Mandela to pay water Bill in Hospital

BBC Photo

Bungling Johannesburg officials in South Africa have (mistakenly) threatened to cut off the electricity and water supply of sick former president Nelson Mandela's home for unpaid bills. The conscience of Africa fondly known by South Africans by his clan name Madiba has been in hospital for the past couple of months battling breathing problems as a result of tuberculosis he contracted when he was a prisoner in Robben Island where he was incarcerated for 27 years.

Although city officials have apologised for the mistake that should never had happened, it shows to an extent how these bungling official cause untold misery to the inhabitants of Johannesburg by issuing incorrect and/or extortionate bills.

The name Mandela alone should strike fear into any body's heart least of all when the first name is Nelson. But more so, if you happen to be South African and live in South Africa. The fact that someone would pick up the letter, seal it and post it to a man on a sick bed, is enough to show how disconnected to reality this individual is.

Johannesburg officials listen, there are over a billion of us both in Africa and the world over who will happily pay the bill for Madiba for you guys to leave him alone to recover.

Point 1.

Is this a glimpse into how much ordinary South African folks may potentially be suffering at the hands of Johannesburg official?

Point 2.

Would it be appropriate if i call on the Johannesburg officials to sack whosoever is responsible for this silly mistake?

Panelist, please tell us what you think

Youngest person to join the bar in England and Wales

Kickass Photo

In its 600 year old history, the bar in England and Wales has always admitted to bar students with an average age of 27. But meet American, Gabrielle Turnbridge who at 18 years old, is the youngest person to be called to bar in England and Wales.

The barrister who will practise in the Bahamas, will pursue a career in fashion law. 

Impressive, Incredible, Amazing, unbelievable.

Well done Gabrielle.

Point 1.

Does this inspire you?

Point 2.

Can this be used to motivate African children to make them believe in their individual ability to succeed in their chosen endeavour?

Panellist, how can we motivate kids with this incredible achievement?

Mugabe to be in power till he is 94 years old.

BBC Photo

Incumbent Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has won a landslide presidential election for a record seventh time since the country's independence in 1980. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change has denied the election which he will be challenging in courts.

While there was no reported massive irregularities by observers from the African Union, Western nations including the US, Britain and Germany have all cast serious doubt about the credibility of the election results. On the other hand, the South African president together with the African Union had congratulated Mr Mugabe on his win and urged all sides to accept the people's will.

Point 1. 

Would these Western nations had denied the election results if Morgan Tsvangirai was in Mugabe's position of being declared the winner?

Point 2. 

Does the fact that there were no Western election observers from the European Union indicate the African Union is not capable of conducting credible election observation?

Point 3.

Did Mr Tsvangirai shoot himself on the leg by accepting to form a coalition government with Mr Mugabe which may have coerced the West to lessen sanctions on Zimbabwe thus improving the country's economy?

Point 4. 

Most democracy be told only from the Western perspective? In other words can, must what happen in Africa be dictated by the West?

As usual, panellist lets hear from you.

Africa's Youngest Designer

BBC Photo

Most Kids her age would probably be talking about teenage sweethearts and GCSE's but for this 14 year old, designing had been a passion she has had since childhood. Meet the youngest African designer Tumisola Ladega who premiers her designs in African fashion week London 2013.

On display during the event was an array of Afro-inspired designers keen on showing their designs including Angola born Agata Reis who said that while her designs are Africa inspired, her recent works also traverses British culture, Arab springs and Afro music.

The event which took place in London's Brick Lane was jazzed up by Afro dance group CEO. A must see yearly event for Africa diaspora then I suppose.

Nigerians to pay £3000 to enter UK

It is now official that Nigerian visitors to the UK will have to deposit a bond of £3000 with the British government before they are allowed to enter the UK.

The policy which will become effective November 2013 will also target India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya  and Sri Lanka. In an attempt to pacify citizens of these countries living in the UK, the Home Office has said only visitors deemed to pose the "Highest risk" will be asked to pay the bond which they will receive back if they abide by the terms of their visa.

Point 1.

Are we seeing a trend that will gradually be rolled out to include other countries in Africa?

Point 2.

Would these countries also roll out similar reciprocal policies for UK citizens visiting their countries?

Point 3.

How many working class UK citizens can afford to pay bonds of £3000 when visiting other countries and yet still have money to spend on holiday there?

Point 4.

What becomes of this former colonial  umbrella called Commonwealth of Nations if its citizens are discriminated against in this manner by their former colonial master?

Panellists lets hear what you have to say on this.

War Criminals Versus illegal immigrants - Which would you rather have for dinner?

The recent stunt by the British government aimed at scaring illegal immigrants in the United Kingdom (UK) to go back to their home countries has drawn much ridicule from politicians and media outlets and as much anger within ethnic minority neighbourhoods who feel targeted by the adverts.

Is it fair and just for the van to be stationed in places like Peckham, Brent,Wood Green  but not in Richmond, Dulwich and Finchley?

But on related matter, it was discovered that there are approximately 100 war crime suspects living freely in the UK and using the courts to thwart any attempts by the Home Office to send them back to their home countries to face justice.

Point 1.

Where should the priority of the Home Office be - with illegal immigrants or with war criminals?

Point 2.

Is the placing of this advert in ethnic minority areas racist or is it an attempt to ensure that the people who are likely concerned get the message?

Point 3.

Do illegal immigrants actually take jobs that are meant to be for UK nationals or their cousins in Europe and if they do what kind of jobs are these?

Point 4. 

What role or contribution if any do illegal immigrants make to the UK economy?

Panellist lets have your say

Nigeria Lost $11 billion to Oil theft

The Nigerian economy lost  approximately $11 billion between 2009 and 2011 in oil revenue through illegal oil bunkering and pilfering. This staggering figure was disclosed by the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) yesterday in Abuja in an audit of the oil and gas sector.

This colossal amount is said to account for losses in the upstream sector alone with a further $900 million lost  in the downstream sector through pipeline vandalism. Yet according to NEITI, the combined total losses accounts for 7.7% of the total revenue accrual to Nigeria from crude oil.

This amount will more than pay for the cleaning of the massive oil spillage from these illegal activities and the attendant damage being caused to the ecosystem. If these amount is reinvested into the Nigeria's infrastructure, in 10 years, Nigeria will rival developed economies around the world in terms of infrastructure.

To put these figures into perspective, the combined total losses is more than the gross domestic product (GDP) of  these African countries in 2011.

Mali, Madagascar, Burkina Faso, Chad, Zimbabwe, Benin, Rwanda, Niger, Malawi, Guinea, Mauritania, Swaziland, Togo, Eritrea, Lesotho, Burundi, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Liberia, Seychelles, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Comoros and Sao Tome and Principe.

Point 1.

How can Africa's most populous nation stem these massive losses in the country's national revenue?

Point 2.

How can a country be this rich yet its citizens are among the poorest in Africa?

Point 3.

Isn't it time the Nigerian government take the matter of illegal oil theft serious and pay more attention to the attendant ecological damage this is causing the local environment.

Point 4.

Why are Western nations keeping a tight lip on the scourge of stolen oil and the ecological disaster that results from it as opposed to the piracy in the gulf of Aden?

Panellist let us here from you.