The Trumpet Newspaper Issue 517 (April 22 - May 5 2020)

TheTrumpet
Africans now have a voice... Founded in 1995
V O L 26 N O 517 A P R I L 22 - MAY 5 2020
THIS
SPACE IS
FOR SALE
COVID-19
mental
health
campaign
launched
Censorship in Tanzania (Picture - Victor Ndula, Amnesty International)
End crackdown
on journalists
Tanzanian authorities have
suspended Talib Ussi Hamad,
a journalist with the Daima
daily newspaper, for six months
simply for reporting on COVID-19,
the latest in a string of attacks on the
right to freedom of expression, access
to information and media freedom
during the pandemic.
Talib Hamad’s suspension comes
just days after the Mwananchi daily
newspaper had its license suspended
after it posted a photo of President
John Pombe Magufuli out shopping
surrounded by a crowd of people,
eliciting online discussion on the
country’s approach to addressing
COVID-19.
“Access to information is an
essential part of the fight against
COVID-19, yet the Tanzanian
government is choosing to censor
journalists and media outlets who
report on the disease. These recent
reprisals are clearly politically
motivated - the Tanzanian
government’s sensitivity to criticism
is costing journalists their rights and
livelihoods,” said Deprose Muchena,
Amnesty International’s Director for
East and Southern Africa.
“In recent years, Tanzania has
increasingly used repressive laws to
silence and punish journalists for
doing their jobs. We are calling on the
authorities to end this crackdown on
media freedom and stop using the law
as a tool of censorship and
repression.”
The authorities cited provisions of
the restrictive Media Services Act in
issuing both suspensions. Talib
Hamad was suspended for allegedly
reporting about a COVID-19 patient
without the patient’s consent.
Mwananchi newspaper was
suspended and fined five million
Tanzanian shillings (about USD
2200) for publishing a photo of the
President buying fish in his home
village of Chato, in north-western
Tanzania, on 13 April, apparently
breaching global social distancing
guidelines. Authorities said the photo
was not recent.
Three other media organizations -
Star Media Tanzania Ltd, Multichoice
Tanzania Ltd and Azam Digital
Broadcast Ltd – were on 2 April each
Continued on Page 4>
Jesse Lingard. Credit - Joe Sarah Photography
- Data shows over
4 in 5 adults are
worried about
the effect that
Coronavirus
(COVID-19) is
having on their
life right now.
Public Health England’s
Every Mind Matters
platform has launched new
advice, focussed on looking after
people’s mental wellbeing during
the coronavirus (COVID-19)
pandemic. It has been updated
after new data shows over 4 in 5
(85.2%) people are worried about
the effect that coronavirus is
having on their life, with over
half (53.1%) saying it was
affecting their well-being and
nearly half (46.9%) reporting
high levels of anxiety.
Continued on Page 2>

Page2 TheTrumpet APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020
News
COVID-19 mental health
campaign launched
Continued from Page 1<
A range of new resources from
Every Mind Matters, designed
specifically to help manage our
mental wellbeing during coronavirus,
includes a tailored COVID-19 Mind
Plan, COVID-19 specific content for
individuals and their loved ones, and
support for specific mental wellbeing
issues such as anxiety, stress, low
mood and trouble sleeping. The
website signposts people to activities
such as mindful breathing exercises,
help managing unhelpful thoughts,
and muscle relaxation.
To help get this vital message out
there, The Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge are supporting Every
Mind Matters and have narrated a
new short film which is being
broadcast across national TV
channels. The film portrays a range of
people whose lives have been affected
by COVID19 and aims to reassure
people that support is available and
encourages everyone to take care of
their mental wellbeing at this difficult
time.
NHS’s top 5 tips for maintaining
mental wellbeing during the
Coronavirus outbreak
1. Talk about your worries: it is
normal to feel worried, scared or
helpless about the current
situation. Maintain contact with
friends and family via phone and
video calls to share how you are
feeling.
2. Keep a regular routine and set
goals: you may need to set a new
routine for now. Try writing a plan
for your day with the things you
can still do at home, like watching
a film, reading a book or
completing a puzzle. Setting goals
and achieving them gives a sense
of control and purpose.
Maintaining good-quality sleep
makes a big difference to how you
feel mentally and physically too,
so it’s important to get enough (the
Every Mind Matters sleep page
provides practical advice on how
to improve your sleep).
3. Manage your media and
information intake: if 24-hour
news and constant social media
updates are making you worried,
try to limit the time you spend
watching, reading, or listening to
coverage of the outbreak to once
or twice a day.
