Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez is on a Roll – Can He Make it a Double?
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COMING SOON
FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT IN GHANA
IMMIGRATION Extra Time for Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone
LOVING LAGOS,
THE TRUMP
CARD!
Scary Days Ahead
Branding Her Globally NO BANK VERIFICATION NUMBER (BVN)
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Mahrez Shoots for a Double Pg. 46 Bisi Alawiye Aluko “Stronger Together” Pg. 14 Glimpses of Nollywood Reloaded Pg. 10 Styles for all Seasons Pg. 42
EKO FOR SHOW! Lagos Lights Up The World USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com
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A Publication of USA Media LLC The voice of Africans in the Diaspora Vol. 3, Issue 2 | 2016 USA Media LLC PRESIDENT/CEO ‘Tunde Kolawole, MS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE/ADMINISTRATION Bola Ajebeku, MBA vpfinance@usafricajournal.com
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ‘Tunde Kolawole editor@usafricajournal.com MANAGING EDITOR Lisa Kayle CONTRIBUTING WRITERS A.Obafemi Animasaun, Mark Finlay, Betty John, Patrick Obinna, Jessica Banda, Tosin Obiwale, Esther Olatunde, Isaac Oluwole, Renny Vonne, Alex Baker, Sadiat Makuna, George Igbakhiare, John Kay, Eldana Mengesha.
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Did they just call us old skool?
35 | Folasophical: Freefalling Naira
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37 | Faith-Full 42-43 | Fashion: Styles for all Seasons
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30 | News-Africa: Coming Soon: Female President in Ghana 31 | Commentary: Democracy in Jeopardy?
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10-12 | Arts & Entertainment: Glimpses of Lagos at TIFF
24 | Business: How and Where to Get Your BVN in USA
INTERVIEW: Bisi Alawiye Aluko In a Duet to Remember
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Desk: History on Hold
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5 | From the Editor’s
Cover Story: The TRUMP Card! Scary Days Ahead ON THE COVER: Donald Trump - Credit: Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock COVER 2: Lagos Skyline at night – Credit: www.infotravel.club
44 | Beauty: Q & A for Women of Color 45 | Immigration 46 | Sports: Can Riyad Mahrez Make it a Double?
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
HISTORY ON HOLD
A
fter several months of acrimonious campaigning that will remain a vintage poster child for politics of rancor for many years to come, real estate developer and TV star Donald Trump beat his Democratic Party challenger, Hillary Rodham Clinton, to emerge winner of the 2016 United States presidential election. While Trump’s victory party may understandably go all the way till the inauguration ceremony next year, Clinton’s camp will have ample time for sober reflections on how, what, why and where things went wrong. How did all the polls get it so wrong that Clinton ended up behind Trump – 52 electoral votes short of the 270 needed to make history as the first madam president of the United States of America? For the second time in eight years, Clinton sought a date with history, and twice she fell short of making it to the promised land. And there go the wheels of an energetic march into the annals of history, screeching to heart-wrenching halt. Barring any unforeseen development, Donald Trump will be sworn in Jan. 20 as the 45th president of the United States. While the world waits, and Trump prepares for his gallant ride to the White House, an ostensibly deeply divided America, and especially the immigrant community, cannot help but ask: What next? Will Trump make good on his threat to deport more than 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States? Will President Trump really build walls to keep out “illegal immigrants” and ban Muslims from entering the United States? What are the implications of a Trump presidency to an immigrant community currently sitting on pins and needles as a result of this election? Starting on page 32, our cover story goes behind the headlines to answer these and several other pertinent questions floating around in our neighborhood. Though this is not a presidential election year in Nigeria, the country is embroiled in its fair share of socio-political and economic drama. However, in a season suffused with sound bites and clips of disconcerting news, we found something worthy of cheer in Lagos State. Far from the putrid stench of politics, we caught a whiff of a sweet aroma in the city of Lagos and latched on to it. We are thus happy to report that the strategic positioning and marketing of the Lagos brand – within and outside Nigeria – hit another high note recently in Canada. For the first time in the history of the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), an African city was featured this year. With just eight films, our very own Lagos (not the one in Portugal) changed the narratives about the often-berated Nollywood for the better. If you‘ve ever wondered if anything good can come from Nollywood, you must see the films put on display by Lagos. Our coverage of the
historic outing, starting on page 6, will quicken your steps to the nearest movie theater. While you’re at it, we invite you to take a peek into the astute mind of Steve Ayorinde, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy. His incisive take on TIFF, arts, entertainment, culture and the ongoing strategic branding of Lagos is on page 8. The culture bug is spreading. Trendy Things featuring guest columnist, Florence Oluohu, is in the house again talking about culture and the cyclical trend of fashion across generations. If you love her debut article, Battle over Her Bosom: Whose is it Anyway? you’ll adore her even more in this issue as she picks up the gauntlet for the oldies-but-still-cool generation! She has a word or two for the “old skool” and millennials alike on page 40. Our ace columnist, Dr. (Pastor) Fola Ojo wears two caps in this issue. In addition to his witty but reflective Folasophical column, we have him in the pulpit doing one of the many things he does best. His exhortation for the Faith-FULL is on page 37. In Sports, Algerian winger, Riyad Mahrez’s top form in the English premier league has catapulted him into the elite ranks of front-runners for the Confederation of African Football’s Footballer of the Year award. This year, he has already won the Professional Footballer of the Year award; can he make it a double and wear the coveted African crown as well? Find out on page 46. With this package, you’ll get more than double for the value. Fashion, Beauty, Business, Wedding Bells, Interview, Immigration and your other favorites are included – on the house! As you’re settling in for the ride, let me be the first to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thanks for keeping us afloat.
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COVER 2
Lagos Lights Up The World By Betty John | Canada
Credit: www.information.lagosstate.gov.ng
Barely three years after Chimamanda Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun” (directed by Biyi Bandele), starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton and Nigeria’s sweetheart, Genevieve Nnaji, made waves at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Nigeria returned to the global film festival this year on a grander scale.
Akinwunmi Ambode
U
nlike previous years, when Nigeria’s participation was limited to one or two films with ties to the country, Lagos (representing Nigeria) came to this year’s edition loaded to the hilt with an arsenal of eight critically acclaimed films featured at TIFF’s City to City program. With these movies heralded as “gutsy new works by contemporary directors living and working
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in one of the world’s biggest film industries,” the city of Lagos, Nigeria’s “center of excellence,” thus became the first city in Africa to be featured in the special segment of this global film festival. Cities featured in the past were London, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Mumbai, Athens and Seoul. According to festival organizers, City to City showcases filmmakers living and working in a select-
ed city, regardless of where their films are set.
The “City to City: Lagos” lineup paraded an eclectic
With eight films, Lagos succeeded in changing the often-disparaging narratives about Nollywood: In place of the usual songs of scorn for an industry notorious for quantity over quality, a new song of hope and promises is now in the air in Canada and the United States.
mix of themes, styles and genres that included 93 Days, 76, Taxi Driver, Okafor’s Law, and Oko Ashewo (Taxi Driver). Others were The Wedding Party, Arbitration and Green, White, Green. The event drew the usual galaxy of Hollywood stars and film industry aficionados from all over the world, giving the often-maligned Nollywood a much-needed opportunity to showcase its new direction to a global audience. For an industry bogged down by an unflattering perception of its products in terms of quality, technical and artistic details, this year’s exhibit at TIFF showed that something good can come from Nollywood after all. At the end of the eight-day movie marathon, the message from Lagos to the global film industry was loud and unam-
Photo: TIFF
COVER 2
Bigger budgets, greater artistic ambition – the new cinema of Lagos is bold, exciting, and ready to take its place on the international stage. biguous: Nollywood is on the rise! The new Nigerian films are breaking loose from the shackles of low-budget, poor quality productions which had been the industry’s bane since it exploded onto the scene. Hence, weeks after the curtains came down on the
eight-day event, film critics and audiences alike are still applauding Nollywood’s big leap forward. With eight films, Lagos succeeded in changing the often-disparaging narratives about Nollywood: In place of the usual songs of scorn for an industry notorious for quantity over
quality, a new song of hope and promises is now in the air in Canada and the United States. Earlier this year, TIFF’s Artistic Director, Cameron Bailey, who also curates the City to City segment captured the mood succinctly. “Lagos is unique,” he said. “A new generation of filmmakers is emerging to both advance and challenge Nollywood. Bigger budgets, greater artistic ambition – the new cinema of Lagos is bold, exciting, and ready to take its place on the international stage.” And Lagos lived up to its billing. Side by side with several other films from around the world, Lagos held its own on the international stage. Nigeria’s flagship city didn’t just put up a show, it turned out to be the showstopper at a revered global festival of sight and sound.
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COVER 2
We’re Ready for the World By John Kay | USA
–Steve Ayorinde
A few weeks after the curtains came down on this year’s Toronto International Film Festival featuring Lagos, Nigeria in the event’s City to City program, we had a chat with Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, one of the key delegates from Nigeria at the global event. In this exclusive interview with USAfrica Journal, Ayorinde, shared his thoughts on Lagos’ historic outing at TIFF, the state of the arts, culture and entertainment industry in Nigeria, the Lagos brand; and of course, the forthcoming grand finale of “Lagos @ 50 celebrations slated for May. This year, Lagos was featured in the City to City programme of Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). This was the first time that an African city was featured in that segment of the festival; what do you make of such move by TIFF?
The attention on Lagos and Lagos filmmakers simply showed how much Nollywood has grown over the years and how Lagos as the birthplace and home of Nollywood is important on the global cultural and entertainment landscape. TIFF is the biggest film festival in North America and one of the biggest four in the whole world and choosing Lagos as the very first to be celebrated in Africa is a huge recognition indeed.
Credit: www.information.lagosstate.gov.ng
From the perspective of someone steeped in the arts, and also as the prime spokesperson for Lagos State, what was it like seeing films from Lagos, Nigeria on the big screen, side by side with many others from around the world?
