Tiger wouldn't have thought that his private life would be the top news story all over America this long, it been over two weeks now since the infamous Cadillac SUV crashed into a fire hydrant in Orlando, Florida. And this was all it took to open a can ‘tiger' worms; his extramarital affairs have been let out of the "wood"-work. So far, Tiger Woods might have had at least 11 mistresses (I bet it will be 20 by the end of the week) since being married to Elin.

Tiger's "transgressions" and media frenzy has left me wondering if there is more to this than the media is letting off. I mean the media has been reporting Tiger's news for the LAST TWO WEEKS, playing and replaying his phone voicemail to his mistress, extensively analyzing his accident, making Tiger's illicit affairs the center of an intense debate on CNN's Nancy Grace. The scrutiny of his email to his mistress like is like trying to verify the authenticity of a dollar bill!

So what is the big deal! Is it because of his squeaky-clean facade, or because there hasn't been much happening lately and they need a story? Both can partly account for the extended play of Woods' misfortune on the cable news. While scandals like this often do not break professional athletes (Coby Bryant isn't down despite a much-publicized court trial), the scandal will leave a decent dent in Tiger's finances. There's been a distinct lack of Tiger Woods ads on TV lately; he is losing money!

To me there's no big deal to the Tiger Wood's story, and this maybe because I come from a society where extra-marital affairs is common, and polygamy is practiced. It is not uncommon to hear of ‘loose' married African men with girlfriends ‘on the side'. For instance, I know a Nigerian man in England who has three mistresses, two of which have children for him and an oblivious wife in Nigeria, who knows nothing about his atrocities abroad.

Unlike the American media-conscious society, the African society does not really frown on promiscuous behavior as long as it's coming from the male stock (what a shame!). Rather the women are often fingered to be at fault. Some African men even try to justify their acts by saying "as long as I keep providing for my wife and children, I can have as many women I want."

Now imagine Tiger Woods as a ‘loose' African man...

By Edorodion Osa 

FAIR City actor Yare Jegbefume has said it is difficult for black actors in Ireland to break into the mainstream because Irish Producers are ‘lazy' in creating roles for them.

He said that black actors are often portrayed as belonging to the lowest rung on the social ladder, given no dialogue, and cast in stereotypical roles of asylum seeker, scammer, and social welfare cheat.

In his words: "Black actors are not given roles that reflect their everyday life. There was a TV show I was watching sometime ago featuring a black actor cast as a Kitchen Porter. He wasn't given any dialogue and that was really annoying. Yes black people work in the kitchen just like any other group of people, but they talk and interact with co - workers. Why was that guy not given any dialogue?"

In an exclusive interview with Obodo Oyinbo, the actor who plays the character of Felix Jones in the forthcoming series of Fair City, said the new Producer of the soap opera, Brigie de Courcy, has departed from this tradition of not creating roles for black actors by introducing the character of Felix Jones, a Social Worker in the fostering department who will be vetting the application of a couple who wants to foster a child: "The character is an attempt by the new Producer to depart from the tradition of casting black actors in stereotypical roles of asylum seekers, scammers, and social welfare cheats and to make the programme more reflective of contemporary Ireland where black people live and work as professionals," he said.

Jegbefume said he was shocked at the vile messages posted on an advertisement he did on You Tube when he was recently targeted by racists.

Called ‘A Letter Home,' the advertisement was meant to remind the Irish that they were also foreigners in other places, but a neo - Nazi group with some representations in Ireland reconstructed the video and put it on Stormfront, a white supremacist website, where they maligned and called him names: "The messages were very hurtful. When the management of You Tube checked the sources of the comments, they found that some of them originated from Ireland and that really hurts. Why do we have a neo - Nazi group in Ireland given the country's history of emigration?"

He said he is however encouraged by the swift condemnation of the racist attack and the deluge of positive comments he has received from Irish people since the case was made public: "Many Irish people have come out to condemn the racists and that gives me the confidence to do what I am doing." He said his family was also a solid rock of support throughout the period of the attack.

Jegbefume advised Irish Producers to try and work at portraying contemporary Ireland instead of holding on to the past saying that they can do this by organising workshops aimed at bringing people from all backgrounds to work together and exchange ideas.