4. Do things you enjoy and try
something new: focussing on
your favourite hobby, learning
something new, or simply taking
time to relax indoors should give
you some relief from anxious
thoughts and feelings and can help
boost your mood. Look online for
lots of free tutorials and courses.
5. Look after your body: our
physical health has a big impact on
how we feel. At times like these it
can be easy to fall into unhealthy
patterns of behaviour that end up
making you feel worse. Try to eat
healthy, well-balanced meals,
drink enough water and exercise
regularly. You can leave your
house, alone or with members of
your household, for one form of
exercise a day – like a walk, run or
bike ride. But make sure you keep
a safe 2-metre distance from
others.
Health and Social Care Secretary
Matt Hancock said: “We have asked
people to make unprecedented
changes to their day-to-day lives as
part of our national effort to respond
to this global pandemic. Staying at
home and not seeing friends and
loved ones can take its toll and it is
completely understandable to feel
overwhelmed or anxious.
“It’s vital that we all look after our
mental health in these challenging
times, so today we are launching new
guidance on the NHS Every Mind
Matters website which is tailored to
help people deal with this outbreak
through practical tips and advice.
“Whether it’s through exercise,
keeping to a routine, or trying
something new – there is so much we
can do to keep our minds healthy and
prevent issues becoming more serious
- and I’d encourage everyone to take
advantage of this brilliant resource.”
Jesse Lingard, England footballer,
said: “I’m doing yoga twice a week at
home to look after my mental health.
Speaking to my family on a regular
basis is also really helpful as they give
me support and make me feel
connected. All of our lives have
obviously changed a lot in recent
weeks which can be confusing and
make you feel anxious. Even during
isolation I am trying to stay focused
and set goals which has helped me
maintain a routine and positive
attitude.”
For more information, search
‘Every Mind Matters’ or visit
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/everymind-matters/
to create your
personalised Mind Plan.
Do you have land in Nigeria that you want to develop?
We (www.ukuldacoop.org) are a UK-based Nigeria-Mass-Housing-cum-
Infrastructure-Development-Focused Cooperative.
Do you have land with "C of O" in a good location in Nigeria that you want to
develop? We may be the "JV" (Joint Venture)
Funding and Technical partners you need.
Contact us: +44 (0) 7956 675412
info@ukuldacoop.org / www.ukuldacoop.org

APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020 TheTrumpet
Page3

Page4
TheTrumpet
APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020
News
Jailed for throwing urine at
TheTrumpet Group
Tel: 020 8522 6600
Field: 07956 385 604
E-mail:
info@the-trumpet.com
TheTrumpetTeam
PUBLISHER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:
’Femi Okutubo
CONTRIBUTORS:
Moji Idowu, Ayo Odumade,
Steve Mulindwa
SPECIAL PROJECTS:
Odafe Atogun
John-Brown Adegunsoye (Abuja)
DESIGN:
Xandydesigns@gmail.com
ATLANTA BUREAU CHIEF:
Uko-Bendi Udo
3695 F Cascade Road #2140 Atlanta,
GA 30331 USA
Tel: +1 404 889 3613
E-mail: uudo1@hotmail.com
BOARD OF CONSULTANTS
CHAIRMAN:
Pastor Kolade Adebayo-Oke
MEMBERS:
Tunde Ajasa-Alashe
Allison Shoyombo, Peter Osuhon
TheTrumpet (ISSN: 1477-3392)
is published in London fortnightly
Advertising:
020 8522 6600
THINKING
OF
WRITING
A BUSINESS
PLAN?
We can help you develop a
professional business plan
from only £250.
For more information, contact us
at 07402792146 or email us at:
tolu.oyewole@consultant.com
Prison Officer
Aman who threw urine at a Investigation Team.
prison officer has being given Knowing the only other charge
a jail sentence after a option for Raheem would be common
determined Met detective used an
unusual law to prosecute the case -
believed to be the first of its kind in
London.
22-year-old Michael Raheem was
sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment
for administering poison with intent to
injure, aggrieve or annoy, after
throwing his urine at a prison officer in
HMP Belmarsh.
The incident took place on 6
assault - carrying a maximum sentence
of six months - officer in the case, DC
Natalie Ford, believed that he should
face prosecution under Section 24 of
the Offences Against the Person Act
(OAPA) 1861; which calls for proof
that a noxious substance has been used
with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy.
In the Met, urine is usually only
tested for the presence of other
substances such as drugs or alcohol; no
October 2018 when Raheem test was previously sourced to
approached a female prison officer
holding a shower gel bottle filled with
yellow liquid, which he proceeded to
spray her with. He was detained by
staff; and the half-full bottle was
retained.
