Miss World 2008 in South Africa

It appears all the fun stuff is happening in South Africa. The World Cup is going to be there in 2010, Chris Rock added South Africa on his comedy world tour which is now playing on HBO, now they have the Miss World 2008 Competition.

It get as it be O!



Log on to http://www.globalbeauties.com/ for more details

Somali Pirates?!?!

U.S. targets Somali pirates

The U.S. and international military forces are taking more aggressive action off the African coast as bolder and more violent pirates imperil oil shipments and other trade.

The area is a key shipping route for cargo transported to and from the U.S. and elsewhere. In response to pirate attacks, the U.S. has stepped up its patrols to deter them and sometimes intervened to rescue hostages and ships. It also has increased its intelligence-sharing in the area, says Navy Lt. Nate Christensen, a spokesman for the 5th Fleet in Bahrain, which patrols Middle Eastern and African waters.

The U.S. is "very concerned about the increasing number of acts of piracy and armed robbery" off the Somali coast, he says. Somalia's weak government has admitted it can't control its territorial waters, and Nigeria is fending off a rebel group.

A U.N. Security Council resolution, pushed by the U.S. and passed June 2, allows the U.S. and its coalition allies to intervene by "all necessary means" for the next six months to stop piracy off the Somali coast. Coalition ships have since scared off pirates in at least two attacks, says the London-based International Maritime Bureau.

African coastlines have surpassed Asian shipping lanes as the most dangerous in the world. Hijackings and hostage takings are increasing off the coasts of Somalia in the east and Nigeria in the west. The Asian straits, particularly Indonesia, held the top spot for most of the past decade.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: United States | Japan | United Nations | Africa | Asia | New York | Indonesia | Singapore | Somalia | Coast Guard | Middle Eastern | Bahrain | Tanzania | World Food Program | Rand Corp | Nigeria | Fleet | Gulf of Aden | Malacca Strait | Strait of Malacca | Adm. Timothy Keating | Cyrus Mody | Peter Chalk | Vice Adm. Doug Crowder

Armed attacks on cargo ships, oil tankers and cruise ships are estimated to cost more than $1 billion a year, says Peter Chalk, a senior security analyst at RAND Corp. "Piracy does affect U.S. commerce. It is to the economic interest of the United States that the sea lanes are as stable as possible," Chalk says.

Piracy in Nigeria is leading to a drop in oil shipments because shipping companies are reluctant to risk ships, cargos and crew, he says. "That has implications for U.S. strategic energy supplies."

African waters account for 56% of all pirate attacks, spiking from 27 attacks in the first half of 2005 to 64 attacks since January. Meanwhile, pirate attacks elsewhere are dropping, reports the Piracy Reporting Center, a Malaysian-based group that monitors attacks for the bureau.

The attacks are more violent than in Asia, says bureau manager Cyrus Mody. Pirates near Somalia, the Gulf of Aden, Nigeria and Tanzania took 172 hostages in the first half of the year.

Somali pirates armed with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades regularly hijack ships and hold crews for ransom.

The Lourdes Tide, a supply ship working for a U.S. company, was attacked in Nigeria on May 13 by armed pirates who demanded a ransom. Pirates released the vessel and 11-person crew June 16.

The United Nations' World Food Program has requested military escorts to get its ships carrying 32,000 tons of food each month into Somalia, where civil strife and drought have worsened the food crisis. A Dutch frigate ended its escort mission in June, says Peter Smerdon, the group's spokesman in Africa.

Ships alter course by hundreds of miles and expend as much as a day's supply of fuel to avoid Somali pirates, says Michael Livanos, president of Scio Shipping, based in New York. "The costs are gigantic," he says.

The bold pirate attacks along the African coast come as attacks decline in a key Asian shipping lane.

The U.S. military says it donated equipment, coordinated joint training exercises and nudged Indonesia to cooperate with its two maritime neighbors, Singapore and Malaysia. It wanted the three countries to get control of the Strait of Malacca, an important waterway for oil shipments, cargo and cruise ships.

"It's as critical a chunk of water as exists anywhere in the world," says Adm. Timothy Keating, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command.

Their efforts seem to be working. Ships sailing near Indonesia reported 13 attacks between Jan. 1 and June 30, down from 64 in the first six months of 2003 — an 80% drop, according to the Maritime Bureau's half-yearly report. Ships reported two attacks in the Malacca Strait so far this year.

The U.S. bolstered Indonesia's Coast Guard and Navy with 15 high-speed patrol boats and seven radar units. It trained with navies from all three countries and persuaded them to share intelligence about ships passing through international and territorial waters. Malaysia coordinated a joint air patrol with neighboring countries to surveil the waterway.

