t know if I’m going to end up running professionally or as an occasional runner, but I know I’m never going to stop running regardless of what happens. A lot depends on how my last two seasons go. If it is still within reach to run professionally or anything like that, I’m definitely going to go for it, but ultimately I will go to Law school. So should we be on the lookout for you at the Olympics some day? That’s a possibility. Being that my parents are from Nigeria, I do have dual citizenship so I could potentially run for Nigeria or United States. Not many people have that opportunity, so I’m definitely lucky. USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com

STRAIGHTUP FOLASOPHICAL!

In All Thy Seeking, Seek A Life Of Honor!

ost men seek wealth. A significant part of men’s prayer requests to God focuses on wealth. Through desperation in actions, people seek wealth, through deception in behaviors, people seek wealth and through determination to get gain, we seek wealth. Wealth, no doubt has its place in our lives and living. Wealth is great, but HONOR is greater! The wealth we all seek that does not bring HONOR is a waste. Wealth has wings and can fly away from its hanger whether we want it to leave or not. If wealth has wings, it means it is in charge of itself, and it decides

where to spread its wings and dwell. If wealth can fly, why then seek that which can relocate without an advance notice? HONOR sticks to a man and will only leave if we deliberately lose grip of it. What’s better than HONOR? In a world of dog-eat-dog, it is easy to lose HONOR. In a world where men and women think less of shame but more of fame, it is easy to lose HONOR. In a world where God does not have a place in the hearts and minds of men, it is easy to lose HONOR. But in spite of many temptations, we can still hold on strong not to let HONOR slip off. A man of HON-

It’s Who He Is, Not What He Believes!

man or a woman’s religious belief should never be your measuring yardstick for trust, or doing business with them. Religion is a personal conviction you cannot force down anybody’s esophagus. Don’t discard a friend of

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many years because he holds an opposing religious belief or no belief at all, especially if he has proved to be a true friend over these years. In a heartbeat, however, unapologetically discard anybody, Christian, Muslim, voodooist, or Bud-

Dr. Ojo

Don’t Push To Be An Overnight Sensation

W OR is one who possesses something greater than wealth. There are plenteous men and women with plenteous wealth, but there are few men and women of HONOR. Where do you belong? In all that you seek this new season, seek a life of HONOR! dhist who has proved to be untrue in all his ways, deceptive in all his walks, unhelpful in his gestures, inhuman in his thinking, a hindrance to your progress, and dangerous to your being and existence. If you keep him close, he will kill you and your dream, and rejoice over your failures. Believe me, there are many who are waiting to do that to you. Don’t let them.

e all begin all endeavors with the hope that sooner than later, our names will hit the stands, what we have to offer will be celebrated, and the whole world will be looking in our direction for a lasting relationship. Unfortunately, that’s not usually how things work. The king sitting in his palace today began as a child who over time grew up to be a man who later became a king. That high-rising building standing tall in your city started with some four pillars or so before it became a building worthy of note. You cannot rush success. You cannot clamor to be an overnight sensation. People who do so end up failing and embarrassing themselves. You should focus on quality and incremental progress, and I can assure you that the resultant breakthrough from this move will surprise even you.

Dr.Ojo is the CEO of Gravitas Communications, and Senior Pastor of RCCG, (City of Praise), Hartford, Wisconsin.

NEWS-AFRICA

Rwanda launches Kwibuka20 in U.S. The Embassy of Rwanda in Washington, D.C. in collaboration with the members of the Rwandan community officially launched Kwibuka20 in the United States on February 24, this year. Kwibuka means to remember in Kinyarwanda language, and Kwibuka20 describes commemoration taking place in Rwanda and abroad leading up to, and during, the mourning period between April 7 and July 4, 2014. Ambassador Mukantabana

gold, U.S Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa and D.R.C., urged the audience not to let genocide define Rwanda. “Rwanda will always be the country that experienced the 1994 genocide,”

he said. “But let that not be the first sentence, nor the last. The Rwandan people are survivors, but they are more so entrepreneurs, teachers, public servants, and farmers. They are Rwandans.” RWANDA LAUNCHES continued on page 42

Malagasy, Cameroonian Women Bag Change Award

learning from Rwanda’s experience that can help address raging mass atrocities in many parts of world including the Central African Republic, South Sudan and Mali. An uplifting gospel song and a poignant poem provided a renewed sense of Rwanda’s future. Lit by Rwandans, Urumuri Rutazima, a flame of hope, remembrance, courage and resilience called for the global community to unite in a fight against genocide. Senator Russ Fein-

Gambia Hosts Women Forum

vanced platform for the formulation of strategic and realistic approach to women socio-economic and political advancement and emancipation. Participants will be drawn from presidents, first ladies, ministers, business women and men, entrepreneurs, women in politics, wife of public and political office holders, women advocacy groups, professional/career women, and African women in Diaspora amongst others. WAF Conference Director, Mr. Charles Chikezie revealed that no-

The third Women Advancement Forum, Africa’s most attended gender conference will hold in Banjul, Gambia from May 25 to 29 2014. It is expected that over 500 participants from around the world will attend the event. Building on the success of the first and second conferences held in Berlin, Germany and Johannesburg, South Africa in 2010 and 2013 respectively, WAF’s goal is to create an ad-

Two women from Madagascar and Cameroon have emerged winners of this year’s Women for Change Award for projects aimed at effecting change for African women and girls. Following a selection process that included both Internet participation and live voting during the opening dinner of the Women’s Forum Global Meeting honoring the initiative, the Women for Change Award was given

to Maria Raharinarivonirina, Madagascar, and Marie Nomo Messina, Cameroon, who were chosen from among the five women who presented their projects. Maria Raharinarivonirina and Marie Nomo Messina each received a grant of 25,000 euros for their projects at the awards ceremony held in Deauville, France. MALAGASY continued on page 42

Photo Credit: Orange Foundation.

Dr. Stephen Smith, Executive Director of the U.S.C. Shoah Foundation and the Executive Producer of Kwibuka20, welcomed distinguished panel of speakers that are at the forefront of international efforts on genocide prevention. In their remarks at the occasion, Clotilde Mbaranga Gasarabwe, U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Safety & Security, and Amina S. Ali, Ambassador of the African Union Mission to the United States, called for universal

Photo Credit: Orange Foundation.

Photo Credit: Rwanda Embassy.

Each Gets 25,000 Euros

GAMBIA HOSTS continued on page 42 USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com

WEDDING BELLS

Chinenye Charms Chibuzor With Love By John Kay | USA

Photo Credits: Klala Photography.

“Can I have your number so I can flash you, because I don’t call pretty ladies,” Chibuzor Obikobe’s spontaneous ice breaker to Chinenye Okonkwo the first day he set eyes on her was sheer magic. Corny, cheesy, mouthful, unique, sweet; call it whatever you like, it worked perfectly well for Chibuzor. It put him ahead of a pack of restless young men drooling over the pretty woman who just walked into the office on that fateful day in 2009. “That got her laughing and we made our “connection” there,” Chibuzor recalled. And the connection must have been pretty strong for not only did Chinenye and Chibuzor start dating, but also, Chibuzor went on one knee three years later and popped the question at an upscale bar in Lagos. July last year, the loving couple came full circle as they were joined in holy matrimony at the Church of Pentecost, Festac Town, Lagos. Reception was held afterwards at ICAN Centre, Lakeview Estate.

VOL. 2, ISSUE 1 | 2014

WEDDING BELLS

USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com

Faith-FULL

GOD REWARDS

By Pastor Timothy Babatunde | USA

But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

here is the story of a sculptor who was well known in his community. His skill and prowess in sculpting from wood or rock was unparalleled in the whole of the community and beyond. Men and women came from afar. Oftentimes, he could work late into the night, a testimony to his passion and dedication. A little boy took particular interest in him and observed how he worked with such passion and dedication. He was afraid to approach him and ask him the question that was burning in his heart. His fascination with the sculptor’s skill sometimes made him lose appetite, as he would think of how the images that finally emerged were achieved. One sunny morning, he could no longer hold back his curiosity; he ap-

proached the sculptor as the man was laying his tools to begin work. He asked him, “Please sir, how is it that you can create all these amazing shapes from the rocks and wood you use?” The man smiled; a smile that seemed to hint that he had been asked the same question over and over again. “Son,” he replied, “I never created those images. I only chipped off the rough edges.”

ing for how it was in the beginning; but for us to move from here to there, a transformation is inevitable. The edges of sin need to be chipped off.