By Dominic Owuor Otiang'a

After seeing a toothless organisation that stomached several military coups and civil wars, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi had a dream to have the organisation changed to a more serious one, the AU.

Many can confirm from deeds that the AU is far much better than its predecessor OAU. It is from a spirit of togetherness that Tripoli aided the burial of OAU and the birth of a little stronger AU and is still active in nursing the AU to make it strong enough to compete with the likes of EU and The United States of America. Since this has not yet been achieved, the dream from Tripoli, in my view, is still valid.

Our very own scholars have argued out that we are far from getting there, citing strong and genuine reasons like the difficulties that we face in our countries and regional blocks such as EAC, SADC and ECOWAS.

Africa has lots of scholars scattered in every corner of the world who can help her succeed in achieving the Kwame Nkurumah Dream of the US of Africa. It pains when most of this scholars say no to the idea of a true union when in fact they are enjoying life under unions such as EU and USA; flying from Washington DC to Alaska without visas or from Paris to Berlin without the same while they deny a common African citizen in Africa a chance to move freely from Mogadishu to Lagos or Cairo to Pretoria.

Our very own leaders, those who go to Addis Ababa to vote against the idea of a strong Union, have got resources, if not powers, to move them freely to any corner of the world, even without Africa having to unite. They have powers and opportunity to create strong cohesions among the citizens in their own countries and regional blocks in preparation for a continental union. They also have powers to divide their citizens on tribal, religious or ethnic lines and make the Nkurumah dream an impossible one. Should they choose the latter, it will be a common African who will be disadvantaged.

In 2010, some of our politicians will be flying to South Africa for the FIFA world cup, while the youthful and more energetic Africans are planning to make it by road. The weak union in Africa simply means not everyone willing and able to move to the South for the FIFA world cup will make it, especially those common citizens planning to go by road.

Our leaders and scholars have on several occasions talked of sovereignty as a scapegoat thus denying us this wonderful idea of a United States Of Africa.  

Well, with the exception of Ethiopia, didn't we lose our sovereignty after the Berlin treaty of 1885? When the existing forms of African anatomy and self-governance was eliminated and the continent was divided between the European powers, division that still exist.

When our micro-nations were reduced to tribes and our mother tongues and fully fledged lingua- francas baptised as dialects? Isn't this the reason why it is almost illegal to speak African languages in our public institutions in some African countries?

Apart from mighty powers of some African despots, is there any sovereignty to lose? If there's any, do we need it? Allowing genocides, religious/ethnic violence, xenophobia, shocking police brutality and unjustifiable military coups to go on without outside interference just because we are a sovereign state?

If we sincerely have something to call sovereignty then, of course, we can still unite and make our union as strong as the European Union, at least.

When Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie won a literature prize in 2003, the news in the Nigerian Guardian was "Nigerian wins literature Prize in the USA" she was a Nigerian not Igbo, Yoruba, Christian or Muslim. Similarly, when Justice Joyce Aluoch from Kenya was elected to the benches of the ICC in the Hague, the headline news posted online was "Kenya judge joins ICC"

Kenyans of all ethnic groups, religion and colour were seen tossing champagne, singing and dancing at a Nairobi Hotel. They had united to celebrate the appointment of one of their own, not one of their tribe. Moreover, Africa as a continent- from Egypt to South Africa and from Somalia to Senegal united in celebrating the victory of President Barack Obama- Yes! The most famous African in the Diaspora.

The point here is that we tend to unite on matters international and divide on internal issues. It simply means that the US of Africa will help us achieve unity in our countries especially those countries with ethnic tensions. We will be competing against another country or state rather than another tribe, clan or religion. To prove this right, you will need to wait until the Kenyan parliament amends their constitution to provide for a devolved government or federal government. Should a Federal government be allowed in Kenya, tribal politics will also descend to clan level in each federal state.

This could explain why, in the African Diaspora, there are several organisations for citizens from every African country; The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) or Ghana Union in Southern Germany and several others. However, from a country like Nigeria with federal system of government, there are unions such as Igbo union as it is in Freiburg Germany or Kwara State Association, KSANG in North America. It tells something here, but we should be proud of our own ethnic groups or our own culture, to be precise.