"If it wasn't safe to bring cargo through the Strait of Malacca, the U.S. Navy would go there and make it safe," says Vice Adm. Doug Crowder, who commands the U.S. 7th Fleet, based in Japan. Crowder says the cooperation now makes that unnecessary.

That same formula is unlikely to work in Africa. "If you were to try to call the leader of Somalia and ask to come for a visit, who do you call?" Keating says.

SOURCE: USA TODAY

South Africa Picks New President

JOHANNESBURG — Kgalema Motlanthe, 59, a former trade unionist once imprisoned during the apartheid era on charges of terrorism, was overwhelmingly elected Thursday by Parliament as South Africa’s president.

But whether he merely keeps the seat warm until elections next year — when Jacob Zuma, his party’s leader, presumably will take over — depends on whether Mr. Zuma, 66, can continue to skirt the corruption charges that have long followed him.

Two weeks ago, a High Court judge not only threw out those charges on procedural grounds, but also implied that President Thabo Mbeki and his cabinet had meddled in the case. The opinion led the hierarchy of the governing African National Congress to demand that Mr. Mbeki step down, leading to the quick ascension of Mr. Motlanthe (pronounced moht-LAH-tay) as an interim president.

The judge’s action, however, has been appealed by the National Prosecuting Authority. If the appeal succeeds, or if the charges against Mr. Zuma are simply filed again after the procedural mistakes are corrected, party elders could view Mr. Motlanthe as an ace in the hole rather than as a caretaker.

The A.N.C. dominates the political landscape here. In the last national elections, in 2004, it won nearly 70 percent of the votes.

But Robert B. Mattes, the director of social science research at the University of Cape Town, said that an ever-larger portion of the population had grown disenchanted with the party since the days of Nelson Mandela.

“This is reflected in a 30-point decline in voter turnout between 1994 and 2004,” he said. “Black voters unhappy with the A.N.C. simply stay at home rather than switch their allegiance to an opposition party.”

Cynics here suggest that the entire reason for sidelining Mr. Mbeki was to make sure that Mr. Zuma’s legal problems disappeared.

Mr. Mbeki is suspected of suspending Vusi Pikoli, the leader of the National Prosecuting Authority, last year to stop the intended prosecution of a political ally, Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi. To some in the A.N.C., a similar dismissal now to protect Mr. Zuma might seem a practicable tactic.

But such a strategy would also seem venal — and Mr. Zuma has already been buffeted by years of accusations. In 2005, his financial adviser was convicted of brokering bribes Mr. Zuma’s way, which led to the corruption case.

In 2006, Mr. Zuma was acquitted on charges of raping a 31-year-old family friend. He testified that the woman had courted sex by sitting provocatively, and his Zulu upbringing had left him no choice but to oblige her.

Mr. Motlanthe is as reserved as Mr. Zuma is gregarious. The new president is not well known to many South Africans, though he is a familiar figure in the party He spent 10 years imprisoned on Robben Island. He became active in the labor movement as an officer with the miners. He was the A.N.C.’s secretary general from 1997 to 2007.

After being sworn in on Thursday in Cape Town, Mr. Motlanthe promised to keep South Africa on much the same path Mr. Mbeki had followed. “Mine is not a desire to deviate from what is working,” he said.

He announced the reappointment of the finance minister, Trevor Manuel, who is credited with keeping the nation’s economy at a hum. He announced one major change, however. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has been given a new position as a minister in the presidency. In her previous job, health minister, she became a polarizing figure for espousing beetroot, garlic and lemon as a cure for AIDS. The new minister of health will be Barbara Hogan, a senior A.N.C. member of Parliament who is viewed as a welcome choice by groups that campaign for the distribution of antiretroviral medications.

Zackie Achmat, an anti-AIDS advocate, told a South African television reporter, “It’s a great day.”

SOURCE: New York Times; Alan Cowell reported from Paris.

African Comedy British Style

Nigerians Look to Purchase English Soccer Team

Nigerian consortium shows interest in Newcastle

A consortium of wealthy Nigerians are planning to take over Newcastle United, according to reports in Africa.

Current owner Mike Ashley is trying to find a buyer for the ailing Premier League club, after proving unsuccessful with his initial efforts to secure a sale and Ashley has announced he wants to sell his interest in Newcastle just 16 months after staging a £134.4million takeover.

However, a Nigerian company claim they have £350million behind them - and are bidding to secure the remaining funding which would improve their chances of a successful takeover.

