Friday 26 September 2008

Media awareness training held for social workers

By Hakeem Babalola
Reports

One day training was recently held for the social workers, NGO activists, civil society advocates and those actively involved in providing services for disadvantaged people in an effort to enlighten them on the importance of the media. The training which was organised by the Menedék Association for Migrants with the support of Artemisszió Foundation took place at Aranytiz Művelődési Kőzpont in Budapest on September 17 click to read story

Thursday 25 September 2008

Ghanaians should vote for a real change







By Archie Bonka
Ghana Election

Half a century ago, Ghana became the first sub-Sahara African country to gain Independence from the then British colonial rulers. With a great dynamic leader, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah whose strong vision of seeing a united Africa, declared on Independence Eve that Ghana's Independence would be meaningless unless it was linked with the total liberation of Africa from colonial rule. Ghana was hailed as a model for the African content, which earned respect for Africans and the black race in the western hemisphere. In fact all Africans became Ghanaians then.

But the whole democracy process had a set back when the military junta and the police overthrew the government, plunging the newly gained independence into chaos and near collapsed. This did not only set the country back but collapsed the whole vision for a united Africa. A new multi party election was held in the year 1969 which was won by the then progress party under the leadership of Dr. K.A.Busia, a strong architect of democracy values, but his term of office was again terminated by another military coup setting the clock back again. From then on the military dominated the political scene with a brief democratic rule headed by Dr.Hilla Limann and the people national party from 1981 to 1983.

Another military junta under the leadership of Jerry John Rawlings had to rule the country in a dictatorship manner until 1992 when the floor was once again opened to a multi-party democratic system. An election was held which was won by the National Democratic Congress under Rawlings who had suddenly turned civilian. Surprisingly, this period paved way for real and strong democratic values such as press freedom, human rights and so on. It steered the country slowly back to stability followed by a steady economy growth and rapid development after a total collapse.

And after eight years in power, Ghanaians voters made a bold attempt and voted out the National Democratic Congress out of power. The transition was held smoothly and was hailed as a lesson to African dictators. They were advised to emulate Rawlings in this regard. Ghanaians once again found themselves in a stable and progressive dispensation in a region where dictatorship and brutality had been the order of the day.

As the incumbent president John Kuffour's terms comes to an end this year, Ghanaians once again will be going to the polls to choose a new leader on December 7 this year. Ghanaians for the past eight years have seen their once peaceful country turns into a den of armed robbers, paid assassins, drugs depot and high level of corruptions among the authorities despite the headway in development.

But the bottom line is, as the elections draw nearer both the leading parties are stampeding each other with war mongering. For instance, by playing tribalism card, which is detrimental to Ghana’s development. The fear of civil war has gripped the nation. During a rally, Defence Minister was quoted as saying "it is the masses that will suffer if there is civil war, because the ministers and their families have the means to check out fast from the country".

I think it is high time African politicians learnt from just concluded elections in the United States of America. There was nothing like civil disorder before and after the elections. We will like the whole world to see us Africans or the black race that we have come of age. But if we allow what is happening in Kenya, Ivory coast, Rwanda, Zimbabwe etc, then the feat by having the first Blackman in the white house will be questioned.

I therefore urge all Ghanaians to vote for a real change and ignore any drums of tribalism by both the NDC and NPP political parties, in so doing, history will be made, moving the country and the continent forward. Long live Ghana, long live Africa.

Tuesday 23 September 2008

Fund Raising Ball for Refugees & Victims

Archie Bonka reports
A fund raising ball for Somalian refugees and the victims of the atrocities caused by the Lords Resistance Army in the Ugandan town of GULU was held recently at the exclusive SYMBOL restaurant in Budapest.

The event, attended by the business community, diplomats, government officials and members of the public, was basically to bring awareness to the plights of Somalian Refugees and the victims of Ugandan Lords Resistance Army who are now living in Hungary.

The organisers of the event - Batthyany Kft, African-Hungarian Union and Respond Renuh - expressed different emotions when stating the reason for their involvement.

Balogh Sandor, the president of the Afican-Hungarian Union urged the private sectors to help "because their meager contributions will definitely improve someone's standard of living". Bálogh also advised the audience to emulate his organisation which he said had assisted the Somalian refugees in Biscke Camp by providing mathematics, Hungarian and English teachers, adding that it should not be a one day show.