An investigation was launched by
officers from the South East Prison
evidentially confirm to a court that a
previously unknown liquid was urine.
This meant the Met’s forensics team
needed to source analytical capability
to support this investigation. Therefore,
a review of forensic testing capability,
offered by forensic providers, was
conducted, identifying a company that
Amnesty calls for
end to crackdown
on journalists
Continued from Page 1<
fined the same amount and ordered to
apologize for “transmission of false and
misleading information” on the
country’s approach to managing
COVID-19.
“The authorities must immediately
lift the suspension of the journalist and
the media houses They must not be
penalized or sanctioned for doing their
job,” said Deprose Muchena.
Muchena added: “The media plays a
crucial role in informing the public
about the factual situation and measures
taken by governments in response to
COVID-19. Its capacity to operate freely
should not be unduly restricted.”
Some of the laws that have been used
in recent years to stifle the right to
freedom of expression, access to
information and media freedom and
silence critical voices are the Media
Services Act, the Electronic and Postal
Communications (Digital and Other
Broadcasting Networks and Services)
Regulations, Electronic and Postal
Communications (Radio and Television
Content) Regulations, and Electronic
and Postal Communications (Online
Content) Regulations.
was able to examine the liquid and
confirm beyond reasonable doubt that
it was urine – making it applicable
under the legislation.
Detective Chief Inspector John
Massey, from the South East Command
Unit, said: “This conviction shows a
real persistence and flair for innovation
on the part of the officers involved;
demonstrating the extra mile the Met
will go to ensure the safety of, and
justice for, front line staff.”
Raheem was on remand for robbery
when the incident took place. He was
subsequently sentenced to six years for
the robbery; the 20-month sentence to
is to run consecutively.
Bubble In Christ Music Band
For your Music band with
classic rendition for all
occasions, with traditional,
contemporary African
international and Gospel filled
with professional decent
Presentation.
More Musicians, Singers,
Instrumentalists, handy men,
Music directors band coordinators,
Audio and/or video
technicians, Drivers,
Marketing Personnel are
welcome.
Contact: Olugbenga on
07438 264613
CHERUBIM & SERAPHIM MOVEMENT CHURCH
Amazing Grace District -London Branch 2
God’s Promises
never fail:
* Before they call I
will answer; while
they are still
speaking I will hear
(Isaiah 65: 24)
WEEKLY DELIVERANCE SERVICE
Deliverance: Every Wednesday
Time: 6.30pm – 7pm (Individual Prayer & Counselling)
Midweek Church Service: 7pm – 9pm
Venue: Orange Room, Albany Theatre, Douglas Way,
London SE8 4AG
Other Service: Sunday Thanks giving 11am – 1.30pm
Michael Raheem
* He will call upon me and I
will answer him: I will be
with him in trouble, I will
deliver him and honour him
(Psalm 91: 15)
For further information, contact - Church Secretary: S/M/I/I (Dr) I Oni-Owoyemi 07788 745231 Or
Church Elders: S/A T Owoyemi 07956 996689 or / M/S/A W Ojomo 07939 836499 or / Apostle T Gbolasere 07484 243990
Email: amazinggracebranch2@gmail.com

Health
APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020
TheTrumpet
Coronavirus: DRC doctor prepares for
latest in long line of health crises
Page5
Health professionals working with
the World Health Organization
(WHO) in eastern Democratic of
Congo (DRC), have been dealing with the
deadly Ebola epidemic since August 2018.
This experience is helping them to prepare
for the latest disease to arrive - COVID-19.
New cases of Ebola have been reported
in Beni since 10 April, resulting in two
deaths, despite earlier hopes that the
disease had been eradicated in the country.
As well as Ebola, the population of DRC is
also having to deal with malaria, measles
and cholera as well as ongoing insecurity,
which is partly why health workers trying
to vaccinate locals against Ebola have
faced mistrust, and even violence.
In an interview with UN News,
Dr Abdourahmane Diallo, who heads up
the WHO Ebola vaccination programme in
DRC, explained that this is an ongoing
problem.
“Unfortunately, we have been fighting
some resistance regarding the new cases:
the community did not believe that they
were Ebola cases, which is making life
difficult for our workers on the ground. But
we are doing our best to communicate with
them, and convince anyone who has been
in contact with the patients to get
themselves vaccinated.
The cases of COVID-19 that we know
about are two people who came from
Dubai to Uganda, and then tried to get to
Beni. As soon as we got the message, we
tried to isolate them, and their conditions
have improved.
