The Voicw magazine June edition 2020

Volume Volume 21.

21. NO. NO. 194.

184 May June 2019 2020

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The Voice magazine

THE VOICE MAGAZINE TEAM

The Voice magazine is editorially independent although we enjoys the support of our readers, subscribers, advertisers, non-­governmental organizations and in­ dividuals of like minds; however the magazine publishers are in no way af­filiated to any of these bodies or to any other ­ publishing institution or political interest or group.

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On the Editorial board are Pastor Amb. Elvis Iruh, Jonathan Mgbejume, Sandra Iruh-Monsels, and Henry Oduenyi READ THE VOICE ON LINE AT www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com Our Affiliate partner: www.thenigerianvoice.com Registration NO: (Kvk. Nr. 34.110.928) TAX (BTW) NO: NL806215809B01 ISSN: 1571-3466 (For Print edition) ISSN: 2588-8807 (For Digital edition)

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DETAILS IN THIS EDITION PLEASE. TV MANAGEMENT

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Volume 21 www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

NO 194

June 2020

Contents Get fast results by advertising with us.

Others are doing, join us today. Call us on +31684999548 or +31648519292 E-mail: info@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Page 6- Editorial: Covid-19: No time for celebration yet....

Pages 12-15 – Letters to the Editor.

Page 16 - Re-press statement and the many inconsistencies of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa Page 17 - Kagame appoints son as member of Rwanda’s Development Board Page 18-21- Face to Face with Ms. Lara Suleiman. She spoke on Agricultural opportunities in Nigeria Page 22 - The Covid-19 pandemic is not one to be forgotten soon!

Page 23 - Negatives turned into Positives with Eva Nakato Page 24- Isabel dos Santos says Angola faked evidence to freeze assets Page 25 - Justina Mutale enters World Book of Greatness Page 26 - Rwanda deploys robots in COVID-19 fight Page 27 - 26 years on the run: Fugitive Felicien Kabuga arrested in France Page 28 - Madagascar launches Africa’s first herbal remedy Cure from Covid-19 Page 29 - Netherlands Extends Entry Ban Until June 15 Pages 30 & 31- Kenyan oil tycoon Yagnesh Devani loses long and bizarre battle against £61m fraud extradition Pages 32 & 33 – The Netherlands steps to reopen the country after the Corona virus lockdown Pages 34 & 35 - African Union ready to test Madagascar’s Corona Virus remedy Pages 40 & 41 - Environmentalists Reject NOSDRA’s Report on Dead Fish Along Niger Delta Coastlines Pages 43- 45 – News around Africa - Former Lesotho first lady rearrested for killing of husband’s ex-wife Pages 46-49 – Malawi prepares for new elections and follows up stories Page 50 - Moeketsi Majoro sworn in as Lesotho’s New Prime Minister Page 52 - Chinese province is taking anti-discrimination measures Page 53 - Tanzania suspends laboratory head after President questions coronavirus tests Page 54 & 55 – Dealing with the Corona Virus and production of vaccine.

Pages 56 & 57 - Ouattara’s out, but whoever wins in Côte d’Ivoire, many won’t be happy.

Pages 60 & 61- Diary: Buhari’s phony gallantry- Tony Enahoro: A Noble Life of State Pardons Page 62 - President Bio must work quickly on unifying the people of Sierra Leone – says Dr. Yumkella Page 63 - Jobless and stranded in SA: Lesotho informal workers left in limbo during lockdown Page 66 & 67 - Ahmaud Arbery killing draws attention from family Pages 69 - 71 - Sports stories around the world

The Voice Magazine Volume 21. No 194 June 2020 Edition

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E DI TO RIAL

COVID 19: NO TIME FOR CELEBRATION YET.....

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e seem to be overcoming the first wave of the Corona Virus infections and deaths across the world and many countries globally within three months of the pandemic are relaxing the effort to control the spread of the virus. A decision, we are of the opinion is premature and could lead to a second phase of infections that may be more deadly than the first spread recorded since December 2019. The case may be different in some of the advanced countries even though they have been badly hit by the spread of the virus, they do have proper documentations of people infected, treated or under treatment and well laid out procedure for easing the lock down and return to work.

Many African countries cannot boost of this arrangement and preparation. All we have depend on in Africa is keeping hope alive that there would be no further spread and the virus would gradually disappear.

This theory we doubt very much rather we fear a second round of the spread of the virus and could hit Africa badly.

As lockdown eases elsewhere, people across Africa are taking it one day at a time as the pandemic continues to unfold across the continent. Most health workers are bracing for a latter peak despite assurance from the governments that things are under control. A Senegalese emergency nurse says, although there is a drop on infections but it does not signify that we are out of the woods yet. Some people are recovering but the numbers are few and many are not tested yet. My concern is that our health institutions are not adequately prepared for handling this virus, we need more education to let people understand how this virus operate and to be able to help them recover their health”, she added.

Nigeria is experiencing a surge in covid-19 related burials according to health officials. And yet the figures released by Federal government agency responsible for the Covid 19 is giving dotted figures that does not match what is been witnessed by the people.

Several human right activists have voiced out their concerns and the Pastor Elvis Iruh government continues to be in Editor-in-Chief denial of the spread of the virus.

Many states in Northern part of

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the country are witnessing mysterious deaths which cannot be explained. However, further south, the inhabitants are calling for lockdown ease while many are eager to return to work.

South Africa is also gradually scaling back its lockdown, with some small businesses re-opening.

While people in Madagascar hail its locally produced, covid organics, WHO rejects its efficacy until there is a scientific proof but some African countries has embraced it and using it for their Corona virus patients while there is not yet a vaccine even though there are rumours and claims that some vaccines from abroad are already in Nigeria and being administered on the people. The danger of unverified information and claims is harming the continent more than the virus itself, there is all sorts of theories going around and we would advise for everyone to guide their conscience and not allow unfounded fear to grip them.

African leaders owe it to their people to adequate inform them with accurate information on the spread of the virus and what the situation is in their individual countries, economy is important but only for a nation that stays healthy.

“We are advising the government of Madagascar to take this product through a clinical trial and we are prepared to collaborate with them’‘, said the World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti. ‘‘We have also invited them to join the WHO-coordinated solidarity trial, where other therapeutics are being tested out’‘, he added. With no known vaccine or cure for the virus, we would call for patience from the people and understanding from the governments to properly inform their populace; they should not be in a hurry to return to normalcy because it would not happen overnight. In 1918, it two over two years to bring back some global order, 100 years later, it may be more difficult now with all sort of information and theories around.

Continue to stay safe and share efforts and resources to help stop the spread of the virus and let us not ignore other health challenges facing Africa already- HIV, Measles, Malaria or Tuberculosis etc.

Heavy flooding, conflict, a crippled economy, impending desert locust swarms and the exponential spread of COVID-19 are threatening the safety and welfare of Somalia’s 2.6 million internally displaced people (IDPs).

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Happy New month to you our readers and our followers. We have a small favour to ask. More people, like you, are reading and supporting the Voice magazine since we stopped the hard print copy in 2016. We have continued to serve you the magazine in the same format with all production cost covered like editing, page designs, photography and digital distribution via online channels where we have to pay. The Voice magazine has been an independent organization, we do not receive any form of subsidy except the support of our readers and friends. We made the choice to keep our reporting open for all, regardless of where you live or what you can afford to pay. Our advertising drive continue to grow. You can support us through that medium as well, promote your businesses and services with us as your way of support.

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Living positive

Lucy

Facts about HIV and sexuality • Globally, new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women are substantially higher than among males of the same age • Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a global pandemic that affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime • Sexual education can prevent unplanned pregnancies • Sexual education teaches youth to take measures to prevent transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections

I am 1 in 3 1 in 3 women experience physical and sexual violence in their lifetime.

I am one in the three who experienced sexual violence at a very young age. It was from a teacher.

I never told anyone back then, I was only 8 years old and the next best person that I trusted enough to tell started doing the same. When we had a science class to learn about the vagina and the penis as reproductive organs, I was mostly scared of mine because it brought pain and heartache and it made people you trusted untrustworthy. I was not sure what both these men did but I knew it was not right, even without penetration.

The next time we had a class on STIs, I was scared stiff that I could be having all the STIs mentioned. I still had no one who felt safe enough to confide in, someone who would not use this against me or make me think I was the one at fault.

Finally I did find my voice and made it stop. However my supposed most trusted person never said sorry and sometimes I wonder if he even knows that he violated me? That he took my innocence and that the trauma of it still affects me to date?

If confronting him would help me give me peace? These are questions of a woman who turned out to advocate for rights of girls and women and who identifies as a feminist. Who is now raising a daughter and still gets panic attacks, my mind going crazy for not wanting to raise her in the same world as mine when growing up. Who still gets sexually harassed in the streets, in public transport vehicles and online.

My heart breaks into pieces every time I see people being against sex education in school. If we had this and our parents too, then

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maybe the statistics would change. The conversation would have started from home, being taught what private parts are and how no one should ever touch them without consent. And how and where to report it if it happened. For example a place to talk about it is at kindergarten, during parents meetings. This could also be reinforced so that parents who have not started the conversation could start. We would call the parts by their names and not ‘Dudu’ and ‘Nunu’, as if it is a foreign thing in your body.

We would teach our children on what violence looks like for it is rarely a stranger who defiles or rapes you. We would have cases on the same with very short turnaround time on ruling with dire consequences.

I believe it would all start with Comprehensive Sexual Education for children, parents and teachers. Children who later become the police, judges and teachers and the person seated next to you, related to you and who could be the one to violate you.

I can’t wait to live in a world free of sexual violence, a world where everyone feels safe and has sex by choice and when well informed.

Hiv Vereniging The Dutch Association of People Living with HIV (Hiv Vereniging) represents the interests of all people with HIV in the Netherlands, irrespective of background.

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

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

See www.hivvereniging.nl

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

What would you like to know? Our vision?

Which activities we organize? Or would you like to hear testimonies about how we follow God? One thing is certain, we would like to get to know you and therefore you are more than welcome to visit one of our services in this new year 2020. You can visit us every day of the week as there is a Resident Pastor available to your demand.

You may have been a believer for many years already.

Or you might still be searching for the meaning of life and asking yourself whether or not there is God. Within Victory Outreach Almere we would like to help you find the answer. We will gladly teach you through the help of the Holy Spirit the exact meaning of “a living faith�.

With us you will truly see

and experience the supernatural power of the living God. You can always count on love and comfort when you need it. You will discover that we have a wonderful diversity of people with lots of different backgrounds, characters and personalities. But there is one thing we have in common. We all follow the same God, Jesus Christ.

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

We personally hope to meet you during one of our services. God bless you as you come in Jesus Christ name. Amen Signed: Pastor Roel & Ida van Rooij Senior Pastors Victory Outreach Almere.

Barbeelstraat 12, 1317 PZ Almere The Netherlands.

Telephone: 036-8417007; Telephone: 036-7505571 E-mail: info@voalmere.nl Website: www.voalmere.nl

Join our online services during this period via ZOOM, FACEBOOK OR YOU TUBE Victory Outreach Almere

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Feedback

Are HIV/Aids persons more at risk with COVID-19?

Dear Editor, With all that is happening right now around the world particularly in Kenya, those of us living with HIV/Aids are exposed to more difficulties right now, some of the centers were we collect our medications are now being used as centers for testing and hosting Covid 19 patients. Are we at risk to go and collect our drugs at those centers?

By Zofia Nwangi, Kisumu, Kenya ANSWER Technically you could contract the novel coronavirus anywhere.

So take precautions when you go to a centre as much as possible.

Wash your hands often with soap and water. Cough and sneeze into your elbow. Use paper tissues to blow your nose and discard them after use. Do not shake hands. Stay 1.5 meters (2 arms lengths) away from other people. In this way you lower the chance of contracting the novel coronavirus. Please stay safe and well.

TV

Congratulations on your New Appointment After many happy and interesting years as a partner with Clifford Chance Amsterdam (where I started my legal career a bit more than 30 years ago), I am making a career change. On 1 May, I started a new chapter by joining CMSSouth Africa as a senior consultant financial markets (Africa). My role will be advising clients on their financing transactions and related activities involving SubSaharan Africa. I am very excited by this new opportunity and look forward to moving to South Africa in the near future! Our website can be found at www.cmsrm.com. #africa #africabusiness #southafrica #westafrica #structuredfinance Pieter van Welzen Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Congratulations to President of Madagascar.

Abeg President of Madagascar should continue the good work by distributing the tonic herbs to fellow African countries. Forget America and Europe politics. They are enemies of Africa. Bravo to Africa.

Prince Kelechi Nwokonko

Dear Editor, Please can you get some of your medical professional colleagues to clarify for your readers and myself on these two subjects that are creating confusion in our communities?

HIV/Aids are already with us and now we have COVID-19.

Are people living with HIV more at risk with the pandemic of COVID 19? Do they have to take special care of themselves?

We would appreciate some professional answers.

By Victoria Akinyi Nairobi, Kenya. ******* Answer: There has so far been no evidence that people with HIV are more receptive to the novel coronavirus. There has so far been no evidence that COVID-19 makes people with HIV with adequate resistance more ill than those without HIV. Therefore, it is important that you continue to take your HIV medication as prescribed, so that the virus remains suppressed.

Some people with HIV do not have a strong immune system.

They have few CD4-cells, for example, fewer than 200. Those people are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19.

It is known that people with HIV with lowered resistance are less resilient to outside infections. For these people, COVID-19 could have more severe effects. Also people with 12

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an untreated HIV infection are at increased risk. This does not mean that people with lowered resistance will get COVID-19 or will become severely ill as a result. But in general, the odds are greater. You can find more information here: https://www.

Feedback hivvereniging.nl/blog/medische-nieuws/13308-questions-onhiv-and-the-novel-coronavirus-covid-19.

HIV Vereniging is committed to equal treatment for people with HIV in any situation, at any time. They provide information, ensure exchange, represent your interests and offer support. Questions or concerns about HIV and health, growing old, stigma, medicines, love, sex? With them you are in the right place. They are the HIV Vereniging are experts living with HIV.

Why reject what you cannot produce?

YOUR LETTERS ARE WELCOME Write to the Editor - Email: info@thevoicenewsmagazine.com Kindly follow our policy on letter to the Editor for your letter to stand the chance of being published in our magazine. Your letter must include the writer’s name, address, email and contact number.

Also keep your letter short, concise and precise to the point. We are also allowed to edit where necessary. All details will be kept confidential. The views written in the Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the views of our magazine therefore we do not take any responsibility for the views stated by those who write to the Editor. The Voice magazine also reserves the right not to publish letters that we find offensive to others please.

Thank you for your usual cooperation.

TV Management.

I love the President of Madagascar.

Dear Editor, I really don’t care what the West say about the herbal medicine they have produced in Madagascar. President Andry Rajoelina has batted away criticism for promoting a homegrown “remedy” for COVID-19, charging that the West has a condescending attitude toward traditional African medicine. I totally agree is his argument.

We are behind you Madagascar. The only reason the reject the Covid 19 remedy is simply it is from Africa where their scentitists has failed us so far.

Jide A. Olaitan.

Rome, Italy

Dear Editor,

My appreciation to The Voice magazine

God has exalted me from local news to international. Amazing God. I had the opportunity to be featured in the May 2020 edition of The Voice Magazine. One of the most talked about and most recognized news magazine in the Royal Dutch kingdom of the Netherlands. I want to profoundly express my sincere gratitude to Pastor Ndubuisi Elvis Iruh for granting me an interview in your auspicious magazine, THE VOICE. Thank you for an excellent coverage of my good works. It is so clear and accurately scripted. What a privilege!! I am honored and humbly grateful.

God bless you sir and your team for every efforts. It was indeed one of the most relaxed interviews ever. More grace to THE VOICE...

By Chief Mrs. Patience Odeh-Gerrits

I don’t know why they keep giving publicity to issue of rejection when they should be focused on selling and exporting to other African countries with nearly a billion people first.

When the world sees what is happening in Africa, they will either come to Africa to beg for it or say “we told them.’

Mike Ikem Umealo

What is going on in Nigeria?

Dear Editor, The Nigerian opposition coalition CUPP is shocked at the facts which have emerged following the death of Mallam Abba Kyari that he died in a private medical facility where he was being treated and his remains immediately taken to Abuja for burial at the Gudu cemetery.

By these reveled facts, it has become obvious that the Buhari government recklessness, impunity and irresponsibility has jeopardized and compromised the fight against the dreaded virus and the situation might get out of hand.

Zwole, The Netherlands.

EDITOR’S NOTE. Thank you for the interview madam and we appreciate your cooperation and the good work you are doing. The Voice magazine is here to serve you and others. We look forward to future collaborations.

TV Management

FEEDBACK What is going on in this country? Where are the Chinese doctors in Nigeria?

The Chinese came into Nigeria, and were accepted and quarantined by FG. And Dr. Ehanire was giving Nigerians updates about them and their mission until yesterday when he admitted that the Chinese contingents aren’t’ FG guests but the guests of a Chinese company in Nigeria. That in addition; not all of them are doctors and their whereabouts are unknown right now.

Something sinister is on the offing here - Dr. Ehanire has mismanaged everything about this pandemic from day one. He should be sacked and relieved of his duties at once.

Nigeria deserve a proactive leadership in time of Corona Virus pandemic

Moreover, the inadvertent hazardous somersaults of Buhari’s inept government shouldn’t be blamed Buhari who is committing these heinous crimes bordering on negligence against the Nigerian people, but his supporters and followers. They should be blamed and reprimanded - without them Buhari’s government would not have happened...

By Joachim Okhai Lagos, Nigeria

In times like this, our leaders ought to be proactive, availing room for innovative contributions from Nigerians with ideas, products and programs that aid the fight against the Wuhan Virus (Covid-19) in Nigeria. They can also tap into innovative successes and progresses of our brothers and neighbors (Senegal and Madagascar), instead of expending Millions and Billions reaching out to China with poor guarantee for the products and services we seek to combat the Virus.

I think partnering with Madagascar and Senegal will be a big plus for The African Union and Nigeria in the fight against the Wuhan Virus on the continent, possibly exporting these innovations to the world. #AfricanUnited #Covid19 #Covid19Africa #Covid19Afrique #NCDCteam

By Chiedum Timothy Elumelu Delta State, Nigeria

President Buhari appoints New Chief of Staff It has emerged that former Interior Minister and Nigeria former United Nations Envoy, Ibrahim Gambari from Kwara State is the new Chief of Staff to President Buhari. He succeeds Abba Kyari who passed away on 17th April 2020. Both men have crossed path when Buhari was Head of State.