Chief Executive Officer of the NVA Management, Chris Nathaniel, whose company are handling the deal, wants to make Nigeria the first African country to own a Premier League club.

He told the KickOffNigeria website: ''All along I have been working hard to get wealthy and football loving Nigerian entrepreneurs to buy the club since Mike Ashley indicated his willingness to sell the club to the person, people or entrepreneurs who can meet the £400million selling price of the club.

''Right now I am happy to tell you that well meaning Nigerians have responded and the consortium of Nigerian entrepreneurs has so far contributed £350million to buy the club.

''Ashley has stood his ground that he won't sell the club until the money is raised to the asking price of £400million.

''So what that means is that we need to raise another £50million or £100million to shut the door behind the other top Arab companies who are also interested in the club.

''The Arab companies have also indicated interest and made offers - but they haven't met the asking price too.''

NVA handle Rio Ferdinand's PR and commercial interests and also arranged the pre-World Cup friendly between England and Croatia at Old Trafford in 2006. They further name Premier League wingers Wayne Routledge and Julian Gray amongst their other clients.

SOURCE: ESPN

Why Kenyan women crave stones

Nancy Akoth is four months pregnant and like many women in her state has strange cravings.

Some women eat coal, gherkins or soap but Mrs Akoth craves soft stones, known in Kenya, where she lives, as "odowa".

"I just have this urge to eat these stones. I do very crazy things, I would even wake up at night and go looking for them," she told the BBC.

"I consulted my doctor and all he told me is that maybe I'm lacking iron and gave me medication on iron, but I still have the urge to eat those stones."

Luckily for Mrs Akoth, she is not alone in craving stones and they are easily found on sale in Nairobi's sprawling Gikomba market.

Among the fish-mongers and dealers in second-hand goods who flock to the market are traders who specialise in odowa.

Stone-seller Stephen Ndirangu unsurprisingly says women are his main customers.

"Most of them buy the stones to go and sell them to women who are pregnant," Mr Ndirangu says.

He says he sells one 90kg sack for about $6.

'Pleasant taste'

Although they are stones, they are too soft to break the teeth of Mrs Akoth and her fellow cravers.

Nutritionist Alice Ndong says the stones have a bland taste.

"It's a pleasant taste. It doesn't have a tangy flavour or a salty or a sugary flavour. It's a bit like eating flour," she told the BBC.


She says that because of their abrasive nature, the stones actually clean the teeth as the stone is chewed and the finer particles pass through the mouth.

However, she warns this should not be used as an excuse to eat the stones as the habit can also have harmful consequences.

"If somebody eats those stones and they don't take enough water, then they will actually get severe constipation… It can actually be very dangerous," she says.

"It can actually cause things like kidney damage and liver damage, if you don't take enough fluid because it will form a mass that cannot be excreted."

"When you eat these stones, it's like eating metal. The particles - because it's not food - are not digested as finely as fruits or vegetables," she says.

'Irresistible'

The phenomenon of craving non-food items like soil or soft stones is referred to as pica, a Latin word for magpie, the bird notorious for eating almost anything.

Researchers from the University of Nigeria interviewed 1,071 pregnant women attending a prenatal clinic at the Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi.

At least 800 of those interviewed said they ate soil, stones and other non-food items during their pregnancy.

But it is not only those who are pregnant who indulge in this habit.

Sylvia Moi still finds the soft stones irresistible, 14 years after she gave birth.

"I cannot do without it... Walking without it makes me feel bad, as if I'm lacking something [or] I'm hungry," Mrs Moi says.

She says she would like to quit the habit but just cannot stop herself.

"When you eat it you look awkward, people think: 'What is it that you lack in you that makes you eat that awkward stone,'" she says.

Infection

Experts say that the craving to eat odowa is largely due to a deficiency of vital minerals, like calcium, in the body.

"Unfortunately, these stones don't offer a lot of calcium. They offer some other forms of minerals like magnesium but not much calcium," says Mrs Ndong.

Research shows that these habits have negative side-effects on the women's health, ranging from parasitic infestations, anaemia and intestinal complications

"The problem with these stones is sometimes they're not hygienic. I remember up-country I've seen people just go somewhere, dig up and maybe people urinate in that spot," she says.

Experts warn pregnant women and others who enjoy eating odowa to try to ignore these cravings for the sake of their health.

The researchers say that the women are better off eating a balanced diet, than remaining hooked to the myth that their changing bodies need soft stones and soil.

SOURCE: BBC Africa

Ghana - Veeda & Nixon - Bribi Yaaye

This music video was suggested for your review..."cough" "cough" WHAT!

