Monthly Archives: November 2016

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN & GIRLS IS STILL A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, WRITTEN BY AFRICA4U AWARD WINNER, OKOLI IKENNA

Violence against women and girls is still a global pandemic. Around the world, a third of women have experienced either sexual or physical violence – mostly at the hands of an intimate partner. Millions more are subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage and sexual harassment – all of which undermine the basic civil rights of women and girls, from health to security.

On the 25th of November which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, lets take a look at the statistics surrounding gender-based violence and why it is so devastating.

~ Worldwide 200 million girls undergo FGM (Female Gender Mutilation) , and one in three women experience sexual, physical or psychological violence at some point in their lives.

~ Two in Three victims are intimate partners or family related homicide are female.
What is the impact of gender-base violence?

Gender-based violence impacts women and girls physically, sexually and mentally – and can lead to death. Not only is it devastating for a woman’s   well-being, it prevents women from fully participating in society and has wide-ranging implications for families, the wider community and countries.

Violence against women is costly, leading to women being excluded from work and greater health care and legal expenses, which impacts national budgets.

According to the World Health Organisation, factors associated with violence against women include low education, child abuse, alcohol abuse and attitudes accepting of gender inequality.

At the moment, not enough is being done to tackle gender-based violence. Although many countries have laws against domestic and sexual violence, challenges remain where laws are not implemented and perpetrators of abuse go unpunished.

According to UN Women, more than 30 countries worldwide exempt rape perpetrators from prosecution when they are married to the victim – or if they subsequently marry them (most recent case was that of Turkey and the rejected bill).

There is a need to raise our voice, rise up and say NO to GBV.

Written by ✍🏽
Okoli Chukwuka Ikenna

Twitter:@unitedafrica16
Facebook: Okoli Chuka

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CELEBRATING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF FLORA NWAPA’S 1ST BOOK, EFURU. FLORA WAS AFRICA’S 1ST FEMALE NOVELIST & 1ST FEMALE PUBLISHER

Efuru@50
Over 50 scholars in 5 Cities will be presenting papers in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Flora Nwapa’s 1st book, Efuru. At least 15 secondary schools in each of the 5 cities will be presenting drama sketches, essays and quiz competitions.
Flora Nwapa was not only the 1st African female novelist, she was also the 1st African female publisher. Tana Press, founded in 1977 is back in business with the publication of the “50 Anniversary Edition of Efuru” which had been out of print in Nigeria for many years.
Please join us in Lagos (Nov. 29), Maiduguri (Dec 1), Abuja (Dec 3, Dec 6), Enugu (Dec 8) and Owerri (Dec 9). Each event begins at 10.am (See attached programme of events).
Uzoma Nwakuche
Chairman, Flora Nwapa Foundation

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ROLE MODEL OF THE WEEK, EGOR EFIOK – CEO OF E4PR,MULTI-AWARD WINNING PRODUCER & DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CALLYWOOD STUDIOS, CALABAR

Introduction

Egor Efiok is the CEO/founder of E4PR and a multi award winning British/Nigerian movie producer and PR Guru who also represents Nigerian filmmakers as a sales agent at international film markets to sell and secure world distribution rights. A self-confessed workaholic and perfectionist, Egor is a people’s person, who can best be described as a talented individual whose work always speaks for itself, covering all areas of showbiz, be it acting, modelling, fashion, music, reality tv concepts, movie production etc. Egor also creates unusual, beautiful and artistic concepts and uses the best Artists, Make-Up & Body Artists and Graphic Designers, to bring her themes to life. Some of these artistic concepts are also used to help promote E4PR stars, revamping their images through dramatic and fashionable photo shoots, which help keep them in the public eye and make them more commercially appealing. For the more famous stars, it keeps them in the spotlight and for the newer ones, it keeps the public eager and excited about what is to come from them. All Egor’s concepts show originality, as she is not afraid to go where other people wouldn’t dare, no matter how crazy, weird or unusual. Nicknamed “LadyBoss” by her clients and the press, Egor’s usual explanation is, “It is Art”. She calls herself “Nigeria’s answer to Max Clifford” (although she does say so herself).

 

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Personal life & Career

Egor Efiok was born in Liverpool, England, and attended nursery and primary school education at Corona School, Apapa, Lagos State, Nigeria; secondary school at Federal Government Girls’ College Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. From as young as age 3, her father, who was a journalist at the time, recognized that his daughter was quite eloquent for her age. He called her his precocious child and showed her off severally, proudly making her read newspapers to visitors at the their home.

Egor was “born dancing”…it comes naturally to her and she choreographed and won so many dancing competitions in secondary school that she partook in, hence it was no wonder when she was admitted to read Theatre Arts at the University Of Calabar. However, her tenure there was short lived, as Egor, who also did a bit of modelling and acting within the same period (1993), had to return to England at the insistence of her parents due to the incessant University strikes at the time.

Egor, who also attended Hendon College in London, graduated with a BA (Hons) Degree in Education Studies from the University Of Greenwich. Again, it was not surprising when Egor, whose teaching career in England spanned over 8 years, inadvertently found herself back in Nollywood 16 years later.

