RISE YOUR VOICE WITH US :-)

Our Youths Activism Blog a platform where we inspire, motivate, encourage and ofcourse update ourselves on all those matters evolving in our youth-hood!! KARIBU SANA :-)

Sunday 30 December 2012

It’s a Baby Girl for Mercy Johnson


It’s raining baby girls for Nollywood actresses as delectable Mercy Johnson just gave birth to one.Congratulations to Mercy whom I learnt birthed a baby girl in the United States of America today.
The Mother and Child are said to be doing Great!
Congrats Mercy Johnson..

Tuesday 25 December 2012

A Very Merry Christmas and Happy 2013..

From ME at Lusaka Zambia and Francis Omorojie at Delta Nigeria, WE would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and oncoming Happy New year. May 2013 be the year that you work towards achieving your dreams, challenging the way you think, unlearning, re-learning, being confused, then becoming clear, making mistakes and coming out by learning valuable lessons from it all, while at the same time moving forward in leaps and bounds.

Take care, Have fun and Enjoy your year 2013..
:-)
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Contact: gizzel.mbaga@gmail.com

Thursday 20 December 2012

UEFA Champions Leage Round of 16 draw


The latest U.S. debate: Should teachers carry guns?



In the small rural Harrold Independent School District in northwest Texas, some teachers are allowed to be armed with guns — a controversial policy that advocates believe may prevent shooting rampages like the one in Newtown, Conn., and has gained traction among other U.S. lawmakers.
Superintendent David Thweatt created the so-called Guardian Plan about four years ago in response to the 2006 shooting in an Amish schoolhouse in Pennsylvania and to the Virginia Tech shooting spree of 2007. Teachers in this school district, who have undergone gun handling training and who have been approved by the school board, are given permission to carry concealed weapons.
"We’re 18 miles and 30 minutes from the nearest police station," Thweatt told FoxNews.com. "So we are our first responders.
"If something happened here, we would have to protect our children. You know, police officers are true, everyday heroes in my book, but one of them once told me something very revealing. He said, 'Ninety-five percent of the time, we get to the scene late.' I can’t afford to let that happen."
In the wake of the shooting deaths of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on Friday, the idea of arming teachers appears to be gaining political momentum in some states. Though it's not without considerable push-back.
Just prior to the Newtown shooting, Michigan state senators voted to allow people with concealed carry permits, including teachers, to bring their weapons onto school property.
But the American Federation of Teachers is fighting back, trying to get the Michigan governor to veto the new law.
"Firearms have absolutely no place in our schools — the Dec. 14, 2012, tragic massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., is a chilling and heartbreaking reminder of this," AFT president Randi Weingarten and his Michigan counterpart, David Heckler, wrote Gov. Rick Snyder, according to the Washington Examiner.
"Permitting firearms in schools — visible or concealed — enables a dangerous set of circumstances that can result in similar tragic outcomes," the two men wrote.
Still, this is not a debate that looks to be dying down.
Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert told Fox News over the weekend that he wished the Sandy Hook Elementary School principal, who was reportedly killed after confronting the shooter, had an assault rifle in her office "locked up so when she heard gunfire, she pulls it out … she takes him out, takes his head off before he can kill those precious kids."
Congressman Louie Gohmert has suggested that had the Sandy Hook Elementary School principal had a gun, she may have been able to prevent the shooting rampage.Congressman Louie Gohmert has suggested that had the Sandy Hook Elementary School principal had a gun, she may have been able to prevent the shooting rampage. (J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press)
Meanwhile, Republican Congressman Tony Cornish, a former police chief from southern Minnesota, has said he plans to push legislation permitting teachers to have concealed weapons in schools.
South Dakota legislator Betty Olso is drafting a bill that would allow teachers, administrators and even janitors to bring guns to school.
Two Oklahoma lawmakers, state Senator Ralph Shortey and state Representative Mark McCullough are pursuing similar legislation.
Shortey told CBC News that he's amazed more situations similar to the Connecticut school shooting don't occur more often.
"If you're a crazy person that wants to inflict the greatest amount of havoc with the greatest amount of media attention then their first choice should be a school," he said.
"You're guaranteed the most innocent are going to be there so you're going to get the media attention you desire. You're also going to guarantee that there's going to be no security, no protection, because you're guaranteed a gun-free zone."
Under his proposal, teachers would have to pass a background check, a certified firearms instruction program and be proficient with basic training in order to qualify to have a concealed weapon on school property, he said.
He added that has received considerable feedback from teachers — both from those who said they would like a gun to protect themselves and their students and from those who said they would never have a firearm at school.
Not surprisingly, gun-control advocates have slammed the idea. Dan Gross, president of the Brady campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, has said the idea of arming teachers is "insane" and that having additional weapons at the scenes of mass shootings in recent years would have resulted in even "more carnage."
"Think about what that's saying," he said of plans like Shortey's. "It's saying the only answer to violence is more violence. The only answer to guns is more guns," Gross said.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was one of the first to urge President Barack Obama to press for a weapons ban, has particularly strong words for Louie Gohmert's suggestion about having an assault rifle at the ready in the principal's office. "You know, there are people who say dumb things and then there are people who say stupid things," Bloomberg said.
Even Gary Kleck, the noted Florida State University criminologist who argues that defensive gun use is an effective deterrent, said arming teachers goes too far.
"Notwithstanding these massacres, schools remain one of the safest places you can possibly be, safer than your own home," he told CBC News. "We don't really know the effects gun-toting teachers would have on children, so personally I think this is a pretty wacky idea."
'If we can't trust a teacher with a gun, why should we even trust a teacher with our kids'—Oklahoma Senator Ralph Shortey
While Shortey acknowledged that a mass-shooting rampage occurring on a school campus is remote, he said it's better to be prepared.
"If a person wants to do bad, they're going to find a firearm or a knife or whatever and they're going to go and do harm," he said. "This proposal, you fight fire with fire."
He added, "some 99.999 per cent of the schools are not going to be affected. But that one that is, then at least one teacher, one administrator, one secretary will have a firearm ready to respond."
Shortey also downplayed the risk that a student could get caught in the potential crossfire, saying that doing nothing during a shooting is a worse option.
"There's never a situation where a 30-second shootout between an armed assailant and a legally law-abiding armed citizen is worse than the armed assailant having free rein for five to six minutes.
As for the possibility that a student might get his hands on a teacher's gun and cause harm to either himself, staff or other students, Shortey said he believes teachers would be responsible in locking their weapons away in a safe place.
"The kids won't even know if there's a gun in the classroom, and it'll be locked in a way so the kids can't get to it," he said.
"We trust our teachers with the very lives of our children. If we can't trust a teacher with a gun, why should we even trust a teacher with our kids."
Author- CNN

