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NIGERIAN WATCH
tHE uK’s lEadiNg aFricaN NEWspapEr WitH tHE largEst circulatiON
BEFFta cOmmuNity NEWspapEr OF tHE yEar
19 June - 2 July 2015
Issue No 054
forTNIgHTly
To Inspire, Inform and Entertain
nigerianwatch.com
cry FrEEdOm
From now on, it’s…
Tragic loss of mother
taints end of 22-year
prison ordeal for Tolu
page 14
patti Boulaye OBE
How the child of Nigeria’s civil war
became the toast of Britain – page 3
tHE ONE HOur
passpOrt
The immigration
revolution at the High
Commission page 12
tHE BrEEdiNg grOuNd FOr
tHE BritisH pOlitical ElitE
dEclarEs itsElF
‘iNstitutiONally racist’ - p2
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2
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NEWSWatcH
NIGERIAN
WATCH
CommENT
The next step must
be taken now
n a little over one month's time (July 22-25)
representatives of Nigeria’s 30m-strong global
diaspora will gather in Abuja for Nigerian diaspora
Week.
for the delegates there are only two issues to
discuss; the creation of a diaspora Commission and
diaspora voting.
If I was a betting woman, which I’m not, I would
stake my money on our new President, muhammadu
Buhari, using the occasion to announce a diaspora
Commission is to be established.
The bill allowing for such is awaiting his assent. He
can ill-afford to shun the opportunity.
The bottom line is Nigeria can for no longer be
allowed to be seen as a country that won't do business
with its own people.
That raises a question that draws only unpalatable
answers.
It is not what the diaspora alone can bring that
should be focusing the President’s mind, it is what it
can leverage.
That is the main reason why the diaspora is referred
to as the “change agent”. A diaspora Commission is
the next logical step in the development of Nigeria.
That step must be taken.
I
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
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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
oxford union
declares itself
“institutionally
racist”
The UK’s breeding ground for political luminaries, the Oxford
Union, has declared itself “institutionally racist”, following an
outcry over the use of offensive slave trade imagery to promote a
cocktail on the night it met to debate the motion “This House
believes Britain owes reparations to her former colonies”.
The brandy, peach schnapps and lemonade cocktail went by
the name of the Comeback Cocktail and was advertised by a
poster featuring a picture of black hands in chains.
Oxford Union officers now face being sent to racial awareness
workshops amid growing concern about a “culture that
marginalises black and minority voices”.
At a Standing Committee meeting to address the fallout over
the cocktail, the society’s Treasurer Zuleyka Shahin proposed a
motion that the society was “institutionally racist”.
The most widely accepted definition of “institutional racism”
comes from the McPherson report into the killing of Stephen
Lawrence. This states, “The collective failure of an organisation
to provide an appropriate and professional service to people
because of their colour, culture, or ethnic origin. It can be seen or
detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to
discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance,
thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage
minority ethnic people.”
Kiran Benipal, co-chair of the Campaign for Racial Awareness
at Oxford University, told the Daily Telegraph there was an
“uncomfortable silence” just before the motion was unanimously
passed. “We had been discussing whether the cocktail was racist,
and whether the way the Oxford Union dealt with it was
indicative of further problems,” Ms Benipal said. “The Treasurer
proposed a motion that ‘The Oxford Union is institutionally
racist’ and it was discussed for about 15 minutes before being
passed.”
Ms Benipal, a first year Classics student, added, “They now
have to do some work to deal with the fact that they have
recognised that they are an institutionally racist organisation. The
cocktail was symptomatic of a wider problem in the Union of
racism. There is a culture where someone felt comfortable enough
to make a poster like that and felt that it would go unpunished.”
She said that the Union had got in touch with her about
arranging race training workshops for its officers.
Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, a spokesman for Rhodes Must Fall, an
Oxford University
group
which
campaigns against
imperialism, said,
“Officers realised that
[the cocktail] was
reflective of
an
THE oxford uNIoN
Founded in 1823, the Oxford
Union is the second oldest
debating society in the UK –
pre-dated by the less wellknown Cambridge Debating
Society.
It is the more famed of the
two, however, partly because
it has never shied away from
courting controversy, which is
paraded as being emblematic
of its commitment to freedom
of speech.
For example; in the 1960s,
Malcolm X came to the Union
and demanded black empowerment “by any means necessary”. In the 1970s, Richard
Nixon in his first public speech
after Watergate admitted, “I
screwed up - and I paid the
price”. In the 1980s, Gerry
Adams, still under his IRA television ban, addressed the
Union’s members. In 1996, OJ
Simpson made his only public
speech in Britain after the
controversial “not guilty” verdict in his criminal trial.
More recent controversies
have arisen over invitations to
far right speakers, such as the
leader of the BNP Nick Griffin;
leader of the French equivalent, the Front National Party,
Jean Marie Le Pen; and holo-
institutionally racist culture that marginalises black and minority
voices. This motion sends a very clear message that the Union and
its leadership acknowledge the scale of the problem and that there
is a systemic problem in the Oxford Union that silences certain
voices.”
The row over the cocktail prompted the resignation of the
Union’s Black, Minority and Ethnic officer Esther Odejimi. She
told the student newspaper Cherwell that she was “disgusted” at
the way the society had behaved over the “ridiculously insensitive
poster”.
The Union did not respond to questions posed by Nigerian
Watch..
A spokeswoman for Oxford University was at pains to distance
the institution from the Oxford Union, which is a wholly
independent organisation.
She told Nigerian Watch, “There is no place at Oxford for the
kind of crass and insensitive attitude that the material produced
by the Oxford Union suggests. If students were to display such
material on University premises, the University would
immediately take action. While we are confident that it in no way
represents the vast majority of Oxford students, racially
insensitive comments or behaviour of this or any kind are
unacceptable at Oxford and its colleges.”
However, her statement continued to reveal that the
University has had its own issues regarding race.
“Last year we held a joint summit where University staff and
members of the student union and the student-led Campaign for
Racial Awareness and Equality discussed issues raised by students
and agreed a set of concrete steps, including substantial work to
review its curriculum in several subject areas with an eye to
ethnicity and diversity, working in consultation with minority
ethnic students. This work has already produced concrete
outcomes, and we are also organising a
university-wide series of events to
facilitate the curriculum change process.
“We welcome the fact that students
caust denier David Irving.
from Oxford are actively invested in
A great many officers of
discussing what more can be done to
the Union go on to achieve
ensure a fully inclusive university
high office. Notable names inexperience, and we expect to be held to a
clude Mayor of London Boris
very high standard. Students have given
Johnson; Lord Chancellor and
us a detailed and nuanced account of
Secretary of State for Justice
black and minority ethnic student
Michael Gove MP; and MPs
experiences at Oxford.
Damian Hinds, Jacob Rees“It showed that while BME students
Mogg, Nicky Morgan and Sam
generally thrive and do well at Oxford,
Gyimah.
there are incidents of insensitivity and
Not all former officers go
some students can feel isolated. The
on to become Conservative
University is committed to addressing
politicians.
this, and welcomes the fact that its
Former Labour luminaries
students can raise these issues in a
Michael Foot, Tony Benn and
constructive
and
co-operative
Roy Jenkins were all former
atmosphere.”
officers of the Union.
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19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
NEWSWatcH
3
PATTI AT THE PALACE
… but the next time she goes it will be on official business - to pick up her oBE
BEloW: On stage at The Pheasantry,
London May 2015 wearing one of her
own costume designs.
rIgHT; At the opening of Support for
Africa Health Centre, Port Harcourt,
Rivers State, Nigeria. April 2005
BEloW: With Ray Winstone.
Patti Boulaye, the singer and
actress known to many
Nigerians as the “darling of
the diaspora”, has been
awarded an OBE in the
Queen’s Birthday Honours
list.
As the pictures above
show, Patti is no stranger to
Buckingham Palace – a
frequent guest at Royal
events, including the annual
summer garden party that
took place on Saturday (June
13).
But the next time she goes
it will be on official business to receive her honour,
awarded in recognition of her
“charitable services in the UK
and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ms Boulaye told Nigerian
Watch she received news of
her OBE on her birthday.
“I can’t believe it. I just
can’t believe it’s happened.
“It’s incredible and makes
me so grateful. I’m a believer
in whatever gift we receive,
we are supposed to share and
use it to help others.
“I’m hoping and praying
it’s just the next stage to some
of the work I do.”
To many in the diaspora
and Nigeria Patti will be
forever the face of Lux – a
starring role she played for 29
years. To others she will be
recalled as the record-breaker
who won New Faces in 1978 –
the Britain’s Got Talent show
of its era – and was the first
performer to ever score
perfect 10s from all four
judges. She went on to have
her own prime time TV show
in the Eighties; the Patti
Boulaye Show, broadcast in
Britain and Nigeria – a
remarkable first in so many
ways.
There was success in the
charts, movies – Ms Boulaye
had a starring role in Bisi
Daughter of the River, which
is one of the biggest grossing
African films ever made, and
Hussy with Helen Mirren – ,
and on stage in West End
musicals; her breakthrough
role was in the then
scandalous Hair and her most
celebrated was in the
acclaimed The Black Mikado.
A child of the civil war in
Nigeria, Ms Boulaye never
forgot her African roots. She
performed at the inauguration
of President Obasanjo and
over 14 years conceived,
wrote and staged her own
celebration of Africa, the West
End musical Sun Dance.
But it is for her charitable
work that she has been
honoured. And this is equally
as legendary.
During her career Patti has
lent her support to numerous
charities, and was patron of
five,
including
Eastside
Educational
Trust,
Barnardo’s, SOS and Women
Into Business. Patti was also a
Founder Member and Patron
of (HRH Prince Michael of
Kent) Enterprise Club for
GENESIS,
the
facilitator
organisation for the All-Party
Parliamentary Group for the
promotion of Small Business.
She is also on the Advisory
Board
of
The
ImanFoundation
Worldwide,
which promotes dialogue and
challenges extremism to bring
about change.
Her work in Africa has
been phenomenal through her
charity Support for Africa,
that boasts former PM John
Major as a supporter. Through
staging fundraising concerts
and charity football matches
Arise, Sir lenny Henry of dudley and Jamaica
The man who, like Patti Boulaye,
launched his career as a mimic on
New Faces, went on to become
an acclaimed stand-up and TV
comedian before becoming a celebrated Shakespearean actor, has
been Knighted in the Queen’s
Birthday Honours list.