Also a lover of fashion and anything artistic, Egor has worked with models and notably collaborated with Make-Up and Body-Artist Princess Amayo, in 2007, to start bringing to life, her beauty concepts which were aimed at Image Branding. Within a year of collaborating with Princess Amayo, Egor was campaigning for her to win Best Make-Up Artist in both The Nigerian Young Achievers Award (NYAA) and The Black Entertainment, Film, Fashion & Television Awards (BEFFTA) in the UK, respectively, both of which she won. This birthed Egor’s PR career; and her old Nollywood colleagues began contacting her to give them PR and rebrand their images.

Egor started her Nollywood image rebranding with her childhood friend, Nse Ikpe-Etim, in 2009 and notably took Fred Amata to the finals of Celebrity Takes Two a few months later, using her strong PR skills. Before long, Monalisa Chinda, Desmond Elliott, Chioma Akpotha, Susan Peters and Joseph Benjamin had joined E4PR. Creating beautiful and unusual concepts for each of them, Egor decided to collaborate with Princess Amayo to do beautiful photo shoots with them. To her pleasant surprise, Bella Naija, whom Egor credits for opening the doors to the success of her career in Nigeria, saw snippets of the photoshoot on Facebook; she immediately contacted Egor and informed her that she wanted to do for her what she had never done for anyone else…a week long feature of her photo shoots. Thereafter, she contacted Egor again to inform her that Studio 53 extra wanted to interview her. This was followed by front cover features in various publications and an award for Best Entertainment, Artiste Management & PR Company (E4PR). The rest, as they say, is history, as Egor has not stopped making headline news and winning awards for her outstanding work since then. See a few links below and click here to see her on the cover of RB Magazine.

July 2010: Bella Naija Introduces Egor Efiok Of E4PR and Princess Amayo

E4PR’s Photoshoot With Monalisa Chinda

E4PR’s Photoshoot With Emem Isong and Susan Peters

E4PR’s Photoshoot With Desmond Elliott and Joseph Benjamin

E4PR’s Photoshoot And Special Makeover With Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha

August 2010: 2 Min Clip Of Egor Efiok’s Interview With Studio 53 extra (Preview)

E4PR Photoshoot With Lola Maja

Susan Peters In UK Magazine Black Beauty And Hair (Facilitated By E4PR)

Monalisa Chinda and Chioma Akpotha

Egor’s passion coupled with her pragmatic approach and collaborative style, has always made her stand out and she has never been afraid to cross boundaries however controversial, as she is determined to take Nollywood international.

It was not unexpected either when Egor’s love of writing and Image Branding made her delve into film-making; also an experienced ex actress, Egor vowed to merge her PR and filmmaking skills to discover new stars and re-brand and train them to suit her Hollywood Meets Nollywood concepts. She successfully achieved this feat starting with Igoni Archibong and a few others have followed suit since.

Turning Point was Egor’s first movie, which she co-produced with Niyi Towolawi who produced and directed it. It featured Hollywood stars: Ernie Hudson, Joe Estevez, KD Aubert, Cynda Williams, Todd Bridges and Nollywood stars: Patience Ozokwor, Jackie Appiah, Oge Okoye, Ebbe Bassey, Enyinna Nwigwe and Igoni Archibong (in his acting debut). Egor was also the Nollywood Casting Director and proved that she is a star-maker by casting a brand new face, Igoni Archibong, in lead, immediately she spotted his star quality. Egor followed her instincts; she trained Igoni extensively for ten months and did a lot of image branding on him which included photo shoots and interviews, to prepare him for his role in Turning Point.

Egor took a risk that many producers would not usually take, by casting somebody without any previous acting experience in the lead role; and she did this to prove that there are many undiscovered talents out there. Majority of the stars that Egor cast in Turning Point are talented actors that had rarely been showcased or given proper chances to prove their worth; and they all delivered. Igoni, in particular, as she regularly states, did her proud because that was his acting debut and not only did he prove that her investment in his career was worth it, he also went along to win two Awards, respectively, which were Most Promising Actor Of The Year (City People) and Best Actor In A Leading Role (NAFCA). Read about it here. Egor finds this particular feat quite fulfilling, as it encourages her to keep flooding the Nollywood market with talented new faces.

After the star-studded premieres of Turning Point in London and Lagos, respectively, which was very well attended, Egor decided to do a private screening in Calabar, which to her pleasant surprise, was so well received that it led to the Minister Of Culture And Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke, inviting her to the presidential villa in Abuja in July 2013, to be honoured as one of the people ‘Fascinating Nigeria’. All her Nollywood cast from Turning Point and various producer friends of hers which included Charles Novia, Obi Emelonye and Kunle Afolayan, went along with her to lend their support and cheer her on (see links in ‘Awards And Honours’ at the end of this post).

Please see links below of everything to do with Turning Point, including photos of the Lagos and London premieres and photos of all the stars working on set in Delaware and Lagos, respectively.