AS IT WAS

We have come to understand that God is a Transformer with us, as we seek Him diligently. The fact that God chose to reward us reveals His nature. Reward originated from God, not Man. As we relate with Him, He willingly rewards us. This translates into blessings. Abraham believed the Word of God and it was accounted to him

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VOL. 2, ISSUE 1 | 2014

In the beginning, God created Man in His image and likeness. However, because of sin, Man was corrupted and lost his original nature thereby. The hope of that nature was restored with the crucifixion and death of Jesus on the cross. We now have a reposition-

CAC, Mercy Field 9621 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77074 713-541-4323/713-7059078 Dominion International Center 14030 Beechnut Street Houston, TX 77083 281-293-9997 WASHINGTON DC CAC (WOSEM) 4408 Georgia Avenue Washington DC 20011 202-723-2086 RCCG, New Wine Assembly 1515 Kenilworth Avenue Washington DC 20019 202-398-2211 WISCONSIN RCCG, City of Praise 5112 North 37th Street Milwaukee, WI 53209 414-465-0000

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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5: 17 (NKJV)

as righteousness (James 2:23). This shows that our obedience to the commands of God will be rewarded, in Pastor Tim some cases with the guarantee of protection. Psalm 91 shows us that when we place our confidence in God, we are rewarded with divine security. It affects our joy, level of confidence, and ultimately our confession; thereby developing inner stamina. There is a true sense of belonging that is generated into our spirit. God is never selfish with His power, ability, favor, and protection. Rather than keeping them to Himself, you and I become the recipients of the reward of His amazing grace. This is readily available to all. Pastor Tim is the founder of Christ Temple World Outreach Ministry, Darby Pennsylvania. Excerpt from REWARD – A Biblical Perspective by Pastor Timothy Babatunde is published with the permission of the author.

Christ Apostolic Church of Pennsylvania (Mount of Redemption)

5200 Paschall Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143 Mail: P. O. Box 2294, Upper Darby, PA 19082 Phone/Fax: 215-724-5711 Email: cacpenn@aol.com Website: www.cacpenn.com Facebook: cacpenn

Come worship with us Bible Study 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Wednesday Prayer Warriors 4:00pm – 6:00pm, Friday Night Vigil 12:00am – 3:00am, Friday Holy Ghost 12:00 am – 3:00am, Last Friday of the month Choir Practice 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Saturday Sunday School 10:00am – 11:00am, Sunday Worship Service 11:00am – 1:30pm, Sunday Office Hours 10:00am – 2:00pm, Monday – Friday Prayerline

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HEALTH

Sex Heals, Sex Saves! Sexual Health “When you’re in the mood, it’s a sure bet that the last thing on your mind is boosting your immune system or maintaining a healthy weight. Yet good sex offers those health benefits and more. That’s a surprise to many people,” says Joy Davidson, PhD, a New York psychologist and sex therapist. According to Davidson and other experts, the benefits aren’t just anecdotal or hearsay -- each of these health benefits of sex is backed by scientific scrutiny.

Sex Relieves Stress “A big health benefit of sex is lower blood pressure and overall stress reduction,” say researchers from Scotland who reported their findings in the journal Biological Psychology. They studied 24 women and 22 men who kept records of their sexual activity. Then the researchers subjected them to stressful situations -- such as speaking in public and doing verbal arithmetic -- and noted their blood pressure response to stress. Those who had intercourse had better responses to stress than those who engaged in other sexual behaviors or abstained.

Sex Burns Calories “Sex is a great mode of exercise,” says Patti Britton, PhD, a Los Angeles sexologist and president of the American Association of Sexuality Educators and Therapists. “It takes work from both a physical and psychological perspective to do it well, “she says. “The

VOL. 2, ISSUE 1 | 2014

benefits of sex as a form of exercise are many - sex can improve your cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, and balance, not to mention your emotional health. Thirty minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more. It may not sound like much, but it adds up: 42 half-hour sessions will burn 3,570 calories, more than enough to lose a pound. The number of calories burned during sex is about the same as the number burned by walking at 2 miles per hour.”

Sex Improves Cardiovascular Health While some older folks may worry that the efforts expended during sex could cause a stroke, that’s not so, according to researchers from England. In a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, scientists found that the frequency of sex was not associated with stroke in the 914 men they followed for 20 years. The researchers also found that having sex twice or more a week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack by half for the men, compared with those who had sex less than once a month.

Sex Reduces Pain As the hormone oxytocin surges, endorphins increase, and pain declines. So if your headache, arthritis pain, or PMS symptoms seem to improve after sex, you can thank those higher oxytocin levels. A study published in the Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine examined the response of the ‘love hormone’ oxytocin on pain perception in an experiment with 48 volunteers. Study participants inhaled oxytocin vapor and then had their fingers pricked. Those

who had inhaled oxytocin lowered their pain threshold by more than half.

Sex Helps You Sleep Better The oxytocin released during orgasm also promotes sleep, according to research. And getting enough sleep has been linked with a host of other

good things, such as maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure. Something to think about, especially if you’ve been wondering why your guy can be active one minute and snoring the next. Source: MedicineNet

Colonoscopy: Five Things to Know About This Lifesaving Test Does just the thought of a colonoscopy make you shudder? Maybe you need to know a little more about this important test. First of all, it might help to realize you probably won’t even remember anything about the test or feel any different afterward. That’s because you’ll be given a mild sedative during the procedure.

Two More Benefits

Many screenings spot cancer early, when it’s most treatable. But did you know that colonoscopies have another life-saving benefit? Most colorectal cancers begin as growths called polyps. If your doctor sees polyps during your colonoscopy, he or she can remove them right then and there. And according to a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine, this reduces your risk of dying from the disease by half. So not only can colonoscopies catch cancer, but also, they can catch growths before they become cancer.

When to Get It

Now that you know more about the test, you can think about when you need to have it. Most people should get colonoscopies beginning at age 50. Talk to your doctor

about the right timing for you. You may need to start earlier if you have a family history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or other risk factors.

You May Need a Follow-Up

If your doctor tells you to come back in five years for a follow-up colonoscopy, don’t argue. People who fail to get their recommended follow-up exams after a colonoscopy have an increased risk for colon cancer, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers analyzed the health of 400 people with polyps in their colons or rectums. Those who developed cancer were three times as likely to have skipped their five-year follow-up as those who kept the appointment. Source: Riteaid Wellness

USAfrica

Journal

www.usafricajournal.com

The voice of Africans in the Diaspora

Lupita Nyong’o Actress in a Supporting Role

Genny

WHO IS NEXT?

Photo Credit: Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S.

“No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid.”

Petronella

Vicker

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Lupita Nyong’o Who’s Next?

Photo Credit: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S

Nyong’o with her father, Peter Nyong’o.

president of the United States, have Africans home and abroad walked with such great spring in their steps. “You are the pride of Africa,” Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta, congratulated Nyong’o on Twitter. And from the country of her birth, Mexico, President Enrique Peña Nieto also hopped on Twitter to commend Nyong’o’s “interpretative force.” Here in the United States, Hollywood is moving on – with Nyong’o, its current “It” girl clutched firmly in its grasp. At a time when Nyong’o’s

LUPITA continued on page 42

Nyong’o

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Tyler Perry and Nyong’o.

Photo Credit: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Photo Credit: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Photo Credit:Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Photo Credit: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Barkhad Abdi,right, and actor, Faysal Ahmed.