Delivering the right message
We had hoped to be able to close the
treatment centres, but now, with cases of
Ebola, and cases of COVID-19, that has
changed. Spirits are good, however. I am
from Guinea, where we had Ebola, and I
also coordinated vaccinations in Sierra
Leone. So, I am very experienced. When
we face challenges, we try to remain
courageous: this is part of being a public
health worker.
Communication has been a major
problem throughout the Ebola epidemic,
and we expect to have the same problems
with COVID-19. For example, even before
the new cases of Ebola this month, we had
a meeting with local authorities, to make
sure that the community received just one
message, and that it was the right message.
Within our team, we also have to be very
careful to make sure that we are
coordinated and speaking with one voice.
As of now, it seems to be working:
social distancing has begun; the authorities
have closed the night clubs, for example,
and even in the markets, people are trying
to stay at least one metre apart.
Rinsing Ebola protective gear in Beni,
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Photo by
Finnish Red Cross - Maria Santto)
Fighting myths and rumours
Disinformation has been a problem.
People have been saying that certain drugs
can be used to vaccinate against COVID-
19, which is not true. We explain that there
is no vaccine against the virus, and trials
are still ongoing. That message is
beginning to get through, and we are
continuing to vaccinate against Ebola.
It is very important that we keep going
back to the community, as many times as
necessary, to get our message across. And
we have to take time to explain, and give
them the opportunity to have their say,
otherwise we can’t succeed. Sometimes,
this means going back to the community
five or six times in one day!
I have learned that you have to know
the right way to speak to the community.
Sometimes, to put them at ease, I don’t
wear WHO-branded clothing. I dress
simply, I bring a basic mobile phone, to
A World Health Organization (WHO) Ebola vaccination team works in Butembo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Photo by WHO - Lindsay Mackenzie)
A nurse prepares to vaccinate an infant during a regularly-scheduled immunization clinic in North Kivu
province, DRC (Photo UNICEF - Thomas Nybo)
show them that I am like them, and that we
need to work together to fight the outbreak.
Protecting health workers
Luckily, we do have enough protective
clothing, because of our vaccination
campaign: for some time, have been
vaccinating anyone who has been in
contact with an Ebola patient, and we don’t
know if they are a high or low risk. So, we
need to make sure that we are fully
protected.
And when we go into the community,
we are spraying chairs, tables, everything,
and ensuring that our team is wearing
Personal Protective Equipment.
As for the COVID-19 pandemic, we are
worried, of course, but we hope that, if
people stick to the government guidelines,
and we are able to communicate those
guidelines to the community, the outbreak
will not spread.
I remember when the COVID-19 cases
started in Guinea, my home country, I
warned that anyone returning from highrisk
countries needed to self-isolate for
fourteen days, and not to go immediately
back to their families and risk infecting
them. Unfortunately, many people did not
follow that advice, and now there are
hundreds of cases in the country.”

Page6 TheTrumpet APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020

News
APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020
TheTrumpet
Farmers face a new outbreak of locusts
even as world battles COVID-19
Page7
As the world battles COVID-19,
farmers in East Africa are facing
another devastating outbreak:
swarms of desert locusts. The
International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) fears that the new swarms could
spark widespread crop loss and deepen
already serious levels of food insecurity,
especially in places reeling from conflict
or
violence.
“The outbreak of desert locusts cannot be
forgotten in the race against COVID-19,”
said John Karongo, the regional
agronomist for the ICRC, based in
Nairobi. “Farmers in East Africa are
entering their most important planting
season as new swarms are beginning to
hatch. We have to act now to avert the
worst.”
The March rains create a troubling
domino effect: the new swarms emerging
in Kenya, Somalia, and southern Ethiopia
have the right conditions to remain,
mature, and lay eggs, with the possibility
of moving to Uganda and South Sudan.
These swarms could then lay eggs in
May, which would hatch in late June and
July, when farmers are just starting to
harvest.
Farmers in Somalia like Halima
Farmers in Garowe, Somalia, are trying to control the locust outbreak by spraying pesticides. (Photo -
Anisa HUSSEIN, ICRC)
Abdikadir, who lives in Garowe town,
already saw vegetation decimated by
locusts earlier this year and fears the
worst is ahead if more eggs hatch. “Once
swarms of locusts arrive on a farm, they
don’t leave anything behind - they eat
everything,” said Halima. “It damaged
the guava in my farm…No one will buy
damaged fruits and vegetables in the
market.”