Turning Point Trailer

October 2011: Bella Naija Introduces The Brains Behind Hollywood/Nollywood Movie Turning Point

November 2011: Bella Naija Exclusive Photos From The Set Of Turning Point And Interview With Niyi And Egor

Photos + Video Clips Of Turning Point On E4PR’s YouTube Channel (Preview)

Video Clip Of Jackie Appiah, Oge Okoye And KD Aubert In Turning Point

May 2013: 7 Pages Of Photos Of All The Stars At The Lagos Premiere Of Turning Point

Bella Naija – More Photos Of Stars At The Lagos Premiere Of Turning Point

12/12/12: All The Hollywood And Nollywood Stars Of Turning Point At The London Premiere Of Turning Point

Egor is also the co-producer of Unge’s War, produced by Bernard Kawaja and directed by Gugu E Michaels. Multi Award Winning Director and ex pilot FrankAdekunleMacaulay, was the cinematographer and DOP. See two short clips below.

UNGE’s WAR: Fight Or Flight

UNGE’s WAR: Liko Warlord Leads Battle

Egor was further honoured with a Best Entertainment Artist Management & PR Award (E4PR) in October 2011, a Special Merit Award at the Cross River State Movie Awards, from their highest award category, on 28th September 2013; and a Nigeria Goodwill Ambassador Award on 31st October 2013, respectively, for “marrying Hollywood and Nollywood” with her ‘Hollywood Meets Nollywood’ concepts and specifically casting two people from Cross River State in Turning Point (See links at the end of this post under ‘Awards & Honours’).

The pièce de ré·sis·tance of Egor’s PR career was when she successfully convinced Hollywood Weekly Magazine in May 2012 to feature 4 of E4PR’s clients, Desmond Elliott, Monalisa Chinda, Jackie Appiah and Joseph Benjamin on their cover. It was not an easy feat, as Hollywood Weekly had never heard of Nollywood prior to Egor approaching them. Egor also provided Hollywood Weekly with a 5 page detailed profile of each of the stars and an interview for their inside feature. The Nigerian and Ghanaian press, agog to see what this unusual liaison would yield, went spare with the news which led to a lucrative deal with Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) who used the cover image to open their GOtv channel and to advertise on BRT buses, billboards and lampposts in Lagos State. Furthermore, Hollywood Weekly, pleased with all the business deals that their relationship with E4PR brought them, signed a deal to collaborate with Egor to promote all her Nollywood/African Entertainment projects. Facilitated again by Egor Efiok, they subsequently honoured Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, in another edition of their magazine. Please see links below.

May 2012: Hollywood Weekly Magazine’s 1st Cover Of Nollywood Facilitated By E4PR (Download Edition To Ipad/Ipod)

Bella Naija: Desmond Elliott, Monalisa Chinda, Jackie Appiah And Joseph Benjamin Grace Hollywood Weekly Magazine.

Linda Ikeji: Desmond, Monalisa, Jackie And Joe On The Cover Of Hollywood Weekly

Nollywood Forever: Desmond Elliott, Monalisa Chinda, Jackie Appiah And Joseph Benjamin Cover Hollywood Weekly Magazine.

FAB Magazine: Desmond Elliott, Monalisa Chinda, Jackie Appiah And Joseph Benjamin Cover Hollywood Weekly Magazine.

Hollywood Weekly Honour Governor Akpabio (Facilitated By E4PR)

Egor also re-branded Oge Okoye by casting her in Turning Point, her first big screen feature, and later on, with a dramatic makeover. This opened doors to her international acting career and she has since covered many magazines. See links below to the photo shoot.

Oge Okoye Like You’ve Never Seen Her Before

Bella Naija Exclusive On E4PR’s Photospeak Series With Oge Okoye (Part 1)

Bella Naija Exclusive On E4PR’s Photospeak Series With Oge Okoye (Part 2)

Bella Naija Exclusive On E4PR’s Photospeak Series With Oge Okoye (Part 3)

Egor profiled Jackie Appiah and Charlyboy too; see some links below.

Jackie Appiah Pays St Mary’s School In London A Surprise Visit (Facilitated By E4PR)

Turning Point Lead Actress Jackie Appiah, Smouldering Hot In Photoshoot With Her Best Actress Award

E4PR’s Photoshoot With Charlyboy

Egor also uses her high profile brand/image, complimentary, to support and promote people and projects that she highly respects. Below are two of her firm favourites.

The London Premiere Of Flower Girl

Watch “EXCLUSIVE Video: Afterparty, Interviews, Celebs, Backstage At FLOWER GIRL London Premiere”

Monalisa Okojie: African Bling Queen (Nehita Jewelry) To Hollywood A-listers Like Whitney Houston Of Blessed Memory, Halle Berry, Katy Perry, Fergie, Mekhi Phifer etc Launches Nehita Scarf Collection.

Notable High Profile Clients

The Biggest Island Beach Resort In Nigeria

Media Consultant To Prince Tonye Princewill

Hollywood Weekly Fly To London To Collaborate With E4PR To Profile Prince Tonye Princewill

Awards And Honours

Best Entertainment, Artiste Management & PR Company (E4PR).

Highest Award Category – Special Merit Award For Producer In Diaspora Movie (CRS Movie Awards 2013)

Nigeria Goodwill Ambassador Award 2013

Egor Efiok Honoured At The Presidential Villa As One Of The Individuals ‘Fascinating Nigeria’

Egor Efiok Takes A Team Of Celebrity Friends Including Her Turning Point Cast To The Presidential Villa Where She Was Honoured

Please click here to read more press coverage on Egor’s work.