Chiwetel Ejiofor and guest. 20

a Kenya-based theater company where Nyong’o performed earlier in her career, told Associated Press few days after Nyong’o became the first African to win an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. From Mombasa to Mogadishu; Lagos to Soweto; and every other hip hop, Hollywood-fare ingesting cities of Africa; the young and the not-so-young are bubbling with renewed sense of pride in motherland. Not since fellow Kenyan, Barack Obama made history as the first black man to become the

Photo Credit: Heather Ikei / ©A.M.P.A.S.

eeks after Kenya’s Lupita Nyong’o upended conventional wisdom in Hollywood by winning the coveted Best Supporting Actress award at the Oscars; the drums are not yet silent on the streets of Nairobi. In the minds and heads of movie buffs and Hollywood enthusiasts scattered across subSaharan Africa, the inimitable African drums are still resonating. “We are going to celebrate this for a very long time,” David Opondoe, the managing director of Phoenix Players,

By Betty John | Canada

winning of the coveted award should have become stale news, whispers about Nyong’o remain loud and strong in tinseltown. Nyong’o’s next movie; Non-Stop, an action thriller where she played a small role as a flight attendant alongside Liam Neeson, is currently showing worldwide. There are also talks of possibly casting Nyong’o as Oby Wan Kenobi’s daughter or granddaughter in a forthcoming J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars. However, much of the discussion these days has shifted into the realms of critical examinations of how a 30year old black African woman could have won in a category that had such formidable opponents as America’s sweethearts, Jennifer Lawrence (Best Actress 2013) and Julia Roberts (Best Actress 2001). “Nyong’o was simply marvelous in 12 Years A Slave,” a Hollywood in-

Brad Pitt and wife, Angelina Jolie.

Whoopi Goldberg

Photo Credit: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Ewan McGregor and Viola Davis Host, Ellen DeGeneres passes out pizza.

Angelina Jolie and Sidney Poitier. Photo Credit: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Photo Credit: Darren Decker / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Kerry Washington Photo Credit: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Steve McQueen and Spike Lee.

USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com

Photo Credit: Todd Wawrychuk; / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Photo Credit: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Model Tyson Beckford and Oscar® Winner Robin Mathews

Photo Credit: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Photo Credit: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Will Smith

Jamie Foxx and Jessica Biel.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Field Day for African Movies at PAFF

By Tosin Obiwale | USA

The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) celebrated its 22nd anniversary in Los Angeles with a string of highly-anticipated films. The 12-day cinematic journey featured screenings from around the world – including such countries as Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Jamaica, Argentina, Brazil, Bahamas, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Italy and the United States.

oll call of exciting African movies screened at the event included Burning Down (Rwanda/ France), Dancing Like Home (Senegal), Grigris (Chad/France), Hawa (Burkina Faso), Horizon Beautiful (Ethiopia/ Switzerland), Kadjike (Guinea Bissau/ Portugal), Kwaku Ananse (Ghana), Render to Caesar (Nigeria), The Kampala Story (Uganda/Denmark), Ninah’

s Dowry (Cameroon/US), They Are We (Sierra Leone), Pieces of Lives, Pieces of Dreams (Algeria/France), and Raitat (Morocco/US). The main attractions at this year’s movie marathon held at the new Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles from February 6 to 17, 2014 included the controversial film, Of Good Report initially banned

in South Africa. Directed by Jahmil X.T. Qubeka, the opening night film which deals with the taboo subject of an obsessive teacher-pupil affair, stars South Africa’s rising star, Petronella Tshuma (Nolitha) and Mothusi Magano (Parker). About Last Night, currently showing worldwide made its world premiere at the PAFF as the festival’s cen-

terpiece presentation. The cast of the movie directed by Steve Pink included Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, Joy Bryant, Christopher McDonald and Paula Patton. The closing night feature was the world premiere of Blackbird featuring Oscar-winner Mo’Nique (Precious) and veteran actor, Isaiah Washington, fresh off his critically-acclaimed and Gotham Award-nominated performance in Blue Caprice. Directed by Patrick-Ian Polk and based on the novel by Larry Duplechan, Blackbird is a coming-of-age story about 17-year-old Randy Rousseau. A devout high school choir boy, Randy is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality in a small, religiously-conservative Mississippi town he calls home. Randy juggles his role as star of the church choir while facing the everyday trials of life as a high school misfit. Blackbird will be released worldwide this summer.

Photo Credits: USAfrica Journal Photos

Faces At PAFF 2014

VOL. 2, ISSUE 1 | 2014

Photo Credits: USAfrica Journal Photos

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT MOVIE REVIEW

Hollywood’s “Son of God” Movie

To See Or Not To See?

By Kelly Holt | USA

While this ambitious modern telling of the life of Jesus is being given a thumbs-up by most Christian audiences, it has drawn mixed reviews from others. The film attempts to chronicle the life of Jesus from His birth through His adult teaching, arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection; however, many scenes are skipped over. For instance, after a brief manger scene, the story suddenly jumps to Jesus as an adult. Too few miracles and parables — essential to a real understanding of God the Son — made the final cut. And not a single demon was cast out.

lso, the pacing lags somewhat, and the story is missing critical elements that might have taken it from simply a good film to an epic production. The most notable of these missing elements (and one of the most important to any story) is some tension provided by an antagonist: In this case, the person of Satan. Not a single mention of the enemy of Christ made it into the dialogue, and the movie’s authenticity suffers as a result.

VOL. 2, ISSUE 1 | 2014

The “story behind the story” for the omission of this key character, however, is revealing: Satan was originally included in the film, but after it was noted that the actor playing him resembles Barack Obama, all his scenes were removed in favor of political correctness. But any recounting of the life of Jesus is naturally incomplete — and hence inaccurate — without the inclusion of Satan. Additionally, no mention is made of the hundreds of years of ancient

prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the coming Messiah which were fulfilled by Jesus — critical to a correct understanding of the Bible. Other than a perfunctory mention that Jesus came to save man from sin, left untold are the importance of man’s need for Jesus, and why His coming was necessary. Though the incidents portrayed in the life of Jesus are largely true to the Gospels, there are occasional departures from Scriptural fact throughout

the movie. For instance, Mary Magdalene is shown discovering the empty tomb alone, rather than with Mary the mother of James, and Salome (or “the other women”) as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. And in the scene of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, Jesus enters the tomb and places His hands on Lazarus, rather than calling to him from outside the tomb, as recorded in the Gospel of John. But, while no movie is perfect, there is a great deal to redeem this one. While the storyline focuses more on Jesus’ relationship with his apostles than on His teachings, Christians can’t help but be moved by its message of love and forgiveness. Near the end, Jesus delivers to His disciples the Great Commission about evangelism, and hopefully in viewing the film, Christians will be reminded of their own duty of obedience to that command. Son of God is rated PG-13, and parents should know that some scenes, including the crucifixion of Jesus, are extremely violent. Abridged from original first published in NewAmerican Reviews

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BOOK REVIEW

When You Have Nervous Conditions…

he troubles and turmoil of life often present us with guiding burdens – mountains that not only seem but also are truly impossible to climb – and boundaries put in place to check even the strongest of wills. These mountains, boulders, and impassable rivers serve as a standard, a ceiling and a foundation; created by the society in which we take our very breath. So when we find ourselves stuck in the very system that we create, who can we blame? Who can we turn to for rescuing? These are the very questions that narrator Tambudzai learns to ask in Tsitsi Dangarembga’s novel Nervous Conditions. Throughout her young adult life, Tambudzai witnesses many cultural tendencies of her people and struggles

internally with what she is being taught versus what she observes and believes to be right. Aside from her Rhodesian homeland being colonized by the British, she also wrestles with getting an education in a country where an education is seen as wasted on women. The role of men over women in this very patriarchal society serves as the backbone of Nervous Conditions and operates as a means to compare different women’s struggle to survive that cast-iron system. Through Tambudzai’s eyes, readers see how her cousin Nyasha rebels against her father - the family leader, proclaimed prince, and headmaster of the school at the Mission. Readers see the difference between Tambudzai’s subservient mother and her mother’s

defiant sister. We also see how this society treats a woman who is just as educated as her husband. Following Tambudzai as she progresses towards higher learning and gains a deeper understanding of the world that surrounds her, literary audiences discover just how suffocating it is to deal with the burdens of simply surviving.

