Day: June 9, 2023

School heads in Homa Bay County have been challenged to work closely with security personnel to address cases of insecurity in learning institutions.

Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan said schools in the county were facing threats ranging from religious extremism to drug abuse and violent protests.

The county commissioner was speaking Thursday during a meeting on the safety and security of schools held at Ogande Girls High School.

Lilan stressed that there was a need for cooperation between head teachers and security officials for quick intervention to combat security threats in learning institutions.

He cited religious extremism as one of the issues which are coming up in schools, fueled by fake criminal preachers.

The Commissioner, however, said religious extremism had not gone out of hand and could be remedied in the affected schools.

‘Religious extremism is one of the issues which are coming out in our schools, but it is still manageable,’ Lilan said, adding that the other issues are drug abuse among students, theft, violent demonstrations prompted by the transfer of teachers, and power outages.

The administrator argued that proper cooperation between school managers and security officials will help address the issues.

‘We have gathered here to look at the security issues affecting our schools. We have resolved that all school managers will work closely with security officers to enable us to eradicate the issues from our schools,’ Lilan said.

He said the collaboration will enable a multi-sectoral approach to address the issues affecting schools.

County Director of Education Eunice Khaemba said the meeting resolutions will enable them to succeed in addressing security problems facing the learning institutions.

‘Through this meeting, we have been able to identify risk factors of security problems in our schools. We have come up with measures for solving them,’ Khaemba said.

She said the time had come for all education stakeholders in the county to be proactive rather than reactive.

Kenya Secondary School Heads Association County Chairman Dickens Bula urged school head teachers to develop good rapport with the local communities to enable them to access information on security threats to their schools.

He said the collaboration will augment the fight against drug abuse in schools.

‘Drugs are sold to students by members of the community. Developing good relations with the local community will help in the war against drug abuse and other issues affecting the schools,’ Bula said.

The chairman said addressing the issues will make the school environment more conducive to learning.

Educationist and former Bomet Senator Prof. Christopher Langat urged learners and parents to embrace technical and vocational training courses to address the challenges of unemployment.

He said competition for high grades and the attitude that degrees were the only measure of success were fueling cheating in national exams.

‘Some of the most successful workers are products of technical training institutions; we must change our mindsets if we are to address unemployment in this country,’ Prof. Langat added.

He said he championed the increase in government capitation for technical and vocational courses when he was chair of the education committee in the Senate.

Also in attendance were county Police Commander Samson Kinne and Homa Bay sub-county Deputy county Commissioner Jude Wasonga.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The leader of the newly created group, Ambazonia People Advocative Platform, APAP, Ngong Emmanuel, also known as Capo Daniel, has said his group has lifted the ban on products from Les Brasseries du Cameroun.

“…And also to announce to you a new ban against Supermont mineral water product sold in Ambazonia…We must treat both Brasseries as we treat equally as we treat the UCB of the Kadji group. Instead of this ban, our forces should demand owners to pay a liberation tax that should be proportional and collected by dominant forces of any area of their control…liberation tax should not be excessive.” Capo said.

“I have taken this decision and full responsibility and ask all Ambazonians who listen to me to abide by this law…without fear of any harassment,” he said in an 11 minutes 42 seconds video.

Capo Daniel a dissident of the Ambazonia Governing Council, was the group’s Spokesperson and Deputy Commander of the armed wing, Ambazonia Defense Forces, ADF. But he resigned in May 2023 citing differences in opinion with the leader of the AGovC, Ayaba Cho Lucas.

Mr. Daniel said the ban is an appropriate response to the incident that led to the death of journalist Anye Nsoh, in Bamenda. Anye was shot dead with a microphone in his hand as armed separatists stormed a bar to force an early closure.

“It will also eliminate Cameroon’s military network which has been relying on those selling the product for intelligence…It will also put an end to the black market in brewery products where we have discrepancies in prices,” he continued.

Since the conflict started in Cameroon’s two English-speaking regions in 2016, bar owners selling brewery products from Les Brasseries du Cameroun, have been targets. The Separatists fighting for a new state, said the target is because the company is French-owned, former colonial master of Cameroon.

Thousands have died and hundreds are now refugees in Nigeria while millions of others have been internally displaced.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The Cameroonian Government and United Nations, UN have dialogued and revisited the framework of their cooperation, including the points concerning the reconstruction plan of the Far North, North West, and South West Regions.

This discussion was during the third session of the Structured Political Dialogue which took place at the Ministry of foreign affairs (MINREX) last Thursday, June 8, 2023.

The event was co-chaired by the MINREX boss Lejeune Mbella Mbella and the Resident Coordinator of the System of the United Nations in Cameroon, Matthias Naab.

The aim of the Third Structured Political Dialogue between both parties was to set a blueprint to bolster the country’s reconstruction and development programs, CNA learned.

The deliberations also focused on the contribution of the United Nations Systems to the implementation of the reconstruction plan.