This is why we may disagree with Libya's strong man, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi on issues such as Somali piracy, but on matters of US of Africa, we should give him the thumbs.

Dominic Owuor Otiang'a
Sulzburger St. 26
79114 Freiburg
Germany

(Source: www.mmegi.bw)

By Abdoukarim Sanneh, London  

DOZENS of people took part in a demonstration outside the Gambia High Commission in London as part of International Day of action organised in three continents to demand the end of Yahya Jammeh's despotic rule in the Gambia, reports Abdoukarim Sanneh, in London.

The demonstration in London came on the eve of July 22nd celebration in the Gambia which bought Mr Yahya Jammeh regime in a military coup 15 years ago. The London demonstration coincided with what is called Freedom Day celebrations in the Gambia.

Similar protests took place in Gambia Embassies in Washington and in West Africa countries such as Senegal, Benin, Sierra Leone, Mali, Togo, Liberia, Burkina Faso Cote devoir, Ghana and Nigeria. There was also a protest march at the Gambia Mission in United Nation.

The demonstration in London was organised by Amnesty International UK, The British Trade Union Congress and the National Union of Journalist (UK and Ireland) with collaboration of the Gambian Community in United Kingdom.

The main focus of the demonstration in London was the disappearance of Ebrima Manneh, the murder of Mr Deyda Hydara and the ongoing trial of journalists and members of Gambia Press Union on charges of sedition.

The demonstration started with chanting-Where is Ebrima? Free him now! Gambia Shame on you! Freedom from the rule of fear now! Representative of Amnesty International Kali Mercier, Individual at Risk Campaigner, The Trade Union Congress and National Union of Journalists handed a letter to the High Commission and a photo album compiled by activists from around the World who asked the Question "Where is Ebrima?"

As Honourable Sanyang was spotted and recognised by this reporter he was embarrassed and humiliated in front of protesters. The protestors demanded from him: ‘The world wants to know! Where is Ebrima Manneh? You want to tell us as a lawmaker in the Gambia! Every officer in the High Commission hide behind closed doors as the chanting continued for more than two hours.

Among the protestors were Gambia's former diplomat and retired civil servant Abdulai Bojang and Abdulai Jobe. They gave brief interviews to the BBC World Service, which covered the demonstration for its Focus on Africa Program. Both men gave brief accounts of the prevailing trend of human rights violations, lack of press freedom and perverted judicial system in the Gambia.

In a press release after the demonstration, Amnesty International UK Campaign Director Tim Hancock stated: "It's an absolute sham to celebrate 22nd July take over as a freedom day in a country where journalists and others in the media are not allowed to freely express their views or opinions. We regularly hear of journalist and others who express their views facing persecution and an array of abuses, including unlawful arrest, arbitrary and incommunicado detention and torture.

In the same Press Release General Secretary of Trade Union Congress Brendan Berber said: " Freedom of speech and Freedom of association are fundamental human rights who are often targeted twice over by repressive regimes. I hope that the Gambia Government will respond on world wide protests by recognising that free press and free trade union movement are the hall marks of democracy and vital for development"

The General Secretary of National Union of Journalist Jeremy Dear in the release stated " Our colleagues in the Gambia Press Union need our support more than ever, with journalist in the court on the eve of July 22nd marked by Yahya Jammeh's regime as freedom day facing charges of sedition, just because they spoken out". He went on: "Media workers in the country have disappeared, been killed in mysterious circumstances and arrested, how can the government claim to celebrate freedom when the press continues to face such a repressive regime. The Gambian authorities must recognise that free media plays crucial role in a society with respect for human rights. These threats to journalists and journalism must be lifted".

By Abdoukarim Sanneh, London

POLITICIANS trade on people's hope that heaven on earth is attainable. Since it is not, the lives of nations, like the lives of individuals are a perpetual struggle in pursuit of dreams. In Yahya Jammeh's case, the dream that has sustained him for the past 15 years as president of the Gambia is terror and the oppression of our citizens. Gambia is nothing more but a secret state. Telephone conversations are continually monitored, internet communication of exiles and the opposition press is blocked and the private media is forced to practice self censorship due to repressive media laws and constant harassment.

