PRESS RELEASE SURGING GREENS SELECT COMMUNITY CHAMPION ABBEY FOR GREENWICH & WOOLWICH

Greenwich Greens have selected long-standing Woolwich resident Abbey Akinoshun as their candidate for the Greenwich & Woolwich constituency at the general election on 7 May. A former NHS nurse and manager who now runs a service offering advice to people facing bullying, victimisation or harassment at work, Abbey Akinoshun has lived in the Royal Borough for more than 15 years.

He served for nearly 10 years as a governor of Hawksmoor primary school in Thamesmead, which his children now attend. He spent 14 years working for the National Health Service, including the Oxleas NHS Trust. He also served for seven years as an elected council member of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the world’s largest regulatory body.

A former shop steward in the Transport and General Workers Union, in 1999 he was presented with an award by the Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Commander John Grieve, for fighting discrimination in the workplace.

In 2000 he received an Our Heroes Community Champion award from the South London Press for his voluntary work to fight injustice and harassment in the workplace. Before starting his nursing career he worked for London Underground, cleaning the track and Tube stations at night. He later worked as a kitchen porter before moving to a rehabilitation home for people with mental health problems. “I have represented hundreds of workers at employment tribunals and disciplinary hearings who had no financial means of hiring lawyers to represent them,” he says. “I get motivated to fight for justice for other people, having gone through the same experience myself.

My three priorities for Greenwich & Woolwich will be to ensure we create an economy that provides sustainable and local jobs paying the living wage; to support the local community in their campaigns against the Silvertown tunnel and IKEA in order to reduce the risk of long-term exposure to air pollution and demolition of green space in Greenwich; and I will campaign for the building of more affordable social housing and the use of empty properties to address the problems of homelessness in the constituency.

I have the passion and commitment to serve my local community. My experience in life has given me foundation and knowledge to serve the whole community by representing them in the next parliament.” Originally from Nigeria, Abbey spent six years in Bulgaria earning his masters degree in social psychology from the University of Sofia. He speaks fluent Bulgarian as well as Yoruba.

He later attended King’s College, London where he obtained his professional qualification in Mental Health Nursing in 1998. Before joining the Green Party nearly two years ago he was an active member of the Labour Party and was an elected official in the Erith & Thamesmead branch. “Having been a Labour Party member for over 10 years, I left because, sadly, I no longer saw it as a party to build a fairer society,” he says. “I joined the Green Party because I saw a fast-growing political party which has a fully developed range of policies addressing social, economic and political issues in our society.

I was attracted to the Green Party because of its core values. It is the only party of social and environmental justice that supports a radical transformation of society for the benefit of all and for the planet as a whole. I was also inspired by its call to ensure that everyone has access to a secure job and a decent living wage, and its belief in the restoration of public services to public hands.” This is not the first time Abbey has stood for Parliament. At the 2010 General Election he stood as an independent in Erith & Thamesmead, polling 438 votes. He hopes to do much better than this time. The Greens came fifth in Greenwich & Woolwich in 2010 with just over 1,500 votes, but this year they hope to capitalise on a massive surge in membership in recent months.

There are now nearly four times as many members of the Green Party in England and Wales as there were at the start of 2014, and the party has overtaken both Ukip and the Lib Dems to become the thirdlargest in England and Wales. Greenwich Greens have experienced a similar surge in membership locally so there is every reason to expect a big boost in their vote share. “We are delighted to have such an able and charismatic local candidate who has campaigned tirelessly for workers’ rights and has a proven record of fighting for the interests of people in Greenwich & Woolwich,” says Jan King, Election Agent of Greenwich Green Party. “We are also very proud that, in a constituency where 42 percent of residents are non-white, we are the only political party fielding a nonwhite candidate.

Westminster politicians nowadays talk a lot about how much they respect hard-working people. As someone who learned Bulgarian in order to put himself through university and then spent nights cleaning the Underground so that Londoners could get to work, Abbey Akinoshun knows all about hard work. He already spends his working life sticking up for people who have been treated badly and he will be a passionate fighter against the austerity policies which all the other main parties support, as well as supporting local campaigns for more affordable social housing and against the Silvertown Tunnel and Ikea.”

