By Success Kanayo Uchime
The Nigerian Government is making concerted efforts to recognize the traditional institution in the country. This is as a result of the proposed bill it’ll soon present to the National Assembly next year.
The nation’s President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan stated this on Monday December 27 during the formal coronation ceremony of HRH, King Lot Justin Ogiasa, Oke X, as the Obanema of Otuoke Kingdom in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State.
He said his administration will present before the National Assembly next year, a bill that will grant the traditional institution in the country due recognition in the nation's constitution.
He noted that while traditional rulers nationwide play key roles in engendering peace and development in the country, there is no national law that accords them constitutional recognition.
"I will work with the National Assembly to give proper recognition to the traditional institution in Nigeria. There is no national law that recognizes the traditional rulers, who play key roles in the unity and development of our country, and we have to correct this. I will submit a bill on this before the National Assembly next year," the President said.
In his remarks, Governor Timipre Silver of Bayelsa State said all Bayelsans are proud of President Jonathan's emergence as commander in chief of Nigeria from a little community as Otuoke, and are totally in support of his bid to return to office as President in 2011.
Other dignitaries at occasion included First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Bayelsa Dep Gov, Hon. Wenimipre Seibarugu, members of the National Assembly, members of the Bayelsa executive council and legislature, HRM King Alfred Diette-Spiff, and presidential aides.
And to read more stories from Success Kanayo Uchime, click here: http://www.allvoices.com/users/success4u
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Badjao Tribal People in the Philippines Celebrate Christmas
By Success Kanayo Uchime
The Bajao Tribal Peopl at the
Christmas party 2010 pix by KMO-INTER
It was a great day for the Badjao tribal people in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental as they celebrated the 2010 Christmas together as one family.
Organized by Nigerian missionary couple Success and Ngozi Uchime, missionaries under the South East Asia Mission Teams (SEAMIST) (www.seamist.org/uchime), the event was used to minister both the spirit, soul and body of the poorest of the poor in the Philippines – the Badjao tribal people.
Speaking at the event that was held in Boulevard area of the city, Ngozi Cynthia Uchime admonished them to look at the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ at the Cross at Calvary in anything they do stressing that Jesus came and died for them too.
Quoting John 3: 16, she emphasized on the love of God that made Him to send His one and only Son Jesus Christ to come to earth to die for the entire world.
According to her various activities were held to lighten and lift up the spirit and soul of the Badjao who gathered there for the event adding that the people had a lot to eat and drink all for the spirit of Christmas.
She called on philanthropist all over the world to come and assist their mission work among the Badjao people stressing that funding is the greatest challenge their mission is facing in reaching out to the Badjao in Dumaguete City.
“The Badjao here in Dumaguete City are open to the gospel, they’ve a willing heart, but tracking them down is a big challenge and that’s where we need help – to start livelihood projects for them,” Ngozi also stated.
It needs to be pointed out that the Badjao are a Filipino Muslim Ethnic group of sea gypsies: groups of boat-dwelling people. They are one of the largest Sama people groups and their ethnic neighbors, the Tausugs and the Samals, often call them Samal-luwaan (“outcasts”) or Samal-laud or Pala-u (“people of the ocean”).
The Badjao are the poorest ethnic group in Sulu. They depend mainly on fishing for their survival and their communities fall under the category of government’s depressed, deprived, and underdeveloped areas (DDU). And those that move to urban areas often become beggars.
And to donate to the missionary work of this Nigerian missionary couple click on this link: www.kmointer.webs.com/giveyourdonation.htm
The Bajao Tribal Peopl at the
Christmas party 2010 pix by KMO-INTER
It was a great day for the Badjao tribal people in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental as they celebrated the 2010 Christmas together as one family.
Organized by Nigerian missionary couple Success and Ngozi Uchime, missionaries under the South East Asia Mission Teams (SEAMIST) (www.seamist.org/uchime), the event was used to minister both the spirit, soul and body of the poorest of the poor in the Philippines – the Badjao tribal people.