The social and political realities in Gambia today resemble those in North Korea. Lack of freedom of expression, political brutality, brutal murder, extra-judicial executions, and disappearance of dissenters are commonplace. In the meantime, the semi-literate despot has embarked on ego-boosting trips by adopting titles upon titles - Alhaji, Professor, Dr, Lt Col, Shiekh, Commander in chief of the Gambia Army Forces are just some of them. The trend of dehumanisation under 15 years rule of Yahya Jammeh is another dispatches of our fragile continent whose greed for power and wealth is putting more and more people on our continent to live on the edge with despair and hopelessness.

The well documented report of Amnesty International, released on November 11, 2008 titled Fear Rules was a clear testimony of the realities in The Gambia. It was in the early morning of 22nd July when our people wake up to do their daily chores, that announcement came over the Radio Gambia of takeover of Government by rank and file members of Gambian Armed Force. The unrealistic dream of many Gambians was that this was the day of their redemption but in the hearts and minds of the criminals in uniform, this was the day they won a jackpot and complete control of our nation's coffers. The man known to be leading the event was a poor lieutenant called Yahya Jammeh who has now changed his name to the Arabic version of it. Yaya Jammeh with both animist past and Christian upbringing is today a self-confessed Islamic fundamentalist swearing with Holy Koran in all his political meetings. Many, who know the social history and background of our president, can speak about a life of destitution and loneliness which he has gone through. Thanks to the Roman Catholic Missionaries he got a western education.

It is a fact that a soldier without political education is virtually a criminal. The Gambian people are now aware that the famous slogan of the regime in early morning of 22nd July 1994 such as transparency, accountability and probity has vanished into Gambian clouds. It meant nothing but total fallacy. A poor soldier who was having less than two thousand Dalasis in his account before taking power in 1994 is today richer than the state he is ruling. Yahya Jammeh has looted our national coffers and is still poaching our institutions to enrich himself. The recent report of Transparency International describes The Gambia as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

There was no justification for the take-over of July 1994. It was motivated by greed, hate, anger, jealousy and egoism. The political instability in our continent is caused by factors such as bad governance, corruption and tribalism. It's only a lunatic like Yahya Jammeh, drunk with power and also cannot check his remark, blindly accused western powers of responsibility for the continent's predicaments. It is the greediness, corruption and tribalism that he is peddling which is causing the break down of nation states in our continent.

Mr President we all know that you are not born with a silver spoon in your mouth. All the wealth you have accumulated is looted from our nation's coffers. You hail from a family background like me, seeing our parents struggling to meet the daily challenges of life. How did you accumulate such huge wealth within a short period? Have you forgotten the days when your mother used to struggle in the local markets selling dry fish and locust beans to make ends meet? In one of your arrogant remarks you stated that "even your grand children will not be poor." How did you get that money? There is one common Mandinka saying that "it is a poor person who forecast to be rich when he is rich, he end up being rude and arrogant" and that is what you are in the Gambia today.

Yahya Jammeh have been involved in the criminalisation of our state using national institutions to foster his criminality among which are Departments of Agriculture, Gambia Telecommunication Company, Central Bank, External Affairs etc. Gambians can recall the relationship between Yahya Jammeh and so-called Malian millionaire Babading Futaka Sussoho. In the early days of the coup, the alliance with the Malian millionaire was exposed when a container of drugs heading for Gambia was impounded in the Coast of Mauritania. The same Babading Futaka Sussoho was given Gambian diplomatic passport. Yahya Jammeh ditched him when he was declared wanted in United Arab Emirates for economic crimes. To date the regime in Mauritania has yet to shed light on that, hence Jammeh's olive branch while offering sanctuary to the latter in the Gambia. Thus a marriage of convenience!

Apart from the drug trade, the regime was involved in economic regimes such as money laundering using the officials of the Central Bank of The Gambia. He was making illusion and fantasy about Allah's World Bank but senior officials in the Central Bank will one day give evidence about the false dollars currency which were siphoned into Gambian Dalasis. Later the Central Bank of the Gambia takes the responsibility to burn such false currency after converting the amount into Gambian money for Yahya Jammeh.