Fueled by warmer and wetter weather
patterns late last year, the locust outbreak
is the worst East Africa has seen in
decades and came on the heels of a year
marked by extreme droughts and floods.
“We have already seen a decline in
food security in many areas because
locusts wiped out pastureland and crops,”
said Karongo. “If the locust outbreak is
not stopped, we could see the biggest
swarms at their hungriest time right when
crops are starting to mature, all while the
COVID-19 pandemic is creating
economic turmoil that will undoubtedly
hit poor families the hardest.”
The ICRC, together with national Red
Cross and Red Crescent societies, is
getting information out to communities
about locusts so that swarms can be
reported early and what measures should
be taken when there is chemical spraying.
In Somalia, the ICRC is helping farmers
who received seeds last year with
equipment like bio-pesticides and
training to help prevent further crop loss.
“There’s a Somali proverb that says
when the locust leaves an area, it leaves
its eggs behind,” said Halima. “New
swarms are born once the rain comes. It is
good that the locusts left, but my worry
right now is the eggs and the damage they
will cause.”
The ICRC will continue its food,
livelihoods and agriculture programmes
in Somalia, South Sudan, and Ethiopia,
while the Kenya Red Cross stands ready
to help people recover with cash grants,
feed for livestock, and seeds and farming
tools.
Libya - Caught between bullets, bombs
and now COVID-19
Hundreds of thousands of Libyans
are caught in an intensifying
conflict as COVID-19 threatens
to spread and debilitate the country’s
fragile health system. The International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
fears that the virus will compound the
suffering of conflict-affected families,
who are already struggling to meet basic
needs, from shelter to food, water, and
medical care.
“The Libyan health care system was
struggling before COVID-19,” said
Willem de Jonge, ICRC’s head of
operations for Libya. “Today, some
medical professionals who need to be
trained on COVID-19 infection
prevention protocols keep being called
back to the frontlines to treat the injured.
Clinics and hospitals are overwhelmed
caring for war-wounded and those with
chronic illnesses, so their capacity to
receive COVID-19 patients is limited.
They need more support and resources to
face this challenge.”
Despite international calls for a
ceasefire, fighting in Tripoli has
escalated, forcing people to flee their
homes and damaging civilian
infrastructure. Some areas in Tripoli like
Abu Salim have seen their patient-load
quadruple in recent months, mostly due
to the influx of displaced families, many
of whom live in collective centres.
“Displaced Libyans, including some
of our colleagues, have told us they have
no choice but to return to their homes
near the frontline, for fear they could
ICRC relief in Libya
bring the virus into the homes of their
elderly parents or family members,” said
Maria Carolina, ICRC’s deputy head of
sub-delegation for Tripoli. “This
highlights the unimaginable choices
some people are now forced to make as
they struggle to decide whether shelling
and airstrikes pose a greater threat to their
lives than COVID-19.”
Special preventive measures must
also be taken to ensure that COVID-19
does not enter prisons, as physical
distancing is impossible. Migrants in
Libya are also highly vulnerable to the
disease, as many have only limited access
to information, health care, or income.
At the same time, restrictions such as
curfews and border closures, while
important in curbing the spread of the
disease, are creating new challenges to
deliver humanitarian aid and keep the
supply chains for food, medicine, and
basic needs open. “Authorities must
ensure that delivery of humanitarian aid
is facilitated while maintaining
preventive measures such as physical
distancing, or those who depend on it will
suffer tremendously,” said Jonge.
“We are already seeing the cost of
food and other essential supplies
increase, putting an additional strain on
some of Libya’s most vulnerable
families. COVID-19 comes on top of
years of conflict in which families have
seen their public services interrupted and
job opportunities vanish.”
Continued on Page 8

Page8 TheTrumpet APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020
Economy
After COVID-19, what will Africa look
like in 2030 and 2063?
By Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka
The COVID-19 pandemic, one of the
world’s most significant events, has
resulted in cessation of economic
activities that will lead to a significant decline
in GDP, an unprecedented social disruption,
and the loss of millions of jobs. According to
estimates by the African Development Bank,
the contraction of the region’s economies will
cost Sub-Saharan Africa between $35 billion
and $100 billion due to an output decline and
a steep fall in commodity prices, especially
the crash of oil prices.
More fundamentally, the pandemic has
brutally exposed the hollowness of African
economies on two fronts: the fragility and
weakness of Africa’s health and
pharmaceutical sectors and the lack of
industrial capabilities. The two are
complementary.
This is because Africa is almost 100
percent dependent on imports for the supply
of medicines.