Saturday 15 December 2012

Kidnappers Free Professor Kamene Okonjo, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's Mother



Professor Kamene Okonjo, the mother of Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was abducted last Sunday from her home, has been freed.
According to sources, the 82-year old queen is now with security operatives, just as report says  Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is on his way to  Ogwashi-Ukwu to receive her.
A source gathered that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been informed of her release.
In a statement, Special Adviser on Media to the Coordinating Minister, Paul Nwabuikwu, said the wife of the Obi of Ogwashi-Ukwu, Chukuka Okonjo, was released Friday morning.
"I can confirm that Professor Mrs Kamene Okonjo, wife of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Professor Chukuka Okonjo and mother of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was released this morning, five days after her abduction.
"The Okonjo Family is full of thanks to the Almighty for this happy development. The family is also highly appreciative of the support and encouragement of President Goodluck Jonathan; the Country's security services for their excellent operations; Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Peter Obi of Anambra, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and other Governors as well other friends and well wishers within and outside government for their prayers and encouragement during a very difficult period. May God bless you all."

Thursday 13 December 2012

Senate passes N161.6 billion supplementary budget for oil subsidy

The Senate on Thursday, passed the supplementary appropriation bill of N161.6 billion. The amount will serve as payment for fuel subsidy to oil marketers for 2012.

President Goodluck Jonathan had on Tuesday sent a request to the National Assembly to approve an additional N161.6 billion to ensure steady supply of petroleum products during the festive season.
Senate President, Sen. David Mark, however, decried the high level of corruption being perpetrated under the fuel subsidy scheme, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.