An outspoken campaigner demanding there be more representation of black and minority
ethnic faces in the media – and in
front of and behind the camera
on British TV – he has been given
his Knighthood for services to
charity and comedy.
As founder and one of the
chief drivers of the Comic Relief
charity, Mr Henry has been instrumental in raising more than
£1bn – to help under-privileged
children in Britain and Africa. An
astonishing achievement that has
saved and touched the lives of
hundreds of thousands on the
African continent.
she has built five selfsustaining health care clinics
in Africa; three in Nigeria and
two in Cameroon.
Her charity also assisted in
the building of the Sentebale
School
in
Lesotho,
in
collaboration with the charity
of that name, established by
Prince Harry. The school was
opened in 2010.
Meanwhile,
acclaimed
actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, already
the holder of an OBE, was
awarded a CBE for his services
to drama – a reflection of the
great impact his performances
in 12 Years A Slave, for which
he won an Oscar nomination,
and Half a Yellow Sun.
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NEWSWatcH
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A diaspora Commission could unleash a
staggering $1trn investment in Nigeria,
say campaigners. AJ James reports
Expat Nigerians have been
dubbed the $1 trillion
diaspora as the clamour
grows around the world for
Nigeria to create a Diaspora
Commission.
At home and in the pockets
of the diaspora the squeeze is
being felt from the collapse in
oil prices, highlighting how
unsustainable the ongoing ad
hoc relationship is.
A Commission would
formalise the relationship with
the
diaspora
and
its
proponents say open pathways
to reverse the brain drain into
a brain gain and open the
floodgates to investment.
Voices
backing
the
introduction of such a
government department have
been raised around the world
and in America particularly.
The bill that would enable a
diaspora
commission
is
currently awaiting the assent
of President Muhammadu
Buhari, having been passed as
one of the last acts of the
outgoing administration.
It seeks the introduction for
an “act to provide for the
establishment of the Nigerian
Citizens
in
Diaspora
Commission to ensure the
protection
of
Nigerians
in
diaspora
and
promote
and
facilitate
their
effective
participation in
economic,
political
and
social development of the
nation and for related
matters.”
The chief cheerleader for
the bill in the global diaspora is
Titus Olowokere, executive
vice president and CEO of the
US Nigeria Trade Council,
President Emeritus of the
Alliance
of
Nigerian
Organisations in Georgia (US)
and Director of Administration
of NICORE, an organisation
that facilitates the economic
development of Nigerians and
their communities in the US.
In a lengthy paper on the
subject exhorting the global
diaspora to launch a mass
lobbying campaign to see the
Diaspora Commission Bill
passed into law he argues that
around the world other
countries have recognised the
power of their diaspora to be
“agents
of
national
ABovE; Titus Olowokere
development” and that the
“lack
of
a
structured
institutional framework has
inhibited
the
effective
contribution of this important
resource
of
national
development.”
He continues, “The choice
before Nigeria is either to keep
the country perpetually in the
club of the underdeveloped
currently prevent the transfer
of skills and investment to
Nigeria - a long-standing
complaint of many diaspora
organisations in the UK.
Coordinator of the UK
Buhari Friends Organisations
Network (BFON), Chairman
of the Nigerian Entrepreneur
Association, UK and Second
Vice Chair of the Central
Association of Nigerians UK,
Charles
Sylvester
Emukowhate told Nigerian
Watch, “We in the diaspora
will want the president to
establish
a
Diaspora
Commission.
This
commission, when put in
place, will harness the human
and material resources of
Nigerians living in different
parts of the world and
galvanise them for national
development.”
Chief
Joe
Mmeh
is
simultaneously calling for the
same in Germany.
Another US advocate for a
Diaspora Commission and
recent delegate to the
National Conference Chief
Temitope Ajayi told the
Vanguard newspaper that its
creation would open the
floodgates
to
housing
development
in
Nigeria, putting the
figure at $1trn.
Popularly
known in the US as
Mama
Diaspora,
she said the 30
million Nigerians in
the diaspora were
keen on deploying their
resources into the building of
one million homes in Nigeria
in conjunction with the
Federal Mortgage Bank in the
first
phase
of
their
contributions to the country.
She said the potential
investment could be over
$1trn – but it would require
reform of Nigeria’s banks and
financial institutions.
Ms Ajayi said, “The
Diaspora Commission will
afford Nigerians living outside
the country the opportunity to
contribute more of their quota
towards nation building and
investing in Nigeria’s economic development. We, in the
Diaspora, are very excited.”
“Tap into the overflowing
potentials of Nigerians living
abroad and make the country a
major player in global affairs”
world or tap into the
overflowing potentials of
Nigerians living abroad and
make the country a major
player in global affairs.”
He outlines a vision for
what the Commission might
do (see box above right), which
includes a call for Nigerians in
Diaspora Organisation to be
scrapped and replaced with a
Diaspora Office at all missions.
He says NIDO has become
tainted by the scourge of
“Godaftherism… motivated by
the prospects of contracts,
political jostling or promises of
land allocations in Abuja”.
But primarily he says the
commission should break
down the barriers that
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19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
NEWSWatcH
WHAT NIgErIANS IN dIASPorA WANT To SEE
ENABlEd By A dIASPorA CommISSIoN
The Diaspora Commission (Nigerians in
Diaspora Commission Organisation NIDCO) should implement skills transfer
schemes and programmes directed at professionals such as doctors, engineers, professors and information technology experts.
For the educational system, this can be
achieved in practical terms, through mandating each of the Nigerian Universities, private or public, to reserve at least two faculty
positions for Diaspora Nigerian professors
who desire to do their sabbatical in Nigeria
thus facilitating interchange of knowledge
and sharing of ‘lessons learned’.
For the non-academic professions, a
competitive working environment should be
put in place to attract Nigerians working
abroad to fill human resource gaps in the
country, including through recruitment
services that facilitate and coordinate the
recruitment of foreign-based Nigerians.
1
2
The Diaspora Commission should establish collaborative relationship with medical institutions and facilities abroad. Many
of them are open to exchange programs and
surplus equipment donation.
3
There is no doubt that the financial capacity of the majority of diasporans to
make significant investment is severely limited, thanks to family members and ‘friends’
who constantly hound, harass and pester
you, for money, even though they live well
in Nigeria!
In order to facilitate effective diaspora
engagement, NIDCO should work with financial institutions and responsible government
agencies to attract small and medium diaspora businesses through loans, credits, and
matching funds arrangements.
4
Incentives such as a diaspora-friendly
tax regimes for the import of personal
belongings and capital goods, as well as tax
holidays during the initial period of investment are needed to stimulate the small and
medium enterprise sector..
5
For Nigerians in Diaspora to be fully engaged in the political growth of the
country, NIDCO should expedite the legislative representation of Nigerians in Diaspora
in the National Assembly in tow with the
passing of the Diaspora Voting rights.
This is not far-fetched. Abuja is not a
State in Nigeria, but has legislative presence
in the House as Federal Capital Territory.
We should have “Diaspora Territory” as a
defined constituency to enable Nigerians in
Diaspora to participate in the formulation of
laws and constitutional direction of Nigeria.
Such elected Representatives from Nigerians in the Diaspora will have the similar
geographical spread and numbers as in the
Diaspora Commission: North America - 3;
Europe -2; Asia/Australia – 2; Canada -1;
China - 1; Africa - 1; South America – 1.
Evening Standard
‘Incredible,
intimate photography’
6
7
That Nigerians in Diaspora remit about
$20 billion annually is no longer news.
Channeling remittances into productive investments is the challenge.
Certain measures can be considered to
this end. One such way is to generate
development opportunities: NIDCO should
encourage banks and other financial institutions to provide remittance investment
and housing opportunities, disseminating
information to the diaspora on savings and
investment options for remittances.
Too many times, “dependable” family
members and friends, under unstructured
arrangements have been sad experiences.
8
A Diaspora Housing scheme should be
pursued by NIDCO.
Note: The paper also addresses a welfare
fund for destitute Nigerians in Diaspora and
tax relief on emergency aid.
Read Mr Tolu Olowokere’s The Time is Now
paper at www.proshareng.com
damilola Taylor Trust
saved from closure
The Damilola Taylor Trust – the charity founded in memory of
murdered schoolboy Damilola Taylor – has been able to clear all
its debts just six months into a furious fundraising drive inspired
by its near closure.
The campaign was the brainchild of Listen Fundraising, an
award winning telemarketing agency, whose fundraisers’
voluntary efforts resulted in £20,000 of vital income for the
struggling organisation – which the company itself then doubled.
Staff members undertook a huge array of events, including bake
sales, sponsored push ups, hot dog eating challenges, and a
special fundraising finale – A Night for Damilola - in April.
With outstanding debts now cleared, DTT has been able to
begin funding projects once again.
Listen first became involved with DTT’s plight after hearing its
founder – and Damilola’s father – Richard Taylor OBE make a
heartfelt plea for help through the media in late 2014. It donated
an initial £25,000 to relieve some of the organisation’s most
pressing debts, before pledging to match-fund a further £20,000
last November.
Richard Taylor OBE, Founder of DTT, said, “I am delighted that
the Trust’s vital work with inner city communities can continue
unabated thanks to the commitment of Listen, corporate donors
like Wilmington Trust and creditors such as Cambridge House,
who agreed that a portion of the debt owed could be treated as a
donation to the charity.
“We have always been determined to continue our work in
Damilola’s name and reach out to young people like him who
dream of a life without fear, and full of opportunity. And today,
that work is fully possible again. I wish to say a big thank you to
Listen and all those who stepped forward and supported us in our
time of need.”
Tony Charalambides, Managing Director of Listen
Fundraising, said, “Listen is so proud to have been able to step
into the breach and in just six months help rid a really important
and hugely relevant charity of its debts. Above all, it means the
Damilola Taylor Trust can continue supporting young
disadvantaged people – which is critical, life changing work.”
‘The very ordinariness of
the images – their humour
and easy self-confidence –
that makes this exhibition
special.’
Observer
Time Out
From documentary to
portraiture, Staying Power
documents experiences of
Black Britain from post-World
War II to the 1990s.