Jolie and Pitt give over 1 million pounds for Ethiopia kids

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Angelina Jolie and partner Brad Pitt have donated $2 million (1.12 million pounds) to create a centre, named after their adopted daughter, Zahara, for Ethiopian children affected by AIDS and tuberculosis.

The Global Health Committee said the donation from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation would establish a centre in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to treat AIDS orphans and develop a program to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis.

The Oscar-winning Jolie adopted a baby girl she called Zahara, now 3 years old, from Ethiopia in July 2005 and the new clinic will be named after her.

"It is our hope that when Zahara is older, she will take responsibility for the clinic and continue its mission," Pitt said in a statement.

Pitt and Jolie now have six children -- twins Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline born in July, Shiloh, 2, and adopted children Zahara, Pax from Vietnam and Maddox from Cambodia.

The Jolie-Pitt Foundation helped set up a similar clinic in 2006 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia that is named after Maddox.

"Our goal is to transfer the success we have had in Cambodia to Ethiopia where people are needlessly dying of tuberculosis, a curable disease, and HIV/AIDS, a treatable disease," Jolie said.

Ethiopia has the seventh-highest rate of tuberculosis disease in the world and an estimated 1.7 million people in the country are infected with HIV, according to the World Health Organization. UNICEF estimates that more than 900,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS in Ethiopia.

SOURCE: Reuters (Reporting by Jill Serjeant, Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

Being A Single, Ambitious African Female

Image courtesy of uniteedesign.com / betterdetroityouth.org


Nigerian writer and recording artist, Olushola Dada, 29, tells the BBC's Africa Have Your Say programme what it is like being single, ambitious and female in Africa and if society's view on marriage is changing.

The pressure starts when you turn 25.

No-one will say you are a failure because you are not married yet but the pressure does begin.

You have graduated from university and then everyone naturally expects you to get married and settle down.

People wonder about the individuals that you spend time with and whether or not they may be 'the one'.

Even when you go to church: it is taken as given that church is a good place to meet a suitable husband. Everyone starts checking if someone notices you, finds you interesting.

Everyone even says prayers for you to be married.

You haven't made it

And so the pressure grows. And then the more successful you become, the more society frowns.


AFRICA HAVE YOUR SAY
Today's African woman have generally lost touch and lack the character of submission to live with a man
Macaulay Akinbami, Lagos

Is it good to be single?

Society looks at you, and it doesn't matter how successful you may be - if you have your own house, a car, how much you earn...

If you don't have a husband, then within the community, you haven't made it.

I have always been someone who believes that you do not have to get married for the sake of it and I do not put myself under pressure.

Yes, I do want to marry one day; and yes, I definitely want to have children.

But I do not see getting married as an achievement.

Anxiety

I see it as a life choice - something that you accept if it comes to you and enriches your life.

If it comes to you but lessens you - puts you in a box or takes something away from you, then you should not take it.

Most of my girlfriends, though, the ones who are my age or older, do not have the same attitude as me - most of my single friends are anxious to get married.

Unlike me.

The thing is though, here in Nigeria, every woman is brought up in a traditional manner. Even if you go through social studies school text books you will see how the roles of men and women are outlined:

The father must be greeted in the morning, father gives you money... and the mother cooks, the mother nurses the baby, the mother cleans.

More free

So you are almost trained to take up that role.

If you are a woman, you must feel privileged to be educated but then after that you must wed and 'build' a home.

I think that this is quite standard for most parts of the world where there are strong spiritual and cultural influences.

Although I have never travelled out of Nigeria, I get the idea that women in some other parts of the world are more free.

Women should not have to place marriage before their life. Women have to learn to be individuals first.

Like men. A man will get married and make sure it works for him - I hear Nigerian men saying how they must get married so they can have someone to wash for them, clean for them, cook for them, etc.

Conscious choice

They have the attitude that marriage will make their life easier. So should we as women. Otherwise it is not worth it.

I feel woman have to make a conscious choice to break away and be their own individual.

Maybe it is because of my own personal experience with my parents. In particular, from observing my mum:

She gave her whole life to her marriage and today she has a lot of unfulfilled dreams.

I do not think she feels it was worth it; and that has definitely affected me. If marriage is going to fulfil my life and add to it in a way that nothing else can then sure, I will have it.

But if not, no.

So far, I have not found that my career has suffered because of my views but that might be because of the sector I work in. I can imagine there are lots of women in other lines of work that do.

But that it is up to the individual too.

It is my life and I am not going to give up my dreams.