Congratulations to Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari

Thank you The Voice magazine!

Dear Editor, Pastor Elvis and the Voice of Award Committee, May I take this early opportunity to thank you most sincerely for honoring me with an Award last year. The Certificate of “Distinguished Career Award” meant so much to me, especially coming after my 44 years of my accomplished service as a Judge both at national and international level.

May I also thank you for honoring my daughter Connie Aluoch, a distinguished fashion stylist per excellence! My husband, Dr. Joseph Aluoch, and the entire family are very grateful to you for honoring Connie and me at the same function last year (2019).

You gave me the impetus and the spirit to continue working hard in my new role as a Mediator, and assist parties to resolve their disputes without resorting to the court process, so as to maintain their relationships. Kenya is such a beautiful country that I hope you will take some time to come back and enjoy the goodies that it offers.

Have a great time and stay safe during this period of pandemic.

By Lady Justice Aluoch.

Nairobi, Kenya

Some credit to President Quattara Dear Editor, All things considered, Ouattara’s presidency could be considered a successful one.

He was good on the economy, a mixed bag on political settlements and awful on norms & institutional development.

The least he could do on his way out is to ensure a fair vote.

By Chris O. Ògúnmọ́dẹdé

The Bill Gate theory of destruction of the world

Dear Editor, What I don’t understand is why a man would spend so much on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, fund vaccination of children against childhood diseases and fund research on

FEEDBACK Why are we good at doing bad things?

Dear Editor, It seems anything bad we do it better. Sierra Leone, which was far behind with zero cases and zero death, is catching up with 26 deaths, beating it neighbouring countries Liberia and Guinea. Surpassing Ivory Coast, The Gambia, Senegal and Ghana. Please calm down, Covid19 is not a competition.

It is self-preservation. So stay home as much as possible, keep a six-foot distance from others and wash hands often as you can. We don’t need another negative attention from the world.

Keep to rules and stay safe.

I don’t react on sentiments but on facts. I see our people are not abiding by the rules and measures to stop the spread of the virus.

Government can put rules in to place but the people should be prepared to follow the rules. And they are not doing that.

I guess patriots are people who put their country first and not their tribes, their interest or political parties.

By Babah Tarawally

AMAZING EDITION OF THE VOICE MAGAZINE Dear Editor Amazing quality. I have enjoyed the 5G article the most.

The best write-up. Well done Rev Victor Edgar Kampala, Uganda

malaria and other ailments only to kill people with Covid19 vaccine. It doesn’t make sense. It is easy to say don’t take the drug if you have not tested positive or have a relative who has.

I doubt if those in intensive care units of hospitals as a result of the virus infection can say no to any mixture that could bring them back from the brink of death.

Nkem Jacob Lagos, Nigeria Note: There is so much confusion right now around the world and no one is sure of the truth but we have to rely on the health authorities to give the direction we should go. This is not the first time vaccine is introduced and rejected by greater part of the population but at the end, the vaccines have helped in many countries around the world. We would suggest we exercise patience while all of these are sorted out.

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RE-PRESS STATEMENT AND THE MANY INCONSISTENCIES OF HON. ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA

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e promised Nigerians and the Diaspora not to engage Abike Dabiri-Erewa in her business of badmouthing nor go into the gutters, but to diligently expose her lies to the Diaspora, to Nigerians and to Mr. President.

In a recent Press statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun Head, Media and Public Relations Unit NIDCOM following a town hall meeting with Nigerians in the Americas, Para. 8 of the Press statement stated; “On the issue of NIDCOM board, she was optimistic that President Muhammadu Buhari will constitute appropriately, but denounced the fallacy in some circles that the two representatives of the Diaspora in six continents will come from ONLY ONE diaspora organisation” During the session of the town hall meeting, she however referred to NIDO as an umbrella body of all Diaspora organisations; while this is correct by virtue of the provision of the spirit of NIDCOM Act, therefore could not be a false belief at the same time as presented in the press statement.

Therefore, can Abike Dabiri-Erewa contrast her press statement in Para. 8 of the Press releases with the relevant provisions in page A 186 2017 No. 15.

The inclusion of two representatives of NIDO from the relevant continents as enshrined in the ACT, does not in any way exclude

Many lies of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa

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the inclusion of other Diaspora organizations and well-meaning Nigerians in the Diaspora. After all the Commission was made for Nigerians in the Diaspora and not for Nigerians in Nigeria and selected friends of Abike DabiriErewa.

The instrument is quite explicit on the workings of NIDO and other Nigerian organisations in the Diaspora; hence, Abike Dabiri-Erewa should desist from causing divisions within Diaspora organisation in other to favour her indiscretion.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa’s act is invariably dangerous as she propagates misleading information whilst using the position of her office to stroke the amber of discord among Diaspora Organizations for her selfish interest at a time when Nigerians in Diaspora are increasingly uniting to fight a common enemy (Covid-19) that is devastating our people and our Nation.

We however have confidence in the judgment of Mr. President and other top advisers on Diaspora matters to take the right steps.

By Kenneth Gbandi Chairman NIDO Europe

Time to open up many lies of Abike Dabiri-Erewa: For those who truly know Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, as much as I do, you won’t be shocked because her attitude is quite predictable. Known for throwing wild accusations and outright blackmail to deflect the real issue, about being comfortable as a one-man member Board and Chairman of NIDCOM Board, SSA to the President on Diaspora and Her Royal Majesty, self-declared ruler of the Diaspora all at the same time. For a public office holder, living on the taxes of hard working Nigerians and billions of remittances from the Diaspora, calling same Diaspora beggars for patriotic and audacious enough to bring projects to the country is very uncharitable. Abike Dabiri is now the New “Diaspora Di-marketer-in-Chief”.

By Kenneth Gbandi Continental Chairman NIDO Europe

KAGAME APPOINTS SON AS MEMBER OF RWANDA’S DEVELOPMENT BOARD

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resident Paul Kagame has appointed his first Son, Ivan Cyomoro Kagame (30), as a board member of the Rwanda Developed Board (RDB). His appointment was announced after a cabinet meeting convened on May 18, 2020.

This is the complete list of all RDB Board of Directors which includes; Itzhak Fisher (Chairman), Evelyn Kamagaju (Vice Chairman), Alice Nkulikiyinka (member), Diane Karusisi (member) Ivan Kagame (member), Eric Kacou (member), Solange Uwituze (member), Liban Soleman Abdi (member) and Faith Keza (member).

RDB was set up in 2008 to bring together all the government agencies responsible for the entire investor experience inside one-roof and advance investment opportunities in Rwanda.

This appointment is the very first time the son of the President will be engaged in the affairs of the country although he has been very close to his father seen as been groom for a future in the political life of the country.

Ivan Kagame, an ardent consumer of The Economist, describes himself as “Young, forward thinking entrepreneur”. Ivan Kagame posted on his LinkedIn page in defense of Rwanda’s Development agenda saying that like him, young African business leaders have a vision for propelling change on the continent. “We know that being a successful role model is an important part of this process. While now a private investor, during both my academic education and my professional education in private equity and financial services, I benefited immensely from exposure to thoughtful leaders and exceptional mentors,” he said in his post.

Further in this post that sheds light into his professional person, Ivan Kagame said that he strongly believes that anyone with the advantage of a great education and dedicated mentorship has a responsibility to share knowledge with his or her peers.

“As the old adage goes, to whom much is given, much is expected,” Ivan Kagame said four years ago as Rwanda was preparing to host the World Economic Forum. He is ready now to serve and as a new member of this elite RDB Board of Directors advocating for education and healthcare as rights, rather than privileges, for all people is a welcome development to inspire the youths of Rwanda.

“I recognize the essential role of economic development, fuelled by technology and renewable energy, in providing African governments with the resources and tools to ensure

a level and expanding playing field. Such an environment should reward innovative endeavour while providing the maximum opportunity for young entrepreneurs to follow in their role models groundbreaking footsteps,” he said.

For a young man who had maintained an exclusively private lifestyle and away from the prying lenses of media, his arrival in government is definitely going to be felt in various forms.

Political scientists consider the presence of Ivan Kagame at RDB as an essential asset in giving the institution a high-level face-lift.

Despite holding a cabinet seat, and business credentials obtained from running his private businesses, RDB has been added an extra enviable power status.

The presence of Ivan Kagame in government will have an effect on several centres of influence within the government both at home and abroad.

For many, with his proximity, the first son will be perceived as an express highway to the President.

For those that had been perceived to be brokers in the bureaucratic corridors of power, or the gatekeepers, will definitely scale down because of an inevitable option for Ivan Kagame; a natural, dependable and trustable link.

Ivan Kagame of recent times has not been active on the social media and all of that would probably change with his new appointment. He joined Twitter in 2010 but was last active in 2016. With this new appointment to the Board of Directors at RDB, there may be a renewed interest in the use of Twitter where he enjoys close to 40,000 followers.

With only 138 connections on Linkedin, he describes himself as a Private Investor in Private Equity and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business/Managerial Economics acquired from Pace University and an MBA from the University of Southern California, USA. A star is on the track now and his steps will be closely monitored.

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WE OPTIMIZE AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES AND SUPPORT FARMERS GROWTH IN NIGERIA SAYS MS. LARA SULEIMAN

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igeria is ready to welcome new investors in the Agriculture sector in Nigeria says Ms. Lara Suleiman. Despite the Corona virus pandemic, people are doing their best to move on with their lives and one person who is not lying down to just accepting and complaining of the changes is Ms. Lara Suleiman.

She is a young dynamic woman working so hard to promote agriculture and get more investors into this sector to improve agriculture in Nigeria. She is putting her company forward to partner with any international company who is genuinely interested in doing business in and with Nigeria. We picked interest in her story having read her effort to promote Agriculture in Oyo State in Nigeria. On this occasion, she was speaking on the essence of her company donation to the Oyo State government. She is the Chief Executive Officer of GESA Agricultural Portal and her goal is to initiative empowerment programs for youths and women who are tomato farmers.

She noted that, with the seeds, tomato yield would improve, thereby making it more rewarding for the farmers who face challenges in the areas of yield, apart from improving the quality of tomatoes available in the market.

Ms. Suleiman disclosed that her organisation was encouraged by the commitment of the present administration in Oyo State and show of political will to achieve food security, employment generation, and improve the economic fortunes of the State through agriculture.

She later spoke to The Voice magazine on this Face to Fact chat on her company and business. Let us enjoy our chat with her.

Excerpts: TV: Tell our readers about your line of business & company?

Ms. Suleiman: My name is Lara Suleiman. My company is called GESA AGRICULTURAL PORTAL. It is an agriculture focused company that helps new farmers and investors setup their businesses by helping them manage their farms. We are focused on fish farming, Livestock, poultry and crop production.

TV: When was this company established?

Ms. Suleiman: GESA AGRICULTURAL PORTAL was established in 2015 with our head office based in Nigeria.

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TV: What is your educational background?

Ms. Suleiman: I have a Bachelor’s degree in Software engineering and Agriculture Economics.

TV: Why is a woman like you self-interested in Agriculture?

Ms. Suleiman: Women have always played silent roles in agriculture and at a young age, I have been intrigued with crops and animal farming. My desire for this profession also came from a place of passion for peoples’ welfare and helping them develop their ideas and agriculture is undoubtedly the bed rock of the society.

TV: What motivated you to go into Agriculture?

Ms. Suleiman: My motivation is intrinsic. The value of agriculture cannot be over emphasized, from the role it plays in economic development, opportunities for entrepreneurs copied with technology in the sector being surprisingly great. There is a high demand for young geniuses to invent with an undeniable future growth trend.

TV: Your Company is involved in different aspects of agriculture.

Can you tell us more about your business activities?

Ms. Suleiman: In Nigeria, we focus on helping new farmers set up their farms from the ground up. We manage different aspect of production depending on the sector, all in a bid to keep agriculture sustainable across board.

TV: Are you engaged with the private or government sectors?

Ms. Suleiman: Yes, we are engaged with the Oyo State government, ministry of agriculture to be precise. We are working on repositioning agriculture through women and youths at home and abroad. I am working on a project presently with them.

work with us.

TV: Is Nigeria ready for business exchange with the Netherlands who are known to be very serious minded when it comes to doing business?

TV: What is your relationship like with these two sectors?

Ms. Suleiman: We started a project with Oyo state government supporting them with 2 million tomato seeds and other farm inputs to help with the vision of making farming a priority in the State. We developed a well thought-out life cycle of how the project will proceed. We are in the initial stage of research, which shall subsequently lead to education, empowering and then sustaining phase. Currently, Oyo State Government gets 2 million tomatoes seeds from partner firm.

Details on this link- https://thenMs. Suleiman: Absolutely! We are always counting on food business as a motivating factor. Investors taking on the advantages of the trend towards mechanisation while adding value after overcoming obvious challenges is always a welcome move. However, we are not naive about the risk involved but an opportunity for farmers across the globe to expand their businesses is worth the risk. We also acknowledge that it takes time to develop a lasting business relationship as well.

TV: We as a news media organization is based in The Netherlands, a country with great expertise in Agriculture, are there an area your company is interested in that could interest the Dutch? Have you tried to make contact with Dutch businesses or seek partners from there?

ationonlineng.net/oyo-govt-gets-2million-tomatoes-seedsfrom-partner-firm/ TV: Do you have partner(s) and if not why?

Ms. Suleiman: We don’t have other partners at the moment but we are reaching out to few potential partners at home and abroad who share the same passion and are ready to

Ms. Suleiman: We were planning on a summit this year (May 2020) AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENT SUMMIT in Oyo state, where several companies from all over the world, ready to do business or launch their products in Nigeria would be invited, The Netherlands is one of the countries targeted but due to the recent pandemic, there has been a halt on the summit and hopefully in the future.

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“We seek partners from the Diaspora as well” Continued from Page 19 TV: And if they are interested, what incentive’s or motivations do you have in place for them?

Ms. Suleiman: Investment strategies for one.

Attractive and competitive pay for the farmers, marketers, distributors alike. It’s important to mention processes and export opportunities for investors with a sound partnership system. It is also worthy to note the availability of human and material resources for

(NIPS) in Abuja “let me assure all foreign delegates that their investments are well secured in Nigeria and high return on investment is always guaranteed. It cannot get better this anywhere else, he said”. That is reassuring.

TV: What is your company view on genetic motivated food?

Ms. Suleiman: We are about food quality rather than food quantity but again genetic motivated foods comes with some advantages like helping to battle diseases in crops, for example, fungus in bananas.

Curbing avian flu in poultry, safer and healthy crops for higher turnovers. It’s also good to point out that gene editing is revolutionary and a game charger for the food industry.

TV: How does business interest contact you?

Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde interested in advancing Agriculture in his State. maximum return on investment in Nigeria.

TV: How has the Corona Virus affected your operations?

Ms. Suleiman: The impact has been felt across the board from logistic difficulties, farm produce perishing, supply chain affected, open market closure for sales of goods. Fear is another militating factor because less human resource due to social distancing among many other things affected by the outbreak of the global pandemic.

TV: Is Nigeria safe for such Dutch business interest to come and invest or seek partners for their products and services?

Ms. Suleiman: Yes, Nigeria is safe; we are here for partners and businesses. President Buhari assured this at the Nigeria international Petroleum Summit 20

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Ms. Suleiman: Our website is www.gesaportal.africa.

On social media handles- gesaportal on Instagram, twitter and Facebook. Our contact details are on our website. info@gesaportal.africa TV: Lastly what else would share with our readers interested in your line of business even people in the Diaspora who are Nigerians or Africans?

Ms. Suleiman: We are a reliable company with a proven track record, ready to help potential farm investors to manage their businesses. The time to start is now. Hunger lingers everywhere.

Thank you for your time.

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THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS NOT ONE TO BE FORGOTTEN SOON!

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he Covid-19 pandemic is not one to be forgotten in a long while with the introduction of lockdowns. All over the world everyone is in isolation to curb the pandemic.

The virus known as covid 19 brought the world to a standstill.

With everyone staying at home, there has been a 360 degree turn around from the usual statuesque. After about a month of complete isolation, little is still known of the Corona virus that has resulted in the death of over a million people round the world. According to scientists, it is a highly transmissible and pathogenic respiratory syndrome which emerged in Wuhan, China and has now spread round the world.

With the world suddenly grappling with this unexpected crisis, its huge impact on humanity cannot be over emphasized. However, one is left to wonder what lies ahead. Undoubtedly one can safely say that across every sphere the massive disruptions to life will change the usual order of doing things both in the material and digital world. Nevertheless, the effect on economics, business and commercial activities cannot be washed away. Also, affected are schools, public institutions and religious gatherings that have remained closed for over a month now? Consequently those with the required capacity now use different forms of online platforms and collaborations to advance their work. These disruptions across every sphere, have led to strategic developments of new forms of doing things to the benefit of those involved.

The positivity of the current situation cannot be overlooked because “In the absence of light, you find the brightest parts of you”. As such, all changes are positive, besides looking at the “bright side always, you find the pearl that lies beneath the sand and a sunny way is always ahead” The big picture is first asking vital questions, questions that will provide answers this critical period. John 6:28 “Then said they unto him, what shall we do that we might work the works of God. What is God asking of us now and beyond covid -19?

In answering these questions a man from Biblical times comes to light. His name is Jonah and his story captures how best to move forward and tackle this unprecedented situation. To recapitulate his story, he had an assignment from God which was to go to the city of Nineveh to warn of a divine wrath on the people.

Unfortunately, he declined and opted to go as far away as he could from God to avoid obeying the directive. According to the Bible story, he got aboard a ship going to his choice of destination Tarshish. On board the ship, there was a violent storm, long story short he was thrown overboard. At sea, he was swallowed by whale and was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

So, with covid 19, we are certainly quarantined to enable us find answers and most importantly find our way back to him. So with the lockdown, it’s time to objectively answer the valid question.

Then decide which direction to go post covid 19. This is therefore a good time to re-evaluate goals and aspirations.

Like Jonah in the belly of the large fish, we all have had more than three days to process our life journey and importantly decide who will be on the driver’s seat. Without doubt, it is a difficult time but definitely the right time to pray. The first thing Jonah did in quarantine was to pray. “Prayer is not for the strong it is for those who draw strength from God”. He went back to the source,

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God for forgiveness “The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.”