Dabolyi Alexandra, European Union parliamentarian on projects, catastrophes and developments for third world countries, said that although Hungary has its own problems, it will be a good gesture in lending a helping hand for those who are desperately in need. "Such gesture," he added, "will go a long way in building Hungarian image abroad."

Two documentary films highlighting the awkward predicament of the Somalian refugees and Ugandan victims, especially women and children, were shown. The gory pictures in both films were said to move many people at the event.

As a result, Szillas Ildiko, African-Hungarian Union coordinator, spoke about the collaboration with Respond Renuh, a non-governmental organisation, to run an income generating programme for the women victims. "Such independent small scale entrepreneurship will help improve their living standard," Szillas said.

Present at the event were three painters to auction their works with the highest bidding at Ft175,000 (635 euro) for Robin Sperling from Britain; Ft150,000 (544 euro) for Kyan Smith's from France; while Etienne de Fleurieu also from France sold his at Ft 110,000 (399 euro).

Renowned Hungarian pianist, Kapolcs Zsoka with beats from Piaf Edith and Parady Katalin entertained the guests. The Senegal djembe mastero, Mbaye and Somalia songstress Flora also treated the guests with magic drum and soul voice.

Sunday 21 September 2008

Nigerian documents invalid in Hungary

By Hakeem Babalola
Government & Politics
According to the information available at the Hungarian Immigration Office in Budapest, Nigerians who want to apply for a long term resident permit must produce their birth certificate, or a document to prove their marital status; and a police criminal record to show that they are not criminals in their home country. Nigerians who married Hungarians do not need to take their documents to Abuja for attestation click to read story



Friday 19 September 2008

Hungarian couple preserve African heritage in six-acre museum

Society & Culture
The Afrika Múzeum which was established in 1988 by Hungarian Game Hunter, Dr. Nagy Endre, seems to be the first of its kind in the East and Central Europe, according to an African who spent close to three months observing and analysing the rationale behind such idea by a Hungarian couple.

The museum, which was formerly known as Tanzania House and Safari Club for Hungarian Hunting lovers, is now being managed by Katalin Endre, the seventy-year-old widow, who took up the challenge after the death of her husband in 1994.

Before his death, Nagy had instructed his wife to bury part of his body in Africa, a wish the latter successfully carried out by burying part of the remains in Meru-Tanzania.

Dr.Nagy Endre took refuge in Africa during the Second World War where he was said to have found peace and love. And on returning to his native country, Hungary, he decided to establish something in memory of Africa, culminating the birth of this historical museum in Balatonederics - a typical rural area in Hungary which is about two hundred and fifty kilometres from the capital, Budapest.

The museum sits on a six-acre land, below the Beci Mountains with its fluke of nature running from Kesthely Mountains to the west and up to Lake Balaton which itself a tourist attraction for millions every summer.

According to Lady Katalin Endre, the museum was not fully opened to the public until after Endre's death. Run every April to November, the museum has collections of rare African art works, authentic carvings, elephant tucks, furniture, trophies, embalmed animals, books, and maps dating back from 1790.

"I was stunned with the huge number of collections from the Masai tribe," confessed Archie Bonka, a Ghanaian who worked at the museum. He added that it was impossible to leave the museum without being stuck by the memory for days.

Although some Africans who visited the place were said to be uncomfortable because, according to them, these precious collections were looted; yet others gave a thumb up for Nagy and Katalin for preserving African heritage in a six-acre land in a little known village.

Dismissing those who insisted that the art works may have been stolen, Bonka reasoned that it's a worthwhile effort if such preservation could free the mind of certain people who think negatively about Africa. "If pieces of our heritage can be so preserved for others who think negatively about our race in order to free their mind of negative thinking, it definitely worth it."

With 1km mini jungle, a private zoo, mud thatched hut, three African gift shops, a Timbuktu Cafe House that serves varieties of the "best" African coffee from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia; it's replica of a typical African village. Even animals and birds like buffalo, goat, zebra, bush pig, cow, camel, donkey, antelope, donkey, fowl, duck including people's favourite - a thirty-nine-year old African owl, are being kept in this monumental Afrika Múzeum.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that more than two thousand people usually visit the museum during the peak days.