Additionally, Egor served as an adjudicator for the Calabar carnival in December 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Egor is presently in pre-production of her next movie, Death ATLAS, which is of Paranormal genre. The film will be directed by Frank Adekunle Macaulay.

Egor is the president of Professional Filmmakers Of Nigeria (PFN) and is Hollywood Weekly Magazine Film Festival’s Only Nigerian Award Of Excellence Recipient. The honour was bestowed on her on 1st November, 2015 in Los Angeles and was witnessed by Governor Ambode of Lagos State who supports her project, PFN.

Egor was appointed matron for Ambassadors For Enterprise (AFE) in January 2016 along with Nuhu Kwajafa and Igho Sanomi, who were also appointed patron and grand patron, respectively; she was honoured with a Special Achievement Award by the NMA in conjunction with PMAN and Palmary Cruise aboard the Costa Fortuna cruise ship in April 2015.

On 21st May 2016, Egor Efiok was appointed Director General of Callywood Studios by His Excellency Senator Professor Ben Ayade, the Executive Governor of Cross River State. Click here and check @egorefiokladyboss on Instagram to view some of Egor’s work at Callywood Studios.

MY 2ND PUBLISHED BOOK “THE SOUND OF RUNNING WATER” AVAILABLE FOR XMAS ONLINE ORDERS

Dear Family and Friends

Are you looking forward to Christmas ?
Put a smile on someone,s face this Christmas with that PERFECT GIFT for a family or friend.

My 2nd Published Book “THE SOUND OF RUNNING WATER” is available for Christmas online orders
“THE SOUND OF RUNNING WATER ” is a gift book of proverbs on Personal Development and Positive Thinking aimed at inspiring people of all ages

GET YOUR COPY (S) TODAY by Simply clicking on the link below to place your online order and take advantage of Our Christmas Sale promotion

http://www.freewebs.com/tblack69/apps/webstore/stores/view_cart

book

“THE SOUND OF RUNNING WATER” BY TONY TOKUNBO ETEKA FERNANDEZ WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR XMAS ONLINE ORDERS NEXT WEEK

 The Sound of Running Water ” is a pocket-sized gift book of proverbs aimed to inspire and empower young people and adults around the world.

The book of proverbs is written by Tony Tokunbo Eteka  Fernandez..  Tony is a Multi-Award Winner, A Published Author, Motivational Speaker and Youth Empowerment Consultant

He also has an interest in empowering the youth on self-esteem and personal goals and mentors several young people around the world

The proverbs have been put together by Tony to remind us that whatever we believe in or aspire for in Life, All Good things are possible ! 

” The Sound of Running Water” explores a wide range of themes from – Love, Grace, Hope, Understanding, Forgiveness and Wisdom. ( The very little things which money cannot buy)

This book is an ideal gift book for every family and to make things easier, it fits well in pockets and handbags so that you can carry it about with you in case you are having a stressful day at work. Surprise someone this week and take advantage of our free delivery service. 

” The Sound of Running Water ” will be available to order online next week as part of our christmas promotion

book

Watch this space

POETRY CORNER – “I WANT TO GIVE LOVE A CHANCE ” WRITTEN BY THOBEKILE SIBANDA FROM ZIMBABWE

I want to give love a chance

I want to give love a chance but I have been hurt once, twice, thrice
so trust runs low and forgiveness is now just a word
its as if sorry has become my middle
name
in the words of tina turner,”whats love got to do with it”
if I could believe them, then myb I cld be the master of the game
but I wear my heart on my sleeve,
a hopeless romantic, whoz ever thirsty for love

I want to give love a chance but love  almost killed me
drunk in love, impaired vision, but my lover was sobber and on a mission
his pleasure was my purpose and I was pleased to be at his service
but he was never there
so all nyt I cry on my pillow lonely
and when he comes instead of passionate love he comes with accusations
the bed I cry in lonely
has turned to be a crime scene of passion and I stand accused of sharing
the langeries am wearing for him stands as evidence, instead of being
for him,  its branded as from him
I stand naked for him but his words strip me even more till I feel
like am a slave standing in a town square waiting for my wooping

I want to give love a chance
but every day is a trial which ends with a face pounding, which even
face powder can not hide
am running out of excuses, the constant calls from mistresses gloating
and his families excuses
I understand that pain is a game we all got to play but I swear this over time
I can do bad all by myself
this is the breaking point yall so am taking back my things, I loved
love but love didnt love me

I want to give love a chance but the love that I will love has to love
me, respect me, trust me and make me feel feelings that will remind me
why I am a woman and warm mmmmm
it has to engage my mind in inteligent conversations, give me the
butterflies evertime we touch, kiss me so passionately that even the
gods of love would be jelous, ebrace me so tenderly as if scared to
break me or even drop me

I want to give love a chance but the love I chose caged me, chained
me, I made my bed I got to lay in it, for the biological clock is
ticking a loud tick and society is screaming ur getting old, so
instead of being bold I settle for being sold, to the highest bider or
just any bider really
I want to give love a chance but its taking its time so I will take
the imitation, no one ever died of being lonely, atleast am not alone
THvodloza #sun kissed skin

 

tho123

5 THINGS YOU PROBABLY DID NOT KNOW ABOUT JAMAICAN RICE AND PEAS

Here’s some real food for thought, “What would Jamaican life be without rice and peas?”