To ensure a balance in the management
of the affairs of Nigerians in
Diaspora,NIDCO should encourage state
governments to have Directorates of Diaspora with emphasis on engaging the Nigerians in Diaspora from their own States, the
same way that Nigerian Missions abroad
would have a ‘Diaspora Office.
1 Windrush Sqaure,
Brixton, SW2 1EF
bcaheritage.org.uk
020 3757 8500
Tues – Sat,
10am – 6pm
@bcaheritage
#inspringpower
5
The Staying Power project is a
partnership with the V&A and is
supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund:
6
NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
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NEWSWatcH
WOW! AND DOUBLE WOW!
NIgErIA’S BEAuTIful mINdS ArE SHININg BrIgHT IN THE WorldS of mATHS ANd CodINg
Forget pidgin, mathematics
is clearly the second
language of Nigeria, which
is why we traditionally excel
in subjects like accountancy
and engineering. But even
for a nation steeped in this
tradition, the exploits of
engineering graduate Ufot
Ekong and schoolboy coders
and
Osine
Anesi
Ikhianosime stand out.
Mr Ekong (below) recently
graduated from university
having achieved the highest
grades at a Japanese university
for the past 50 years, solving
along the way a mathematical
equation that had baffled
mathematicians for 30 years.
Mr Ekong, from Lagos,
achieved a first in electrical
engineering at Tokai University
in Tokyo, scoring the best
marks since 1965.
Mr
Ekong
is
quite
remarkable. Away from his
studies he plays the saxophone
and runs a retail clothes and
accessories shop in Japan
called Strictly African Japan.
The
Nigerian
speaks
English, French, Japanese and
Yoruba, and paid his way
through university himself.
He currently works for
Nissan and has already
patented two products, as well
as making an electric car
which reaches up to 128 kmph.
During
his
time
at
university, Mr Ekong has won
six awards for academic
excellence.
Meanwhile,
Nigerian
brothers, 13 and 15 year old
Anesi and Osine Ikhianosime,
have developed a mobile
phone browser. The dynamic
coding duo – pupils at
Greensprings School, Anthony
Campus, Lagos – got tired of
waiting for Google Chrome to
load on their mobile phones, so
decided to do something about
it instead of complain.
They decided to build a
better mobile browser last year
and called it Crocodile Browser
Lite. The plan to create a better
browser for low end featured
phones is one that is needed for
the developing world.
While Chrome and other
browsers work great on high
end smart phones, the
majority of the world are not
using this technology and need
a low-end option that still
provides a quick browser
response, so this is what the
young men did. It is currently
live and ready for your
download in the Google Play
store right now.
The self-taught coders have
always been fascinated with
technology, creating, building
and solving problems and hope
to complete their studies at the
famed Massachusetts Institute
of Technology in the US.
Hats off to all three.
ARE YOU LOOKING TO REGULARISE YOUR
IMMIGRATION STATUS IN THE UK?
If yes we can help you.
1. Do you have a child who is a British citizen?
If yes we can help you settle in the United
Kingdom.
2. Do you have a child born in the UK who has
lived here continuously for 7 years. If yes we
can help you settle in the United Kingdom.
3. Do you have a child born in the UK who has
lived in the United Kingdom continuously
for 10 years. If yes your child is eligible for
registration as a British citizen and you will
also be eligible to apply for settlement
4. Have you lived in the UK continuously for 20
years? If yes we may be able to help you
5. Are you under the age of 25 years old and
have you lived in the United Kingdom half
your life. If yes you are entitled to settlement
in the United Kingdom.
6. Have you been refused leave to remain in
the United Kingdom, We can help you with
your appeal
7 . Has your entry clearance application refused, we can help you with your appeal
8. Has your application for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom refused without a right of appeal. There have been
changes in the Home Office policy on 20th
October 2014.
9. Do you want to bring your wife or your child
to join you in the UK? If yes we can help you
10. Are you currently detained and facing removal or deportation? If yes we may be able
to help
11. If you are a businessman and want to invest a minimum of £200,000.00 (two hundred thousand pounds) in the UK, we can
help you and your family to settle in the UK
CONTACT MR JAMIL TRAWALLY WHO IS AN
EXPERIENCED IMMIGRATION SOLICITOR
Stuart & Co Solicitors
285 Fore Street
Edmonton
London
N9 0PD
Tel: 02088871360
Fax: 02088871370
Mobile:07727630428
Email: [email protected]
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NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
KASUMUWatcH
9
The
Samuel KaSumu Column
A new journey begins
The next time I begin to
write my Nigerian Watch
column I could be writing
as the newest father in
town. My wonderful wife
is now in the latter stages
of pregnancy. All of the
various
things
that
mothers are adamant the
baby will need have been
bought, and the challenge
of assembling these things
has consumed most of my
recent
weekends.
Fatherhood will therefore
be my newest, and perhaps
greatest challenge, and one
which I hope not to fail.
five very independent children, the idea of starting a
family didn’t really go beyond having a wife to share
my life with. Perhaps subconsciously the challenges
that we faced growing up
aided in me the feeling at
Having children was
never something I ever felt
was a certain thing for me.
Growing up as the fourth of
times that children were
maybe not for me. I always
had the ambition of one day
adopting children… giving
“There is no
manual.
Parenthood seems
to be very much
an on the job
training role ”
some a stable environment
that would improve their
likely outcomes in life. But to
have my own child was just
not something high on my
list. It took me a long time to
even entertain the idea, and
I would reckon there are
many people who have also
been deterred because of
their own experience.
I have friends that have
told me very directly that
parenthood is not something
they feel they could embrace
because of this very reason.
Unfortunately so many
Nigerians in my generation
have grown up with fathers
that were either physically
or mentally absent. To find a
family that has stood the test
Successful enterprises are lean,
focused and ready for anything
We’re nearly six months into the year and as
someone involved in both running and promoting
enterprise there have been three things that I have
learnt in 2015:
Those who succeed in growing businesses do
not spend unnecessarily. It’s a lesson I learnt
first when I was 19 and seems to have become
even more relevant. There is always the temptation to get the flash offices in a central location, to
have the best looking business cards, and to invest
in online marketing. But the truth is if you cannot
measure the return on investment then you’re
probably better off not spending. Good businesses
understand that waste is not acceptable and flash
doesn’t always equate to success. It’s important to
keep costs low, not just at the start-up stage. Justify every penny, have a budget, and stick to it.
It is better to have less of the right people
than too many of the wrong people. Businesses succeed primarily because of the talent that exists within it. I’ve seen businesses over
the last six months that have struggled because
1
2
they do not have the right talent, and very often
have too many people on their team that fall short
of the standards their ambitions require. It is usually better to hire one person at a premium that
can take you to the next level as opposed to many
mediocre people that will struggle to help you even
to maintain your current position in the market
Plan for the best but prepare for the worse.
Quite often entrepreneurs believe when that
contract comes through, when that new
shop opens, or when that marketing campaign
goes live, things will turn around. If I had a pound
for every time I saw such a thought not go to plan
I’d be a richer man today. We must have a plan but
ultimately it’s important to plan for when things do
not go the way we thought. Some organisations
have what they call a disaster recovery plan. Others have business continuity plans and others just
a worst case scenario budget. These things will
help you to stay afloat and to keep going when inevitable challenges arise. Always plan for the best
but prepare for the worse!
3
of time is very rare, and the
scars of having no father are
rarely visible, particularly in
men. We can only hope for
better outcomes going forward.
Something that has recently begun to consume my
thoughts is what type of
child do I want to have and
how can I make this a reality. Anyone involved in
business usually has a very
high locus of control. This
means they usually feel that
they can dictate the outcomes in any given situation
based on their internal ability to influence their environment. But the challenge
with parenthood is that ultimately at some stage a child
must be able to grow into an
adult, making their own decisions.
Many people want their
children to be a geniuses,
but clearly so many fall short
of achieving such an aspiration. Even those financially
able to send their children to
private school have often
found themselves question-
ing the value for money
when their children return
with average grades. From
the articles I’ve been reading
so far, it seems that the key
to raising children successfully is investing time in
communicating with and
understanding each child.
Success is of course relative.
For some a good child is
someone emotionally balanced and able to find contentment in what they do.
For others its high academic
attainment, and for others it
is simply based on the quality of relationship that the
child has with their parent.
There is no official manual
for parenthood. No child is
the same and very seldom do
you hear the secrets as to
how a parent has managed
to raise good children. Parenthood seems to be very
much an on the job training
role. I suppose when my
child comes into the world,
by God’s grace, in many respects they won’t be the
only one on a new journey of
discovery.
KEEPINg IT
rEAl WITH
KENNy
The Kenny Report is a serious research
centre shining a light on the issues
most relevant to young people in the
UK today. The brains behind the series,
Kenny Imafadon, is a young man of
Nigerian heritage that I recently had
the privilege of meeting. What struck
me about Kenny more than anything is
his ability to keep things simple and
accessible through his research. He is
certainly one to watch in the years
ahead. Check out his report here:
http://www.kennyreport3.com/
NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
Education – an issue in multicultural Britain
A day-long conference will explore the
issue of “Nigerians in Multicultural
Britain [Education]” on Saturday June
27, at Council Chambers, London Borough of Bromley Civic Centre.
The conference aims to enable parents and teachers to understand the issues faced by the next generation,
grappling with Nigerian heritage and
their daily experience in muilcultural
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NEWSWatcH
Britain and offer support and advice to
pupils and students so they can successfully compete in the modern world.
Among those speaking at the conference is Mr Seyi Obakin.
Mr Obakin is CEO of Centrepoint and
Chair of the Tobi Adeyemi Foundation
and was named in the JP Morgan Powerlist 2010 as one of the 100 most influential black people in Britain.
His foundation awards grants to disadvantaged young people who have
shown potential in school, to help them
achieve a first class education.
The event has been organised by the
Nigerian Schools Sports & Family Funday
in conjunction with the British Nigerian
Education Trust.
Entry is free but registration is required.