MUSIC

Kenya’s Moipei Quartet In America

stops in New York, Memphis, Jonesboro, Dallas, San Antonio, St. Louis, and ending in Chicago. Besides performing at A-State’s Fowler Center, the girls also performed at the Touhill Performing Arts Center in St. Louis. The unique musical talent of these siblings was noticed early on. “Our parents discovered our talents when we were two and three years respectively.

Many themes course through Nervous Conditions making it an excellent novel for discussion and evaluation. Aside from the obvious men/women theme, a few other issues in the novel are the dangers and benefits of colonization, the necessity of education, and Christianity vs. traditional African religions. I also liked the importance of food and the role it played throughout the novel, especially at the end with Nyasha’s rebellion. Exceptionally written, Dangarembga’s novel, although about the learning period during a young teenager’s life, is not child’s play. This is a very adult novel filled with mature situations and intellectual food for meditation. The characters are well developed and the author takes time to draw scenes for her audience. You can see the poverty when she shows it to you just as well as you can see the surplus when it exists. Never have I read a novel that so intensely and effectively relays the burdens some people bear simply to survive. By Natasha T. (The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers) They told us they hummed a tune and we hummed back.” Besides their vocal talents, the girls each play instruments including flute, saxophone, violin and clarinet. Even with their daily practices, which tend to last over three hours, it was not lost to them that they needed to excel in school. “Balancing school and music has not been easy, but our parents made sure we learn how to.” Source: Kenya Embassy/ African Musical Arts

MEGA Spreads Net to Diaspora

T T

he Moipei Quartet, (featuring triplets; Mary, Marta and Magdalene and their younger sister Seraphine) began singing and performing more than a decade ago. The sisters have represented Kenya in quite a number of international events in Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, China, South Korea, Canada and Venezuela. In 2006, the girls were appointed the first ever UNICEF Child Ambassadors in Kenya. In 2011, they won the

prestigious 4th SABC Crown Gospel Music Award in Durban, South Africa, for “Best of Africa” with their first album, In the Land of the Lion. Known for their knowledge of a wide variety of music styles, the quartet performs all styles of music from classical, African, opera, gospel and pop. They featured at the inauguration ceremony of the Kenyan President in April 2013. The quartet recently concluded its first U.S. concert tour which included

he Central Working Committee of the Music, Entertainment and Gospel Awards (MEGA) has broadened its scope to include artistes in the Diaspora. This year, in addition to the categories featured in the maiden edition, MEGA would include awards for Nigerian artistes based outside the country. Awards in the new category tagged Music (In Diaspora) include Contemporary Male of the Year; Traditional Male of the Year; Contemporary Female of the Year; Traditional Female of the Year; Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year

and Traditional Group/Duo of the Year. Announcing the kick off date for submission of entries for the second edition of the premier gospel award slated for November, this year, Tope Akinyele, special adviser (media), MEGA Central Working Committee urged interested individuals and/ or companies to submit their works promptly. For full list of award categories, more information and entry details, visit the MEGA website at www. megawards.com Submission of entries to all categories closes May 30, 2014. USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com

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Coast to coast, across United States, we refused to be held down by the bitter cold winter that assailed the east coast this past season. As usual, from Los Angeles to Washington DC (Rwandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kwabuka20), and right at our very own backyard here in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, where Deborah Famakinwa wedded Idowu Ambali, our cameras roved, captured and brought back memories for you.

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FASHION

London Sets For Africa Fashion Encore

tion, the organizers of the Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) are back on the block with prep in top gear for this year’s edition scheduled for August 7 – 9 in London, England.

With barely five months to “the largest African fashion exhibition outside of the continent,” and promise of a bigger and better show this year, we present here some of the creative cuts that

made last year such a resounding success; a glimpse of what to expect later this year.

Photo Credits: Africa Fashion Week London

n the hands of talented designers, the African print is a gem and definitely a sight to behold on models rocking them on runways. Following the success of its third edi-

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Photo Credits: Africa Fashion Week London

FASHION

USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com

Photo Credits: Africa Fashion Week London

FASHION

VOL. 2, ISSUE 1 | 2014

Photo Credits: Africa Fashion Week London

FASHION

USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com

COVER 1

“I Have No Regrets” Best known for his role as Dr. Preston Burke on the ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, multiple award winning actor and producer, Isaiah Washington sauntered on to the red carpet at the opening ceremony of the Pan African Film Festival 2014 dressed in white traditional African flowing costume (agbada). With his beautiful wife in tow, Washington stood regal and distinct from the maddening crowd. His flashing smiles blended with the blinding lights of camera flashes going off from every angle to light up an otherwise drizzly night in Los Angeles, California. Washington recently appeared as the lead actor, John Allen in Blue Caprice, a movie based on the real life events that led to the 2002 Beltway sniper attacks. For his work in the movie, he was nominated for a “Gotham Award for Best Actor as well as a Black Reel Award.” His latest film, Blackbird which premiered at the Pan African Film Festival this year is already generating positive buzz in Hollywood and beyond. Though born and raised in the United States, Washington established his linkage to the Mende people of Sierra Leone by DNA test in 2005. In 2006, Washington was inducted as a traditional chief in Sierra Leone. Shortly before the twoweek long Pan African Film Festival ended in February this year, USAfrica Journal was granted an exclusive access to the proud son of Africa ; an author, producer, human rights activist, and one of America’s finest actors. Excerpts:

-Isaiah Washington

You are the first African American to be granted citizenship of another country based on scientific evidence such as DNA, how does that feel? Great. And I’m working hard for it not to become an obscure footnote; not to be remembered. It really encapsulates what Marcus Garvey, WEB Dubois and Malcolm X were preaching; and what Martin Luther King was beginning to preach by supporting Kwame Nkrumah – that the African American has been called everything but Africans. They’ve been called colored, Negro, negative racial epithet. I’m hoping that my journey to Africa and becoming a citizen of Sierra Leone, based on science, will open the dialogue and conversation about pure pan Africanism and the importance of how African Americans need to become more specific about using science to find out where they come from, and study the legacy of the people before slavery.

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You’ve committed so much time, energy and your own personal money

Why is this so important? Once you know where you come from, then you can know where you are going. I used myself as a guinea pig to be at the forefront of that thought. With all the negative images about Africa that we see daily in mainstream western media, do you have any regrets about reconnecting with your African root? I have no regrets whatsoever for reconnecting with Africa. I’ve been trying to identify with my African heritage since the age of eight. That’s

“I’m hoping that my journey to Africa and becoming a citizen of Sierra Leone, based on science, will open the dialogue and conversation about pure pan Africanism and the importance of how African Americans need to become more specific about using science to find out where they come from.” 32

about 42 years. What I’m doing trying to connect to the motherland has been tried since 1778 after the revolutionary war when the freed slaves went back to Africa to create Liberia. So this is nothing new. I’m only trying to continue the branding; to talk about what is good in Sierra Leone specifically and get people in Sierra Leone to feel proud for being from there. Regardless of all of the problems and issues that we always hear about in the news about Africa, I’m one to say we have to find the beauty, and that’s why I’m in the forefront of that. So I have no regrets at all.

into the Gondobay Manga Foundation which you set up to assist Sierra Leone especially in the area of education . Given the challenges thus far, would you say it’s worth it? Absolutely. We have to start somewhere. An African proverb says we can only eat the elephant one bite at a time. Right now, it’s just one school but it’s a struggle. No one wants to fund the rebuilding of Africa. Money only flows when people are dying in Africa and that is the problem. I’m funding the foundation out of my own pocket. It’s very difficult for me to get funding for Sierra Leone and all of the Mendes because no one cares. They only get excited when they see AK47 and swolPhoto Credit: USAfrica Journal Photos

By Tunde Kolawole | USA

Washington and wife.

Photo Credit: Bukley | Shutterstock

COVER 1

Washington len bellies and flies flying all over malnourished African children. But we just have to keep talking, keep trying and keep on beating that door. If all of us keep beating on that door long enough, eventually it will fall down. How’s your memoir, A MAN FROM ANOTHER LAND: How Finding My Roots Changed My Life doing on the stands?

