The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Africa

  • Africa’s leadership prize to be awarded

    Africa’s leadership prize to be awarded

    The world’s most valuable individual prize – the Mo Ibrahim prize for good governance – is to be announced shortly, BBC reports.

    The $5m (£3.2m) prize is supposed to be awarded each year to a democratically elected leader who has voluntarily left office.

    However, there was no winner in 2009 and 2010 because the panel said there had been no suitable candidate.

    Last year, Cape Verde President Pedro Verona Pires was named.

    He led the fight against Portuguese colonialism, introduced multi-party politics and was praised for living standards.

    The $5m prize is spread over 10 years and is followed by $200,000 a year for life.

    Previous winners were Botswana’s President Festus Mogae and Mozambique’s Joaquim Chissano.

    Sudan-born telecoms entrepreneur Mo Ibrahim says the prize is needed because many leaders of sub-Saharan African countries come from poor backgrounds and are tempted to hang on to power for fear that poverty awaits them when they leave office.

     

  • ‘Africa needs infrastructure to develop’

    THE president of the Africa Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM), Mr. Jean-Louis Ekra, has identified infrastructure inadequacy in Africa as an impediment to growth of the continent, saying it is responsible for industries operating on the continent not beeing able to compete with the industries in other parts of the world.

    He added, while speaking at a workshop at the Annual Meetings of the World Bank /International Monetary Fund, in Tokyo, Japan, that concrete steps must be taken to address the problem if the continent was not to be left behind.

    Ekra lamented that even within the continent, it had been extremely difficult to trade among member states due to lack of transport facilities such as good roads, rail and effective flights.

    The AFREXIM boss lamented that Africa “has the highest cost of transport in the world”, which he noted was impacting negatively on the cost of goods and services even among neighbouring countries.

    Ekra said, “In the whole of Africa, no single kilometre of rail has been added since independence”, adding, we must act fast.”

    He said that in the face of the enormous challenges, “innovation in financing instrument is key” and that pension funds should be deployed to provide long-term infrastructure funding as was the case in the United States of America and elsewhere in the world.

    Ekra revealed that annual financing requests to the bank had grown as high as $25bn per annum and pledged to focus on value addition in the consideration of loan requests by private sector operators in the region.

    “We will focus on value addition, not on duplication. We will not want to repeat what other banks are already doing. We want to add value to exports”, he stressed.

    Ekra advocated the use of some of the Africa’s $468bn foreign reserves, now sitting in European and American banks, to provide the long-term financing required for infrastructure development on the continent.

    He said that the position of the bank was informed by the fact that the continent, which currently suffered a wide gap in infrastructure development, could put some of its reserves to better use, rather than allow them idle away in foreign regions.

    Nigeria currently has over $ 41bn in foreign reserves and targets $50bn in the months ahead.

     

  • MI: A reason to believe in Africa

    MI: A reason to believe in Africa

    THERE was a time when African rap artists did not get the recognition they craved or the big record deals their counterparts in America got. Today, celebrated young rappers like Sauce Kid, Skales and Ice Prince have one man to thank for weathering the storm and making rap a big part of the pop culture in Nigeria and Africa. That man is Jude Abaga, better known as MI (Mr. Incredible).

    MI arrived in Lagos five years ago, clutching his back pack and the stub of the bus ticket that brought him from the dusty hills of Jos, the capital of Plateau State. Back then, MI was just a meaningless two-lettered word; or at best, a musical note on a guitar. Today, few young and upwardly mobile Nigerians do not know MI, who has gone on to emerge as undisputable Nigerian hip-hop legend. This is a man who, within a short time, has won several awards including the MTV Africa Music Awards in 2009 and was nominated for the BET 2010 Awards for the Best International Act Category. When you consider he has only two albums to his name, the first released in December 0f 2008, you should be amazed at his accomplishments.

    Like most successful people, MI has come a long way, resisting all temptations to quit his dream of making it in the big league. He refused to succumb to the temptation of making money through devious means but instead, spent good time perfecting his craft. Today, he is a living legend, a pride to Nigeria, and one of the billion reasons to believe in Africa. After giving an epic performance of some of his greatest hits at the official launch of A Billion Reasons to Believe in Africa campaign championed by The Coca-Cola Company, MI was quick to tell the world how proud he is of his heritage.

