Friday 30 April 2010

Alfred & Archie Dazzle School Kids


 Community Report

Alfred Sankor and Archie Bonka have left a mark that will for long time lingers in the memory of Theresa Town Bilingual pupils, parents and teachers when they produced a dazzling performance that electrified the whole school read more



Friday 23 April 2010

I Bee Beast Defends Himself

  (A Satire)
By Hakeem Babalola

Was the former NLC (Nigeria Labor congress) president, Pascal Bafyau, not one of my boys in 1993? See, I spent N40 billion on the transition program. I gave the then NLC N50 million; NUJ – the yeye watchdog of the society – got N20 million; while PMAN collected N30 million and so on. Am I not right to call them phony? These are the groups destroying our countiri and not IBB per se.. read more


Thursday 22 April 2010

Tolerance Day For School Kids


 By Hakeem Babalola

It was quite a different day and warm atmosphere for students of five schools in district 8 who participated in this year’s Tolerance Tournament organised to promote harmony, peace and tranquillity among school children in Budapest.

The tournament which took place at Orzy  tér on Wednesday was sponsored by Mahtma Gandhi Human Rights Organisation in an effort to bring school age children (between 13 to 16) together to combat racism and xenophobia at the root level.

Football being the most glamorous game in the world is an essential tool to create public awareness for tolerance so that we can live in a better society, according to Gibril Deen who sponsored the event.

Deen said that the tournament is in commemoration of the June World Cup taking place in South Africa next month, adding that it simultaneously took place in three other European Union countries namely Austria, Czech and Italy.

The participating schools are Lakátos Menyhért, Losonci, Molnár Ferenc, Deák Diák and Németh Lászlo all in district 8 in down town Budapest.

Although Németh Lászlo came first, all the participating schools got trophy in order to invoke the spirit of tolerance. Deák Diák came second, Molnaár Ferenc who produced the best scorer, came third while Losonci and Lakátos Menyhért came fourth and fifth respectively. 

There’s no doubting the fact that the students enjoyed themselves as they spoke to Small Voice, saying the tournament provides a warm atmosphere for friendship, social gathering and most especially knowing each other.

Their teachers also share similar sentiments. “This is a very good programme,” said Bűki Péter. “I think the students enjoyed themselves”. 

The Hungarian Football Federation was represented by Vida Gábor 



Wednesday 21 April 2010

Cultural Event Marks 2010 W/Cup

 By Hakeem Babalola

A group of African cultural promoters entertained Hungarian audience at the Europark Segafredo Kávéház in Budapest on June 20 to mark the ongoing football festival known as the World Cup in South Africa. 

The event which was organized by the Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Movement is part of several activities in commemoration of 2010 World Cup taking place for the first time in Africa since the first tournament in Uruguay in 1930.  

The group which comprises of Dava Gin, Festus Ihaza, Okoh Peter, Frank, Tony Papa and Juanita the only female, rendered some African tunes mixed with English to draw the audience who was obviously captivated by Juanita's body movement - along. 

The cultural event lasted twenty minutes after which the audience glued to the large screen to watch Brazil/Ivory Coast group G match in which Brazil won by three goals to one.





Thursday 15 April 2010

Why Hungarian Govt Rejects Nigerian International Passport



 By Hakeem Babalola

Authorities said that “there are national security and document security reasons behind this particular legislative measure”. The new legislation with effect from 15th February 2010 has become a growing concern for Nigerian nationals entering the territory of Hungary, and especially those residing in the country; who must now travel to other Nigerian Consulates as a matter of urgency to acquire the biometric passport  read more

Saturday 10 April 2010

Alfred & Archie Dazzle School Kids


 Community Report
By Hakeem Babalola

Alfred Sankor and Archie Bonka have left a mark that will for long time lingers in the memory of Theresa Town Bilingual pupils, parents and teachers when they produced a dazzling performance that electrified the whole school.

The school which celebrated its annual English Evening on Friday 30th of April in Budapest was impressed by the duo’s skill, qualities and beauty.

“That was a fantastic performance,” said the Director after the show. Many students also appreciated the presence of the duo with comments like perfect, funny, interesting, and other positive adjectives.

Sankor, popularly known as Fela because of his personal and professional relationship with the late Afro-beat King, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, moved the audience with his powerful pair of congas while Bonka in his Masai and Ashanti costume created a magnetic appeal with his body rhythm and dancing steps.

This left the students without choice other than to come on stage and join the fun by trying the steps. It was something the school has never witnessed before.

Talking to Small Voice about the fact that they did the show for free, Bonka said philosophically, “Sometimes there are other handsome gains apart from monetary”. 

Who or what can beat that?

The Closure of Savannah Restaurant


 By Hakeem Babalola

When Savannah Restaurant was opened on December 12 2008, it was Small Voice that first reported the news among major news organisations in Hungary and environ. It was a thing of joy to witness the birth of an African restaurant in Budapest.