In isolation, Jonah had an epiphany, he suddenly realized his desire was wrong and his goal misplaced. He also recognized his vulnerability. In hindsight, his divine purpose was fulfilling God’s directive for that period. Presently, are we fulling God’s purpose for our lives? The answer is the key to moving forward successfully post covid 19. Whether it be a career, marriage, business or otherwise. Are we moving towards God’s directive or purpose for our lives? During this period of quarantine let’s first identify where we have erred. Then acknowledge whatever it may be, sign it off, look up and finally hold on to God. This threefold process allows one to imagine and experience the gift of moving forward gracefully towards Godly purpose.

A critical look at Jonah’s situation in the belly of the fish like our quarantined situation currently will enable us aligns our will with His and not only walk with him but work for Him. It can be achieved because we no longer grope in darkness but seek to pursue His will. Then “the difficulties you meet will resolve themselves as you advance. Proceed and light will dawn and shine with increasing clearness on your path” In any given set of circumstance “each one prays to God according to his own light”.

Mark 11:24 says “You can pray for anything and if you believe that you have received it, it will be yours”. Truth be told, “A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history”. The formula therefore is praying and seeking his face in these strange times.

No real success can be attained without having a relationship with God. As Jonah found the key, we have the key to overcome these trying times.

However, uncertain the times are, fear and worry will only push one away from the reality of the strength we have in Christ.

Nevertheless, bravely navigating the difficult terrain by first taking baby steps is crucial. As our heavenly father drew Jonah’s attention we must be drawn to listening to Him and accept what He is saying at this time. Remember, Jonah turned his fear into courage and to “truly overcome fear is to be free”. So, again like Jonah our journey must move us away from Tarshish towards Nineveh. “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less” This can only be if we gladly receive His will, study His word, believe it then finally act on it.

Jack ma said, just to be alive at the end of 2020 is profit. As such our gain, post covid 19 is certain in Jesus Christ.

So with our eyes now on Him, we can say “I have now seen the one who sees me”. Gen16:13. God will never give up on His children. So “your mission: make your journey to Nineveh a priority, become so focussed on “loving your life that you have no time to hate, regret, fear or dwell on the past”

By Kendi Aig-imoru

E-mail: aigimoru@gmail.com

COLUMN

NEGATIVES TURNED INTO POSITIVES Introducing to you one new columnist, Eva Nakato from Kampala, Uganda. She is an actress, Singer, HIV Advocate, Voice over and Commercial Model, Artist, Mentor and a Writer.

Kindly help us to welcome Eva to The Voice magazine global family and enjoy her Second column. She would also like to read from you if your enjoy her column....

By Eva Nakato

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e live in a world full of expectations. Consequently, most people tend to do what they do to please others- their family members, partners, friends, bosses at workplaces and children, to mention but a few.

Sometimes we even go an extra mile into doing things that appear to be ‘right’ in the eyes of others and living up to their expectations, to our own detriment!

This month, I would like to talk about the negatives and the positives of life. Before I dive deeper, let me briefly describe them. A negative is a reverse impression of something. A positive is desirable, admirable and beneficial or consisting in or characterised by the presence rather than the absence of a distinguished feature.

Growing up, we all had at least that one thing (behaviour/ character) that we hated about ourselves while we were young or rather, what others regarded as ‘inappropriate’ or ‘improper’ personality. Hence, we were bullied, insulted, hated and discriminated against for exhibiting such ‘weird’ attributes. Sitting over a hot cup of ‘chai’ (tea), Mr. Christopher Kaweesa narrates the one negative thing about him during his childhood: talkativeness! As a child, he was confronted so much for being talkative. ‘Olegesa nga endegeya’ an impolite Luganda phrase to mean: ‘you talk too much like a weaver bird’, was used to silence him as a child.

His wife, Mrs. Kaweesa also recalls being caned as a child for being too restless, always moving from one place to another.

Personally, and as a young girl, there are some things that I considered as the negative sides of my life; my skin complexion and my voice. I was considered too dark for any childhood opportunities. My confidence and self esteem were greatly damaged as a result. Surrounded by a lot of complaints from family, friends, classmates and workmates, we tend to hate that side of us and try as hard as we can to

destroy it. But, never did we think that that particular thing would one day turn our lives around!

“My parents attempted to stifle my talkativeness. However, I am what I am right now because of that unique attribute” says Mr. Kaweesa. Mr. Kaweesa’s ‘talkativenes’ gradually culminated into exceptional public speaking abilities. He is currently a consultant for prominent international bodies like World Bank, amongst others. Before that, he served in distinguished positions such as the spokesperson as well as a public tax educator with Uganda Revenue Authority. His wife on the other hand, is formerly a lecturer at Kyambogo University, one of the premier universities in Uganda. She’s currently a restless and hardworking woman running different businesses at the same time. And guess what? She’s still brainstorming more business ideas, thanks to her admirable multitasking gift that was once considered ‘improper’!

A few years down the road and after campus, I met some very special friends who encouraged me to never trade my complexion for anything else; that I was beautiful just the way I was. I held onto those words to this day. My complexion became a positive area of my life when I started receiving opportunities not based on how dark skinned I was.

Later, I was also inspired by Lupita Nyo’ngo, a multi-award winning actress and a very influential public figure. Her success story and how she overcame the awkardness with regards to her skin complexion and how she has empowered many black girls around the globe moved me a lot. Thank you Lupita! My voice was also one of the things I disliked about myself. Whenever I would speak especially on phone or early in the morning, my voice would get deeper and some people would wonder whether it was a boy speaking.

Consequently, I started shunning group conversation with friends for fear of being bullied because of my ‘male-like’ voice.

With time, my voice was recognised as unique and highly bankable! I immediately started getting booked for commercial voiceovers, radio commercials, several music projects both as lead and backup singer as well as a song composer. My advocacy and social work has been partly successful because of my unique voice, where I have been hosted on several international and local platforms. Lastly, my aspirations of becoming a renowned journalist, TV and Radio presenter is entirely because of my perceived ‘deep’ voice!

To everyone reading this, you have the capacity of turning the negatives’ side of your life into positives’. Let us not stifle other people’s particular negatives, for in these lies a natural gift. Let us be there for them in their life choices, only helping them to discern between right and wrong.

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ISABEL DOS SANTOS SAYS ANGOLA FAKED EVIDENCE TO FREEZE ASSETS

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sabel dos Santos, the billionaire daughter of Angola’s expresident Jose Eduardo dos Santos, last month accused the government of resorting to forgery to freeze her assets last year. The 47-year-old tycoon and her Congolese husband Sindika Dokolo are accused of syphoning off more than one billion dollars from Angolan state companies.

A court in the Southern African nation in December froze their bank accounts as part of a massive corruption probe.

Dos Santos claimed in a statement that a copy of a fake passport bearing the signature of late martial arts film star Bruce Lee was part of the evidence submitted to the court.

She cited among other alleged irregularities on the passport that her birth date was wrong and her name was incomplete.

“But the most ridiculous aspect is the signature of the issuing

authority: this is a reproduction of the signature of Bruce Lee, the legendary Kung Fu actor who died in the 1970s,” said a statement released through her public relations agent.

Dos Santos said her lawyers unearthed the falsified evidence, which included scam emails, after they were given access to the court documents last month. “Looking at the forged evidence it is now clear that the Angolan state through the intelligence services, prosecution, civil court, and Supreme Court has colluded and contrived a case to obtain an unfair 24

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and illegal decision against me,” she said.

“False documents and false statements have been deliberately brought before the court.” Alvaro Joao, spokesman for Angola’s public prosecutor, dismissed the accusations as a “comedy”.

“The passport is not a sufficient document for a magistrate to order (a halt to) banking operations,” Joao told the press, adding that the prosecutor would soon issue a response to the claims.

Dos Santos was charged in January in Angola with a long list of crimes, including mismanagement, embezzlement of funds, and money laundering during her stewardship of the oil giant Sonangol.

She was forced out of the job at Sonangol just months after her father stepped down in 2017 and was replaced by his handpicked successor, Joao Lourenco.

Dos Santos built up a vast business empire over the past two decades, with stakes in several Angolan and Portuguese companies.

Her fortune is valued at $2.1 billion (1.9 billion euros) by Forbes Magazine, which named her Africa’s richest woman in 2013.

A consortium of investigative journalists, after analysing a trove of hundreds of thousands of leaked documents, has also accused dos Santos of looting state coffers during her father’s nearly four-decade rule.

Dos Santos has denied any wrongdoing and says she is a victim of a witch-hunt.

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JUSTINA MUTALE ENTERS WORLD BOOK OF GREATNESS

ustina Mutale, who is the Founder & President of the Justina Mutale Foundation has entered the historic World Book of Greatness. Ms Mutale, who was recently honoured as the Most Admired Global African Woman at a ceremony held in Hollywood, was inducted into the World Book of Greatness at a ceremony hosted by Greatness University in London in the late part of January 2020.

“I am absolutely honoured to be included in this historic book that features such distinguished achievers from different parts of the world,” says Justina Mutale The World Book of Greatness features extensive research and documents of the seekers, finders, visionaries, leading lights, creators, icons and legends of greatness in the world. It chronicles the lives, careers and achievements of modern-day world leaders and influencers of our times, who are changing the game, changing the rules and changing the future by challenging what the world has known for ages about leadership, individuals who are challenging the stereotypes, challenging the norms and creating their own reality, which resonates with the needs of people around them.

This is a new breed of leaders and influencers, who lead by maximizing resources around them to create powerful ripple effects that are changing lives around the world, using the power of their gifting, vision and creativity.

“We look for individuals who are doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways. We recognize their unparalleled contribution to humanity and appreciate their tireless service for being leading lights,” says Professor Patrick Businge, Founder of Greatness University.

Over the years, Ms Mutale has been globally acclaimed as one of the most influential and inspirational women of African origin. In 2012, she was awarded the prestigious title of ‘African Woman of the Year’. She is named in the 100 Most Reputable People on Earth and 100 Most Reputable Africans in the World. Ms Mutale is also listed in the Powerlist of the 100 Most Influential African Women; 100 Most Influential Black People in the United Kingdom; and the BLACK 100+ Hall of Fame, an Exhibition and Legacy of the top 100 Black Achievers in modern Britain, as well as the 100 UK Diaspora ChangeMakers, among several others.

Through her Foundation, Ms Mutale advocates for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, including political participation and economic empowerment of women by providing entrepreneurship and leadership training and mentorship. She also advocates for the retention and

completion of tertiary education for young women and girls, as well as boys from rural and disadvantaged families in Africa by providing them with university scholarships to access higher education around the world.

In addition, Ms Mutale is Founder of POSITIVE RUNWAY, a worldwide HIV/ AIDS response campaign that works with young people around the world to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and contribute to global effort to help secure an AIDS-free World and AIDS-free generation.

Ms Mutale serves as President, Patron, Chairperson, Ambassador, Founding Partner, Board Member, Trustee, Director, Consultant and Mentor to several organizations in the UK and overseas. Among these Ms Mutale sits on the Advisory Board of the World Leaders Forum based in Dubai, and she serves as Global Envoy for Gender Equality & Spokesperson of the International Women’s Think Tank, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States of America. She is also a Mentor and Consultant to the Young Africa Leaders Forum, and Board Member of the World Cinema Academy based in Hollywood, Los Angeles and the World Peace and Diplomacy Organization, headquartered in India.

A globally acclaimed and highly sought-after International Keynote Speaker, Ms Mutale is a regular Keynote Speaker at various Economic Forums around the world and other high-level conferences and meetings that address Political, Economic, Social, Gender and African Issues. She is a civil society delegate, Speaker and Side Event Convernor at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, as well as the African Union High-Level Panel on Gender Equality; the Commonwealth Women’s Forum; and the European Economic Congress.

A recipient of numerous international Awards, Honours and Accolades, Ms Mutale boats eight (8) different Doctorate Degrees (Honoris Cause) and she is featured in numerous Halls of Fame, WHOs WHO Lists, Powerlists and Influential Lists across the globe.

For more information contact: Email: info@greatness-universty.com

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RWANDA DEPLOYS ROBOTS IN COVID-19 FIGHT

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he Government has launched the use of robots in the fight against COVID-19, in a move aimed at reducing contact between medics and patients. The move is expected to limit the risk of healthcare workers from contracting the virus.

It was launched on May 19th 2020 at the Kanyinya COVID-19 Treatment Centre by the Ministry of Health with support from the United Nations Development Programme, the five hightech robots can perform a number of tasks related to COVID-19 management, including mass temperature screening, delivering food and medication to patients, capturing data, detecting people who are not wearing masks, among others.

The robots are made by Zora Bots, a Belgian company specialised in robotics solutions, they are designed with various advanced features to support doctors and nurses at designated treatment centres, and can also be leveraged into screening sites in the country.

According to information from the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the robots have the capacity to screen between 50 to

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150 people per minute, capture both video and audio data, and notify officers on duty about detected abnormalities for timely response and case management.

Speaking to media, Dr. Daniel Ngamije the Minister of Health said that the idea of using the robots is aimed at reducing exposure of health workers to possible Covid-19 infection, “Medics and other front-liners visit patients’ room many times to deliver medication, meals, carry out tests, among other things and this may pose a risk of contracting the virus,” he said.

“These robots will fasten service delivery while protecting our valuable health workers against COVID-19 exposure.”

There haven’t been cases of medics that have caught the virus according to Dr. Ngamije. However, he said there is a cleaner at a COVID-19 treatment facility in the country that tested positive for the virus. According to the Minister, each of the robot costs

about $3,300.

Concerning their use, Dr. Ngamije said that robotics engineers will be training the Ministry of Health staff concerning the use of the robots for about one month, after which it is expected that the ministry’s officials will be able to operate them.

Paula Ingabire the Minister of ICT and Innovation said that COVID-19 has accelerated the need for digital solutions across various industries, especially in the health sector.

“There are various innovative solutions being applied to combat COVID-19, and the robots delivered today in these treatment centres, will be deployed to support our frontline health workers in treating and containing the pandemic by taking on routine tasks.”

According to Dr. Ngamije, more robots are expected to be brought in the country to assist in the COVID-19 fight.

By Hudson Kuteesa

26 YEARS ON THE RUN: FUGITVE FELICIEN KABUGA ARRESTED IN FRANCE Last month, on 16th May 2020, Félicien Kabuga – one of the world’s most wanted fugitives who is alleged to have been a leading figure in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda was arrested in Paris by French authorities as the result of a joint investigation with the IRMCT Office of the Prosecutor.

In reaction to his arrest, Mechanism Chief Prosecutor Serge

Luxembourg, Switzerland, the United States, EUROPOL and INTERPOL. This arrest demonstrates the impressive results that can be achieved through international law enforcement and judicial cooperation.

Earlier this year my Office visited the Ntarama genocide memorial in Rwanda to honor the memory of the victims and renew our commitment to justice. Today’s arrest underlines the strength of our determination.

Kabuga was indicted by the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 1997 on seven counts of genocide, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, attempt to commit genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, persecution and extermination, all in relation to crimes committed during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Following completion of appropriate procedures under French law, Kabuga is expected to the transferred to the custody of the Mechanism, where he will stand trial.

French police arrested Kabuga in a sophisticated, coordinated operation with simultaneous searches across a number of locations.

Brammertz stated: The arrest of Félicien Kabuga is a reminder that those responsible for genocide can be brought to account, even twenty-six years after their crimes.

Our first thoughts must be with the victims and survivors of the Rwandan genocide. Advocating on their behalf is an immense professional honor for my entire Office. For international justice, Kabuga’s arrest demonstrates that we can succeed when we have the international community’s support. This result is a tribute to the unwavering commitment of the United Nations Security Council, which established the Mechanism to continue the accountability process in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.

I would like to extend our appreciation to France and its law enforcement authorities, particularly the Central Office for Combating Crimes Against Humanity, Genocide and War Crimes and the Office of the Procureur Général of the Paris Cour d’Appel. This arrest could not have been made without their exceptional cooperation and skill.

It is important to also recognize the many other partners whose contributions were essential, including law enforcement agencies and prosecution services from Rwanda, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria,

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MADAGASCAR LAUNCHESAFRICA’S FIRST HERBAL REMEDY CURE FROM COVID-19

COVID-19 PANDEMIC:

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he President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina officially launched a local herbal remedy believed can prevent and cure patients suffering from COVID-19. Congolese Doctor, Dr. Jerome Munyagi in partnership with the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research and branded COVID Organics, has developed the herbal remedy. President Andry Rajaolina presented the remedy to the press on last month (April 2020).

COVID Organics contains Artemisia, a plant cultivated on the Big Island to fight against malaria. In other parts of Africa, Artemisia is cultivated in Cameroon, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia – all in high-altitude regions and/or regions with a pronounced cool period.

“All trials and tests have been conducted and its effectiveness in reducing the elimination of symptoms has been proven for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 in Madagascar,” the President said.

The herbal remedy, COVID-organics is mandatory for children returning to school. President Rajaolina said that it had cured two COVID-19 cases.

“The Covid-Organics will be distributed free of charge to our most vulnerable compatriots and sold at very low prices to others. All profits will be donated to IMRA to finance scientific research,” the President wrote on Twitter.

Ex-Ivory Coast leader Gbagbo wants unconditional release

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he ICC, the world’s first permanent war crimes court, acquitted Gbagbo on crimes against humanity charges in January last year, saying prosecutors had failed to prove any case against him.

Now his lawyers for Ivory Coast’s former President Laurent Gbagbo argued that he should be released without conditions while awaiting the prosecution’s appeal against his acquittal at the International Criminal Court.

The ICC, the world’s first permanent war crimes court, acquitted Gbagbo on crimes against humanity charges in January last year, saying prosecutors had failed to prove any case against him.

He was then conditionally released from detention after more than seven years in custody while prosecutors appealed against his acquittal. He was not allowed to return to Ivory Coast and has to stay in Belgium, whose government has agreed to send him back to the ICC if needed.

“The defence is of the view that in principle no restriction should be placed on a person who has been acquitted,” Gbagbo’s lawyer

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“I’m convinced that, in fact history will prove us, but today there are already two cases that have been cured with the Covidorganics, but we’ll actually see what happens next.”

“Covid Organics will be used in profilaxis, i.e. preventive, but clinical observations have shown a trend towards its effectiveness in curative, other clinical studies are currently underway,” he stressed at the launch.

As of May 1st, Madagascar’s case stats stood at 128 cases of which 92 had recovered with one death.

Dov Jacobs told the court.

The defence has indicated that Gbagbo would like to return to Ivory Coast and possibly participate in some form in October’s presidential election. Gbagbo has not said whether he intends to run again for the presidency.

Ivory Coast’s government has submitted arguments to the ICC saying Gbagbo’s possible return to the country could cause unrest.