It’s been out for three years but it’s not a bestseller. No one wants an African American actor to talk about Africa. One of the projects you are involved in at the moment as the producer is Peres Owino‘s African vs. African American, what is the film about? It is about having hard conversations between indigenous Africans and African Americans; talking about the myths, rumors, misunderstandings, and the misconceptions and trying to come to a resolve. I’m doing everything I can to continue the discussion, to eradicate the suspicion, mistrust and disrespect; and to have that taboo conversation that no one seems to want to have; of the animosity between the Africans and the African Americans; because until we have that holistic and authentic conversation, we are just spinning our wheel. In 2012, you featured in a Nigerian film Dr. Bello directed by New York based Tony Abulu. In one of your interviews during the shooting of film, you were quoted as saying that you had hoped your involvement might

“I don’t think Dr. Bello is a perfect example of what I hoped to do when I went to Nigeria….Dr. Bello simply didn’t come out the best way that I hoped.” in a way help the Nigeria movie industry. Did you see that happen? I did not.

position where I can do that easily and freely and people would be excited to invest in that idea.

Why not? I don’t think Dr. Bello is a perfect example of what I hoped to do when I went to Nigeria. I don’t think that Tony Abulu executed the film as well as we hoped. I think he’s a wonderful writer, I think he is a wonderful human being; I think he could even make a fantastic producer but Dr. Bello simply didn’t come out the best way that I hoped.

Majority of your fans know you as an actor but lately, “producer” is becoming prominent on your resume as well; is that indicative of where your career is heading? I’ve had a glorious career as an actor. I cannot look back with regret on my career. I have been acting since 1986. I have been highly favored by God for years. I continue to do the work creatively but now, I’m building my brand as a producer. Yes, I will be a producer that will act but I don’t have to be in every project that I’m trying to help produce. I’m really excited about the things that I am passionate about and I just want to make sure that I do it correctly, proudly, and make everyone in the African diaspora proud enough to actually want to come out and see what I’m doing.

Do you or your production company – Coalhouse, have anything in the works which may explore that possibility of collaboration between Hollywood and the African movie industry? Not at the moment. As a producer, I’m still a baby, an infant. I’ve not even begun to walk yet. I’m still crawling, but hopefully I’ll be able to get into a

Tade Ola - 732.423.7943 Taiwo Ola - 732.423.6462 Teni Adebayo - 732.423.0279 Tunde Adebayo - 973.941.9331

YOUTH SCENE

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES MAY ENCOURAGE TEENS TO SMOKE REGULAR CIGARETTES New study finds that the two behaviors go hand-in-hand E-cigarettes come in decidedly kid-friendly flavors. Among the concerns expressed by critics of electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, is that the devices could serve as a gateway for young people to take up cigarette smoking.

ow a large study has provided evidence that they may be right—or, at the very least, that e-cigarettes aren’t helping to end the youth tobacco epidemic and may actually be worsening it. In the study, published March 6 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, researchers looked at survey data collected from 40,000 middle- and high-school students in 2011 to

2012. The students were asked, among other things, whether they’d ever tried conventional cigarettes, whether they currently smoked, and if they’d ever used or were currently using e-cigarettes—batterypowered devices that deliver vaporized nicotine and come in a variety of flavors, including fruit and candy flavors. (Such flavors have long been banned in traditional tobacco cigarettes.)

The researchers found that students who used e-cigarettes were more likely to have smoked conventional cigarettes in the past (defined as at least 100 cigarettes, or 5 packs, in their lifetime) and to be current smokers. In addition, among current conventional smokers, those who were also currently using e-cigarettes tended to smoke more than those who didn’t use e-cigs. An earlier study of young people in Korea reached similar conclusions.

It’s not possible to conclude whether using e-cigarettes actually caused teens to smoke more, or whether teens who are heavier smokers are more likely to also use e-cigarettes. But the findings are important either way because they suggest that e-cigarettes aren’t effective as smoking-cessation aids, as they’ve been touted by some proponents, but rather are linked with higher use of regular cigarettes. - Jamie Kopf/Consumer Reports

—Jamie Kopf/ConsumerReports.

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BEAUTY

What’s Your Type?

aaaay! The shorter and frigid days of winter are over. It’s time to spring ahead! Knowing fully well that climate change creates an unbalanced complexion, the beauty experts at Flori Roberts say, the right kind of care and nourishment can counteract the effects of climate, stress, hormones and medications on your skin. The first step however is to know your skin type.

OILY SKIN looks shiny, with enlarged pores primarily around the nose, chin and forehead. Oily skin will experience more blackheads and acne than other skin types.

COMBINATION SKIN is the most common skin type, presenting with medium sized pores and an oily Tzone (forehead, nose and chin). The rest of the face is of a smooth and even texture or could be dry.

Quick Tip for the Lips: Apply lipstick in order to focus ones attention on your lips rather than your eyes.

AGING OR SUN-DAMAGED SKIN will often have fine lines and wrinkles, or hyperpigmentation. Wrinkles usually start around the eyes, mouth and on the forehead. The skin might appear loose, due to loss of elasticity. DRY SKIN appears scaly and flaky. It feels tight after cleansing and dry to the touch. People experiencing dry skin have a tendency to experience red patches. Dry hands and feet can also be an indicator of dry skin.

Seven Ways To Prevent Eye Wrinkles

ome people are genetically lucky and have skin that’s somewhat less prone to age-related wrinkling. But if you like to bake in the sun, smoke, or engage in other skin-damaging activities, even the strongest genes can’t protect you. And as skin ages, it becomes thinner and less resilient. Ultraviolet light damages collagen and causes fine lines and wrinkles, not to mention contributing to skin cancer. Here’s how to help prevent those lines or keep them from getting deeper.

• Use a daily facial moisturizer with at least 30 SPF to limit ongoing sun damage. Sorry! As far as we know, no formal studies show that using antiwrinkle eye creams at a young age can prevent lines from forming in the first place.) • Shield your face with a hat and sunglasses when you’re outdoors; the bigger the shades, the better. • Never get into a tanning bed. UV rays can be even more intense than the sun’s.

• Don’t smoke. • Try not to rub your eyes. Treat allergies so you’re not itchy and tempted to rub. • Sleep on your back. Mashing your face into the pillow can cause lines to form over time. • Get an annual eye exam. If you can’t see clearly, you’re likely to squint, which can create wrinkles. Source: ConsumerReports USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com

BUSINESS

Somalia Gets Broadband Glocall Telecoms, LLC has announced plans to deploy LTE reliable Broadband Internet Access using Tazca Connects LTE-as-a-Service in Mogadishu, Somalia. Currently, Glocall Telecoms, LLC and its subsidiaries in East and West Africa will look to deploy Next Generation Network (NGN) solutions and technologies for mass deployment of licensed 4G LTE to government, schools, businesses and individuals.

obeen Bhamjee, Glocall Telecoms CEO, stated that “Tazca Connects LTE offering, backed by Lemko Corps distributed LTE architecture, was selected due to the need for an efficient, costeffective 4G LTE solution, deployable on demand, which would enable affordable, mass broadband penetration in challenging environments.”

Tazca Connect’s service will be powered by an innovative software platform from Lemko Corporation, bringing easy, reliable, and cost-effective 4G LTE connectivity to businesses and communities in Mogadishu, Somalia. The new service in one of the world’s least connected locations is uniquely enabled by the powerful software architecture, which features advanced

fixed wireless broadband capability on a software platform that sits on a server at each cell site and connects directly to the cloud. This results in substantially lower up-front capital expense, eliminates backhaul, virtualizes the core, and allows for dramatically lower ongoing operational expenses. The software, when combined with Tazca Connect’s pay-as-you-grow LTE

models and rapid deployments, allows Tazca and its local partners to provide the lowest per-subscriber per GB MHz POP cost in any market. “Our partnership in Somalia demonstrates that powerful software, combined with a powerful vision, can connect people anywhere on Earth with cost-effective, carrier-grade LTE services,” said Michael Sisto, Vice President of Sales, Tazca Connects. “We are pleased to illustrate that, with Tazca, the economic and social benefits of expanding Internet access can become an affordable reality in any community.” Source: Tazca Connects

BUSINESS PEOPLE

Cargoatlantic Executives Unpacked!