For more details visit www.nssff.co.uk
ISmiles Photo
10
POWER WOMEN PLEDGE
TO KEEP CAMPAIGNING
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The foremost Nigerian women’s organisation in the United Kingdom, Nigerian
Women in Diaspora Leadership Forum
(NWDLF) celebrated its fifth anniversary
with a dinner at the Copthorne Tara Hotel
in Kensington on Friday June 5, with a renewed vigour to champion the cause of
vulnerable women and girls.
NWIDLF, which has held more rallies in
the UK for the missing Chibok girls than
any other group, promised to donate proceeds of their dinner for the Women displaced by the terror group, Boko Haram.
Guests included Britain's first female
black MP Diane Abbott; the former Mayors
of Hackney, Enfield and Waltham Forest,
Susan Fajana-Thomas, Kate Anolue and
Anna Mbachu, and Nigerian Watch publisher Maryanne Jemide.
Ms Abbott affirmed her support for the
cause of the NWIDLF, but went further to
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challenge the women to aspire to leadership positions in British Society.
She told the packed gathering that if
she could do it, there was no reason they
too could not break barriers.
The former Mayor of Enfield Ms Anolue,
in her closing remarks told the former
shadow secretary for public health that
the Nigerian women are firmly behind her
candidacy to become the Mayor of London, which she is contesting on the platform of Labour party - Ms Abbott is one of
three Labour hopefuls hoping to win the
party's ticket for the 2016 elections of
Mayor of London.
President of NWILDF Jenny Chika
Okafor said, “We have been in existence
for five years now and during that time,
have organised and conducted numerous
campaigns on behalf of the African
woman, including FGM, child marriages,
the Chibok girls and gender equality.”
She pledged the group to another five
years of championing the rights of women
and girls and ensuring their voices are
heard, including plans to launch a mentorship programme to develop the women
leaders of tomorrow. The organisation is
also looking at engaging the Nigerian government and offering time in paid and voluntary capacities in rural areas to inspire
women there.
APPlICATIoNS oPEN for
£1,000 ‘PoP’ AWArdS
Projects which save lives,
reduce property crime and
tackle anti-social behaviour can now be entered
for the 10th annual London
Problem Orientated Partnership (POP) Awards.
The POP Awards are a
collaboration between
London Councils, the Metropolitan Police Service
(MPS), the Mayor's Office
for Policing and Crime
(MOPAC) and Transport for
London (TfL).
They celebrate projects
which respond to local
needs and address the
causes of crime – rather
than just the conse-
quences – and that are
designed and implemented in partnership
with local police and communities.
Cllr Lib Peck, London
Councils’ executive member for crime and policing,
said, “London Councils is
pleased to once again
support the London Problem Orientated Partnership
Awards, which have been
an important part of local
policing for the last
decade.
“These awards recognise the very best local
policing solutions, which
understand the needs of
local people and work with
them and a range of partners to make a tangible
improvement in people’s
lives.”
Any organisation may
enter either POP Award:
eligible projects must involve partnerships between agencies, with at
least one agency being the
Metropolitan Police.
The deadline for applications is 9am, Friday 10
July.
Application forms
available by searching
for the ‘POP Awards’ at
www.londoncouncils.gov.
uk
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NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
YOURWatcH
11
Letters to the Editor
Soyinka, a towering figure of literature of Einsteinian brilliance
As Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate
Wole Soyinka is in the news
seeking to become Professor
of
Poetry
at
Oxford
University (NW 53) I was
and Wole Soyinka on the
one hand and Berlin and
Ibadan on the other.
Note that Ulm and Ake are
both three letters.
Einstein
has
been
Einstein and Soyinka have described as the greatest
both been associated with the scientist of the 20th century
and Wole Soyinka
perhaps the world’s
greatest
living
dramatist.
Einstein
and
Soyinka
both
won the Nobel
Prize. They are both
associated
with
social and political
causes.
Einstein
loved sailing and
Soyinka is a self
confessed Sea Dog
and
Einstein
Soyinka are both
known
for
composing
and
playing
string
instruments. In the
case of Einstein it
was the violin,
whereas Soyinka
plays the guitar.
Einstein
and
Soyinka
were at
±ÄºÀ·´Á°¬¯¬Ä¬±¿°½
#Y
first not successful
°··RĺÀV½°º¹ÄºÀ½ºÂ¹º
as married men.
They
both
remarried.
Einstein And Soyinka
Albert
struck by some strange unconventional.
developments
and Einstein was born in Ulm, campaigned against lives
coincidences
happening Germany, a Federal Republic; wasted, by the First World
between Germany and and Wole Soyinka was born in War and road accidents
Nigeria, particularly as it Ake, Nigeria, now a Federal respectively
Einstein had a friend,
concerns Albert Einstein republic.
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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 June 29, 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.
fellow physicist Max Planck.
When the recognised head of
German science, he gave a lift
of some sort to Einstein in the
academic circles.
He brought him into the
fold of the Berlin Academy.
Planck was President of the
Kaiser Willem Society (now
Max Planck Society for the
Advancement of Science).
Einstein and Planck parted
ways.
Soyinka had a friend, the
physicist, Muyiwa Awe, first
President of the Science
Association of Nigeria. Awe
was a member of the
appointment and promotions
committee of the University
of Ibadan, just before a final
decision was to be taken as to
the suitability or otherwise of
Wole
Soyinka
for
a
professorship.
Soyinka did not bag the
professorship. Awe raised a
technical objection to the
procedure of the committee,
as he revealed in the book,
Before Our Very Eyes
(Spectrum), a tribute to Wole
Soyinka (edited by Dapo
Adelugba).
Like Einstein and Planck,
Soyinka and Awe parted ways
at least spiritually. Soyinka
did write in the Guardian
Newspaper that Awe had a
penchant for fouling up
relationships.
Planck retired from the
University of Berlin and Awe
retired from the University of
Ibadan.
Note that Berlin is the
political and cultural capital
of Germany and Ibadan is the
political capital of the Yoruba
Nation, and used to serve as
the cultural capital of Nigeria.
Interestingly , Ulli Beier, a
German
Jew
like
Einstein, has been described
as the Father of Yoruba
Culture. In Berlin there is the
German
Institute
for
Economic Research and in
Ibadan is the Nigerian
Institute of Social and
Economic research.
In Berlin we have the free
University of Berlin, founded
in 1948, the University of
Ibadan was also founded in
1948.
Einstein went into exile
avoiding the German Military
Dictator
Adolf
Hitler.
Similarly Soyinka went into
exile to evade the Nigerian
Military
Dictator,
Sani
Abacha.
There is the Albert Einstein
society, and there is as well
the Wole Soyinka society.
Both are of course great
men with great minds.
Regards Augustine TogonuBickersteth, London, England
12
NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
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EMBASSYWatcH
News from the
NIGERIA HIGH COMMISSION London
Dr Tafida’s immigration revolution delivers
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the
UK Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, OFR,
CFR, went through the motions of
collecting a new passport on Friday
June 5 – not in preparation to return
to Nigeria, but instead to show off
the latest innovations that have
made the visa and passport service at
the High Commission the equal of
any in the world.
The transformation in the
immigration service since His
Excellency assumed office a little
over seven years ago is nothing short
of astonishing.
The minister and head of chancery
Ahmed Inusa made this plain as he
opened proceedings ahead of a tour
of the refurbished facilities.
“Previously we were heavily
criticised and pilloried for our
shortcomings in service delivery; it
was appalling,” he recalled. “Now, it
is amazing.”
His Excellency Dr Tafida recalled
his first few weeks in office “were
harrowing”.
“I came here over seven years ago
and everyday initially it was
harrowing for me,” he said.
“Everyday my desk would be
weighed down with letters of
complaint and petitions about the
service.”
That was when securing a passport
was akin to a game of British Bulldog,
with scrums, fights and arguments
breaking out all over the place and
the service was peppered with
corruption and favouritism. Those
were the days when crowds in the
hundreds would gather all special
pleading to be seen first.
Confronted with such mayhem
Dr Tafida acted fast, recognising this
was the primary point of contact the
diaspora had with the High
Commission and the current service
was dragging the reputation of
Nigeria through the mire.
He consequently established an
emergency committee of senior
officers to re-imagine the service
ToP: Dr Tafida, flanked by Ministers and guests,
opens the new facilities; HE awaiting his number
to be called; visiting the collection office; (below)
community leaders (l-r) Henrietta Abraham,
Babatunde Loye and Sir Martins Bakare
facilities on a working day.
The entry to the immigration
service is via the door on the road
known as Great Scotland Yard, about
50 yards down from the main
entrance to the High Commission on
Northumberland Avenue.
Here the first example of change
is evident. Whereas previously
members of the public were met by
anonymous, besuited immigration
staff, today they are met by readily
identifiable uniformed personnel.
An innovation to stamp out
corruption and favouritism.
“It used to be horrendous, with people
fighting to be seen, but when I came
recently I was seen in one hour. Dr Tafida,
I commend you for your foresight, vision,
wisdom and leadership”
and over the years it has been
transformed, to rival any in the
world, including the American
Embassy.
The comptroller of immigration
Muhhamadu Aminu Muhammadu
recalled Dr Tafida drew a line in the
sand. “He told us our people should
be served with dignity”.
And today that is what happens,
as was evident on a tour of the
On entry to the newly
refurbished immigration hall you
receive a numbered ticket that
assures your place in the queue and
becomes your reference number
throughout the process, the
progress of which is broadcast on a
digital screen. Assuming your
paperwork is in order, on payment
of the fee, that’s it.
When you come to collect your
passport, again the offices have been
refurbished, with wood panelled
booths to ensure privacy.
This is only the tip of the iceberg; all manner of cutting edge
technology has been introduced
over the years to ensure that today
the process not only serves Nigerians
well but meets with international
standards (see box).
Yet Dr Tafida said, “We still
believe we have a long way to go.”
The next target is to ensure that
once your paperwork has been
checked and documented it will
remain on record, meaning
customers will not have to present
them again to renew their passport
or visa.
He said he hoped the system that
had been created would stand the
test of time and that “those who
replace us will not be able to reverse
it”. He was confident that Nigerians
in the diaspora would not allow that
to happen.
“Nigerians in this country know
their rights – they cry aloud when
things are not going their way”, he
observed, recalling how when
standards slipped back in 2011 –
during the period he was in Nigeria
masterminding
Goodluck
Jonathan’s successful Presidential
bid – their were howls of protest and
damaging headlines in the British
newspapers.