In October last year the ICC prosecutor asked the appeals judges to reverse the acquittal and to declare a mistrial, resetting Gbagbo’s legal process.

Prosecution lawyer Reinhold Gallmetzer told judges that if a mistrial were granted, the prosecution would seek a new trial for Gbagbo and his co-accused, Charles Ble Goude.

He said the prosecution wants the restrictions on Gbagbo to stay in place because of the flight risk he continues to pose. In fact, Gallmetzer said the risk may have increased since last year as Gbagbo and Ble Goude have both been convicted in the interim to lengthy prison sentences in Ivory Coast.

“If they were released unconditionally (the convictions) could be an incentive for them to go to a country other than Ivory Coast where they would not be extradited to Ivory Coast or the ICC,” he warned.

THE NETHERLANDS EXTEND ENTRY BAN UNTIL JUNE 15TH

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etherland’s government has decided to prolong the entry ban for non-EU citizens, the United Kingdom and the Schengen area until June 15 due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) developments, the Ministry of Justice and Security announced.

All citizens who do not follow the country’s new decision will be ineligible to enter in the Netherlands, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. Nationals of the EU, the UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, as well as their family members, are allowed to enter the country after a screen test on arrival to the country.

Long-term residents, persons who obtain a long-stay visa, as well as persons with an MVV are also allowed to enter the country as far as they have clean bill of health after testing.

All persons travelling via the Netherlands to a third country, as well as individuals who have an urgent reason to visit relatives are exempted from the imposed entry ban.

“An exceptional case is visiting a terminally ill family member and attending a funeral,” the ministry announced.

The Netherlands followed the example of a large share of countries who decided to close internal borders for all internationals, as a response to the COVID-19 caused the situation.

On March 19, the Netherlands banned the entry for every non-EU

TWO CHARGED FOR THE MURDER OF AHMAUD ARBERY

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wo white Americans, a father and a son have been arrested in Georgia over the ambushing and killing of African American jogger, Ahmaud Arbery. Father and son Gregory McMichael and Travis McMichael, who said they suspected Ahmaud Arbery was a burglar, were charged with murder and aggravated assault, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.

“The McMichaels were taken into custody and will be booked into the Glynn County Jail,” the statement added. The killing of Arbery, 25, who was out exercising on a sunny day in February near his home in Brunswick, Georgia, sparked outrage across the U.S. after video

traveller, as part of measures to halt the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Due to the travel ban imposed by the Netherlands government, some travellers remained confused whether they can enter or leave the Netherlands or what additional documentation shall they possess to be allowed to cross the borders.

Anyway, the government had taken care to provide travellers with the necessary information regarding the travel ban and how it affects them.

“The Dutch government has decided to tighten the entry conditions for persons wishing to travel to the Netherlands from third countries from Thursday, March 19, 2020, at 18.00 hours,” the explanation reads.

It also clarified those internationals with tourist visas for the Netherlands who attempt to enter the Netherlands would be refused entry based on Article 6 of the Schengen Code paragraph 1(e).

footage of the incident was anonymously leaked and widely shared online.

The video appears to show Arbery jogging down a street when he comes across the McMichaels, who are both white, brandishing guns and blocking the road with their truck.

Arbery swerves to the right of the truck and then an immediate altercation begins, which seems to be between him and Travis McMichael for control of McMichael’s shotgun. During the altercation Arbery is shot multiple times and killed.

For many in the U.S., the fatal incident involving the death of an unarmed black man recalls the case of Trayvon Martin in 2012.

A local man in Florida while returning home from a convenience store killed Martin, a 17-year-old African-American. His death sparked the Black Lives Matter movement, which campaigns against racism and violence toward black people and in favour of criminal justice reform in the U.S.

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KENYAN OIL TYCOON YAGNESH DEVANI LOSES LONG AND BIZARRE BATTLE AGAINST £61M FRAUD EXTRADITION

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agnesh Devani is wanted by Kenya government over an oil scandal that threatened fuel supplies to East Africa’s biggest economy and led to high-level sackings.

The fraud is running to £61million and Mr. Devani has been running away from the law and he has tried to use the case of “miracle babies” scandal Pastor Gilbert Deya to halt his extradition from the United Kingdom.

Finally, his decade long fight to stop his extradition has been lost through the court in London and he could be returned to Kenya any time soon to face trial.

He faces 19 charges of fraud in Kenya, one alleges Devani and his firm Triton Petroleum disposed of millions of litres of fuel mortgaged to Emirates National Oil Corporation (Singapore) without its permission. In a last ditch attempt to halt the proceedings Devani claimed that the Kenyan authorities could not be trusted to place him in a suitable prison and cited the case of alleged child trafficker Deya who was extradited to Kenya in 2017.

Deya, a self-proclaimed Archbishop, had set up a ministry

in London and claimed to be able to give “miracle babies” to infertile women through prayer. But in reality, once the women were taken to Kenya they were convinced they were in Labour then given babies taken from local women.

He was extradited on the grounds that he would be kept in 30

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a self-contained cell, but six days after he left he claimed in a newspaper interview he was being kept in a “filthy dungeon” with 11 other offenders and was being eaten by flies.

Devani attempted to use this in London’s high court in a bid to show his human rights would be breached if he was returned to Kenya.

Despite a judge at an earlier hearing halting proceedings due to the report, an appeal by the UK’s Secretary of State has been successful. Lord Justice Underhill has rejected Devani’s claims and he has ruled in favour of his extradition.

“The evidence before the judge was an online news report.

It is unverified and is no more than anecdotal evidence that Kenya had breached assurances in respect of another person,” he ruled.

“Mr. Deya was, to put it no higher, a witness whose reliability was highly questionable.

“In my view, the weight to be attached to this news report is limited. It has no special force. It does not begin to provide the evidential weight required to undermine the specific assurances given by senior office holders in Kenya. To make the finding which she did, the judge must have attached considerable weight to this report which it simply does not carry.

“In my judgment, it was an assessment of evidential weight which can only be described as perverse and as such represents an error of law. The article did not undermine the specific assurances given by the Kenyan officials. They are assurances which have been accepted in order to meet the respondent’s challenge that in extraditing Mr. Devani his article 3 rights would be breached.

“Accordingly, and for the reasons given, I would allow the appeal and would determine that Mr. Devani’s extradition to Kenya would not breach his article 3 rights.”

Devani, 55, was arrested by London’s Metropolitan Police in 2011 on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud. Kenyan authorities allege the state-owned Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) released petroleum products worth £61 million to Devani’s company, Triton Petroleum, in 2008. The oil products were being held as collateral for bank loans to KPC. The head of KPC was dismissed in January 2009 and the scandal caused ructions in Kenya’s fragile coalition government. Police accused Devani of stealing £9.9m from

PLO Lumumba once said, you can run but you cannot hide from justice. He started pursuing Devani when he was AntiCorruption Commission Chairman in Kenya Kenya Commercial Bank, one of the banks that had loaned money to KPC, and issued an arrest warrant for him.

Patrick Lumumba, the then director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC), said at the time Devani’s arrest hailed a new phase in the nation’s bid to stamp out corruption.

“His (Devani’s) arrest is a very major step against corruption. It opens a new phase in the fight against corruption in Kenya and is also a message to others - you can run but you can’t hide,” he had said.

Mr. Lumumba said Kenya has had a longstanding request with the British government for Devani’s arrest and extradition. He said Devani may have multiple citizenships, but had committed a crime in Kenya while living and working in the country and would be subject to Kenyan laws.

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THE NETHERLANDS STEPS TO REOPEN THE COUNTRY AFTER THE CORONA VIRUS LOCKDOWN

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void busy places and stay 1.5 meters away from others, still in place in the Netherlands as the country begins to gradually reopen to activities.

Step by step procedures to follow in the coming months.

Since 11th May 2020, people have been allowed a little more freedom, while keeping coronavirus under control. But it will be more important than ever to observe the main basic rules.

So you should continue to do the following • Wash your hands.

• Cough and sneeze into your elbow.

• Use paper tissues to blow your nose and discard them after use.

• Don’t shake hands with others.

• Stay 1.5 metres (2 arms lengths) away from other people.

• Work at home if possible.

If you are sick • Stay at home if you have mild coldlike symptoms, such as a sore throat, a runny nose, sneezing, a mild cough or a fever below 38 degrees Celsius.

• If you have a fever above 38 degrees Celsius or shortness of breath, you and anyone you live with should stay at home. If you feel better and have not had any symptoms for 24 hours, you can go outside again.

If you are over the age of 70 or have health issues • Take extra care. It is a good idea to stay at home as much as possible for now.

Avoid busy places and keep your distance • Make sure you can always stay 1.5 metres from others.

• If this impossible, go somewhere else.

Step by step The Dutch approach has worked well in bringing coronavirus under control. The risk has certainly not disappeared, but if we continue to follow the main rules, we can gradually allow ourselves more freedom. The government will start by relaxing restrictions at local or neighbourhood level.

That will not make our streets, traffic and public transport much busier. The government will then relax restrictions at regional level and finally at national level. First small gatherings will be allowed and later larger gatherings, so that everything remains as manageable and orderly as possible. The details will be worked out in the weeks ahead.

From 11 May the following will apply:

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Schools • Primary schools, including special primary schools and childcare providers will reopen on 11 May. Sports and play

• Children aged 12 and under will be allowed to play sports and take part in other activities together outdoors under supervision.

• Young people aged 13 to 18 will be allowed to play sports together outdoors under supervision, but must stay 1.5 metres apart.

• Adults can play sports outdoors from 11 May as long as they can stay 1.5 metres apart. Matches and competitions are not allowed, and nor is the use of shared changing rooms.

Showers may only be taken at home.

Contact-based roles • Most people in contact-based roles will be allowed to perform their jobs again. This includes driving instructors, medical and paramedical professionals (dieticians, massage therapists, occupational therapists, prosthodontists, etc.), hair and beauty professionals (hairdressers, beauticians, pedicurists, etc.) and alternative medicine practitioners (acupuncturists, homeopaths, etc.).

• They should stay 1.5 metres apart from their clients wherever possible.

•They should see clients by appointment only and assess possible health risks beforehand together with the client.

Libraries • Libraries will reopen to the public and take measures to ensure that library users can stay 1.5 metres apart.

Public transport • Only use public transport if there is no alternative. Avoid rush hours and keep as far apart as possible.

• You are advised to wear a non-medical face mask on public transport. From 1 June this will be compulsory.

Face masks In some situations it is impossible to stay 1.5 metres apart. It will therefore be compulsory to wear non-medical face masks on public transport from 1 June. To avoid scarcity, you should not wear face masks intended for health professionals. People in contact-based roles can eliminate many risks by discussing health issues with clients beforehand. As a result, wearing a face mask will not be necessary during appointments, though everyone is of course free to do so.

Going forward The reason certain restrictions can be lifted from 11 May is that the sectors concerned mainly serve people who live locally. Relaxing these restrictions therefore won’t result in more people travelling by public transport. Hairdressers, opticians, pedicurists, etc. can also easily follow public health

advice such as washing hands. Finally, lifting these restrictions is unlikely to lead to more people gathering in public places.

The government is well aware that there are many calls for restrictions to be relaxed in other sectors, such as the hospitality industry. This is understandable as the measures impose a heavy burden on us all and have far-reaching consequences.

That is why the government wants to proceed step by step, together with businesses and organisations that have made plans for a 1.5 metre society.

Restrictions can only be lifted if the virus remains under control. People must continue to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others. If the circumstances so warrant, any decision to relax measures can and must be reversed.

Expected measures from 1 June If the virus remains under control, the following will be possible: • Secondary schools will reopen (the details still have to be worked out);

• Cafés and restaurants may reopen outdoor seating areas as long as people can stay 1.5 metres apart; • Cinemas, restaurants, cafés and cultural institutions (such as concert venues and theatres) will reopen, subject to certain conditions: * A maximum of 30 people (including staff). People must be able to stay 1.5 metres apart; * Visitors must reserve beforehand; * The owner will discuss with customers beforehand whether their visit entails risks; • Museums and heritage sites will reopen. Visitors must buy tickets beforehand, to ensure people can stay 1.5 metres apart.

Since public transport will probably become busier around 1 June, it will be more difficult to stay 1.5 metres apart. That is why everyone travelling on public transport will be required to wear a non-medical facemask.

Expected measures from 15 June If we keep the virus under control, secondary vocational education (MBO) schools can reopen for exams and practical training. Plans are being drawn up for reopening MBO schools, institutions for higher professional education (HBO) and universities more fully at some point in the future.

Expected measures from 1 July If we keep the virus under control, shared toilets and shower blocks at campsites and holiday parks can reopen on 1 July.

The maximum number of visitors to cinemas, restaurants, cafés and cultural institutions can hopefully be increased to 100. This increase would also apply to the maximum number of participants at organised gatherings, such as church services, weddings, rehearsals and funerals.

Expected measures from 1 September If the virus remains under control, gyms, saunas, health spas, club canteens, cannabis cafés, casinos and sex establishments will reopen. People of all ages will be allowed to take part in contact sports and indoor sports. Sports events, including professional football matches, can take place without spectators.

A decision regarding mass spectator events such as festivals and major concerts will be taken before 1 September.

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AFRICAN UNION READY TO TEST MADAGASCAR’S

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CORONA VIRUS REMEDY

fter the President of Madagascar presented the herb to the African Union, the AU has accepted to review the herb based in global technical and ethical norms to garner the necessary scientific evidence.

Madagascar is putting its, plant-based cure for COVID-19 on sale and several countries in Africa have already put in orders for purchase, despite warnings from the World Health Organisation that its efficacy is unproven.

Last month, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Kwesi Quartey tweeted Madagascar’s health ministry “has agreed to collaborate with the African Union and Africa Centre for Disease Control to explore further, the remedy they have discovered for the treatment of COVID-19 to benefit the continent at large”.

The AU said that it was trying to get Madagascar’s technical data on the remedy, and would pass that to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention for evaluation.

Last month, President Andry Rajoelina launched the selfproclaimed remedy at a news conference, drinking from a sleekly-branded bottle filled with an amber liquid which he said had already cured two people.

That same month, a Tanzanian delegation arrived in Madagascar to collect their consignment.

The tonic, based on the plant Artemisia annua that has anti-

malarial properties, has not undergone any internationally recognised scientific testing. While Rajoelina extolled its virtues, the WHO cautioned it needs to be tested for efficacy and side effects.

Madagascar has been giving away thousands of bottles of “COVID-19 Organics”, developed by the state-run Malagasy Institute of Applied Research. Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Ghana, The Gambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo,

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Liberia, and Guinea Bissau have all already received thousands of doses of COVID-19 Organics free of charge.

A legal adviser in the president’s office told the press that Madagascar would now begin selling the remedy, which domestically can be bought for around 40 dollar cents per bottle.

“This remedy can be put on the market,” Marie Michelle Sahondrarimalala, director of Legal Studies at the Presidency, told the press in an interview last month. “Madagascar has

already received orders from state authorities in other countries, but also from private individuals.”

Heads of other African countries said they were placing orders. Isolated compounds extracted from Artemisia are effective in malaria drugs, the WHO noted, but the plant itself cannot treat malaria.

WHO Africa head, Matshidiso Moeti said she was concerned people who drank the product might feel they were immune to COVID-19 and engage in risky behaviour. “We are concerned that touting this product as a preventive measure might then make people feel safe,” she said.

Guinea Bissau has received over 16,000 doses, which it is distributing to the 14 other West African nations.

Liberia’s deputy Information, Minister Eugene Farghon said this month there was no plan to test the remedy before distribution.

“It will be used by Liberians and will be used on Liberians,” he said, noting WHO had not tested other popular local remedies. “Madagascar is an African country ... Therefore we will proceed as an African nation and will continue to use our African herbs.” Madagascar had total 225 confirmed coronavirus cases, 98 recoveries, and no deaths.

MADAGASCAR VIRUS POTION SCORNED BECAUSE IT’S FROM AFRICA – RAJOELINA

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adagascar President Andry Rajoelina last month batted away criticism for promoting a homegrown so-called COVID-19 remedy, charging that the West has a condescending attitude toward traditional African medicine. “If it wasn’t Madagascar, and if it was a European country that had actually discovered this remedy, would there be so much doubt? I don’t think so,” he told the French media in an interview.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has repeatedly warned that the Covid-Organics infusion, which Rajoelina has touted as a remedy against the deadly coronavirus, has not been clinically tested. The drink is derived from Artemisia - a plant with

think the problem is that (the drink) comes from Africa and they can’t admit that a country like Madagascar has come up with this formula to save the world,” said Rajoelina, who claims the infusion cures patients within 10 days.

Already Equatorial Guinea, GuineaBissau, Niger and Tanzania have taken delivery of consignments of the potion, which was launched last month.

As at the press time, 34 African countries has endorse the herbs and they are introducing it to their population.

“No country or organisation will keep us from going forward,” Rajoelina said in response to the WHO’s concerns. He said proof of the tonic’s efficacy was in “the healing of our sick”.

Madagascar has officially reported 183 coronavirus infections

proven anti-malarial properties - and other indigenous herbs.

“African scientists... should not be underestimated,” he told French channel 24 and Radio France International (RFI). “I

and 105 recoveries, with no deaths. “The patients who were cured were cured through the administration of CovidOrganics alone,” the president said.

He referred to the remedy as “an improved traditional medicine”, adding that Madagascar was not conducting clinical trials but “clinical observations” in accordance with WHO guidelines.

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ENVIRONMENTALISTS REJECTS NOSDRA’S REPORT ON DEAD FISH ALONG NIGER DELTA

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e recall the reports of dead fish washing up on an extensive stretch of the Niger Delta coastline which first broke out on 20th February 2020 when community people from Ogbulagha Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State raised an alarm on the massive death of fish, floating and littering their shores. Reports also came from fishing communities of Ondo, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

We were pleased that the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) took samples of the dead fish, sediments and water from some of the affected areas, for analysis – after series of outcry from community people, CSOs and other groups.

On 13 May 2020 NOSDRA issued a press release titled: Alleged Mass Fish Kill Along The Coastline of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States. The title of the statement plays down on, and even questions the fact, of the massive fish kill that was evident in many locations. The title renders the result of the said analysis conducted by the agency questionable.

We expected a detailed and in-depth analysis from NOSDRA working in cooperation with agencies and institutions including the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency and

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Federal Institute for Fisheries Research which they said were informed of the tragic occurrences. While the result of the laboratory analysis may reflect the true composition of the samples, the data interpretation may be misleading.

For example, it is a known fact that crude oil comes with a mix of heavy metals such as Cadmium and Chromium which are some of the pollutants from that sector.