Photos and logistics supplied by Archie Bonka

Thursday 18 September 2008

New Born Baby




Peter Jnr. and David would like to introduce to you their new baby brother Simon Peter Osapkolo Ihaza

Born on the 15th of November, 2008 at 0:06 am at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Weight 4.525 kg

Height 56cm

Mother and son are doing great.

Reka and Peter proud parents

Monday 15 September 2008

Behind Yar’Adua’s Rumoured Death

By Hakeem Babalola
Nigeria Affairs

Even if Yar'Adua dies in office and Goodluck is swept aside, heaven won't fall. It may rain or pour but there won't be storm. For a while certain group of people may bark like dogs do, but won't be enough for effective change. Having witnessed the rape of the constitution and coups d’etat, nothing surprises us anymore. Gosh, what's exactly going to trigger a great change in our conditions, beliefs and thinking click to read story

Sunday 14 September 2008

Re: Admiral Arogundade & his Mad Puppies

By Ronks
A rejoinder

UZOMA OKERE……….demoCRAZY in action!

I watched the video (www.saharareporters.com) with distaste and anger in my veins. Arguing with my own eyes, (this cannot be true, it must be a movie location, they cannot be humans, and maybe they are aliens from the 13th planet.)

Alas! My eyes were not deceiving me, they are flesh and blood, our own naval officers beating and manhandling a woman to the extent. of stripping her topless to the full glare of everybody.

HER OFFENCE? She dared to stand in the way of Don, Chief, Oluaye, Rear, Admiral, Olufemi Arogundade and his ferocious wolves.

I have tried to restrain myself from commenting on this barbaric act .This is because I realize that my comments could be misconstrued as that of a feminist but the scenario keeps sliding in my mind, it could have been your sisters, our mothers or me. (To my mind, this is raw wickedness!)

However, the magnitude of the situation has made it imperative that I lend my voice to discourse for posterity.

Seeing her dragged into the van is heart wrenching. All her friends and everybody around could do was watch with dismay (the bold ones recorded with the phones, of course hell was let loose because of this singular act), hoping that life will not be snuffed out of her.

Just like the king Kong that he is, the admiral left his men to display their (and his) madness and Uzoma later driven to him to inspect the work done. I see their action an insult to the animals (so far, that is what they have been nicknamed) kingdom.
How many dogs have charged at you this month?
Have you been beaten by any snake this year?
I guess your answer is NO, as small as the head of a rat is, it can still think.
Do you think a right thinking man would do what they did?

These men have acted way below animals. So on behalf of all animals, I protest. Any man that can raise his hand to strike a woman is the lowest specie of cowards, let alone six men against one woman, they should be castrated.

Their destination (palm wine joint), we would have thought they were on their way to welcome the loved president, Obama (who has come to thank Oby and friends for the millions gathered during his campaign).

“You are lucky they did not kill you,” Arogundade said (I defend him, he could not have made such statement, it must have been a phone ringing, his ring tone maybe) but indeed he opened that thing called his mouth to utter such; he should be given a permanent bed space in Aro Psychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta.


If the “don and his boys” were that “strenghtfilled”, I would have personally organize a bout between them and all the area boys in Lagos. Iraq is still in need of men, if our naval officers do not know where to channel their energy’s, I will sponsor their trip.
The P.R.O (I reserve my comment on this egg brained) did a very good job, defensive of his partners, he accused Miss Okere of taking the horsewhip off the men. What did he expect her to do in such situation? Of course hold on to the whip, the source of her pain.

In addition, the case is been investigated. What is there to investigate? (We have eyes, we saw all that happened) The investigation of the death of M.K.O Abiola, what became of it? Alternatively, is the assassination of Bola Ige, Kudirat Abiola or is the construction of some weather beaten monument an answer to their death.

I strongly advise arogundade and his men to pray for justice for Uzoma and punishment on themselves or else if this issue is swept under the carpet (like so many like it), they should remember what the bible says about the sins of the father.

Seething in anger, so many Nigerians, home and abroad and I awaits justice for our sister, Miss. Uzoma Okere whose right was trampled upon in broad day light.

A close pondering of the facts in this situation will lead to the only logical conclusion a sincere mind can deduce: No one really cares! It is all about the hype (F G, prove me wrong).

