Issue 60 - Nigerian Watch
Transcription
Issue 60 - Nigerian Watch
E Your next NIGERIAN WATCH Ambassador praises diaspora’s prejudice-busting disability day F R E WE MUST NOT DISCRIMINATE available from October 8 NIGERIAN WATCH THE UK’S LEADING AFRICAN NEWSPAPER WITH THE LARGEST CIRCULATION BEFFTA COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 Issue No 060 FORTNIGHTLY To Inspire, Inform and Entertain nigerianwatch.com SOS ISSUED Campaign launched to save the UK’s only African Families Service Page 8 OUR GLORIOUS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE Blazing a trail for Black History Month – pages 16-19 Send Money Online to your loved ones www.worldremit.com Your first transaction is FREE Use promo code NW15WR today QUEEN FLO Florence Nosegbe set to be voice of south London in City Hall Page 3 JOBS ALERT BUPA & VSI TECHNOLOGIES ARE RECRUITING – PAGE 6 2 NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 Follow us on Twitter @NigerianWatch NEWSWATCH NIGERIAN WATCH COMMENT The job of BHM can’t be said to be done Y ou will have noticed, I hope, that we have made Black History Month front page news. That is because it should be. This was a great symbolic institution that gave official recognition to the contribution black people have made to Britain and the world. It breathed confidence into the community and was scheduled in October to breathe black history into the classroom. This is no longer the case. In 2012 the official ties were cut, when Mayor Boris Johnson reduced funding for Black History Month to £10,000, while giving £100,000 to USA Day. Cash-strapped councils followed suit. The justification is ‘the job is done’. The same justification that has been made to Britain’s only African Families Service, which has an enviable international reputation (see page, 10). “Anything with ‘black’ in the title,” has become a common refrain among public servants, meaning that is where the austerity cuts will be made. Is there a trend developing here? While the African Families Service promotes positive community psychology, Black History Month gives it. Both remain necessary. For neither one of them can it be thought ‘the job is done’. Maryanne Jemide, MD Publisher Tevin Jemide Publisher/Managing Director Maryanne Jemide Managing Editor Jon Hughes Art Editor Cathy Constable Contributors Obah Iyamu; Harriet Ogbeide; AJ James; Ayo Akinfe; Funmi Odegbami; Samuel Kasumu; Ngozi Mbana; Ekanem Robertson, Jessica Onah, Laura Adenuga; Edel Meremikwu Chief Cartoonist Harold Ogbeide Office address Nigerian Watch Chartwell House 292 Hale Lane Edgware Middlesex HA8 8NP Email [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Website www.nigerianwatch.com Tel: 020 8588 9640 Fax: 020 7160 5232 Nigerian Watch is a fortnightly newspaper owned by Green World Media Ltd. Views expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. All rights reserved. No part of the newspaper may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. ISSN 2051-4670 MAIN PICTURE: More than one hundred young people marched from the Aylesbury estate to Canterbury Place where Mohammed was murdered, to pay their respects. INSET: Mohammed 16-year-old is London’s road kill victim number 10 in 2015 On September 14 at around 10.30pm, 16-year-old Mohammed Dura-Ray tragically became the 10th teenager to die on the streets of London this year. Mohammed was stabbed repeatedly when he was confronted by a gang of youths near a children’s playground in Elephant and Castle, south London. Police said they were called to a ‘large disturbance’ on Monday shortly after 10pm and found the boy with a chest wound. Doctors carried out emergency surgery but were unable to save his life. A subsequent postmortem gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest. One eyewitness said, “I saw the boy running and he was clutching his chest and he fell to the ground. There was a group of about 20 youths there. Then some of them ran off. “There were three men who got in a car which sped off and then two or three boys went off on bikes. Some other boys ran off as well. “His friends were left. They were desperate. They were trying to save him. It was horrible. I saw the paramedics strip him off and I think they were performing open heart surgery before they took him away.” Seven men aged between 16 and 54 have been arrested over the attack as detectives investigate whether it was sparked by gang tensions. Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Gwyn of the Homicide and Major Crime Command appealed for anyone who witnessed this disturbance or has any information that may assist the investigation to contact the incident room at Lewisham on 020 8721 4805. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. MAYOR’S ANTI-GANG STRATEGY COLLAPSES Boris Johnson’s programme to tackle gang violence in London has been rejected by two out of the three councils trialling it, with communities refusing to accept it amid fears its punitive measures risk worsening relations with police. Based on a model successfully used in the US, the three-pronged Operation Shield combines community mobilisation and opportunities for young people to move away from crime with harsh collective punishment for those who remain in gangs. But Haringey council, one of three councils involved in piloting the scheme, decided it could not go ahead with it after community partners unanimously rejected it. A consultation in Haringey was told that the operation’s tactics would erode the community’s trust in authorities and hand draconian powers to police that could too easily be misused. Lambeth council had previously dismissed the plan after a similar backlash. Ken Hinds, the chairman of Haringey’s independent stop and search monitoring group told the Guardian, “The main objection was the enforcement side of things from both the council and the police. Another side of it was how do they label gang members? A third side of it was the collective punishment, about targeting the families.” He raised concerns about racial profiling, saying, “They are only targeting young black men, but we know that the organised criminals [in Haringey] are mainly from the Turkish and Albanian communities. The young black men are the tail and not the head.” Lee Jasper, a race relations activist based in Lambeth, said the scheme had been backed with “peanuts” compared with US versions, which allocated millions of dollars in funding for community initiatives and exit strategies to divert youngsters away from crime. “It’s not on the scale it needs to be at all,” he said. “What they are doing is providing a fig leaf to cover up this big enforcement operation.” The rejection of the plan is a serious blow to the London mayor’s office for policing and crime (Mopac). It had earmarked £200,000 for a 12-month pilot it hoped would reduce levels of youth violence. Based on a model called the gang violence intervention, developed in the US in the wake of the crack cocaine epidemic, it was a key part of the mayor’s policing strategy to fight crime while cutting costs by targeting the most prolific criminals. In Lambeth, where the pilot was first introduced this year, community groups have also effectively forced the council to ditch the scheme, with officials saying it is already regarded as a failure. As part of the strategy, the borough was obliged to invite suspected gang members to a “call-in” session. Few turned up and the council judged that the initiative had essentially failed. “In the US, gang members are required by law to attend call-ins. In the UK the legal framework is very different,” said Lib Peck, the Lambeth council leader. “The model of collective punishment Boris proposed doesn’t apply in the same way and so has needlessly angered community members who are otherwise willing to work with us to tackle this very serious issue.” Westminster, Operation Shield’s third pilot borough, appears to be the only one going ahead with the scheme as planned. A spokesperson said the borough was working closely with the police and community groups, adding: “Shield is part of that process.” A Mopac spokesperson said, “The Shield pilot is just one of many schemes to help tackle gang crime based on the mayor’s commitment to prevent gang membership and help members leave gangs, robustly enforce the law against criminal behaviour and build support and confidence in local communities. “Working more closely with members of local communities, who have already made their support and commitment to the aims of the project clear, Shield is already supporting a number of individuals out of gangs, away from crime and into better lives.” Like us on Facebook facebook.com/NigerianWatch NEWSWATCH NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 3 The Naija girl from Brixton’s Barrier Block set to be the voice of south London at the GLA NOSEGBE SET FOR CITY HALL Proud south Londoner and Brixton Hill Councillor Florence Nosegbe has been selected as the Labour party’s candidate for the Lambeth and Southwark constituency at the London Assembly elections for May 2016 – which means she is a shoo-in to become a prominent campaigner in City Hall. Her main challenger for the vacant seat was another Nigerian woman, the equally talented Southwark Mayor Dora Dixon-Fyle, who lost out by 320 votes. Ms Nosegbe polled 1,580 votes in the election that was contested under a women only list. The Lambeth and Southwark GLA constituency covers five parliamentary constituencies. Ms Nosegbe secured the backing of Streatham, Dulwich & West Norwood and Vauxhall while Ms Dixon-Fyle won the backing of Peckham and Southwark & Old Bermondsey. As Lambeth and Southwark is an ultra-safe Labour seat Ms Nosegbe is guaranteed to become a member of the Greater London Assembly next May. bring the voice of south London to the assembly, . “I’m a life long Brixton resident, and I grew up on the Southwyck House Estate, I’ve lived in temporary accommodation, I went to school locally, I’ve worked in the local Sainsbury’s; those are all things that make me and define my politics. “So I know what its like Dora Dixon-Fyle when people cast aspersions Sadiq Khan on you or think that you’re not going to achieve things because of where you come from.” Ms Nosegbe has identified housing, transport, and police and community safety as the critical issues on which she will campaign in City Hall (see box, right). On being selected Ms Nosegbe tweeted, “Honoured to be selected Labour Candidate 4my home At the last election in 2012 seat of Lambeth&Southwark. Val Shawcross – whose Next stop 2get a Labour decision to stand down has Mayor back in City Hall created the vacancy – was #LabourWin2016” Sadiq Khan has been elected with a 52.8% share of the vote. Her nearest rival selected by the Labour party was the Conservative Michael to be its candidate for Mayor, Mitchell, who polled 19.37% defeating Tessa Jowell, Diane Abbot, David Lammy and of the vote. Ms Nosegbe pledged to Christian Wolmar. Florence Nosegbe Housing Campaign to set higher targets for developers to provide training and employment opportunities Push developers to pay a London living wage, as part of the planning process Campaign for and support resident and tenant housing managements and new homes with mixed communities Lobby the Mayor to tackle rogue landlords Campaign on a new house building programme and devolved powers to bring back empty homes Transport Push for a clear timetable for the proposed Bakerloo Line extension and a business case for the 'Brunel Bridge' Work with Lambeth and Southwark cycling campaigns to raise awareness and push for a review on lorry deliveries during rush hour Campaign for the extension of the cycle hire scheme across southern parts of Lambeth and Southwark Police and Community Safety Campaign for resources to help support girls and women at risk of gang related violence and domestic abuse Push for the Mayors Office for Police and Crime to work with local organisations across Lambeth and Southwark to help offenders in addressing social problems including mental health, drug abuse, unemployment and homelessness Push for the Mayor to implement the recommendations from the stop and search report I worked on with Tessa Jowell and Baroness Doreen Lawrence Umunna out, Abbot in as Labour regroups under Corbyn Diane Abbot sits next to Labour’s new leader Jeremy Corbyn on the opposition front bench A little over 24 hours after the Labour party overwhelmingly elected Jeremy Corbyn MP to be its new leader, Streatham MP Chuka Umunna (above) resigned from his role in the shadow cabinet as shadow business secretary, citing differences with the new leader over Europe. It was reported that Umunna spoke to Mr Corbyn on Sunday afternoon (Sept 13) and later issued a statement saying, “There are a number of key points of difference on policy which I believe it would be dishonest to deny exist. If Jeremy’s clear victory yesterday demonstrated anything, it was a desire for politicians to be true to what they believe – I want to abide by this. “Jeremy should be free to appoint a shadow cabinet committed to implementing the policies on which he campaigned in the contest – I clearly had some differences in view on how we build a more equal, democratic, free and fair society. “Given these differences, not least on the European referendum, I would find it difficult to abide by the collective responsibility that comes with serving in the shadow cabinet.” Mr Umunna, who fleetingly was hot favourite to become the party’s leader until he withdrew from the race, citing unacceptable press intrusion, has said he will instead be working with veteran MP Keith Vaz on an independent review into the support for Labour among ethnic minorities. Meanwhile, Diane Abbott, has become the shadow international development minister post The MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington took to twitter to share her promotion, writing, “Very happy to be shadowing International Development. A life long passion of mine & key to more peaceful planet.” Abbott, who failed to win the party nomination for Mayor of London, joins the shadow cabinet for the second time in her career to make up one of the 16 women. 