“It is important to have a process
that doesn’t allow for corruption to
thrive,” Dr Tafida continued. “It is
important that it doesn’t allow
favouritism, a feeling that you’re
showing favouritism to some
customers. It is of these things that
Nigerians rightly complain.”
He revealed that in his time he
had found it necessary to return a
handful of officers to Nigeria “who
were not living up to our
expectations”.
It was also revealed that the pay
of home based offices had been
improved, as part of the drive to
stamp out the corruption that had
previously mired the service.
But those days are long gone.
Rather than complaints Dr Tafida
said he now received only letters of
commendation about the service. “It
embarrasses me. They praise me but
it is not me. All the people here in
the Mission delivered it, I only set
the direction.”
His Excellency concluded by
exhorting the diaspora to remain
vigilant.
“Keep advising us,” Dr Tafida
encouraged those present. “If you
have raised an issue and advised us
and it is not done then you can
complain. We are here for you, not
for anyone else.”
Testimony to the changes that
have been achieved under Dr
Tafida’s time as Nigeria’s High
Commissioner to the UK came from
those who know best; people who
have had cause to use the service
both in the past and the present.
Babatunde Loye, chairman of the
Central Association of Nigerians in
the UK said, “I came here in 2001
and it was a gruelling experience. I
was here for eight hours. Today what
we have just seen is exactly what
they have in the American Embassy.
Everyone involved should be
commended.”
Henrietta Abraham, chairwoman
of Nigerians in the Diaspora
Organisation said, “It used to be
horrendous, with people fighting
and pushing to be seen, but when I
came recently I was served within
one hour. Dr Tafida, I commend you
for your foresight, vision, wisdom
and leadership.”
The chairman of the National
Association
of
Nigerian
Communities, Sir Martins Bakare,
said word had spread throughout
the United Kingdom, “the High
Commission serves our people and
serves them well.”
The transformation of the immigration service at the High Commission has been an ongoing process since Nigeria’s Ambassador to the UK Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, OFR, CFR
arrived. First, he immediately instituted a training programme for staff, to end the daily
clamour at the immigration centre that was resulting in corruption and terrible PR. The
next step, to better serve Nigerians outside London, was the introduction of a postal
and mobile enrolment service, which processed over 5,000 applications in its first year.
An on-line application and payment service followed. There were teething troubles
initially, especially involving payments. Sorting these out was problematic for applicants as the payment service provider’s office was in America. Recognising the issue,
Dr Tafida alerted the company and successfully persuaded them to open a UK office to
resolve such problems. When Dr Tafida realised Nigerians were being sent from immigration to find a photocopier to copy documents, he had one installed in the Immigration Service area for public use.
Behind the scenes digitisation has improved the Commission’s archives and data
collection, which has dramatically speeded up the process and stamped out fraudulent
applications and now meets international standards.
Today, there are dedicated call centres for Visa, Passport and Emergency Travel Certificate enquiries. Visit the Nigeria High Commission for details, www.nhc.org.uk
0203 773 3407
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WINGS OF NIGERIA
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3517
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first lawyer in
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igeria
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* Correct as of 01/0 6/ 2015 . In addition to transfer fees applicable to a transaction, a currency exchange rate set by MoneyGram or it s agent will be applied. * * Subject to agent hours of operation and local regulations. Post O f fice, Thomas Cook ,
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NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
NEWSWatcH
15
FREEDOM FOR TOLU
TINGED BY TRAGEDY
Stabbed
teacher is
Nigerian
Nigerian father of two Vincent
Uzomah is recovering in hospital
having been stabbed on June 11
while working as a supply teacher
at the Dixons Kings Academy in
Bradford.
The school day had only just
started when 50-year-old Mr
Uzomah was attacked, apparently
stabbed after confiscating a mobile phone.
A 14-year-old pupil has subsequently been charged with attempted murder. The boy, who
cannot be named for legal reasons, has also been charged with
possession of cannabis.
Mr Uzomah, who is married
with two children, is a PhD student at Salford University, after
graduating with a degree in civil
engineering at Leeds University.
Just two days after Tolu
Akinrosotu received the
news in early May that he
was to be released from
jail – where he has served a
22 year jail sentence for a
first-time
non-violent
drug offence – his joy was
punctured when he was
informed that his mother
had died.
Tolu was jailed in 1993
when he was just 23 for
having arranged flights for
people who turned out to be
drug mules – found guilty on
the witness testimony of the
“Mr Bigs” behind the
conspiracy to import drugs.
Having read the case
papers we reported on his
and
petitioned
plight
President Obama on his
behalf having been contacted
by Debo Adewumi, a former
classmate, who revealed the
St Charles’ Grammar School
Osogbo Old Boys Association
UK branch had launched an
international campaign to
secure his release.
On June 9 this year, five
years short of fulfilling the
full term of his original
sentence, Tolu left prison
where he has spent almost
half of his life as an exemplary
prisoner to start afresh.
He is now living in a
halfway house in Brooklyn
and enjoying the freedom,
albeit still limited.
Speaking to Nigerian
Watch on the phone he said
freedom “felt good and a
little bit strange”.
Armed with exemplary
references from prison,
where he worked as a clerk
to pay off a $50,000 fine he
received as part of his
sentence, and an enviable
track record of promoting
and recruiting users for a
dual sim service mobile
operator in New York, he
started
work
at
the
company’s Manhattan offices
this week (June 17).
On release he was looking
forward to two things,
sleeping in his own silence
and having a slice of the
legendary
Junior’s
cheesecake.
While the former has been
a joy, the latter has been put
on hold until Tolu has time to
savour the moment. In the
halfway house, tenants
receive time-limited passes
to undertake certain tasks.
He was at pains to thank
all those who supported his
many appeals for clemency
and kept his spirits high
throughout his ordeal.
The radio station where every
hour will be women’s hour
The first-ever radio station dedicated to women – and Africa’s
only fully-fledged commercial
station – is set to be launched in
Lagos on October 1 .
Former Choice FM presenter
Toun Sonaiya (above in yellow
dress) unveiled the details of WFM
that will be broadcast on 91.7fm
at a glittering launch in Mayfair
London.
The station, which is owned by
St Ives Communications and will
be based in Isheri on the border of
Lagos and Ogun States, is designed to cater for women and
their families and will engage on
issues of local, national and international importance for everyone.
According to Ms Sonaiya, although WFM 91.7 is licensed to
broadcast for women, it will cater
for the men and the family. She
added that it will operate for 24
hours, addressing everyday issues
and will be a reliable, leading and
trusted source for news, information and matters of interests.
Ms Sonaiya said, "I feel that
this platform will allow us to give
a voice to women who cannot
speak for themselves as we will
cover everything giving it a female
slant. My brother who made this
possible, put the money together
and as he owns a hospital, he has
always worked with women and
is knowledgeable about their affairs."
16
NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
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@NigerianWatch
HEALTHWatcH
STROKE, THE FAST KILLER
diagnosis:
Did you know that stroke is the second
leading cause of death and the leading cause
of adult morbidity and mortality worldwide?
It is likely to worsen as a public health issue in
developing countries over the next decade
based on the projections by the World Health
Organization (WHO).
With the current scourge of HIV/AIDS and
the battle against other communicable diseases
like multi-drug resistant malaria and
tuberculosis, Nigeria stands to risk the further
straining of its limited resources as a result of the
increasing prevalence of stroke and other
cardiovascular diseases due to epidemiological
transition. The current prevalence of stroke in
Nigeria is 1.14 per 1,000 while the 30-day case
fatality rate is as high as 40%. Management of
the disease is largely conservative while there is
little or no funding for high-quality research. A
sad state of affairs!
Nigerians, especially, suffer from strokes due
to preventable circumstances such as ignorance,
undetected and poorly-managed conditions like
hypertension, diabetes and lack of adequate
health care facilities.
160,000 cases of stroke occur in Nigeria every
year; this does not include the statistics of
patients who see herbalists, pastors, Imams and
so-called traditional healers to manage their
condition. And this is on the increase. Compare
this to the 115,000 people a year in England and
Wales that suffer a first stroke.
The majority of Nigerians who have high
blood pressure, high cholesterol, end-stage
diabetes and other conditions that predispose to
stroke do not even know that they have these
THrEE THINgS you dId NoT KNoW:
A plasminogen activator found in the
saliva of a blood-feeding vampire bat
(Desmodus rotundus) is a promising future treatment for patients with ischaemic
stroke.
The only approved drug for ischaemic
stroke treatment is the tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) alteplase (Actilyse), which produces reperfusion by
dissolving or breaking the thrombus (clot).
Postmenopausal women who have a
diet rich in potassium are less likely to
suffer a stroke than women whose intake
of the mineral is smaller.
1
2
3
conditions. 80% of these cases could be
prevented if there were well-equipped hospitals
and if Nigerians living with high blood pressure
and diabetes managed their health properly.
A prevailing factor why stroke patients in
Nigeria do not survive is the myth associated
with the disease; research conducted revealed
that more than 50% of stroke victims seek
medical care from unqualified persons. The
widespread belief that stroke is a spiritual attack
prevents many patients seeking appropriate
medical advice. Every ethnic group has a culture
and tradition that may impact on their
perception and understanding of stroke.
Stroke has been interpreted as a sign of the
“gods” or “spirits” being angry, and has struck
the person in anger, causing “paralysis” that can
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be blamed on everything from “the neighbour
has poisoned him” to “his bad deeds have
caught up with him” (remark from relatives and
friends of stroke patients). Public education on
the risk factors associated with stroke will help
diffuse such perception and hopefully increase
patients being brought in for early intervention.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is a brain attack. It happens when the
blood supply to part of your brain is cut off.
Blood carries essential nutrients and oxygen
to your brain. Without blood your brain cells can
be damaged or die. This damage can have
different effects, depending on where it happens
in your brain. It can affect the way your body
works as well as how you think, feel and
communicate. Most strokes are caused by a
blockage cutting off the blood supply to the
brain. This is an ischaemic stroke.
However, strokes can also be caused by a
bleeding in or around the brain. This is a
haemorrhagic stroke.