Ayorinde 8
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It was a wonderful moment indeed. I recall that 10 years ago when Toronto first welcomed Nollywood to the festival, there were only two films - one by Tunde Kelani’s (Abeni) and the other by Faruk Lasaki. The Nigerian Film Corporation had a stand at the festival, but the NFC Managing Director, Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, was the only government official that came. Others did not get visas. I was the only Nigerian journalist at the festival that year. That was when the romance between TIFF and Nollywood started. But ten years down the line with attention on Lagos, it was a wonderful experience seeing eight films from Lagos and more than a 100 delegates - filmmakers, journalists and senior government officials as well as bank officials and festival organizers from Lagos were in attendance projecting Lagos State and drawing attention to the energy and creativity that abound in Lagos. It was by far the biggest global attention on Nigerian cinema ever and a recognition of Lagos as the home to one of the biggest cinema industries in the world. Apparently, you had the opportunity to see many film presentations from different parts of the world, including the eight films from Lagos at the festival, what is your assessment of the Nigerian film industry thus far? I think Nollywood has come of age. And this is the fact that TIFF wanted to show the world world through the diversity in Nollywood. All the eight films presented showed how far Nollywood has developed. Two films stood out in
FOCUS ON LAGOS (1) terms of technical accomplishment - Izu Ojukwu’s ‘76 and Steve Gukas’ 93 Days. Two of the films were shot by women - Okafor’s Law by Omoni Oboli and Kemi Adetiba’a Wedding Party. Five of the eight films had women as producers and there were two or three first-time directors...all exhibiting different areas of focus and competence; all having something to display about Lagos as a creative hub. People talk about New Nollywood or the New Nigerian Cinema, but for me I think what’s important is that there is a renaissance that has continued in the industry and filmmakers are more alive to their responsibilities as creative professionals, businessmen and as ambassadors in an industry that has succeeded in showing how important it is as a hub. I’m convinced that we may not be where we would love to be, but we have since left where we used to be as far as Nollywood is concerned. In a nutshell, what is your take-away from this year’s TIFF? Nollywood has succeeded in catching the attention of the global cinema community and Lagos as the birthplace of Nollywood was recognized and applauded as an important component and partner in progress with this celebrated film industry. Artistic Director of the TIFF, Cameron Bailey who curated the City to City segment of the festival, said early this year that “the new cinema of Lagos is bold, exciting, and ready to take its place on the international stage.” Conversely, is Lagos ready to welcome the world; especially considering that the state according to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, plans to showcase to the world the unique achievements, culture, heritage and the tourism potentials of Lagos at the grand finale of the Lagos @ 50 celebrations next year? Yes, Cameron was in Lagos in June and had a joint press conference with me at the government house to announce the choice of Lagos as the city in focus
I’m convinced that we may not be where we would love to be, but we have since left where we used to be as far as Nollywood is concerned. at this year’s TIFF. It was a film festival undoubtedly, but the recognition it gave to Lagos and the platform it provided for the state align with the vision of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to use arts, culture and entertainment to market Lagos as a destination. The Governor is an art enthusiast that firmly believes that no state or country can fully achieve its full potential if its creative industry is not adequately supported and exposed. This is why the Governor gave his full backing to the participation at TIFF. Lagos State supported the production of one of the films at TIFF - 93 Days, which beautifully tells the story of the resilience of doctors and Lagos State officials in combating the Ebola scourge of 2014. Lagos State had a stand at the festival to serve as base for participants and platform to market the state. We co-hosted a reception/party for the films in focus and supported the participation of several industry professionals and journalists. I notice that lately Lagos is featuring rather prominently in international arts, culture and entertainment events around the world. You were in London, England recently during the Notting Hill Carnival, and you just returned from Canada; are these coincidences or conscious efforts on the part of Lagos State to market itself to the world? Are there specific messages that the state is trying to put across to the international community by participating in these events? There is a deliberate strategy in how Lagos is being promoted and marketed as a destination. The first one year of the Ambode administration was devoted to getting the continuity agenda right and building on the excellence template of the successive administration in Lagos State. There were no international campaigns
The seeds of progress have grown and we felt it was high time we started projecting Lagos State as a brand to the global audiences, subtly but strategically.
or awards being received in that first year. The governor and his team simply devoted themselves to ideas and strategy implementation, working for Lagos and sowing the seeds of progress. But this is the second year of the administration. The seeds of progress have grown and we felt it was high time we started projecting Lagos State as a brand to the global audiences, subtly but strategically. In the first year, we conceived the concept of One Lagos as the master brand for the tourism initiative in Lagos State. The second year now has introduced the slogan to drive that initiative to the world - which is the Love Lagos concept. That was the basis for the campaign in London in August and the Toronto International Film Festival came and was properly harnessed as a time that Lagos had become ripe for global promotion. There will be an added layer to this in 2017 when Lagos State will be celebrating its 50th anniversary as a state. By that time, the campaign would have become ripe for a full-blown brand campaign that will showcase Lagos as the culture, entertainment and commercial hub in Africa and a pride to the black race being the home to the largest concentration of black people anywhere in the world. How will Lagos State’s presence at such reputable global events impact the development of arts, culture and entertainment back home? Arts, culture and entertainment like sports do not function in a cocoon and as such any state or country that will get it right as culture and entertainment hub must get the ‘home and away’ functionality very well. This is what we believe in Lagos State. We will identify few specific global platforms that are best suitable to serve the purpose of brand awareness for Lagos state and seek to utilize such platforms appropriately. But more importantly is the need to market Lagos as a destination hub where the world should visit. This is why Lagos is interested in the two biggest award platforms in AfWE’RE READY continued on page 48 USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Movie Review
Glimpses of Lagos at TIFF By Cameron Bailey | Canada Images, courtesy: TIFF
76
I
93 Days
A
Directed By Izu Ojukwu
Directed By Steve Gukas
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nspired by cataclysmic events of 40 years ago, and shot, remarkably, in 35mm, this epic political thriller features Nollywood superstars Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, and Chidi Mokeme. Nigeria’s middle belt, 1976: Respected army officer Captain Joseph Dewa (Nouah) and his wife, Suzy (Dominic), who is from the southeastern part of Nigeria, eagerly anticipate their first child. Suzy’s family adamantly disapproves of her intercultural marriage. At the same time, rebellious soldiers on Joseph’s base attempt to recruit him into a coup plot to assassinate General Murtala Mohammed, a key player in Nigeria’s Civil War. Joseph resists but the plotters are cunning, setting a trap
riveting ensemble thriller drawn from headlines of only two years ago, Steve Gukas’s 93 Days tells the story of the courageous health care workers who faced the prospect of an Ebola outbreak in Africa's largest country. When a foreign civil servant lands in Lagos on a flight from Liberia with a high fever, the first, hopeful response is that it’s only malaria. But Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh (Bimbo Akintola) of the First Consultant Hospital knows the man is afflicted with something far more serious. Despite opposition from colleagues, officials, and the man himself, she denies his release. Once the man is confirmed as Nigeria’s index case of the Ebola virus, Adadevoh, her team, the Nigerian government, and the World Health Organization scramble to deal with a
for him and creating barriers of secrecy between him and Suzy. It’s not long before Joseph is arrested, isolating him from his military brothers and his own family. Tackling a still-contested chapter in Nigeria’s history, Ojukwu weaves together themes of political and personal loyalty, telling the story from the dual perspectives of the betrayed soldier and his anguished wife. Though it recounts serious recent history, 76 delivers great pleasures as well. The warm, saturated cinematography perfectly captures the period, and the soundtrack of ‘70s music — both Nigerian and American — beautifully sets the tone. Ojukwu has reached new heights with 76. The wait was well worth it. potential doomsday scenario. As the battle to contain the virus hurtles along at a swift pace, 93 Days keeps itself grounded in compelling characters. Besides Adadevoh, a dedicated mother and wife, there is also Dr. Benjamin Ohiaeri (Danny Glover), who is on the verge of retirement when the virus hits, and Dr. Ada Igonoh, who is hoping to conceive a child despite this time of peril. Dr. Igonoh is played by TIFF Rising Star Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama, who conveys exceptional emotional range, from resolve to terror. Working on a grander scale than most Nigerian features, Gukas directs Iyamah-Idhalama and the rest of his cast to deeply affecting performances, gracefully shifting from big-picture stakes to intimate views of the professionals who helped keep their nation safe.
