Monday 31 December 2007

Africans in Hungary in Picture (2007)




























































































































































































































































Africans in Hungary, it seems, have come of age. Though they hide under individual efforts, Africans are now rocking Hungary to solidify their daily bread.

From Tunde Komolafe who has added another feather to his cap by being knighted by "The Sovereign Order of St -Ouen and Star"; to Fekete Páko whose funny bait has entrapped his Hungarian fans like hook to fish; to Toyin Akinwumi who has been described as the Nigerian Traditional Music Ambassador in Hungary by The Nation newspaper.

Yes Africans may still be at the incipient stage of development in Hungary but it seems to me that they have woken up. They have set the pace of endearment in terms of awareness. Let them not relent on their efforts.

From SANKOFA GROUPE who performed at a concert where Hungarian students raised fund to build hospital in Kabinda, Eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo; to The African Melody Band spearheaded by the duo of Dava and Bertha, who seem to be taking cultural awareness to another level when they performed at a Zoo party; to Miss Afro Pageant, again organised by Tunde Komolafe who described himself as a survival.

Methinks Africans are a determined lot. Hence it should be a study case why majority of them who could not make it in their different countries find success in a foreign country. However, they should not let their new status goes into their head. Let them probe and demand normalcy from their different governments. Let them use their exposure to help uplift their different countries.

From Gibril Deen, who was once described by the first English Newspaper in Hungary, The Budapest Week, as The African godfather in Hungary; to Sammie Adetiloye whose website is becoming a source of information; to many businessmen and women who have opened Internet cafe, and those who sell clothes in the market; to those who have African boutiques; to Afrique Internationale, a football club.

Man must not live by bread alone, so says that knowledgeable book. Therefore, Africans in Hungary should do more than just parties. As you can see, it is all about entertainment which is alright.

But let us do more than the old folks surreptitiously posing with the young. Let us do more than just parading young girls half-naked. Let us advance a bit so that it would be more than just Hungarian helping African children. Let us institute an intellectual agenda in which eminent African Scholars, economists etc would be invited. Let us not forget why we could not go back to our different countries.

From Ledon Sylla who is a consultant and event organiser to DJ Edward and DJ Lekki to Dynamous Band; to Slang and Revolution; to Ayo Adams and Onix; to Oji Adisson who works in one of the most expensive restaurants in Budapest; to Tunde Adeosun and John Oni, the duo who helped sustain the Nigerian Union Committee; to Daniel Israel whose play - A Mermaid's Wedding - is expected to come up in March 2008; to Klara Bassey, who perhaps is the happiest woman on earth today. She knows why.

Oh, I almost forgot. Hungary has joined Schengen States, a relief to those of us who have refused to change our identity. This simply means we can also travel to several European countries without visa. Isn't it ironical then if African citizens must secure visa in order to cross other African borders? O ma se o (it's a pity).

Finally, I would like to see the African embassies in Hungary coming up with something tangible. Let them do more than the usual annual Africa Day. For example, they should build African House instead of renting a hall every year. This is not only sensible but cost effective. I trust this is the end of the beginning.

Happy New Year

compiled by Hakeem Babalola

Thursday 27 December 2007

The Nigerian Embassy in Washington


A Letter

SIR: The Nigerian Embassy in Washington D.C., United States, remains a disgrace to all our citizens. I recently had a friend submit his passport for a visa. When the passport did not return as planned, this friend called no less than 50 times and even enlisted my help, to no avail.

When I did call, I found that the operator answered the phone only one of 10 calls, and she must be the only one working there because when I managed to reach her again, she reminded me she only works at the switchboard and couldn't help me. All the voice mailboxes were full, and despite three hours spent one day, no one picked

the phone up even once!

It appears that things are still the same and nothing has changed. They are a disgrace to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Ambassador should be

ashamed of the type of embassy he is in charge of.

How are Nigerian citizens supposed to enlist help if they are in trouble when no one can be reached? Please help to overhaul the horrible "civil service" attitude these so-called diplomats have.