CONTACT DETAILS FOR MEDIA ONLY NOT FOR PUBLICATION:

For further information contact Abbey Akinoshun at abbeyerras@yahoo.co.uk or Jan King at 07931 370025 or at greenwich@greenparty.org.uk Web Site: http://greenwich.greenparty.org.uk

1.  What is your background and when did you come to live in Woolwich?

I have lived in the Royal Borough of Greenwich for over 15 years with my family. My children attend a local school where I used to serve as a School Governor for almost 10 years. I have been consulting in Employment Law and Regulatory Services in Woolwich for the past five years.

I graduated from the University of Sofia, Bulgaria, where I bagged a Masters Degree in Social Psychology in 1993. Having spent over 6 years in Bulgaria, I speak the Bulgarian language fluently. I later attended King’s College where I obtained my professional qualification in Mental Health Nursing in 1998. Prior to commencing my nursing career, I worked as a Track Cleaner for the London Underground Company, cleaning the track and tube stations at night. I later joined the Queens Hotel as a Kitchen Porter before moving to a rehabilitation home for people with mental health problems where I worked as a Health Care Assistant for few years before commencing my nursing studies.

A few years back, I single-handedly set up an “Employment Law Advisory Service” which offers free advice to people who face disciplinary hearing, discrimination, bullying, victimisation and harassment at work. The Service was self-funded without any recourse to external funds.

People were so touched with my community activities, that in 1999, I was presented with an award, by the then Deputy Commissioner of Police – Commander John Grieve, on behalf of the Metropolitan Police, for fighting discrimination in the workplace. In 2000, I was given an “Our Heroes Community Champion Award” by the South London Press, for my voluntary work to fight injustice and harassment in the workplace.

I have represented hundreds of workers at employment tribunals and disciplinary hearings who had no financial means of hiring lawyers to represent them. I get motivated to fight for justice for other people, having gone through the same experience as well.

2.  I understand you worked in the NHS. How long was this for and what did you do?  Has this work affected your political outlook?

I worked for NHS Trusts for over 14 years and at a managerial level in four different NHS Foundation Trusts within London. My last job in the NHS was a Clinical Service Manager.

During my time in the NHS I witnessed at first hand the damage both the past Labour government and current Conservative government have done to the NHS through the Private Finance Initiative which takes the resources away from the frontline staff. This obviously affected my political outlook.

In 2006 I got to the peak of my career when I was elected by the majority of over 200,000 of the registered nurses in England to represent them in the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC- the world’s largest regulatory body). I used my position to influence major changes in the nursing profession and to improve quality of care to the wider public.

In 2013 I resigned in order to concentrate on my Consultancy business.

3.  Have you always been a member of the Green party or if not when did you join and what attracted you to the Green party?

I used to be an active member of a Labour Party until about five years ago when I left the party. During my time in Labour I served in various posts: as elected Ethnic Minorities Officer for Erith & Thamesmead Constituency Labour Party; Executive Committee Member of Erith & Thamesmead Labour Party; General Council Member of Erith & Thamesmead Labour Party and Member of Greenwich Local Government Committee of The Labour Party. I submitted a nomination form as a prospective MEP (Member of the European Parliament) candidate and I was shortlisted at the initial screening of the selection of MEPs in 2004.

I left the party about six years ago when I no longer saw it as a party to build a fairer society and I no longer share its values as its policies and manifestoes could no longer guarantee opportunity and security for all. I subsequently stood at the last General Election as an Independent Parliamentary Candidate for Erith & Thamesmead Constituency. It is nearly two years since I joined The Green Party. I was attracted to The Green Party because of its core values. It is the only party of social and environmental justice that supports a radical transformation of society for the benefit of all and for the planet as a whole. I was also inspired by what it stands for by its call to ensure that everyone has access to a secure job and a decent living wage; and its belief in the restoration of public services to public hands.

