Niger Delta pollution: Fishermen at risk amidst the oil
By Will Ross
A pristine paradise - these are not words you often hear to describe the Niger Delta in southern Nigeria. But you get to appreciate the area's natural beauty whilst wading across lily covered creeks and trekking deep into the forest, accompanied by birdsong. Welcome to the Niger Delta before the oil. "I'm on the plank now so walk right behind me," a guide said as we squelched across a muddy swamp trying not to sink in too deep. After walking for about an hour and a half from the village of Kalaba in Bayelsa state, I caught the first glimpse of an expansive tranquil lake through the trees. On the shore are shelters made of wooden poles draped in material. READ MORE
BBC News, Bayelsa state
A pristine paradise - these are not words you often hear to describe the Niger Delta in southern Nigeria. But you get to appreciate the area's natural beauty whilst wading across lily covered creeks and trekking deep into the forest, accompanied by birdsong. Welcome to the Niger Delta before the oil. "I'm on the plank now so walk right behind me," a guide said as we squelched across a muddy swamp trying not to sink in too deep. After walking for about an hour and a half from the village of Kalaba in Bayelsa state, I caught the first glimpse of an expansive tranquil lake through the trees. On the shore are shelters made of wooden poles draped in material. READ MORE
INFOGRAPHIC: Who’s winning Africa’s race to meet the Millennium Development Goals?
Thanks to ONE.org for this! With 1000 days to go - which African countries are leading the way on meeting the Millennium Development Goals? FOLLOW THIS LINK TO SEEUganda's Daily Monitor reopens after police closure
BBC News Update: Journalists had protested against the closure
Uganda's Daily Monitor newspaper has reopened after being shut down by the authorities for more than a week.
The privately owned paper was closed after publishing a letter alleging that President Yoweri Museveni was grooming his son to succeed him. The letter, purporting to be from an army general, said those who opposed this risked assassination. A government statement said the newspaper's owners "highly regretted the story". Two radio stations linked to the Daily Monitor, KFM and Dembe Radio, which were closed down are on air again. The Red Pepper newspaper, which was also shut down for reporting the allegations, has been allowed to reopen too. Read more
EXCITING PROSPECTS FOR AFRICAN CITIES
EXCITING PROSPECTS FOR AFRICAN CITIES ( THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA)
Some people still think of Africa as communities living in remote villages, yet 40% of the population are now urbanized. In 20 years more than 50% will live in urban centers. Cities will be the engines of growth and opportunity, these are exciting prospects
Cities are at the heart of the continent’s economic reconfiguration and are the key for unlocking its future potential.
Currently, only three African cities – Lagos, Cairo and Kinshasa – are considered ‘megacities’ (more than 10 million population). But this is likely to change as Johannesburg, Luanda, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Casablanca and Khartoum, will become megacities soon.
These cities need an urgent boost in industrial growth and investment in infrastructure to address the influx of people and associated challenges in order to grow as sustainable ‘green’ cities
Photo: Siemens Africa
Check Out This Silent Auction Item for our Gala: ( Thank you Saad Family- Blessings to you! )
(for more details on the event go to www.uaa.eventbrite.com
Ezulwini (Zulu for paradise) offers lodges of outstanding quality. Experience superb service and traditional cuisine in exceptional, panoramic, African settings. Indigenous African fauna and flora enhance your visit to this timeless continent. Each of our lodges has its own unique character and charm, and will provide you with an authentic, atmosphere-filled, African adventure.
Enjoy twice-daily safaris through thousands of hectares of prime game-viewing area with undisturbed traversing in open Land Rovers. Become one with nature in an intimately romantic and uniquely African ambiance as you absorb this enchanting world of sound, scent, and color. Enjoy a sundowner with spectacular sunset views of Drakensberg Mountains, and experience exquisitely clear night skies on a late drive, complete with spotlights to probe the dark for nocturnal African wildlife.
Relaxation comes easily when surrounded by the restful allure of nature in our ecologically oriented lodges. After your departure, our lodges will provide you with enduring memories. Read more
South Africa: Zuma-lion bone advert contested by Avaaz
BBC News South Africa
A campaign group has taken court action in South Africa over the removal of an advertisement urging President Jacob Zuma to ban the trade in lion bones.
A campaign group has taken court action in South Africa over the removal of an advertisement urging President Jacob Zuma to ban the trade in lion bones.
The advert, showing a lioness looking down the barrel of a gun with Mr Zuma in the background, was removed from the main airport in Johannesburg last year.
Campaign group Avaaz said airport authorities violated freedom of expression by pulling down its advert.
Asia is a lucrative market for lion bones, used in traditional medicines.
Official statistics show that South Africa increased its export of lion bones by 250% between 2008 and 2010, Avaaz says.... Read More
In School or Slavery: Why UAA works hard to get kids into school.
Most of the West African countries have extremely high levels of poverty, ranging from 40% to 72% . Consequently families need the contribution of their children's earnings to survive. These areas are precisely where the traffickers prey for desperate people (International Labor Organization). Many families work in the informal sector in order to earn a living because the economy has been experiencing such a low level of growth. The sluggish economy also provides disincentives for parents to send their children to school since an education does not automatically result in being able to secure a jobSlave traders are trafficking boys ranging from the age of 12 to 16 and are selling them to cocoa farmers in Cote d'Ivoire. They work on small farms across the country, harvesting the cocoa beans day and night, under inhumane conditions. Agents hang around looking for children that are alone or are begging for food. They lure the kids with them, and then the traffickers sell the children to farmers in need of cheap labor.
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