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) – also
known as a mini-stroke – is the same as a stroke,
except that the symptoms last for a short time
and no longer than 24 hours. This is because the
blockage that stops the blood getting to your
brain is temporary. A patient with a TIA has
more than a 5% risk of having a stroke within
one week, this drops to around a 1% risk if a
person gets emergency care immediately after a
TIA. It is important that TIAs receive immediate
diagnosis and treatment; for every minute in
which a stroke is untreated, 1.9 million brain
cells are lost; the phrase “time is brain” is
applicable in describing this emergency.
Rapid diagnosis of stroke is focused on the
following:
l Determining whether the symptoms are due
to a stroke
l Localising the brain injury
l Establishing the type of stroke
l Establishing the most likely cause of the
stroke, taking into account the risk factors
risk factors:
The major risk factors for stroke can be
differentiated as non-modifiable factors (e.g.
age, sex, genetic predisposition and ethnicity)
and modifiable factors (e.g. hypertension,
smoking and other lifestyle factors and
diabetes). Studies in Nigeria have confirmed
hypertension as the most dominant risk factor
of stroke. Primary prevention is the key to
reducing the burden of the disease in a country
with such poor resources.
It is very important to note that dietary
supplements, such as the antioxidant vitamins
beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E, DO
NOT PREVENT STROKE.
Patients with an acute stroke present with
sudden symptoms that can be assessed with
validated tools like Face Arm Speech Time
(FAST). FAST is easy to use and suitable for use
by the general public and is highlighted in the
Public Health England’s Act FAST campaign.
Under the FAST tool, a patient only needs to
have one of the following symptoms before an
ambulance should be called: one-sided droop
on the face; weakness in one arm; slurred
speech.
It is very important to be able to recognise the
symptoms and get medical help as quickly as
possible; the quicker a patient receives
treatment, the better the chances for a good
recovery.
Another tool, Recognition of Stroke in the
Emergency Room (ROSIER) scale, is designed
for hospital emergency department use.
The most important diagnostic test to
differentiate the type of stroke is computed
tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI); these together with a
neurological examination are used to classify the
type of stroke syndrome. Unfortunately, in
Nigeria there is a widespread lack of this
important equipment. The major limitations to
its ready use where available are high cost; on
average a brain CT scan costs about £250 - £300
(N75,000 – N90, 000 in Nigeria). In England
these scans are performed as a matter of course,
and normally immediately the patient gets to
the hospital. In Nigeria, it is a case of whether
the patient can be taken to a hospital quick
enough to prevent any long term disability.
Once they get to a hospital the next hurdle is
whether the hospital has the necessary
equipment; and if it does have the equipment
does the patient have the money to pay for the
service. Again, all this impacts on the time
needed to verify the nature of the stroke and
start therapy. As one can imagine, the situation
is dire, so too the unfortunate consequences.
management:
Urgent evaluation is necessary after a stroke or
TIA because of the risk of a recurrent stroke.
Brain imaging is required for diagnosis,
classification and management. In an acute
(hospital) setting, patients with a suspected
stroke receive a CT scan to rule out a cerebral
haemorrhage. CT scans are quicker than MRI
scans, but MRI is more sensitive. The risk of a
recurrent stroke is highest soon after an
ischaemic stroke or TIA — about 1% at six hours,
2% at 12 hours, 3% at two days, 5% at seven
days, and 10% at 14 days. Early intervention to
rapidly restore and maintain blood supply to the
ischemic area in the brain, minimise brain
damage and hence impairment as well as
disability and secondary complications which
will reduce the risk of death.
In England and Wales, if you suspect that you
or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999
immediately and ask for an ambulance.
In Nigeria, if you suspect that you or someone
else is having a stroke, collect your 90,000 Naira,
call a friend, relative or neighbour and ask them
to get to the nearest hospital, preferable one that
has a working CT scan.
For more information about stroke:
ng.strokeaction.com/taking-action-strokes
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Stroke/Pages/Introd
uction.aspx
www.stroke.org.uk/what-stroke
Chima Olugh, MRPharmS. Public Health
Pharmacist. Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Public Health Pharmacist of the Year Award
Winner 2014.
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NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
LEISUREWatcH
aFrOJam aNd
drummiNg
WOrKsHOps at The
Husky studios - see
dance listings
overleaf.
Fortnight
WHAT To SEE ANd do ovEr THE NExT
fashionWATCH
By OBAH IyAMU
Checking out summer
We are here with a fresh dose of summer
fashion to take you to the top of the
most delectable trends of the season.
gingham The famous check print has temporarily knocked
pinstripes off any clothes rail. A versatile summer piece for
the trendy girls, gingham print gets an extreme makeover
this summer.
Everyone
who’s trying
to score
fashion
points is
tapping into
this schoolgirl staple.
Dress it up in
structured
dresses and
heels for that
powerful office dress code or take the
toned down approach and pick
a sorbet-coloured pattern, (yes!
Grown ladies can wear pink) and
blend with luxe accessories to
give that extra oomph. Mixing a
gingham print with a floral print
is the ticket to fashion paradise.
Suede skirt The utility vibe is playing this
summer in the form of suede skirts, an incredibly difficult cut to wear but it can be
pulled off to perfection with the right styling.
First of all, pick from a medley of russet
colours – no primary colours allowed! From
A-line to pencil silhouette, a suede skirt is
just the thing to give you the little lift onto the
retro lane. Choose a form that compliments your figure and combine with a
simple top to show off your skirt. If you have
leg envy the A-line mini is your jackpot. We
all know that the fringing is the BFF of anything suede; I'm
still in search of
that fringed
suede skirt that
will make my life.
17
SugAr ANd SPICE
THEATrE
The green Stone Bead
If you haven’t had a chance to
see The Green Stone Bead
with it’s spellbinding crosscultural storytelling, singing,
dancing and drumming, then
catch it’s final performance
along with an exhibition and a
lecture; “The Myth of MamiWata across West Africa and
Beyond” by Prof. Osita
Okagbue.
20th Jun (Exhibition: 3.00 to
3.30 pm, Lecture: 3.30 to 4.15
pm Performance: 4.15 to 5.00
pm). FREE
Iroko Music Theatre
Goldsmiths University of
London, New Cross, SE14
www.irokotheatre.org.uk
The Initiate
A British couple are seized by
Somali pirates. In East
London, a Somali taxi-driver
decides to rescue them.
Meeting disbelief with
determination, he dismisses
his wife's fears and flies out to
negotiate their release.
Speeding from the banks of
the Thames to the now
unfamiliar world of his
homeland, he confronts the
family he left behind and the
bravado of the defiant men he
once called brothers.
Ongoing until 18th Jul,
Performance times vary see
website for details.
Roundabout, Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road, SE1
14 dAyS...
Sasha has fallen in love for the
first time. Gabriel brings passion,
excitement and the chance to be
known and respected in her local
area. Sasha will do anything to
preserve her new found fame…
Sugar & Spice is a play and
Forum Theatre workshop for
young people aged 13+. It challenges attitudes around gender
stereotypes and asks the audience to explore what it means to
be a young person growing up in
London today.
Through watching the play,
the audience are exposed to the
reality of gangs, peer pressure
and sexual coercion amongst
young people.
Following the performance the
audience are invited to get involved as actors and directors to
change the story for the characters. The facilitated forum workshop stimulates reflection and
debate from the young audience
members and, through performing their chosen alternative stories, we see how the audience
might navigate through their own
worlds whilst changing the world
of our characters.
1st July, 11am and 2pm. Tickets
£6
Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street,
E8
www.arcolatheatre.com
14+ Tickets from £18
www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Beautiful one day
A dramatic performance
based upon the events
surrounding the death of an
Aboriginal man in police
custody. Beautiful One Day
tells the Palm Island residents'
story through their own
words, combining
documentary-style footage
with conversation, reportage,
stories and images. As raw as
it is shocking, the show stars
three Islanders in their first
theatrical appearances.
24 - 25 Jun
lbijerri Theatre at Purcell Room
at Queen Elizabeth Hall,
Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road, SE1
www.southbankcentre.co.uk
18
NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
fIlm
murderer in law
Hidden Colors 3: The rules
of racism
Nollywood on the big screen
in London with Murderer in
law, the story of Lola and TJ’s
relationship. TJ lives at home
with his mother who sees Lola
as a threat to a relationship
with her son.
In this the third instalment of
Hidden Colors, a
documentary series covering
the untold history of people of
colour, the taboo subject of
systematic racism in America
is tackled.
Exploring how
institutional racism effects all
areas of human activity and
the rules, laws and public
policies that are utilised to
maintain it.
26 Jun, Red carpet from 8pm,
Screening from 10pm. Tickets
from £20
Odeon Cinema, Bugsby Way,
Greenwich, SE10
www.eventbrite.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter
@NigerianWatch
LEISUREWatcH
27th Jun, 1pm - 5pm. FREE
St Ann's Library, Cissbury
Road, Tottenham, N15
For further information, please
call Dawn Gobourne on; 020
8489 4560
The mask you live In
How can we, as a society,
raise a healthier generation of
boys and young men?
The Mask You Live In
follows young males as they
struggle to stay true to
themselves while negotiating
our culture's narrow
definition of masculinity.
29 Jun. Tickets £25
For ages 16+
Purcell Room at Queen
Elizabeth Hall, Southbank
Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1
www.southbankcentre.co.uk
THE Bfm INTErNATIoNAl fIlm fESTIvAl
from Africa, North and South
America to the Caribbean, The Bfm
film festival screens fiction,
documentaries, shorts and
animation – many of which have
never been seen in the uK.
Highlights include;
Ekema (who’s the only one who
seems to be aware of the change)
gets to spend a day “in Joffi’s
shoes” and his experiences throw
a whole new light on his view of
Joffi’s feelings.
Beleh
Every day during exam season, as
the sun sets over Conakry,
Guinea, hundreds of school
children begin a nightly pilgrimage
to the airport, petrol stations and
wealthy parts of the city,
searching for light. This
evocative documentary tells the
story of these children’s inspiring
struggle for education in the face
of the country’s own fight for
change.
In Cameroon, the difficulty Joffi
faces in her first pregnancy is
made worse by the petulant and
selfish demands of her irate and
uncompromising husband,
Ekema. One morning, things have
mysteriously changed in the
village and there’s a total role
reversal between the sexes.