Yahya Jammeh has used Gambia's non permanent position in United Nations Security Council to pursue his cheque book diplomacy just to foster his greedy and selfish interest. Among the projects that he embarked on that historical opportunity for our country was establishment of diplomatic relationship with Libya and Taiwan. For those two years, the position of Gambia in the Security Council meeting was the lifting of sanction on Libya and recognition of Taiwan as Independent state. For Taiwan, it lead to the disbursement of Gambia's missing millions which ended in private bank accounts and also a court case between Yahya Jammeh and fugitive former spokesman Captain Ebou Jallow.

The lawsuit at the one of the Federal Court in the United State with his self appointed Public Relation Firms have revealed a lot about Yahya Jammeh's undercover operations. Taiwan as a multi party democratic country should pursuit a sustainable, a lasting diplomatic and a responsible relation with the Gambia base of conditions such as rule of law, democracy, freedom of expression and social justice. Sponsoring a lunatic leader who as no clue about international politics and turning only a griot for a Taiwanese course to be recognise as a state nation in the United State only to siphon money from Teipai is not helpful in the struggle of both countries for justice against autocratic regimes.

Many Gambian are aware of Yahya Jammeh's relationship with Charles Taylor and the United Nation's report on the blood diamond and Gambia's position to clean Baba Jobe as a party to the crime. Baba Jobe was being used in undercover operations of Yahya Jammeh ranging from blood diamond, money laundering, drug trafficking, Millennium airline, arms trade etc and later been sacrificed.

In 2001 when Baba Jobe, Former APRC Majority leader of Gambian Parliament and Director of the Gambia's New Millennium Air Company was listed among individuals who have circumvented the United Nation's Security Council Resolution 1348 for involvement in blood diamonds and arms trafficking in both Liberian and Sierra Leone conflict, this vindicated Jammeh's Mafioso links. The trend and pattern of Yahya Jammeh's criminalization of the Nation- State-Gambia is only negligible to myopic, pseudo-intellectuals and politicians. Yahya Jammeh used Baba Jobe as a front cover business venture to support the regime of Charles Taylor, who is currently facing the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague, in an effort to destabilise Sierra Leone and gain illicit access to diamonds. This makes a much wider link to this West African mentally sick paranoid leader's past and present involvement in the arms and drug trafficking networks in the region.

Yahya Jammeh's greed and corruption have been extended to land grabbing and estate development. The development of Sheraton hotel in Brufut and African Union village is a food for taught for every Gambia following the Taf construction case with Sanneh/Manneh clan of Brufut and the internet debate about the corporate interest of Yaya Jammeh and his intention of collaborating with Taf Construction robbing the powerless and marginalise people of Brufut from their land, to fostering their business. Yahya Jammeh's land grabbing is extended to Siffo in Kombo South district where according to sources he annexed massive land which can accommodate the settlement of Brikama-ba in Fuladu East.

The first test of Yahya Jammeh's unrepentant, immature and brutal character was demonstrated in the case of the Daily Observer which is today one of his companies. It is the unrepentant, immature and brutal character that he manifested on Mr Jobe and Bahoum of Former Gambia Utility Company. When he was trying to privatise that institution as his personal property using his Arab Business partner in the name of Global Management Company, he started to sacrifice such indecent individuals as the scapegoat national electrification programme that never went through because of lack of realistic vision.

Our President is into all type of business partnership using all types of middlemen as cover-ups. He has shares in Africell- a mobile company the tariff of fall in conflict with Gamcell -a subsidiary of Gambia Telecommunication Company leading to sacking of both the Director of GAMTEL and GAMCELL. It will not be surprising to see in the shut of Yahya Jammeh's privatisation dynamics holding corporation using shadow partnership so as to secure his kick back. Yahya Jammeh has followed the pattern of Late Mobutu of Zaire like his mentor. Today Africa's most recognised psychic leader with title such as Dr, Professor,Sheikh Lt Colonel, Alhagie Yahya AJJ Jammeh, no wander we are a sick nation, sick leader and sick elites. They are ready to peddle as lies to continue blindfolding our people. A recent revelation that Gambia's a economic is not prone to current global economic down turn just puzzle me what the world or planet they are living. A country which have never got independent statistical data, fiscal study of economic growth is at enfant stage, there is no academic freedom and the so called university without structures and proper train academic staff to be involved in not only teaching both qualitative and quantitative research to define our nation policy direction are all reduce to intellectual prostitute to just sing praise to a lunatic leader.