Speaking at the event that was held in Boulevard area of the city, Ngozi Cynthia Uchime admonished them to look at the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ at the Cross at Calvary in anything they do stressing that Jesus came and died for them too.
Quoting John 3: 16, she emphasized on the love of God that made Him to send His one and only Son Jesus Christ to come to earth to die for the entire world.
According to her various activities were held to lighten and lift up the spirit and soul of the Badjao who gathered there for the event adding that the people had a lot to eat and drink all for the spirit of Christmas.
She called on philanthropist all over the world to come and assist their mission work among the Badjao people stressing that funding is the greatest challenge their mission is facing in reaching out to the Badjao in Dumaguete City.
“The Badjao here in Dumaguete City are open to the gospel, they’ve a willing heart, but tracking them down is a big challenge and that’s where we need help – to start livelihood projects for them,” Ngozi also stated.
It needs to be pointed out that the Badjao are a Filipino Muslim Ethnic group of sea gypsies: groups of boat-dwelling people. They are one of the largest Sama people groups and their ethnic neighbors, the Tausugs and the Samals, often call them Samal-luwaan (“outcasts”) or Samal-laud or Pala-u (“people of the ocean”).
The Badjao are the poorest ethnic group in Sulu. They depend mainly on fishing for their survival and their communities fall under the category of government’s depressed, deprived, and underdeveloped areas (DDU). And those that move to urban areas often become beggars.
And to donate to the missionary work of this Nigerian missionary couple click on this link: www.kmointer.webs.com/giveyourdonation.htm
Call2All California 2011, Extraordinary Event
By Success Kanayo Uchime
Long Beach Convention Center, venue for the
Call2all Global Congress
The forthcoming Call2ALL California 2011 has been described as an extra-ordinary event, even as the organizers prepare to host one of the greatest global events.
The President Global Pastors Network (GPN)/Call2All, Mark Anderson in a statement said: “I have a strong sense from the Lord that this California Congress will help bring each of us into new levels of effectiveness.”
He noted that the Congress will opening up possibilities that Christians have never seen and will also help participants to achieve the best results possible in their various callings. “I hope God makes a way for you to join us."
Anderson said the Global Congress which comes up in Los Angeles, California on November 28 - December 2, 2011, will hold at the Long Beach Convention Center and will bring the Call2all movement to a new level.
According to him, leaders from all around the world are saying they are going to attend and also bring a group of key influencers with them adding that over the last three years the Call2All congresses have had proven results, accelerating Great Commission activity in several key areas.
He said the activities include work among unreached people groups, expanding global prayer movements, church planting, and evangelism stressing that key spheres like business have had a new platform to gather and start initiatives.
“The Round Table Discussions are the strategic highlight of the Call2all Congress. What is deliberated together in these sessions form the strategy to be implemented to reach all and also disciple the nations in the seven spheres. To maximize these strategy sessions and networking opportunities, you will be asked to indicate an affinity group,” Anderson also stated.
For more information on this Global Congress and many more on Call2All, log on to their website: http://www.call2all.org/
Long Beach Convention Center, venue for the
Call2all Global Congress
The forthcoming Call2ALL California 2011 has been described as an extra-ordinary event, even as the organizers prepare to host one of the greatest global events.
The President Global Pastors Network (GPN)/Call2All, Mark Anderson in a statement said: “I have a strong sense from the Lord that this California Congress will help bring each of us into new levels of effectiveness.”
He noted that the Congress will opening up possibilities that Christians have never seen and will also help participants to achieve the best results possible in their various callings. “I hope God makes a way for you to join us."
Anderson said the Global Congress which comes up in Los Angeles, California on November 28 - December 2, 2011, will hold at the Long Beach Convention Center and will bring the Call2all movement to a new level.
According to him, leaders from all around the world are saying they are going to attend and also bring a group of key influencers with them adding that over the last three years the Call2All congresses have had proven results, accelerating Great Commission activity in several key areas.
He said the activities include work among unreached people groups, expanding global prayer movements, church planting, and evangelism stressing that key spheres like business have had a new platform to gather and start initiatives.