SOURCE: BBC Africa

Google Bringing High-Speed Internet to Africa

Satellites will be used where conventional cables would be too expensive

'Africans to gain' from web plan

Google is helping develop a system to bring high-speed internet connections to three billion people developing countries in Africa and elsewhere.

The 03b Networks system aims to use satellites to provide broadband services at the same speeds as those on offer in rich countries.

The service, which is due to begin in 2010, is also backed by cable operator Liberty Global and the bank HSBC.

It aims to tap into booming mobile phone usage in the developing world.

It will target markets in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

The founders of 03b Networks recently helped pioneer the first commercial 3G mobile and fibre-to-the-home networks in Rwanda, the company said in a statement.

Production of an initial 16 satellites has begun, and the project allows for additional satellites to increase capacity.

The company said the system will enable the spread of locally generated content and e-learning, encouraging social and economic growth in the developing world.

There are various other projects under way to bring faster and cheaper internet access to the African continent.

Kenya has commissioned a fibre-optic cable from Fujaira in The United Arab Emirates along the sea floor of the Gulf of Oman, down the East African coast to the port town of Mombasa.

Another undersea telecommunications cable, known as East African Submarine Cable System (Eassy), intends to connect 21 countries to each other and the rest of the world with high-quality internet.

Dangote To Invest $250 Million Into Ethiopian Cement Industry

Nigerian billionaire, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to invest over $250 million in the cement industry in Ethiopia, according to media reports here on Tuesday.

According to local media reports, Aliko under his company, Dangote Industries Ltd., have taken investment license during the past months from the Ethiopian Investment Agency.

Accordingly, his company will in week’s time start its construction works in the Oromia regional state of Ethiopia, which is known for its many investment opportunities.

According to a report by a local newspaper; Addis Admass, the representative of Dangote Industries Ltd in Ethiopia, Teshome Lemma has indicated that their planned factory will have the capacity to produce 2.5 million metric tons of cement annually.

The factory, which promises to be the biggest investment in the cement industry in Ethiopia, is expected to create job opportunities for over 2,000 Ethiopians.

Ethiopia is currently facing cement scarcity due to the construction boom in Addis Ababa. As a result, the country is also currently importing a huge amount of cement to tackle the shortage.

According to available information, at the age of 21, Aliko Dangote became a stock trader from a loan by his uncle. After he built his company, the Dangote Group, into a conglomerate with interest in sugar, flour milling, cement and salt processing, he struck gold when his sugar production company was listed on the Nigerian stock exchange in 2006. Presently, the Dangote Group dominates the sugar market in Nigeria and it is also Nigeria’s largest industrial group.

Dangote is ranked the 334th richest man in the world with $3 billion. Ethiopia’s Sheik Al-Amoudi is said to be the richest African with $9 billion. He is also involved n the cement industry in Ethiopia.

SOURCE: The Times of Nigeria

A Trip Down Memory Lane

...i just had to





...i know...i know but I just had to

new memories in the making seriously...stay tuned

Self Reflection

ITS FRIDAY!!! What a week. Mad busy. School is back in full swing, work is on high gear and it is hot as [insert word].

It appears Africa is(actually has been for some time)the next frontier for multi national corporations. Recruitment efforts for Africans in the diaspora for positions on the continent have increased substantially.

What would it take to woo you to accept one of these positions? Let's even take a step further, let's say a position on the continent but not in your home country? Other nationals are taking advantage of these opportunities O!

Self-Reflect Friday...

Cartoon Humor

Enjoy

Happy Birthday!

Almost forgot...special Happy Birthday shot out to Uncle J, the original Ariztos papparazi, a classmates of Senator McCain. Uncle J use to take pictures with this camera.



Here is a Happy Birthday pic for you. It aint no Copacabana but you get the picture [insert sexual inuendo here]

Back to the Roots

I'm only going to provide these pictures with the captions...btw this is not from a Nollywood movie.


Thousands of Nigerians have been taking part in the annual Osogbo festival of the river-god Osun. Devotees, mostly from the Yoruba community, congregate in a sacred grove to seek Osun's blessings.


...Susanne Wenger and her colleagues. The 94-year-old Austrian has lived in Osogbo for 58 years and has become a high priestess of Osun.

Reparations for Countries in Africa?!

What about my 20 acres and a mule? Libya just closed a deal for $5 Billion!