He has acquired a series of properties including a plantation estate, properties in Morocco, Private Island in the Bintang Bolong, businesses such as Kairaba hotel, high class Sindola hotel and game reserve etc. He has all type of animals such as zebras, tigers, lions and crocodiles etc. Recently his business interest has gone into fishery sector. He has number of fishing vessels which monopolize fishing in the Atlantic coast of the Gambia. With many more, questions remain unanswered for those who think the 22nd July takeover meant to redeem Gambian people. I, Mr Abdoukarim Sanneh think you are the biggest illusionist. Transparency and accountability which the devil of Kanillai has started will continue in the annex of the history of the small nation to be recorded with time, time unlimited. The dictator is running the country like his property and within this 15 years hired and sacked a total of 72 ministers. Two of them were murdered in a Hollywood movie style.

The recent press statement from Amnesty International in the International media outsets such as BBC, CNN, Reuters, Washington Post, Associated Press, UK Guardian, Independent, Daily Mail etc about the madness of Yahya Jammeh's witchcraft crusade is a clear testimony of every day realities of Gambia under the time of butcher bird. Gambia is another West African failed state while the world is watching for it to erode into civil conflict. In Gambia under Yahya Jammeh's dictatorship both the police, army and the judiciary are use as a tool of repression against innocent citizens as a way forward to aid the sick paranoid drug addicted dictator whose involvement in West African drug trade is not a secret to the International community.

Gambia's judiciary is a mockery of rule of law. With frequent sacking of magistrates and judges the system is now open perversion of corrupt judges and lawyers controlled by Jammeh. What respect does Yahya Jammeh deserve? What respect does Gambia as a nation deserve if it is not in the pathway to democracy and rule of law which every corner of the globe glamour? The international community is blindfolded with idiosyncratic form of Jammeh's tyranny, which appeared increasingly outdated.

Countless numbers of people are caught in the grip of repression and are detained in disclosed locations without trial. Gambia Bar Association is muted with silence and is not ready at any moment to take advocacy role to challenge the criminal regime to observe rule of law. Human right lawyers are been become systemic target with attempted on the Life of Barrister Ousman Sillah and Mai Fatty. The government have shown no respect to respect court orders and prisons are dying in Mile 2 Prison under mysterious circumstance and their bodies not subjected to autopsy or post mortem to exam the cause of their death. People are dying in Mile 2 and their bodies given to their love ones without even a coroner inquest.

Yahya Jammeh's trend of criminalisation of our nation-sate under front covered business ventures have turned him into a millionaire drug addicted leader who is so paranoid. Jammeh's erratic behavioural pattern often with signs of arrogance, continual stress, insecurity, rudeness, care free attitude, anger, lack of sympathy for our people are clear evidence of his madness and brutality. With his army of sycophants whose intentions are to get what he dish out to them from his ill-gotten wealth, none are ready to tel him that he need an urgent help to short out psychological/mental health. Time is running out and enough is enough! The embracement, humiliation and dehumanisation must not be allowed to continue.

Councillor Tunde Ojetola

OO: Tell us about yourself and your background. For example, where you were born, your educational background and achievements.

TO: I was born in Camberwell London in the late 60s. I started school in the UK and then went to Nigeria to continue all through to University level. I graduated from Ondo State University, with a degree in History.

OO: What would you say are the achievements you are most proud of?

TO: I'd say winning my first election was one of the proudest moments of my life, and I will always hold on to that, next to getting married and having two lovely children.

OO: Could you please describe how you became a politician and a Councillor?

