Friday 31 October 2008

Ghana's Willing Embrace of Democracy

By Bonka Archie
In Praise of Ghana Election

The practice of totalitarianism by different governments in Africa has always portrayed the region and its people as total failure. In spite of abundant human and natural resources that pervade the continent, it seems the region is caused

On December 7, 2008, Ghanaians went to the polls for a change. But contrary to voters’ expectations, the campaigns were so dirty, especially between the two main parties. They resulted to playing tribal cards which has always jeopardized our development. This scenario had initially painted the whole country in colour - of fear.

The elections itself became the focus of the world since we all know that the aftermath of African multi-party elections is always chaos and anarchy. But this time around Ghanaians proved the bookmakers wrong. They have shown that Africa has embraced democracy; and that it’s not just one party system, tribal wars, coup d tats and famine. Ghanaians has shown the world that Africans can be patriotic, responsible, determined and democratic.

This was exhibited on December 7 2008 when Ghanaians voted in a free, fair, and transparent election. The result was too close to call so neither the two main parties were able to acquire the maximum votes needed. The ruling party lost most of its parliamentarian seats to the opposition National Democratic Congress while it led in the presidential seats with 49.7 % which prompted a run off or what I call a penalty shoot out held on December 28 2008.

The National Democratic Congress eventually won 229 out of 230 constituencies in the presidential run off while the seats in the parliament are well divided. In my view, the balance will pave way for good policy implementation and transparency rather than our attitude of rubber stamping that has characterized African governments across the Continent.

Once again Ghanaians have demonstrated that democracy can be peacefully practiced and entrenched across the African Continent. Long live Ghana , long live Africa .

Thursday 30 October 2008

Re: Embassy Angers Nigerians

Dear Mr. Babalola:

Good day to you. I have just finished reading your article with respect to the above caption. I am not shocked at all. Nigerian officials only exist for themselves. They do not have any sense that they should be representing Nigerians. Having said that, there is really nothing to celebrate about Nigeria's supposed independence.

In Toronto here the story was different. Some of us demonstrated at the party because there was nothing to celebrate and this eventaully prevented the ambassador from attending. He was very angry and tried to get us arrested, but his naivety was exposed by the police who told him there was nothing illegal about demonstrations in Canada - I guess he thought he was in Nigeria.

Next time, maybe you guys should go there and demonstrate, they will hear you then. Trust me. You guys should let them know that next time they try to hold a "by invitation only" independence day dance, your group will demonstrate at the site of such party. You mark it, you will hear from the embassy very quickly - they are chickens who cannot stand demonstrations.
I wish you good luck in your struggle with these irredeemably corrupt officials. Have a wonderful day.

Regards,
Majek Adega
ChangeNigeria Group
Toronto, Canada


Dear Mr Babalola,

I can not but agree with the above comments of my fellow Nigerian (Majek Adega). The celebration of our Independence Day (should) signify our national unity, which is even more important for those of us living in diaspora. I think this negligence sums up what the embassy in Budapest stands for.

A few weeks ago I was invited (unfortunately due to late invitation I personally could not attend) an African Development Forum sponsored by one of the arms of the United Nations, held in Budapest. The aim of this organization is to arouse commercial and investment interests among business people in Hungary.

As you can imagine, the official representatives of our great country were invited. Surprisingly not a single "busy" member of the Nigerian Embassy officials in Hungary could attend - they had better things to do (hopefully something that yield more dividends for their country) than giving a short speech about Nigeria, or talking about the business environment at home, or even encouraging business people to invest in or trade with Nigeria.

When the Hungary organizers asked you to rally around and get Nigerian business people to attend such occasion, you cannot but advise them that their best bet would be the Nigerian Embassy. But alas! They had tried, but our people were too busy...

There are a million ways to hold a celebration party and still have the reputation of the embassy intact. When you do not have enough trust (and respect) for your people, believe me, those foreign dignatories invited will come and politely "toast" with you, but they have no more respect for you than you have for your own people...