Ndidi Onwubalili,
e-mail: ndidiamaka.onwubalili@duke.edu


Wednesday 26 December 2007

Begging the Nigerian Families

By Hakeem Babalola

The reason for begging the Nigerian families is actually to re-direct their approach and thinking towards the life we live regarding corruption. If they didn't know, it's time someone told them that the way they herald and honour public officials who stole money, is part of the dangerous and funny aspect of corruption. A Nigerian who is not corrupt is often referred to as being foolish
click and read more

Saturday 22 December 2007

Question and Answer about Schengen Enlargement for Non-EU Nationals


New rules as of 21 December 2007 following Schengen enlargement

1. Which new EU member states can issue Schengen visas as from 21 December 2007?

The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

2. Will someone with a Schengen visa issued by an "old" Schengen state (e.g. Germany) before 21 December 2007 and which is still valid be able to enter all 24 Schengen states as from 21 December ?

Yes, that is correct. Wherever it is issued, a Schengen visa remains a Schengen visa and entitles its holders as from 21 December 2007 also to enter the "new" Schengen states.

3. What about the other EU member states Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria?

They will not be fully applying the Schengen acquis until later. So as of 21 December 2007 they will not be issuing Schengen visas.

4. Will someone with a visa issued by a "new" Schengen state (e.g. Poland) before 21 December 2007 and which is still valid also be able to enter all 24 Schengen states as from 21 December ?

No, that is not possible. Only from 21 December 2007 onwards can Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Malta, Slovenia and the Czech Republic issue Schengen visas with which people can travel freely throughout the Schengen area. Visas issued by these countries prior to 21 December 2007 do not count as Schengen visas, they are valid only for the territory of the issuing state. Exceptions are possible only as regards transit traffic between new Schengen states fully applying the Schengen acquis. For further details on this please contact these countries' embassies or consulates-general.

5. What about non-nationals with a national residence permit?

As from 21 December 2007 holders of a residence permit issued by one of the nine "new" Schengen states can spend up to three months in any other Schengen state. That goes also for residence permits issued before 21 December 2007. By the same token, holders of a residence permit issued by one of the "old" Schengen states do not need a visa to enter any of the "new" Schengen states.

List of Hungarian Residence Permits without Visa to Schengen States

1. Humanitárius tartózkodási engedély

(humanitarian residence permit) (card form) - accompanied by a national passport

2. Tartózkodási engedély

(residence permit (card form) - accompanied by a national passport

3. Tartózkodási engedély

(residence permit (sticker form) - affixed to a national passport

4. Bevándoroltak részére kiadott személyazonosító igazolvány

(Identity card issued for immigrants) - accompanied by a national passport which indicates

issue of the immigration permit

5. Letelepedési engedély

(permanent residence permit) - accompanied by a national passport which indicates issue of

the authorization for permanent residence

6. Letelepedettek részére kiadott tartózkodási engedély

(residence permit issued for permanently residing people) (sticker form) - affixed to a national

passport

7. Diáklista

(List of persons participating in a school trip within the EU)

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ANNEX 4 DG H I EN

8. Igazolvány diplomáciai képviselők és családtagjaik részére

(special certificate for diplomats and their family members) (diplomat’s identity card) -

together with a D visa issued by the MFA, if necessary

9. Igazolvány konzuli képviselet tagjai és családtagjaik részére

(special certificate for members of consular posts and their family members) (consular

identity card) - together with a D visa issued by the MFA, if necessary

10. Igazolvány képviselet igazgatási és műszaki személyzete és családtagjaik részére

(special certificate for the members of the administrative and technical staff of diplomatic

missions and their family members) - together with a D visa issued by the MFA, if necessary

11. Igazolvány képviselet kisegítő személyzete, háztartási alkalmazottak és családtagjaik részére -

(special certificate for the service staff of the diplomatic missions, private servants and their

family members) - together with a D visa issued by the MFA, if necessary

Old Members of Schengen States include: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden.