Article: Italy seals Libya colonial deal


Mr Berlusconi (left) and Col Gaddafi shook hands

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has signed an agreement to pay Libya $5bn as part of a deal to resolve colonial-era disputes.
Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi said the settlement signed in the city of Benghazi opened the door to partnership between the two states.
Mr Berlusconi said the deal, which sees the money being released over 25 years, ended "40 years of misunderstanding".
Libya was occupied by Italy in 1911 before becoming a colony in the 1930s.
The former Ottoman territory became an independent country in 1951.
This is the first African country to be compensated by a former colonial master, the BBC's Rana Jawad reports from Benghazi.
The question is, she adds: will this latest move set precedents for other former African countries to follow suit?

Coastal motorway

Mr Berlusconi explained that $200m would be paid annually over the next 25 years through investments in infrastructure projects, the main one being a coastal motorway between the Egyptian and Tunisian borders.
The headless statue was displayed when the two leaders met
There will also be a colonial-era mine clearing project.
As a goodwill gesture, Italy also returned an ancient statue of Venus, the headless "Venus of Cyrene", which had been taken to Rome in colonial times.



The settlement was a "complete and moral acknowledgement of the damage inflicted on Libya by Italy during the colonial era", the Italian prime minister said.
"In this historic document, Italy apologises for its killing, destruction and repression against Libyans during the colonial rule," Col Gaddafi said for his part.
The agreement was signed in the Benghazi palace which once housed the Italian colonial administration, Reuters news agency reports.

Rome and Tripoli have spent years arguing over compensation for the colonial period.
Mr Berlusconi's one-day trip was his second since June when illegal immigration from Africa to Europe was the key issue of talks.
Italy has been swamped by thousands of African migrants trying to reach its shores by boat.
Libya has come in from the diplomatic cold since 2003 when it abandoned efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction.
Next week, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to make the first high-ranking American visit to Libya since 1953.

SOURCE: BBC

Tosin & HalleluJazz Project @ Busboys N Poets

Hung out the other night at Busboys N Poets to listen to Tosin & the Hallelujazz Project. Some pics (Tosin is on the drums).

Some more pics from Shaping Destiny's fundraising event.

Click here for more pics. And for more information on Shaping Destiny, click here.

Sarah Hussein Obama laughs in Kenya as she receives congratulatory messages after her grandson, Barack Obama, accepted the US Democratic Party's nomination to run for president.

(picture via BBC)

The 6th London African Music Festival

Comment Tu T'Appelle

Kolo Concert...This Friday

Wives of African Presidents Should Get Salary...Abi?

Kenyan anger at top spouses' pay

Kenyans are outraged by a proposal to pay hefty salaries to the wives of the prime minister and vice-president.

A leaked document says the head of civil service Francis Muthaura has directed that they each be paid $6,000 (£3,000) every month.

But MPs have vowed to shoot down the proposal in parliament, saying it is too expensive for the economy.

Kenyan tax-payers are already paying heavily for the cabinet - the largest ever - with more than 40 ministers.

A government memo leaked to the local media directs that Ida Odinga and Pauline Musyoka, wives of the prime minister and vice-president respectively, will be rewarded for their roles as hostesses.

The pay is also supposed to recognise their role for upholding national family values.

'Over-burdened'

But Eugene Wamalwa, an MP and brother for former Vice-President Micheal Kijana Wamalwa, says the tax-payer is already over-burdened and the allowances are uncalled for.

"The prime minister and vice-president attract one of the highest salaries in the world and that will be sufficient for couples," Mr Wamalwa said.

And former head of the Kenyan chapter of Transparency International Gladwell Otieno said the move is a confirmation that Kenyan politicians are just a greedy caste, looking after themselves at the expense of poor Kenyans recovering from the effects of post-election violence.

The two women will join First Lady Lucy Kibaki, whose allowances increased last year to nearly $8,000 a month.

President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga agreed to share power in February after negotiations led by former UN head Kofi Annan to end weeks of violent clashes.

Some 1,500 people died and 600,000 left homeless around the country after last December's disputed elections.

SOURCE: BBC

Victims or Casualties of Greed

Nigerian official: greedy marks as guilty as 419 scammers

People who fall for so-called "Nigerian scams" aren't victims at all—in fact, they're greedy and should be jailed, according to Nigerian high commissioner Sunday Olu Agbi. He said today that Nigeria has gained a bad reputation because of the scams perpetrated by a minuscule number of people, and that those who find themselves involved with the scams are equally as guilty as those running them.

"The Nigerian Government frowns very seriously on these scams... and every day tries to track down those who are involved," Olu Agbi told the Sydney Morning Herald in response to a previous article on Australians falling for Nigerian scams. "People who send their money are as guilty as those who are asking them to send the money."

