Venus and Serena Williams dance with a group of kids during their trip to Nigeria to promote women's rights.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Video - William sisters show off dancing skills on visit to Nigeria
Venus and Serena Williams dance with a group of kids during their trip to Nigeria to promote women's rights.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Video - Nigeria outlaws accusing children of witchcraft
The Nigerian state of Akwa Ibom has introduced a law that makes it illegal to accuse children of withcraft and sorcery. The state has spent significant amounts of money to aid the hundreds of Nigerian children that had been branded withches in Akwa Ibom for years. But some say churches in the impoverished state where unemployment is rampant, must also be reigned in. Some activists cite the churches as the source of the belief that children are sorecerers or witches.
Related story: Branding of children as witches to be criminalized
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Williams sisters visit Nigeria to promote women empowerment
Venus, who was dressed in black pants and a gray top to match, came out of the arrival hall at about 3.38pm local time with tight security in place and was barred from speaking to journalists. She however murmured to THISDAY that she was delighted to be in Nigeria.
"I'm delighted to be in Nigeria and the people look very lively," an obviously shy looking Venus murmured.
She was later driven away in a black Mercedes Benz E360. Her sister, however, arrived later at about 9 pm.
In a chat with Jaiye Opayemi, chief strategist, Chain Reactions Nigeria, which is the consultant for the Williams' visit, said their visit is a women empowerment initiative.
"The visit is targeted at women to encourage them at breaking whatever obstacle that may be standing between them and their dreams, as the Williams have some interesting stories to tell about themselves. Their personal experiences to life and their journey to the top," Opayemi said.
Meanwhile, the Williams sisters will Wednesday meet with the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola at the State House, Marina and will be involved in a tennis clinic at Ikoyi Club.
While the sisters will Wednesday visit a public school and there will be a gala night organised for them at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Meanwhile, Always, a brand of Procter & Gamble Nigeria, is supporting the visiting Williams Sisters to empower women and young girls to believe in themselves in a bid to achieve their full potential in life.
The Williams sisters: Venus and Serena are international tennis stars who arrived Lagos Tuesday as part of the African 'Breaking the Mould' tour; a programme that aims to empower women and young girls to believe in themselves and achieve their full potential.
Serena and Venus Williams embody the meaning of "Mould Breakers" as the story of their lives exemplifies how determination, passion, hard work and self-belief can turn dreams into reality.
Thursday, the duo will partner with feminine hygiene brand Always for a joint girls empowerment event at the Government Secondary School in Osborne, Ikoyi.
Together, Always and the Williams sisters aim to empower girls and inspire them to live their life to the fullest by: stressing the idea of sisterhood and that girls teaming up and supporting each other may achieve great things; teaching young girls the value of hard work, passion, determination and self-belief and leading by best example that neither colour or gender shall be reason enough to hold girls back and keep them from wanting the best in life and succeed.
Venus and Serena Williams will provide the school girls with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only meet their idols but also be inspired and empowered by them. The William sisters will attend an Always puberty education class and talk to the girls before performing with the schoolgirls the Always song "Little Big Steps" to empower them through a shared singing and dancing experience.
Their visit will also help raise awareness of the Always School Care Programme that has helped empower millions of girls in Nigeria and across the globe by educating them on proper feminine hygiene and puberty over the last 12 years. Last year alone, the programme positively impacted 1.5 million girls across Africa.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
English FA investigate alleged racial abuse of Mikel by referee
This is the first reported case of a referee allegedly racially abusing a footballer. Previous cases have been between players or fans.
But Monday, the English FA who are custodians of the Beautiful Game decided to launch an investigation into the matter to prevent it from further creating tension in the Premiership that is gradually becoming notorious for racial abuses.
An FA statement posted on the FA's website read: "The FA has begun an investigation relating to allegations made following Sunday's fixture at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Manchester United. The FA will make no further comment at this time."
Chelsea made a complaint to the Premier League after Mikel stormed into the referee's room to demand an apology after claiming referee Mark Clattenburg made a racist slur when he booked the midfielder in the 76th minute.
One of Chelsea's Spanish stars is also involved after players claim they heard Clattenburg refer to him as 'a Spanish t**t'. Spaniards Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and Cesar Azpilicueta all played against United.
It has also emerged that Clattenburg has been stood down from this weekend's Premier League action, according to The Daily Mail.
The FA will now request all footage from Sky Sports from the game.
While not all are recorded, they should help confirm whether Clattenburg made an inappropriate or racially aggravated comment.
However, these discussions are not recorded - meaning it could come down to one man's word against another, like in the John Terry and Anton Ferdinand race row.
Chelsea, United and anti-racism group Kick It Out all refused to comment on the unfolding story Monday morning.
However, 'The Blues' did confirm they had decided against holding a press conference Tuesday to preview Wednesday night's Capital One Cup clash with United. Lee Mason is the referee for that meeting.
Former England Captain, John Terry was involved in a spat with Antone Ferdinand that led to his ban for four games. Last season, Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra similarly engaged in a war of word over racial abuse. Suarez was banned for 10 matches in addition to a hefty fine.
It was the handling of Terry's affair that led Antone's brother, Rio Ferdinand to refuse to wear the shirts denouncing racism in football recently.
Related stories:
Monday, October 29, 2012
Video report on suicide bomb blast at Church in Kaduna
Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerian president, has condemned an attack on a church in northern Nigeria, and has vowed to crush terrorists in his country. At least eight people were killed when a suicide bomber drove a car filled with explosives into the church packed with Sunday worshippers. Two two more people died later in reprisal attacks.
Related stories: Suicide bomber attacks church in Kaduna
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)