He urged the Federal Government to stop the fuel subsidy if it was unable to stop the high level of corruption being perpetrated under the scheme.

“It is not a secret anymore that there is so much corruption in the fuel subsidy industry in whatever system they are adopting.

“The nation must make a decision now, whether to continue this or to stop it.
“The nation must make that decision sooner than later because we cannot carry on this way.
“If they can’t eliminate and stop the corruption in the system, then, the other alternative will be to stop the whole exercise of the fuel subsidy.
“We must take the one that is easier and the one that will bring less pain to Nigerians,” he said.
Mark commended the lawmakers for supporting the quick passage of the supplementary appropriation, in the interest of the masses.

He said the proposal should have been forwarded in good time to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
“They should have anticipated that there was going to be a shortfall when they first made this presentation at the beginning of the year.

“That did not happen. We are now shouldered with the responsibility of this additional approval.
“We have done so in the best interest of this country,” Mark added.

The approval followed a motion by the Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi, that the supplementary budget be given accelerated passage “in view of the emergency nature of the bill.”
All the senators expressed support for the passage of the bill saying that it would alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, ensure peace and stability of the nation.
Senator Smart Adeyemi faulted the national economic team for the delay in the presentation of its request for additional funds.

He, however, said, ”As representatives of the people, we have to support this request because it would improve the wellbeing of the masses.”

In his contribution, Sen. Ayogu Eze (PDP-Enugu), hailed the Federal Government for acknowledging that there was large scale corruption in the subsidy scheme.

He urged Nigerians to support the government’s effort to address the graft in the oil subsidy regime.
“It is a challenge for Nigerians to decide whether to allow few individuals to continue to feed fat on our commonwealth or to stop this process that encourages corruption,” Eze said.

Senator Ahmed Lawan (ANPP- Yobe) urged the Senate to henceforth scrutinise government expenditure before considering requests for supplementary appropriation.
“We need to be very thorough and insist on getting relevant information in good time before we do supplementary budgets.

“They talk about forensic audit but we have not seen the report. There is no evidence to show that we require N161.6 billion.

“I support the passage of this bill for the sake of my people,” he said.

Senator Gbenga Ashafa (ACN- Lagos), appealed to the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream)to conclude investigation into the management of the fuel subsidy.
“While I support the passage (of this bill), I want this Senate to ensure that investigation into the fuel subsidy is completed because Nigerians need to know,” Ashafa stressed.
Senator Nkechi Nwaogu (PDP-Abia), blamed opposition political parties for protesting against government’s move to totally remove the oil subsidy.

According to her, the corruption being witnessed in the subsidy would  have been nipped in the bud if the people have supported the attempt to scrap the subsidy.

“It is not the fault of the President, or is it the fault of PDP but it’s the fault of the opposition parties which would not allow the total removal of fuel subsidy,” the senator noted.     

NAN reports that the supplementary budget is for the payment of the outstanding arrears resulting from the forensic audit exercise of the fuel subsidy.

This is to ensure a steady supply of petroleum products during the festive season, according to President Jonathan.

Monday 10 December 2012

Life In a Relationship

Some time ago, I had a very loose attitude about relationships, I saw relationship as a huge responsibility and   I didn't really see relationship as something I can get fully committed to, also considering my tight life schedule. Seeing how people handle relationship, I felt that was not what I wanted for  myself. I had a focus and I wanted to achieve them as soon as possible without putting anyone into my plans. From what I have being seeing around me, my friends, my colleagues, the way they see relationship makes relationship a worth while affair. So many people believe that when ever you have an opportunity to have fun with a girl, you should just make good use of the privilege. I have friends that even go after their friend's girlfriend behind their friend and pretend as if nothing is happening. This is a demoralizing factor for me and that was why i had no respect for relationships.
Fortunately for me, I was caught in the middle when i met a girl that gave me reasons to redefine my perspective about relationships. From that moment, I understood that relationship depends on who is involved in it. Relationships can be Fun and worth engaging in.  I just realized that its even easier to achieve your vision when you have someone you can share your vision with, someone who is understanding, creative, a role model, a mentor and a Lover. Life is full of happiness when you really meet the right person for your life.
For a relationship to grow, there should be Truthfulness, Faithfulness, Love, Care, Understanding, Mutual Respect, Good communication and Trust. And also don't allow friends to intrude into your relationship. your friends can destroy your relationship before you know it. You should be focused and always share your challenges and fears with your partner first because you and your partner are the custodians of the relationship. your friends will want you to see reasons why you should not trust your partner or why you should quit your relationship but trust me, your friends relationship is not better than yours so you should take little or NO advice from your friends towards your partner or your relationship. Always love and cherish what you have and be satisfied with your partner, above all always show appreciation.
Love is Life and Life is Love.
I love my baby:)