Friday 21 December 2007

Hungary Mulls Rights For Gay Couples

Hungary's left-of-center coalition government is reportedly considering legislation that would give limited rights to same-sex couples.

The move comes a week after a Parliamentary committee turned down a similar proposal. Last Wednesday the Human Rights Committee heard from LGBT activists and members of the small Free Democratic Party in the coalition who called for a free debate in Parliament.

FDP member Peter Gusztos said denying property and inheritance rights to same-sex couples was discriminatory. A member of a Budapest LGBT rights group compared laws limiting rights to opposite-sex married couples to the country's anti-Jewish laws of the late 1930s.

The majority Socialist Party said that society is not yet ready for such a step and pointed to a recent court ruling that upheld the current law.

What prompted the change in attitude by the government is not known, but the country has been prodded by the European Union to recognize gay and lesbian relationships.

How much support there is within the cabinet also is not known. Right-of-center politicians in Parliament have said they would vote against any measure recognizing same-sex relationships.

Right groups have been calling for amendments in the marriage law to allow property, pension and inheritance rights. They also want the right for same-sex couples to adopt children.

Western European members of the EU all recognize same-sex relationships. Only the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain allow same-sex marriage. Britain has civil partnerships with all of the rights of marriage. The other states have varying forms of civil unions or domestic partner registries.

In July several hundred skinheads and right-wing activists threw rotten eggs and smoke bombs at people participating in a gay rights parade in Budapest.

A week earlier a member of the coalition government's cabinet came out. Gabor Szetey became the first Hungarian cabinet minister to announce he is gay.

source: 365Gay.com

Wednesday 19 December 2007

Border guards dismantle checkpoints to prepare for Schengen

Hungary Joins Visa-free Schengen Zone

Border guards and police preparations have got under way, including the dismantling of border control points at Hungary's western, northern and eastern borders on Tuesday, just three days before Hungary joins the visa-free Schengen zone.


Most counties near Hungary's borders expect economic gains from joining Schengen but no rise in the number of foreign guest workers, police officials and politicians polled by MTI said.
Changes in police activities will include the right to cross borders when pursuing criminal suspects, one officer said.

In the northern Nograd County, cross-border EU projects are expected to bring faster growth after joining Schengen. Regions which were historically united but were ceded to different countries after World War One will be able to co-operate better after borders become elusive, the mayor of the N Hungary town of Pacin, Attila Barati told MTI.

In some border regions, locals expect better neighbourly relations and joint lobby activities, for example on such issues as the industrial park planned in Heiligenkreuz, near the border in Austria.

Source MTI


Schengen States

Austria
Capital: Vienna
Land area: 83,857 km2
Population: 7.8 millions

Belgium
Capital: Brussels
Land area: 30,519 km2
Population: 10 millions

Denmark
Capital: Copenhagen
Land area: 43,080 km2
Population: 5.2 millions

Finland
Capital: Helsinki
Land area: 338,000 km2
Population: 5.1 millions

France
Capital: Paris
Land area: 544,000 km2
Population: 57 millions

Germany
Capital: Berlin
Land area: 357,021 km2
Population: 82.5 millions

Greece
Capital: Athens
Land area: 131,940 km2
Population: 10.6 millions

Iceland
Capital: Reykjavik
Land area: 103,000 km2
Population: 0.3 millions

Italy
Capital: Rome
Land area: 301,263 km2
Population: 59.6 millions

Luxembourg
Capital: Luxembourg
Land area: 2,586 km2
Population: 0.4 million

Netherlands
Capital: Amsterdam
Land area: 41,526 km2
Population: 15 millions

Norway
Capital: Oslo
Land area: 307,860 km2
Population: 4.6 millions

Portugal
Capital: Lisbon
Land area: 92,102 km2
Population: 10.3 millions

Spain
Capital: Madrid
Land area: 504,800 km2
Population: 40.8 millions

Sweden
Capital: Stockholm
Land area: 450,000 km2
Population: 8.8 millions