We know many Jamaicans home and abroad hold the dish dear to their hearts. But few know the history behind that steaming cauldron of rice and red beans simmering in coconut milk with the sweet aroma of Jamaican spices.  Here are five things you may not have known about rice and peas.

  1. Rice and peas was adopted from the Akan tribe hailing from Ghana and Ivory Coast in West Africa. The dish, which still exists in those countries today, is known as Waakye and of course consists of the usual rice and beans. However, the Akans add sorghum leaves and baking soda, while Jamaicans flavor the pot with thyme and pepper.

  1. One half of this popular dish is the staple, rice. Rice was popular in West African culture and the slaves brought the recipe with them to Jamaica and passed on the knowledge to their descendants. To help them adjust to their new, horrid environment, the slaves cooked food that was familiar to them, including rice and peas.

  1. Jamaican rice and peas has been nicknamed Coat of Arms. Use of this term was first noted in 1930, when A. Bain Alves recalled how hundreds of men and women at a race meeting in Kingston could get up to “a quattie rice and peas” also known as Jamaican Coat of Arms. Fast forward decades later and “Jamaican Coat of Arms” is still ascribed to our rice and peas.

  1. Have you ever wondered why Sunday is the most popular day for serving rice and peas? It’s certainly not coincidental. The practice dates back to the days of slavery. Back in the 1700’s, slaves were only allowed Sundays off from their backbreaking work. And on this day, the best foods were served – chief among them was rice and peas.

  1. And the undisputed title of “Most Eaten Jamaican Food” goes to … Jamaican rice and peas! From generation to generation, Jamaicans have been loyal to this dish and there are few occasions when rice and peas does not make the menu. In addition to being an important part of Sunday entrée, rice and peas holds center stage at weddings, funerals, festivals and nearly every special event in Jamaica. No longer reserved for Sundays, you can even find rice and peas on virtually every restaurant menu on the island

Source

 

Jamaicans.com

Corruption; The Bedrock of Africa,s Problems – written by Award winning Business consultant, Oscar Bimpong from Ghana

Corruption; The Bedrock of Africas Problems

I love this quote from Theodore Roosevelt, which says: “A man who has never gone to school may steal a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad.” I couldnt agree with him more. The educated and the elite in Africa are the connoisseurs of the corruption clouding our beautiful sky. Their knowledge is channeled to create a system that benefits the few in society to the disadvantage of the majority.

There is also a saying that, ‘’when the ordinary citizen works hard, the educated uses their pen to steal.’’ I can say that Africa’s progress is hindered by the educated in society; it looks like they want to find solutions to our predicaments, but they are opening the wounds than healing them.

Corruption has become an acceptable norm in Ghana and Africa as a whole; we don't see anything wrong with it anymore and even if we do, we do not know how to fight it. Corruption has moved from those times when the menace was done behind the curtains, to a different status of it taken centre stage in the light.

Corruption in Africa spans from the corridors of power to the ordinary person on the street.  What is making corruption a vicious cycle in Africa is that, the leaders are highly involved, and they also invite their cronies to the party. Their level of corruption is killing the development of African nations. However the populace also is engaged in bribery and corruption on a small scale.

Hence they think their level of involvement is nowhere near those in the political sphere so they should be given the benefit of doubt to engage in it. But this scenario is like sin; every sin is sin and there is no category of sin that predominantly outweighs the other.

What we tend toforget is that those that engage in corruption on a small scale later grow to become the leaders of the country, and then the cycle continues. This is the reason why corruption has become like a terminal disease in our part of the world.

Therefore corruption has become a cultural practice because the consequences are no longer heaped on those who are involved in the act; hence many think that, if they dont participate in corrupt activities then you are losing out of the immense benefits documented by those that are highly involved.

According to an article by Transparency International dated November 30 2015, ‘’Nearly 75 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are estimated to have paid a bribe in the past year – some to escape punishment by the police or courts, but many forced to pay to get access to the basicservices that they desperately need.’’ This is further reiterated by the chairman of Transparency International, José Ugaz: he says,;Corruption creates and increases poverty and  exclusion. While corrupt individuals with political power enjoy a lavish life, millions of Africans are deprived of their basic needs like food, health, education, housing, access to clean water and sanitation.” This depict the fact that the damaging effects of corruption is unprecedented and the earlier we deal with it the better for the sustainable development of Africa.

The question is how do we fight something when the custodian/the makers of the laws of the  land to the highest hierarchy of positions are involved? Is it a battle that can easily be won or it seems an insurmountable task?

How do we fight such a war and win? The questions are endless and the answers are few.

The fact is, corruption as in any part of the world cannot be eradicated but it can be highly minimized.

No corrupt person would wake up one day and say;I have changed  my mind and henceforth I will stop my corrupt activities; This means that this menace can be dealt with, if we build strong institutions and use technology as a tool to control it. Our leaders must show exemplary leadership and the citizens should be committed to hold the leaders accountable; this is the fundamental principle in dealing with corruption.

Everyone has a role in fighting corruption. The bottom line is you cannot fight anything in life  that you don;t have knowledge of. The Bible says, ;for the lack of knowledge my people perish.