According to a recent McKinsey (2019)
study, China and India supply 70 percent of
Sub-Saharan Africa’s demand for medicine,
worth $14 billion. China’s and India’s
markets are worth $120 billion and $33
billion respectively. Consider a hypothetic
situation where both India and China are
unable or unwilling to supply the African
market? Africa surely faces a health hazard.
The root of Africa’s underdeveloped
industrial and health sectors can be
encapsulated in three ways. First, some
African policy makers simply think that poor
countries do not need to industrialise. This
group believes the “no-industrial policy”
advocates who engage in rhetoric that does
not fit the facts. The histories of both Western
societies, and contemporary lessons from
East Asia, run contrary to that stance.
Clearly, governments have an important
role to play in the nature and direction of
industrialisation. Progressive governments
throughout history understand that the faster
the rate of growth in manufacturing, the
faster the growth of Gross Domestic Product
(GDP).
From the Economist magazine five years
ago: “BY MAKING things and selling them
to foreigners, China has transformed itself -
and the world economy with it. In 1990, it
produced less than 3% of global
manufacturing output by value; its share now
is nearly a quarter. China produces about
80% of the world’s air-conditioners, 70% of
its mobile phones and 60% of its shoes.
Today, China is the world’s leader in
manufacturing and produces almost half of
the world’s steel.” The keyword is “making”.
Two, rich countries therefore became rich
by manufacturing and exporting to others,
including high-quality goods and services.
Poor African countries remain poor because
they continue to produce raw materials for
rich countries. For example, 70% of global
trade in agriculture is in semi-processed and
processed products. Africa is largely absent
in this market while the region remains an
exporter of raw materials to Asia and the
West.
Lastly, African countries are repeatedly
told that they cannot compete based on scale
economy, and as well, price and quality
competitiveness because China will
outcompete them. For this reason, they
should jettison the idea of local production of
drugs, food and the most basic things.
The question is: How did Vietnam, with
a population of 95 million, emerge from a
brutal 20-year war and lift more than 45
million people out of poverty between 2002
and 2018 and develop a manufacturing base
that spans textiles, agriculture, furniture,
plastics, paper, tourism and
telecommunications? It has emerged as a
manufacturing powerhouse, becoming the
world’s third-largest exporter of textiles and
garments (after China and Bangladesh).
Vietnam currently exports over 10
million tonnes of rice, coming third after
India and China.
How is it that Bangladesh, a country far
poorer than many African countries, is able
to manufacture 97% of all its drugs demand,
yet it is next door to India, a powerhouse of
drug manufacturing?
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed
Africa. African leaders need to look in the
mirror and ask where this continent will be
in 2030 and 2063. Africa must adopt
progressive industrial policies that create
inclusive, prosperous and sustainable
societies.
What then should be done?
A three-pronged approached is urgently
needed.
First, Africa needs a strong regional
coordination mechanism to consolidate small
uncompetitive firms operating in small
atomistic market structures. With a consumer
base of 1.3 billion and $3.3 trillion market
under the African Continental Free Trade
Area (AfCFTA), the continent has no choice
but to bring together its fragmented markets.
Second, Africa needs to build better
institutions, strengthen weak ones and
introduce the ones missing. No better wakeup
call is required than the present pandemic.
Third, one important institution that has
been abruptly disrupted is the supply chain
for medicines and food, for example.
Logistics for transporting capital and
consumer goods across the region need
predictable structures. Building or
strengthening supply chains involve fostering
and providing regulations for long-term
agreements and competences that leverage
both private and public institutional
challenges such as customs regulations.
Finally, Development Finance
Institutions (DFIs) such as the African
Development Bank are mandated to, and are
currently, trying to fill the gaps left by private
financial institutions. There is an opportunity
to Africa to rethink and reengineer its future.
The Africa of tomorrow must look inwards
for its solutions. - whether in feeding its own
people, build industrial powerhouses led by
African champions.
The African Development Bank stands
ready to help target and push for deeper
economic transformation. Africa needs to
execute structurally transformative projects
that generate positive externalities and social
returns. Keep our eyes on the days after.
* Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, is
the Senior Special Adviser on
Industrialization to the President of the
African Development Bank. He is a fellow of
the Nigerian Academy of Engineering and
Professorial Fellow, United Nations
University. His recent book is “Resurgent
Africa: Structural Transformation and
Sustainable Development”, UK: Anthem
Press, 2020.
Libya - Caught between bullets, bombs
and now COVID-19
Continued from Page 7<
ICRC’s operational response in Libya
to conflict:
• ICRC continues to provide food and
household items to internally
displaced people, residents and
returnees. In March, these efforts
reached more than 8,200 people.