4 NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 Follow us on Twitter @NigerianWatch NEWSWATCH NIGERIA’S EBOLA HEROINE TO BE IMMORTALISED BY HOLLYWOOD Hollywood actor Danny Glover has revealed that he is to star in a movie based on people who risked and sacrificed their lives to stop the spread of Ebola in Africa’s most populous country. HEROINE: Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh Mr Glover said he is proud to take part in the film, called “93 Days”, because of the achievements made by the real-life characters. Nigerian actress Bimbo Akintola will portray Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, who along with her team diagnosed the first Ebola case in Nigeria. Dr Adadevoh put the patient under quarantine and stubbornly refused to discharge the Liberian man, who was sick with the infection, despite enormous pressure. Adadevoh eventually died along with three other hospital staff that had contracted the disease. Her heroic actions ensured that the fastspreading virus was quickly contained. Mr Glover will portray the director of the hospital where Dr Adadevoh worked. Ms Akintola said the movie is a story of how Nigeria, “a country where many institutions have weakened due to endemic corruption and ethnic strife”, triumphed over the spread of Ebola, which ravaged the country’s West African neighbours of Guinea, Sierra-Leone and Liberia “Nigerians acted as one. There was Danny Glover nothing about you being of a different ethnicity or from a different political party, it was about Nigerians just standing up and doing this incredible thing for Nigeria,” Ms Akintola said. She said the movie will be about courage in the face of death. “The doctors at First Consult (hospital) didn’t ask for an Ebola patient. They weren’t expecting it. But they stood up to the plate when it turned out the patient had Ebola. No one ran away. That is courage in the face of death.” About 12,000 people fly out of Nigeria daily to different corners of the globe, Akintola said, adding that an Ebola outbreak in Nigeria would have had a devastating effect on the world. According to the World Health Organization, news of the first Ebola case in Nigeria on July 23 last year rocked public health communities all around the world, who feared an unprecedented global pandemic . “The last thing anyone in the world wants to hear is the two words, ‘Ebola’ and ‘Lagos’ in the same sentence,” said WHO, quoting Jeffrey Hawkins, the United States Consul General in Nigeria at the time. “Nigeria is Africa’s most populous The inclusion of the movie Fifty at one of the world’s top film festivals marks a remarkable return to the silver screen for Brixton-based Nigerian film maker Biyi Bandele (pictured right). Mr Bandele has only ever made one other film, the critically acclaimed adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half A Yellow Sun, which he both wrote and directed. While an acclaimed author and playwright, it was considered an astonishing debut for a novice, who openly admits he learnt all he knows about film making from watching everything and anything screened at the Ritzy over many years. After filming Half A Yellow country and its newest economic powerhouse. For a disease outbreak, it is also a powder keg. The number of people living in Lagos – around 21 million – is almost as large as the populations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone combined,” WHO said last year in a publication about the outbreak. “Officials were worried how they would manage to trace people who had come into contact with persons infected with Ebola in order place them in isolation.” Dr Adadevoh’s heroic actions prevented such on outcome coming to pass. Nigerian and Jamaican shortlisted for the Booker prize for fiction Gala premier for Bandele’s Nollywood debut ‘Fifty’ A Nollywood blockbuster about the lives of four Lagos women has been given a gala premiere slot at this year’s London Film Festival, which opens in the capital on October 7 with the theme “the year of the strong woman”. Bimbo Akintola Sun he shot a series of Shuga, West Africa’s popular sexual health soap. Mr Bandele’s Fifty is described as a riveting exploration of love and lust, power and rivalry, and seduction and infidelity, set in Africa’s most populous city, Lagos, starring Ireti Doyle, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Dakore Egbuson, Omoni Oboli. It is the first production from Ebonylife Films, founded by Africa's Queen of Chat Mo Abudu, to tell African stories and connect with a global audience through a shared identity. Fifty will premiere on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at the Vue 7 Cinema, Leicester Square, London. Nigerian Chigozie Obioma is among the six authors to have been shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize for Fiction for his debut novel The Fisherman. Aged just 28 Mr Obioma is the youngest author ever to make the shortlist. The announcement came just as he took up the post of Assistant Professor of literature and creative writing at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in America. His novel has drawn global acclaim, with the bibliophiles bible the New York Times declaring him “the heir to Chinua Achebe”, and a former winner Eleanor Catton declaring it “mythic”. The Fisherman tells the story of four brothers and the consequences of Chigozie Obioma their encounter with an Abulu, a vision-seeing madman whose prophecy of violence will follow the boys through their lives, and shake up their family in both devastatingly tragic and yet redemptive ways. Already deemed a "classic tale of boyhood," The Fishermen is both a coming-of-age novel, and a powerful portrait of familial and brotherly bonds, and what happens when trust – the main chord that binds a family – is broken. Yet it also delivers a political punch, deconstructing the aftermath of the Abiola elections that impede Nigeria’s growth today. Also in the running for the prize is Marlon James, the first Jamaican ever to feature on the shortlist, for his The Brief History of Seven Killings, which tells the story of an attempt to assassinate Bob Marley against a backdrop of political turmoil and violence. 6 NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 Follow us on Twitter @NigerianWatch JOBSWATCH NIGERIAN WATCH JOBS Calling all Nigerian Diaspora HOT! !! HOT!!! HOT!!! Sr. Pre-Sales Technical Storage Engineer Location: Nigeria Job purpose Provides high-level technical expertise in support of pre- sales activities in the assigned market. Assists in the analysis, design and development of fully integrated technology solutions. Duties and responsibilities • Uses knowledge of competitive solutions to effectively address and dispel customer objections to EMC solutions, and train the account team. • Develops relationships with the account team, partners and customers in support of sales team objectives and engages and leverages corporate resources, abilities, budgets and personnel as appropriate. Strategizes and executes technical sales calls . • Assists the Sales Team to develop and implement specific account penetration strategies, produce account specific product and service and sales plans. • Presents and markets the design and value of proposed EMC solution and business case to customers, prospects and EMC management. Possesses detailed product/technology/industry knowledge. Knowledge of job associated software and applications Qualifications • Experience in designing and selling advanced storage solutions • Cloud Computing experience is beneficial • Minimum 5-10 + years of experience of which 3-7+ years in Presales in storage in a SE/Sr.SE capacity. • Good understanding of server virtualization technologies (such as VMware vSphere) • .EMC Proven Professional Certification desired. • Good understanding of the telecommunications industry Packages • Salary based on Experience • Relocation Package • Car Allowance • Medicals Contact TINU Email: [email protected] Phone: +1-646-572-8646 Job Title: Venue / Centre / Event Manager Location: Mill Hill, North London Salary: Competitive basic rate plus UNCAPPED COMMISSION We have a venue/banquet hall and are looking for a person to manage different kinds of events at our venue.You will be expected to handle the overall operations of the venue – food arrangements, seating arrangements, decoration of the hall, entertainment arrangements and other related activities.You will be responsible for everything happening in the venue. ENJOY TIER 2 SPONSORSHIP AND A GREAT FUTURE IN NURSING WITH BUPA. NURSES NATIONWIDE COMPETITIVE SALARY + BENEFITS With Tier 2 sponsorship, Bupa is a great place to build your future. We’re the leading name in nursing and residential care, supporting nearly 18,000 people across a network of nearly 300 homes. We need capable, caring nurses across the country – and we can offer you an excellent salary and working conditions. But that’s just the beginning. When you join us, you can also expect 28 days’ holiday (including bank holidays), a stakeholder pension and life assurance scheme, free annual NMC registration and DBS or PVG check, weekly staff discounts and offers, hot meals provided, child care vouchers, Bupa Fit (staff health plan) and our Cycle to Work scheme. Plus a career that can take you anywhere you want to go. To discover what a nursing career with Bupa can do for you, please call the recruitment team on 0800 028 0275 or visit bupa.co.uk/careers This position is open to an enthusiastic individual eager to make a big impression.You should be a highly self-motivated person not only able to source and develop new business but recognise and develop cross selling opportunities, build new clients and feel comfortable selling both on the phone and face to face. Key Responsibilities: ● Ensuring that the place gets a good number of events/parties through promotions & contacts ● Meeting clients & telling them about the available services at the banquet hall ● Taking orders from clients and understanding their requirements ● Making arrangements for an event – from booking to entertainment ● Estimating the cost of an event and presenting it to the management &, the clients ● Marketing the services of the banquet hall & expanding the client base ● Making new additions to the services of the banquet hall ● Planning food festivals and other events to attract more and more customers ● Be present throughout events to address the needs of the guests ● Train the venue staff Ideal Candidate would have: ● Excellent communication, selling and negotiation skills ● Excellent watching, event planning and organization abilities ● Creative bent of mind to plan successful events & attract more clients ● Excellent management skills and energy levels ● Ability to see and listen to details provided by the clients ● Multitasking ability and people management skills ● Excellent customer service skills ● Exceptional problem solving skills and decision making abilities ● Ability to work under high pressure If you are interested in this role please email your cv to [email protected] Nigerian Watch is seeking AD SALES staff Turn to page 23 for more info… Like us on Facebook facebook.com/NigerianWatch ADVERTORIAL Health crisis leaves one in four black people dying to hear from you Over a third of people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities in the UK admit they haven’t considered organ donation or decided if they want to be an organ donor, a survey by the UK agency NHS Blood and Transplant has revealed. And over a quarter of a million people who do want to donate their organs when they die say they haven’t talked to a loved one about that decision. Yet more people from BAME communities also know someone who has received or is in need of a transplant than their white counterparts. This is not surprising as latest statistics show that 28% of people on the waiting list for an organ transplant are from a BAME or mixed race background. David Harewood registered Organ donor Across the UK there are 10,000 people in need of a transplant. Last year the number of people donating organs fell for the first time in 11 years. The UK also has one of the lowest rates in Europe for families consenting to organ donation; in 2014/15 only 58% agreed to donate their family members’ organs after they died and only 80 of the 1,282 deceased organ donors last year were from BAME communities. Anthony Clarkson, NHS Blood and Transplant’s Assistant Director for Organ Donation and Nursing said, “Patients from Black, Asian and some ethnic minority communities are more likely to need an organ transplant than the rest of the population as they are more susceptible to illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and certain forms of hepatitis, all of which may result in organ failure and the need for a lifesaving transplant. “To save more lives we need more donors from all communities. To raise that number we really need everyone to understand the importance of not being complacent. We need to get to the point where organ donation is high on the list of important personal conversations we routinely have with loved ones.” The survey found that, as a nation, we are happy to talk about many personal topics, yet we are avoiding conversations that could mean the difference between life and death for someone in need of an organ transplant. The survey found: 7 in 10 adults have told a loved one how they would spend a lottery win Almost two thirds have discussed their preference for burial or cremation Nearly half have confided the part of their body they would most like to change 47% have shared destinations they dream of travelling to before they die Yet, even among those who want to be organ donors, there is reluctance to talk about the subject – with key reasons being discomfort around talking about death and not wanting to upset family members. Reluctance to talk about organ donation means many healthy organs that could be donated are not used. Orin Lewis OBE, Co-founder and CEO of the ACLT (African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust) said: “As a