FOCUS ON LAGOS (1)
The Wedding Party
L
Oko Ashewo (Taxi Driver)
A
Okafor’s Law
T
Directed By Kemi Adetiba
Directed By Daniel Emeke Oriahi
Directed By Omoni Oboli
ove, laughs, family, intrigue, and a big old wedding. Romantic comedies offer particular pleasures, and no one does them like Nollywood: brighter, more colourful and often more outrageous than its Hollywood counterpart, the Nigerian romcom is something to behold. So here comes The Wedding Party. Art gallery owner Dunni (Adesua Etomi) is the cherished daughter of Bamidele Coker (Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba) and his wife, Tinuade (Sola Sobowale). When Dunni and her fiancé Dozie (Banky Wellington) elect to marry, the Cokers decide to throw the wedding of the century. Success in Nigeria’s oil industry has given them new wealth, so
small-town mechanic turned chauffeur for the mob gets caught up in the troubles of a beautiful sex worker, in this Scorsese-meets-Nollywood crime comedy that transforms the fast-paced and vibrant city of Lagos into an expressionistic film noir metropolis. When small-town mechanic Adigun (Femi Jacobs) moves to bustling Lagos to inherit his estranged father’s taxi, he has no idea what to expect. What he gets is a beat-up car (optimistically named “Tom Kruiz”), crushing debt, and a job as a chauffeur for the mob. With the help of his new mentor Taiwo (veteran Nollywood star Odunlade Adekola), Adigun learns the taxi industry’s tricks of the trade as he navigates the back streets and complex hierarchies of the
he law that drives When Harry Met Sally... says that straight men and women can't be just friends. Okafor’s Law argues that once friends get benefits, those benefits last for life. Rooted in the eternal lessons of lust, this saucy romantic comedy further establishes
why not splash out for their only daughter? Besides, their reputation is at stake. While Dozie’s parents, Felix (Richard Mofe-Damijo) and Obianuju Onwuka (Ireti Doyle), believe their son is marrying beneath him, for the sake of tradition they’re willing to leave the big day to the bride’s parents. Barely. As in Hollywood romcoms, this film is a feast for the eyes: lavish sets, gorgeous costumes, and a high-gloss polish befit the fantasy of the perfect wedding day. But as the groom faces the return of an ex-girlfriend, the bride confronts wild embarrassments, and village guests turn up to topple the parents’ carefully laid plans, this wedding party escalates into pure Lagosian chaos. city’s criminal underworld. Dependent on the patronage of the shadiest of characters in order to earn his living, Adigun gets advice from a mob kingpin nicknamed “The Chairman”: he should keep his head down and his eyes open. But this delicate balancing act collapses into chaos when Adigun gets caught up in the nightly troubles of Delia (Ijeoma Grace Agu), a sex worker who treats his dented cab as her personal limo. Shot mostly at night, Oko Ashewo prowls the city’s riskiest streets, depicting Lagos as a sexy film city to rival New York or Paris. But even as Oriahi nods to his film-noir favourites, he offers a uniquely Nigerian spin. Instead of lionizing brooding cynics, this surprisingly funny film champions the optimists of the night. Omoni Oboli as Nigeria’s answer to Nancy Meyers and Lena Dunham. Terminator (Blossom Chukwujekwu) is known by his best friends Fox and Baptist to be a successful serial seducer, but even they are shocked when he ends up in bed with an old flame right after GLIMPSES continued on page 12 USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT GLIMPSES continued from page 11
her engagement ceremony to another man. It’s Okafor’s Law, Terminator explains. Once there’s a strong sexual spark between two people, it never dies; they can rekindle it even though wives or husbands seem to stand in the way. Prove it, his friends demand. And so the challenge begins. Baptist (Gabriel Afolayan) and Fox (Ken Erics) name three women that Terminator must re-seduce within six weeks: a churchgoing banker, a workaholic businesswoman, and the second
The Arbitration
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Green White Green
A
Directed By Niyi Akinmolayan
Directed By Abba Makama
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he latest film directed by box-office sensation Niyi Akinmolayan is a bold and whip-smart courtroom drama featuring a stellar cast of Nollywood heavyweights and newcomers alike — including two of this year’s TIFF Rising Stars, OC Ukeje and Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama. The Arbitration is a cautionary tale of lust, betrayal, and corporate ambition. Gbenga (Ukeje), a charming and celebrated entrepreneur who runs a ridiculously profitable tech company, is the defendant in a lawsuit filed by Dara (Adesua Etomi), a computer engineer whose talents helped Gbenga’s company achieve its current worth. The former colleagues are also former lovers. Their torrid two-year love affair ended bitterly when Gbenga learned that his wife was pregnant with group of young bohemian artists hang out and search for direction in their lives in the stagnant months leading up to the beginning of their university studies, in this richly textured and frequently funny look at Lagos’ new generation. Hip, modern, and bursting with creative energy, this is the look of young Lagos. Uzoma (Ifeanyi Dike) and his friends are on the cusp of adulthood, feeling directionless in those stagnant months before the beginning of their university studies. They spend their days playing videogames or competing in impromptuy-
wife of a rich, neglectful husband. The stakes? Valuable shares in a farm, and Terminator’s status as king of the machos. As we watch Terminator scheme to get the three women back into bed purely to impress his friends, Oboli reveals some uncomfortable truths about her characters. Featuring a sharp script and a delightful cast who know how to have fun with the material, Okafor’s Law is a risqué delight. their first child, and Dara quit the company even though Gbenga had yet to pay her previously promised shares. Her lawsuit seeks compensation for those accounts, but she is also trying to get Gbenga to admit to raping her after the breakup. Reconstructing the past is a daunting task when every smallest detail differs depending which side of the negotiation table you sit on. The deeper the questioning, the more is revealed in this complex tale of betrayal in both the office and the bedroom. The Arbitration tackles contemporary Nigeria with gusto. And although the film is set in Lagos, the sad truth is that its central concept — of a high-profile sexual assault case in which the woman is painted as a jilted ex-lover — resonates in cities the world over. ab-offs, improvised insult matches where the quip that gets the most laughs determines the winner. They’re conscious of the varied cultures of Nigeria’s Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba ethnic groups, but they’re as likely to play those for laughs as for beef. Richly textured, funny, and a bit cheeky, Green White Green presents a cityscape reminiscent of a Spike Lee joint, with its vivid colours and vivacious inhabitants. In this metropolis as envisioned by debut filmmaker Abba Makama, creativity is at MOVIE continued on page 48
INTERVIEW
Duet To Remember
“We Are Stronger Together”
- Bisi Alawiye & Tayo Aluko
By Tosin Obiwale | USA
For 21 days, the amazingly spirit-filled duo of Evangelist Bisi Alawiye Aluko and her husband, Prince Temitayo Aluko, lifted the spirits of congregants at the revival marking the 14th anniversary of the Christ Apostolic Church of Pennsylvania (Mount of Redemption) to a spiritual plane with the unique blend of their golden voices. Bisi led, and her husband, - just two or three steps behind – harmonized and directed the flow of music almost imperceptibly.
F
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The people are so nice. They showed us so much love and we feel very much at home. We couldn’t have asked for more. In short, our experience here has been a very good one that we will cherish for a very long time.
Welcome to the United States. How do you like it so far? I’ve been yearning to bring the message to the United States for a while. We love everything about the U.S. Our host church, Christ Apostolic Church of Pennsylvania (Mount of Redemption) has been very accommodating and supportive in every way imaginable.
How did you get into music? It’s just by His grace. I didn’t start out to be a musician. My husband and I were in our church choir. So, we can say we started out there. Actually, I studied accounting, and my husband is an architect. By His grace, we realized that we have the talent and we decided to use our talents for the glorification of His name.
VOL. 3, ISSUE 2 | 2016
Alawiye
Photo: GeeBenga Pathfinder
rom her vintage debut CD, Lana Komi, released Dec. 12, 1999 to her latest CD, the duo took the audience through series of emotions that only truly gifted, anointed singers could evoke. Together as one, the ministers and congregation smiled, cried; danced and jumped for joy; all to the glory of God Almighty. The collective response to these “angelic voices of Shiloh” was visceral. When she sang Ola, a daa... (Tomorrow will the better) from her CD, Advocate, many eyes in the auditorium clouded over, and a few tear drops made it all the way to the blood-red terrazzo floor. For a revival with “Clean Heart” as its theme, it was a cathartic, deep cleansing experience for many in attendance. With each day’s ministrations proving so fulfilling, prying the amazing husbandand-wife duo away from the embrace of souls visibly touched by their music for a chat was challenging. We succeeded anyway, albeit for a few minutes, in stopping the music for a while to get them talking before they left for Nigeria.
Since we started several years ago, He has continued to back us up with His mercy. I came from a Muslim background. In our town, my father was a renowned Arowassi (Muslim cleric interpreter). I learned that he was quite gifted at relaying messages to the people in such a way that the people for whom the message is directed understood it exactly the way it was meant to be understood. In fact, he was so good, he got nicknamed Alawiye (the man who speaks well to the understanding of all people). We eventually adopted that nickname as our family name because that was what everybody knew him by. I heard stories that even the king used to send for him when he had important messages or pronouncements for the populace. The king routinely/usually requested his assistance in delivering messages to the populace. Listening to both of you sing, it is obvious either one of you can have a successful solo career. Is that something that we may see in the future with your ministry? Temitayo: I believe a home or family divided against itself can never stand. If both of us have to be going, individually, to the studio to record, go out separately to minister and engage in several other things that a professional music ministry entails, there would be conflicts that may lead to several other complications, and ultimately the breakdown of such a fam-
Tayo and Bisi
Photo: GeeBenga Pathfinder
INTERVIEW
My mom was a corn seller, and my father was not a rich man. I never thought I would come this far. ily. Having realized that, I gave up the idea of pursuing a solo career a long time ago and merged with my wife to present a solid common front. We’ve been doing this now for about 20 years. To the glory of God, together, we are stronger than what we could have been individually Having been around for about 20 years, what would you consider the biggest challenge to you personally, and to your music ministry so far? Bisi: Marketing and promoting. Those are the main issues. The situation in Nigeria is not like here or in Europe where everything is well documented and transparency (to a large extent) is part and parcel of business transactions. Back home, we still grapple with piracy, dishonesty and lack of proper accountability. As a result, marketers who have no fear of God in them can just tell the artiste that they sold far fewer copies than what they actually sold. If they sell 20,000 copies but tell artiste they only sold 5,000, the artiste does not have the means to independently verify that. Though people call all the time from all over Nigeria and outside the country that they buy and listen to our works, the stories we get from the marketers are oftentimes different.
At the personal level, I’m glad I got married to my friend. Of course like all marriages, there were challenges, but with the help of God, we’ve been able to pass through them all. How do you get the inspiration for your composition? The Bible inspires me. I study the word of God. I search through it. If I want to hear from God, I like being by myself. I can go into a room, alone and just meditate there. I don’t necessarily have to travel. I can lock myself in a room and just study and meditate on the word of God. From there, the Lord ministers to me and I get inspired to write the songs. What are the primary messages that you want people to get from your songs? Hope and the Kingdom of God. Weeping may endure for the night, joy cometh in the morning. But more importantly, we should all focus our minds and energies at and making it to Heaven. Temitayo: It’s all about eternity. As Christians, we should remember that there’s a place called Heaven, and we have to strive to get there. What is your assessment of the Nigerian gospel music scene presently?