Sunday 9 December 2012

True sense of Committement


RELATIONSHIPS..

How to make Long Distance Relationship work!
1.     Ask the important questions at the onset, to make sure you are both clear on the parameters of the relationship. Setting parameters such as naming your relationship (dating, seeing each other, boyfriend-girlfriend, engaged) as well as defining exclusive (limited to one person,) or non-exclusive. These can be difficult and awkward questions to ask, but will save you great heartache and misunderstanding down the line. Example: "Are you open to the possibility of relocating if the relationship should become more serious?" or "What are you looking to get out of the relationship?" Stating your end goal or ideas will allow each person to maintain what they need.

2.     Do things together. Defy the distance. As a long distance couple, it's important to do other things together besides the usual phone call. In a long distance relationship, interaction over the phone can become dull in the long run. Incorporating other forms of interaction are important. Just think... People in short-distance relationships do not spend the majority of their time talking, but rather doing things with each other. Try to replicate this by finding things to do together such as watching a TV show or movie simultaneously.


3.     Consider using Skype video chat calls every day or as often as possible, text messaging, phone calls and email every day. It is important to maintain contact and to be in each others daily lives as much as possible. Communicate in some way every day, more than once if possible. Since you won't be seeing each other, it's important to establish and maintain an emotional connection. These don't always have to be long, in-depth conversations. Tell each other about your little triumphs and tragedies. Ask on for advice. Use an instant messenger program or VoIP for real-time chat, or web cams for that visual connection. E-mail is great so make sure you use it, especially if long-distance phone calls put a strain on your budget. Ensure the e-mails are substantive and detailed, it will show that you care enough to put in the time and effort. Write love letters. Send small gifts, cards, or send flowers for no reason. In this case, quantity is as important as quality. You may discover an advantage over others whose partner is close at hand—you don't take communication for granted!

4.     Take advantage of the benefits a long distance relationship offers: more time with friends and/or family, no arguments over toothpaste caps, the pleasure of seeing your sweetheart again after a long absence, time to mull your options (rather than snapping at your partner impulsively) before you respond to that email s/he wrote that seemed so rude the first time you read it, not being dragged into a bunch of chick flicks, etc. Most important, being far apart gives you a chance to maintain your individuality—something that can get lost in the shuffle when couples spend all their free time together.


5.     Pursue common interests, even if it means pursuing them apart. If there's a movie you're both interested in seeing, watch it individually and then call each other afterward and talk about it. Read a certain book at the same time. Stargaze while you're on the phone. Set your watches to go off at the same time every day, and synchronize your alarm with that of your partner. Make it a point to think of each other when your watch goes off, and revel in the fact that he or she is thinking about you, too. Find creative ways to bond.

6.     Avoid the temptation to be controlling. People have free will and no one can or should control another person. As long as you are both interested in being in the relationship, you will stick with it and distance will not make a difference. As soon as one of you decides the other is not a good match—or someone else is a better match—your relationship ends, whether you live 3000 miles apart, two streets over, or share the same bed with your wedding picture on the wall. You are going to have to trust each other completely if this relationship is going to work. Try challenging each other. This is not the same as being controlling. You may find that you can do things for each other that you couldn't quite find the motivation to do on your own. Perhaps you could motivate yourselves to get some exercise or to cook better or more often. It will give you something to do while you wait to see your partner again, and it will give you both something to strive for and talk about until then.