NOSDRA’s conclusion that “In the light of the foregoing, noting that hydrocarbon were not responsible for the death of the fishes, the plausible cause(s) could partially be attributable to other anthropogenic activities which are probably land-based” is capable of sweeping this serious issue under the carpet, while the affected communities are left to live with the impacts and uncertainties.

Responding to the NOSDRA statement, Ako Amadi, a Marine Ecologist and former Head, Fisheries Resources Division of NIOMR states: “Fish deaths commonly result from oxygen depletion in the aquatic medium. In the case of this recent occurrence in the Niger Delta, mortalities were reportedly concentrated on the genus Pseudotolithus, the croaker which is a bottom-feeder. It points to the fact that if the deaths had been as a result of ingestion of toxins the entire food web, that is, the benthic fauna of invertebrates including shrimps, crabs, zooplankton and juvenile fish, must have been affected. Evidence could then be deduced from toxicological examination of stomach contents, gills and bladder, or other respiratory and filtration organs of both dead and living croakers for comparison. This has not been the case.”

Ako Amadi states further: “The Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, NIOMR in Lagos, and ancillary institutions in Port Harcourt and Calabar have enough expertise in this regard. The residence time of suspected toxins in the benthic environment and land-based or ship transport sources are easy to determine. Aquatic toxins do not affect only particular species of fish but all fauna in an affected area. I also fail to see statements on tolerance of croakers and associated living organisms to variations of environmental change in the inshore waters of the affected system.”

Amadi summed his response by stressing that “The NOSDRA report hardly shows any evidence of possible linkages to sudden increases in water temperature and current variations in the Eastern Gulf of Guinea that could have caused ecological hypoxia (oxygen depletion), such as ocean acidification fortified by increased waste (including oil) and heat discharges from coastal industries and shipping as well as from agricultural runoff and mangrove deforestation. The NOSDRA conclusions appear not to have been followed by immediate investigations, which infuses credibility cracks into the report. I hope that we can see more logical results to these investigations than what NOSDRA has currently presented.”

occasioned by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Bassey added that what NOSDRA gave is a very basic and tentative explanation merely aimed at ruling out the possibility of the cause being from hydrocarbons.

They have mentioned possibility of other chemicals being the cause but went ahead to say that this would only affect fish in restricted areas and couldn’t cause widespread dying of fish.

The short statement by NOSDRA declared twice that the contamination was not from hydrocarbon sources. The agency preferred to print fingers elsewhere when they said, “it is commonly observed that most industrial and domestic wastes which contain heavy metal found their ways into drainages and onward transfer to the water bodies”. Assuming this is true, it means the incidence was never an act of nature but a pure case of poisoning of the water bodies from sources that have to be stopped.

HOMEF believes the report of laboratory analysis as presented by NOSDRA does not resolve the problem and can be diversionary.

The Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) in his reaction expressed deep concerns about the fate of community people who depend on the affected water bodies for sustenance and noted that the situation compounds the struggles of affected community people as they battle the hardships brought by the restrictions

Bassey insisted: “The NOSDRA statement doesn’t help the situation and doesn’t erase the anxieties of the peoples of the region. It is not new to see a specific fish species dying as this has happened in other countries where, for example, species have succumbed to thermal or temperature increase shocks. It is true that NOSDRA focuses on hydrocarbon pollution and has restricted its review to sources in that field. Seeking to shift blame to other factors, sectors or communities cannot be the end of the story.”

“The ministry of environment and relevant agencies have a duty to tell Nigerians what killed the fish so that we know how to respond to this and future incidents. We are not satisfied with NOSDRA’s report as this doesn’t bring a closure to the saga. Explaining why we experienced a massive death fish on our coasts is not beyond our scientists within and outside government,” he concluded.

For more information, reach:

By Stephen Oduware stephen@homef.org HOMEF Project Officer, IKIKE www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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CHILDREN, CHILDHOOD AND

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he mind of a child is an empty slate according to Tabula Rasa theory, and therefore all knowledge is gained through experiences. The question, hence, arises that children in the era of pandemic perceive what kind of world. Are they not forced to limit their sensory receptors that assist and form basis in the understanding of the world? Children in houses are being taught to suppress their desires which include exploration of society, learning from nature and playing with peers. They are restricted to approach and sense physically, anything outside their homes. It is true that these are preventive measures to protect them from the pandemic, but it has transmogrified their psychology grotesquely.

Scepticism is healthy but that is learnt with the help of rational tools that include logical reasoning and scientific understanding.

It is a continuous process that can’t be taught mechanically in the nascent age. Childhood is conceived as the period of innocence and William Blake’s Songs of Innocence weave ‘unfallen world’ of innocence that is full of pleasure and joy of paradise. This innocence is under the coercive shade of radical scepticism that is harming the confidence of small children to such an extent that it will make doubting as only principle in their lives. It will create a dent in their confidence for sure.

The terms like social distancing, isolation, lockdown, quarantine centres do not carry positive meaning with themselves as nobody wants to enjoy them. The impact these terms create on children need analysis and research. Children are being taught to explore the world through different mythical stories, parables and fables; and in all these moral stories we treat humans as social animals whose limit is beyond sky whether physical or mental. But today, these stories look like historical metafictions to us that depict world which is a distant-historic world of pre-COVID era.

Children today are prone to domestic violence as their elders are facing extreme psychological distress due to lockdown. People are losing jobs, uncertainty about the future employability is grave and dismal, and limiting oneself at home amidst these anxieties can have a negative impact on children. They can face abuses and grudges for the causes that are not produced by them.

The unpeaceful atmosphere in the houses is a serious issue as we can not leave our future in the depressed and tyrant atmosphere.

It is evident that children are among the most vulnerable and marginalized section in the era of COVID-19.

To approach with doubt and ask question is scientific model of understanding but to doubt and remain in fear is a curse that children are experiencing today. The threat to life is so big that emotional proximity has not been given space to nurture within self. When a son denies the cremation of his father to protect himself from Corona Virus, we can sense the level of fear that the world today possesses. If young and healthy are in such fear, the working of fear psychosis among children can be assessed easily.

It is being instructed to stay safe at home, an unprecedented war is going on; what violent results will it have on the minds of our children needs serious pondering.

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COVID-19

Children are being forced to use technology to study and play online without any proper arrangements to curb the cybercrimes that can victimize these innocent minds to an extent that their psychological recovery will not be possible later. In preCOVID era, elders have tried best to protect their children from the perils of social media. Today their children spend most of their time exposing themselves to many uncensored sites that are not conducive for their development. Proximity to internet is unprecedented in this pandemic era and our understanding and preparation to deal with the negative aspects of internet is still very less.

The attack on childhood by the COVID-19 raises some fundamental questions and serious reconsiderations in our approach to history and economics. Historians have assessed pre history of 200,000 years as unconstructive and insignificant in terms of human development. History of human civilization begins with the agricultural development and achieves its pinnacle during the age of Industrial revolution. Since then, our approach is forward looking, that always followed the imperialist ideals of the British regime. It blatantly rejected any direct association of human civilization with nature.

Consequently, the present generation of our children is forced to accept the curse which their forefathers have cultivated for them. Our children now have to familiarize themselves with the new novel sufferings that include environmental grief and climate depression; bioterrorism and disease mutations. It is the present and the future of our children that is built on the reckless industrial adventurism and that has left no space for any other kind of adventure to our children.

‘The Child is the Father of Man’ is a phrase composed by William Wordsworth in 1802 and now if we understand it in the present context, we can feel the future of humanity. It will be based on doubt, mistrust, persistent threat to life and the habit of self -protection to a level of obsession. We can hope for the good but the present scenario and our over enthusiasm to adopt techno culture will lead us to the place from where it will be difficult return.

By Ayush Gaur He is a scholar, in the Department of English, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP, India.

He can be reached at ayushgaur4@gmail.com

DON’T NEGLECT OTHER DISEASES - UNICEF WARNS While the world is mesmerized by the new coronavirus, other infectious diseases continue to kill millions of people, including many children in developing countries.

The United Nations children’s Fund (UNICEF) said in April that with the suspension of immunizations, 117 million children stand at risk of contracting measles.

“Health systems are under such strain that in some places routine services have been suspended. Everything is devoted to the fight against Covid,” Robin Nandy, head of UNICEF’s immunization service, told the press. “The states want to limit the contacts of health professionals with potential patients,” Nandy told the AFRICA press Agency.

Measles killed more than 140,000 people in 2018. Most of the victims were under the age of five. More than 2,500 children also die every day from pneumonia, a bacterial infection that can be treated with effective and inexpensive medicines. More than 800,000 deaths could be prevented each year, according to studies.

UNZA LECTURER APPOINTED AS WHO BOARD MEMBER UNIVERSITY of Zambia (UNZA) Biomedical Research Ethics Committee Chairperson Dr. Sody Munsaka has been appointed to the World Health Organization (WHO) board of experts that will develop guidelines and Ethics consideration for issuing of immunity passports in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Munsaka who is also Dean School of Health Science is the only African board member among the 10 member scientists from the United States, Europe and Asia.

In Nigeria, where pneumonia is the leading cause of child death, there are fears that Covid-19 is already preventing many children from accessing care. “We see many children coming in with respiratory problems. Both diagnosis and treatment are problematic for us,” says Sanjana Bhardwaj, Director of Health for UNICEF Nigeria.

Even before the arrival of Covid-19, the Democratic Republic of Congo was already suffering from several epidemics.

Measles has killed 6,000 people, mostly children, since the last epidemic began in 2019. Malaria is also a constant threat to infants, killing about 13,000 people each year.

In April, the World Health Organization was preparing to announce the end of the Ebola epidemic in the country.

However, it had to delay its announcement with the emergence of new cases.

“There were already significant morbidities,” along with malnutrition, “which affects children badly,” says Alex Mutanganyi, who is in charge of the fight against Covid-19 in the DRC for the NGO Save the Children. “Covid has only increased the number of these threats.

The Antibody testing will be used as a measure to give people immunity passport to move across boarders. Dr. Munsaka sits on a number of national committees, which include the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) and Higher Education Authority (HEA).

He teaches Immunology, Virology, Molecular Biology, Research Methods and Biostatistics to Biomedical Sciences students, medical students and postgraduate students.

His research interest is in Patho-immune mechanisms of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and interactions with drug abuse and other infectious diseases including malaria and tuberculosis.

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ETHIOPIAN OPPOSITION, PRIME MINISTER ACCUSE EACH OTHER OF POWER GRAB

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thiopian opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of using the coronavirus pandemic to delay elections and stay in power beyond his constitutional mandate.

Abiy responded last month, accusing members of the opposition of using the COVID-19 pandemic to increase their own power and seed unrest in Africa’s second most populous country.

The core issue is when Ethiopia will hold national elections.

They were supposed to take place August 29, but have been delayed because of COVID-19. The government’s mandate expires at the end of September.

Many opposition groups want to see a transitional government put in place after the mandate ends. That would grant them more decision-making power until the government holds elections and a state of emergency related to the pandemic have been lifted.

Ethiopia has 194 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with four deaths.

Making matters more complicated, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which ran the country until Abiy came to power in 2018, has threatened to hold its own regional election

in an attempt to consolidate its power at a regional level. The TPLF split from the national Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) coalition last year when the coalition’s three other parties merged to form the new Prosperity Party.

Yilkal Getnet, the leader of the opposition Ethiopian National Movement says “Who’s trying to grab power? It’s the government, who dismissed all the opposition first and who wants to stay in power without any constitutional rights or the Ethiopian opposition political parties that are asking for dialogue [and] negotiation to have a common road map for our country,” Getnet said. “Who is trying 44

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to grab power? It’s the prime minister obviously.”

Last month, Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives, the parliament’s lower chamber, approved a measure that would allow elections to be rescheduled after the pandemic is under control. However, that has left the opposition fuming because parliament is largely made up of members of the ruling Prosperity Party.

William Davison, the International Crisis Group’s senior analyst for Ethiopia, told the press that the coronavirus had left the opposition in a weaker position because its candidates are unable to campaign.

But, he explained, the government is also looking weak because the constitution does not explicitly provide ways to extend the government’s term.

“This is an opportunity for the opposition, because the government is looking weak potentially, because it’s on these kind of shaky, unprecedented constitutional legal grounds,” Davison said. “Yes, there’s a constitutional conundrum here.

Yes, there’s a creative legal solution needed. Ultimately, whether that legal solution leads to more peace or less peace is going to depend on the amount of political support it has.”

Ethiopia is no stranger to political unrest. In October 86 people died in two days of clashes after security forces allegedly tried to arrest Jawar Mohammed, one of Ethiopia’s most prominent political activists, and his supporters came out to protest in several towns and cities.

In a televised speech, Abiy said calls for a transitional government was not legal and accused opposition parties of trying to grab power themselves. “Young people,” he said, “should not die, mothers should not cry and houses should not be demolished just so politicians can take power.”

By Simon Marks

Lesotho former First Lady re-arrested for killing of husband’s ex-wife

Former Lesotho first lady Maesaiah Thabane has been rearrested for the killing of her husband’s ex-wife, police said this week just as we were about to go to the press. Mrs. Thabane will remain in custody until June 16, after her bail was revoked on allegations that due process was not followed during her first court appearance in February 2020 when she was charged with murder, police Commissioner Holomo Molibeli told the Mr. Molibeli said the former first lady is back behind bars on a technicality because the prosecution was not allowed to make arguments opposing her bail during the hearing.

The bail amount of 1,000 maloti ($58) was also paid long after she was released and not upon her release in February, the commissioner said.

Neither she nor her husband, former Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, has spoken publicly about the allegations.

Molibeli said following her re-arrest, she would appear again in court where due process would be followed. He did not say when that would happen.

“She is in jail as we speak,” Molibeli said.

Maesaiah Thabane was charged with ordering the killing of Lipolelo Thabane, who was shot dead near her home in Lesotho’s capital, Maseru, in June 2017.

The former first lady fled the country in January despite a police warrant for her arrest, but she turned herself in to police in February after spending weeks in South Africa.

THE GAMBIA GETS MADAGASCAR’S HERBAL VIRUS CURE!

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he Gambia has received a consignment of Madagascar’s Covid-Organics (CVO), an herbal tonic touted as a cure for COVID-19, authorities said last month. Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina, according to the State House of the Gambia, sent the consignment.

“The consignment is part of a gift to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries towards the fight against COVID-19. They have been delivered to the

Ministry of Health,” read a statement from the Gambian presidency. The Gambia has reported 22 COVID-19 cases so far, with one death and 10 recoveries, and has tested a little over 1,000 people, according to the Health Ministry.

Several African countries received CVO samples from Madagascar over recent weeks and some have ordered more shipments.

Madagascar’s President Rajoelina, who launched the tonic in April, has said it is “a preventive and curative remedy against COVID-19” and attributed the recovery of 105 people in his country. The World Health Organization (WHO), however, warned against using untested remedies such as CVO without medical supervision.

Last month, it called for clinical trials of the herbal drink.

President Rajoelina criticized the WHO’s stance against CVO, saying it was opposing the remedy because it came from a poor African country. “If it were a European country that discovered this remedy, would there be so many doubts?” he said in a recent interview with French broadcasters France 24 and Radio France International.

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Malawi election: Malawi court rejects president’s appeal against poll annulment

ourt rejects Mutharika’s bid to scrap annulment of controversial elections last May, paving way for a July rerun. Malawi’s Supreme Court last month (May 2020) in a unanimous decision upheld an earlier court ruling that annulled President Peter Mutharika’s narrow election victory last year.

A new election will now be held on July 2, for which three candidates, including Mutharika, filed their nomination

papers last month.

The Constitutional Court in February cited “widespread, systematic and grave” irregularities when it annulled the vote that returned Mutharika to power in the southern African nation last May. (The Voice magazine carried the story) Mutharika, 79, and the electoral commission later appealed the Constitutional Court’s decision.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court said, “The various breaches undermined the duties of the Malawi Electoral Commission and grossly undermined rights of voters. None of the candidates obtained a majority.” It added that the electoral commission should not have appealed, as doing so showed it was taking sides. “The conduct of the electoral commission left a lot to be desired,” Justice Frank Kapanda said. “There was a lack of seriousness and incompetence.”

The top court found Mutharika’s appeal “clearly unprofessional and embarrassing”. “Mutharika has always said last year’s presidential election 46

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was free and fair but the Constitutional Court said there just too many irregularities and some results were changed using typewriter or correction fluid.” In his appeal, Mutharika said the judges had “erred in law”.

“We find that the first appellant [Mutharika] was not duly elected to the office of the president,” said Kapanda, one of seven judges who read out the ruling in the capital Lilongwe.

Following the court final ruling, Mutharika filed his nomination papers for the July rerun alongside his new running mate Atupele Muluzi, the 41-year old son of former President Bakili Muluzi, who ruled Malawi from 1994 to 2004.

“Together we will be the bridge to the future, together we will win this election,” the president told supporters in the city of Blantyre. Only three of 10 expected candidates have presented credentials to run in the upcoming poll as at our press time.

Opposition figures Lazarus Chakwera and Saulos Chilima filed their nomination papers too.

Mutharika was declared the winner of the disputed elections with 38.5 percent of the vote.

Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party came a close second, garnering 35 percent, while Chilima’s United Transformation Movement came third with 20 percent. The two parties have joined forces under Chakwera’s banner to maximize their chances of unseating the president.

Malawi President files for election rerun with ex-leader’s son Peter Mutharika files nomination papers for the July 2 rerun alongside his new running mate, Atupele Muluzi.

Malawian President Peter Mutharika on Thursday joined forces with a former president’s son for a rerun of an election that he narrowly won in disputed circumstances.

The African country’s Constitutional Court had in February annulled the May 21, 2019 vote and called for fresh polls, citing widespread irregularities and fraud.

Mutharika, 79, filed his nomination papers on Thursday for the July 2 rerun alongside his new running mate Atupele Muluzi, the 41-year old son of former President Bakili Muluzi, who ruled Malawi from 1994 to 1999.

Atupele Muluzi served as health minister during Mutharika’s first term and contested last year’s presidential election, coming in a distant fourth.

“Together we will be the bridge to the future, together we will win this election,” the president told supporters in the city of Blantyre.

Crowds of people in the two parties’ blue and yellow colours thronged the streets, ignoring a ban on public gatherings of more than 50 people due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We won that [May, 2019] election,” Mutharika said.

“This election is not the will of the people.”

“Therefore, I call upon all Malawians to come out and vote in this election to express the will of the people.”