• ICRC's water and sanitation teams
have been working with local water
authorities to increase access to clean
water in dozens of areas affected by
the conflict. It is also working to
improve sanitation by supporting
sewage-processing facilities.
• It is also providing medical supplies
to hospitals and primary health care
facilities across Libya, including
insulin and other medicines to
diabetes centres. ICRC teams are also
delivering trauma medical supplies
and body bags to health workers on
the frontline.
ICRC’s operational response in Libya
to COVID-19:
• The ICRC is giving cash to health
care facilities to help them buy
equipment and medical consumables
such as masks, soap and disinfectants.
Three hospitals will also receive
generators, so they can keep working
through power cuts.
• It has delivered hygiene items to
3,200 detainees living in two places
of detention and is working with
authorities on measures to be taken to
prevent COVID-19, and manage
suspected cases inside prisons.
• It is working with the Libyan Red
Crescent and the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies (IFRC) to share
information about how COVID-19
can be prevented in communities
across the country.
• Teams are also providing hygiene
materials and chlorine to displaced
families in 17 collective centres. Staff
in the centres are also being trained in
how to carry out disinfection to
prevent the spread of COVID-19 in
shared living spaces
• It is also working with authorities to
develop a plan for how bodies of
those who die from COVID-19 will
be managed safely and with dignity.
This also includes equipment support
such as body bags.

Children
APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020
TheTrumpet
Helping children cope with Covid-19
bereavement
Page9
As the Conoravirus death toll continues to
rise, more and more youngsters are having
to cope with the loss of a loved one. Former
primary school teacher - Catherine Lynch
of education resources and lesson plan
experts - PlanBee has step-by-step advice
for parents.
The daily announcement that yet again
hundreds of loved ones have died from
Covid-19 continues to shock us – as it
should. But for young children, most of
whom are stuck at home without the
distraction of school and socialising with
friends, talk of death can be extremely
disturbing and overwhelming.
As the number of victims continues to
rise – and with age identified as one of the
key risk factors – those lost may include
grandparents, elderly neighbours, or
relatives of their friends. And increasingly,
as the virus takes hold, children are
mourning parents, uncles and aunts.
And for those whose parents and loved
ones are key workers in, for example, the
NHS, supermarkets or transport, there may
be special worries that their relatives are
particularly vulnerable.
If a relative or friend does succumb to
the virus, here is some advice as to how
best to discuss it with your child, who may
be feeling bewildered as well as extremely
sad. The challenge is to be honest and
truthful while making your dialogue ageappropriate
and reassuring.
Don’t shy away from difficult
information
Talking about illness and bereavement
are incredibly challenging conversations to
have. It can be tempting to try and shield
children from difficult information, but they
are likely to overhear conversations and
pick up on adults’ emotions. This makes it
highly likely they will become frightened
and confused about the unknown. Where
possible, be honest with children in an ageappropriate
way.
Tell them if a relative is unwell
Talk to them about what is happening
and tell them if someone they know is
unwell. Answer their questions as best you
can. Talk about how you are feeling, if you
are able to. Don’t be shocked or worried if
your child doesn’t seem to engage with the
conversation. Follow their lead, give them
time to process the news and be ready to
talk to them when they approach you.
Use direct language
Talk to your child in simple, direct
language to explain when someone dies.
Avoid comparing dying with falling to
sleep. This can make children incredibly
anxious about going to sleep themselves.
Also avoid euphemisms like ‘we have
lost…’. This can be confusing for children.
You may want to read a picture book about
bereavement together. Stories are excellent
for sharing difficult concepts with children
in an accessible way. They give people the
language to discuss this type of event. You
may find a child will request a book about
bereavement rather than directly ask to
discuss it. Books can seem much less
threatening than having a deep and
meaningful conversation.
Anger is OK as well as sadness
Acknowledge all feelings after a
bereavement. This includes, but is not
limited to, sadness, loss, anger, worry,
relief, guilt, happiness, numbness. Feeling
any of these emotions is normal; none of
them makes someone a bad person. Most
people experience a mixture.
Adults are suffering, too
Expect everyone in your household
(this includes adults) to have times where
everything feels overwhelming. For
children, this may present in more
challenging behaviour as they struggle to
regulate their emotions. They may also start
acting as if they are much younger than
they are, seeking lots of cuddles, wanting
to be spoon fed at mealtimes, demanding
they are given something unrealistically
expensive, and being completely devastated
when something small doesn’t work out as
they hoped.
