An insight into Slavery in Old Calabar By Richard Duke

•”According to Rev Hope Waddell, slaves came from several sources, and scholars of African slavery agree that “there were numerous ways to enslave people”. In Old Calabar, as in other regions, individuals sold themselves into slavery to escape famine , to seek protection, or to improve their circumstances, since a well-placed slave might prosper more than an impoverished free man. Individuals could be enslaved for debts, and entire families could fall into slavery by that means.

OUR BRAND, AFRICA4U , is all about promoting the true life and success stories of Africans in the Diaspora and Africans around the world

We empower and celebrate The Achievements of African  ROLE MODELS, UNSUNG HEROES, SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, UPCOMING ARTISTS, POETS, WRITERS, HUMANITARIANS and EVERY DAY PEOPLE, you do not get to hear about , who are selfless in their VISION in making a difference to life and to many communities

We also believe in promoting and sharing our history, our stories and our narrative and we have also organised The Black History Month Celebrations at The UK House of Parliament for four years in a row, inspired by Tony Tokunbo Eteka Fernandez

IF YOU WOULD ALSO LIKE US TO ORGANIZE AN AFRICA4U AWARDS TO RECOGNIZE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF AFRICAN ACHIEVERS IN YOUR COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE, GET IN TOUCH TODAY ON +447882809005

WE HAVE ORGANISED SMALL SCALE EMPOWERMENT AFRICAN AWARD INITIATIVES IN THE UK, THE U.S.A, HOLLAND, GERMANY, NIGERIA AND MALTA

FULL REPORT & COMMUNIQUE OF NIDOE ORIENTATION AND LEADERSHIP RETREAT Friday 17th Feb. – 18th Feb. 2017, HAMBURG, GERMANY READY!

“A 29-page official report will be circulated to all chapter chairs. Chapter Chairs are constitutionally required to circulate the report to all their members. Financially up-to-date members who did not receive this report should kindly contact NIDO Europe secretariat for a follow-up”

Highlights: of Workshop on Current Diaspora Issues:

Diaspora Commission

NIDO Europe takes cognizance of the ongoing re-examination of the Diaspora Commission Bill by the National Assembly and encourages all parties to expedite actions in the passage of the Bill. NIDO Europe is hopeful that a repeat occurrence of the return of the Bill from the Presidency to the Legislature would be avoided and looks forward to a swift assent by Mr. President as soon as it reaches his desk.

Diaspora Voting Rights

NIDO Europe reiterates that voting by Nigerians at all elections is a fundamental right which must not be affected by the physical location of the citizen. The National Assembly is enjoined to do all within its powers to ensure that the Electoral Act is appropriately amended to enable voting by the Diaspora at Elections. We welcome the expressed commitment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement Diaspora Voting when the National Assembly completes its legislative work in this regard

Diaspora Policy

NIDO Europe sees the Diaspora Policy as a subset of the Diaspora Commission and would therefore recommend strongly that the passage of the Diaspora Commission Bill is prioritized. This does not preclude preparatory work on the Diaspora Policy by relevant stakeholder to enable swift deployment soon after the Bill is passed. The inclusion of NIDO in all the preparatory work is of paramount importance and the Organisation stands ready at all times to take its role seriously in this regard.

Diaspora Day

NIDO Europe emphasizes the need for early preparation for the Diaspora Day and calls on all partners and stakeholders for a round-table. The Organisation deplores marginalization of relevant partners in the preparation and actualization of the Diaspora Day events. We stand ready to constructively partner with all relevant stakeholders in ensuring an even more successful and result oriented Diaspora Day 2017

Diaspora Bond

NIDO Europe takes cognizance of recent launch of Diaspora Bond. The organization believes it can add significant value to Diaspora Bond and encourages the government to engage NIDO in the planning, promotion and implementation of such Bonds in the future.

A 29-page official report will be circulated to all chapter chairs this weekend. Chapter Chairs are constitutionally required to circulate the report to all their members. Financially up-to-date members who did not receive this report should kindly contact the secretariat for a follow-up.

Hon. Kenneth Gbandi

(Chairman CEC/BOT NIDO Europe)

16/03/2017

We are all set for the 4TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF AFROPOLITAN VIBES.

Be sure to come party with us as we entertain you with four fantastic guests who will join the 13-piece BANTU collective on stage. Our special guests this month are: urban-highlife singer ADEKUNLE GOLD, dancehall artist CYNTHIA MORGAN, singer-songwriter TOMI THOMAS and the OBADIKAH BRASS BAND.

STEPOUT @ KUMASI

All those that live around Kumasi and it’s environs, STEPOUT is coming closer to you like never before on the 19th of March 2017. Seize the opportunity and be part of this great event. See flyer for more details.