nation we’re happy sharing dreams and aspirations with one another, yet too many of us are still not making the time or are not comfortable talking about organ donation. “Telling your loved ones you want to be an organ donor means your family will be in no doubt about your decision meaning your wishes will be fulfilled should you die in circumstances where organ donation is possible. “We’d like everyone from all communities to give a few minutes of their time to think about organ donation and talk about whether they want to be an organ donor with their relatives or a close friend.” Of those who have had a conversation about organ donation with a loved one an overwhelming 93% said it was an easy conversation to have – although nearly a quarter (23%) admitted that chat took place over five years ago. To advertise call 0208 588 9640 or email [email protected] AFRICA INVEST: YOUR GATEWAY TO OWNING PROPERTY IN AFRICA – BY POPULAR DEMAND This year The Property Investor & Homebuyer Show (October 9 & 10 at the London ExCeL) will feature the first ever ‘Africa Invest’ zone. Nigerian Watch’s AJ James spoke to show Director Mike Doyle about this innovation. Tell us about Africa Invest 2015 Essentially it is the inclusion of a selection of leading West African property companies – mainly from Nigeria & Ghana – presenting a selection of property developments in those countries within the International section of the show. In addition there will be a number of seminar presentations plus a panel debate on Saturday lunchtime. These sessions – which are exclusive to this event - give visitors the opportunity to quiz senior company representatives face-to-face. Why did you decide to add this feature to the show? We are always looking to keep the show fresh by introducing content that visitors will respond to. Including zones from the African continent is nothing new in itself as in previous years we have included dedicated zones for Egypt and Morocco that have been well received by visitors. However, the difference here is that the show is already visited by many ex-patriate and second generation West Africans – they are interested in buying UK property too! – and we have been asked by many visitors when the show would feature West African property, so we are pleased to be able to respond to customer demand. We expect it to be one of the show’s most popular initiatives of recent years. What has been the response from African property companies? Very positive. The big appeal is to those companies who are serious about looking to do business with international buyers – and we are particularly pleased to have the support of companies with the profile and reputation of Eko Atlantic (Nigeria), Clifton Homes (Ghana) and First National Bank, who will all have stands at the show. Better still these companies are sending their senior management teams to the event – creating a unique opportunity for UK-based buyers to address their questions to some of the most influential people in the West African property sector. As the UK’s longest-running property event we take a longterm view of these features and whether they can develop over time, so looking to next year it is also pleasing for us to learn that a number of other companies who were not able to take part this time are sending representatives to the show with a view to taking part in one of our 2016 exhibitions. Also I must mention the contribution of two Anglo-African partner companies - Joseph Farodoye and his team at Africa Property Invest (API) and Bola Aderemi Bayewumi and his team at FdiAfrica - who have helped us bring this feature together and are committed to raising the profile of West African property in the UK. What does it cost to visit the event? Nothing at all. Entry to both the exhibition and seminars is free. All that visitors need to do is register before entering the hall. We advise visitors to register online at the show website in advance of their visit for two reasons; first, it saves time queuing on the day and secondly, to book seminar seats online, visitors need to be registered to attend. The Property Investor & Homebuyer Show takes place at ExCeL London 9 & 10 October 2015. Doors open at 10.00 am both days. To register for free entry and book seminars visit www.propertyinvestor.co.uk EX EXCEL CEL L LONDON ONDON 9– 9–10 10 OCT OCTOBER OBER 20 2015 15 Don’t miss se several veral ‘‘free free to to en enter’ ter’ African Pr Property operty seminars on FFriday riday and SSaturday aturday – plus a special panel debate deba te on Saturday Saturday lunchtime. lunchtime. REGISTER REGISTER ONLINE Exhibitors Exhibit ors include tlantic (Nigeria) Eko AAtlantic Eko Adr Adron on Homes (Nigeria) Clift Clifton on Homes ((Ghana) Ghana) Firs ank of Nigeria (UK offic e) Firstt BBank office) FOR FOR FREE ENTR ENTRY RY & FREE SEMINARS www.propertyinvestor.co.uk www.propertyinvestor.co.uk (ENTER PROMO PROMO CCODE: ODE: NW2809) FREE SHOW ENTRY 8 NEWSWATCH NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 Follow us on Twitter @NigerianWatch RIVERS STATE ABANDONS ITS FUTURE LEADERS IN UK Shell hails summit as a game-changer Aside from causing great embarrassment among Nigerians in the diaspora – noted for their commitment to academic achievement – the impact of the state’s actions is being felt across Nigeria, as Universities in the UK have been alerted to the situation and advised to seek often prohibitive up-front annual payment for accommodation on top of tuition fees. In an 11th-hour bid to save their futures five Rivers State students studying at the University of Huddersfield came down to London on Tuesday September 15 to protest outside the High Commission. They were there to represent up to 100 students across the UK, studying at universities from Leeds to Sussex; there are another 100 facing the same plight in America. The five had been prevented from entering their final year over unpaid tuition fees; three studying energy engineering, Victor Ofurum, Joseph Ifamama and The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Ltd (SNEPCo) has declared its latest business summit in Aberdeen “a game-changer” as it bids to repatriate skills and experience to the oil and gas industry back home. The forum, christened The Global Nigerian is the third in Europe’s oil and gas hub Aberdeen, attracted over 270 industry chiefs and had the theme Networking and Collaboration as a tool for national Development and Growth. Addressing the meeting SNEPCo Managing Director Tony Attah said, “When, in 2013, we set out with the initiative for local companies to collaborate with Nigerian experts in Aberdeen on opportunities and challenges in the Nigeria oil and gas industry, we knew this would be a game changer. Today, we can say that the game changer is beginning to take shape as Nigerians have started to return home to set up businesses.” Minister for Trade and Investment at the Nigerian High Commission, Mr Hassan Hassan agreed, saying, “This is the right time for our experts to return home to make a contribution and be part of the success story.” The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Denzil Kentebe commended Shell and confirmed the board’s continuing support for both initiatives. In a presentation on procedures for potential contractors in Nigeria, the Deputy Manager at the Nigerian National Petroleum Investment and Management Services Mrs Martina Atuchi said, “We are inviting you to be part of the leading African economy with a lot of untapped hydrocarbon resources.” Up to 100 Nigerian students in the UK have been unable to enter their final year of study and face deportation thanks to unpaid fees by their sponsor, the Rivers State government. Kevin Nwoke; a pharmaceutical chemist student Kpogbara Bariyiga; and computer science engineer Darrick George. The young men had come to the University of Huddersfield on grants from the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA). However, without warning the state stopped paying their tuition fees two years ago and their living allowance just short of one year ago. Despite being made homeless and having to sofa-surf among friends while working countless jobs to keep alive they continued to excel in their studies. “We met our mandate and made our grades,” said Mr Nwoke. “We really hope the new government in Rivers State can and will urgently save the day for us.” But finally, after showing much patience and great endeavour to resolve the situation their University felt compelled to act. Andrew Mandebura, director of International Development at the University of Huddersfield, told Nigerian Watch, “It is very disappointing that the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency have let their students down. “We have been dealing with this Rivers State students publicise their plight outside the Nigeria High Commission in London issue for several months since Christmas. Colleagues from the university have even visited the RSSDA office in Nigeria to try and resolve the situation and we have also contacted them on several occasions in the last month and received sporadic replies but no sign of payments. “The most worrying aspect in this situation is that the students have not been receiving living expenses which were due to be paid by the sponsor, and some have been evicted from accommodation after months of our Student Union lobbying on their behalf. “Both myself and staff from the International Office have been meeting with the students periodically for the last six weeks to keep them advised of the situation. “It would be irresponsible of us to keep these students in the UK if they have no means of supporting themselves. “All things weighed up the best course of action is to allow them to complete this year, suspend their studies and pick up where they left off once their financial issues have been resolved.” The Nigeria High Commission’s Consular, Welfare and Education department has also raised the students’ plight with the RSSDA to no avail. Like us on Facebook facebook.com/NigerianWatch KASUMUWATCH NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 9 The Samuel KASUMU Column CAN CHUKA BOUNCE BACK AFTER HIS CALAMITOUS YEAR? The politicians’ dilemma The race to be the next Mayor of London has been the best political talent contest for a generation. Both Labour and Conservatives have fielded some very strong candidates with respectable track records and a clear view on how they believe they could improve outcomes for Londoners. Labour have of course selected Sadiq Khan, a centre left candidate who benefited from Corbyn supporters that couldn’t bring themselves to vote for the Blairite favourite Tessa Jowell. Khan made a point of emphasising the fact that he indeed supported the new Labour leader’s bid for the top job, and in backing a winning horse he has now made himself one of only two people that will walk through the doors of City Hall as the boss next May. This really got me thinking about how one should play their hand in politics. Should you back the best player, and if the best isn’t necessarily the one likely to win, should you switch allegiance or stick with the conviction of your opinions? Many people in May 2015 probably had the same conundrum when they were faced with the prospect of a vote for Labour equalling a vote for the SNP, or in Scotland a vote for the SNP equalling a ‘vote for the Tories’. Fortunately, or unfortunately, politics at the very heart of it is a numbers game. The person with the most votes, the most fans in “Should you switch allegiance to one likely to win or stick with your convictions?” In one glaring aspect the Tory party must be seen to change The largest annual debate tour in the UK gets going once again this October. It’s a tour that I founded with a friend of mine in 2009 and has grown to become one of the key moments on the university calendar. We visit England, Scotland, and Wales, engaging thousands of people in one debate over a six week period. For us this tour represents a key part of Black History, and I am convinced that in years to come people who go on to achieve phenomenal things will remember when they sat in one of our debates and were inspired to do more in their community. My passion for equality is what guides my engagement in public life, and the more I have read about Britain’s migration story, the more I am inspired to hopefully one day make my own significant contribution for the greater good. Unfortunately here in our country we are yet to have prominent black conservatives that people like myself can look to as inspiration. We have however seen the likes of Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell in particular blaze a trail in the United States, and have taken great hope from their stories. The African Caribbean experience within the UK has many parallels but of course is not identical to that of the United States. We too had our own Conservative champion for the abolition of slavery, William Wilberforce. From the time the Empire Windrush reached the docks of Tilbury in 1948 there has been a friction with the Conservative movement and black Britons. But Britain’s political and economic landscape has changed. This is a theme that we hope to explore as we begin what will hopefully be a Great Debate. the media, and/or the most money tends to be the person that takes home the prize. I believe that when it is all said and done we must think about two outcomes. What is the best outcome we could have and what is the most bearable outcome, and of the two, which is the one most likely to happen based on the mood of the people. Fortunately in May 2015 both the best outcome and the most bearable outcome was a Conservative government, which is why the people gave our party a majority for the first time in 18 years. But it didn’t look like this was what would happen at the time. Ultimately politicians, and those who commentate, will forever be at a point where they are trying to predict where public opinion will be at one point in time. Chuka Umunna, the former Labour leadership hopeful, has had one calamitous year politically by any stretch of the imagination. He very quickly after