7.     Talk about your future together. Assuming that ultimately you'd want to live together, discussing how you're going to get to that point will help you prove to each other that the relationship is going somewhere and that your efforts and frustrations are not in vain. Remember: Things will get better with time, and even the relationship will become better. Have hope.

8.     Visit often. Try to make the time to visit each other as often as possible or as often as your budget permits you to. A relationship cannot thrive if the only thing you have is the phone call. You need to see each other up close and personal every chance you get. The key here is to set up some "rules" about frequency of communication and visits and stick to them. Consistency can help a long-distance relationship survive.


9.     Avoid jealousy and be trusting. One of the easiest ways to destroy a perfectly healthy relationship is to poison it with jealousy and drama. When you start a long distance relationship, you must be realistic of the difficulties ahead. It always helps if you go in a relationship with the idea that everyone is innocent and worthy of trust until proven otherwise. Don't fall in the trap of interrogating your partner every time he/she decides to go out for a drink with people you haven't met or he/she didn't get back to you right away when you called and left a message. Just because you are in a long-distance relationship doesn't mean your lives will pause. Your partner will naturally have a social life where he/she lives and so should you. Sure, it helps to have your eyes open and not be totally naive, but being overly suspicious is unhealthy for you and your relationship too. You should both maintain your social activity and be happy with yourselves.

10.  Work towards a balanced relationship between partners. A relationship must be built on strong foundations of trust, understanding and determination to make it work. The key is to ensure that an equal amount of effort is made by both parties. The two partners should be reasonable about their expectations and willing to cooperate so that the relationship can lead to a happy ending. If these parameters are taken care of, you have nothing to worry about. But don't forget to ask some questions because if you don't, your partner may start to think that you're losing interest. Create your own set of relationship standards that both of you have mutually agreed upon. That creates a common goal for you to work towards, developing a strong relationship whether you are together or apart. For example, agree to disagree, accept each other as you are, practice trust and honesty, strive towards compromise and self-sacrifice, seek spiritual unity, and maintain open communication.
Remember that you're still in a relationship. You HAVE to be there for your partner. If your partner is ever in trouble, or hurt, or whatever, you have to be there for them. Make sure you are available to them so that they can reach you if they need you. If they end up dealing with everything alone, they will eventually not need you. And sometimes, distance permitting of course, that means being actually, physically there for them.

Saturday 8 December 2012

A Beautiful Message From Janelle Monae [+ A Few Black Girls Rock Performances]


At BET aired the 7th Annual Black Girls Rocks Awards which celebrated black women in entertainment and various other fields who’ve made an impact as positive role models and inspirational leaders. The night was filled with unity and love as honorees like Dionne Warwick, Alicia Keys, Kerry Washingon and Susan L. Taylor took to the stage and offered words of wisdom during their acceptance speeches, but it was Janelle Monae’s speech that really knocked the show’s overall message out of the ball park.
Known for her signature style, a black tuxedo suit and white shirt combo, she said:
“When I started my music career, I was a maid. I used to clean houses. My mother was a proud janitor. My stepfather, who raised me like his very own, worked at the post office and my father was a trash man.  They all wore uniforms and that’s why I stand here today, in my black and white, and I wear my uniform to honor them.
This is a reminder that I have work to do. I have people to uplift. I have people to inspire. And today, I wear my uniform proudly as a Cover Girl. I want to be clear, young girls, I didn’t have to change who I was to become a Cover Girl. I didn’t have to become perfect because I’ve learned throughout my journey that perfection is the enemy of greatness.
Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable.”

How powerful!
By Gizzel Mbaga

Wednesday 5 December 2012

NollyWood Actor, Enebeli Elebuwa Dies in an Indian Hospital

Former Actors' Guild President, Segun Arinze, has confirmed the passing away of veteran actor, Enebeli Elebuwa in a hospital in India. Mr Elebuwa died in the early hours of today Wednesday December 5th in the hospital in India where he was flown to a few months ago by the Delta State government to receive treatment for an ailment. He was 65. Truly sad! May his soul rest in peace. Amen.