Out of the 140 million people in Nigeria, Olu Agbi said that fewer than 0.1 percent were involved in Nigerian scams. The scams, also referred to as 419 scams or advance-fee fraud, predate the Internet, but have exploded in recent years thanks to the proliferation of e-mail and instant money transfers. Although the scams can take on many forms—from payments for products sold on eBay or Craigslist, to deposits on houses and purchases of plane tickets for "true love" on the other side of the ocean—they all follow the same general theme.

Scammers send huge checks to unsuspecting victims with some story attached to explain the overpayment, and the victim is expected to wire back the difference immediately. Eventually when the checks are deposited, they bounce and the victim is out a lot of money. Sometimes, victims are tricked into thinking they'll eventually be paid back and continue to participate in this endless cycle of sending money, especially if the scammer is wooing them romantically (which happens more commonly than one might think, to both men and women).

Although this kind of fraud originates from all over the world, it seems to have an unusually high concentration in Africa and, specifically, Nigeria. This has, unsurprisingly, cast Nigeria in a negative light. Olu Agbi said that Nigeria's reputation for being involved with the scams has even hurt the country's ability to land business deals. "[T]hose who want to transact business with us are always very suspicious," he told the newspaper.

Still, Olu Agbi's "blame the victim" mentality won't help Nigeria win any friends, but education on how to spot 419 scams and avoid falling for them can certainly go a long way in curbing their growth. After all, once victims stop blindly forking over cash, scammers will have to figure out some other way to make money.

SOURCE: By Jacqui Cheng | Published: August 22, 2008

What do you think?

Olympic Medal Count for the Motherland

Kenya: 5 Gold medals; 5 Silver medals and 4 Bronze medals for a total of 14
Ethiopia: 4 Gold medals; 1 Silver medal and 2 Bronze medals for a total of 7
Zimbabwe: 1 Gold medal; and 3 Silver medals for a total of 4
Nigeria: 1 Silver medal and 3 Bronze medals for a total of 4
Morocco: 1 Silver medal and 1 Bronze medal for a total of 2
Cameroon: 1 Gold medal
South Africa: 1 Silver medal
Sudan: 1 Silver medal
Egypt: 1 Bronze medal
Mauritius: 1 Bronze medal
Togo: 1 Bronze medal


There you have it...now back to our regular feature presentation

Nigeria Wins Silver Medal for Olympic Soccer

...don't weep for me...just a couple of goals away from a lucrative shoe contract. The Nigerian team played, they were a bit off of their usual game, there is no point in coulda, shoulda, woulda. I know a lot of couch coaches have stacks of notes to give to the players and coaching staff but such is life, particularly in sports.

I hope all the athletes have a hearty welcome upon returning to their home countries.

Cheers!

Showdown for the Gold: Olympic Soccer

Oya O!!! It's on like popcorn. At midnight...Naija vs. Argentina, last chance for Nigeria to repeat what they did in Olympic 1996 in Atlanta.
I've already started discussions with a major athletic shoe company...Naija wins we're gonna be launching the green white green soccer cleats.
I can't watch the game...too much anxiety mehn!
From day one I've been positioning myself to ride this gold wave yo...

PECKHAM FOR LIFE!

Street Credibility- 9ice featuring 2face.

"Street Credibility" 9ice featuring 2face. Hmmm....just when "Gongo Aso" stopped playing over at the 'lab'

Forgot to [publicly] congratulate 9ice and our dear friend on their recent wedding.

Cameroon's Mbango retains women's triple jump gold at Beijing Olympics

"cough"..."cough"...bon jour mademoiselle



BEIJING, Aug 17 (Xinhua) -- Defending Olympic champion Francoise Mbango of Cameroon broke the Olympic record of the women's triple jump at the Beijing Olympics here on Sunday and retained the title.

In her second attempt, Mbango landed 15.39 meters. The previous record was held by Inessa Kravets of Ukraine in 15.33 meters.


Full story

SOURCE: China View

If na to Run...Another Gold Medal

Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele won the men's 10,000m gold, creating an Olympic record of 27 minutes 1.17 seconds, as compatriot Sileshi Sihine took silver.

Micah Kogo of Kenya secured bronze, but Ethiopian veteran Haile Gebrselassie could only finish sixth, ending his dream of a third Olympic gold medal.

Bekele, 26, controlled the last lap before powering home by a distance to clinch his second Olympic gold medal.

Full story

SOURCE: BBC

First Kenyan woman to win an Olympic title

Pamela, Anythin' for me...?
See the intensity in this sista's eyes, 18 years old...na wa O!