“The Round Table Discussions are the strategic highlight of the Call2all Congress. What is deliberated together in these sessions form the strategy to be implemented to reach all and also disciple the nations in the seven spheres. To maximize these strategy sessions and networking opportunities, you will be asked to indicate an affinity group,” Anderson also stated.
For more information on this Global Congress and many more on Call2All, log on to their website: http://www.call2all.org/
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sierra Leone Gets New Cassava Processing Center
By Success Kanayo Uchime
An African Farmer at work
Hope has come alive for the West African country Sierra Leone as another cassava processing center has been establish there. This will help to strengthen the value chain and boost the processing of the root crop.
This revelation was made at the inauguration of the centre which is part of a bigger project that is funded by the United States Agency for International Development but being implemented in seven African countries by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
The goal for establishing the processing center is to cushion the negative impact of the 2007/2008 food price crisis that precipitated into food riots in some countries of the region.
The micro-processing centre which is located in Sagila, Kailahun District—about eight hours drive from Freetown in eastern Sierra Leone, will among other things absorb and process cassava roots being produced by resource-poor farmers in that community.
Project Will Help Transform the Local Community
Speaking at the event, Senior Program Officer with the Catholic Relief Services which partnered with IITA, Ibrahim Tarawally said: “We are glad and we are saying thanks to the American people in the construction of the micro-processing center, as the project will help transform the local community.”
He noted that since 2008, IITA and partners working on the ‘Unleashing the Power of Cassava in Africa’ (UPoCA) project with support from the USAID have stepped up efforts in rebuilding Sierra Leone—a country once ravaged by war— by improving crops’ yield, and creating wealth in local communities through cassava value addition activities.
Cassava Production in Sierra Leone
“Consequently, cassava production in Sierra Leone has increased prompting the need for value addition and diversification of cassava utilization. We are happy for your pledge to keep this center running, “ Tarawally said
Also speaking at the event, the Paramount Chief of Sagila, Chief MK Mustapha stated: “Currently, we have cassava on our farms that are rotting in the ground but with this processing center, the situation will change.”
He said that apart from processing the cassava in the community, the center will also create jobs for youths.
Chairman, Moamaleh Farmers Marketing Association, Mohammed Vande in his own contribution said that with the center and the products that we will be producing, they are sure that poverty will be reduced in the community. “We also promise to make this enterprise viable.”
Rice Production and Consumption
“Known for rice production and consumption, Sierra Leoneans are gradually turning to other cassava food products such as gari—roasted cassava granules and fufu—a powdered form of cassava that is prepared into porridge or paste and consumed with stew. Cassava flour is also becoming popular as bakers compose it with wheat flour for the baking of bread and cake,” he added.
It need to be observed that to ensure the sustainability of the project, Vande and his team of more than 30 youths are cultivating two acres each of improved cassava. The improved cassava stems for the planting are being supplied by IITA.
Vande and his group reiterated the potential of cassava as a poverty alleviation crop, citing its tolerance to the vagaries of climate change and urged the farmers to cultivate the root crop, and to make judicious use of the center.
IITA develops agricultural solutions with their partners to tackle hunger and poverty and its award winning research for development (R4D) is based on focused, authoritative thinking anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. Further to that, it work with partners in Africa and beyond to reduce producer and consumer risks, enhance crop quality and productivity, and generate wealth from agriculture. It is an international non-profit R4D.
For more story from Success Kanayo Uchime, log on to:
An African Farmer at work
Hope has come alive for the West African country Sierra Leone as another cassava processing center has been establish there. This will help to strengthen the value chain and boost the processing of the root crop.
This revelation was made at the inauguration of the centre which is part of a bigger project that is funded by the United States Agency for International Development but being implemented in seven African countries by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
The goal for establishing the processing center is to cushion the negative impact of the 2007/2008 food price crisis that precipitated into food riots in some countries of the region.
The micro-processing centre which is located in Sagila, Kailahun District—about eight hours drive from Freetown in eastern Sierra Leone, will among other things absorb and process cassava roots being produced by resource-poor farmers in that community.