Sunday 7 September 2008

The Death of Nigerian Masses



By Hakeem Babalola
Power of the Organised Masses

I strongly believe in the power of the organised masses. There’s no gun or god; sword or shored that could withstand the fury of the masses. But Nigerian masses have been killed due to their greediness and greediness. They’ve lost their integrity and human value. They’d rather line up to be fed with amala or isi-ewu or tuwo than learn to prepare these delicious meals by themselves. This explains why their “leaders” do not and would never respect them click to read more

Saturday 6 September 2008

Obama Saga: A Challenge to Nigerian Americans to Build Own Nation

By Hakeem Babalola
International Politics

Notice that I do not say Nigeria . This is because "Own Nation" simply means a place where we can be proud of; a great place greater than Barack Obama's America . Another reason for not using Nigeria in this context is because of my firm believe that Nigerians, especially those who call themselves patriots, do not actually love, or even believe in Nigeria. I have proved this in my previous comments and analysis.

I must as well confess that I am neither a fanatic believer in One Nigeria nor a fanatic believer in its dissolution. This is an excruciating personal problem I live with everyday. I simply detest the fraud and dishonesty that herald Nigeria . But at the moment I have no other country even though many keep saying Nigeria is not a country. Although Nigeria was built on fraud by Her Majesty, successive Nigerian governments have done very little to make Nigeria work. And it may never work, not because it cannot work, but because those at the helm of affairs do not want it to work. Yet they say they are patriots.

It is this Obama historic victory that re-kindles my enthusiasm for hope - of a new era for Nigerians all over the world - especially Nigerian Americans. The 4th of November, 2008 should be a moment for reflection for Nigerians in America who have the opportunity to witness world historical moment. They have huge responsibility to make things happen back home. It is time for them to extend Barack Obama's message of hope and change to their birthplace.

I am particularly calling on them because they are living in a country generally considered as God's Own Country where everything is possible like electing an African-American as the 44th president of the "most powerful nation on earth". They must have seen and learnt a lot from this historical moment. They need to share and ship such wonderful experience to their place of birth. The happiness of this moment will not complete until they transport today's joy to their place of birth.

As Nigerian Americans reap the dividend of democracy in God's Own Country, they must find a way to replace democrazy in their land of birth. It's time for them to fight, to inspire, to change the spirit of thinking; it's time for them to help conquer fears that often grip their people at home; it's time for them to devise a permanent strategy to liberate their people who are in perpetual suffering as each day wax. It's time to educate their people about the importance of today's historical moment in far away America .

Nigerian Americans must not sleep until they help pave way for a new era in their land of birth. Obama's phenomenon should have opened their eyes that nothing is impossible which is what Obama's historical victory stands for. Let them help us battle the fear that has rendered their people useless in their own land. Let them fight and flood their land of birth with everlasting energy that would last forever. Let them fight and fight, for until our votes count in Nigeria or Biafra or Odua or Arewa, Obama hope of change will have been in vain. This is because Obama is a global and world class fellow. His message must last.

One thing I have noticed about American people is their unwavering loyalty and belief in America . Even John Mcain in defeat puts America first in his concession speech that slowly moved me to tears. This is what I am living for: a country where votes count, where hope can energize my children and yours, where patriotism means patriotism and nothing else, where our grandchildren would love so much as to want to fight for it. A nation where genuine leaders leads genuine citizens; a nation we truly want to build; a genuinely open society.

At this juncture, I must confess that I had my doubt about this Obama's saga even when that influential American woman, Oprah Winfrey, endorsed him at the very beginning. I didn't believe that Americans were ready for African-American president. I had thought that White House is a symbolic monument for whites only. But as I have joyfully learnt, nobody could stop change. I really don't know whether this Obama thing is what people called destiny. Now I know that we are helpless in the face of Destiny. I admire those who saw this change from the very beginning and never wavered until the end, especially Nigerian Americans.

With Barack Obama's historic victory, America has reinforced whatever makes it a great country. I think it is such a great country despite its shortcomings because Americans are never afraid to make history. It will even be greater if nobody assassinates the president-elect like they assassinated Martin Luther King Jr. whose "I have a dream speech" became a reality as soon as the son of a former slave was elected American president. So Reverend King, a civil rights leader, knew about this moment even before I was born. We certainly have a lot of lessons to learn during this historical moment. And of course, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.


Copyright 2008 mysmallvoice@yahoo.com