Oluremi Durosaiye, Budapest

Monday 27 October 2008

Re: The Arrest & Hunt for Nigerian Online Publishers

From Dr. Bankole Okuwa
A Rejoinder
okuwa1006@cablelynx.com

Nigeria is expected to emerge as a meaningful leader among black nations because of its aboundant natural resources, but it cannot because of its aboundant dishonest and corrupt leaders read more

Saturday 25 October 2008

The Arrest & Hunt for Nigerian Online Publishers

By Hakeem Babalola
Press Freedom

If Jonathan Elendu is involved in money laundering for a South-South governor and in blackmailing a senator with an alleged demand for N20 million to keep some secrets from being published, as reported by Dipo Kehinde of the Compass - then he must face the music. If however the arrest is due to his being critical of the government, then the SSS should be ready to arrest yours truly as well read more

Thursday 23 October 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 read more

Sunday 19 October 2008

Audience Criticise Stereotyped Film on Africa

A film that meant to enlighten Hungarians about Africa and its people eventually turned the audience off at the inauguration of Afrimage, a film project designed to show both the positive and negative sides of the continent. However, some of the audience accused the organisers of what they termed lack of taste and formulaic conception.

The event which attracted mainly Hungarians was held on 14 January at the African-Hungarian Union Office in Budapest where two different films were shown about Africa and its people.

The first film focuses mainly on the hustling and bustling lives in the capital cities of the two Congo Democratic Republics - Kinshasa and Brazzaville. Artisans, craftsmen, market women, painters, and the Congolese National television staff are seeing being interviewed in the documentary.

The second film concentrates much on pigeonhole that stereotyped Africa and its people as lazy and poor. It shows about fifteen Congolese teenagers, including children living in a pathetic condition that makes slum a luxury. Although the moderator had warned the audience about the nature of the film, many still believed it shouldn't have been shown because of its sensitivity and gory message.

Unable to hold back their disbelieve, three Hungarians who had spent several years in Africa criticised the rationale behind such blatant display of a film lacking originality or individuality.

Questioned about the offending film, the brains behind the project, Sorel Kembe-Arthur and David Abia-Okon whose fathers are from Congo and Nigeria respectively, said that better films will be shown as time goes on, adding that this was just the beginning.

Bálogh Sándor, African Hungarian Union president, who is the sole sponsor of the event, spoke about the difficulties facing most African countries, especially the ongoing war in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo which, according to him, has displaced women and their children.

Reports by Archie Bonka
Written by Hakeem Babalola

Friday 17 October 2008

Hungarian couple preserve African heritage in six-acre museum

Society & Culture
Archie Bonka recently travelled to a little known Hungarian village where he discovered a six-acre museum dedicated to Africa by one Dr. Nagy Endre, who before his death instructed his wife, Lady Katalin Endre, to bury part of his body in Africa. This is a report you do not want to miss read more




Wednesday 15 October 2008

Remembering Fela Anikulapo-Kuti @ 70

Remembrance
By Hakeem Babalola

He was known as well for his yabis (lampoon) both in his songs and on stage. The acclaimed winner of a “free and fair” election on June 12, 1993, Late MKO Abiola, did not escape the lethal of Fela’s criticism. In fact, he called Abiola a “thief” while categorising the ITT for which Abiola served its interests in Nigeia as nothing more than “International Thief Thief”. That’s of course is simply a tip of Fela’s acerbic frankness read more

Monday 13 October 2008

A Western Union experience

By Olatunji Dare
Money Transfer Palaver


I gather that my experience is not unusual, and that Western Union keeps changing its rules without the courtesy of informing patrons. Patrons of Western Union arise! You have nothing to lose but the criminal label they have stamped on you read more

Friday 10 October 2008

Open letter to Nigerian Ambassador Hungary

By Hakeem Babalola
Open Letter

I feel constrained to write this letter to you. But before I go in perspective, I would like to state that my intention is neither to question your ability to head our embassy nor to cause any kinds of embarrassment whatsoever - either to you or any of the five diplomatic staff manning the affairs of our nation in Hungary read more

Sunday 5 October 2008

The scramble for Africa's fund

By Hakeem Babalola
Comment & Analysis


For example, France Motumbo, a Congolese who is the president of the Foundation for Africa, admitted that Hungarians are behind his foundation although he is the one running it physically. It seems to me that the practice of uplifting Africa out of altruism has led this continent into a philosophical cul-de-sac culminated in new slavery. Otherwise why should we Africans see living in “Western continent” as a do or die affair? Isn’t it a tragedy for Africa if its brightest minds must escape to the “Western continent” before making use of their intellects? read more

Wednesday 1 October 2008

Nigeria @ 48: A citizen's perspective




















































By Hakeem Babalola
Nigerian Affairs

We wet our eyes with joyful tears. We trekked from the north down south. We were free. We were free – at last. The land now belongs to us and we would manage it more effectively than our white oppressors whom we had successfully chased away. We had chased them away, therefore no more oppression. Ours would never be a case of dog eat dog, so we thought read more