Project Will Help Transform the Local Community
Speaking at the event, Senior Program Officer with the Catholic Relief Services which partnered with IITA, Ibrahim Tarawally said: “We are glad and we are saying thanks to the American people in the construction of the micro-processing center, as the project will help transform the local community.”
He noted that since 2008, IITA and partners working on the ‘Unleashing the Power of Cassava in Africa’ (UPoCA) project with support from the USAID have stepped up efforts in rebuilding Sierra Leone—a country once ravaged by war— by improving crops’ yield, and creating wealth in local communities through cassava value addition activities.
Cassava Production in Sierra Leone
“Consequently, cassava production in Sierra Leone has increased prompting the need for value addition and diversification of cassava utilization. We are happy for your pledge to keep this center running, “ Tarawally said
Also speaking at the event, the Paramount Chief of Sagila, Chief MK Mustapha stated: “Currently, we have cassava on our farms that are rotting in the ground but with this processing center, the situation will change.”
He said that apart from processing the cassava in the community, the center will also create jobs for youths.
Chairman, Moamaleh Farmers Marketing Association, Mohammed Vande in his own contribution said that with the center and the products that we will be producing, they are sure that poverty will be reduced in the community. “We also promise to make this enterprise viable.”
Rice Production and Consumption
“Known for rice production and consumption, Sierra Leoneans are gradually turning to other cassava food products such as gari—roasted cassava granules and fufu—a powdered form of cassava that is prepared into porridge or paste and consumed with stew. Cassava flour is also becoming popular as bakers compose it with wheat flour for the baking of bread and cake,” he added.
It need to be observed that to ensure the sustainability of the project, Vande and his team of more than 30 youths are cultivating two acres each of improved cassava. The improved cassava stems for the planting are being supplied by IITA.
Vande and his group reiterated the potential of cassava as a poverty alleviation crop, citing its tolerance to the vagaries of climate change and urged the farmers to cultivate the root crop, and to make judicious use of the center.
IITA develops agricultural solutions with their partners to tackle hunger and poverty and its award winning research for development (R4D) is based on focused, authoritative thinking anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. Further to that, it work with partners in Africa and beyond to reduce producer and consumer risks, enhance crop quality and productivity, and generate wealth from agriculture. It is an international non-profit R4D.
For more story from Success Kanayo Uchime, log on to:
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
US Agency Funds Cassava Value Addition in Africa
By Success Kanayo Uchime
African farmer at work
The United States Agency for International Development is at present funding a very unique project in Africa known as Unleashing the Power of Cassava (UPoCA).
In a statement by the Program Manager, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA-UPoCA) Braima James he said that cassava value addition in Africa has offered women farmers another income stream, improving livelihoods and food security, and making them smile.
He noted that the project which is implemented in seven African countries—Nigeria, DR Congo, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone by IITA has benefited thousands of farmers in these countries.
“Today, the Tongea Women farmers in Sandeyalu community are filled with joy. Located 486 km from Freetown, Sierra Leone, Sandeyalu was once overrun by rebels in 1991,” he stated.
Nearly 4,000 People Took Refuge in Camps
According to James, the entire population of nearly 4,000 people took refuge in camps in Kenema where they lived for over 10 years as internally displaced persons (IDPs) until the war was declared over in 2002.
He said that interactions in the camp brought the Sandeyalu people together to form a formidable association called 'Tongea women's development association' comprising of 54 women and four men. It was named after one of the three mountain peaks overlooking their home township called Tongea.
He stated: “The group initially raised funds through “coping mechanisms,” such as cutting and selling firewood and soap making as IDPs in Kenema. With the advent of the IITA-UPoCA project and subsequent inauguration of a micro-processing center (MPC), cassava is now an added financial window of opportunity to farmers. Incomes from USAID projects such as UPoCA have helped the people of Sandeyalu in rebuilding their community.”
IITA-UPoCA Intervention and the Micro-processing Center
A member of the Tongea women's development association, Marie Borbor, described the IITA-UPoCA intervention and the micro-processing center as a “living bank” in Sandeyalu community.