Hence understanding what the law says about corruption is your first weapon in fighting bribery  and corruption; knowledge is the key to get out of the dungeons of corruption.

We also need to start challenging the status quo; Our institutions have done things in a certain way with the baseline of corruption. It's time for us to challenge those unruly procedures that have siphoned resources to the detriment of the ordinary citizen. The battle is not for one person but for all those that are hungry for change.

Our political leaders in the past and present have not been able to have a firm grip in fighting  corruption in Ghana. Hence the battle to fight it continues unabated.

During this election, my advice to all voters is to, vote for the leader who would fight corruption; that leader who has the  development of the country at heart and one who makes the people first in his/her developmental policies and not self seeking gains.

This is a great opportunity for us to vote for the leaders that will create an atmosphere that breeds success. I will end by calling on all the great citizens of GHANA to have a peaceful election where we will exercise extreme patience, tolerance and co-existence in spite of our differences. Meaning PEACE should be the mantra of this election.

Always remember it is possible if only you believe.  God bless Ghana, God bless the people of the land.

Details of Author

Name – Oscar Bimpong Bio – Transformational Speaker and Business Consultant

Email – info@oscarbimpong.com Web: http://www.oscarbimpong.com

 

 

oscar

I will do my best to make Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe relevant to Nigeria says Hon. Kenneth Gbandi

 

 

Kenneth Gbandi was elected the new chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) at the body’s annual general meeting in Athens, Greece, on 11 November. The Germany-based migration expert, communal politician, business consultant and media entrepreneur spoke in his first interview after the election with some European and Nigerian based media houses and notable bloggers via a Tele-Conference on the challenges facing NIDOE, how Nigeria can attract more foreign investment and the best way to manage the fight against corruption. Gbandi, who has been the president of the German chapter of NIDO for the past four years, also talked about the efforts of the Diaspora to contribute to national development and what he plans to do to support the current government.

 

 

  1. Congratulations on your election as the new Chairman, Board of Trustees, of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE). How does it feel to be the representative of all Nigerians living in Europe?

I am overwhelmed and humbled by the trust and confidence of the Nigerian Diaspora in Europe. I pray to justify this huge confidence and humbly count on their collective support.

 

Let me kindly use this opportunity to thank all the representatives of the 14 NIDO country chapters across Europe and all the 61 delegates who travelled from all over Europe to Athens to exercise their democratic franchise and those who voted by proxy too.

 

I specially thank the Special Guest of Honour, Hon. Barrister Rita Orji (Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs) and His Excellency Ogah Usman Ari (Charge d’Affaires, Nigerian Embassy in Greece). It is not debatable that without these two patriots, this year’s Annual General Meeting in Athens could not have been so successful.

 

  1. You are the outgoing President of NIDO Germany. Where did you meet NIDO Germany and where are you leaving it now?

It has been a worthwhile experience. All my efforts in NIDO Germany have been geared towards making an input into national development. When I took over NIDO Germany, the focus was on the intellectuals. It was a very solid foundation to step upon. My Exco expanded the horizon by bringing in professionals and entrepreneurs. This is especially important in Germany where a taxi driver and a Barber are trained professionals.

 

In summary, I am leaving a re-positioned NIDO Germany, one of the very best chapters in Europe.

 

  1. The Diaspora has a role to play in national development. Were there attempts during your tenure as NIDO Germany chief to explore opportunities for making contributions in that regard?

Yes, we did. We held many trade and investment events to bring German business people together with their Nigerian counterparts from home and in the Diaspora. These events were platforms for the potential investors to jointly explore opportunities in Nigeria. I am happy that several German companies that participated in our events are now engaged with Nigeria.

 

Among our other notable achievements is the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, we signed with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to join in the fight against corruption.  The MOU provides the opportunity for NIDOE members to contribute to the fight against corruption by providing services such as training in security issues, transfer of Diaspora knowledge and IT-based solutions and availing the organisation of international best practice models.

 

We have also signed an MOU with Lead University, Owerri. The goal is to support scientific and technological research as well as business development at the university. We will begin implementing our plans as soon as the university is approved to do so by the National University Commission. This is planned to be a model for NIDO Europe’s engagement in skills and know-how transfer in various fields. It will also form a base station for NIDO university exchange scheme between Nigerian and European students.

In the areas of business, under my leadership we signed a tentative Partnership Agreement for Export Promotion with Aulic Nigeria Limited, concessionaire of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex for the New Nigerian Export Hub (NETH) at Lagos. This partnership, considering the current realities, supports the diversification of our economy away from over-dependence on crude oil.

NIDO Europe members or partners in management consulting, software development, industrial processing and related services could key into the opportunities these partnerships provide.

Many more of such partnerships in the areas of agriculture, mining and IT will follow under my watch as Chairman of NIDOE.

 

  1. What are the immediate issues you hope to tackle as NIDOE Chairman?

Our immediate objective is a holistic repositioning of NIDOE to  present the organization and the Diaspora as a whole as a well-organised and dependable group. We intend to continue our contributions to national development by promoting trade & investment opportunities in Nigeria and provide a professional resource pool from where national developmental interests in various spheres could be managed, in a transparent but secure, respectful manner. This will  promote growth in the economic, social, academic, political, cultural and entertainment sectors, where our people seek to position themselves.