Temitayo: Let’s broaden that a bit. The church in its entirety has derailed because of the financial aspect of life. Everybody wants to make money; they don’t care whose ox is gored in the course of making the money. They don’t care if their preaching is adulterated. Everything now is about prosperity. People now find it difficult to understand what heaven is all about. People don’t seem to care. Their attitude is that since Jesus is not yet here now, they can do whatever they like. The same thing applies to gospel music and musicians. The prevailing mentality is that of “let’s make the money quickly before Jesus comes!” We all forget that the Bible says, “All is vanity.” Apart from your music ministry, are you into any other business? The ministry on its own is a full time business. We are fully focused on it. Apart from our own ministry, which regularly to the glory of God takes us wherever the Holy Spirit directs us, we also promote and produce gospel artistes. What advice do you have for upcoming artistes? Make humility your watch word if you want to go far. Pride cannot take you far enough. Don’t envy others, and always remember the child of whom you are. Copying or doing something simply because others are doing it will only lead to regret and failure. We should wait for our own time. Who are your favorite Nigerian gospel artistes? I admire so many artistes. Evangelist Ojo Ade is one of them. Listening to him gives me joy in my heart. Others include Baba Ayewa (Evangelist Adelakun), Mama Bola Are, and Mama Funmi Aragbaye. Growing up, was there ever a time you envisioned yourself where you are right now? No! I came from a very poor family in Ilesa, Osun State. My mom was a corn seller, and my father was not a rich man. I never thought I would come this far. Temitayo: That things work out well for us, we return all glory to God for His mercies and for bringing us this far. USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com
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HEALTH
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.
F
irst 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.
F
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 with 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.
If your doctor tells you to come back in five years for a follow-up colonoscopy, don’t argue.
this reduces your risk of dying from the disease by half. So not only can colonos-
SOME REASONS YOU MAY BE LACKING ENERGY eeling less energetic than you would like? Many things can contribute to feeling sluggish or tired. If your lack of energy is keeping you on the sidelines, read on to find out possible culprits and how you can get back in the game.
When to Get It
You May Need a Follow-Up
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,
copies catch cancer, they also can catch growths before they become cancer.
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. naps during the day that cause you to wake up feeling sluggish. Getting too much sleep can contribute to low energy levels. Sleep experts recommend SOME REASONS continued on page 48
also help you to sleep better. Try listening to upbeat music on headphones while you walk, or invite a friend to join you so that it doesn’t feel like work.
Skimping on sleep or sleeping too much Getting too much sleep or not
Spending too much time sitting enough—either one can leave you feelYou might think physical activity will make you tired, but usually it has the opposite effect. Exercise can actually be revitalizing because it releases chemicals in your body that boost your mood and energy level. Physical activity can Source: Rite Aid Wellness
ing fatigued. There is no magic number of hours of sleep you need, because the optimal amount of sleep is different for everybody. Most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep, but it will depend on your individual requirements. Avoid taking long
These articles are not a substitute for medical advice, and are not intended to treat or cure any disease. Advances in medicine may cause this information to become outdated, invalid, or subject to debate. Professional opinions and interpretations of scientific literature may vary. Consult your healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise, or medication regime. 16
VOL. 3, ISSUE 2 | 2016
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ADVERTORIAL
CAC (Mount of Redemption) Anniversary Clean Hearts, Glorious Faces
O
Nigeria spoke extensively on the anniversary theme, “Clean Heart,” while one of Nigeria’s leading gospel singers, Evangelist Bisi Alawiye Aluko and her husband, Temitayo, ministered in songs. In his welcome address, host pastor, Dr. Emmanuel Odeyale thanked the ministers for coming to rejoice with, and bless the church with the word of God. He prayed that things of joy shall continue to saturate the ministers’ lives. “You will continue to have a goodly heritage,” Pastor Odeyale said. “And lines will continue to fall in pleasant places for you, and your ministries will ever remain on spiritually oriented platforms in the name of Jesus.”
Photo: GeeBenga Pathfinder
nce again, the city of Philadelphia was filled with shouts of Hallelujahs, Hosannas and Glory to the Most High as Christians from Nigeria, the United Kingdom and Canada joined their brethren here in the United States to celebrate the 14th anniversary of Christ Apostolic Church of Pennsylvania (Mount of Redemption). The highlight of the anniversary was the 21-day revival featuring anointed ministers of God from Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Guest speakers, Prophet Hezekiah Oluboye Oladeji, Pastor Augustus Fapohunda, CAC Canaan Land, London, and Pastor A.O. Oluwatimehin, DS, Abuja,
IF IT MATTERS, IT'S HERE! YOUR EVENTS CAN BE HERE TOO. CALL 215 571 9241 OR 610 570 9143. 18
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Photo: GeeBenga Pathfinder
ADVERTORIAL
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Photo: GeeBenga Pathfinder
ADVERTORIAL
IF IT MATTERS, IT'S HERE! YOUR EVENTS CAN BE HERE TOO. CALL 215 571 9241 OR 610 570 9143. 20
VOL. 3, ISSUE 2 | 2016
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ADVERTORIAL
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Photo: GeeBenga Pathfinder
ADVERTORIAL
IF IT MATTERS, IT'S HERE! YOUR EVENTS CAN BE HERE TOO. CALL 215 571 9241 OR 610 570 9143. 22
VOL. 3, ISSUE 2 | 2016
Shots aren’t just for kids.
Vaccines for adults can prevent serious diseases and even death. Ask your doctor about what immunizations you need. Because staying healthy at any age isn’t kid stuff. Vaccines can prevent Influenza (flu), shingles, diphtheria/tetanus, pertussis, and pneumococcal diseases.
CS213468-A
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults
BUSINESS
No BVN? Say Bye to Your Money in Nigerian Banks! The deadline for Nigerian banks’ customers in the United States of America to obtain their Bank Verification Number (BVN) without traveling to Nigeria is December 31, 2016. HOUSTON Suite 745, 9894 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX 77036 Enrolment fee: $45 Tel: +1 713 771 1871 Opening times: Monday to Friday (9:00am - 4:00pm)
C
ustomers without a BVN will not be able to transact business in, and with any Nigerian bank. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), restrictions will also be placed on such customers’ ATM use and internet banking access. BVN is a biometric unique number given to a bank customer after enrolment. It is an initiative aimed at protecting bank customers and further strengthening the Nigerian banking system. The scheme was introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to protect customers’ transactions and enhance confidence in the Nigerian banking sector. It involves identifying an individual based on physiological or behavioral attributes such as fingerprint, signature and others. The customers’ unique BVN is accepted as a means of identification across all the banking system. Nigerians in the United States can now register for their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), by booking an appointment online at www.
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oisservices.com/bvn to enroll for their BVN at the following designated OIS centers: WASHINGTON DC, USA 11900 Park Lawn Drive, Suite 160, Rockville MD Enrolment Fee: $45 Tel: +1860 929 8995 Opening times: Monday to Friday (9:00am - 4:00pm) ATLANTA, USA Suite 204, 918 Holcomb bridge Road, Roswell, Atlanta, GA 30076 Enrolment fee: $45 Tel: +1 860 929 8995 Opening times: Monday to Friday (9:00am - 4:00pm) NEW JERSEY 2983 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Suite 302, Jersey City, NJ 07306. Enrolment fee: $45 Tel: +1 201 721 6196 Opening times: Monday to Friday (9:00am - 4:00pm)
LOS ANGELES OIS Services, Suite 302, 11222 S. La Cienega Blvd Inglewood, CA. 90304. Enrolment Fee: $45 Tel: +1 213 705 2978 Opening times: Monday to Friday (9:00am - 4:00pm)
Requirements for Enrollment 1. Book an appointment at http://apt.oisservices. com/. You will be required to present your appointment slip. 2. Complete the BVN Enrolment form which can be downloaded from https://oisservices.com/ bvn_enrolment_form. pdf or at the enrolment center. 3. Valid ID: a) Nigerian International Passport b) Nigerian National ID Card c) Nigerian Driver’s License 4. One recent passport photograph 5. Enrolment fee: See details for each of the centers.
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
10:00pm – 11:00pm, Tuesday Dial 712-432-3900, Access Code 335192#
Pastor C. O. Ogunleye Associate Pastor
Pastor E. O. Odeyale (DS) Pastor-in-Charge Pastor S. A. Oyeleke Chairman, U.S.A. EDCC
Pastor M. O. Ajayi Associate Pastor
IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORK, Don’t let anyone take it away.
If you have the legal right to work in the United States, there are laws to protect you against discrimination in the workplace.
You should know that –
26
In most cases, employers cannot deny you a job or fire you because of your national origin or citizenship status or refuse to accept your legally acceptable documents. Employers cannot reject documents because they have a future expiration date.
VOL. 3, ISSUE 2 | 2016
Employers cannot terminate you because of E-Verify without giving you an opportunity to resolve the problem. In most cases, employers cannot require you to be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. If any of these things have happened to you, contact the Office of Special Counsel (OSC).
For assistance in your own language: Phone: 1-800-255-7688 or (202) 616-5594 For the hearing impaired: TTY 1-800-237-2515 or (202) 616-5525
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices
E-mail: osccrt@usdoj.gov Or write to: U.S. Department of Justice – CRT Office of Special Counsel – NYA 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20530
www.justice.gov/crt/about/osc
ADVERTORIAL
Madam Ayodeji Florence Akintan:
A LIFE WELL SPENT
A
Photo: Adejayan
cross two continents, the children of Madam Ayodeji Florence Akintan at home and abroad recently pulled out all stops to celebrate the passing of their beloved mother early this year. Here in the United States, one of Madam Akintan’s children, Mrs. Adenike Olaniyi and her family held a Thanksgiving Service at the Christ Apostolic Church of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. On hand to celebrate the life of Madam Akintan at the service and a reception hosted by the Olaniyis were friends and family from the United States and abroad.
IF IT MATTERS, IT'S HERE! YOUR EVENTS CAN BE HERE TOO. CALL 215 571 9241 OR 610 570 9143. USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com
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Photo: Adejayan
ADVERTORIAL
IF IT MATTERS, IT'S HERE! YOUR EVENTS CAN BE HERE TOO. CALL 215 571 9241 OR 610 570 9143. 28
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Photo: Adejayan
ADVERTORIAL
IF IT MATTERS, IT'S HERE! YOUR EVENTS CAN BE HERE TOO. CALL 215 571 9241 OR 610 570 9143. USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com
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NEWS-AFRICA
COMING SOON:
Female President in Ghana Excerpt from a speech delivered by the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Jon Benjamin at TEDxAccra Women event on October 28, 2016.