Pamela Jelimo powered to a brilliant 800m victory to become the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic title.

The 18-year-old, who only began running the event in April, set a devastating pace to win in one minute 54.87 seconds at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing.

Full story

SOURCE: BBC

Ol' Boy Do You Want the Gold or Should I Take It

Kenya athletes chatting on their way to the finish line


Kenyan middle distance runner Brimin Kiprop Kipruto added Olympic gold to his world championship title by winning the men's 3000m steeplechase.

The 23-year-old held off a late charge from Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad of win in eight minutes 10.34 seconds.

Full story

SOURCE: BBC

Nigeria thump Belgium to reach Olympic final

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Nigeria thumped surprise package Belgium 4-1 on Tuesday to reach the Olympic soccer final for the first time since winning the tournament 12 years ago.

Striker Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi scored twice in the second half after Olubayo Adefemi had given the exuberant but erratic Africans an early lead.

Full story

SOURCE: Reuters

Night Life in an African City

Before you read this article and start thinking "this is how I would be living if I was back home in my country"...keep things in perspective. This is like giving an account of the night life in Hollywood, Beverly Hills or the Hamptons.

Interesting account of what's going on in this very expensive African city.
Reader discretion advised.

For the full article click here

FELA: A New Musical

Tirunesh Dibaba wins women's 10,000m

As I predicted in my earlier posting, Tirunesh of Ethopia has won a gold medal for the 10,000 meters race.


BEIJING (Reuters) - Ethiopia's world champion Tirunesh Dibaba won the first track gold medal of the Beijing Olympics in the women's 10,000 metres final on Friday.

From when the 23-year-old hit the front with 300 metres to go, her victory was never in doubt and she crossed the line in 29 minutes 54.66 seconds, an Olympic record.

Ethiopian-born Elvan Abeylegesse, who had led for much of the latter part of the race, ran home in second to claim a first Olympic medal in athletics for a Turkish woman in 29.56.34. American Shalane Flanagan took bronze in 30.22.22.

Dibaba and Abeylegesse were only the second and third women to run under 30 minutes for the 10,000 after Chinese world record holder Wang Junxia, who set her mark in Beijing in 1993.)

SOURCE: Reuters

African Soccer Trio Reach Quarter-finals

BEIJING (Reuters) - Nigeria reached the Olympic quarter-finals with a controversial 2-1 win over the United States on Wednesday and fellow Africans Ivory Coast and Cameroon also qualified.

Ivory Coast went through when Salomon Kalou gave them a 1-0 win over Australia and a 0-0 draw with Italy was enough for Cameroon.

Brazil and Argentina, who like Italy had qualified already, completed the group stage with 100 percent records by beating hosts China and Serbia respectively.

Thiago Neves scored twice in four minutes in the second half for Brazil after Diego had given them the lead in the 18th minute in Brazil's 3-0 win.

An Ezequiel Lavezzi penalty and free kick from Diego Buonanotte, the smallest player in the tournament at 1.60 metres, gave Argentina a 2-0 win over Serbia, whose goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic saved an Angel Di Maria penalty.

Belgium and their neighbours the Netherlands took the other two places with 1-0 wins over New Zealand and Japan respectively.

Nigeria's match swung their way in the third minute when U.S. defender Michael Orozco was sent off for elbowing Solomon Okoronkwo, who tumbled over despite only minimal contact.

Already struggling with the stifling humidity, the U.S. went behind when Chinedu Obasi skipped down the left and laid the ball off for Promise Isaac to score in the 39th minute.

Substitute Victor Obinna fired in the second in the 79th minute before the U.S., needing a draw to go through, came to life.

Sacha Kljestan pulled one back with a penalty before Charlie Davies headed against the crossbar, then had another effort saved by Ambruse Vanzekin

Source: Reuters


African man...

USA Olympic Soccer Team Represents

...not exactly. Awon Naija boyz. You could hear the Nigerians shouting from stands saying..."Oga America this no be basketball O!"

Final scores 2-1. Nigeria victorious...eliminating the USA Men soccer team from the Olympics. Well, there is still the MLS.

Here are play backs of the Nigerian goals courtesy of our Francophone crew.



2nd Goal

African Power Hour featuring Recruiters from Top African Banks

African Day Parade in NYC

Red White and Blue Representing at the Olympics

I heard the Olympic opening ceremony were fantastic. If your country could only partake in a handful of events...you'll always have the opening ceremony

BEIJING - AUGUST 08: Jangy Addy of Liberia carries his country's flag during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)