Minister Mbella Mbella said that “The cooperation framework will enable us to benefit from the UN expertise to boost developmental projects in the North West, South West, and Far North regions”.

Speaking to the press, the UN representative said the UN intends to support the government in several ways to achieve its objectives.

“The holding of this meeting is a testament to the quality and level of our relationship with the government. The presidential reconstruction program in the North West and South West and the special program for the Far North are very constructive programs by the government,” Matthias Naab said.

Two previous sessions have been held, the first in October 2016 and the latter in August 2018.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The Seychelles’ Supreme Court on Friday set the trial date time for the Valabjhi’s arms and terrorism case for July 4.

The presiding judge, Chief Justice Rony Govinden, set the date to begin hearing the illegal possession of firearms case involving prominent Seychellois businessman Mukesh Valabhji and his wife Laura, a lawyer, and three others.

The others charged in the case are Leslie Benoiton – a senior officer in the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF), Leopold Payet – a former chief of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces [the former name of the Seychelles Defence Forces]- and Frank Marie – a retired lieutenant colonel and presidential chief security officer.

Govinden made the announcement at the accused latest appearance amid objections from the defence that their lawyers would not be able to represent them in court.

The case relates to more than 100 firearms and over 35,000 rounds of ammunition recovered from the Valabjhi’s home at Morne Blanc during a search on November 18. This came after the couple was arrested in relation to a case of money laundering of a missing $50 million of funds granted to the government of Seychelles by the United Arab Emirates in 2002.

The trial initially was set for April but was delayed following the application for the recusal of Govinden as the presiding trial judge – which was dismissed on June 1.

Immediately before setting the new date for trial, Govinden had unblocked the couple’s overseas accounts – which were frozen at the request of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles (ACCS).

The couple had argued that they had been unable to pay for their international counsel due to their bank accounts being frozen.

France Bonte, the defence lawyer of Mukesh Valabhji, told the court “that those lawyers would only begin working upon payment, which means that they are only now beginning to prepare for the case.”

Govinden replied that since it had been a year and four months since charges have been laid in this case there was ample time to prepare.

“Matters of disclosure cannot stop the flow of trial proceedings,” he said.

Meanwhile, Laura Valabhji – a prominent lawyer by profession – told the court that while for certain aspects of the case, she could represent herself, she would need her counsel to represent her for others.

Although the defence pushed for the illegal arms and ammunition case to be heard in October, the court maintained the trial date for July 4. It is expected to proceed from August until September.

Govinden has sent an administrative order to vacate all previous cases for all lawyers for this trial.

Source: Seychelles News Agency

Exactly 60 years after becoming the first Seychellois Anglican priest on June 9, 1963, Seychelles bid farewell to its beloved Archbishop Emeritus French Chang-Him in a state funeral held at the Anglican St Paul’s Cathedral in the capital city of Victoria on Friday, and was later laid to rest at the St Luc Cemetery, Bel Ombre.

Friday was declared a day of national mourning in the island nation, with flags flying at half-mast as a sign of respect for a man who has been described as a true servant of God and an exemplary human being.

Chang-Him, 85, passed away on May 26 at the Seychelles Hospital, where he was receiving treatment after emergency surgery.

Hundreds of mourners, including his family, parishioners, friends, Seychelles’ President Wavel Ramkalawan, who is also an Anglican priest, as well as former President Danny Faure, government officials, the diplomatic corps, and members of the Seychelles Interfaith Council of Seychelles (SIFCO), among others, gathered to pray and say their goodbyes.

The funeral service was followed with prayers read by Ramkalawan, in his capacity as the Reverend Canon, while the procession made its way to the front of the altar. The archdeacon, reverends, members of the clergy, Archbishop James Wong of Seychelles and the Province of the Indian Ocean, and other members of the Anglican church took turns conducting the service, which lasted for about two hours.

Archbishop Wong offered thanksgiving to God “for the ministry of Archbishop Emeritus French Chang-Him in the Church, in the Seychelles, in the Province of the Indian Ocean, in the Anglican Communion. And whether he ministered to your people, we bless and thank you for his love for you and for your people.”

He added, “We thank you for his faithfulness and how he preached your words and administered your sacrament during the 60 years of his ministry. We bless you for how he remained faithful and loyal to his ordination vows fulfilling his duties of ministry, serving your people, building up your church, and glorifying your Holy name. We also give thanks for all his family for the love and support to his ministry who have made a significant offering to the mission of your Holy Church as they have shared their love. Continue to shower them with your love and blessings.”

Reading the combined eulogy of many mourners, Bernard Georges, the secretary of the board of church commissioners, asked “where do I begin to tell the story of French Chang-Him?”

“There is so much to say and there is so little time. He loved everybody and everybody loved him in return – it was impossible not to love the man. Although he attained the pinnacle of the Anglican hierarchy, his feet remained firmly rooted in the earth. His was not false modesty – it was a humility born out of adversities, sufferings, and challenges,” said Georges.

With the aim of setting down eulogies written by other people permanently, a booklet bearing the many eulogies will be compiled and printed into a booklet to be made available at a later date.