Allow me to use my few minutes here - or to abuse my position as host if you prefer - to say a few words on the subject of women’s issues from our perspective, particularly in the context of current global, regional and national efforts to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.
I
mproving the lives of girls and women remains a key priority for the UK government and it is also a key focus of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. One of those goals – goal number 5 – commits all countries to, and I quote, Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Now I dare say that, relatively speaking, the vast majority of us here today are, frankly, somewhat privileged. We should therefore daily reflect on the lives of those who are less fortunate than we are. And, when we do, we realize that too many women
suffer from stigma, discrimination and poverty, including right here in Ghana, simply because they are women. Women in far too many parts of the global south experience rape, property theft, and abuse. Right here in Ghana, some women are stigmatized just for being widows, others are forced to marry while still legally children, or subjected to the horrific act of Female Genital Mutilation. And despite the fact that Ghana was - laudably only the second country in sub-Saharan Africa to put in place a Domestic Violence Act, violence against women and girls continues
I believe that there is simply no such thing as a ‘witch’. It is, rather, all too often just a negative label, a term of abuse, an offensive insult, and sometimes the hallmark of an ill-informed collective paranoia. The label ‘witch’ too often serves to dehumanize already vulnerable and marginalized women. COMING SOON continued on page 50 30
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COMMENTARY
Democracy in Jeopardy? By G. Lanre Babalola, Ph.D., D.O., FACOG | USA
My friend Munis, of profound fun memory to me, was the one who first floated the idea in to my consciousness. He had lived in the United States circa 1973-76, studying in New York City and promptly returning home after the conclusion of his education.
W
e used to gather around him in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria, over a few bottles of Star Larger, Guinness Stout or Emu Ogidi, as the case may be with friendly envy for talk about America. He was knowledgeable about the U.S. economy, culture, politics and society – particularly with regard to race and gender relations in America. He would, whenever we interjected to make intelligent counter-arguments, politely and innocuously, with an almost entertaining sarcasm, point out certainly that he had the best argument having lived in America and we had not. What experience did we have to say whatever it was we had just said? In one of those myriads of unforgettable sessions with him, Munis floated the idea that the United States was on the verge of collapse; that her institutions had begun to whither at the seams and would start disintegrating. He believed, by that time in the 1970s, that America, even though relatively young, had so quickly reached its peak that there was no further to go any more other than down. He would drive his point home with excellent real, current and anecdotal examples. Although I had not lived in the U.S., I had a decent knowledge of
the subject matter so, I was vociferous in my arguments against this idea – but my friend would not have any of it, and, with excellent argumentative skills complete with masterful gesticulations, he would attempt to be persuasive and again remind me that he had lived it and I had not. Now, having lived it for a couple of decades, I think I can see where Munis’ sentiment emanated from. Were he alive today, I know he would be telling me now, “I told you so,” especially if he were to witness the disintegration, in my own opinion, of the institutions that maintain the pillars of democracy in America. I
I fervently believe that an illiterate or uninformed, or illinformed electorate is a potent poison for democracy and possibly the death knell of the nations that practice it. Any keen observer of the American political practices in the last two or three decades could not but have noticed that this poison is dangerously being brewed and precariously threatening the very basis of the system.
Babalola
argue that the modern political arrangements of democracy require an educated populace to ensure and sustain its gains. In fact, I believe the “gamble” taken by the founders in the Constitution of the United States is an enlightened product of man – reference the Age of Reason (Thomas Paine), the influence and the imprimatur of Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, and such other men of letters and knowledge. I fervently believe that an illiterate, uninformed or ill-informed electorate is a potent poison for democracy and possibly the death knell of the nations that practice it. Any keen observer of American political practices in the last two or three decades could not but have noticed that this poison has dangerously being brewed and precariously threatens the very basis of the system. Here, I address the contributions of the governing electorate – my ingenious synonym for politicians – as I do not want to be deDEMOCRACY continued on page 49 USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com
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POLITICS
The TRUMP Card! Huge Blow to Immigrants
By Alex Baker | USA
SCARY DAYS AHEAD
Donald J. Trump stunned the world by pulling off a gigantic upset and defeating Hillary Clinton in what was the most unusual and divisive presidential race in modern American history. While Clinton would’ve made history as the first female president, Trump instead makes history as the first President-elect of the United States to have never have been a military general or previously held office.
T
he wealthy real-estate mogul and reality-TV star ran on a platform of divisiveness and separatism, and his victory comes as a huge potential blow to immigrant rights in the United States. Trump began his campaign by stereotyping Mexicans as “rapists” and “murderers,” and has pledged to, among other things, build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico to keep people out. Trump has also pledged to “restore integrity to our immigration system,” to send “criminal aliens” home while keeping out “immigrants and refugees who don’t go through rigorous vetting.” It’s a stark contrast to Clinton, whose progressive immigration policy would’ve extended the protections for DREAMers put in place by President Barack Obama and extended that protection to their parents and family members. A Trump presidency throws the future of the DREAMer Act into serious doubt, with
candidate Trump having pledged to rescind Obama’s executive order protecting undocumented migrants who arrived as children. But the former host of TV’s “The Apprentice” promised many things during his campaign, including bringing back the coal industry, appointing a special prosecutor to pursue charges against Clinton – and, of course, his famous wall. The question now is: Can he actually do any of these things? The answer in regard to the wall is, “yes.” He can actually do this. While it’s unclear how Trump could force
In addition to encouraging “self-deportation” for unauthorized immigrants currently living in the United States, Trump wants to make it harder for immigrants to enter the country legally. One way he would do this would be by making it harder for American companies to attain visas for immigrant workers. 32
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Trump began his campaign by stereotyping Mexicans as “rapists” and “murderers” and he pledged to among other things, build, a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico to keep people out. Trump has also pledged to “restore integrity to our immigration system,” to send “criminal aliens” home while keeping out “immigrants and refugees who don’t go through rigorous vetting.” Mexico to pay for the wall, building a wall along the edge of his own territory is within his power as president. But the U.S. border with Mexico is about 1,989 miles long and runs from California to Texas. While there are already fences in place along much of the border, building an actual wall offers significant logistical challenges, regardless of who pays for it. The topography of much of the border is extremely rugged, and huge tracts of the borderlands are privately owned, further complicating matters. Also, such a wall could cost tens of billions of dollars – and if Mexico won’t pay, even a Republican Congress may be reluctant to fork over that kind of money. Far more worrying than the wall is perhaps Trump’s claim that he will “create a new special deportation task [force].” Currently, there are around 11.3 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. Trump once promised to deport them all but later softened his stance, saying he would target around 6.5 million of them. While as a candidate he maintained that his deportation force would be “fo-
cused on identifying and quickly removing the most dangerous criminal and illegal immigrants,” setting up a kind of deportation Gestapo is a serious cause for concern. Deporting 6.5 million people would require law-enforcement tactics in line with that of a police state, never mind the costs, also likely to be in the billions, or the fact that it would reduce the U.S. labor force by around 6.4 percent. Deporting migrants caught making the crossing along the Mexican border
is already common practice. But most undocumented immigrants entered the United States legally and merely overstayed their visas. Many are awaiting political asylum cases that can take years to be heard. Trump is also likely to significantly reduce the number of refugees admitted to the United States. Traditionally, the United States has offered more resettlement spots for refugees than any other country. Trump has instead promised to introduce new screening tests, including tests on religion and ideology. The Trump campaign was largely short on actual policy. As an inexperienced politician, he’s a tremendous unknown on so many levels, but the area he was most explicit on was immigration. And none of it bodes well for actual immigrants in this country or those seeking to enter. In addition to encouraging “self-deportation” for unauthorized immigrants currently living in the United States, Trump wants to make it harder for immigrants to enter the country legally. One way he would do this would be by making it harder for American companies to attain visas for immigrant workers. He also wants to put in place an “extreme vetting” process for individual immigrants. Unauthorized immigrants who do leave the country through self-deportation or other means, meanwhile, would have to wait three to 10 years to apply to reenter legally or, more likely, be permanently barred. THE TRUMP CARD continued on page 50
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Photo: www.worldnewsbyday.com
POLITICS
USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com
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VOX POP
Why I Voted for Trump, Clinton By Kayode Akinwumi | USA
Garnipudi Kumar
helped this country a lot. I was not bothered by the email issue at all; it was all politics, and I was so happy that the FBI absolved her completely.
Victoria Owodunni
I voted for Trump because I believe in his business acumen. Being a businessman who grew his business from nothing to something very big, I believe he will also grow the American economy. This country has lost so much to recession and it’s about time for this country to come back alive economically. Trump is the only candidate who has the capability and contact to make America great again. I do not care about what he has done in his private capacity as Donald Trump; I care about what he can do for America with his brain and connections. He has what it takes to bring America back economically by bringing jobs back to us.
Akeem Raimi
Seyi Bankole I voted for Clinton because I believe America would benefit more from her as the president than Trump. She had concrete plans to deal with many areas where we presently have problems. For instance, she promised to address the school-loan and education issues which, to me, are very important. Also, the fact that she would have been the first female president in America endeared her to my heart because that would have sent a strong positive message to every female in this country that the glass ceiling is finally broken.
Lookmon Animashaun
I voted for Hillary Clinton because of her track records. If I may quote President Obama, nobody is more qualified than Hillary to lead this great country. Apart from her many accomplishments, she also had plans that I believe could have
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As a former first lady, senator and secretary of State, I believe she has the necessary experience to lead this country. Her track record has really prepared her for the job. In my opinion, her husband, Bill Clinton, was one of the best presidents America ever had and I had no doubt that she learned a lot during his tenure. Her experience in international politics and diplomacy would have helped America grow economically as all the great countries of the world would have rallied round and supported her.
I voted for Hillary Clinton because of her great experience and accomplishments.
I voted for Hillary Clinton just to go against Donald Trump. I couldn’t imagine Trump as president of United States of America, so I voted for Hillary hoping she would beat him silly.