Saturday 1 December 2012

Facts about HIV/AIDS..




 facts..
HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus which attacks the body's immune system — the body's defence against diseases.
HIV can be passed on through infected bodily fluids, most commonly via sex without a condom or by sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment
Here are a few more facts about HIV in Africa..
·         Over 90% of people with HIV were infected through sexual contact.
·         You can now get tested for HIV using a saliva sample
·         HIV is not passed on through spitting, biting or sharing utensils
·         Only 1% of babies born to HIV positive mothers have HIV
·         You can get the results of an HIV test in just 15-20 minutes
  • In 2009, 1.8 million people died due to HIV/AIDS. 1.3 million lived in Africa.
  • There are 15 million AIDS orphans living around the world, 13 million of whom are in Africa.
  • HIV is the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa.
 




IF WE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS, IT’S GOING TO LOSE!

 By -Gizzel Mbaga

Today is WORLD AIDS DAY...

About World AIDS Day

What is World AIDS Day?

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

Why is World AIDS Day important?

Around more 100,000 are currently living with HIV in the Sub Saharan and globally an estimated 34 million people have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

What should I do on World AIDS Day?

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for you to learn the facts about HIV and put your knowledge into action. Are you HIV aware?. If you understand how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today - you can use this knowledge to take care of your own health and the health of others, and ensure you treat everyone living with HIV fairly, and with respect and understanding.

You can also show your support for people living with HIV on World AIDS Day by wearing a red ribbon, the international symbol of HIV awareness.
World AIDS Day is also a great opportunity to raise money for victims of HIV AIDS.But what about after World AIDS Day?
Although World AIDS Day is a great opportunity to get the public talking about HIV and fundraise, we need to remember the importance of raising awareness of HIV all year round. A fun, interactive new way which provides all the information everyone should know about HIV. Why not use what you have learnt on World AIDS Day to Act Aware throughout the year and remember, you can fundraise at any time of year too so that you act responsibly.

AIDS is strong, but together WE are stronger.

Thursday 29 November 2012

Messi, C Ronaldo & Iniesta nominated for 2012 Fifa Ballon



FIFA has revealed the names of the three players who remain in the race to win the World Footballer of the Year award 2012. They are Andres Iniesta (Spain, FC Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Read Madrid) The winner will be revealed at the FIFA Ballon d’Or gala as part of a televised show at the Zurich Kongresshaus on 7 January 2013. Who do you think should win this year?
Leave your Comments here...

JK warns: Careful with EAC monetary union negotiations.

The President of Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete warned on Tuesday the East African Community's negotiating team on monetary union protocol to be very careful, as it is an important phase of the regional integration process.

He sounded the warning when addressing members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), who gathered in the oval EALA chamber in EAC's new headquarters building in Arusha, Tanzania's northern safari capital.

In 2005, the EAC implemented the Customs Union and five years later, in July 2010, the Common Market kicked off and the Monetary Union has been lined up as the third stage of the regional integration process.

He said EAC member countries have been negotiating on the best ways to get into the monetary union as well as getting into a single currency; "but this should be taken as a delicate stage than all stages the region bloc has gone through."

Kikwete further revealed that monetary union is not a simple thing as some people believe as it requires the region to come up with one regional fiscal and monetary policy.

"If this area is not carefully designed, it will put the region into trouble as what is happening in Greece, which is under the European Union. Individual states will be given benchmarks on the amount of money the country want to borrow from outside the regional boundaries," he said.

He further noted that monetary union is core when it comes to regional integration processes, saying the former EAC collapsed due to the monetary union.
"I take this opportunity to ask experts and all those involved in the negotiations to learn from the past experience…don't rush into this area. What happened in 1967 should make us do no mistakes," the Tanzanian leader warned.

He also cited some challenges facing the implementation of the common market protocol as high cost of doing business as well as lacks infrastructure at national and regional levels the area that need to be addressed.
"We also need to speed-up the process of domesticating key issues in the common market protocol," he said.

Speaker of the EALA Margaret Nantongo Zziwa asked EAC Partner States to do more in realizing the tenets of the common market protocol, which is soon approaching the third year of implementation.
She said that the protocol is facing a number of challenges including Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), which bar free flow of business in the region.

Other challenges according to Zziwa include lack of awareness among citizens of the EAC and the need to speed up decision-making by the sectoral committees and the council of ministers.