Only three of 10 expected candidates have presented credentials to run in the upcoming poll.

Opposition figures Lazarus Chakwera and Saulos Chilima filed their nomination papers too last month. Mutharika was declared winner of the disputed elections with 38.5 percent of the vote.

Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party came a close second, garnering 35 percent, while Chilima’s United Transformation Movement came third with 20 percent.

The two parties have joined forces under Chakwera’s

banner to maximize their chances of unseating the president.

‘Serious miscarriage of justice’ In a landmark ruling in February, the Constitutional Court overturned the outcome of the May 2019 election, which handed Mutharika a second term in office. It was the first time a presidential election was challenged on legal grounds in Malawi since independence from the United Kingdom in 1964, and only the second vote result to be cancelled in Africa after the 2017 Kenya presidential vote. The court said the poll results were fraught with widespread irregularities - in particular, the “massive” use of correction fluid on tally sheets.

Mutharika previously denounced the ruling as a “serious miscarriage of justice” and an “attack on the foundations of the country’s democracy”.

He has also refused assent to the proposed electoral law amendments, notably one that requires a more than 50 percent majority to secure a win.

Both the president and the electoral commission have appealed against the election annulment. The Supreme Court of Appeal delivered a ruling on Mutharika’s case in favour of the annulment of the election and accepts the verdict for a rerun of the Presidential elections in the country scheduled for 2nd July 2020.

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Malawi police hunt Ngalande, Kunkuyu for Ndirande violence

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arrested over stoning of presidential convoy as the Malawi Police are hunting for UTM Party’s Louis Ngalande and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) director of campaign Moses Kumkuyu for organizing violence in Ndirande Township in Blantyre in which some youths pelted stones at vehicles that made part of the convoy of President Peter Mutharika.

President Mutharika and his running mate Atupele Muluzi toured the township after presentation of their nomination papers for the fresh elections set for July 2020.

While in the township, some youths pelted stones at vehicles of political party officials that were on the presidential convoy.

Police immediately arrested five youths who have revealed that they had been hired and paid K1, 000 each by Ngalande and Kumkuyu to cause havoc.

One of the arrested youths told the police that Kumkuyu and Ngalande had hired 39 of them. “We were 39 of us. We were told to mobilise at least 100 women. But we only managed to

Luis Ngalande

find 11 local women. We were paid K1, 000 each. They told us to be chanting anti-DPP slogans while they filmed us on their mobile phones”, Zimba said.

He added: “They wanted us to create a situation where it would look like Ndirande doesn’t want the alliance”. Police have since said they are conducting further investigations and will bring everyone involved to book.

Ndirande is the stronghold for DPP and UDF and, in organizing this violence, Kumkuyu and Ngalande may have thought they could undermine the popularity of the two parties there.

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Moses Kumkuyu

Malawi opposition presents candidate for July 2 poll rerun

confirmed cases of COVID-19, 3 deaths and 9 recoveries as at May 6th 2020.

Malawi’s main opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday presented his candidacy for the presidential election rerun.

The election will be held on July 2 despite the coronavirus pandemic.

The opposition challenged results of the May 2019 polls, which saw the re-election of President Peter Mutharika with 38.5% of votes.

The Constitutional Court annulled the results in February 2020 and ordered a rerun Mutharika has appealed this decision and the court is due to rule soon.

9 candidates are expected to participate in the July ballot. The outgoing president formalized his candidacy before the end of May 2020 to ensure that his name is on the ballot for the polls in July elections.

Malawi has registered 41

Ethiopian troops admit shooting down Kenyan plane Ethiopian forces in Somalia have admitted to shooting down a Kenyan cargo plane last month, leading to six deaths, on ‘mistaken identity’. A preliminary report filed by the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) indicated that the forces guarding Bardelle airstrip in Baidoa adjudged the plane’s unusual flight towards the facility as a potential suicide mission. But the revelations that the troops on guard at the facility were non-Amisom members of the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) could raise legal questions on their presence in Somalia.

A report filed by the Sector III Force Commander of the African Union Mission in Somalia said the troops at Bardelle, some 300km northwest of Mogadishu were unaware of any incoming civilian flight at the time.

“There was no information that the aircraft would be at Bardelle… the aircraft was flying out of usual site repeatedly closer to the ground,” Ethiopian forces said.

“The troops suspected that the aircraft was a suicide attacker and seeking a target to attack. Due to the above reason, the

African Express Type E-120 was shot down by our force.”

All six passengers on board were killed in the shot down after the plane was shot down in the southwestern town of Bardaale in Somalia. Kenya expressed its shock over the incident, saying the plane was on a humanitarian mission amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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Moeketsi Majoro sworn in as Lesotho’s New Prime Minister

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oeketsi Majoro has been sworn in as Lesotho’s Prime Minister following the resignation of his embattled predecessor, Thomas Thabane and he vows to usher in ‘new version’ of leadership and ‘bring back trust to the government’.

Thabane’s decision to step down on last month came amid mounting pressure over a case in which he and his current wife are suspected of involvement in the 2017 murder of his estranged wife. They both deny this allegation and he would have enough time now to defend and clear his name.

The move cleared the way for Majoro, a seasoned economist and Lesotho’s former finance minister, to take the reins.

Thabane attended the swearing-in ceremony at the royal palace of King Letsie III, handing his successor a copy of the constitution to formally signal the transfer of power. The men tapped elbows instead of shaking hands, and Majoro wore a face mask as a precaution against coronavirus.

“I will be a true and faithful Prime Minister, so help me God,” said Majoro, who previously worked as an executive director at the International Monetary Fund.

Mr. Thabane apologized for his shortcomings during his nearly three years in office, his second stint as prime minister. “In as much as I tried my level best to serve His Majesty and Basotho [people] with dedication and loyalty ... I may have inadvertently erred in several

Thomas Thabane, left, with newly appointed Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro [Molise/AFP]

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ways during my tenure as prime minister. “Consequently, I sincerely wish to ask you to forgive me for my mistakes,” said Thabane.

His election in 2017 had brought hopes of stability to Lesotho, which has a long history of political turmoil. Thabane’s own All Basotho Convention (ABC) party, opposition figures and South African mediators had pressured him to quit, but he had resisted, supported by an inner circle of loyalists.

“It is going to be very difficult for (Majoro) to unify the ABC because its members are still disgruntled and are going to fight,” independent analyst Lefu Thaela said.

Majoro, who has also served as planning minister, is seen as a technocrat, better at analyzing economic data than soothing tensions between rival political factions.

“He has been part of the warring sides himself,” Limpho Tau, leader of the Democratic Congress party, told the press. “It is not going to be easy to satisfy everyone.”

He promised to make tackling COVID-19 a priority. Lesotho has recorded one case so far poverty, and unemployment are his main priorities to put the country back on track.

Majoro will serve out Thabane’s remaining term before the next round of elections in 2022.

“We don’t have much time on our side. We only have two years left before the elections, yet there is a lot of work ahead of us.

“Fifty-four years after independence, the scourge of hunger and poverty is a serious issue in this country, and we need to deal with this issue decisively,” he said.

“We have to double our efforts to know how much infection is in our community. We moved in with lockdown too early and the impact on the economy was immense, but we have a little bit more capacity.”

Majoro said to achieve this; he wanted politicians who also have technical knowledge in his Cabinet.

“You cannot provide a solution unless you understand indepth what the problem is. You cannot provide a superficial solution or you cannot brainstorm a solution. It’s not enough to sit down as Cabinet ministers and speak with passion; solutions are not created like that. We need to bring in knowledge but it’s a political process. It’s a game of balancing interests.”

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After its racism to Africans goes global, a Chinese province is taking anti-discrimination measures

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fficials in China’s Guangdong province have announced a raft of new measures aimed at combating a racial discrimination storm which has threatened Beijing’s relationship with African governments and Africans globally.

It comes after an unprecedented diplomatic scandal broke out because of the treatment of Africans resident in the province’s capital, Guangzhou. In April, videos and images of Africans being evicted from their apartments, forced into quarantine, blocked from hotels and even being barred from a local McDonald’s went viral on social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp. The recent wave of suspicion and anti-foreigner sentiment in the southern port city, which is a major hub for African entrepreneurs, was sparked by reports that a group of African men broke quarantine and infected others with the coronavirus.

Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda were among African countries to summon China’s ambassadors, along with the African Union Commission, to register their displeasure about the reports privately and at times very publicly.

The US State Department also ramped up the scrutiny of happenings in Guangzhou with a warning to African Americans to avoid travel to the city. The response from

Beijing had initially been to deny the reports; describing them as “rumors” and “misunderstandings” spread by Western media, despite the fact local media in African countries were the first to report on the issue. However, with the new measures, China is effectively admitting there is a problem and clearly hoping to repair damage to its relationships with African countries.

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A note published on the website of Chinese Embassy in Nigeria-relaying a message from Guangdong province officials said: “We firmly oppose any discriminatory practice against specific individual or group, and allow zero tolerance for discriminatory remarks and deeds.” It also said the province was implementing “measures on ensuring equal services in nine sectors.”

The measures target businesses such as hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and other places where Africans have been routinely turned away, as well as residential compounds. Education, public transport and medical service providers are also included in the new regulations.

“Any organization or individual shall not restrict or refuse providing hotel accommodation and renting houses to any specific group of people because of their nationality, race, gender or skin color. Nor should they be denied free access to such public venues as local communities, shops and parks,” one of the new measures included in the note read.

A dedicated hotline has also been set up for foreign nationals who have concerns; however, it is unclear what kind of sanctions violators of the new measures would face.

Given the culture of local Chinese officials to closely follow guidance by their superiors, this change of emphasis to prevent racial discrimination will likely be enforced to some extent though it may take time to be effective.

But these measures have been late in coming as some African governments have escalated their actions beyond the initial condemnation of events. Last month, Nigeria’s House of Representatives unanimously passed a motion on the “Maltreatment & Institutional Racial Discrimination Against Nigerians Living in China by the Government of China.”

Among the reliefs being sought by legislators is to “redress in any local or international court for breach of fundamental rights, loss of property or any other actionable cause occasioned by [the] maltreatment [of Nigerians] in China.” It also includes a move to “check the validity of all immigration documents of every Chinese person in Nigeria.”

In Kenya, where a lawmaker has already warned of possible retribution, nearly 200 citizens have signed up for a repatriation flight from Guangzhou.

Tanzania suspends laboratory head after President questions coronavirus tests T

anzania has suspended the head of its national health laboratory in charge of testing for the coronavirus and ordered an investigation; a day after President John Magufuli questioned the tests’ accuracy.

President Magufuli said last month that the imported test kits were faulty as they had returned positive results on a goat and a pawpaw among several non-human samples submitted for testing, with technicians left deliberately unaware of their

origins.

He did not say where the kits had been imported from or why the authorities had been suspicious of the results.

Catherine Sungura, acting head of communications at the ministry of health, said in a statement that the director of the laboratory and its quality assurance manager had been immediately suspended “to pave way for the investigation”.

Sungura said a 10-person committee had been formed to investigate the laboratory’s operations, including its process of collecting and testing samples.

President Magufuli also fired the head of the government Medical Stores Department, which is in charge of distributing medical supplies and equipment to government hospitals, but gave no reason.

As of last month, (May 2020) Tanzania had recorded 480 cases of COVID-19 and 18 deaths, according to a tally based on government and World Health Organization data. Unlike most other African countries, Tanzania sometimes goes for days without offering updates.

COVID-19 infections and fatalities reported across Africa have been relatively low compared with the United States, parts of Asia and Europe. But Africa also has extremely low levels of testing, with rates of only around 500 per million people.

In neighbouring Kenya, a senate body sought an explanation from the Health Ministry over the circumstances leading to the demotion of the head of the rapid response and team director in charge of the centre for virus research at the state-run Kenya Medical Research Institute.

“In relation to the above, the committee observes that the timing of the dismissal is wrong as it is likely to have a significant impact on the morale and motivation of the various staff that were working under him,” the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on the COVID-19 situation in Kenya said in a report last month.

Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing

by Alison Williams

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The shame of a Nation called Nigeria: How Nigeria is handling returnees over the Covid-19 pandemic

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t comes after an unprecedented diplomatic scandal broke out because of the treatment of Africans resident in the It all started out as a joke until official letters started emerging that any Nigerian in the Diaspora who wish to return to Nigeria as a Evacuee need to pay his or her own traveling expenses, isolation, accommodation, hotels, quarantine and medical expenses in case they test positive to the Corona Virus. According to the letter, it states, “due to measures that are beyond the control of the COVID-19 local organizing team in Nigeria.

The estimated cost is put down as Accommodation for 16 days 15,000 naira per day x 16 days = 240,000 naira Feeding expenses at 3,600 per day x 16 days = 57,000 naira Total + 297,600 naira They are amounts are to be paid in advance before leaving the country where they are being evacuated from, no one would be airlifted until these cost are paid.

But the reality now is that those who had been evacuated to Nigeria are complaining of lack of care, attention and complete abandonment to their hotel rooms or accommodation. No one from the COVID-19 local organizing team is visiting or briefing them on the next line of action. Some have over stayed the mandatory 16 days and they are not allowed to return to their families.

Those based in Nigeria that has undergone treatment for the Corona Virus are only thanking God for the narrow escape as the treatment and medications given to them does not fit into the treatment for the virus, they are mostly given malaria treatment.

A case that has been drawn international and local attention is that of a Nigerian woman, Mrs. Susan Okpe, a United Kingdom-based woman, who visited Benue State, Nigeria in March 2020 for a burial ceremony for her late mother but it was postpone due to the Corona Virus crisis.

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According to her, she had visited a clinic on March 24 to complain of body pains due to jet lag and was about to be discharged after being treated when she found out that the state governor, Samuel Ortom, had announced her name as the first Coronavirus patient in the state. She was immediately taken into isolation and banish to Abuja where she has been for 43 days (as at the time we were going to press).

In a press statement, she has accused the state government of ‘detaining’ her at an isolation center for 43 days by claiming she had Coronavirus.

While she claimed not to have any symptom associated with the virus.

The UK returnee said that she hasn’t taken any medication for the 43 days she’s been kept in isolation and has developed no symptoms of the virus.

In a trending video, the UK returnee said that she hasn’t taken any medication for the 43 days she’s been kept in isolation and has developed no symptoms of the virus.

She said that the COVID-19 test result presented to her by the Benue State Government was faked, as the age and other personal information on it were not hers According to her, the date of admission written on the test was false because on the date they claimed they took her sample, she was still in England.

The woman expressed fear for her life going by her forceful detention at the isolation facility and request she should be allowed to return to her family in the United Kingdom.

Since she is detained according to her on the orders of Benue State Government and she has been crying out to the public to assist her to be released.

A coronavirus vaccine cannot be reasonably expected until the end of 2021, Professor says

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vaccine for Covid-19 will not be ready until the end of next year, according to Dale Fisher, chair of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network.

That timeline would be a “very reasonable” expectation because of the necessary Phase 2 and 3 trials of any vaccine to guarantee both safety and efficacy, Fisher explained. There would also need to be a ramp up in production and distribution, as well as actually administering the vaccine, he said.

Fisher also said President Donald Trump’s comments that he was confident a coronavirus vaccine would be developed by the end of 2020 were “a bit premature.”

Fisher said “we are currently on target” for a vaccine in 2021 with five Phase 1 studies currently underway.

“We’ve always felt that by about April, May, we would be in Phase 1 studies, so this means a potential vaccine has been invented if you like; we’re now trying it on individuals, basically to see if it’s safe,” Fisher told the press. The current trials would allow “early collection of data” to assess whether the potential vaccine “actually works,” before larger trials on safety and efficacy could be carried out, said Fisher, who is also a senior consultant at the infectious disease division at the National University Hospital in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Severin Schwan, CEO of pharmaceutical giant Roche, also expressed some skepticism over the president’s proposed time frame, saying the end of this year was “certainly an ambitious goal.” “I have no doubt that as

so many companies are working on a vaccine in parallel, and as we see such great collaboration with regulators including the FDA, we can actually speed up the approval of vaccines”.

“But still, typically it would take years to develop a new medicine. Most experts agree that it will take at least 12 to 18 months until we see a vaccine which is available in the necessary quantities for patients.”

Timeline for a potential coronavirus treatment The preliminary results of clinical trials for Gilead Sciences’ antiviral remdesivir have been promising, indicating it could shorten the recovery time for hospitalized coronavirus patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has since granted emergency use authorization for the drug.

Despite very positive information on remdesivir, it is still far from being the proven wonder drug we would love to see, according to Fisher.

But ultimately, the best defense against Covid-19 would be a vaccine which would “get immunity in the public to stop this,” Fisher said. Natural herd immunity was not the way to go, he said. Herd immunity refers to a situation where enough people in a population have become immune to a disease such that it effectively stops the disease from spreading.

Until a vaccine is ready, each individual has to understand the role they have to play in public health, Fisher said. He emphasized that there needs to be continual “messaging” on that.

Instead of just relying on contact tracing measures, simple efforts including social distancing, presenting oneself at hospitals and not heading out when sick were “so important” and necessary, Fisher said. www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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Ouattara’s out, but whoever wins in Côte d’Ivoire, many won’t be happy.

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ith political tensions high and trust in the fairness of the 31 October election low, Côte d’Ivoire looks set for contested results.

When President Alassane Ouattara announced that he would not be standing again for office, some roared with delight, some wept, and some sent messages of praise.

The 78-year-old, in power since 2011, had made several ambiguous statements in recent months, raising fears he would seek an unconstitutional third term. But now he confirmed that he would step down after the 31 October vote.

President Ouattara’s volte-face prompted sighs of relief among Ivoirians, the French government and the European Union. His decision removes a major source of tension between the ruling Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) and the opposition. It marginally diminishes the risk of unrest around the poll.

Many hope that the 2020 elections will see Côte d’Ivoire’s first democratic handover of power. Ivoirians and observers alike are particularly desperate to avoid a repeat of 2010, when post-election violence between supporters of Ouattara and then-president Laurent Gbagbo left at least 3,000 people dead.

P r e s i d e n t O u a t t a r a ’s announcement increases the likelihood of smooth elections, but it is not a panacea for the divisions that have beset the country for the past ten years. Amid the g o v e r n m e n t ’s creeping authoritarianism and fears over the transparency of the forthcoming vote, there are still many issues unresolved.

Persistent political tensions Ouattara’s decision not to stand again has thawed some tensions, but many gripes persist. The opposition claims that political space has significantly diminished in recent years, beginning with the introduction of a new constitution in 2016 following a referendum that much of the opposition boycotted.