TO: I studied political history and was involved in the students union in university, so I always had an interest in politics. After finding my feet in the UK, I began volunteering in the community. I joined the Special Constabulary of the British Transport Police Force and volunteered in my local community forum. In helping organise events etc, is where a local recruiter invited me to join the Conservative party. I still had to go through the selection process and face the electorate on the door to door campaign trail - while my wife was at the final stages of pregnancy with my daughter - but it was worth it in the end. There is no thrill like victory on an election night.

OO: What do you hope to achieve for yourself and minority groups, particularly in Thurrock and in the UK through your political activities?

TO: Achievement can be overrated at times. There are numerous people who work privately, unknown urging change, and that's what I hold on to. I don't necessarily want to establish a new organisation or lobbying team, I want to influence change from the inside. I want to sit on the same committees where decisions are made and be part of that decision making body. Change from the inside means I can attend the same closed-door meetings and air my views as part of the team, not a contributor from outside. When Rev Nims Obunge (London pastor and chief executive of Peace Alliance) was invited to give evidence at a panel of MPs, he commented that they were an ‘all white' committee gathering evidence about black and minority ethnic groups. I want to be able to sit at the same committee, hear the evidence and influence the final decision.
So the change might not take place over-night, but gradually we will erode the edges of misconceptions, and change peoples negative perceptions.

OO: What is your relationship with Nigeria, a place where you had your formative education? Do you hope to someday use your wealth of experience for the benefit of Nigeria?

TO: My parents (before my dad passed away) lived in Nigeria, I was raised there and have spent about 50% of my life there, so I do have links with Nigeria. The advantage of dual nationality is that you can take the benefits available in both countries. On the other hand, you can use your wealth of experience to assist both countries. So it's a win-win situation.

OO: There has been a huge debate about the issue of female circumcision recently; what are your views on this issue?

TO: Unfortunately, I don't know much about this. So I'll pass.

OO: Do you have any regrets?

TO: There are always regrets. There are always things I could have done better and whenever there is a conflict or challenge, I now view it with the lessons that I can learn from it.

OO: What is your most fervent wish for Africa and her peoples?

TO: I hope that Africans can improve self-believe and pride in the continent.
You take football, whenever a nation is playing (especially winning) football, there is a lot of national pride, and there are then discussions about how to ensure it continues. But in politics, in the community it seems to be lacking, some African leaders don't seem to have the zeal to leave a lasting legacy in the community; to ensure that they positively influence change in the lives of their electorate.

OO: In your view, who is the greatest African ever, or greatest living African?

TO: It's obviously Mandela. He gave up most of his adult life for what he believed in. He got to power, became the president and resigned before any one could accuse him of clinging on to power. Bravo Mandela.

OO: What is your advice to UK's African immigrants?

TO: Believe in yourself and the things you've leant. Find out things yourself, and don't hold on to hearsay.
When I returned to the UK, and aspired for a clerical job, I was told "blacks don't get office jobs". But I did not hold on to that, I went out searching, applying, and believing and within a few months obtained my first office job as an admin assistant and started working my way up.
I think getting a mentor is always important. Someone who can tell you the truth no matter what! One of my mates always used to chat about how we should have ‘multiple sources of income' and one day we decided to do something about it, and met up with a mutual friend and formed a DJ team overnight. From there we ventured into other areas and we are still mates and still advise each other today.
Finally, stay legal. I know this is the difficult one, especially for people whose papers are incomplete, but following the full legal route will not only keep your heart at peace anytime you see the police, it will also stop rouge lawyers reaping you off.

OO: What has been your most memorable experience of the British society?
TO: I think the rebuild after the July 7 bombings reminded me of how kind and warm-hearted people can be when they choose to.

OO: Who or what is your greatest inspiration?

TO: I suppose it would be a cliché to say ‘Obama'. But Joseph in the Bible is my inspiration. He went through all sorts of things, but held onto the things he learnt, didn't get corrupted by the Egyptian way of life and eventually came to high office. Joseph held on to his morals, must have engaged in loads of training which made him stand out from the others and then networked wherever he was till his name was mentioned to the king, and in one swift moment he became a ruler in the land.
In the same vein, I suggest that people should always remember their ethics, engage in constant self improveme