She stated: "Now we can fulfill our financial obligations to educate our children and improve our livelihoods. We will do all within our power to sustain the MPC as a viable asset. Long live the American people.”
Also speaking on the project, the Secretary General of the group, Mariama Koi-Braima, stated: "We have come a long way to where we are today. The journey has not been easy most times but we have determined to stay together. Handing over this MPC to our group is going to reinforce cohesion among our members as it has demonstrated that worthy ambitions can be achieved through unity for a common good."
US Ambassador to Sierra Leone Speaks on the Project
Adding his own voice to the project, the United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Michael S. Owen, described the transformation at Sandeyalu and the resilience of the Tongea Women as “wonderful.”
"We are very happy to partner with you in all you have accomplished in these years. We are very happy to be your partner. Not too many years ago, this town was in ruins but, now, look at what you have accomplished. We are very proud to work with you," Owen said while handing over the keys of the IITA-UPoCA-built cassava micro-processing center to the Tongea women farmers.
It is to be noted that since 2009, IITA-UPoCA scientists have backstopped the Tongea women farmers, opening up more than five hectares of their land for cassava cultivation and distributing over 2,500 bundles of improved cassava varieties to more than 500 cassava farmers.
African farmer at work
The United States Agency for International Development is at present funding a very unique project in Africa known as Unleashing the Power of Cassava (UPoCA).
In a statement by the Program Manager, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA-UPoCA) Braima James he said that cassava value addition in Africa has offered women farmers another income stream, improving livelihoods and food security, and making them smile.
He noted that the project which is implemented in seven African countries—Nigeria, DR Congo, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone by IITA has benefited thousands of farmers in these countries.
“Today, the Tongea Women farmers in Sandeyalu community are filled with joy. Located 486 km from Freetown, Sierra Leone, Sandeyalu was once overrun by rebels in 1991,” he stated.
Nearly 4,000 People Took Refuge in Camps
According to James, the entire population of nearly 4,000 people took refuge in camps in Kenema where they lived for over 10 years as internally displaced persons (IDPs) until the war was declared over in 2002.
He said that interactions in the camp brought the Sandeyalu people together to form a formidable association called 'Tongea women's development association' comprising of 54 women and four men. It was named after one of the three mountain peaks overlooking their home township called Tongea.
He stated: “The group initially raised funds through “coping mechanisms,” such as cutting and selling firewood and soap making as IDPs in Kenema. With the advent of the IITA-UPoCA project and subsequent inauguration of a micro-processing center (MPC), cassava is now an added financial window of opportunity to farmers. Incomes from USAID projects such as UPoCA have helped the people of Sandeyalu in rebuilding their community.”
IITA-UPoCA Intervention and the Micro-processing Center
A member of the Tongea women's development association, Marie Borbor, described the IITA-UPoCA intervention and the micro-processing center as a “living bank” in Sandeyalu community.
She stated: "Now we can fulfill our financial obligations to educate our children and improve our livelihoods. We will do all within our power to sustain the MPC as a viable asset. Long live the American people.”
Also speaking on the project, the Secretary General of the group, Mariama Koi-Braima, stated: "We have come a long way to where we are today. The journey has not been easy most times but we have determined to stay together. Handing over this MPC to our group is going to reinforce cohesion among our members as it has demonstrated that worthy ambitions can be achieved through unity for a common good."
US Ambassador to Sierra Leone Speaks on the Project
Adding his own voice to the project, the United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Michael S. Owen, described the transformation at Sandeyalu and the resilience of the Tongea Women as “wonderful.”
"We are very happy to partner with you in all you have accomplished in these years. We are very happy to be your partner. Not too many years ago, this town was in ruins but, now, look at what you have accomplished. We are very proud to work with you," Owen said while handing over the keys of the IITA-UPoCA-built cassava micro-processing center to the Tongea women farmers.
It is to be noted that since 2009, IITA-UPoCA scientists have backstopped the Tongea women farmers, opening up more than five hectares of their land for cassava cultivation and distributing over 2,500 bundles of improved cassava varieties to more than 500 cassava farmers.
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