The news reached many Africans across the world, and some wrote in to know the location of the restaurant so that if they visited Hungary, they could go straight there. Small Voice specifically recommended the restaurant to Africans in the Diaspora.

So it was sad to hear that such up and coming African restaurant in Budapest has suddenly closed down before serving its intended purpose. What could have gone wrong? After all, there are Chinese and India restaurants surviving in Budapest and Hungary at larger. What could have gone wrong?

Thus it begs the question whether any African business – apart from the pool of NGO  – can survive in Hungary. Is it the approach to business that is making it difficult for African businesses to survive? Or is there someone somewhere lurking around that does not want the success of African restaurants in Budapest

We can only speculate as there’s no evidence to support such thinking. When Small Voice asked Szalatnyai Miriam, co-owner, about the sudden closure, she simply said: “We are opening another one”. 

Meanwhile, Small Voice gathered that the couple have opened somewhere else - Almássy tér 6 - but as a Music Club.  

Whatever Small Voice wishes them the best, or whoever it is that planning to open a business of such magnitude in this Danube region. If other continental cuisines can survive the business test in Hungary, so is African cuisine.  

Friday 9 April 2010

The Prospects Of An African Team Winning The World Cup In South Africa


 By Hakeem Babalola

For one month starting from Friday 11 June to Sunday 11 July, millions of football fans and lovers across the world will be glued to TV or be physically present in South Africa to witness another football fiesta popularly called the World Cup. Apart from its usual glamour, the event will be recording a historical moment. 

The African Continent is hosting the most glamorous sport in the world for the first time in the tournament history. South Africa, home of Nelson Mandela, the man who spent 27 years in prison because of the then apartheid that segregated the country, was chosen ahead of other African countries. 

Mandela who had strongly opposed the segregation system was arrested and jailed by the then Racist Boers of President Verwoerd led apartheid government in 1962 but released on 11 February 1990 to become the first democratically elected president of Africa’s only Rainbow Nation.  

 There’s no need to contest the politics that heralded the choice of South Africa for the fiesta. What is important is the fact that an African country was finally chosen to host the prestigious competition organized every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 when it was not contested because of World War11.

The ultimate question on the lips of many Africans probably is this: Can any of the five African teams participating in the competition do the continent proud by winning the coveted trophy? It seems impossible judging from their previous outings in the competition; even from recent friendly matches preceding the tournament. With the exception of South Africa which defeated Guatemala 5 goals to nil, others either lost or drew or narrowly won their friendly matches. 

Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and South Africa are representing Africa. Only Cameroon has once reached the quarter finals in 1990 in Italy. Nigeria came close to the quarter finals in 1994 in America but foolishly lost to the much experienced Italians by two goals to one in the second phase of the tournament. Since then, African teams have been trying but never reached the quarter finals. 

If recent friendly matches are a yardstick to measure the fitness and mental readiness of African teams, then perhaps one may put hope on the host nation – South Africa – which has won most of its friendly matches convincingly beating Denmark, Thailand, Colombia, Japan and Guatemala along the way. But there are many African footballers plying their trade abroad, especially in Europe, each African National team has not been formidable enough to withstand the rigor of winning the World Cup. 

The 27th African Nations Cup held in Angola earlier in January could be described as another poor outing for the African teams. The competition was won by the Egyptian National team which did not qualify for the World Cup. Most teams representing the continent simply played below expectations. Ghana was the runner up while Nigeria clinched the third position.

Although football is not like mathematics (in which 1+1 = 2) which often contributes immensely to its intrigue, many analysts will not bet their money on African teams to win the trophy. There are reasons for this. First, many African players are good individually but often unable to connect when it comes to the national team. 

Another point worth mentioning is the inclusion of what analysts have been describing as tired legs. For instance, the inclusion of players like Nwankwo Kanu, John Utaka and Yakubu Aiyegbeni in the Nigerian national team is being strongly criticized by the press in that country.Kanu especially was on the reserve bench of his Portsmouth Club in most part of last season. Utaka and Aiyegbeni have not been able to score as many goals as expected. 

The issue of foreign coach is another take as African teams are concerned. Only Algeria is being coached by indigenous coach, an indication that African national teams do not believe in their own football coaches. The argument seems to be that, since African teams cannot win the World Cup either with indigenous or foreign coaches, why not keep using the indigenous coaches until one day when they will be able to do the magic.  

Now let us look at the number of times when the continent that hosted the tournament actually won the trophy. In 2006, 1998, 1990, 1982, 1974, 1966, 1954, 1938, and 1934 it was hosted by Europeans and won by European teams. Similarly, in 1930, 1950, 1962, 1970, 1978, 1986, it was hosted by South Americans and was won by South American teams. Obviously, the World Cup has been dominated by two continents: Europe and South America.

Host countries have won the cup six times: Uruguay in 1930, Italy in 1934, England in 1966, West Germany in 1974, Argentina in 1978, and France in 1998. Finally, it won’t be a bad prediction to suggest that the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will go to either Europe or South America

However, what may be difficult to predict at the moment is the particular country between these two continents that will snatch the coveted cup. No matter what happens, enjoy the game for the good of the game.