the General Election in May began to deliver an autopsy report that pretty much threw his former leader Ed Miliband under the bus. Ed gave Chuka, a relatively inexperienced parliamentarian, a fasttrack ticket that most could only dream of, and the thanks he received can only be described as slightly softer version of Peter’s denial of Jesus. To make things worse Chuka announced his leadership campaign and all of a sudden found a girlfriend, disappointing single Nigerian women throughout the diaspora. Before people could digest the idea of having Britain’s own version of Obama… he was gone. To make things worse Chuka then backed the least likely winner of the Labour leadership contest, Liz Kendal. Liz, in my opinion could bat for UKIP with ease. She is even too right wing for me… a paid up Conservative. This further isolated Chuka from the black community, but was not the last of his many sins. To make things worse he then decided to publicly back the Blairite candidate for the Mayoral elections, Tessa Jowell. In doing so, he not only side stepped all of the BME candidates that were on show, but he also further decided to voice an opinion no one requested. I think the term here is that one should ‘pick their battles’. Now of course you should not back a candidate simply because of the colour of their skin: I am backing Zac Goldsmith’s bid to be the Conservative’s Mayoral candidate over Syed Kamall, a very strong candidate that I would be delighted to also see continue to represent Londoners. But in making a choice to be so explicit in backing a candidate in the Labour leadership race, where he certainly didn’t need to, Chuka made yet another demonstration of his political naivety. But people should remember that Mr Umunna has only been a member of parliament for five years, and before that wasn’t exactly the most experienced political animal. He has had to learn very quickly as he was elevated to a position beyond his years. I believe he is still one of the most talented parliamentarians and will learn from this year. I honestly hope come 2020 a more experienced Umunna emerges, as he is certainly a unique person. I would urge those who he has offended to forgive him and give him another chance. NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 SAVE OUR FAMILY SERVICE A rearguard action has been launched by church and community leaders and academics to save the UK’s only African Families Service (AFS) from being axed. The threat of closure comes at a time when the unit’s services have never been more in demand, both locally and internationally for its pioneering work on the psychology of the African child in relation to street violence and its specialist knowledge on how to deal with refugees. Yet it has been pared to the bone by cash-strapped Tower Hamlets council in east London, who axed the unit’s dedicated community worker in May. The deletion of the post came a matter of weeks after the council sang the unit’s praises for the staging of a conference on Safeguarding Black African Children and their Families, which attracted delegates from across Europe and the Metropolitan Police among others. After the event the Town Hall proclaimed, “Europe looks to Tower Hamlets for African Family Expertise.” Below the headline the article continued, “The service has specialist knowledge in the culture and beliefs of the black African community and provides social work expertise for families from this community and runs a local forum to discuss any issues that arise. “It also provides social work guidance and general training for other local authorities and organisations around working with African families.” But it seems to have become a victim of its own success, with a Town Hall report recommending it be disbanded, while warning of the grave risks of doing so. The report states, “This saving proposal may reduce the council’s capacity to carry Amma Ananeagyei (seated) with AFS champions (l-r) Elfrith Reynolds, Andree Klapov, Renee Redhead and Pauline Martin out targeted development of safeguarding work within the Muslim and African community in Tower Hamlets. This includes a wide ranging profile of work such as work raising awareness of safeguarding issues in the community with pastors and imams, parents and families, direct case work alongside other professionals and services, and work to enhance professional knowledge and skills in working with Muslim and African Families.” It continues, “The team was established to engage a hard to reach section of the community but as this work has now taken place and better relationships with these communities have been developed it is now an appropriate time to mainstream the work of the team within statutory social care teams. The positive outreach undertaken by the team will continue to be undertaken by the mainstream social care teams.” However, many doubt this will happen, including frontline childcare workers, who spoke to Nigerian Watch, and church and community leaders. Pastor Segun George – head of one of 85 subterranean African churches in Tower Hamlets – has launched a pre-emptive petition calling for the service to be saved from closure and for the community worker post to be reinstated. In lobbying the council he has also pointed out that such a world renowned service could generate revenue if supported. To sign the petition and help save this critical service email [email protected] Police force shortlisted for diversity award – after recruiting one black police officer West Midlands Police is up against nine others in the diverse companies category of the National Diversity Wards despite criticism that the force needed to “do more” to boost officer numbers from different ethnic backgrounds. Earlier this year, its own police and crime commissioner David Jamieson spoke on the issue when commenting on the contents of a force HR report into the make-up of a tranche of 162 new officers. “West Midlands Police quite rightly Follow us on Twitter @NigerianWatch NEWSWATCH only recruits the very best people, but clearly need to do more to engage with communities to ensure that more BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) people apply to be police officers...” However, only one of the new officers hired in the recent recruitment drive was black, prompting criticism at the force being shortlisted for a diversity award. The force’s sole black recruit amounted to less than one per cent of the total hired, despite 6.7 per cent across the region identifying as black. Of the rest of the new intake, 139 were white, seven were mixed race, and 13 were Asian. In response to being shortlisted for the diversity award, a West Midlands Police spokeswoman said, “Our latest intake of new officers due to start in November is 30 per cent BME, who are reflective of the best candidates who have applied. Being shortlisted for the ‘National Diversity Awards’ reflects the progress we are making.” Television Academy 10 Viola Davis “crosses the line” to win Emmy award Actress Viola Davis (above) received a standing ovation for her acceptance speech at the Emmy Awards in America on September 20, where she became the first black woman to win the Outstanding Actress in a Drama award. Ms Davis brought the audience to its feet when she said, “‘In my mind, I see a line. And over that line, I see green fields and lovely flowers and beautiful white women with their arms stretched out to me over that line. But I can’t seem to get there no how. I can’t seem to get over that line.’ That was [African-American abolitionist] Harriet Tubman speaking in the 1800s. “And let me tell you something: the only thing that separates women of colour from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there. “So, here’s to all the writers, the awesome people that are Ben Sherwood, Paul Lee, Peter Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes. People who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black. And to the Taraji P Hensons and Kerry Washingtons, the Halle Berrys, the Nicole Beharies, the Meagan Goodes, to Gabrielle Union. Thank you for taking us over that line. Thank you for the Television Academy. Thank you.” Ms Davis won the award for her portrayal of Annalise Keating - a brilliant but conflicted criminal defence professor who, with five of her students, becomes entwined in a murder plot - in How to Get Away With Murder. Her win came after two other black women took home Emmy awards - Regina King for American Crime and Uzo Aduba for Orange Is the New Black. Like us on Facebook facebook.com/NigerianWatch NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 YOURWATCH 11 Letters to the Editor Let us know what you think. Put pen to paper and send your letters to: The Editor, Nigerian Watch, Chartwell House, 292 Hale Lane, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 8NP, or email us at: [email protected] Letters to be included in the next issue must be received by no later than October 5, 2015. Anonymous letters will not be published. Please include your full name, postal address and contact telephone number. Names and addresses can be withheld, if preferred. Letters may be edited for publication. The consequences of knife crime First, let me commend your newspaper for its comprehensive reporting of the community summit on knife crime held at the Damilola Taylor Centre in Peckham. However, I would like to draw your readers attention to a short video shown at the event which was not included in the report. This was made by Zina Alfa, a volunteer with Youth Against Crime not Crime Against You (Yac N Cay), for her MSc in journalism, for which she received a distinction. It reveals the terrible and traumatic effects on family and friends of losing a loved one to violence on the streets and how the impact can last for many years. It is a powerful and moving testimony that deserves a wider audience. It can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v= XnwYbbt2RPM Dr Toyin Idowu Onibokun, founder & director of Yac N Cay A timeline that connects JFK, PMB, Modi and Corbyn There are interesting developments connecting Nigeria, America, India and the United Kingdom that I thought might be of interest to your readers. Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, because of his country’s population, has been described as the torch bearer of 1.2 billion blacks worldwide. Nigeria is the world’s most populous black nation. Buhari was sworn in on May 29, 2015, the anniversary of the birth of former American President John F Kennedy (JFK). Buhari, who holds a Masters Degree, was born on the 17th of December 1942, and has been described as austere, stern and ascetic. Similarly, India’s Prime Minister, All deserving of awards for artistic merit I write to thank your newspaper for its comprehensive listings pages, which displays the great variety and depth of cultural and artistic activities being undertaken by Africans in the UK. It was because of your listings that I saw both Ade Solanke’s Pandora’s Box and Gbolahan Obisesan’s How Nigeria Became: A Story And A Spear That Didn’t Work, which I note from your last edition are nominated for awards. Both are deserving. Please keep up the good work in spreading the word about our artists, writers and film makers. They are telling our stories and deserve our support. Ayomide Okafor, E3 Note: Both plays mentioned above have been nominated for the prestigious Alfred Fagon Audience Award. Voting is still open via www.alfredfagonaward.co.uk TO ADVERTISE CALL 0208 588 9640 or email [email protected] Narendra Modi, leader of 1.2 billion Indians, was sworn in on May 26, 2014, the anniversary of the birth of Jeremy Corbyn, aspiring British Prime Minister. Interestingly Mary Riddell wrote in the Daily Telegraph of June 17 that “Labour needs a JFK to prevent it sliding into a bloody civil war.” Jeremy Corbyn was declared Labour Leader on September 12, 2015, the wedding anniversary of JFK. Modi, who also holds a Masters Degree, was born on the 17th of September, 1950, and has also been described as stern, austere and ascetic. Modi has also been referred to as India’s JFK because of his inspirational oratory and dynamism, in sharp contrast to his immediate predecessor Dr. Singh (and other prominent Indian leaders). Buhari and Modi have both taken up Campaigns symbolised by the “broom” and they have both vowed to fight corruption. According to Buhari, “If you do not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria,” whereas Modi said, “Corruption is the termite eating India.” Augustine Togonu-Bickersteth, London E17, via email )3 /! !!(.#" 1." )) 1 #". ) 3).! 0( .3() .. !". $$ .#") %& 3 )) /(#$" 1 #( (!.) .#" .3 (0 #/!".) ) 2.")#") /!" .) $$ .#") / 01) ,#/(. # $$ ) (/" $$ ) &$6 */%# /*/ "!%# %#%# &$ & ' # "#2/ 3! *%" %2/ "!%# 2 //%#( ! 616 6& --- 4 616 06 0 +/ 333)*+#*+)%)2 1 %2*+ "*#5 2"*+ 6,, 00 666 6,,,1116-1 ! 1*+ 0'#! 12 NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 Follow us on Twitter @NigerianWatch EMBASSYWATCH News from the NIGERIA HIGH COMMISSION London “We should not discriminate against the disabled,” says ambassador as diaspora celebrates their talents Above; A cross section of guests Above; Ayan De First, Star Initiative director Grace Alexander & Nasa Anthony Below: Sunday Popoola, Ambassador Bamgbose and Kate Anolue Below; Canuk chairman Babatunde Loye Below; Children had fun too, including getting their faces painted Acting High Commissioner Ambassador Olakunle Bamgbose COMMITTED TO BETTER EDUCATION L-R: Dr Gwam (Minister/Head Political Section), Prof. Asha Kanwar, Mr Bamgbose, and Mr E.I.Nweke (First Secretary) Mr Olukunle A Bamgbose, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to the UK, received Professor Asha Kanwar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth of Learning (COL) at the High Commission on September 14. Mr Bamgbose and Professor Kanwar discussed Nigeria’s role and partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning, and agreed to improve their collabo- ration for the advancement of education in member states of the Commonwealth, particularly Nigeria. The Commonwealth of Learning is a specialised Agency of the Commonwealth, established 27 years ago by the Commonwealth Heads of Government, with its head office in Vancouver, Canada. It is funded through special support in terms of contributions from Canada, United Kingdom, India, Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The Commonwealth of Learning has a Regional Centre for Africa in Nigeria, and has contributed towards the advancement of education in Nigeria through its various educational programmes – including technical vocation, teachers’ training, scholarship awards, and advocacy for girl-child education. Nigerians in the UK staged the first ever diaspora disability day on Saturday, September 19, during which they called on Nigeria’s Federal Government to step up action regarding caring for the needs of people living with disability. In the lively, prejudice-busting event, which took place at the Enfield Civic Centre, hundreds of Nigerians gathered to celebrate the disabled and suggest ways of improving their lfeexperience within society. Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner Ambassador Olakunle Bamgbose welcomed the groundbreaking day, that was a fulfillment of an election pledge made by the Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK Babatunde Loye. “I say a big thankyou to Canuk for organising this event today, to bring out our brothers and sisters who are challenged so they feel part of us,” Mr Bamgbose said. “Oftentimes they are overlooked. Giving them a day is a wise decision. It shows we do not need to hide our people who are challenged and shows we can identify with them. We should have this inclusive process.” He continued to say that Nigeria needs to learn a lot from the UK with regards to the way the disabled are treated and welcomed. Ambassador Bamgbose said, “We have a lot to do to catch up with the rest of the world with regards to our attitude towards disability. In Nigeria, we are still of the opinion that anyone who is disabled is incapable of living a fulfilling life and must be consigned to begging for a living. “However, we know that in the UK and other European countries, people with disabilities are gainfully employed and economically vibrant. Many of us who are able bodied fail to realise that just one accident could turn you into a disabled person, so it should not consign you to a life of begging and poverty.” Canuk chairman Mr Loye emphasised the point, saying, “We aim to empower the disabled, nurture their self-confidence and that of their carers, give them moral support and help them break down barriers. He continued, “We shall raise funds to raise awareness of and lobby for international standards to be adopted in Nigeria.” He added that following the success of the inaugural event, the disability day will now become an annual event in the hope that it will help change attitudes. Among the dignitaries who turned up were veteran Nigerian Television Authority broadcaster Julie Coker, the current Mayor of Hackney Sade Etti and former mayors Kate Anolue, Susan Fajana-Thomas and Anna Mbachu, of Enfield, Hackney and Waltham Forest respectively. High Commission ministers Taju Adeniyi and Mohammed Hassan also attended. Music was provided by visually impaired DJ Jide Busari and singer Victoria Oruwari, while cultural ambassador Ayan De First led both the able and less able in a riot of traditional dancing. In his closing remarks, Mr Loye thanked everyone for coming and paid special tribute to the volunteers and organising committee members for putting the event together; the Ovo Foundation, Pamela Douglas Foundation Worldwide, Mobility Help for Disabled People, Star Initiative and the Overseas Fellowship of Nigerian Christians. Organising committee chairman Dr Ife Akintunde also praised the many Nigerians with disabilities who turned up to make the event a huge success. 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Justin Welby has summoned all the 38 leaders of the national churches of the Anglican Communion to a meeting in Canterbury next January, where he will propose that the communion be reorganised as a group of churches that are all linked to Canterbury but no longer necessarily to each other. He believes that the Communion – the third largest Christian body in the world with 80 million members, after the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox churches - has become impossible to hold together due to arguments over power and sexuality and has, for the past 20 years, been completely dysfunctional. The Guardian newspaper reported a Lambeth Palace source had said the archbishop felt he could not leave his eventual successor in the same position of “spending vast amounts of time trying to keep people in the boat and never actually rowing it anywhere”. Archbishop Welby believes that his proposal will allow him to maintain relations with the liberal churches of north America, which recognise and encourage gay marriage, and the African churches, led by Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, who are agitating for the recriminalisation of all homosexual activity in their countries. Both will be able to call themselves “Anglican” but there will no longer be any pretence that this involves a common discipline or doctrine. Asked whether this represented, if not a divorce, a legal separation, the Lambeth source said, “It’s more like sleeping in separate bedrooms.” Instead, they may be able to cooperate on matters such as climate change and interreligious violence, which are desperately important to many of the poorer churches. As well as the obvious religious tensions in the Middle East, 200 churches in south India were burned to the ground by Hindu extremists last ARE YOU WARM, PATIENT AND ENTHUSIASTIC? AT2 Au pairs - UK's leading Au pair/nanny Introductory Service have job vacancies for au pairs and nannies in London and all over the UK. Please contact Kemi on 07956 203 739 or email [email protected] www.at2aupairs.com year. These issues seem more urgent to the archbishop than the interminable wrangling about sexuality. Welby’s decision represents a complete abandonment of the strategy pursued by his immediate predecessors, Rowan Williams and George Carey, both of whom were committed to getting the liberals and conservatives to work together globally. The archbishop is determined to rescue what he can from the schism over sexuality. He spent much of his life before becoming a bishop working on missions of reconciliation in countries including Nigeria, and values very highly the unofficial low-level contacts between churches in different countries. But the feuding over sexuality, which started in the US in the mid-90s, has become completely unmanageable. All the Anglican bishops around the world are meant to meet up every 10 years in Canterbury at the Lambeth conference. Nearly 250 out of 800 stayed away from the last meeting, in 2008, in protest against the supposed liberalism of Williams. Welby has already announced the indefinite postponement of the next conference. Welby’s decision is a gamble with high stakes. If the African conservatives, grouped in an organisation called Gafcon, decide to withdraw altogether, they will put pressure on English conservative evangelical churches to withdraw formally from the Church of England and align themselves with Gafcon. Some smaller groupings have already done this. But the archbishop is betting that the conservatives, some of whom are personal friends with tight links to the church network where he was nourished, will draw back from churches such as Uganda’s, which support laws that would reintroduce the death penalty for gay sex. A large, formal schism has already taken place in the US. The Anglican churches of Nigeria, Rwanda, and Kenya have all established what they call missionary congregations in America to take worshippers away from the liberal churches. American conservatives have been given jobs in the new organisations and have in some cases written the speeches and manifestos for the African conservative groups. In his most controversial proposal, Welby will ask the American conservative grouping Acna, which has been locked in bitter lawsuits over church property with the mainstream liberal American Anglican church grouping, TEC, to attend the meeting in January, but not as a full member. If the meeting goes well – and Lambeth sources put the possibility of catastrophic failure at about 25% – Welby appears determined to foster practical cooperation among the churches that are still speaking to him, if not to each other. He hopes to hold a meeting of the new body in 2020. One member of his staff said, “If so few people want to come that we could hold it in a telephone box, fine, we’ll hold it in a telephone box.” The Rev Andrew Symes, of Anglican Mainstream, the largest conservative grouping organisation in the Church of England, said: “There is a difference between an institutional unity and a confessional unity. It is not just the sexuality thing. There are underlying differences about our understanding of the bible and of God. “Archbishop Welby is trying to square the circle. He can’t bring the thing together. This will strengthen the resolve of Gafcon to keep on the journey that they’re on.” The Rev Sally Hitchiner, one of the most prominent gay members of clergy in the church, said: “The churches now have the opportunity to relate like grownup siblings. This is a positive move for all sorts of reasons. We can’t hold together from a place like England – where an archbishop of Canterbury could be in a gay marriage, possibly in my lifetime – to somewhere like Uganda, where they want to imprison people for gay sex.” The bishop of Buckingham, Alan Wilson, said: “He can’t be planning to break the thing up because there’s nothing there to break up. It is all independent churches.” “We can’t hold together from a place like England – where an archbishop of Canterbury could be in a gay marriage, possibly in my lifetime” Like us on Facebook facebook.com/NigerianWatch NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 NEWSWATCH 15 From l-r: Joshua Adejokun & Richard Taylor; pupils from Kingsford Community School; Sheldon Thomas, Dr Toyin Idowu Onibokou and police cadets; and with London’s Deputy Mayor Stephen Greenhalgh and Southwark Mayor Dora Dixon-Fyle The GLA day to celebrate the good guys The grand debating chamber at City Hall was transformed on Friday September 18 when dour political debate was set aside for a vibrant celebration of young people and the charity Youth Against Crime Not Crime Against You (Yac N Cay). This was a day for the good guys – the young people who come from seemingly benighted postcodes but remain steadfast in their determination to succeed. It was staged as the antidote to the dominant media image of young people, particularly young black people, as a criminally mindless murderous mob. Sad to say, other than yours truly, the media were noticeable only by their absence, confirming the longheld complaint of community leaders that while it is happy to make hay over the faults and failings of African heritage youth it has no interest in celebrating their triumphs. As a consequence the nation is left with a distorted view, which further fuels a distrust, which hampers the life chances of the majority. That is not to deny there is a problem with particularly knife crime – but it is only a small part of the story of the African diaspora. A clear signifier is that more than half of all diasporan children succeed in school, of which the vast majority seek to go on to higher education, despite their being evident hurdles, and great success. This is the story that is seldom told but was spoken loud and proud at City Hall, to mark the fifth anniversary of the founding of Yac N Cay by Dr Toyin Idowu Onibokou. From the outset the charity has sought to accentuate the positive to expose to the harsh light of day what a dead-end choice - literally and tragically for far too many - joining a gang is. As the day’s chief host, London’s deputy mayor responsible for policing and crime Stephen Greenhalgh, said, “We wanted to support Yac N Cay because it is a positive movement for change, inspiring a community response to the problem of knife crime.” And that was the theme for the day, presented as a mix of inspirational talks and showcase for young people’s talents, organised by Kingsford Community School in Newham, where Yac N Cay “You have no excuses. You have every opportunity to succeed” runs a hugely successful outreach and mentoring program. They excelled. Their were musical interludes from singer song-writer Julius, a wonderful rendition of The Very Thought of You from Chelsea, and a talk and disciplined display of marching from volunteer police cadets – many who confessed to being rescued from the clutches of a life of crime by joining the force, including one who had gone on to become a coach at Chelsea FC. There was also a poignant stylised drama from the school’s theatre group, depicting a momentary flare up of violence and the desperately confusing consequences, where they find themselves locked in a cell silently asking, what happened? What did I do? Police officers from both Trident and the local Southwark force spoke, reaching out to the youth. To a man they appealed for meaningful engagement to prevent the senseless “one down, one out” scenario just depicted in the drama. One, Anthony Josephs, was a new recruit to the Southwark Police. Revealing he’d previously been stopped and searched, pulled over and asked to get out of a car and prove it was his, the usual tiresome harassment black people complain of, he said his family had been shocked when he said he was joining the Met. “But to change things you have to engage,” he said. “You have to become a part of it.” This message was hammered home by Sheldon Thomas of Gangsline. “You have no excuses,” he told the young people. “You have every opportunity.” He detailed his life as a gang leader in Brixton in the 70s, when racism came in the form of both gangs of National Front hooligans randomly attacking black people for being black, and the police joining in for good measure. “We started