Black out
Pumzi
Set in a future South Africa,
(pictured) where water is held as
the highest premium, a postapocalyptic world on the surface
of the earth is left barren. ‘Asha’,
who lives and works as a museum
curator has dreams that the earth
can be reborn again. This is more
poignant for her as she’s received
a container with soil in which
she’s planted an old seed… which
grows.
See website for further details
2nd Jul - 5th July. Tickets from £9.
Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town
Hall Approach Road, Tottenham
Green, London N15 4RX.
www.bfmmedia.com
ComEdy
Seyi law
Yoruba comedy from Nigerian
Seyi Law.(Pictured below).
27th Jun, Doors open 5pm.
From £25
Discovery Centre, Jenkins
Lane, Barking, IG11
cokobar.com
ArT/ExHIBITIoNS
Staying Power
Featuring photographs,
drawn from the V&A’s
collection, that document the
experiences of Black people in
Britain in the latter half of the
20th century, a time when
photography served as an
archival tool to capture
historical moments.
The photographs are
complimented by
previously unheard
oral history
testimonies from
the
photographers
and
contributors.
Ongoing until
31st Jul. 10:00am
to 5:45pm. FREE
Victoria and Albert
Museum, Cromwell
Road, SW7.
www.vam.ac.uk
extinct uli body and wall
painting practiced by Igbo
women. Uli reflects the
unsung contribution of
women to social development
in Igbo culture. Artist Chuu
Krydz Ikwuemesi introduces
the Life and Work of Eziafo
Okaro.
June 22nd, 5:15 - 7:00pm,
FREE
Room 4429, SOAS, University
of London, Thornhaugh Street
Russell Square, WC1H
www.soas.ac.uk/cas/
fESTIvAlS
Naija In the Park 2015
Naija in the Park, is a
celebration of the rich,
colourful and vibrant arts and
culture of Nigeria.
With Nigerian cultural
performances, workshops, a
childrens funfair, Nigerian
arts and crafts, fashion,
Nigerian food and
drinks and live
Nigerian music.
June 27th, 12:00 pm
- 9:00 pm FREE
Brockwell Park,
Norwood Road Brixton
www.naija
inthepark.com
An uli Woman
Painter’s Tale in the
Igbo Heritage Crisis
muSIC
A World In
london - live
At friday Tonic
A look at the almost
As part of the
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l Bride and Grooms room l In-house décor, theming and event management
l Fully licensed bar l Bespoke packages to suit all
Weddings, Civil Ceremonies, Banqueting, Engagements, Conferences, Exhibitions,
Parties, Bat Mitzvah and Bar Mitzvahs
www.greenvuevenue.co.uk
Tel: 0208 588 9651 Email: [email protected]
Greenvue Venue, Mill Hill
Country Club, Burtonhole Lane,
Mill Hill London NW7 1AS
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Southbank Centre’s series of
events for Refugee Week, they
are curating a day of great
music.
Come and hear our
cosmopolitan city at its
creative best through the
magic of broadcaster DJ Ritu's
A World in London radio
show. Hailing from Guinea,
Mosi Conde and his
cosmopolitan band Kaira Kora
Afrika perform irresistible
rhythms and vibrant vocals.
19 June, 5:30 - 7:00pm, Free
The Front Room at Queen
Elizabeth Hall, Southbank
Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1
www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Tunday Akintan
The creator of Yorubabeat
plays a rare London concert,
blending soul and funk with
Fuji-inspired overtones.
1 July, 7:45pm, Tickets £12
Purcell Room at Queen
Elizabeth Hall, Southbank
Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1
www.southbankcentre.co.uk
dANCE
Afro Arts Workshops
Afro Arts Projects are a
collaborative cross-discipline
collective, who aim to
promote a new and accessible
NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
LEISUREWatcH
understanding and
appreciation of traditional
and modern African Cultures,
through participatory
workshops, specifically for
the African diaspora
community in London.
Afrojam is an energetic
fusion of traditional and
modern African dance
movement, made to the latest
popular sounds coming from
and inspired by the continent.
Drumming from Nigeria
and Ghana - Lively, fun and
informative drumming
sessions where you will have
the opportunity to explore a
mixture of authentic
instruments and learn various
rythmic patterns, calls and
responses.
20th Jun, 12-3pm From £5.
Prebook via Eventbrite.
Adults Afrojam dance
12:30pm-1:30pm
Adults drumming 1:45pm2:45pm
Childrens drumming 12:30pm1:30pm
Childrens Afrojam dance
1:45pm-2:45pm
Husky Studio, 29 Amelia Street,
SE17
www.eventbrite.co.uk
Brent dance month 2015
Dance is an important and
essential part of life. This
summer Brent brings you an
entire month of dance
participation and
performance including; The
Revolution Youth Dance Class,
where you have the
opportunity to learn various
styles of dance including
street, contemporary, African
and much more.
The month culminates in
the Street Dance XXL UK and
Global Championship
competition on 25th July at
SSE Arena Wembley.
Smith campaigner/founding
member of Act for Change;
and Artistic Director of Spare
Tyre Theatre Company, Arti
Prashar as they discuss topical
issues in the performing arts.
Revolution Dance Class; 2 Jul,
6.00pm - 8.30pm
Poplar Grove Youth Centre,
Wembley, HA9
Download a programme of
events at; https://brent.gov.uk
23 Jun, 8:30pm, £9.00
Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Road,
W12
www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event
/the-debate/
oTHEr
The debate - hosted by the
Alfred fagon Series
Join Martin Edwards, Mojisola
Adebayo, Kobna Holdbrook-
The Skills Show Experience
at HCC: digital and Creative
Have a Go activities giving
young people a taste of digital
and creative skills in a range
of industries, with a Fashion
19
show, circus and performing
arts show, art, design, media
exhibition and more.
30th Jun, 11am - 4pm
Prebook workshops on 020
7613 9228
Age group: 14 - 25.
Hackney Community College,
Falkirk Street N1
www.hackney.ac.uk
20
NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
Africa writes
The Royal African Society’s annual literature
festival showcases established and emerging
talent from the African continent and its diaspora
in what is now the UK’s biggest celebration of
contemporary African writing
4th Jul, 3.45pm, FREE
The 2015 Caine Prize Conversation
The shortlist for the 2015 Caine
Prize, an award associated with
mapping new directions in
contemporary African writing, this
year includes one past winner and
two previously shortlisted writers.
Join the five shortlisted authors –
Segun Afolabi, Elnathan John, F. T.
Kola, Masande Ntshanga, Namwali
Serpell – in conversation with 2009
winner E. C. Osondu and Guardian
First Book Award winner Petina
Gappah.
4th Jul, 4.45pm, FREE
meditations on greatness: Ben
okri in conversation
Ben Okri is the author of 10 novels,
including the Booker winner The
Famished Road
African Books to Inspire
Hannah Pool welcomes a special selection of writers and personalities
to share their favourite titles in
African literature – from classics
through to the latest published
work.
3rd Jul, 6:30pm. From £7
West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song
A preview of the British Library’s
forthcoming exhibition with Dr
Follow us on Twitter
@NigerianWatch
LEISUREWatcH
Ben Okri is one of the most
known and respected of African
writers. The author of 10 novels, including the Booker prize-winning
The Famished Road, he has also
written collections of poetry, essays
and short stories. Born in Nigeria
and currently living in London, Okri
has been awarded numerous international prizes and had his work
translated into 26 languages.
4th Jul, 6:30pm. From £7
New Nigerian fiction
Launching A. Igoni Barrett’s Blackass, Irenosen Okojie’s Butterfly Fish,
E. C. Osondu’s This House is Not for
Sale and Obinna Udenwe’s Satans
and Shaitans, Ike Anya talks to four
debut novelists about their new releases and asks ‘what is new Nigerian fiction’?
5th Jul, 12.15pm, FREE
Marion Wallace, Lead Curator,
African Collections
4th Jul, 10.00am, FREE
Contemporary African lyrics:
Poetry in Performance
Multilingual poetry performances
from emerging voices, including
Cristina Ali Farah, Melissa Kiguwa
and Nick Makoha. Hosted by writer
and multi-disciplinary artist Malika
Booker.
for CHIldrEN
Arts & Crafts with the
orishas
Learn about the fascinating
stories of the goddess of the
sea, the god of metal and
many more in this
workshop on West African
mythology. Join NefeliMaria Zygopoulou as she
explores their adventures
Sunday by Joy gharoro-Akpojotor
A staged reading of Joy GharoroAkpojotor’s bold and haunting
inter-generational drama. When
Mary comes out to her mother and
grandmother, tragic events long
buried in the past threaten to break
out, consume and destroy relationships in the present. Seen through
the eyes of a family based in London, Sunday is a powerful exploration of love between Nigerian
women, sexuality and religion.
5th Jul, 4.00pm, FREE
For venues and other events visit
africawrites.org
and powers while using arts
and crafts.
4th Jul & 5th July, 1.00pm,
FREE
Aimed at 7-12 year olds
counting, festivals, and
celebrations, phonics and
new vocabulary.
5th Jul, 11.00am, FREE
Aimed at 5-7 year olds
The Wedding Week
gbagba
you’re invited to join Femi,
Kemi and Geko the Lizard on
an exciting journey
discovering vibrant wedding
traditions around the world.
Author Chimaechi Allan
reads from her picture book
The Wedding Week set in
Lagos, and uses her story to
discuss days of the week,
Robtel Neajai Pailey reads
from Gbagba which follows
a few days in the life of
Liberian twins, Sundaymah
and Sundaygar and explores
issues of corruption through
a beautifully illustrated
children’s narrative.
5th Jul, 1:00pm, FREE
Aimed at 8-10 year olds
Write Here. WrITE NoW!
THE NIgErIAN WATCH SToryWrITINg ComPETITIoN for CHIldrEN AgEd 7-11
SEE YOUR STORY
(poetry or prose)
published in a fantastic
compilation.
The top author
at each age (7, 8, 9, 10,
& 11) will receive special
first prizes
Published authors will be
special guests at the
glittering book launch.
All published authors
will have their story illustrated
by a professional artist and you
will get a framed copy of the
picture and a certificate.
Entries close on July 22.
Submit your story via email
to [email protected] or post to
Nigerian Watch Book Competition, Chartwell House,
292 Hale Lane, Edgware,
Middlesex, HA8 8NP.