They also allege further constitutional changes, introduced just after Ouattara declared that he would step aside, were rubber-stamped by an RHDP-dominated parliament and without the consent of the Ivoirian people. The opposition also boycotted this process, claiming it was unjust without the approval of the populace.

Of greater concern, there have been several charges aimed at opposition figures in recent months. In October

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2019, Jacques Mangoua, a leading figure in the opposition Democratic Party of Cote d’Ivoire – African Democratic Rally (PDCI), was sentenced to five years in prison. He was found guilty of holding illegal weaponry at his house, an accusation he says was fabricated.

Following an arrest warrant in December 2019, president candidate Guillaume Soro, the former head of the National Assembly, has been in exile in Paris. He is accused of embezzlement and laundering public funds as well as plotting a coup, allegations he denies. He was sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison this April.

Several of his associates have also been arrested.

The government’s increasingly authoritarian moves have created a tense political atmosphere in which allegiances are more pronounced and emotions are running high. In October 2018, local elections prompted clashes around the country in which several people were killed. If anything, the situation has become more fragile since then, despite Ouattara’s announcement.

Transparency and fairness In the 2010 elections, the most contentious issue centred on the legitimacy of the results. The electoral commission declared Ouattara the new president, but Gbagbo refused to accept this, saying the results were invalid. He was supported in this by the constitutional court, which said the electoral commission did not have the authority to pronounce the results.

As things stand, there is a danger of the past repeating itself.

The transparency and fairness of the forthcoming election is deeply questionable.

The opposition has repeatedly accused the electoral commission of being biased towards the RHDP. In 2016, the African Court of Human Rights ordered Ivoirian authorities to reform the institution. Under international pressure, the government finally agreed to do so in July 2019. However, the opposition says that despite improvements, the composition of the institution is still unjust in that it provides more seats to the government than the opposition. Some critics also say the reforms were rushed through without sufficient time for scrutiny.

This has left the opposition divided over whether they will participate in the poll without further reforms. This March, the government tried to resolve matters by offering the PDCI a seat on the commission, but this was rejected for being insufficient.

The introduction of voter identity cards has presented another problem. Some Ivoirians have complained they have been unable to acquire them despite going to register on numerous occasions and sometimes queuing for days at a time. Many voters also say that the cost of the cards is prohibitive. Cynics allege the RHDP plans to subsidise the acquisition of IDs for their supporters to give them an advantage.

With so many unresolved issues regarding the election process, it is likely the result will be contested.

A closely fought election There are various scenarios that would diminish the likelihood of violence. If the opposition decide to boycott the poll, for instance, allowing the RHDP to win with ease, unrest could be avoided.

Alternatively, should the ruling party’s presidential candidate Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly prove so strong as to win in the first round, the prospects of instability would also decline. This is plausible given the ruling party’s increasing dominance, the advantages of incumbency and the fact that so many PDCI MPs defected to the RHDP when it became a unified political entity in 2018. Moreover, Ouattara’s decision to stand down removes

one of the few unifying causes around which the opposition might have coalesced. Meanwhile, if Soro cannot run following his conviction that would also help the ruling party.

Nonetheless, it still seems likely that the election will be closely fought. Gon Coulibaly is neither particularly popular nor charismatic and has just been evacuated to France for medical tests. He will struggle to garner support in the way Ouattara has done.

His rivals also look set to mount significant challenges. In particular, the PDCI’s Henri Konan Bédié, a universally recognised 85-year-old political dinosaur, may be reinvigorated by the opportunity to face a much less experienced opponent.

Although Soro himself will not be able to stand, his supporters – concentrated among the northern youth population, traditional RHDP strongholds – are furious following their leader’s marginalisation and exile and will be eager to push Ouattara and his allies out of office. In these circumstances they may opt to lend their support to Bédié.

If Bédié manages to force the vote into a second round, he may just manage to collect enough votes to clinch the election. He has already formed an alliance with the other opposition parties,

including Soro’s Generations and People in Solidarity (GPS) and former president Gbagbo’s Ivoirian Popular Front (FPI). The growing strength of alliances between these opposition parties was highlighted days ago when Gbagbo and Bédié signed a political accord in favour of establishing peace and reconciliation in Côte d’Ivoire. To oust the increasingly authoritarian RHDP, these divergent parties could come together in the second round.

If this happened and the opposition were to win, would the RHDP accept the results? If the ruling party won, would the opposition? With tensions running high in Côte d’Ivoire and questions looming over the legitimacy of the upcoming October election, the answer to both these questions is likely no. Despite Ouattara’s decision not to run for a third term, a contested election and political violence – at least on the scale witnessed in the October 2018 legislative elections – seem to be on the cards.

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Diary: BUHARI’S PHONEY GALLANTRY Tony Enahoro: A Noble Life of State Pardons

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lder heads in the Enahoro clan know enough about political state pardons not to get excited by it. It is not a pension annuity, not a war decoration or a medal for exceptional services to society. You don’t even get to have a handshake with the President.

What’s to celebrate?

You don’t get a State Pardon for smoking a pipe in church.

You have to have been in jail or had your reputation wrongfully dragged through hell. You’re then told, “your sins are forgiven you” and you may not have sinned at all, as we’re currently witnessing in the case of my late brother, Tony versus President Buhari’s pathetic propaganda machine.

I’d thought controversy surrounding the announcement of President Muhammadu Buhari’s so-called posthumous state pardon for Professor Ambrose Ali and my brother, Chief Anthony Enahoro, would have subsided by now.

I noted the studied silence on the government side regarding Tony’s properties. More than thirty years after the properties were seized, what is their likely status today? I know that one of the properties (on Amodu Tijani Close, Victoria Island, Lagos) passed from the desk of late Admiral Akhigbe when he was Lagos State Governor, to Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar’s ownership when he (Akhigbe) was Chief of Staff in Abdulsalami’s government.

I thought, wrongly, it would become self-evident that there was nothing to pardon Tony for as social media and other published commons exploded.

And then Buhari.

What brought him into this? Staggering sleepless nights? A conscience revolt? A quick consultation with a Senegalese marabout perhaps? I wondered why Buhari’s feeble propagandists needlessly trapped him in a political manoeuvre trailing back to Edo State and a dissembling rivalry between Governor Godwin Obaseki and Adams Oshiomhole, who is a political godfather in his own mind.

I was irritated that official Twitter account said Buhari pardoned “five convicted people”. Tony was not convicted, he was indicted. I thought the mistake was a matter of literacy and left it at that. Later, I was glad lawyers agreed with me.

If Tony were alive, he would have rejected Buhari’s phoney pardon.

I know this because I was directly involved in a scenario that would have provided opportunity for Tony to have a oneon-one secluded meeting with departing President Ibrahim Babangida in 1993. The matter of his properties surely would have been on the agenda. Tony turned down the chance. If a meeting took place he wanted it “on neutral ground”. That scuppered it.

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Tony steadfastly maintained his innocence. He would do nothing that threatened to compromise his dignity, such as accepting unsolicited favours.

He met with President Obasanjo on intervention by our cousin, the late Tony Anenih. Nobody in uniform had done worse than Obasanjo to humiliate Tony and try to destroy his political image.

An outcome of their meeting in Abuja, to which Obasanjo grandly sent a plane to fetch him from Benin, was then President Obasanjo’s offer that Tony should nominate five candidates for political appointments. Tony did not raise the issue of his sequestered properties. And he did not nominate anyone for a job with Obasanjo. He was a proud man to the last. God bless his soul.

The first anniversary of “June 12” was coming up. Abacha’s Government had intelligence about planned widespread demonstrations. I took a message from Abacha regime to Tony in Port Harcourt, where he was in prison detention. I should tell Tony it had been decided to release him on condition he gave his word he would not join in a demonstration or issue statements.

I stopped over in Benin to take his eldest son, Ken, with me.

Ken delivered a moving message from his mother. Tony’s response was simple. He would not give an undertaking he was not sure he could fulfil. He was ready to remain in the solitary ground floor room in the University of Port Harcourt campus with its permanently shut curtains where he had been temporarily transferred when his health deteriorated in the prison cell he shared with two others. That was the brother I had.

His political enemies came to know that behind that external charm was a man of tough resolve.

Buhari’s curious pardon is not the first cruel turmoil surrounding Tony and State Pardons.

There was the “Queen’s Pardon” in the years preceding Independence.

Chief Awolowo had named him for Ministerial appointment in his Western Region Cabinet in the fifties. The then Governor of Western Region, Sir John Rankin, refused assent because Tony had not been granted the Queen’s Pardon for the three terms of imprisonment he’d served as an offending journalist.

The charges for which he stood trial were clear cut. The first time was for a wartime comment in support of a workers’ strike for pay rise. Tony criticised the unwisdom of raising the Governor’s salary just then.

He was jailed nine months.

The second time was when addressing an indoor audience in Burutu he urged the police to refuse to shoot at demonstrators. The sentence this time was eighteen months.

The third and final British conviction was when he turned up at Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos to hear his Zikist Movement friends present their prepared paper titled “A Call to Revolution”, which was timed to be read simultaneously at selected rallies across Nigeria.

According to the organizers, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe after whom the Movement was named had promised to chair the rally. When it became obvious he wasn’t going to turn up, twenty-five-year-old Tony Enahoro, recently out of a second term in prison for sedition, was summoned from the audience and invited to take the chair.

As soon as the first speaker began to read the seditious document, plain-clothes policemen mounted the podium, arrested all on it and took them to lockup. In court, the judge rejected the lawyer’s plea that Tony had no foreknowledge of the paper’s fiery content and sent him to the cooler for six months.

Processing the request for Queen’s Pardon was procedural.

No lobbying of a Buckingham Palace cabal. And the Queen, who’d never committed an act of treason by overthrowing a democratically elected government, did not expect her praises to be sung by Tony’s family.

Tony was serving a ten-year sentence (reduced from 15 years) when the “Revenge Coup” that took Gowon to power blew up in our faces in 1966. He was released and pardoned by Gowon in whose Cabinet he served for nine years. Gowon appointed him Commissioner for Information and Labour and later Special Duties, making him the civilian politician closest to the seat of power.

It was an indication of how well the two got on together on personal terms.

To be a favourite civilian in a military regime promotes you to a lion’s den. It also means that outside of that risky enclosure there are lions on the prowl ready to eat you for your error, such as if you forget you don’t have a gun.

Those that carry side arms have the first and the last say.

Tony had three problems for which he needed to watch his back. The least of these was speculation that the first post-military rule leader would be an ethnic minority.

A proponent of Tony’s candidacy was J.S. Tarka, the prominent Middle Belt minorities’ leader.

A second problem was Muritala Muhammed. This came out of Gowon’s frequent use of Tony as emissary on foreign missions. It may have started because other than General Yakubu Gowon who was Head of State, Tony Enahoro’s name was arguably the most easily recognised internationally in the Cabinet particularly in the UK. By his Brother: Peter Enahoro (Peter Pan) N.B. The write up wwould be continued in our next edition for July 2020. Stay tune with us to finish the story......... www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com

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President Bio must work quickly on unifying the people of Sierra Leone – says Dr. Yumkella

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r. Kandeh Yumkella – the parliamentary leader of the National Grand Coalition party and a member of parliament of the Kambia district, was on television in Freetown last month speaking about the rapidly deteriorating disorder in the country, amid rising political tension, and police arrest and detention without charge of opposition politicians perceived as dissidents by the ruling SLPP party.

Yumkella’s appearance comes as many in Sierra Leone are expressing disappointment at President Bio’s deafening silence and indifference, following the Pademba Road prison disturbance which saw the shooting of dozens of unarmed prisoners by Presidential guards, leaving eleven dead and several seriously injured.

The rioting in Lunsar in the north of the country and the increasing rate of transmission of the coronavirus, especially in the capital Freetown, have raised eyebrows, with many now calling for President Bio to come out and show strong leadership by addressing the people of Sierra Leone.

Speaking on AYV TV, Dr. Yumkella is calling on President Bio to reach out to the opposition political parties to find new partnership framework that will bring all parties together to work towards national cohesion, promote peaceful co-existence, unify the nation, as well as focus on combatting the coronavirus.

Various reports last month, suggested that President Bio was

Government restrictions are having a clear impact on virus spread in The Netherlands: RIVM

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he impact of measures to combat the spread of coronavirus in the Netherlands can be clearly seen in a week-by-week analysis of when people became ill, according to research by the public health institute, RIVM. Although hygiene guidelines and a recommendation to avoid busy places were introduced early March, the first specific national measures were introduced on March 12. Then, the government said people should work from home, stay home if they have mild symptoms and that events were being cancelled.

On March 15, schools, cafes and restaurants and sports clubs were closed.

The highest number of registered patients was in the week from March 16 to 22.

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going to address the people of Sierra Leone after ending his fourteen days quarantine and to review the success of the three days lockdown which has ended and now extended. President Bio was also expected to come out and clearly map out where the country is heading, as political tension mounts. But there was no broadcast from the President as at the time of going to the press.

The President’s continuing silence and indifference, in the face of a rapidly deteriorating security and breakdown in law and order is a serious cause for concern.

From March 23, two weeks after the first restrictions were brought in, the number of hospital admissions start to decline.

This same pattern is apparent across every province, even those with very few cases, the RIVM said. Meanwhile, the official death toll from coronavirus in the Netherlands has risen to over 5,288 (At press time). Not all the deaths took place in the past one-month but all the period of three months. The number of hospital admissions rose but the severity slows down. A further people have tested positive for coronavirus, meaning nearly 50,000 people have had an official diagnosis. The true spread is likely to be far higher because testing has been restricted to certain groups, including healthcare workers and teachers, as well as people with serious symptoms. There would be more testing in the new month as the lock down is ease to allow people gradually return to work if necessary or you continue to work from home.

Jobless and stranded in SA: Lesotho informal workers left in limbo during lockdown

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nformal part-time work is the bread and butter of many foreign migrant workers in South Africa. They travel to South Africa to look for jobs, work for a few months and head back home with some money for themselves and their families. A group of men from Lesotho who came to South Africa for that reason are now stranded in the country for much longer than they expected because of the lockdown.

They are unable to work during the lockdown as they rely on odd jobs to survive and send money home.

The men have created a home for themselves in a section of bush next to the highway in Midrand. They now spend their days playing games and hoping that kind-hearted people will offer them food and support them. They are not included in the plans of the South African government and they are in limbo.

The men usually earn very little, but being unable to work during the lockdown, they now have nothing. They said that even if they were allowed to go back to Lesotho they wouldn’t be able to go back because they have no money and nothing to bring to their families.

Among those trapped in this situation is Poulo Lashe. He has made a makeshift structure that he calls home until the lock down is over and he can return back to South Africa. He is among a group of men who live on the roadside in Midrand.

Another person our correspondent runs across is Kgomoetso Sekoane, he cannot afford to pay rent in the nearby townships.

He says that the lockdown has taken bread off his table as he struggles for food and other necessities. He hopes a Good Samaritan may donate food for them during the lockdown.

Another group of Lesotho nationals that live on the roadside of the K101 road in Midrand have got no choice but to face the realities of the lockdown as they struggle to feed themselves.

They try to kill time by playing one of the indigenous games under the tree that shelter them from the sun.

Gauta Makhethe cooks dinner as the sun sets in Midrand.

Poulo Lashe in his makeshift that he calls home now until he is able to return to the mine fields for a living.

In that group are the following persons Lekomola, Tshoana Mahanetsa, Thethana Letuka, Sello Sekoane, Refiloe Fako, they are all from Lesotho. All of these men are stranded in South Africa during this lockdown as the country fights the Covid 19 pandemic.

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UN: Press is essential ‘Antidote’ to pandemic misinformation

arking World Press Freedom Day, the United Nations Secretary-General called on governments around the world to guarantee that journalists can safely do their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As the pandemic spreads, it has also given rise to a second pandemic of misinformation, from harmful health advice to wild conspiracy theories. The press provides the antidote: verified, scientific, fact-based news and analysis,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video message last month. “But since the pandemic began, many journalists are being subjected to increased restrictions and punishments simply for doing their jobs.”

The U.N. acknowledged the need to limit travel to beat the virus but said that the constraints “must not be abused” to keep journalists from doing their work.

At least 55 media workers in 23 countries have died since March 1 because of the pandemic, according to the Genevabased Press Emblem Campaign.

VOA has been tracking COVID-19-linked censorship and press freedom violations.

World Press Freedom Day is spearheaded by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which has declared this year’s motto “Journalism without Fear or Favor.”

Ethiopian PM warns opposition against coup

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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has accused the opposition of trying to take advantage of the postponement of elections to seize power by unconstitutional means.

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In a speech posted to his Facebook page, the Nobel Peace Prize winner said ‘’ those who push unconstitutional maneuvers to seize power will be punished by law’‘, he warned.

But the electoral commission postponed the polls since then because of the coronavirus pandemic.

This means, there will be no election before the end of tenure for lawmakers in October 2020.

A situation synonymous with political crisis, according to some analysts and opposition leaders.

Ethiopia’s constitution hardly offers any remedy on this specific case.

On Tuesday, lawmakers formally seized the upper house of parliament so they can decide on an interpretation of the constitution, which could offer a solution to this impasse.

Release *Nollywood Guilds and Associations* Our attention has been drawn to a purported creative industry committee reportedly set up by the Federal Government to advise it on how to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the creative industry. We first wish to commend the government for having such initiatives and intentions for the creative industry.

It’s a welcome and thoughtful approach to positive intervention and in alignment with other progressive governments the world over, who having appreciated the impact of the pandemic on their creative sectors, developed palliative programs as a support net.

However, there are processes and approaches indicative of a transparent and equitable desire to ensure that the needs and requirements of the target sectors are achieved!

It is a known fact that the Nigerian motion picture industry and the performing arts, Nollywood, as part of the creative industry have about 20 guilds, employing about 2.5million youthful Nigerians and recognised globally as the second largest movie production industry in the world; an industry worth US$2.8Billion with a contribution of 2% of the 2.3% contribution of the creative industry to the nation’s GDP. It’s also a known fact that these 2.5M Nigerians belong to associations and organisations generally referred to as guilds, whom they have willingly through legitimate elections handed over the incumbency of their mandates; saying in essence speak and act on our behalf on matters affecting our interests, welfare and wellbeing!

It is then inherent and indeed compelling that any discussion concerning the welfare of the industry should as a matter of equity and transparency involve the participation of those guild heads.

Presently, Nigeria is involved in the process of financial discussions with international finance bodies.

No matter how rich or successful an Aliko Dangote or a Herbert Wigwe maybe or how connected with those financial organisations, they cannot lead the sovereign government delegation to those talks.