gangs with a reason, for self-defence. You have no reason. You have every opportunity to succeed,” he told them. And that point was made apparent by a host of inspirational speakers who had. None more so than Joshua Adejokun, who was introduced by Richard Taylor OBE as having the ambition to be the UK’s first black prime minister. And you wouldn’t bet against that fact. Joshua’s life is a triumph. He hails from Custom House, a crossroads place politically and geographically in south-east London – and socially for youths. He could easily have gone down the roads, the dark streets of fatal wrong looks, disrespectful comments and petty debts. But he didn’t. Instead he busied himself with any activity that became available, whether it held an interest or not. He loved football, but also joined youth clubs, church groups, drama groups, music groups, tidying up the Thames groups. “You just need to keep an open mind and try everything,” he said. “You always learn something, meet new people, create new opportunities for yourself.” His experiences culminated when he became the young mayor of Newham, chairing the youth committee and responsible for a budged of close to half-a-million pounds. He also won a scholarship to attend the £30,000 a year public school Harrow. He is now studying maths and statistics at Warwick University. His message at City Hall was simple. “If I can do it, you can too. We can be the change generation. Let’s do it.” Non - Alcoholic Sparkling Celebration Drinks All the Fun without the Alcohol Available in selected Also available at www.sunmark.co.uk 16 NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 Follow us on Twitter @NigerianWatch NEWSWATCH BLACK History Month You can tell a great deal about a country and a people by what they deem important enough to remember, to create moments for As BHM 2015 approaches, Joyce Sarpong (right), founder and director of Africa Oracle (www.africaoracle.com), reminds us how Black History Month came about and why it is important. Why History? History is the huge succession of events that created us. Think of it, if you like, in the same way as you do a family tree, tracing back to your two parents, four grandparents, and so on. I would suggest that you can’t begin to know about yourself, to understand the present, the way we live and why, until you understand something of your roots in the past. So, firstly, the past gives the present its value. Secondly, those who do not study history are condemned to repeat its mistakes. Then there’s the sheer delight of the incredible richness of the world’s cultures. We can discover not just a lifetime, but centuries of the astonishing creations of the human mind. History, for me, opens wide the doors of perception and that’s why history is so important and why Black History Month matters. Origins of Black History Month Black History Month started out as an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognising the central role of African Americans in US history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G Woodson and other prominent African Americans. He chose February because the birthdays of the two influential figures - US President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas -, who he believed to have impacted on the conditions of the “Negro”, fell in February. Since 1976, every US president has officially designated February as Black History Month. which is an adinkra symbol from Ghana, West Africa. Sankofa is depicted as a bird and as a heart and translates as ‘Go back to fetch it’, or, in other words, learn from the past to gain the benefit of hindsight. Black History Month aims to Leadership ● Promote knowledge of the Black History, Culture and Heritage ● Disseminate information on positive Black contributions to society ● Heighten the confidence and awareness of Black people to their cultural heritage Black History Month in the UK In the UK, Black History Month runs for one month each year. The reason for having it at all is because there has long been concern about the experience of black children in the UK, and this was a key factor in establishing Black History Month. Being in October, at the start of a new academic year, the idea is that learning about Black History during that time can instill pride and identity into young black learners. October is also a period of tolerance and reconciliation in African culture. Black history is therefore a reconnection with the African source, hence the Black History Month symbol of Sankofa, Ghanaian Akyaaba Addai Sebbo is widely regarded as the person who set up Black History Month in the UK. Addai worked with Ken Livingstone at the Greater London Council (GLC) as co-ordinator of Special Projects. The first event was held on October 1, 1987, when the GLC hosted Dr Maulana Karenga from the US to mark the contributions of Black people throughout history. Addai then drew up a plan to recognise the contributions of African, Asian and Caribbean people to the economic, cultural and political life in London and the UK. Since 1987, as part of African Jubilee Year, other boroughs began to formally institute this as Black History Month in the UK Black History Month’s purpose is nicely encapsulated in these words spoken by the former London Mayor Ken Livingstone: “In order to enrich the cultural diversity of the Greater London area, it is imperative that Londoners know more about African influences on medieval and renaissance European music so that accepted ideas about European music is changed. Despite the significant role that Africa and its Diaspora have played in the world civilization since the beginning of time, Africa’s contribution has been omitted or distorted in most history books.” 2015 Black History Month has grown in Britain and over 6,000 annual events take place throughout towns and cities in the UK. The annual event inspired schools and communities nationwide to organise local celebrations, establish history clubs, host performances and lectures. See ‘Fortnight’ opposite for listings of Black History events taking place across the UK and in London over the next two weeks. Like us on Facebook facebook.com/NigerianWatch NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 NEWSWATCH Fortnight THE BEST JOLLOF RICE COMPETITION at Brixton Libary See page 19 Robert Day BLACK HISTORY MONTH peacefully challenged the racism of the Deep South. What does it mean for people to come together and rise up? 25 Sept - 19 Nov. Nationwide Tour - Various venues, see website for details; www.theatre-centre.co.uk The Holy & Horny Farewell Tour 2015 Set at the height of the British slave trade, Sancho is a new play written by and starring Paterson Joseph (above). Born on a slave ship in 1729 but eventually becoming the first black man to vote in a parliamentary election, this is a gripping insight into the remarkable true story of the life of Charles Ignatius Sancho. 22 – 25 Sept, 7:45pm Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EP www.birmingham-rep.co.uk Rise Up The inspirational and moving stories of the Freedom Riders – principled American citizens in the 1960s who Holy & Horny is touring the UK for one LAST time before touring internationally. It is a celebratory, inspirational and superbly acted one-woman show that celebrates spirituality and sensuality. This thought provoking play is a compelling story of love, longing and the ultimate betrayal. Actress and author Tonya Joy Bolton explores one woman’s struggle to remain holy despite being as horny as hell! 2 Oct - 14 Nov. Theatres across the UK. Ticket prices vary. See website for further details. www.holyandhorny.com The Danford Collection, University of Birmingham WHAT TO SEE AND DO OVER THE NEXT Nationwide THEATRE Sancho – An Act Of Remembrance 17 14 DAYS... THE DANFORD COLLECTION Open to the public during BHM, one of the finest collections of West African Art and Artefacts in Europe, ranging from historical utensils to contemporary fine art. 2/9/16/23/30 Oct 9am - 4pm. FREE. Danford Room, 2nd Floor Arts Building, Birmingham University, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT www.birmingham.ac.uk Africa’s Cowfoot!!! Narrated, sung, performed and drummed by Usifu Jalloh , the Cowfoot Prince himself (left). Full throttle, high energy storytelling by an electrifying and inspirational storyteller, educator and motivator. 10 Oct, 7:30pm. Adults £2, children FREE. Unitarian Church Hall, Emmanuel Street, Cambridge, CB1 1JW www.cambridge.gov.uk EXHIBITIONS/TALKS RACE 50 Using Malcolm X’s 1965 visit to Smethwick and the introduction of the Race Relations Act as themes, 18 NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 photographers have produced portraits of members of the public (young and old), community leaders, activists, political and religious figures and business leaders. 2 Oct, 6pm. FREE - Book ahead. The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU www.the-drum.org.uk Airbrushed out – the untold stories of Oxford university’s black scholars Pamela Roberts illustrates the long and illustrious history of black scholars at the University of Oxford, including; Christian Frederick Cole the first African to practise law in an English court. 7 Oct, 12:30pm. FREE - Booking essential. Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Staff Network, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX Contact Dr Zainab Hussain on: bmestaff@liv.ac.uk BLACK HISTORY MONTH ART EXHIBITION Emmanuel Ekong Ekefrey is from Akwa Ibom State, the heartland of the Ibibio people. who have their own music, dance and language, which is reflected in Ekefrey's paintings as well as the gigantic Lagos metropolis, where he now lives. 1-31 Oct, 9am - 9pm. FREE Bernie Grant arts centre, Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham, N15 www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk and family workshops in the iconic setting of Trafalgar Square in Central London. 10 Oct, 10am - 8pm. FREE Trafalgar Square, WC2N www.london.gov.uk/ MUSIC Andy Abraham 2 Oct, 7:30pm. FREE. Brixton Library, Brixton Oval, SW2 www.lambeth.gov.uk Celebrating Black History Month St Edmund’s Church, Chingford, host a day of events opened by Jennette Arnold, OBE, with stalls and exhibitions all day from 12 noon, including free food. The music and performing arts, begin at 2 pm. With plenty of opportunity for audience participation. 10 Oct, 12pm - 8pm. FREE. St Edmund's Halls (Ryan Hall), 216 Chingford Mount Road, E4 www.chelmsford.anglican.org Africa on the Square Africa on the Square is a festival of African culture and heritage, featuring live music, dance, fashion, entertainment, market, food One of the most exciting stars on the contemporary soul scene. Andy ‘the bin man’ won our hearts when he finished runner-up on the XFactor in 2005. 3 Oct, 7:45pm. Tickets £22.50 Millfield Theatre, Silver Street, Edmonton, N18 www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk Jumoké Fashola Born in London, transplanted to Nigeria, Jumoké’s music meshes her African roots with contemporary songs, connecting the ancestral to the modern. 7 Oct, 7:45pm. Tickets £14.50. The Dugdale Centre, Thomas Hardy House, 39 London Road, Enfield Town, EN2 www.enfield.gov.uk EXHIBITIONS/TALKS The hidden history of Africa before the slave trade A presentation with lecture and discussion on Africa’s glorious past including the Yoruba Kingdoms. 1 Oct, 7pm. FREE St Ann’s Library, Cissbury Road, Tottenham, N15 www.haringey. gov.uk BLACK HISTORY MONTH COMEDY FESTIVAL Comedy double header featuring a collaboration of the urban comedy scenes legends and the new school favourite comics that have emerged from the UK over the past 25 years, including; Slim Gray, Curtis Walker, Rudi Lickwood, Donna Spence, Hidden Heroes - Soldiers from the Empire Eastside Community Heritage and Middlesex University reveal an alternative narrative of the First World War through the tracing of the descendants of the Middlesex Regiment’s brave Black and Asian soldiers who fought. 7 Oct, 1pm-5pm. FREE Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane, Tottenham, N17 www.haringey.gov.uk London FESTIVALS Africa Utopia Take Over Southbank Centre’s Africa Utopia festival takes over Brixton Library for one night only. Artists from the festival will form an exciting line up of spoken word and live music, with a special commission performed by local young poets, all hosted by the fantastic Joshua Idehen. Follow us on Twitter @NigerianWatch LEISUREWATCH Glenda Jaxson Comedienne, Geoff Schumann, Quincy Comedian, Mr Cee, Special P and Annette Fagon. 3 - 4 Oct. Tickets from £22. Camden Centre, Town Hall, Judd Street,WC1H www.lolshow.co.uk OTHER A piece of cloth Fashion designer and textile artist, Sylvia Emodi explores the heritage, diversity and influence of African textiles, unlocking the meanings, identity and symbolism contained in many of the surface designs and weaving patterns. With a hands on workshop using hand sewing and decoupage to make either an African fabric covered mask, bookmark, corsage or photo frame! 3 Oct, 2:30pm. FREE Tooting Library, 75 Mitcham Road, SW17 www.wandsworth.gov.uk JUMOKÉ FASHOLA at the Dugdale Centre, see left DARK AND LOVELY THEATRE A Wolf In Snakeskin Shoes Shame and Scandal This fresh take on Molière’s Tartuffe, set in a world of fast-food tycoons and megachurches is a wicked new comedy that rocks the foundations of trust, faith and redemption. 8 Oct - 14 Nov, 7:30pm, matinees - Sat 3pm, Wed 2pm. Tickets from £14. The Tricycle Theatre, 269 Kilburn High Road, NW6 http://www.tricycle.co.uk She Called Me Mother theatre, film and community programmes to educate, inspire and deliver social change. 5 Oct, reception 6:30pm, film 7:30pm. FREE. Reels Cinema, 21-24 Milbank, SW1P www.safekenya.org A new production of acclaimed novelist Alex Wheatle’s debut play Shame and Scandal, a dark comedy set in 1960s Jamaica where an affluent Jamaican family is consumed with keeping their financial legacy intact. 