In his testimony, Bishop Alain Harel of the Roman Catholic Diocese outlined that “Bishop was an exceptional citizen, a role model and pillar of the society of Seychelles.”

“I hope that this son of Seychelles will always be an example and reference in the way we continue to build togetherness in Seychelles,” said Harel.

A well-lived life

Born on May 10, 1938, to a father of Chinese origin — Francis Chang-Him – and a Seychellois mother – Amelia Zoe. Chang Him was the 6th of 10 children. He is survived by two sisters, one older and one younger than him.

The First Lady, a loving niece

First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, the niece of Archbishop French, told SNA that the Archbishop spent his childhood in Victoria. The First Lady has fond memories of “Ton Kitch” – as he was affectionately referred to as Bishop French’s second name was Kitchener.

“I remember him driving his Mini Moke, choir practice at St Luke’s, and having travel sickness after taking the lorry to and from Anse Royale,” said the First Lady, recounting how, later in life, Chang-Him would reach out to people on New Year who were living alone.

It was at the age of 15, while in St. Luke’s Church at Bel Ombre on the main island of Mahe, that Chang Him felt a call to do something special for the Lord. But it was only after finishing college in 1958 that he decided to respond seriously to this call.

Responding to the call from God

After teaching for a year at Saint Paul’s School, he went to study at Lichfield Theological College, near Birmingham, Great Britain, where after three years he was ordained a deacon and served there for a year, before returning to the Seychelles, where he was ordained a priest in 1963, at Saint Paul’s Cathedral.

In 1974, after working in several parishes, Chang-Him pursued his studies in Toronto, Canada. Back on the islands, he married Suzy Talma, a dental therapist who had recently returned from studying in New Zealand. Together they had twin daughters: Frances and Michelle. In May 1996, after 20 years of marriage, Chang Him lost his wife to cancer.

He was consecrated the first Anglican Bishop of Port Victoria in 1979, a post he held until 2004 when he resigned. Bishop French also served as the Archbishop of the Indian Ocean in 1984, resigning in 2005.

Messages of condolences

Amongst the first to react, following the passing of Bishop Chang-Him, was the President of Seychelles – 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean – Wavel Ramkalawan.

“I was ordained by Bishop French 39 years ago, and I have always worked closely with him and my marriage with his niece brings us that much closer because of the familial link. We do not have any doubt that he is now resting in peace with the Almighty that he proclaimed. We will miss his guidance, his message of encouragement, his devotion and his service towards everyone,” said the head of state.

“His special voice carried his words in an extraordinary manner that one can still hear him talk. That was and is the power of this great son of our motherland. May he rest in eternal peace,” said former President Danny Faure in a message sent to the family and members of the Anglican Diocese.

The leader of the United Seychelles Party also sent a message of condolences. Patrick Herminie said: “Coming from such humble beginnings, he showed no glory for the position he held as the Archbishop Emeritus and remained humble throughout his life at the service of the church. He dedicated his ministry to serve God and the people of Seychelles with fulfillment and passion.”

“Archbishop French Chang-Him was one of the greatest, most noble, and kindest souls of our society; a Christian soul who touched the hearts of many, who took their suffering on his shoulders and gave comfort and kindness to all. He will remain in our hearts forever known as one who had a deep sense of justice and a great unifier and the Judiciary together with the legal community of Seychelles express its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” said Chief Justice Rony Govinden.

Govinden was speaking in his capacity as chairperson of the Archbishop Makarios Foundation of Seychelles — a foundation that aids schoolchildren with bursaries, where Archbishop Emeritus French Chang-Him was the longest-serving member of the organisation’s board.

Charitable work

In his work with civil society, Chang-Him was a dedicated member of the Cancer Concern Association. In an interview on the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) Television, fellow founding member Josie Michaud-Payet recounted how the discussion to start the association started with Chang-Him at the St. John Parish at Glacis.

Cancer Concern was set up as a support group as it was evident back then that people needed the support. “He understood, through his experience of losing his wife to cancer, he understood the suffering of both patients and families,” said Michaud-Payet.

Closer to home Chang-Him is remembered as an avid football fan, who would watch games up to 1 o’clock in the morning and still get up at 5 am to celebrate mass. Another passion was cooking where he would let his creativity run wild and where he would create many dishes, his favourites made from seafood.

Lasting memory of a much-loved man

The passing of the Archbishop will only mean that he will not be seen physically walking around brusquely in Victoria, stopping here and there for a chat or giving a blessing but his devotion and dedication of more than half a century to the Anglican diocese, not only in Seychelles but of the Indian Ocean region as well will be remembered. The island nation will not forget his contributions as well to non-governmental organisations.

His portrait, forever posed as a stained-glass piece, will be seen by all those who are in Victoria, embellished and part of the architecture of St Paul’s Cathedral, which he consecrated as the Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese and Province of the Indian Ocean in 2004.

Source: Seychelles News Agency