By Sadiat Makuna | USA Kazeem Alimi (a.k.a. IBK) was born and bred in Lagos Nigeria. Alimi relocated to the United States in 2004. He holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Philadelphia University and a master of business administration (MBA) with a global perspective from Arcadia University, Pennsylvania. During his MBA program, he participated in several international business experience trips to Turkey and Italy among others. In 2008, Alimi and his friend, Olusegun Adu started a janitorial service business which few months later became an event management company. In 2009, the event management company morphed into a shipping business that is today known as Atlantic Concierge LLC DBA Cargoatlantic, a freight forwarding company based in Folcroft, Pennsylvania. “It’s been a long journey,” Alimi said. “But thanks to the loyalty of our customers, we’ve been able to sustain and grow the business in the last five years.” No doubt Atlantic Concierge has come a long way from the early days of running the business while Alimi worked full time night shifts as a facilitator at a brain injury rehab 36

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and went to school full time. Alimi also worked as a neuroAlimi cognitive specialist providing home based cognitive therapy and community integration services to brain injured adults during this time. Equally responsible for the success of Atlantic Concierge thus far is the hard work and dedication of Alimi and his partner in delivering top notch services. “Our commitment to quality, honesty and transparency in the way we do business has helped us greatly,” Alimi said. Alimi, who currently runs the business full time with his business partner – Adu, said his goal is to position the company strategically to better serve the needs of its growing clientele. “I am friendly and I believe in creating positive relationships both in and outside of business,” Alimi said. And I guess for the benefit of that special someone out there, he added: “I am single, I love to cook, and I enjoy living on the positive side of life on a daily basis.” The word is out!

Oluwasegun Adu, co-owner of Atlantic Concierge LLC DBA Cargoatlantic holds a bachelor’s degree in food science and technology from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He also holds a master of business administration (MBA) degree from Strayer University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Adu worked as senior sales representative with a pharmaceutical company that specializes in sales of vaccines and cold remedies where he coordinated customer accounts, and shipping operations. After moving to the United States in 2006, Adu worked briefly with an inventory control company. He later worked as a Quality Assurance Technologist at a food company, where he rose through the ranks to become a Production Supervisor. After three years, he joined a chemical company in Wayne, PA as Quality Control Supervisor. Like his partner, Alimi, he worked night shifts and ran the business during the day before he finally quit the night job to concentrate fully on the business. As a managing partner at Atlantic Concierge, LLC DBA Cargoatlantic, Adu is committed to growing and reinventing the company in order to position it at a prime spot in the industry. Accordingly, to further strengthen the

c o m p a n y ’s knowledge base, technical knowhow and competency, Adu has Adu gone back to school. He is currently studying for his master of arts in transportation and logistics management. Adu believes in collaboration and synergy. He wants to foster collaboration among Nigerian-owned businesses in the United States. He believes this will better position the businesses, increase their purchasing power and enhance the life and quality of their businesses. Apart from being a self-driven and hardworking entrepreneur credited with organizational skills, Adu is also the resident pastor of House of Possibility (a Gospel Faith Mission Int’l church) in Philadelphia. Adu is married with children. “I am an entrepreneur who believes hard work, innovation, and excellent customer service can lead to limitless possibilities,” Adu said. “But perhaps more importantly, I truly believe that with God, all things are possible. That essentially is the secret of our success at Atlantic Concierge.”

INTERVIEW

Hail To The Queen From Guinea!

Miss Tri-State USA

By Eldana Mengesha | USA

Crowned queen in June 2013, the current Miss Africa Tri State (MATS) 2013 has been quite busy; raising awareness and attending one event or the other. Now with barely three months to the end of her reign, the queen took some time off to chat with USAfrica Journal about the journey so far. Tell me about yourself. My name is Zoubaidatou Sylla, I am originally from Guinea Conakry currently a student in Medical School at New York University. I am the first born of my family and I have five siblings.

Sylla

You said your parents always told you that if you always wipe tears off a child’s face, you will live with a smile on your face, how has your reign as Miss Africa Tri State helped you achieve this? Yes, it has. I worked with the orphans in Rwanda and I know for a fact that my efforts did wipe tears off many kids’ faces. Also my initiative in sending school supplies to Guinea to help the children who couldn’t afford them has also helped. What are your plans – post Miss Africa Tri-State reign? I plan to still continue making a difference in my community and in Africa by supporting humanitarian activities.

What is it like being a Miss Africa Tri State? Being Miss Africa Tristate is an indescribable journey. You get to meet incredible people, celebrate your culture, have a voice in the African community, support humanitarian causes and of course attend events. It’s exciting! Since your crowning as Miss Africa Tri State, what specific projects have you been involved in? I worked with Why do I exist? – an organization that helps orphans in Rwanda. The other project that I’m involved with is Playing it forward

Sylla in New York.

Jimmy Owotomo MS, MBA, CPA

How do you balance your time as a student with the demands of your office as the reigning Miss Africa Tri State? I focus on school work four days a week and the rest on my duties as the Miss Africa Tri State. Why did you contest for the Miss Africa Tri State pageant? I wanted to help the less privileged people in the community. To do this, I needed a credible platform such as the one provided by the MATS.

What advice do you have for young women like yourself who may be thinking of contesting in the Miss Africa Tri State pageant? Don’t ever doubt yourself because it’s not about beauty, shape or size. It’s about your goals and brains.

Dependability and Service. which is a project that provides school supplies for kids in Guinea and other countries in Africa. Your reign is finally winding down, what would you miss most at the end of your reign? I will miss attending events and the glamour of being a Queen, but my charity work will not stop. What are the memories you cherish most? I was recently a special guest of honor and speaker at Penn State University, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This is a school I respect a lot, and having that opportunity to speak at the event organized by the Black Students Union African Affairs was humbling.

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IMMIGRATION

What You Should Know About The Proposed Immigration Law By Akeem Soboyede, Esq. | USA

The United States’ immigration system, especially the laws, statutes and agency regulations that underpin it, is often described as complex and maze-like. No one knows this fact better in this country than the attorneys who make a living from practicing in that area of law!

t was this reality that served as the impetus for this column: to provide a simple and clear road-map for readers of this magazine who are also immigrants to the United States or have an interest in the area, and who desire clear and simple interpretations of US immigration laws, news and related events. Despite the storied complexity of this nation’s Immigration system, this writer will ensure that commentaries and interpretations of laws, statutes, regulations, news and events related to US Immigration to be featured in this column will be simple and understandable enough to the reader. What better place to start this journey with you than a quick review of the proposed Immigration legislation passed by the US Senate last year and is now before (skeptics will say “stuck at”) the US House of Representatives? The law, otherwise known as The Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act (2013), promises to effect significant changes in US Immigration law, perhaps even more than the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA), which was enacted in 1996 during the President Bill Clinton administration. Some of the more significant proposals in the legislation now before Congress include the one that reduces the current family preference categories (that is, family petitions and visas subject to annual numerical limitations). Thus, if the law passes, a US citizen will only

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be able to file a preference category visa petition for an unmarried adult child and a married adult child for whom the petition is filed before he or she reaches the age of 31. US Lawful Permanent Residents (or green card holders) will only be able to file for unmarried adult children. It is significant to note that under the proposed law, United States’ citizens will no longer be able to file immigrant visa petitions for their brothers and sisters, and the spouses and minor children of these, as it obtains under the present law. So, if you are a US citizen and you’ve been thinking of filing that immigrant petition for your beloved full or half-brother and/or sister but never got around to doing it, now is the time to act. Literally, “tomorrow” may actually be too late! Or, your best “friend” right now could be the US House of Representatives that has steadfastly declined to follow the lead of the US Senate and act on the bill now pending before it, in order to enact it into law. However, still under the proposed law, what a US Citizen will lose regarding being able to file for a brother or sister will be gained by Legal Permanent Residents, who will now be able to petition for their spouses and minor children without a cap being put on those numbers, a big advantage that is only available to US Citizens under the present laws. For those who seek or will seek an immigrant visa under the various employment categories, the proposed law promises to have rich

pickings. First, spouses and children of petitioners/applicants under all the employment-based (EB) categories will no longer be subject to the total visas available under that category, which translates to more employment-based visas being made available to the actual applicants in the EB categories. In addition, for all those people with extraordinary ability (ies) and the outstanding researchers/ professors with impeccable international reputations and academic pedigrees who desire to live in and be employed in the United States, there is great news: under the proposed immigration law, such people will be exempt from the present annual visa limits now in place

on their specific employment-based visa categories. Spread the news! TO BE CONTINUED…