    “I personally believe in Africa because my story says it all. I was told I would not make it and warned to stop trying to change how music was being consumed in the industry. I remained focused and would not be beaten. I worked hard, slept on the rug, sometimes went to bed hungry but I kept going. I came from nowhere. My parents are not rich but here I am today doing what I love and performing on the stage for one of the greatest brands of all times. One must believe in Africa. It is such an amazing continent with amazing people and the potential is awesome, not only in music, but also in sports, technology, fashion, manufacturing and so on.”

    Despite the many years of strife and problems, Africa has in the last two decades begun to take advantage of its strengths and success stories have begun to be told of the exploits of its people. To further shine a light on these giant strides and celebrate positivity in Africa, A Billion Reasons to Believe campaign seeks to get young Africans to be inspired by the good things that happen around them.

    MI says that he is particularly happy to be a part of what The Coca-Cola Company is doing. “So many brands are afraid to come to Africa or even associate with Africa but Coca-Cola is the biggest and the best in the whole world and they are here making a bold statement about this great continent. I think it’s really amazing. I was one of those who bought into that dream that you could only make it outside this continent. I went there and saw things for myself. At the end, Africa is home. It is lovely here, full of hopes and dreams; and the will to win is undeniable. It is the place to be, not just for Africans, but for anyone who wants to make it their home. I think Coca-Cola realises this and that is why they are here and celebrating the great youths of Africa through this unbelievable campaign.”

    For a man who inspires millions, MI is also inspired by other Africans. “I think the most inspiring act for me in Africa is Tuface Idibia. He is arguably the greatest Nigerian and African act. The guys that are in his calibre are DBanj and P-Square. Those guys are at a level that you cannot but be inspired. And there are those young guys, who are becoming legends, like WizKid and Ice Prince. It is not just in Nigeria. There is Sakordie from Ghana, Nameless from Kenya, WHP, Proverb and so on. They are doing great. We meet each other at international events all over the world and we are accepted on a personal level and given our respect. Everywhere we go, the response is overwhelming. They treat us like superstars. That is encouraging.”

    What does a man who has achieved most of what he dreamt of doing right now? Well, he says that he is dreaming some more. MI’s desire to be the greatest rapper ever is like the African unquenchable spirit . Asked who he would like to collaborate with, he said: “Probably with Kanye (West), Drake or any of the big guys. I believe Nigerian hip-hop is at a level where we can compete and stand toe-to-toe with America’s greatest. I can’t wait for my opportunity to show the entire planet what we are made of. We are ready for whatever the world throws at us. We are Champions!”

    Not bad for a man who arrived in the big city with nothing but his dreams. Watch out Jay Z; Africa’s Rapper Number One is coming for your crown!

  • Lagos Speaker, SSG, others for Africa award

    Lagos Speaker, SSG, others for Africa award

    THE Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Deputy Chairman of Action Congress (ACN) in the state, Cardinal (Dr) James Odunmbaku, and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, have been nominated for the COPA Africa Award for Leadership excellence.

    They are to join 25 other top flight personalities that cut across the academia, public service, politics, and the private sector to receive their awards at a ceremony slated for the African Regent Hotel, Accra, the Ghanaian capital next Saturday.

    The organisers, Visionfort Media Ltd and Benjas Productions Ltd, an Accra-based media productions outfit yesterday, said the award is a reward for the sterling contributions of the awardees to the promotion of peace and improved conditions of living of the people.

    Benjas Promotions Chief Executive Officer Mr. Anthony Iwa-Eni said the awardees were picked from votes collated through SMS from targeted members of the public and residents over a period of time.

    He said: “A number of these awardees were picked because of the way they have affected people and residents of their various communities. While some are still serving, others have continued to empower hundreds of people, including youths and women through various programmes like youth development, empowerment and poverty alleviation and education support.”

    The awardees Iwa Eni said include: Vice-Chancellor IBB University, Niger State, Prof. Kola Ibrahim, and Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bank Trustees Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo, Deputy Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, and a federal lawmaker Hon. Isiaka Oluwatoyin Suarau (Ojo Federal Constituency).

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Africa unchained

    Africa unchained

    At last, the long-awaited Professor Chinua Achebe’s treatise and personal testimony about the Nigerian civil war of 1967 – 1970 is out. In this review George Ayitteyhighlights the essential ingredients that make the book vintage Achebe

    There was a Country, that is the title.

    The defining experience of Chinua Achebe’s life was the Nigerian civil war, also known as the Biafran War, of 1967–1970.

    The conflict was infamous for its savage impact on the Biafran people, Chinua Achebe’s people, many of whom were starved to death after the Nigerian government blockaded their borders.

    By then, Chinua Achebe was already a world-renowned novelist, with a young family to protect.