 

To achieve this, I will immediately propose a master plan to enable us raise half a million euros within the next one year and 1 million in the next two years. The overall goal is to make NIDOE a self-funding and self-driven organization.  This will help us tackle the immediate, medium and long-term needs of the organization.

 

We will also review and harmonize all ongoing and planned NIDOE projects and find strategies to finance them. A Project Summit is planned for the 26-27 May 2017 in Dortmund, Germany. This will coincide with an investment summit to which all the Chambers of Commerce and Industry across Europe have been invited. These activities are under the framework of the Nigerian-German Bi-National Commission and the Federal Government of Germany economic plan for Africa.

 

Moreover, we plan to hold a stakeholders’ retreat to re-examine the core objectives of NIDOE including the roles of the various components of the organization. This  is part of the holistic plan of the Board to reposition NIDOE.

 

  1. Migration is a big issue now in the Western world. Brexit and the recent election of Donald Trump have been attributed to the fears of citizens about migration. We also have the issue of thousands of Nigerian migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea desperately and dangerously because they want to get to Europe. What is your view of this issue?

That the issue of migration is on the front burner of national discourse in almost every European country is understandable. While I would like to encourage young Nigerians to seek opportunities for self-actualisation abroad they should desist from the perilous journey of going through the Sahara desert and seeking to cross the Mediterranean in dinghy boats. Thousands of young Africans, including many Nigerians, have perished on such journeys. Those who make it to Europe find out how precarious their situation is as they have no good chances of having their asylum applications accepted.

So my message is that if you want to travel, please be well informed. You can seek to study. Many high institutions of learning offer places to students from Africa. For example, you don’t pay tuition fees in Germany and universities here are willing to consider applications from brilliant students from all over the world. There is also the EU Blue Card residency permit that enables professionals to work in Europe. So, there are many legal routes to Europe.

I am the director of the African German Information Centre in Hamburg and we cater for migrants including refugees from Africa. The stories we hear from these young people about their sufferings will make you to cry. Some were in transit for more than 2 years in North Africa, seeing friends die or killed and bearing all forms of inhumanities. In fact, most of them are traumatised. Yet, at the end of the day, their chances for asylum are not good because they come from countries considered under the asylum law in the EU as safe countries of origin. If you come from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal or Cameroon, for example, you hardly can get your asylum claim accepted. Our young people must know this. This is why many choose to live in the shadow of society without legal papers and engage in crimes such as drug peddling to survive.

The saddest thing sometimes is to realise that some of these refugees had relatively good jobs at home with prospects for career development. They leave all their jobs and families and embark on an uncertain journey that often do end tragically.

In a nutshell, my advice to our young people is to look well before they leap. Sometimes there are opportunities in Nigeria that can enable them achieve their dreams.

  1. What can the Diaspora do to help the situation?

Our members always do their best to let their relations at home know the true situation of things. What we often hear is that people at home don’t usually believe what we tell them from here. We understand that the situation at home makes people to become very desperate.

Frankly,  people leave their homelands because they can’t see a good future for themselves. The economic situation is responsible for the wave of emigration from Nigeria and other African countries. And there is no clear-cut solutions to this from anybody.

If the economic situation improves, then lesser numbers of people will be willing to leave the comfort of their homeland and families. So, the situation of the economy is decisive. Many of us send money to relatives to sponsor their education and enable them to start businesses, but our capacity to help is, of course, limited.

We in NIDOE are aware of this and have been making efforts to contribute to the economic development of the country by promoting opportunities for trade and investment with Nigeria in our countries of residency. In Germany, as I have early mentioned, we have held several events to bring together prospective German and Nigerian investors.

We also believe that providing training to young people will open opportunities for employment for them. As a short-term plan, we hope to embark on a basic solar energy installer programme in the six-geopolitical zones of Nigeria to provide solar skills to 12,000 youths in the first two to three years. All NIDOE members with expertise in solar technology and interested stakeholders in Nigeria will be invited to join the initiative.

 

  1. How will NIDO Europe play very active role in the Buhari-led government in Nigeria?

 

Let me run the risk of stating the obvious, but at least for the sake of your readers that have very little to do with NIDO. NIDO members are intellectuals, professionals and entrepreneurs with many years of experience in their various fields of endeavour. The Federal Government of Nigeria recognizes NIDO as an official platform through which it can engage with Diaspora Nigerians. So we are ready to support the government. Already, the Diaspora is actively promoting investment in Nigeria, they invest at home themselves, they provide support through such initiatives as medical missions, education and training programmes.

I think the government, not only the federal government but also state and local governments should create frameworks to actively engage the Diaspora. Nigerians abroad are willing to support the development of their homeland, their states of origin and their local government areas if given the opportunity.

The Nigerian Diaspora should be considered symbolically in my view as the 37th State of Nigeria  just as the African Union considers the Diaspora as the sixth Region of the continent with the rights of representation.

We therefore need a Nigerian Diaspora Commission to provide an institutional framework for the engagement of the Diaspora in national development. Nigeria can borrow a leaf from countries such as India or even Benin or Senegal that have such institutions.