A list of past World Cup football tournaments including the winner and runners-up of the competition and the host nations

Year
Winner
Runner-up
Host Nation
2010


South Africa
2006
Italy
France
Germany
2002
Brazil
Germany
Japan / Korea
1998
France
Brazil
France
1994
Brazil
Italy
USA
1990
West Germany
Argentina
Italy
1986
Argentina
West Germany
Mexico
1982
Italy
West Germany
Spain
1978
Argentina
Holland
Argentina
1974
West Germany
Holland
West Germany
1970
Brazil
Italy
Mexico
1966
England
West Germany
England
1962
Brazil
Czechoslovakia
Chile
1958
Brazil
Sweden
Sweden
1954
West Germany
Hungary
Switzerland
1950
Uruguay
Brazil
Brazil
1946
Not held
WW-II

1942
Not held
WW-II

1938
Italy
Hungary
France
1934
Italy
Czechoslovakia
Italy
1930
Uruguay
Argentina
Uruguay

 *Babalola is US-African Staff Correspondent in Eastern Europe based in Budapest, Hungary

Sunday 4 April 2010

Useful Address In Hungary

Useful Address in Hungary
..............................................
 Mount Cameroon Étterem
1072 Bp, Wesselényi u. 49
African cuisine awaits you
.........................................
 Szép Kis India
International Exotic Market
1072 Bp, Wesseléenyi út 36
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10-19. Sat 10-14
Tel: 4136734/35 Mobile: 06 30 680 8562;
06 30 681 8694; exoticindia.hu
.......................................................
 NET 7 CAFÉ
Budapest VIII
Jozsef kőrút 14
+36 1 7876866
...........................
Turkish Airlines
Tel: (+36-1) 266-4269
Budapest 1052 Apáczai Scere J. u.4
.....................................................
Menedék Association for Migrants
Jósika utca 21/4 Budapest 1077.
Tel: 3221502 or 3446224
International +36 20 41 42 962
.....................
Unique Szalon & Barber Shop. Rákóczi tér 11 Budapest 1084. Tel:7852804.
Email: info@uniqeszalon.com
..........................
DJ Edward call 06302255930
...........................
Interpreter and translator Moni Oyeyele +36303990172 femiremi@yahoo.com
..........................
To fix your car call 06209149710 or take bus 99 from Blaha Luza tér and get off (5 stop)
...........................
To fix your hair or rent Nigerian films call Afrofonás on 06705348764 or visit them at Budapest VII, Somogyi Bela 16
................................
To rent Nigerian films or buy African food stuff visit The Lagos African Market 10, Akácfa u. (near Blaha Lujza Square) 1073 Budapest Tel: 36 1 3216325; 06 30 2158007; 06 309248339
.................................
Savannah Music Club call 06209462731 or +361 3010237  Almássy Hall, 1077, Almassy tér 6... Reggae Party on Thursdays from 22.00hrs. The place is being run by Miriam and Frank O. Ekiudoko http://savannah.mlap.hu/
.................................
African Melody Band and Shop Tel: 2154150 or 06 20 415 14 94 http://www.showafrica.hu/
..................................
Two Faces Internet Cafe Tel: 3230467 Budapest IX Mester utca 36 opens from 9 am to Midnight
..............................
Contact SANKOFA Cultural Groupe DENNIS MADOK 0620349 0250 SAM HAMMOND 06205971881 FREDRICK KONOR 06202584565

Friday 2 April 2010

Event In Picture













































SANKOFA Band, a Ghanaian cultural group, entertaining the audience during the Africa Day, organised by the AFIKÁÉRT  Foundation on Sunday May 23rd at Tűzraktér in down town Budapest. To know more about this African cultural group, contact Archie Bonka, the band's public relation officer on +36 20 2584565

Thursday 1 April 2010

Gay Asylum Seeker Freed

 By Hakeem Babalola


The Pesti Kozponti keruleti Biróság has freed a Cameroonian man who was arrested and detained for possession of false documents. 

Gerard (surname withheld for security reason)  regained his freedom on May 26 2010 when he was freed by Dr. Recskó Victória. 

Mr. Gerard who pleaded guilty to the charge was brought to the court hands and legs chained. 

The 53-year-old Cameroonian claimed to be a year One Mathematics student when her ordeal began in his native country. 

According to his lawyer, Dr. Horváth Peter, Gerard had to escape from prison in his town because they wanted to kill him as a result of his sexual orientation. 

Gerard arrived Hungary in January 2010 and has since claimed asylum for fear of persecution in his country for being homosexual.

Homosexuality is considered improper behavior in most African countries.  In Malawi, gay couple was recently sentenced to 15 years in jail by a court in that country.  

The court had ruled that Steven Monjeza, 26, and his 20-year-old partner Tiwonge  Chimbalanga were guilty of sodomy and indecency.