The citizens of Nigeria would hold the federal government

responsible. So the 2.5m workers of the Nigerian creative sector would hold the guilds and their leaders responsible!

However, the ministry may in its wisdom nominate individuals from the industry as additional resource based on their experiences and reach.

How can a government anywhere on earth truly appreciate the workings of a sub- sector of the economy if the leadership of that sector were not consulted prior to major decisions affecting the sector?

Nollywood is one of the priority sectors identified by the government for its Economic Recovery and Growth Plans with a projected US$1Billion export revenue in 2020. This is the more reason why the government should involve the leadership of the industry on critical issues affecting the industry rather than hand-picking a few practitioners no matter how prominent they may be.

Where there is a will, there is always a way.

We therefore urge the ministry to allow the above positions to guide their present and future engagements with the creative industry.

If really the government is serious about this noble initiative; we then respectfully call on the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to reconstitute the committee to reflect the actual representatives of the industry.

If guilds like the Nigerian Bar Association, Nigerian Medical Association among others are engaged as strategic stakeholders by the government through their recognised association”s leadership. then the creative industry deserves same relationship.

We hold this truth to be self evident that Nollywood has leadership founded and anchored on their Guilds and Associations and we urge the Honourable Minister of Information or any other representative of the federal government, its parastatals and agencies planning any intended dealings with Nollywood to humbly but officially do so through the Guilds and Associations.

SIGNED For Nollywood Associations and Guilds: Presidents: 1) AMP Ralph Nwadike; 2) AGN Emeka Rollas 3) DGN Fred Amata; 4) SWGN Yinka Ogun 5) ANCOP Daisy Madu; 6) MOPPAN Ahmad Sarari 7) CDGN Sele O Sele; 8) FVPMAN Emeka Aduah 9) ITPAN YINKA ODUNIYI 10. MACDAN Barr. Izu Osuigwe ; 11 CEMP Peddie Okhao 12) AMPEENMensah Paul; 13) NANTAP Israel Eboh 14) TAMPAN Otunba Bolaji Amusan 15 AMCOD Hon Sola Awoleye; 16) ANTP Dr Victor Ashaolu; 17); AVOA Ngozi Ogbonna; 18) CSN 19) GONDP. Dayo Liadi 20) EFMA Paul Obazele

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Dad of Ahmaud Arbery speaks on the killing of his son in Georgia: ‘He didn’t deserve to go out like that’ Ahmaud Arbery could not celebrate his 26th birthday as he was shut dead less than two months to his birthday. He was captured on an amateur camera being chased by two white men who claimed they taught he was a burglar and after a short argument with one of the attacker, he was shot dead by the other person. There no evidence that he endangered the lives of the two men as he had no weapon on him, rather they had two guns on them.

The father of the Georgia shooting victim, Ahmaud Arbery said this after the news reached him on his son’s death. “He didn’t deserve to go out like that.”

“He just loved people. He’s the kind of young man that if he had a dollar, and you asked him for that $1, he would give it to you,” the father, Marcus Arbery Sr., told the press. “His heart was just bigger than life.”

On February 23rd 2020 in Brunswick, a coastal city about midway between Savannah and Jacksonville, Florida, he was shot to death after being chased by father and son Gregory

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McMichael, 64, and Travis, 34, in their pickup truck.

Arbery’s family said he was out jogging, while the McMichaels said they thought he was a burglar, according to the Glynn County police report. The McMichaels armed themselves because they believed Arbery might have a gun, the police report said.

The police report did not specifically say whether Arbery was armed, but a lawyer for the family said the victim did not have a weapon. He was just taking a morning run which he often does within that area.

The McMichaels claimed Travis shot Arbery in self-defense after Arbery attacked him and grabbed his gun. Although the video did not show that incident as he was seen running away from the scene and he was shot from the from view.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced last month that the McMichaels were arrested on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault.

Before last month arrests, Arbery’s family had publicly expressed frustration that no arrests had been made.

His father said the family would have celebrated his son’s 26th birthday with a cookout.

“Hanging around with friends ... and try to put some meat on the grill,” the senior Arbery said of the birthday party that won’t take place. “He’d try to keep everybody happy.”

The father added that he is trying to maintain his composure for the sake of his family.

“It’s hurtful,” he said. “I just got to be strong for the rest of my family. I got to be strong for my two children. I just got to be strong for their mama, too.”

Mom says he was chased and shot to death while jogging.

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he family of Ahmaud Arbery is asking for justice more than two months after he was shot and killed in Georgia. Police say two white men in Brunswick who suspected him of a crime chased Arbery, but his family says all he was doing was jogging.

“Ahmaud is no longer with us and he’s not with us because two men followed him while he was jogging and killed him,” Arbery’s mother Wanda Jones told the press.

According to neighbors, there had been break-ins in the area. Arbery was allegedly spotted at a home that was under construction before he began to run. 911 calls came in moments later.

A dispatcher on one 911 call can be heard asking, “and you said someone is breaking into it right now?”

“No, it’s all open, it’s under construction. And he’s running right now. There he goes right now,” the caller says.

The dispatcher then asks what the man is doing and the caller says, “running down the street.”

According to a police report, Gregory McMichael said he saw Arbery run by and recognized him from the break-ins. He and his 34-year-old son Travis McMichael then grabbed a shotgun and a pistol and got into their truck to go after Arbery, the report says.

Once they caught up to him, Gregory McMichael told investigators Arbery “violently” attacked Travis and the two fought “over the shotgun” before Travis shot twice and killed him.

The prosecutor who previously had the case said Travis acted out of self-defense and the pursuers acted within the scope of Georgia’s citizen’s arrest statute.

“It essentially deputizes all citizens to go out and perform police functions. They did not do that properly,” said Lee Merritt, an attorney for Arbery’s family.

Shooting of Ahmaud Arbery:

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Autopsy report out

n autopsy of late Ahmaud Arbery conducted a day after his death has revealed he died from three shotgun wounds, two of them to the chest. The Coroner, Edmund Donoghue noted the cause of death was “multiple shotgun wounds” and classified Arbery’s death as “homicide.”

Two close-range shotgun blasts to the chest that planted two separate groups of shotgun pellets are what killed the 25-yearold jogger, the report said. Arbery also had a graze wound on his right wrist. The autopsy was conducted on February 24th,

Merritt said he believes there have not been any indictments because Gregory McMichael is a former investigator for the Brunswick district attorney’s office. The case has now been transferred to the Ware County district attorney.

“There’s more than enough evidence for a case for murder,” Merritt said.

The McMichaels “should have waited until the authorities arrived,” Jones said. “They had already made a call to 911.”

People defending the McMichaels point to Arbery’s minor brushes with the law, including a shoplifting conviction. His mother said that has nothing to do with this and her son is the victim in this case.

Gregory McMichael told the American television channel, CBS News since the case is being investigated says he has no comment.

By the time we were going to the press, the father and son suspects had been arrested and in police custody waiting to be charged for murder.

the day after Arbery was killed, confirms that all three shots hit him and was the same weapon.

The report also said there were no drugs or alcohol in his system. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations’ report, dated April 1, includes a description of what Ahmaud had on during the fatal shooting. He was wearing a white t-shirt, tan cargo shorts, grey athletic shoes, and two tan bandanas ... all of which were blood stained.

Arbery’s final moment was captured in a graphic video, which prompted a national outcry from people who called for the suspects to be arrested and charged.

Last month, Gregory McMichael, 64, and his son Travis McMichael, 34, were arrested and charged with murder in connection with the killing of Ahmaud Arbery.

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Amazing Free Short Movie “ Last African in Europe”

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his Mockumentary was inspired by an idea coming from Alphonse Muambi, who is a great thinker and philosopher. In his vision, borders should be closed between Africa and Europe, on both sides.

This is a different narrative from most right-wing politicians, who would only talk of closing borders on the European side.

So what will happen if we close borders on both sides, knowing that Africa holds about 30 % of the world’s resources? This short Mockumentary film highlights that.

You are warned over lock down in Uganda says President Museveni

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ganda President, Kaguta Museveni warns against people misbehaving during this COVID-19 period, “God has a lot of work, He has the whole world to look after. He cannot just be here in Uganda looking after idiots”.

“In a war situation, nobody asks anyone to stay indoors. You stay indoors by choice. In fact, if you have a basement, you hide there for as long as hostilities persist. During a war, you don’t insist on your freedom. You willingly give it up in exchange for survival.

During a war, you don’t complain of hunger. You bear hunger and pray that you live to eat again”.

During a war, you don’t argue about opening your business. You close your shop (if you have the time), and run for your life. You pray to outlive the war so that you can return to your business (that’s if it has not been looted or destroyed by mortar fire.

During a war, you are thankful to God for seeing another day in the land of the living. During a war, you don’t worry about your children not going to school. You pray that the government does not forcefully enlist them as soldiers to be trained in the school premises now turned military depot.

The world is currently in a state of war. A war without guns and bullets. A war without human soldiers. A war without borders. A war without cease-fire agreements. A war without a war room. A war without sacred zones. The army in this war is without mercy. It is without any milk of human kindness. It is indiscriminate - it has no respect for children, women, or places of worship. This army is not interested in spoils of war. It has no intention of regime change. It is not concerned about the rich mineral resources underneath the earth. It is not even interested in religious, ethnic or ideological 68

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“It holds up a mirror to society” – Created

by Comedian and Film maker Mo Hersi This movie was created 6 months before Corona crisis. But it is now released for public consumption.

Special thanks to MindBlow Media (Editor), VersPers & Fonds Bijzondere Journalistieke Projecten and my lovely mother as cofinancier. Through the comment button the under video, let me know what think of the short Mockumentary.

By Mo Hersi Amazing Free Short Movie “ Last African in Europe” https://youtu.be/T45tAberH84 hegemony. Its ambition has nothing to do with racial superiority.

It is an invisible, fleet footed, and ruthlessly effective army.

Its only agenda is a harvest of death. It is only satiated after turning the world into one big death field. Its capacity to achieve its aim is not in doubt. Without ground, amphibious and aerial machines, it has bases in almost every country of the world. Its movement is not governed by any war convention or protocol. In short, it is a law unto itself. It is Coronavirus. Also known as COVID-19 (because it announced its destructive presence and intention in the year of our Lord 2019).

Thankfully, this army has a weakness and it can be defeated. It only requires our collective action, discipline and forbearance.

COVID-19 cannot survive social and physical distancing. It only thrives when you confront it. It loves to be confronted.

It capitulates in the face of collective social and physical distancing. It bows before good personal hygiene. It is helpless when you take your destiny in your own hands by keeping them sanitized as often as possible.

This is not a time to cry about bread and butter like spoilt children. After all, the Holy book tells us that man shall not live by bread alone. Let’s obey and follow the instructions of the authorities.

Let’s flatten the COVID-19 curve. Let’s exercise patience. Let’s be our brothers’ keeper. In no time, we shall regain our freedom, enterprise and socializing.

Words of Ugandan President, Kaguta Museveni, a man who has fought in a war situation.

Dumping Nigeria for Portugal is the best decision I made in my life - Francis Obikwelu

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rancis Obikwelu was a promising Nigeria athlete, one looked upon to win an athletic medal for Nigeria at the Olympics and World Championship but during one of his trips abroad, he dumped Nigeria and settled for Portugal.

Then all sort of reactions greeted his decision then but now as he looks back, the former athlete admits that his decision to dump Nigeria was the best he has had to make so far in his life.

He went on to run for Portugal in Athens Olympics winning a Silver Medal.

He is now a personal trainer of one of the best footballers the world has ever seen, Cristiano Ronaldo!

He said that he initially did not like the idea of leaving Nigeria for Portugal after what they did to him.

But it turned out to be the best decision of his life. He was ranked No 2 in the world in the 200 meters when he was still with Nigeria and ran for the country in Sydney 2000.

He developed a knee problem and needed surgery so he approached the Nigerian Athletics Federation for 15,000 dollars which according to him was approved for the surgery but guess what, the money disappeared and he did not receive the cash for the operation. He was heart broken and he thought that was the end of his athletics

career.

Francis was stranded in the hospital for 3 months with no help and support from the Nigerian athletics federation.

When he was bailed by undisclosed means, the Federation told him to his face that he was no longer needed. They told him that they could raise many more Athletes like him so he will not be missed.

Francis decided to dump Nigeria at that point and joined Portugal. He got his citizenship that same year and represented them in Athens in 2004. He won the silver Medal for Portugal in 100m race while the entire Nigerian Olympics team only got 2 bronze medals He came second behind Justin Gatlin of USA. Today he is retired and now a personal trainer to Christian Ronaldo earning fat salaries Asked what he would advice any Nigerian athlete that wants to leave the country for greener pasture abroad, he urged other Athletes to follow his footstep to leave Nigeria once they get the opportunity. “It is about your life and not the country, what can the country do for you when you are down and helpless? he asked as he concludes the chat.

By Maduka Chinemelum

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FIFA, NFF, Football greats remember Rashidi Yekini 8 years after death

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ootball governing body, FIFA, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as well as football greats has been paying glowing tributes to Rashidi Yekini, eight years after his demise.

Rashidi Yekini passed away on May 4, 2012 in Ibadan, Oyo State at the age of 48. “Today we remember one of the World’s most feared strikers of his time, Rashidi Yekini who passed on to glory on this day in 2012. May his soul continue to Rest in Peace,” the NFF wrote on its official Twitter handle.

FIFA posted on its World Cup Twitter handle, Yekini’s celebration after netting Nigeria’s first goal in the competition in 1994, describing it as one of the most iconic goal jubilations in the tournament’s history. “Rasheed Yekini produced one of the most iconic celebrations in #WorldCup history after scoring the @ NGSuperEagles’ first-ever goal in the competition,” said the football body.

“Africa sadly loss one of its greatest-ever players #OnThisDay

in 2012, but his legendary will live on eternally.” His former teammates, Mutiu Adepoju and a former Super Eagles captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh, reminisced their days playing together for the national team.

“8 years ago today,” Oliseh tweeted, “we lost Nigeria’s greatest striker of all time in Rashidi Yekini. May his blessed soul rest in peace”.

In a eulogy to the late footballer, Adepoju who was called the “Headmaster” in his playing days recalled how Yekini rescued the team in difficult times. According to a series of tweets on his official Twitter handle, he described playing alongside the former Vitoria Setubal goal poacher as an honour, adding that Yekini gave his all for the country. “Whenever we seem down and defeated, you always conjure your magic wand and get 70

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us out of trouble with your goals,” he wrote. “It was never a dull moment with you in camp as everyone’s ribs would be cracked at your jokes.

“You were never a contentious person and you saw everyone as your brother not minding their backgrounds. I will never forget you; Nigerians will never forget you. Always in our hearts. Rest in peace King Rasheed Yekini. You were created to score goals and your class remains unmatched!”

For an ex-Ghanaian defender, Anthony Baffoe, the former Abiola Babes star was one of the continent’s most dreaded strikers. Baffoe tweeted: “One of Africa’s most terrific strikers Rashidi Yekini - today marks your 8th year of leaving us.

Continue resting in peace Rashidi.”

The late Yekini was born in Kaduna and began his football career in the Nigerian league where he featured for teams like Abiola Babes, Julius Berger, and Gateway. His stint abroad saw him lining up for Africa Sports National of Ivory Coast from where he teamed up with Vitória de Setúbal in Portugal and emerged as Primeira Liga’s top scorer in the 1993–94 campaign.

He struck 21 times during that season and went ahead to play for Sporting Gijon, Olympiakos, and FC Zurich. Yekini made his senior debut for Nigeria in 1984 and went on to net 37 goals in 58 matches – the highest so far in the country’s history until his retirement after the 1998 World Cup. At the Senegal 1992 and Tunisia 1994 AFCONs, he scored four and five goals respectively, to emerge as the top scorer.

Yekini was a member of the Super Eagles side that played in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups and also featured in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

By Emmanuel Egobiambu

Sports Ministry places late Rashidi Yekini’s mother on monthly stipend, gets Ramadan gifts

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he Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has placed the mother of late Super Eagles striker, Rashidi Yekini, Alhaja Sikiratu, on a monthly stipend. The Representative of the Minister at the donation ceremony, Olaitan Shittu, disclosed this in Ijagbo, near Offa in Kwara State in Nigeria last month, when he donated Ramadan gifts on behalf of the Minister to the aged mother.

The Sports Minister, Mr. Sunday Dare, also donated the sum of N50, 000 as part of the Ramadan gifts to the aged matriarch. Mr. Shittu explained that it was not the first time the Minister was reaching out to Alhaja Sikiratu Yekini as he was also at Mama Yekini’s residence in September, 2019.

Responding, Alhaja Yekini who spoke in her local dialect (Yoruba), thanked the Minister and prayed fervently for him.

“I have been abandoned for a long time and have not seen any help from anyone”. “I was hospitalized for few days, some months ago and I did cater for myself despite scarce resources, even last month, I received treatment from the hospital.

“I need help from Nigerians, but this Minister has done very well, especially remembering me in this holy month of

Ramadan. “Since my son died, it has been very tough for me because I do not have any help from people. Rashidi’s siblings are not doing well too, so, I was left to struggle for life every day,” Alhaja Sikiratu Yekini said.

Late Rashidi Yekini who died eight years ago in Ibadan after retiring from football, had his professional career span more than two decades and was mainly associated with Vitória de Setúbal in Portugal, but he also played in six other countries besides Nigeria.

Yekini scored 37 goals as a Nigerian international from 58 games and represented the nation in five major tournaments, including two World Cups where he scored the country’s first-ever goal in the competition against Bulgaria in the USA 94 World Cup. He was also named the African Footballer of the Year in 1993. Items donated include, 50kg bag of rice, 10kg bag of wheat, six tins of Milo as well as the sum of N50, 000. This was done courtesy of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development in Nigeria.

Didier Drogba gets zero vote from ex-players in FA presidential elections

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helsea legend Didier Drogba’s quest to lead Ivory Coast football received a major blow after former players unanimously voted for his rival. Of the 14 members in the Association, 11 voted for his rival, league president Sory Diabate, while three persons abstained.

The third candidate, the current Vice President, Idriss Diallo also got no votes from the ex-players. The result of the election, which was done via video conferencing, has reportedly sparked a massive debate in the Ivory Coast.

Drogba had been the massive favourite going into the polls, particularly after experienced administrator Eugene Diomande withdrew from the race and publicly backed the former Ivorian captain.

Drogba will hope to have better luck when members of the Active Footballers Association, the coaches, referees and the physios also cast their votes.

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