9 - 10 Oct, 8pm, Sat matinee 3pm. £15 in advance. Albany Theatre, Douglas Way, SE5 www.thealbany.org.uk FILM Watatu Cathy Tyson invites the audience into the life of Evangeline Gardner – a homeless, 70 year old African-Caribbean woman, who finds herself living on the streets. The play brings together Evangeline and her estranged daughter Shirley and is written in poetic Trinidadian vernacular rarely heard on our stages. An interactive performance written and performed by Selina Thompson, using memories, music, rum and a ‘tumbleweave’ installation to explore the connotations, history and politics of afro hair and what it means to be black, British and female in the UK today. 7 - 17 Oct (Wed – Sat only), 7.30pm, Sat matinee 2pm.Tickets £12. Ovalhouse Theatre, 5254 Kennington Oval, SE11 www.ovalhouse.com Shot entirely on location in Mombasa and devised by SAFE and the residents of Mombasa, the film examines the relationships between different communities and cultures in modern day Mombasa, the anger and radicalisation of young people, and the solutions that can be found to unite them. SAFE is a Kenyan NGO and UK Charity that uses street COMEDY Funny Money! Henry Perkins accidently picks up the wrong briefcase – and finds it stuffed with money! He decides to keep it, and rushes home to tell his bewildered wife. But just as they are leaving to start a new life in Barbados, a detective arrives... Henry’s desperate attempts to extricate himself from this situation inevitably leads to misunderstandings, mistaken identities and increasingly hysterical happenings! 22 - 26 Sept, 7:30pm. £16. The Dugdale Centre, Thomas Hardy House, 39 London Road, Enfield Town, EN2 www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk The Finest Stars of Comedy Come Mek Me Larf promises a plethora of laughter, featuring the finest starts in both the new and old school stand up 8 - 11 Oct, 7:45pm, matinee Sun 2pm, Thurs 3pm. From £8. Stratford Circus Arts Centre, Theatre Square, Stratford, E15 stratford-circus.com Cross-Cultural Stories of Love and Algorithms Has access to hard data actually helped us to know more than before? Michael Salu & Rut Blees Luxemburg, Natasha Caruana and Catherine Anyango take the stage for fifteen minutes each to tell stories of love at first sight, dystopia and Big Data using words, photography and illustration. 9 Oct, 8pm. Tickets £10 Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 www.southbankcentre.co.uk PIONEERS A HISTORY OF DANCE (PHD) FESTIVAL Taking place at Black Cultural Archives, The Ritzy and Studio B, PHD offers dancers, artists, academics and enthusiasts a weekend of exclusive street dance workshops, film screenings, panel discussions, live performances, a freestyle dance contest and an art exhibition. With the premiere screening of British hip-hop documentary The Twilight Firm and an artist line up including; Michel ‘Meech’ Onomo, Paradigmz, Omari ‘Motion’ Carter, Rodney P, DJ Devastate, and FERO. 25 - 27 Sept. FREE. see website for details; www.pioneershistorydance.com Like us on Facebook facebook.com/NigerianWatch comedy, right in the heart beat of Brent. 25 Sept, 7:30pm - 12am. Advance tickets £16. The Library at Willesden Green, 95 High Road, Willesden NW10 www.brent.gov.uk 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 www.richmix.org.uk PAT THOMAS performs with the Kwashibu Area Band at Rich Mix, see below. YolanDa Brown Saxophonist YolanDa Brown (below) with special guests Mica Paris, Julian Marley, Natalie Stewart and Omar Lye-Fook and her 10 piece band, brings some sunshine to the Hackney Empire with a special concert titled "Reggae Love Songs". AH AH! EHHNN HEHHNN!! Tickets £12.50 The Dugdale Centre, Thomas Hardy House, 39 London Road, Enfield Town, EN2 www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk Eddie Kadi brings his quick witted, unpredictable, brand of clean energetic comedy back to the stage in his one man show. 26 - 27 Sept, 8pm. Tickets from £12.50. Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 www.hackneyempire.co.uk Judith Jacob’s Yabba Yabba Join Judith as she talks to Brinsley Forde of Aswad, radio presenter Angie Greaves, with song, revelations and a comedy act from an up-an-coming comedian! 27 Sept, 7:30pm. Advance NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 LEISUREWATCH MUSIC Namvula Inspired by life - by its beauty and ugliness, its tenderness and cruelty, and the power of the stories that it holds, both simple and complex. Evocative, lyrical and with a refreshing honesty, Namvula draws heavily on her Zambian heritage as well as referencing her Scottish roots and life in the diaspora. 1 Oct, 8pm. Tickets £10 in advance. Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 www.richmix.org.uk Pat Thomas and the Kwashibu Area Band Get your dancing shoes on! This is an unmissable opportunity to be dancing with the Golden Voice of Africa and his band Kwashibu Area; led by multi instrumentalist Kwame Yeboah and Saxophonist Ben Abrbanel - Wolff. 2 Oct, 7pm. Tickets £22.50. Rich Mix, 3 Oct, 8pm. Tickets from £20. Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 www.hackneyempire.co.uk Nozinja The king of Shangaan Nozinja showcases his unique and invigorating Afro-futurist sound and some turbocharged dance moves. 9 Oct, 10pm. Tickets £15.95. Stour Space, 7 Roach Road E3 http://nozinjalodge.com/ The Official Nigerian Independence party 2015 100% Afrobeats and Nigerian Music, with a live band performance by Solek Crew. Nigerian cuisine will be served. 9 Oct, 10pm-5am. Advance tickets from £7. October babies FREE. African attire welcomed but not essential Konnect, Terminus Place, Victoria, SW1 www.shoobs.com EXHIBITIONS/TALKS Freedom’s Debt The Politics of the Atlantic Slave Trade (1672 – 1752) Lecture by Dr William Pettigrew, examining the role that Britishness and freedom played in developing the largest forced-intercontinental migration in human history. 6 Oct, 7pm. From £3. Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, WC1R www.conwayhall.org.uk Doing Nothing is Not an Option A mixed-media installation exploring the relationship between people in Peckham and the memory of the Nigerian writer and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa inside Sokari Douglas Camp’s Battle Bus. Until 22 Nov. FREE. 19 Peckham Platform, SE13 www.peckham platform.com OTHER The Best Jollof Rice Competition 2015 Jollof rice is a much-loved staple dish in many West African and Caribbean homes. Every West African and Caribbean cook thinks that their community’s version of Jollof rice is the best and the most authentic rice recipe. Here is the acid test, the UK’s first ever Jollof rice competition with a prize of £1,000 for the victor. Attend the finals and hopefully get a taster or two to join in the debate! 27 Sept, 3pm. FREE Brixton Library, Brixton Oval, SW2 www.theafrikanfamilyworks. net Mr & Miss Nigeria UK 2015 Finals Live Witness the top 12 contestants take to the stage and battle it out to be crowned Mr & Miss Nigeria UK 2015, the first joint male and female beauty pagenant. With Performances by Vicky Sola, HomeBros and LDNC. 4 Oct, 6pm - 11:30pm. Early bird tickets from £15. 29 The Venue, Great Portland Street, W1W www.officialmmnuk.com 20 NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 FashionWATCH BEHIND BY OBAH IYAMU THE SCENES with Lace Mamen NICOLE THEA of The Unique Silver Dancers been to Naija before! Nicole tells us how she was dancing to Hip Hop, locking and popping before Afrobeats came with new and exciting opportunities. She is now paid and a member of the most successful UK dance group (Unique Silver Dancers) but she also does her own thing as a dance coach and choreographer. See the full interview on www.btsbehindthescenes.com Enjoy the interview while I check how much Money my dance is worth with Nicole. With Afrobeats music, dancing is BIG business. Modern Afrobeats music videos demand bumper-to-bumper regardless of the language you are singing in. Behold, the musicians have delivered, thanks to the sexy dancers. As an around the way dude myself I can confirm that dancing is now businessly separated. You can get a regular dancefloor dance, video dance, street dance, choreographed Follow us on Twitter @NigerianWatch STYLEWATCH dance... based on your requirement. Afrobeats music has broken colours, cultural backgrounds and dance boundaries and, hell yeah, can I also add it is now a major bill payer. I break it down with Nicole Thea, who has had a westernised upbringing but has ended up travelling all around the world dancing with the biggest Afrobeats stars out there. Hey she ain’t even “Our Authenticity as Nigerian people in the UK has been helped by Afrobeats” It’s so cool to be African now in the UK because of Afrobeats. Deoba Authentic tells us about living life in London in the 90s where Africans were trying to fit into the mainstream club and music scene. In the 90s there were no musical platforms, no opportunities, and people changed their African names just to fit in. There was no confidence for people to be themselves, either as musician or fan. There was personal and professional mis-representation. If you had an African accent you were never accepted in the mainstream. However, now is a different story and with Deoba as a musician, DJ and a radio presenter today, he is happy just to provide a platform for more cultural ambassadors of our roots. www.btsbehindthescenes.com/deoba Behind The Scenes Video of the Week This is how it works: we pick from 5 UK Afrobeats videos weekly and do a countdown. We only show the full video of the week while we show snippets of the rest. Our criteria is heat. BTS VIDEO OF THE WEEK IS: Dizzy VC- Scammer See the countdown below. 5. Mazi Chukz- Hustle 4. Mister Silver- B.A.D (Best achieving Don) 3. C-Boy feat Romel - Come closer 2. Ezi Emela - Confarm it 1. Dizzy VC - Scammer Send your music videos to [email protected] to be considered for our video of the week. Friday night, I’m out as usual. Caught up with Lanre Davies (CEO Factory 78) and Adesope Olajide (Bang Radio) at La lounge. 3 A.M, we’re wasted, F78 crew were about to leave when we got talking about music money. Lanre advised that all Afrobeats artists need to get their music licensed. Exclusive licencing is not good, he said, get a licence that will allow you get paid from everything, including Mixtapes. F78 are on Afrobeats bangers vol 4. Send your music in and get paid. Chi-ching! As the seasons change, it’s closet reconstruction time once again. But to ace the biggest trends of the year try walking into your wardrobe – as the classics are being born again BOMBER JACKETS The vintage shape of these jackets gives your outfit a touch of retro chic-ness, which is usually seen on those fashion-savvy girls, and the best solution for this not-quite there weather is the military inspired jacket. With mouth-watering embellishments and some featuring collegiate stripes, I am spoilt for choice. An ever present closet staple, why not refurbish your old bomber with studs for that hardcore look or metallic appliqué for a more sophisticated vibe. Feminise with pretty dresses for a definite winning look. BOHO DRESSES With the trend for all things 70s, folk dresses remain a top draw. This traditional style is still going strong for autumn and will continue right into next spring so don't kick yours to the curb just yet. Opting for vintage prints with modern silhouettes, demure hemlines and necklines, guarantee that these dresses lend themselves to the streets as well as the elite soirée. Style now with a kimono style jacket and block heeled sandals and team with ankle boots in the much colder months. I’m wearing my hair tousled for this one and my search for the perfect dress with bellowing sleeves continues. Like us on Facebook facebook.com/NigerianWatch NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 EDUCATIONWATCH 21 Reforms aim to raise BAME student numbers MORE NEEDS to be done to improve the university experience for black and minority ethnic (BAME) students, the minister for Universities and Science has said. Delivering a speech at the Universities UK Conference at the University of Surrey, Jo Johnson – the younger brother of London mayor Boris Johnson – outlined Government plans to give students better value for money from their degrees. Johnson also spoke critically on the present university culture and accused academics of prioritising research over teaching. In order to improve the representation of disadvantaged groups, Mr Johnson announced a new agreement with UCAS, the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry to higher education, to publish data on the outcomes of the admissions process. Mr Johnson said, “We must do more to raise outcomes for those from black and minority ethnic communities. Making university admissions data available will help the whole sector target its efforts much more effectively.” UCAS data shows the proportion of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds placed in higher education rose by four per cent this year (see below). The proposed measures would be significant in charting the progress of the Government’s commitment to increase the number of BME students heading to university by a further 20 per cent by 2020. Calling for greater transparency in regards to tuition fees, the minister added, “It is not at all clear to some students what their up-to £9,000 a year tuition fees actually pay for, and this has led to calls, which I support, for greater transparency from providers about what they spend fee income on." Leeds University graduate Shani Page-Muir shared the experience of fellow black students and friends who still had to work part-time job to make ends meet. She said, “Student loans really don’t cover all the costs of maintenance and rent, so a lot of friends – particularly in their final year – had to make the difficult decision of whether they would continue working at the detriment of their studies or they would have to give it up.” Mr Johnson’s proposals for higher REPORT FINDS BRITISH UNIVERSITIES LESS LIKELY TO TAKE ETHNIC MINORITY STUDENTS Students with an ethnic minority background are given fewer places to study at university compared with their white counterparts, new analysis has shown. Figures published by UCAS, the nationwide university