Ignatius Makwaga I just couldn’t in good conscience vote for Trump or Clinton, and I didn’t care about the independent candidates, either. So I abstained. I know many immigrants like myself typically vote Democrat, but the Democratic Party lately has moved away from those core values that I and many other immigrants hold dear. Unfortunately, the Republican nominee, Trump, wasn’t a good example of decorum, moral or family values either. Though he won, I found his rhetoric repulsive and offensive.
FOLASOPHICAL
Falling Naira and Fearsome God of Gold
Dr. Ojo
By Dr. Fola Ojo | USA
In the last month or so, as Nigeria’s currency, Naira spins into a freefall against the U.S. dollar; many people have been bringing my attention to what is obvious. “Do you know dollar is now 400 Naira?” I have heard that time-and-time again in the last few days.
N
ow that the currency has flowed to 400 naira on the way to 500 according to Nigeria’s CBN; I observe some obvious anxiety in the voices of Nigerians who live in the United States and Europe. “I have to do it now because it will soon come down”; many have told me. People want to get things done and complete or begin projects “NOW”. Unfortunately in the U.S., I don’t know about Europe because I don’t live there, you cannot command the dollar to come “NOW”. You’ve got to work hard
and over a long period of time to get it; except if you won the lottery. And if you are God’s child, you will not play the lottery! Do not get unnecessarily edgy because of the rising dollar in your hand or that which you hope will come to you. Whatever God wants to get done for you will get done whether the Dollar is 500 or 5 Naira to a dollar. If the Naira cascades even higher against the dollar (God forbid); many people’s projects will still not be completed and many more business ideas
will not see the light of the day. Why am I sure of this statement? God’s words make it clear and concise: The poor shall always be among you” (Deuteronomy 15:11; Mark 14:7; Mathew 26:11; John 12:8). God does what He does whether there is plenty or scarcity. May God do it for you whatever it is you want done!
USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com
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FAITH-FULL
Do-Or-Die Attitude Does Not Win Life’s Race By Pastor Fola Ojo | USA
Last night the story came back to me as strong as if it was yesterday. About 40 years ago, I had written the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board examination which was the entrance test High School graduates seeking admission to Nigerian Universities had to take. I failed the exam big time!
I
was sad. I knew a few of my friends who passed and I believed that I was better academically than some of them. Obviously, I was wrong. In my ‘mourning’ hour, my mother said to me, “God has His own plans for you, Alani. Take it again next year, you will pass.” God’s own plans? I’ve always heard that statement anytime my Dad preached during our worship services at home or at the Methodist Church Ekotedo, Ibadan where we worshipped, but this was the first time my spirit heard and received it deeply.
The following year, I took the exam again but failed one more time! Mom again told me the same thing, but this time with a different swing; “God has His own plans for you, but Fola, you have to study hard.” She got me! I didn’t study hard. I hated studying hard! I was engrossed in playing pick-up soccer and ping-pong all over the neighborhood, running after young girls, and hopping from one-party to the other. I was young, restless and foolish. Many years after, God’s own plans unfolded and exploded all to His glory!
During the long admonition period, Mom also said that I should do things the right way; work hard at pursuing my goals and leave everything to God who has the final say over everything. She said I shouldn’t pursue life’s goals with rash desperation to get them, or with a ‘do-or-die’ attitude. I believed Mom then; and I still believe that doctrine of life today. I have not hesitated to say same to my children. If they don’t know what I mean now; it will become clearer to them as they grow up. You can do same with your children. I believe the quickest does not necessarily win the race; and the muscular may be emasculated easily in a brawl. Scriptures say that, “It is not of him that wills or runs, but it is of God that shows mercy” (Romans 9:16). I believe that a package that has your name on it will not be given to someone else when your time has come. I also believe that when God is about to smile at you and fulfill His promises over your life; even if you live in Azerbaijan, and you don’t know anybody, they will come get you and sit you on your God-given throne. DO-OR-DIE continued on page 49
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RCCG (Jesus House) 4332 N. Kedzie Avenue Chicago, IL 60618
Paulsboro, NJ 08066 856-224-4925
Berhane Wongel Ethiopian Church 6200 N. Artesian Avenue Chicago, IL 60659
NEW YORK CAC, Mt. Pleasant of USA 1132 East Tremont Avenue Bronx, NY 10460 718-239-3512
MARYLAND MFM 5506 Church Road Bowie, MD 20772
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Glorious Morning Star Cherubim and Seraphim Church 289 Saratoga Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11233 PENNSYLVANIA CAC of PA, Mt. of Redemption 5200 Paschall Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143 215-724-5711 CAC Philadelphia 5800-02 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143 215-921-6703
RCCG, Living Spring Center 5801 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19139 215-474-5800
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RCCG, Living Spring Intern’l Center 2123 N. 1st Avenue, Whitehall, PA 18052 610-264-3790
Dominion International Center 14030 Beechnut Street Houston, TX 77083 281-293-9997
RCCG, Living Spring Center 919 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19123 215-765-8170
WASHINGTON DC CAC (WOSEM) 4408 Georgia Avenue Washington DC 20011 202-723-2086
Rehoboth Harvest Ministries 931 Hamilton Street, 2nd Floor Allentown, PA 18101 United Ghanaian Community Church 7501 Oak Lane Road Cheltenham, PA 19012 215-635-4799 TEXAS RCCG, Household of Faith 5001 New York Avenue Arlington, TX 76018 817-461-8857/817-461-4310
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 See more listings at www.usafricajournal.com
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WEDDING BELLS
Happy Faces @
Photo: Klala Photography
Tope & Gbolahan’s Nuptials
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Photo: Klala Photography
WEDDING BELLS
WANT YOUR SPECIAL DAY FEATURED IN THIS COLUMN? CALL US AT 530-237-4222, 610-570-9143, OR 215-571-9241. USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com
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TRENDY THINGS
Did they just call us old skool ? By Florence Oluohu | Nigeria
The antics of children never cease to amaze adults. And, truth be told, it transcends every generation, though at different levels. While some children can upset adults mildly, others have their own unique way of becoming bones in the throat of their parents and other adults.
Oluohu
A
nd as bones, they can neither be swallowed nor spewed out. Yes, it is that bad! But I am told it can also be that good, as in the half full or half empty postulation. Children of these times are just in a class of their own! They do things their own way. A friend of mine would have me believe they are simply selfish. They take no thought to the needs of others. In their estimation, the world revolves only round their axis. Anything not connected to their welfare is as good as non-existent or unimportant. But whether we like it or not, the world seems to be in agreement with those we call children. They are achieving feats at ages that keep us wondering if we are actually not miscalculating. Before a mother has the chance of getting past the pangs of labor, the child is almost done with school, making his mark in areas that astound even the best of us. For us, parents who cannot comprehend the ways and antics of the present
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generation, they have a name for us. They call us; the old skool generation. Did you notice the spelling of what is supposed to be “school” as you and I were taught? Hmmm! Indeed, old things seem to be passing at a speed faster than light. When you are called old skool, your children have safely confined you to the “you don’t understand” box. Substitute the phrase for “archaic” and you’d be somewhere near where you have been classified and confined! Everything you do, including imparting discipline, is regarded as not worthy of their time. In fact, you are in a world of your own, one they seemingly cannot or do not want to comprehend. I proudly tell my children I am of the old skool generation as they have branded me. No apologies, no remorse. And in doing so, I get them wondering because things they consider beyond my ken are things I can do with ease. The internet, for instance, is supposed to be a mystery for the old skoolers, yet they meet their match in us, to their chagrin.
Now, while we accept the “skool” they have placed us without complaining, I am beginning to wonder what they are looking for in our class! Oh, haven’t you found out that they are making inroads into our “skool”? if you have not, please “shine your eyes,” as they would say. Let’s check out some of their infiltrations. As young girls, we experienced great pains in the quest to look beautiful. Our kinky African hair was almost impossible to manage. Combing it brought tears to many eyes. That led us to the ways of the stretching comb, “frying” our hair to become more oyinbo-like and to get a more manageable texture. Thereafter, we graduated to hair relaxers and true, they “relaxed” our hair enough to take out the nightmare of combing. That, I assure today’s children, is old skool! So, what are they thinking relocating to our skool? Why have they suddenly fallen in love with our ways, going back to the very roots we the old skoolers have discarded? Certainly, something must be good about the so-called old skool. Check out the feet of your children and you’ll begin to see an “akpola” rerun! Whether they call it platform, wedge or whatever, old skool struts the runways and rocks parties, offices and whatever function you can think of, courtesy of the same people who sneer at us and call us names. OLD SKOOL continued on page 49
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We’ll make you look good. GUARANTEED!
FASHION
Styles
For All Seasons! sons with the goal of maintaining your chic, elegant look can sometimes be daunting, especially for the fashion conscious among us, but thank goodness, some styles are versatile enough to swing multi-ways.
Regardless of what your local weather station is forecasting: cold, warm, windy, blustery or drizzly; you can still hit a high note with any of these styles. The question is, “do you have what it takes to rock them?�
Photos: AFWL
You can break loose from the clutches of the seasons. If you have it, flaunt it. Toned abs, smooth skin, graceful strides and a keen eye for the unique are all you need to strut your stuff. Going through the sea-
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Photos: AFWL
FASHION
USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com
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BEAUTY
Q & A for Women of Color: You are passionate about doing the best for your skin, but oftentimes, you get stumped; unsure what to do or what is best for your particular situation. When that happens, many of us tend to freak out or give up altogether. Well, sit back and relax. Our friends at Flori Roberts have answers to many of those questions that we as women of color grapple with in our quest for flawless skin. What is the most common issue black women experience when it comes to their skin? Flori: Hyper-pigmentation or uneven skin tone -- which is the darkening of the skin caused by overproduction of melanin. Currently there is no cure for hyper-pigmentation. But there are two ways to manage the condition: skincare designed to even skin tone (always with a sunscreen) and a great foundation. First - even your skin tone with an effective fade
cream. Flori Roberts Chromatone Fade Cream is a non-greasy, delightfully scented fade treatment that features orange oil to hydrate the skin and hydroquinone to even out skin tone and fade dark spots-fast. Also contains a sunscreen (SPF 15) to prevent discoloration from reoccurring from sun exposure. Follow with an effective foundation.