The speaker also assured the Partner States that EALA will continue to push forward the regional integration agenda so that the bloc remained an important cornerstone to East Africans.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Monday 26 November 2012

Clarity Consultants


FOOD CULTURE IN TANZANIA.


6 DIFFERENT MEALS FOUND IN TANZANIA.
These are 6 different foods found in Tanzania that you cannot find in Nigeria, maybe till you open a food cuisine in Nigeria just to get this East African taste. The cuisine in East Africa, specifically in Tanzania differ from area to area.

1.       CHAPATI.
Several centuries back, the British and the Indians came, and both brought with them their foods, like Indian spiced vegetable curries, lentil soups, chapattis and a variety of pickles.

2.       WHITE RICE AND BIG BROWN BEANS. (Wali Maharage, in Swahili).



 Around 1000 years ago, the Arabs settled in the coastal areas of East Africa, and Arabic influences are especially reflected in the Swahili cuisine of the coast – steamed cooked rice with spices in Persian style, use of saffron, cloves, cinnamon, coconut oil and several other spices, and pomegranate juice.



3.       FRIED CHIPS MIXED WITH EGGS. ( Chipsi mayai, in Swahili)


4.       MAIZE FLOUR (Ugali) with cabbage.
 Maize (corn) is the basis of ugali, the East African version of West Africa's fufu. Ugali is a starch dish eaten with meats or stews.
5.       PLENTY OF SEA FOOD.
Underlying the fact that, on the Eastern part of East Africa having boundaries  with the Indian Ocean thus making East Africa cuisine rich in sea food starting from scrubs to King fish.
6.       SAMOSA. (Sambusa)
It’s normally consumed as a snack sipped inn with juice or soda (mineral).







By- Gizzel Mbaga

Elephant population in Tanzania sanctuaries drops.

The number of elephants in two wildlife sanctuaries in Tanzania has fallen by nearly 42 percent in just three years, a census showed on Tuesday, as poachers increasingly killed the animals for their tusks.
The census at the Selous Game Reserve and Mikumi National Park revealed elephant numbers had plunged to 43,552 in 2009 from 74,900 in 2006.
It was carried out by the East African country's wildlife authority, Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, as part of a government plan to conserve wildlife.
The rapid fall prompted President Jakaya Kikwete to order an investigation, his office said on Tuesday.

Conservationists estimate Tanzania has a total elephant population of between 110,000 and 140,000, making it one of the largest sanctuaries in Africa.
But in recent years, Tanzania and neighbouring Kenya have suffered a steep rise in poaching as criminals killed elephants and rhinos for their tusks and horns for sale in Asia.

TRAFFIC, a conservation group that tracks trends in wildlife trading, said in a statement last week that 2011 had been a record year for ivory seizure. It pointed to a surge in elephant poaching in Africa to meet Asian demand for tusks for use in jewelry and ornaments.

Elephants, the world's largest land mammals, are also under pressure in many parts of the continent from loss of habitat to humans, pollution and climate change. Their number has fallen to 470,000-685,000 from millions just decades ago, conservationists say.

Kikwete also ordered the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute to investigate the disappearance of the rare Roosevelt's sable antelope from national parks, and to look for ways of re-introducing the animal in at least in one of the parks, the statement said.

The last Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 2007 agreed to a nine-year moratorium on any further trade in ivory, after some 105 tonnes of elephant ivory had been sold from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to China and Japan. (Reporting by Fumbuka Ngw'anakilala; Editing by Duncan Miriri and Alessandra Rizzo)

Enugu State Police assure of safety of kidnapped former VC



The Enugu State Police Command on Monday said it would ensure the release of the kidnapped former Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, Prof. Ilochi Okafor.
The former VC was kidnapped on Sunday at his residence at 31 Pioneer Ave, Independence Layout, Enugu, while leaving  for church.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Enugu that the command had commenced a search for the former vice chancellor.
“The police are doing everything possible to ensure the release of the professor. I cannot reveal what we are doing now, but I assure you that he will be safe,” Amaraizu said.
Amaraizu appealed to the public to be security conscious, especially during the forthcoming festive period, and report any suspicious movement around them.