 4.  What are you three priorities for Greenwich and Woolwich?

I am a local resident who has campaigned tirelessly for workers rights’ and I have a proven record of fighting for the interests of local people.

My three priorities for Greenwich and Woolwich Constituency will be to support the local community in their campaigns for “No to Silvertown Tunnel” and “No to IKEA” in order to reduce the risk of long-term exposure to air pollution and demolition of green space in Greenwich. I will also campaign for the building of more affordable social housing and the use of empty properties to address the problems of homelessness within the constituency of Woolwich and Greenwich. I have the passion and commitment to serve my local community. My experience in life has given me foundation and knowledge to serve the whole community by representing them in the next parliament.

Abbey Akinoshun

February 2015

SOURCE-  GREENWICH GREEN PARTY WEBSITE

My name is Abbey (Abideen) Akinoshun, and I have lived in the Royal Borough of Greenwich for over 15 years with my family.

As a result, I have a good insight into the problems confronting our community. My children attend a local school, where I used to serve as a school governor.

I have been consulting in Employment Law and Regulatory Services in Woolwich for the past five years. Up till three years ago, I worked as a Clinical Service Manager with one of the NHS Foundation Trusts in London.

In 2006 I was elected by the majority of the registered nurses in England to represent them, in the Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC], where I used my position and knowledge to influence major changes in the nursing profession and to improve quality of care to the wider public. Having spent over fourteen years in the NHS, I am fully aware of the stresses that the NHS is suffering from!

I also have a wealth of experience in politics, human rights, advocacy, race-relations, and community relations.

In short, I am a resident with a lot of experience, common sense and a passion to serve my local community.

Having been a Labour Party member for over 10 years, I left the party about 5 years ago because, sadly, I no longer saw it as a party to build a fairer society. I then joined the Green Party just over a year ago, because I saw a fast-growing political party which has a fully developed range of policies addressing social, economic and political issues in our society.

I am standing as your prospective candidate for the Green Party because I would like to have the opportunity to give a political voice to the thousands of ordinary citizens like me, living in the Borough of Greenwich.

VERSES AND FLOWS

Welcome to Verses and Flows today, I am your host, Adedayo Adeyemi Agarau.

Today, I present to you Joshua the son of Idowu. Originated from Ekiti state but was brought up in Ibadan. He is a poet with the passion of making the society a peaceful place to live. Joshua  love friend making,drawing and laughing.

PEACE BE STILL

Lying tales as manifestoes
You preach!
Turning humanity into rubbles

Why is peace decaying?

Why are our fingerprint for decorations
assigning you to kill our passion
To kill our visions And procreation
To enslaved our emotions, our emancipation

Please let peace find home in our homes
In patriotic hearts eager to serve
Let our votes cloth us
In coats of rainbow colors

Let this election not pass
The valleys of violence
We are not sacrificial animals
Yes, our bloods is feast for any vampires

When the decision winds blow
Let it be still..
Peace must be still.

©Joshua Esoterik Idowu

The Scene was set for a great morning in Reading, Berkshire.

The bright sun, kissed the new dawn of the day and I felt a new energy unfolding by the hour.

We were on  our way to see MP Alok Sharma, who was elected as MP for Reading West in 2010. I had also brought along with me the General UK Manager for ZIMLINK – Mr Simba Chioto.

ZIMLINK is a non-profit organisation that promotes the free exchange of information and knowledge with local people through film, media and photography. They are also one of my Media partners.

As we approached Tilehurst, just within the outskirts of Central Reading, my mind  raced back to the days I produced and presented an International Radio Talk Show in Central Reading called AFRICA4U- A RADIO SHOW FOR AFRICANS AROUND THE WORLD with listeners in 11 countries.

My mind also raced back to the very first time I ever met MP Alok Sharma at Women Empowerment event held by at The House of Parliement, hosted by another Community Ambassador and friend from Kenya called Cecily Mugo.

I found it intriguingly fascinating that in less than five years, MP Alok Sharma had become the man of the people and was heavily involved in The Community development and progress of local residents, Migrants and people willing to make a difference to life.