It’s possible if only you believe.

Training is the only thing that prepares a man towards facing his unseen future. If you avoid training , You limit yourself from going.

Last month 14th of February, I personally anchored a leadership training with Full Gospel business men fellowship as the keynote speaker. I will be meeting with them again this month as one of the guest speaker. Don’t miss out, try as much as you can to attend. The training is for church workers, pastors, Students, Ministers, civil servants, aspiring and emerging leaders.

If you live around Onitsha be my guest and save these details. Date: 14th of march next week Tuesday. @ : Royal Gee hotel, No 19 Sylva Adibe Crescent fizel Awada, An amber State. Theme : PRINCIPLE CENTERED LEADERSHIP, Season 2… Time: 6pm dot.. Host: Nkechi Emmanuel, FGBMF president.

Godfrey Ngobi, of Ugandan descent, began his musical journey at the tender age of seven, with the snare drum, in The Kamuli Mission Brass Band. In his wonder years Godfrey’s chosen instrument was the bass guitar, however, there came an opportunity that he was hardly prepared for! A friend, who had complete trust in his ability and knowledge of instruments, requested for his help in selecting instruments to include for his band. This friend also asked Godfrey if he could keep the instruments at his place for a while, and during this time he took the irresistible opportunity to see how it felt to play the Saxophone- it was an experience he will never forget! He immediately fell in love with the sounds it produced and invested in his own. This was the instrument he chose to play at his wedding – it felt magical!… so after that he started “making noise” on it everyday!

Although astonishing to believe, Godfrey’s amazing skill and precision on the bass guitar and Soprano and Alto Saxophones are mostly self taught, and have been developed over years of disciplined practice, insane work ethic and inspiration from various talents such as the band called Spyro Gyra and artists Dave Koz, Kirk Whalum and Maceo Parker. Godfrey started playing professionally, recording and touring with the bands- Big Five and Wakawaka, and was privileged to not only play for, but to write some songs with the most prestigious band in East Africa, The Afrigo Band. He has also worked with established artists like Alex Mukulu, Elly Wamala(Late), Jimmy Katumba(Late), and toured in the UK, Kenya, USA, Germany, France, and Rwanda.

Godfrey’s emotional style, which combines reggae, Latin, jazz and African folk has been known to bring listeners to tears. Not only does his truly big heart show through his musical ability, Godfrey is also a philanthropist and aims to become a significant influence in the world and give back to the community even more, as his success grows.

My name is Semi (pronounced Shay-mii) and turn 15 next week. (☺)!! I was diagnosed with Scoliosis 2 years ago. This means that my spine is S-shaped and has resulted in a hump on my lower left side. I have back pain and my body is angled to the left.

Unfortunately my condition worsened, so much so that last June the doctors recommended surgery to be done as soon as possible. Scoliosis causes severe back pain, reduced lung function & breathing difficulty and body disfigurement. 

I was devastated. I’m an avid dancer (contemporary, modern & hip hop) and recommended option was a Posterior spinal fusion – the only option offered in the UK. It involves the fusion of vertebra and use of metal rods. It has the shortcoming of permanently limiting spine flexibility – more so as I am unlucky to have double curvatures.

I am currently eligible for a proven surgical method in the US that can help me recover fully from this painful condition. It is called Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT). This fusionless option helps my spine align back to normal, easing the pain & the stress on my internal organs, and allows full flexibility & quicker recovery. As VBT is offered to skeletally immature patients, it is crucial that I get the surgery done as soon as possible. 

I want to live as normal of a life as I can. I enjoy and love dancing. My parents are doing everything they can for me, but unfortunately, the cost of this surgery ($155,000 or £130,000) is one they cannot afford. 

I’d be eternally grateful if you could donate and help me get the VBT surgery so I can have a straight yet flexible spine and continue to dance.

Thank you.

The amazing Afropop artist “Humble smith” will be performing live in Malta on Saturday the 18th of March 2017 . The much awaited live performance is inspired by CMS Promotions also based in Malta and managed by Mr Henry Ekezie, a passionate business entrepreneur who has made profound contribution to very many initiatives in Malta.

Humble smith is slowly starting to become a household name, with an electrifying afro centric  rhythm that coaxes the crowd into a new world of refined music

Ekenedilichukwu Ijemba (born May 14, 1991), better known by his stage nameHumblesmith, is a Nigerian afropoprecording artist who achieved recognition upon the release of his single titled “Osinachi“, which later won a nomination spot at the 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.^[1][2] He first ventured into the entertainment business as an actor, starring in a number of films including Hypertension (2010) with Sam Loco Efe