    He took the Biafran side in the conflict and served his government as a roving cultural ambassador, from which vantage he absorbed the war’s full horror.

    Immediately after, Achebe took refuge in an academic post in the United States, and for more than forty years he has maintained a considered silence on the events of those terrible years, addressing them only obliquely through his poetry. Now, decades in the making, comes a towering reckoning with one of modern Africa’s most fateful events, from a writer whose words and courage have left an enduring stamp on world literature.

    Achebe masterfully relates his experience, both as he lived it and how he has come to understand it.

    He begins his story with Nigeria’s birth pangs and the story of his own upbringing as a man and as a writer so that we might come to understand the country’s promise, which turned to horror when the hot winds of hatred began to stir.

    To read There Was a Country is to be powerfully reminded that artists have a particular obligation, especially during a time of war.

    All writers, Achebe argues, should be committed writers—they should speak for their history, their beliefs, and their people.

    Marrying history and memoir, poetry and prose, There Was a Country is a distillation of vivid firsthand observation and 40 years of research and reflection. Wise, humane, and authoritative, it will stand as definitive and reinforce Achebe’s place as one of the most vital literary and moral voices of our age.

     

  • Africa, biggest beneficiary of FIFA Goal Project

    Africa, biggest beneficiary of FIFA Goal Project

    Africa remains the biggest beneficiary of the FIFA Goal Project, with 166 of the overall 600 projects allocated to the continent, according to the latest figures released by the world football governing body.

    According to the figures, released by the FIFA Development Committee chaired by FIFA Vice-President and CAF President Issa Hayatou, Africa is followed by Asia (147), Europe (111), North, Central America and the Caribbean (99), Oceania (42) and South America (35).

    So far, the 600 Goal projects in 199 member associations have been implemented at a cost of US$250 million by FIFA.

    Throughout the years, the Goal Project has highlighted the principle of solidarity, FIFA said.

    “More important than the figures is the fact that the Goal Programme and all other FIFA development programmes are having a concrete and positive impact on local communities. This has enabled FIFA to fulfill its mission: develop the game, touch the world and build a better future,’’ said FIFA President Joseph Blatter.

    Goal funds have mainly been used to create football infrastructure, including technical centres (35 per cent of the overall investment), headquarters (25 per cent), football pitches (24 per cent) and football academies (4 per cent).

    Further investments have been made in IT applications (3 per cent) and miscellaneous items such as medical centres and futsal halls (9 per cent). South Sudan, FIFA’s 209th and latest member association, is set to become one of the latest recipients of Goal funds.

    “With a US$500,000 project, Sudan will aim at building the headquarters of the South Sudan Football Association and a playing surface in Juba approved by FIFA’s Development Committee.”

  • Africa records seven per cent tourism growth

    Africa records seven per cent tourism growth

    International arrivals were up in all regions between January and June 2012. Asia and the Pacific (+8per cent) led growth by region, boosted by the recovery of Japanese inbound and outbound tourism as well as by the continued strong performance of other major source markets throughout the region. Destinations in South Asia and South-East Asia (both +9 per cent) showed some of the best results worldwide.
    “Although Asia was affected by the economic crisis of 2008-2009 due to its strong linkages with other economies, the region has bounced back quickly and is today a leader in the global economy. This is clearly reflected in its tourism figures,” said Mr. Rifai.
    Europe (+4 per cent), the most visited destination in the world, consolidated its record growth of 2011, despite continuing economic volatility in the Eurozone. Results were above the regional average in Central and Eastern Europe (+7 per cent) where many destinations saw double-digit growth, as well as in Western Europe (+5 per cent). By contrast, demand in Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+1 per cent) slowed down, but on top of a very strong 2011 and partly due to the recovery of destinations in North Africa and the Middle East.
    The Americas (+5 per cent) grew in line with the world average, with Central America (+7 per cent) and South America (+6 per cent) recording the strongest results. In fact, South America has been one of the sub-regions with the fastest tourism growth of recent years. Destinations in North America grew at 4 per cent, a relatively high rate for a mature sub-region, while growth in the Caribbean (+5 per cnt) remained buoyant, consolidating 2011 results.
    In Africa (+7 per cent), the return of tourist flows to Tunisia is reflected in the results of North Africa (+11per cent). Likewise, the rebound of Egypt is clearly mirrored in the results of the Middle-East (+0.7 per cent). Destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa (+6 percent) continued to show strong results, following the good growth rates of this sub-region in previous years.