Overnight he  won the hearts of so many locals and Leaders in the African community .  It felt great to have a leader who truly cared, A leader with foresight, vision, purpose and drive.

The first time I ever heard him speak was also a moment I will never forget, he was addressing a group of African Entrepreneurs and he reminded them, that part of his role as MP for Reading  West was to support and nurture community ideas and initiatives, he also went on to say that if anyone had any ideas to discuss with him, they should not think twice about approaching it.

After that speech, I walked up to him in Parliament as he was about to leave the room, our initial conversation was the start of great partnership .

MP Alok Sharma was the first MP I ever got to interview on The International  Radio Talk  Show I produced, My Sister and Husband were visiting from  The States at the time and also met him at our Studio in Reading,

I will never forget her first words when she met him “He is such a gentleman, He speaks with passion, You can tell that he really cares about local people”

In 2013 , for the very first time, I organised The Black History Month Celebrations at The UK House of Parliament. A platform was created for 10 African Achievers, Entrepreneurs to speak on the day and four performing artists.

Among the Special Guests on the day was MP Helen Grant- The Minister for Justice and Women Equalities

In 2014, I was also given the go ahead to organise The Black History Month Celebrations at The UK House of Parliament again,   A platform was created for 8 African Achievers, Entrepreneurs to speak on the day and two  performing artists.

The Special guest on the day was Mr Kola Karim-  CEO of Shoreline Oil Nigeria- who flew in from Nigeria specifically for the event.

Both Black History Month Celebrations I organised  at The UK House of Parliament were sponsored by MP Alok Sharma.

In my years in Reading, I met community leaders from Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra Leone and even eastern European countries, they always had something great to say about Alok Sharma

There were also very many sides to this great man who graduated from the University of Salford in 1998 in  Applied Science and electronics.

Besides being a Community ambassador with a natural interest in the welfare of people, he was also a fully qualified Chattered accountant and, a strong advocate for Education, Jobs,  Free schools , Road safety, Rail regulations , Charities and Community Development.

He was  also  a Role Model we could also learn from and acquire great skillsets of leadership , and so to meet him again in Reading was the rebirth of a refreshing experience.

On Friday the 10^th of April , I interviewed Alok Sharma in his Reading Office for the 2^nd time.

Mr Simba Chioto – The UK General of Zimlink also offered support on the day and filmed the interview.

Alok went into detail to and spoke about some of the campaigns he intended to implement if he was re-elected.  He also spoke about his tenure in the last 5 years, which is undoubtfully a testimony of success especially for the local residents of Reading who will be more than eager to vote Alok Sharma for a second term

I presented Alok Sharma with A Special Outstanding Achievement award on behalf of my brand for the interest and support he had offered African Communities in Reading in the last 5 years.

Things can only get better when Leaders make real difference

Tony Tokunbo Eteka Fernandez

Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi was born after the Nigerian civil war to the family of Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemka and Ezinne Victoria Gbandi of Akwukwu Igbo, Delta State.

He had is early primary school in Akwukwu Igbo and Ughelli, respectively. He graduated in 1992 from the University of Calabar, with a BSc. in Geography and Regional Planning. After his NYSC in Edo State, He was honoured with a state award in 1993 by the then Governor of Edo State on the recommendation of the Otaru of Auchi and council for outstanding community Service to his people. Subsequently, he was given automatic employment as a Geography teacher at Boys Model Secondary School, Benin City.

Three months later, He left for Europe and has been in Germany since 1994. In 1999, he was admitted at the University of Hamburg to further his studies in Geography and Regional Planning after semesters seven in the University, attending the language school and taking some courses, he graduated with a Vor-Diploma.

In 2010 he re-enrolled at the University of Hamburg to study Peace and Security and graduated in 2011 with a master’s degree.