Entries can be any length
but no longer than 500
words and have “a beginning, middle and end”.
All prize winners will be
featured in Nigerian Watch
newspaper and all published authors will be invited to the glittering book
launch.
A panel of judges including
published authors will select the winning entries. The
judges decision is final.
For full terms and conditions
visit
www.nigerianwatch.com/book
comp
EDUCATIONWatcH
Like us on Facebook
facebook.com/NigerianWatch
NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
Coventry University has
nudged past many of its
Russell Group peers to reach
the highest position ever
achieved by a former
polytechnic in the annual
and definitive Guardian
newspaper league table of
universities.
Coventry reached number
15 in the table, higher than
many of the Russell Group of
research-intensive universities
including
Birmingham,
Edinburgh, York, Leeds,
Glasgow, Cardiff, Nottingham
and Newcastle.
The Guardian’s league
tables
rank
universities
according to: spending per
student; the student/staff
ratio;
graduate
career
prospects;
what
grades
applicants need to get a place;
a value-added score that
compares students’ entry
qualifications with their final
degree results; and how
satisfied final-year students
are with their courses, based
on results from the annual
National Student Survey (NSS).
It was positive ratings from
finalists that helped to drive
Coventry University’s rise up
the rankings, according to the
compiler of the tables Matt
Hiely-Rayner.
“It is particularly in the
questions that relate to
assessment and feedback that
Coventry does well. This is
interesting because it is the
only area of the student survey
where finalists often show
dissatisfaction.”
The university also has
impressive
student-staff
ratios,
he
adds.
“Few
institutions outside the Russell
Group manage such a low
number of students per
member of academic staff.”
John
Latham,
vicechancellor
of
Coventry
University, says it’s success is
down to its focus on students’
needs. “We’re a modern
university, but not just in the
sense that we haven’t been
around for as long - we’re very
modern in our approach.
We’re challenging the system.
We’re bringing in new forms of
pedagogy and listening to
students.”
The university has three
objectives: “teaching students
well, making sure that
students are listened to, and
making sure they get good jobs
at the end of their course,”
says Ian Dunn, deputy vicechancellor
for
student
experience at Coventry.
Meanwhile, the University
of Dundee is among the fastest
risers in the 2016 Guardian
University Rankings.
Dundee is placed 38th in
this year’s rankings, up nine
places from 47th last year. The
ranking reflects strong student
satisfaction scores at the
University, which has been
consistently rated as offering
the best student experience in
Scotland.
The University was in the
top ten in the UK in Medicine
(4th),
Dentistry
(7th),
Mechanical Engineering (7th),
Fashion & Textiles (7th) and
Mathematics (8th) and top 20
in several subject areas
including Design & Crafts
(11th), Education (11th),
Geography & Environmental
Science (12th), Philosophy
(13th), Civil Engineering
(14th), Physics (16th) and Art
(20th).
“I am delighted to see
Dundee rising in the Guardian
tables, which continues a
strong run of league table
performances
for
the
University,” said Professor
Pete Downes, Principal and
Vice-Chancellor
of
the
University of Dundee.
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LLM Corporate and Commercial Law
MSc Geotechnical Engineering
MPH Master of Public Health
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and Assisted Conception
We also offer a wide range of undergraduate
courses. Visit our website for full details.
more at www.dundee.ac.uk
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21
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World CuP SHoCK for fAlCoNS
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been sent
packing from the ongoing Fifa Women’s
World Cup after losing their third group
game to the USA 0-1 last night at the BC
Place Stadium in Vancouver.
The match between two of the
favourites to win the competition was
played out before a Premier League-size
crowd of over 50,000, clearly marking the
arrival of women’s football as a force to be
reckoned with.
Sadly, the Falcons – one of the big draws
of the competition, with the best player
Asisat Oshoala – crashed out in the group
phase, coming bottom of their group, in
what was a disappointing outing for the
highly rated team, who became African
champions in style. Having drawn 3-3 with
Sweden in their opening game and losing 02 to Australia in their second match, the
Falcons ended up with just a point.
Although they were admittedly in the
so-called group of death, expectations had
been a lot higher as the bulk of this team
were in the Super Falconets squad that got
to the final of the U20 Women’s World Cup
two years ago. Nigeria’ had one of the best
forward lines in the tournament but the
team appears to have suffered immeasurably from lapses at the back.
An Abby Wambach volley seconds before half-time earned the USA victory on
NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
SPORTSWatcH
June 16, which sent her team through as
Group D winners. A well balanced first 45
minutes finally fell in the Americans’ favour
when Wambach struck Megan Rapinoe’s
corner home at the far post.
In the second half, Rapinoe threatened
Falcons’ goalkeeper Precious Dede’s goal
twice from long range and Alex Morgan
nearly doubled the Americans’ lead just
after the interval but was denied by good
goalkeeping. Team USA kept pressing on in
search of a goal to finish off the game but
the Falcons held on.
Things became harder for Nigeria in the
69th minute, when Sarah Nodim picked up
her second yellow card as a result of bringing down Sydney Leroux just outside the
area. With their numerical advantage intact, the USA kept possession well, with
smart, experienced play delighting a significant majority of the 52,193 crowd in the
stadium.
After the match Nigeria coach Edwin
Okon said, "It was a great experience for us
here in Canada. We weren’t focused
enough in a few situations today. you always have a 50-50 chance in every game.
Today the USA made the most of one of
their chances and we didn’t and we had a
few.”
23
CuP douBlE for NIgErIA
From page 24 The
Under-15s
Team Nigeria UK lifted the
African Cup of Nations for the
second year running after
overcoming a spirited challenge
from Morocco on Sunday (June
14) at the Terrence McMillan
Stadium in Newham.
up, immediately scoring from the
kick off. It was then plain sailing
for the Nigerians, who were in
control all over the pitch.
Their wingers were an ever
present threat, the midfield spread
the play beautifully and they were
solid at the back.
The Nigerians second goal came
from a penalty shortly before half
However it wasn’t all plain
sailing for the Soaring Eaglets who
had to come back from being a goal
down to secure victory.
The team had started sloppily
when a long clearance from the
Morocco keeper resulted in a
headed goal from just inside the
area. It was the second use of the
ploy by the Moroccans, which only
minutes earlier had resulted in a
near miss.
Having fallen behind the
Soaring Eaglets seemed to wake
time
and inEaglets
the second
The Soaring
UK have half
beenthey
inwere
to football
soak authoriup the
vited bycontent
the Nigerian
pressure
and
playof
onmatches
the break.
ties to play
a series
there,
Twice athe
Soaring
Eaglets
including
showdown
with
Nigeria’shit
the
crossyouth
bar and
national
team.had a goal ruled
out However,
for offside.
the end
theyhave
ran
theIn
Soaring
Eaglets
home
comfortable
and
deserved
to pay their
passage and
board.
Team
simply
proving
strong,
winners,
manager David
Doherty
hasto
issued
an
well-organised
and skilful
for the
impassioned you Tube
appeal for
young
Moroccans.
sponsors
to help these young men of
Thereheritage
was enhance
little their
time
Nigerian
livesto
celebrate
afterwards
as most
and chances
of having a football
ca-of
the
youngsters
rushing
reer. It
can be seen onwere
the team’s
home
towww.teamnigeriauk.com
revise for their exams.
website
It is hoped that retaining the
david faramola oniya suffers
fatal heart attack on the pitch
Nigerian defender David Faramola
Oniya collapsed on the pitch and
died minutes into a friendly for TTeam against another Malaysian
side, Kelantan.
Oniya, 30, went down after three
minutes of the match before being
rushed to hospital. He was pronounced
dead there around half-an-hour later.
Commenting on incident, T-Team’s
CEO Syahrizan Mohd Zain said that
Oniya did not receive vital treatment
quickly enough.
“He suffered a heart attack, but it
could have been a different story had
the ambulance driver been alert,”
Syahrizan said.
“The driver was in the stands
watching the game when Oniya
suddenly collapsed and our defender
was deprived of oxygen for several
minutes,” he told local media the New
Straits Times.
Oniya had only joined the Malaysian
club this season, after playing for clubs
in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, and had
barely touched the ball in the match on
Saturday.
Syahrizan said: “There was no hard
running and it was a slow tempo
match.
The match was called off in the 60th
minute when news was received from
the hospital that Oniya had died.
Stoke intent on keeping “infectious” osaze
Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes has confirmed the
club’s interest in keeping Peter Odemwingie at the Britannia Stadium.
Odemwingie missed the majority of last season with
a cruciate ligament injury sustained at Manchester City
in August, but the 34-year-old proved his fitness in five
substitute appearances before the end of the season.
The Nigeria forward is out of contract at the end of
the month but was named on the club’s retained list
and will be offered new terms, Scholes has confirmed;
“We would love to keep him,” he said.
“From the day he walked into the building he had a
smile on his face and he’s an infectious character.
“He’s had a difficult year with his injury but he
showed before that what he is capable of and it was
good that he got a few games under his belt at the end
of the season.
“I would be hopeful we can do something with
Peter.”
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24
NIGERIAN WATCH
19 Jun - 2 Jul 2015
Follow us on Twitter
@NigerianWatch
INSIdE
odemwingie set to retain
Premier league status
SportsWATCH
NigEria’s u15s rEtaiN aFricaN
cup uK
crOWN
The Under-15s Team Nigeria UK lifted the
African Cup of Nations for the second year
running after overcoming a spirited challenge
from Morocco on Sunday (June 14) at the
Terrence McMillan Stadium in Newham.
However it wasn’t all plain sailing for the
Soaring Eaglets who had to come back from being
a goal down to secure victory.
The team had started sloppily when a long
clearance from the Morocco keeper resulted in a
headed goal from just inside the area. It was the
second use of the ploy by the Moroccans, which
only minutes earlier had resulted in a near miss.
Having fallen behind the Soaring Eaglets seemed
to wake up, immediately scoring from the kick off.
It was then plain sailing for the Nigerians, who
were in control all over the pitch.
Their wingers were an ever present threat, the
midfield spread the play beautifully and they were
solid at the back.
Turn to page 23
WINNERS: Manager
David Doherty
(centre) celebrates
with his winning
team
Call Nigeria
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