Can you really get rid of dark circles under your eyes? Flori: Like other skincare issues, dark circles, usually have a hereditary connection or are attributed to another underlying root problem. If they’re not hereditary, consider your lifestyle. Are you getting enough rest? Are you drinking enough water? If you want to reduce dark circles as much as possible, try using vitamin C and vitamin E.
TIP: Apply concealer to your under-eye circles before and after foundation to better camouflage them. Follow with powder to make the coverage last.
TIP: Instead of swiping on eye shadow, press the color into your eyelid with a brush or finger. This will give
your lids a more pigmented look. Apply highlighter right under your brow bone to lift the eye area.
How do I achieve a truly eye-catching look? Flori: Metallic eyeshadow hues work perfectly with dark skin. There is something so striking about deeper skin tones burnished by shadows with metallic
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effects. Apply a shimmery champagne color (Bliss) to the inner corner of your eyes to brighten your whole face and create an on trend look.
IMMIGRATION
León Rodríguez
rent and new fees. The new fees will also be listed on the “Our Fees” page on the agency’s website. The release explained that Form G-1055 will not reflect the new fees until the effective date. Applications and petitions postmarked or filed on or after Dec. 23 must include the new fees or USCIS will not be able to accept them. “This is our first fee increase since November 2010, and we sincerely appreciate
Temporary Protected Status: Extra Time for Guinea, Sierra Leone
S
ecretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson is extending TPS benefits for beneficiaries of TPS under the designations of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone for six months for the purpose of orderly transition before the designations terminate, effective May 21, 2017. After reviewing country conditions and consulting with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has determined that conditions in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone no longer support their designations for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The widespread transmission of Ebola virus in the three
Photo: DHS
U
.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a final rule published in the Federal Register adjusting the fees required for most immigration applications and petitions. The new fees will be effective Dec. 23. Fees will increase for the first time in six years, by a weighted average of 21 percent for most applications and petitions. According to a release from USCIS, the increase is necessary to recover the full cost of services provided by USCIS. These include the costs associated with fraud detection and national security, customer service and case processing, and providing services without charge to refugee and asylum applicants and to other customers eligible for fee waivers or exemptions. The final rule contains a table summarizing cur-
Photo: i.ytimg.com
USCIS Hikes Fees
Jeh Johnson
countries that led to the designations has ended. To provide for an orderly transition, current TPS beneficiaries will automatically retain their TPS and have the validity of their current Employment Authorization Documents extended through May 20, 2017. Beneficiaries do not need to pay a fee or file any application, TEMPORARY continued on page 49
USCIS continued on page 49
Deferred Enforced Departure Extended for Liberians in U.S.
P
resident Obama has announced an extension of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for certain Liberian nationals through March 31, 2018. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will automatically extend employment authorization documents (EADs) for Liberian nationals covered by this extension of DED. Current DED-based EADs that have an expiration date of Sept. 30, 2016, will now be valid through March 31, 2017. The sixmonth automatic extension of existing EADs will allow
eligible Liberian nationals to continue working while they file their applications for new EADs. The extension also gives USCIS time to process and issue new EADs. Certain individuals are not eligible for DED. These include: Liberians who did not have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) on Sept. 30, 2007, and are therefore not covered under current DED; certain criminals; people subject to the mandatory bars to TPS; and those whose removal is in the interest of the United States. USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com
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SPORTS
Can Riyad Mahrez Make It a Double? By Alex Baker | USA
After winning the Premier League title and becoming the first African to be crowned Professional Footballer Association (PFA) Player of the Year, Riyad Mahrez is currently plying his trade in the Champions League for Leicester City. It’s been a meteoric rise for the Algerian winger, who spent much of his career playing second division football in France and England but is now considered among the frontrunners for CAF African Player of the Year.
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Mahrez
Photo: www.bwin-news.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com
M
ahrez played a key role in firing Leicester to a historic first Premier League title. His 17 goals and 11 assists last season were instrumental to the Foxes’ title challenge. But as impressive on paper as his numbers are, they don’t quite tell the whole story of just what a good footballer Mahrez is. With respect to striker Jamie Vardy, Mahrez is perhaps the only truly worldclass player to have been part of Leicester’s title-winning season. His silky qualities on the pitch, passing vision and incisive, intelligent movement have not only earned him accolades from the English press, but also attracted the attention of top clubs far and wide with Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and even Barcelona having been linked with transfer bids for the 25-year-old over the summer. Mahrez began his professional career as a dimunitive but highly skilled youth player with ASA Sarcelles. He soon moved to Quimper in the French fourth division and made a big step up a couple of years later when he joined Le Havre. At the time, the 19-year-old spurned offers from a number of top French clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille because of the Ligue 2 outfit’s highly regarded youth system.
It was at Le Havre where Mahrez wound up on Leicester City’s radar. The Foxes, who at the time were playing in the second division of English football, were actually monitoring one of Mahrez’s teammates. But it was the flying Algerian midfielder who ended up catching their attention. Mahrez had never heard of Leicester City and at first thought they were a rugby club. However, he decided to seize the opportunity, which proved fortuitous as Leicester won the championship that season and was promoted to the Premier League. With four goals and three assists, Mahrez’s first season in the English top-flight was solid but unspectacular, although Leicester did manage to avoid relegation. But it would be the following season when Mahrez, and Leicester, would truly make their mark on English football. He kicked off the season by scoring two goals in the season opener, a 4-2 win against Sunderland, going on to win Premier League Player of the Month with four goals in his first four games. For the rest of the season, Mahrez remained at the heart of everything good going forward for Leicester as the Foxes’ unlikely Premier League fairytale played out in a manner worthy of a Hollywood film.
Photo: www.media.guim.co.uk
SPORTS
exploits with Leicester are well-known across the continent. The Premier League season is now in full swing, and there’s another round of African World Cup qualification yet to play before the end of the year. That means Mahrez still has the chance to
shore up his position at the top of the running for CAF Player of the Year at the end of a year in which no other African player even came close to matching the accomplishments of the Desert Foxes midfielder who won the Premier League title with the Foxes of English football.
Photo: www.pbs.twimg.com/media
Having only scored once in Leicester’s first seven games, Mahrez hasn’t come out of the gate quite as hot this season. But with Leicester also currently competing in the prestigious UEFA Champions League, he has had the chance to test himself against some of Europe’s best teams. Leicester is off to a good start in Europe’s premier club competition, having won its first two games against Club Brugge FC Porto. Mahrez has also started well, scoring twice against Brugge and assisting his Algerian teammate Islam Slimani’s goal against two-time winners of the competition, Porto. Mahrez has also lately been on duty with Algeria in World Cup qualifying and in the African Nations Cup, where he scored a spectacular free kick against Lesotho in September. But without any significant African competition to speak of this year (no African Cup of Nation or World Cup), Mahrez is also looking like a strong contender for African Player of the Year. Although Leicester is not the international brand that Manchester United or Chelsea are, the Premier League is closely followed throughout Africa, and Mahrez’s
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WE’RE READY continued from page 9
rica for music and film - the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) and the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) because they bring the world to the state; this is why Lagos is seeking to build a new convention center and turn Badagry into a destination for tourists; this is why we are building a Lagos Smart City in Ibeju Lekki and encouraging the completion of Eko Atlantic City; this is why we are keen about the Badagry Deep Sea Port and the Ibeju Lekki Airport as well as the Fourth Mainland Bridge. This is why we are investing in top-notch security to ensure Ciara can come and dance on the streets of Lagos and Jermaine Jackson can rock a jazz concert in Ikeja while Mark Zuckerberg can jog on Lagos MOVIE continued from page 12
Just Not Married Directed By Uduak-Obong
I
n this charming caper comedy, a bright but broke undergrad striving to escape the slums gets in over his head when his modest criminal enterprise goes a bit too far. Why do we love thieves in movies so much? Is it the vicarious thrill? The Robin Hood factor? Is it because they do bad things for good reasons? Just Not Married delivers all the fun of a classic crime comedy, but also hides a sharp-witted critique of urban poverty within the glossy sheath of its caper plot. Duke (Stan Nze), a promising undergraduate student, is broke. It’s a crippling problem, as he must provide for his critically ill mother and his ex-con brother. With the help of his best friend, Lati (Rotimi Salami), and his sassy crush, Keji (the film’s producer, Judith Audu), he hatches a ge-
going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning.
Eating heavy meals or too much of the wrong foods Overeating can cause a lack of energy and make you want to take a nap. Some tricks for not eating too much include using smaller plates and bowls when eating at home, and ordering a VOL. 3, ISSUE 2 | 2016
So, in the past one month or so, Lagos has had great outings in U.K. and Canada; is Lagos coming to America anytime soon? Lagos is already in America. [Recently], the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, was honored with the Best Performing Governor Award by the UK-based African Leadership Magazine on the sidelines of the United
Nations Assembly in New York. The governor was with President Muhammadu Buhari at a UN function in New York so the award was picked on his behalf by a delegation from the state cabinet. That honor was a pointer to the readiness of the state to bring its brand awareness campaign to the US. But we are aware that America is very big and there are different hubs that hold different promises unlike other countries where everything is concentrated in the capital city. I think America certainly holds a great promise for the Lagos brand awareness campaign towards the Lagos@50 celebration next year and a West and East coast brand awareness campaign/road show may be a possibility whenever it is activated.
the centre of identity. When imagination means freedom, art is the tool for achieving youthful empowerment.