During his master’s program, he had a brief romance with the German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA, a member of the prestigious Leibniz-Institute for Global and Regional Studies). Between his in and out of the University, Hon Gbandi established his first business, Kenconsult e.K., a business initiative that facilitates businesses for Nigerians doing business in Germany, and due to strong negative perceptions about Nigerians and Africans that he encountered doing business in Germany, He decided to establish the African Heritage Magazine, one of the first Black magazines in Germany and double as the first editor-in-chief. Gbandi´s Press Club activities at the University of Calabar were handy to guide him in the new world of the media.

He subsequently followed this with the establishment of the African Heritage TV segment “Africa Outlook” and African Heritage Radio Format. As part of the Image promotion, He also founded the Miss Africa, Germany (African Queen) and Miss Nigeria, Germany and according to him, had the wonderful privilege to invite most Nigerian stars like Mama G, Genevieve Nnaji, Pat Attah, Lillian Bach, Mr. Dauda as well as many Nigerian musicians to Germany, including Pasuma, Late MC Loph, Pastor Goody Goody and so many other artistes. Today Hon. Gbandi is not only the editor in Chief of African Heritage Magazine and executive producer in Heritage Radio and TV format; he is also the CEO of HiBC GmbH Germany and the Director of African-Germany information Centre Hamburg. From 2007 to 2014 Hon. Kenneth Gbandi was the Project Manager, Nigerian Professionals and Entrepreneurs in Germany.

In 2011 He was elected one of the two representatives of the African Community in the Hamburg Senate Integration Advisory Council. In 2013 he was elected the President of Nigerians In Diaspora Organization (NIDO) Germany. In 2014, he took over the Co-ordinator of the African Union African Diaspora Germany Six Region (Media Commission). Hon Gbandi is a member and co-founder of many African Initiatives in Germany, including Nigerian Football Club Hamburg (Co-inititiator), Speaker, Antidiscrimination, Hamburg Senate Integration Advisory Council, member Hamburg Foundation for migrants, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, German Union of Journalists, Inter-Cultural Media Hamburg e.t.c.

His style of Business and leadership model has won both him and the organization he represents many awards. They includes; Best African Media in Germany in 2005/2006; Fink TV Special Award for African Heritage TV format “Afrika Outlook,” 2013; Best Print Media promoting the African Diaspora Cultural Heritage and Tourism “Oscars of Black Culture & Heritage Tourism Award” 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia USA; African Diaspora African Union Sixth Region Germany Diaspora Achiever 2014 for NIDO Germany; Africa 4 U Outstanding Achievement Award for Africans in Germany 2014 and Africa 4 U Outstanding Achievement Award for Africans in Europe 2015.

Hon Gbandi´s interests are in Global affairs are in the areas of conflict mitigation, integration and the rights of demographic minorities. He is a keen promoter of dialogue based solutions in stress afflicted communities believing that a strong and fair public media and promoting diversity can mediate disproportionate communal relationships.

Words are not Enough …
Words will never be Enough
And the Soil has been stained- Even before I was born ..
Its skin polluted into new layers of rotten fragments
And for many years … Pools of tears untold
Stories which never made the HEADLINES,
Bodies that grew into Shadows
Vanishing into the dirge of a Bleak Sadness

Words are not Enough
Words will never be Enough ..
Dark Riddles embrace the mystery of the same old anguish

The laughing voices remain faceless
Raping our land
Raping our spirit
Raping our home
Raping the content and the fruits of our energy
Raping our WOMEN …

And then – SILENCE
And over the years, more SILENCE
The world keeps QUIET
The same old story in different LANDS
and many more stories which never make The HEADLINES

Words are not Enough
Words will never be Enough
And when you put the puzzle pieces together
A new HELL lets loose

Slowly our homes begin to burn
But even the most educated minds cannot see the FIRE
Sometimes it takes COURAGE
Sometimes it takes TRUE LOVE
Sometimes it takes UNITY
Sometimes it takes the start of a NEW SONG and an Old Revolution
For what is a NATION without WOMEN

Silence
Then more Silence
Then more common phrases

“God Dey”
“E go better”
“It is well”

But these are just Words
JUST WORDS

POEM BY Tony Tokunbo Fernandez

PICTURE DESIGN BY Dark Zac