Shoboyede

Akeem Soboyede, Esq. is the Owner of and Lead Attorney with the Akeem Soboyede Law Office, Eagan, Minnesota. Send questions or comments to akeem.soboyede@soboyedelaw.com

Disclaimer: This column is not to be construed as legal advice. It also does not, nor is it intended to, create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and the Akeem Soboyede Law Office, PLLC, or Akeem Soboyede, Esq. In addition, information in the column is neither promised nor guaranteed to be correct or complete and should not be construed as an indication of future outcomes. Please consult an experienced attorney for advice on any Immigration matter.

AUTOMOBILE

Best, Worst Used Cars

very year it becomes more difficult to shop for a used car. Prices have been at historic highs, even for models with high mileage and seemingly excessive wear. And with so many vehicles from which to choose, it can feel overwhelming to find a car that drives well and will hold up down the road. The lists below show you the best small cars, sedans, and SUVs in four price ranges. Every car on this list performed well in our tests when it was new and has had above-average reliability for the model years shown, based on our latest Annual Auto Survey. Each vehicle also came standard with electronic stability control (ESC), a proven lifesaver, during the years indicated, unless otherwise noted. Con-

2008 Scion xB

Mitsubishi Outlander

Acura-TSX

nice ride, secure handling, and a peppy four-cylinder engine that returned 23 mpg overall. For something sportier, the Acura TSX is responsive, quiet, well-finished, and enjoyable to drive.

sider these the used cars we would recommend to our family and friends.

LESS THAN $10,000 SMALL CARS: Toyota Prius (2004-07), Scion xB (2004-06), Pontiac Vibe (2005-08), Toyota Matrix (2005-07) With its 44 mpg overall, the Prius is the most efficient non-plug-in fivepassenger car you can buy, plus it has plenty of room and a nice ride. Reliability has been first-rate. The Scion xB has standard ESC and is a great city

car, with compact dimensions and easy access, and the Vibe and Matrix twins are quite versatile. For the Prius, Matrix, and Vibe, look for one with the optional ESC. SEDANS Hyundai Sonata (2007-08) Acura TSX (2004) The economical, efficient, and comfortable Sonata has a

SUVs Toyota Highlander V6 (2004) Mitsubishi Outlander (2007) The Highlander has a nicely finished, quiet, and comfortable interior, along with a strong V6 engine. Handling is secure, but it leans more toward comfort than sportiness. The smaller Mitsubishi Outlander has sportier handling and can be found with a third-row seat.

2007 Pontiac Vibe

Avoid Aggressive Driving Aggressive driving is a major safety concern for everyone on the road. Behaviors like tailgating, erratic lane changing, and illegal passing are factors in up to 56 percent of fatal crashes.

ny unsafe action, whether unintended or with intentional disregard for safety, can be considered aggressive. You can protect yourself and others by avoiding the following behaviors. • Cutting other drivers off: When merging, make sure you have a cushion of safety. Use your turn signal to show intention. If someone cuts you off, slow down and give them room. • Driving slowly in the left lane: When traveling in the left lane, move over if another motorist shows signs of wanting to pass. Although you may be traveling within the speed limit, it can be dangerous to remain in the left lane. State law also advises that drivers should stay right and pass on the left.

• Tailgating: Drivers tend to become irritable when being followed too closely. Allow at least a two-second space cushion between your car and the vehicle ahead of you. Ensure that you leave enough space for the unexpected. Conversely, signal and pull over if you feel you are being followed too closely. • Gestures: Keep your hands on the wheel at all times, and avoid making obscene gestures that may anger another driver. Remember, avoiding aggressive driving is in our direct control. Motorists should refuse to allow other people’s actions to affect their behaviors negatively. Source: Safety Zone

Steer Clear Of These Troublesome Vehicles These models, listed alphabetically, are the worst of the worst. They have multiple years of much-worse-than-average overall reliability, based on 2004 through 2013 models, according to our Annual Auto Survey. Each one has at least three model years of reliability data. BMW X5 (6-cyl.)

Ford Flex (3.5L EcoBoost)

Chevrolet Cruze (1.8)

GMC Acadia

Chevrolet Impala

Lincoln MKT (EcoBoost)

Chevrolet Uplander

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Chrysler PT Cruiser (nonturbo)

Mini Cooper S

Chrysler Town & Country

Mini Countryman

Dodge Caravan

Saturn Outlook

Dodge Grand Caravan

Saturn Relay

Dodge Journey

Volkswagen Beetle, New Beetle

Ford Explorer (V6)

Volkswagen Touareg

Ford F-250 & F-350 (diesel) Ford Fiesta

Reproduced with the permission of ConsumerReports. USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com

SPORTS

World Cup 2014:

Can Africa Deliver in Brazil?

Photo Credit: copa2014.gov.br

By Mark Finlay | Spain

The World Cup kicks off on June 12, this year at the Arena de Sao Paulo where the host nation, Brazil will face Croatia in the opening game of the tournament. A total of 32 countries from five continents will be vying for the ultimate glory of lifting the golden cup. While experts are not projecting any of the five African nations taking part in this year’s finals as a possible World Cup winner, the African countries are still capable of springing enough surprises to rattle the soccer world.

Nigeria Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles, often makes it to the finals of the World Cup and can on a good day beat any of the teams in the tournament. Problem is when everyone expects the Super Eagles to rise to the 40

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occasion; the team almost always lets their fans down. The team has, sadly not made it to the knockout stages of the competition since 1998. The last two times Nigeria made it to the finals, it finished last in its group. Of course the goal in 2014 would be to emerge as the top African team in the tournament. So far, it seems the Super Eagles has a good shot at doing just that considering the relatively mild opposition they face in Group F. Other than Argentina, the other

Emenike

Photo Credit: www.express.co.uk

Here, in no particular order, is our first look at the five African countries playing at the finals in Brazil this summer.

teams, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina shouldn’t be much of a hindrance to the Super Eagles. Argentina is the favorite to win the Group. Nigeria should finish second. Nigeria’s team must however score lots of goals if it wants to advance. It didn’t do much of this in the qualifying round. Bosnia on the other hand,

Gyan

Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org

has no problem finding the back of net multiple times which means the Super Eagles’ dream of moving beyond the group stage may be shortcircuited if both teams tie on points. Goal difference may just nudge Bosnia ahead. The man to watch in the Nigeria line up is Emmanuel Emenike who plays for Turkish Super Lig club, Fenerbahce.

Islam Slimani

Ghana The Black Stars of Ghana has a number of good players, but like many other teams in the tournament, Ghana’s depth and quality are questionable. The Black Stars often outperforms Ivory Coast and the team has done well in past tournaments. In South Africa, it was unlucky to get knocked out in the semi-finals after missing a penalty. No African team scored as many goals as the Black Stars in qualifying rounds of the world cup. Ghana heads into the World Cup with high expectations despite being drawn in the same group as Germany, Portugal and the United States. While Germany and Portugal have been tipped as the teams to advance from the group, Ghana with its crop of resilient young players is capable of a major upset. The man to watch is Asamoah Gyan. He scored many of the goals that won the world cup ticket for Ghana.