SOME REASONS continued from page 16
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island without any security personnel and move with ease from Lagos Island to the Mainland to jaw-jaw with Nollywood celebrities and young entrepreneurs in the ICT Industry. Lagos will go to the world as a conscious global player but it will even do more in opening its large arms to welcome the world as the fifth largest economy in Africa.
nius plan to steal cars: after Lati breaks into a vehicle, they dress it up with ribbons and bows to resemble a honeymoon vehicle. But the success of their scheme sends Duke into a spiral of guilt, and he stops attending school even though he knows it’s his only means of escaping the slums. When their modest criminal enterprise goes a bit too far, the three friends realize that they’re in over their heads. Just Not Married captures its characters› youthful impulsiveness with lovely, shallowfocus cinematography, and the combination of criminal hijinks and honest moral inquiry proves irresistible. Make sure you stay for the final credit sequence, which is the best reminder you can have of the pure, exuberant joy of making a movie. This is what cinema is all about.
smaller portion or taking part of your food to-go when you are at a restaurant. Also, avoid foods that contain quickly absorbed sugars, such as candy and pastries, and stay away from foods with too many empty calories, such as fried foods. These foods give you a short energy surge and then leave you feeling more tired and sluggish.
tion--no more than one drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men. Consuming too much alcohol can leave you feeling fatigued and sluggish the next day. Drinking alcohol right before bedtime can sabotage sleep-- it can make you drowsy and help you fall asleep, but as it wears off it can disrupt sleep.
Drinking too much alcohol
If you try these tips and still are lacking energy, talk to your healthcare provider.
If you drink alcohol, do so in modera-
rogatory. In their quest, in some cases desperate (including their blind ideological posturing) to get elected, they continually either misinform, fail to inform or in fact, errantly mislead the populace. There is abundant observational evidence to support this assertion. A few examples will suffice. Unfortunately, I have no space to elaborate on these examples individually, but I will briefly highlight some. In this regard, consider the arguments surrounding the issue of gun ownership, where some simplistically equate gun ownership with Second Amendment rights. The abortion debate, the arguments regarding global warming, immigration, globalization of trade, the transition from the old factory-and-manufacturing economy to a postmodern state of technology economy, and health-care issues form templates for the governing elite to muddy the waters for the general population. The latter, to make matters worse, are largely illiterate regarding the structure and function of their government, and they could not care less about that dangerous deficiency.
I have a research study for you. Sample a heterogeneous population of your American friends and coworkers by asking them two questions: How many branches of government do we operate in the United States, and what are they called? If your friend or co-worker gets the answers right, ask him or her to tell you the functions of each component of this three-branch system. You will find maybe only 15 to 20 percent will get all the answers right. And “that is how democracy dies.” I attribute this quote to Justice David H. Souter, retired justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in a 2012 interview (which I just recently came across) on the Constitution. Find the interview on Google. It is a must to see and hear – incredibly educating. I cannot help but point to a story he mentioned in the interview – it was said that as the Constitution was being written, Benjamin Franklin was asked on the street of Philadelphia what sort of government is the Constitution going to give us and he famously answered, “a republic, if you can keep it.” Now I ask, can we? Well, I don’t have you to debate with anymore even if I was still back in Iwo, but hey, Munis: The conversation continues.
DO-OR-DIE continued from page 37
OLD SKOOL continued from page 40
Fulfillment of God’s promise has nothing to do with who you know; but who God nudges to know you. That’s one of the many reasons you don’t hustle for things. Stay always at peace in want and in satisfaction. Many things I have desired in life came to me by themselves so that God does not share His glory with man. David was in the bushes when they sought him to become king in Judah and over Israel. Mephibosheth was in a desolate land when he was sought out to come and sit with the King, wining and dining continually. Those who were close to power did not taste what Mephibosheth tasted. Only he who was far from power was called and honored. Friends, God has His own plans for all of us. Be still! What will come will come; and you will be shocked when it does.
From wearing their natural hair which, thankfully, modern hair maintenance products have made easier, to their dress sense and other ways of life, these children are surely copycats. Their only excuse will be that fashion is a revolving scheme, but if they so disdainfully refer to us as old skool, should they not run far away from anything that would tie them to who we were, and what we wore? To even give more credibility to our generation’s ways of life, check out the number of young people making outfits from ankara, kente, adire, george and other fabrics and you will come to the conclusion that “new skool” is old skool modified. So, the copy-copy generation should not look down on us at all. Rather, they should acknowledge the good in us and give us credit for who we are, what we made of what was at our disposal way back then, and give us the respect we deserve. And if you ask me, I’ll tell you that old skool rocks!
DEMOCRACY continued from page 31
USCIS continued from page 45
the valuable public input we received as we prepared this final rule,” said USCIS Director León Rodríguez. “We are mindful of the effect fee increases have on many of the customers we serve. That’s why we decided against raising fees as recommended after the fiscal year 2012 and 2014 fee reviews. However, as an agency dependent upon users’ fees to operate, these changes are now necessary to ensure we can continue to serve our customers effectively. We will also offer a reduced filing fee for certain naturalization applicants with limited means.” Here are the highlights of the new fees: A modest fee increase of $45, or 8 percent, from $595 to $640 for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. USCIS will offer a reduced filing fee of $320 for naturalization applicants with family incomes greater than 150 percent and not more than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For 2016, this means, for example, that a household of four with an income between $36,000 and $48,600 per year could pay the reduced fee. Those eligible may apply for this option using the new Form I-942, Request for Reduced Fee. The fee for Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, and N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322, will increase from $550 or 600 to $1,170. A new fee of $3,035 is required for Form I-924A, Annual Certification of Regional Center. TEMPORARY continued from page 45
including for work authorization, in order to retain their TPS benefits through May 20, 2017. Although TPS benefits will no longer be in effect starting May 21, 2017, TPS beneficiaries will continue to hold any other immigration status that they have maintained or acquired while registered for TPS. The Department of Homeland Security urges individuals who do not have another immigration status to use the time before the terminations become effective in May to prepare for and arrange their departure from the United States or to apply for other immigration benefits for which they may be eligible. USAfrica Journal | usafricajournal.com
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Trump largely staked his candidacy on a message of being anti-immigrant and suspicious of minority groups, as well as a desire to return America to a kind of bygone era when whites, mostly
COMING SOON continued from page 30
to be too widespread. Official figures say that almost one in five women in Ghana aged 15-49 have experienced sexual violence, while almost four in ten women in that same age range have experienced physical violence. In Ghana and elsewhere, some women are still labeled as ‘witches’ and are consequently isolated from society. I’d like to express a purely personal view, so as to be very clear on this point: I believe that there is simply no such thing as a ‘witch’. It is, rather, all too often just a negative label, a term of abuse, an offensive insult, and sometimes the hallmark of an ill-informed collective paranoia. The label ‘witch’ too often serves to dehumanize already vulnerable and marginalized women. And when you dehumanize a group of people, it makes discrimination, so-called revenge, even open violence, against them that much more likely, and more likely to be justified openly. That dehumanization is how and why some people still justify condemning marginalized women to lives in which their basic rights are demeaned with no legal process whatsoever. They effectively become prisoners to lifelong poverty which they have no hope of escaping, to a lack of education and to a lack of any opportunity that might help them aspire to a better life. What we believe is of course up to each of us. But I would say that, irrespective of what you or I or anyone else might believe, including if you do believe, as I decidedly do not, that ‘witches’ as they are sometimes known have supernatural powers, those people still have a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and not be subjected to degrading and inhuman treatment, stigmatized and locked away in camps which they have little or no hope of ever leaving. 50
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males it seems, were steering the direction of this country. The most alarming thing about his election is that despite his obvious lack of qualifications for the job, it is this particular message that seems to have resonated with the voters who propelled him to victory.
Even if he is unable to carry out any of his more far-flung plans, such as building a wall or deporting millions, it is perhaps the anti-immigrant, anti-foreign sentiment he has awakened that is the greatest cause for concern about Trump being elected.
We are after all in the 21st Century; it is the year 2016; to quote the title of this event again, it’s about time, in my view, to stop condemning such women extra-judicially and unsupported by any empirical evidence of real wrong-doing; and to start believing in and practicing equal human rights in word and deed for every member of society, including or perhaps particularly the most vulnerable members of society. More generally, in fact, it is about time to stop stigmatizing vulnerable people per se - men, women and children whether they be physically disabled, mentally ill, albinos and so on. Vulnerable people deserve our support and compassion, not our contempt. The bottom line is this: we simply cannot achieve sustainable, equitable and inclusive development anywhere, while further marginalizing people, including and particularly based on their gender. It is well established by now that the active and meaningful inclusion of all women and girls in all spheres of life -political, social and economic, remains critical to the development of a nation. Of course, one reason why in so many countries the sort of legislation, which – if implemented of course – could be truly effective in combating these scourges, in fact struggles to pass is that too many parliaments are too full of men. When I was a child in London, a female Prime Minister for the UK still seemed like a sheer impossibility, even though our Head of State was, and is, female of course. However, when I was 16, we had a female Prime Minister; she was still Prime Minister six years after that when I started work in the British Diplomatic Service; and now 30 years later, I’m working for our second female Prime Minister. And, right now, too, the heads, or First Ministers, of our three devolved governments – in Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland - are all women. And that all seems totally right and totally natural, exactly as it should. So, what price Ghana’s first female President in the not too distant future? Perhaps she’s sitting right here in the audience or is about to speak to us on stage? I don’t need the alleged prophetic powers of my dear friend, Obinim, to predict that, one day, that too shall come to pass right here. The UK is committed to addressing the root causes of gender inequality as a way of empowering girls and women now and for the future, enabling them to have voice, choice and control in their lives. Specifically, we are guided by four key pillars: that 1. all girls complete primary and secondary education; 2. universal sexual and reproductive health and rights for girls and women; 3. women and girls become more economically empowered; 4. all girls and women live free from violence. Our vision is to positively change society’s negative perception of girls and women and help to unlock their potential. We hope that, through our collective efforts, this vision will be realized. We hope all your efforts, those of TEDx Accra, and the results of today’s event all tend in that direction too. The underlying message here is simple: no society can ever fully develop, if half of that society suffers some degree of marginalization and exclusion. And women are half of society, in fact a little more, and have the most basic of human rights to equal treatment with men in every aspect of life. So, let us all strongly recommit here today to the aspiration towards a world free of discrimination against women and girls, and to making it a reality in our lifetimes. Source: UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
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