 

  1. 8. What is your assessment of the Buhari administration so far?
    The war on corruption is good. No Nigerian will be against fighting corruption except they’re direct beneficiaries. Corruption has really had a terrible impact on the country. However, the war should be fought transparently and in a non-discriminatory manner. There should not be sacred cows. Nobody should be spared because they come from a particular ethno-national group or belong to a particular political party. If the war is selective then it becomes a with-hunt and it will no longer be popular with the people. Moreover, it should be fought tactically in such a way that people who have money are not afraid to invest. This is very important. The shadow economy in Nigeria is very huge. That must always be at the back of the minds of our leaders.

 

  1. What do you think the government should do tackle the ongoing economic crisis?

The main reason for the crisis is simply that we import far more than we export. We export mainly oil and gas. And import virtually everything including even refined petroleum products. So the crisis was only waiting to happen.

 

According to official figures, Nigeria spends US$22 billion to import food items annually, we spend $7.2 billion to import refined petroleum products. We import textiles and ready-made dresses to the tune of $4 billion in a year. Imagine that there are seven million vehicles on our roads and we do not produce a single tyre for them….

 

So the current crisis is an opportunity to diversify our economy. For example, the major food items that we import are rice, sugar, wheat, fish, milk and cooking oil. Take rice; there are so many rice belts in the country that, if encouraged, can produce as much rice as we want.

 

The government should draw up a crash programme to achieve self-sufficiency in these food items in the next five years. It is achievable. Countries like India and Pakistan have proven that it is possible. Self-sufficiency will not only lead to basic food security, reduce our import bill, create jobs and further social peace but will also spark the development of the agro-allied industries.

 

  1. Economists say we need massive foreign investment. How can we make Nigeria more attractive for German investment?

The peaceful transfer of power last year is a very good advertisement for our democracy. The present government must deepen the democratic system and ensure the rule of law while maintaining peace and stability.

 

Two, the way the government treats investors in the country will also send a message out to the world on if the country welcomes investors or not. This is why the Buhari administration should reject any advice that it should reverse the privatisation of the electricity sector. If that happens, it will show that Nigeria lacks respect for contract sanctity and that government is inconsistent in its policy. Nobody would like to go to Nigeria to invest there for the long term.

 

I would like to call on the President to reject such advice. Whatever challenges the investors in the country’s electricity sector are facing should be critically looked into to see how the government can support them to succeed for the sake of our development.

 

In the government’s fight against corruption, the rule of law and due processes should be adhered to. It will send out a message that the rule of law prevails in our country which is important for foreigners wishing to do business there. They should be able to rely on our judicial system for the protection of their investment and to resolve disputes when it arises.

 

  1. What will you tell Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora at these trying times?

Today, Nigeria is undoubtedly in an economic nightmare due to the fall in oil price and maladministration. However, the potential of Nigeria and of doing business in Nigeria with over 170 million people can never be ignored or underestimated and we need to wake up the giant in us by active participation in the affairs of this great country.

 

In Europe, citizens participate actively in the process of governance through professional, civic and other groupings, which is why the state works well for them. We have to do that too. Anybody who chooses to keep out has no business complaining. Yes, we are down but not out. Nigeria will be back and in full strength.

 

  1. Will the new position avail you time to remain a magazine publisher?

Time will tell.

 

 

ken

ROLE MODEL OF THE WEEK -CHIGOZIE IFEANYICHUKWU ALEX, DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION AT REBRANDED NIGERIAN YOUTHS IN GHANA

Chigozie Ifeanyichukwu Alex is a 23 years old graduate of Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), Ghana. There he studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

He currently is working as the Director of Organization at Rebrand Nigerian youths In Ghana Organization (RNIGO) an NGO in Ghana.

While in AIT, he was the President of the Nigerian Students Association, Senator and the Senate Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the National Association of Nigerian Students Ghana (NANS GH). Chigozie was recently given two appointments by the leadership of NANS GH because of his exceptional service during his tenure, he was appointed a NANS GH Ambassador and a member of the NANS GH publicity committee.

With his undying passion in serving and contributing to the economic growth and development of Africa, Chigozie is motivated to chase his passion in Humanitarian, social and Civil service.

Graduating at the top of his class with a First Class Honors in Engineering, Chigozie has decided to rather chase his Passion than his Profession, he is an entrepreneur and a tireless worker. Chigozie has written a lot of powerful and motivational articles that has inspired hundreds of youths in his community both in Nigeria and Ghana. Some of his recent popular articles includes Hard-work Performs Miracles and Warning to Nigerian Youths.

His hard-work and commitment to leadership has earned him several Awards, and has enabled him set records and standards in Youth Leadership. He is an advocate, a public speaker and a life motivator.

Chigozie believes the success and development of his country Nigeria lies in the unity of all its tribes, he also believes the corruption in Nigeria is a collective effort and not a task for the Nigerian Government alone.

His vision for a One United Nigeria has led to him being mocked and called different names, but he has chosen to hold on to his vision as he believes it is very achievable. One of his recent quote on unity says “If any person tells you oil and water can’t mix, tell that person you need oil and water to prepare a delicious soup! We are stronger together and where unity abounds success is sure”

 

chigo