Ivory Coast The Elephants of Ivory Coast has for some time been considered one of the powerhouses of African football due to world class players such as Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Yaya Toure, but the team has a bunch of average players as well. The team recently did poorly at the African Cup of Nations which everyone expected them to win. This World Cup though may be a good one for Ivory Coast. The team is drawn in a relatively easy group that has Colombia, Greece and Japan. Beyond the group stage however, things look bleak for The Elephants. If Ivory Coast finishes second and goes through to the knockout round, they will need to beat Uruguay, England or Italy to move on in the competition. And that is a task which critics say Ivory Coast is just not adequately equipped to tackle at this time. Looking for goals? Bet on Salomon Kalou. He was great in the qualifiers with five goals in five matches. Don’t rule out Drogba either. He may be getting a little old, but he’s still a threat to unwary defenses. Salomon Kalou

Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org

Algeria The Desert Foxes faces an almost impossible task of advancing from Group H. Algeria needs to beat Russia or South Korea to advance to the knockout stage. Meanwhile, Belgium is already penciled in as everyone’s favorite to top the group. Russia has a strong side, and South Korea, despite having a lower ranking compared to Algeria, has a good record in recent World Cups. The team usually makes it out of the group stage. With the opposition in Group H, it is almost certain Algeria will not make it to the next round. However, watch out for Islam Slimani, a prolific scorer who netted a third of all his country’s goals in qualifying round.

Samuel Eto’o

Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org

Photo Credit: ghananewsagency

SPORTS

Cameroon The Indomitable Lions is always a crowd favorite at the World Cup yet the reality is except for a few familiar household names like Samuel Eto’o and Alex Song, the truth is the team is just not that good. Apart from the 1990 finals in Italy where 38-year old Roger Milla became a star when Cameroon knocked out England in an epic quarter-final match, the team has been unable to make it out of the group stage ever since. Drawn in Group A along with the host country Brazil, Cameroon will also have to face Mexico and Croatia who are both ranked higher than Cameroon in the FIFA world rankings. As much as one would like to see Cameroon do well at least in the group, it is unlikely the team will have anything to show for its efforts this year. The bookies are betting Cameroon will finish last in Group A. Nevertheless, Samuel Eto’o may still get some goals in for Cameroon. USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com

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Raharinarivonirina’s project: Women Working To Improve And Modernize Rural Life featured the “SOS Children’s Villages of Madagascar” association which aims to make the women of the Grand Sud of Madagascar independent through four new women’s homes, while Messina’s Hand in Hand association takes in children who have been abandoned or in great distress at the Romulus & Remus Centre, where they receive health care, education and

the training they need for their social reintegration. The three other women whose projects were also considered for the award were: Anta Mbow / Senegal, Hope for the Girls of Dakar; Brigitte Michel / Mauritius, Re-Instilling Confidence In Vulnerable Women; and Sarah Toumi / Tunisia, Tunisian Women Rebuilding Their Country. The goals of the award, created this year for the 9th Women’s Forum

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Rwandan Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana called for the need for a global community to discern lessons from Rwanda in order to prevent mass atrocities and genocide elsewhere. She reminded the audience that the commemoration period “is a time for honest reflection, frank dialogue, and a commitment to shared humanity.”

So what do you say to fellow Africans in Diaspora chasing the dream? It’s so important to take time to figure out what you are passionate about, and to take time to invest in your passion. Often, as Africans in the Diaspora, we latch on to opportunity that comes our way because it looks like a good opportunity but the opportunity is not always a match with our passion

and our desires and that translates to inefficiency, dissatisfaction and ultimately failure. If we take a little bit of time to think through what it is we are good at and develop that, and believe in ourselves enough that we can put energy into strengthening what it is that we are good at, we would be able to succeed, spiritually, emotionally and financially.

have joined the long list of Oscar nominees who didn’t take the “small man” home. Nyong’o did. And the race for another Lupita has begun in Africa “Every girl now wants to be the next Lupita,” a world film enthusiast based in Dakar, Senegal told USAfrica Journal. “She is an inspiration to so many thespians across the continent. In hearts and minds once filled with frustration and despair, hope and belief have sprung up. If Kenya with a very fledgling film industry could produce a Lupita, imagine the possibilities for countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa and many others.” In Nigeria, which is currently rated as the world’s second largest producer of films, two names that kept surfacing as possible future Oscar contenders are Genevieve Nnaji (Genny) and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. Critics however cautioned that for that dream to become a reality there has to be a drastic shift upward in the quality of the films rolling off the mills of Nigeria film industry. Genny’s last major big screen outing was in Half of a Yellow Sun which

premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year. While her performance in the film received critical acclaim, critics say that is insufficient to put her in the Oscar league. Though Jalade-Ekeinde made the TIME 100 list of world’s most influential people last year, critics point out that TIME 100 and Oscars are worlds apart. As highly rated as Jalade-Ekeinde is in Nigeria and beyond, there is nothing in her body of work right now that will get her nominated for an Oscar, critics say. From Ghana, heartthrob, Van Vicker is mentioned often as the most likely actor to break through internationally. He recently featured alongside Jimmy Jean-Louis in One Night in Vegas. However, just like his Nigerian counterparts, critics say for Vicker to get near Oscars, he will have to prove his mettle with more challenging roles in more quality productions. Twenty four year old South African rising star, Petronella Tshuma is another actress on the Next-Lupita radar. Compared to Nigeria’s Genny and Jalade-Ekeinde, Tshuma is a baby, albeit one featured in a controversial, yet well received film. Trained at Filton

Global Meeting by Orange Foundation and the Women’s Forum, in partnership with Marie-Claire magazine, include spotlighting women who have effected change and driven growth in their respective communities, and also assisting the women to develop their humanitarian projects on behalf of women and girls. By Eldana Mengesha With Agency Reports

table women business chambers, civil society organization, media and other organizations from Africa and worldwide are in partnership with Women Advancement Forum for WAF 2014 and Awards. Chikezie explained that the WAFmdg Awards program will recognize, celebrate, and honor achievements in socio-economic and political empowerment, advancement of women, as well as inspiring and motivating young women/girls. Among women nominated for the award are, Her Excellency Mrs. Zineb Yahya Jammeh, First Lady of Gambia; Madame Marieme Sall, First Lady, Senegal; Dr. Lebohang Pheko, President, Business Women Association of South Africa; and Hajiya Sa’adiya Abdullahi Dikko, President of Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) amongst others. Special features of this year’s event are: • African Women in Diaspora Moment • Exhibition • Road-show/Solidarity March Against “Violence Against Women” Source: APO

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sider told USAfrica Journal recently in Los Angeles. “For a new comer in a big project such as 12 Years A Slave, she was quite impressive, and you can’t take that away from her.” Movie industry watchers however noted that while talent is crucial to winning an Oscar, talent, alone has never been enough. Timing, poise, composure, even seemingly mundane factors such as which nominee wears a dress better, comportment in the face of a barrage of questions and blinding flashlights during various events leading to the big night are said to weigh heavily on who goes home with Oscar. “Nyong’o has charisma, poise, was fortunate enough to have a good script, and obviously well trained to give an excellent performance,” Ray Mutaba, an aspiring actor in Los Angeles explained. “The fact that this is someone Americans can relate to in one way or the other also helped. She is a product of The Yale School of Drama; just like the legendary Meryl Streep, Angela Basset, Edward Norton and many others, which means Americans, black and white rightly share in her success.” Mutaba contended that without those “extraneous factors,” Nyong’o would 42

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College, United Kingdom, Tshuma’s professional career is barely three years old but her stellar performance and commitment to the role of Nolitha, a 16-year old promiscuous teenager in a forbidden relationship with her class teacher in Of Good Report may just be what her young career needed for Oscar worthy roles in Hollywood. In his interview with Associated Press, the managing director of Theater Company in Kenya, Opondoe noted that not only will Nyong’o’s success at the Oscars encourage many in Kenya to embrace the arts; but also, her success clearly showed that Africa is not bereft of talents. “The opportunities are just not there,” he said. “It’s time for parents and government to see that this is not a pastime. It’s something you can do professionally and bring glory.” Kenya’s president Kenyatta in his congratulatory message after the award announced his government’s plan to invest more in the arts. “It is our intention that Lupita becomes the first of an endless line of Oscar nominees and winners from Africa and Kenya,” he said.

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