admissions service, show that black, Asian and other ethnic minority students are marginally less successful at gaining a place at university, even when exam results have been factored into the data. Analysis showed that while the gap between white students and ethnic minorities securing places at university is narrowing, it has not been completely eradicated. The decision to release the figures (which compiled application rates from ethnic groups and offers of university places to them between 2010 and 2014), came as Universities Minister Jo Johnson called for more transparency on the subject. “This latest publication shows welcome progress and supports our commitment to increase the number of education reform will make its first appearance this autumn on green paper for consultation and debate. It will include the introduction of a Teaching Excellence Framework as a means of incentivising and rewarding good quality teaching and market reform to improve competition and give students more choice. First elected to parliament in 2010 to represent Orpington, Mr Johnson, an Oxford graduate and Old Etonian, was appointed universities minister this year after serving as David Cameron’s policy chief since 2013. black and minority ethnic students by 20 percent in the next five years,” Johnson said upon the publication of the data. “Providing more data like this will help the whole higher education sector to really focus its effort to widen participation and raise young people’s aspirations.” Further analysis by the Guardian newspaper revealed the discrepancy between offers widened as the universities became less selective. This means that a top ranking university is more likely to accept a student from an ethnic minority than a lower ranking one. “This analysis is encouraging in that it does not reflect any systemic bias against ethnic minorities in higher education admissions,” UCAS chief executive Mary Curnock Cook said. Using the difference between predicted A-level grades and offers gained from universities, the newspaper analyzed the levels of students who were being turned away even with adequate predicted grades. In humanities subjects such as literature and modern languages, as well as medical sciences, there was a onetwo percent gap between grade forecasts and the actual offers made by universities. More than 360 ethnic minority students did not gain places to study medical sciences at Russell Group universities, despite having the requisite grades, the paper reported. “We are anxious to rule out the sort of large, systemic differences in applications and offers that have been discussed in the past,” said Mark Corver, UCAS director of analysis and research. W World-class orld-class business business e education ducation iin n tthe he h heart eart o off London London Generous scholarship opportunities for Nigerian and Kenyan students. 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Call now 020 7112 5374 or email [email protected] ARIK AIR, BRITISH AIRWAYS & VIRGIN ATLANTIC OFFERS! CHEAP FLIGHTS-AFRICA Guaranteed- Taxes included Book & Confrim *£100* (deposit) Hotels, Insurance & Car Hire available CapeTown Dubai Durban Harare Jo'Burg Lagos Manila Amman Basra 473 309 560 520 379 396 341 289 370 LAGOS SPECIAL: £323 Bangkok 339 Delhi 352 Hong Kong 334 Karachi 344 K.Lampur 329 Perth 549 Singapore 343 Baghdad 360 Beirut 245 Khartoum 395 Abidjan Accra Cairo D.Salaam Entebbe Gaberone Nairobi Bangkok Jeddah 478 405 246 385 426 595 300 375 366 0207 586 1234 www.goclassic.co.uk Like us on Facebook facebook.com/NigerianWatch NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 SPORTSWATCH Mathematical challenges NFF over FIFA presidency ARE YOU WATCHING, MR OLISEH? From page 24 of the weekend. It took Victor Moses only six minutes to end City’s 572-minute league run without conceding a goal. Moses’s effort set West Ham up for a remarkable 2-1 victory, and demonstrated both a return to the self confidence of old and his capacity to make bold and courageous decisions. Moses has shown that he can both think quickly and make the most of the slightest glimmer of opportunity. Many questions have been levelled at the striker over the last few seasons. The forward flopped at Liverpool, fell out of favour with Nigeria, and saw injury undermine his progress at Stoke City. But he is excelling in east London and his manager, Slaven Bilic, remarked that Upton Park might be where he rebuilds his reputation. Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini expressed delight at Iheanacho's performance, saying the youngster's development persuaded him he did not need to bring in a replacement after Edin Dzeko left for Roma in the summer. Mr Pellegrini has high hopes for the Nigeria Under20 international and admits the player could play a big part in the club's season. Mr Pellegrini added, "He's a very important player for us. He's just 18 and started working with our squad last season but he was unlucky and had a big injury in the last three months of the season. Iheanacho said, "I am happy to score a goal like that as Palace is a great team but we are also a strong team and I am hoping to do great for the team. It is not easy because there are great players here but I have to work hard and I will get there. Voted the player of the tournament at the U17 World Cup in 2013, Iheanacho, who wears the number 72 shirt for City, has been capped by Nigeria at under-17 and under-20 level. Finally Ighalo’s stunning start to the season must have put him into contention for the misfiring Super Eagles, who have struggled to score in their African Cup of Nations qualifiers. Typically humble, however, Ighalo said his outstanding start to the season was a result of teamwork. Ighalo said, “The team has been doing well, even in the last two games we played at home, so it’s a big relief and it’s a big team effort. “It’s always a pleasure scoring and getting three points in front of the home fans, so it’s a great feeling and I’m really happy about the way they are singing my name. Like I said after I signed my contract, they’ve been pushing us and keeping us going and they’re one of the reasons why I made the decision to be here." All three players have laid to claims to being included in Super Eagles' coach Sunday Oliseh's next squad when he announces it next month. We can only hope Mr Oliseh has been watching. BUHARI PLEDGES TO INVEST IN SPORT AS NIGERIA HAILS VICTORIOUS ATHLETES 23 FORMER Super Eagles captain and Fifa presidential candidate Chief Segun Odegbami has protested the criteria set by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) which candidates have to meet before getting nominated for the Fifa presidency. Both former Abia State governor Dr Orji Kalu and Chief Odegbami have signified their intention to run for the office but Fifa states federations can only present one candidate, so one of the two Nigerians has to either stand down for the other or the NFF has to organise a primary election. To resolve the matter, the NFF has set a series of stiff criteria for the candidates to meet, in the hope that the matter will resolve itself. NFF officials have decided that any prospective candidate must obtain endorsements from their state football associations, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Confederation of African Football (Caf). However, in a letter addressed to the NFF president Amaju Pinnick, and copied to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Fifa general secretary and Caf President, Issa Hayatou, Chief Odegbami described the endorsements from the NSC and Caf as unnecessary. Chief Odegbami wrote, “I refer to my letter of August 26, 2015, addressed to you, in which I humbly requested nomination by the NFF to enable me to contest the vacant position of President of Fifa in the election coming up on February 26, 2016. Whilst awaiting a formal response from you, it was with utter disbelief and shock to read of the conditions on a television programme that the NFF has set for Nigerian candidates. “I find the last two of these requests very bizarre and a product of a lack of familiarity with the guidelines for the Fifa presidential elections.” Victor Moses (above) and Ighalo (right) MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVE Location: NORTH LONDON, EDGWARE Salary: Basic plus Commission £40K+ OTE, UNCAPPED COMMISSION Job Title: The largest circulation African newspaper in the UK, Nigerian Watch is looking for a red hot sales executive. What we need is a dynamic and hardworking person who can sell both classified and display advertising; a person who will not only hit the ground running but exceed their monthly targets. This position is open for an enthusiastic individual eager to make a big impression. The ideal candidate will be highly self-motivated and a self-starter, able to source and develop new business and recognise and develop cross selling opportunities, build new advertising categories and feel comfortable selling both on the phone and face to face. Nigeria’s sportsmen and women have been congratulated by President Buhari on their triumphant returns after excelling in both the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville and African Basketball championships in Tunis. And he has pledged that his administration will make sports a priority going forward so the country can build on these recent successes and harness the natural talents of its young people. The country’s athletes topped the athletics medal table in the 15th All African Games, with an impressive haul of 38 medals – boasting almost twice as many golds as nearest rivals South Africa – thanks mainly to a strong performance by the women’s team. Nigeria won a total of 14 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze medals compared to South Africa’s seven gold, four silver and 10 bronze medals and Kenya, third in the table, with six gold, five silver and eight bronze medals. The D’Tigers who won silver at the All Africa Games went on to win Gold at the Tunis African Basketball championship for the first time in 50 years, automatically qualifying for the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. Buhari noted that the performance of Team Nigeria at the Congo games had yet again brought the massive potential of Nigerian sportsmen and women to excel in their chosen areas against all odds. He implored the country’s ath- letes to do all they could to ensure that “Nigeria regains its number one position in Africa and the world at large’’. The president, whose delegation had attended the closing ceremony and conveyed his congratulations to the Team Nigeria and its officials, promised the team a fitting ceremony when they all regrouped in Nigeria. He also assured Nigeria’s sportsmen and women that his administration would accord priority to sports, in addition to boosting the morale of the players and enhancing training for future challenges. He reminded the athletes not to rest on their oars “because the challenges grow bigger and more complex each day’’. Our Edgware offices provide a fun environment to work in and we pride ourselves on being a people-orientated organisation. Key Responsibilities: • • • • • • Reporting directly to the Managing Director Sourcing and closing advertising deals with corporates and blue chip companies Researching new areas of possible advertising Contacting potential advertisers on the phone with regards to placing adverts in the print and online versions of the paper Arranging and attending meetings with potential advertisers Developing new sales and business models Ideal Candidate: PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY AS AN ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE OR MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVE. Previous experience in the media industry as and advertising sales executive or media sales executive is an advantage but not required Must have a proven track record of hitting targets Must be self-motivated and target driven If you are interested in this role please email your cv to [email protected] PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY 24 NIGERIAN WATCH 25 Sept - 8 Oct 2015 Follow us on Twitter @NigerianWatch INSIDE Nigeria’s athletes come out on top in Africa Games SportsWATCH HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING THE PREMIER EAGLES, MR OLISEH? SUPER Eagles strikers Kelechi Iheanacho,Odion Ighalo and Victor Moses have been setting the English Premiership alight over the last two weekends, igniting hopes that the Nigeria national team can return to winning ways. Each of the players have hit the ground running in the Prem, scoring for their respective club sides Manchester City, Watford and West Ham. City’s Iheanacho (left), who came on as an 89th minute substitute, scored a classic goal poacher’s goal in the 90th minute to secure all three points away to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday September (Sept 12). Meanwhile Odion Ighalo, who signed a new fiveyear deal with Watford last week has been scoring freely; hitting the net twice last weekend (Sept 19) to secure Watford’s first home victory in the Premiership, having the previous weekend scored the only goal away at Swansea to secure the newly promoted club’s first ever victory in the league. And Victor Moses scored a magnificent first-half goal against the current league leaders Manchester City, drilling a low 20-yard shot past Joe Hart, to set up West Ham for the surprise victory Turn to page 23 1 Call Nigeria p /min Landlines 5 p /min Mobiles Includes Unlimited Lebara to Lebara UK calls and SMS To opt-in SMS BEST to 38885 The Lebara Best Rates Promotion is available to all Lebara UK customers who SMS BEST to 38885 for the current calendar month. To continue enjoying our Best Rates customers will need to re-opt in at the start of every calendar month in order to qualify for the Best Rates. Rates include VAT. Calls are charged per minute (60/60). Best Rates Offer valid only for calls to selected countries, for full list of countries and tariff visit www.lebara.co.uk /rates/best. For full terms and conditions visit www.lebara.com