Accept their feelings of anger
While it can feel frustrating when your
child loses the plot over their brick tower
falling down, remember that they are
processing a lot of complicated emotions.
It is much easier to express anger and upset
over something specific and tangible than
to explain feelings around something as big
and sometimes abstract as the death of a
loved one. If they are seeking much more
attention than usual it may feel smothering,
especially while our support networks are
so different from usual. Arrange video calls
with friends and family and don’t feel
guilty about extra cuddles on the sofa. Try
to engage your support network as best you
can remotely and be kind to yourself.
Remember your loved one
Share memories of the person who has
died. This is especially important at the
moment when only a small number of
family members are permitted to attend
wakes and funerals. You may want to plan
a memorial service for when restrictions
have been lifted. This is an opportunity for
separated families to work together and
may provide a useful thing to focus on.
Say your own goodbye
Holding your own, personal ritual as a
household is a lovely, gentle way to say
goodbye. You could all share a memory of
the person. Encourage your child to draw
pictures or write messages to put in a
memory box; think about what is most
fitting for you and your family.
Possibly most importantly look after
yourself. Don’t be hard on yourself. You
will probably feel a wide range of emotions
and regulating your own emotions while
holding your child’s is incredibly difficult.
Give yourself time to process the loss.
Visit Winston’s Wish or Child
Bereavement UK to access more support
for children and families.
* Catherine Lynch is a former primary
school teacher and now a member of the
senior team at lesson plan and education
resources experts - PlanBee.

Page10 TheTrumpet APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020
Children
Indoor play ideas to stimulate young
children during lockdown
Young children love to play together,
but with the outbreak of the
coronavirus (COVID-19)
pandemic, play dates with friends and
games with large groups are sadly not safe
ideas. Physical distancing is a responsible
way to protect ourselves and others, but for
little ones learning about the world around
them and connecting with their peers
through play, it can be especially
challenging. But just because your children
are stuck inside doesn’t mean they can’t
have fun and learn at the same time.
UNICEF teamed up with the LEGO
Foundation to come up with some creative
ways to enjoy playful moments with your
child and expand his/her world when
physical space is limited.
How to talk to your child about
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
BABIES 0-9 MONTHS
Peek-a-boo!
All you need to play this game is your
hands and a sweet voice. Sit with your
baby, raise your hands (or a piece of cloth)
to cover your face, then remove them and
say “peek-a-boo!” Your little one will
delight at watching you disappear and
reappear. As your baby gets older, she will
start playing back with you.
See and say
Point to different things around the house
while naming and describing them. “See
the cat? That’s an orange cat.” This will
help to build his language skills while
strengthening your bond
Family band
Sing songs with your baby and create
musical instruments from safe objects you
find around the house. For example, put
buttons or beads inside of an empty bottle
to make a shaker and secure it well. Music
helps with sensory development, and
holding the shaker is great for motor skills.
The most important part is to get creative
and – of course – to have fun!
The body game
Name your baby’s body parts and point to
them to help teach her their names. “Where
is baby’s nose? There it is!” You can point
to your own as well to help her make the
connection between the two: “Where is
mommy’s nose? Here it is!”
TODDLERS 1-2 YEARS
Box car
Find an empty box/carton and place your
child in it safely with some soft blankets to
keep her comfortable. Then, pull the box
around while making car noises: “vroom
vroom!” She will have fun zipping around
the house in her new go mobile (and you’ll
get some exercise, too!). If space is limited,
you can still have the same effect by
moving the box from side to side and
making noises together.
Kitchen drummer
Turn over safe, shatter-proof bowls, pots
and pans to make a set of drums straight
from your kitchen. For drumsticks, grab
some wooden spoons. Your little rock star
will keep himself entertained exploring all
the different sounds he can make. This
game is also great for helping him develop
his fine-motor skills.
Free draw
Give your baby some crayons and paper
and let him draw away! This will allow
your child to unleash his creativity and
enjoy independent, creative play. When
he’s done, talk to him about the different
colours he used.
Ball pass
Grab a soft ball and roll it back and forth
with your toddler. This back-and-forth play
is great for confidence building and teaches
her that you will respond to her actions. To
make it even more fun, try adding in
another ball and talk to her about the one
she chooses.
PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN 3-4 YEARS
Dress up
Grab some different fabrics and clothing
and encourage your little one to make a
Indoor play ideas to stimulate young children at home (Photo by UNICEF, Frank Dejongh)
pretend costume out of what you have.
Then, play a game together based on what
he chooses. Who knows what adventures
you’ll have!
“I’m going to catch you!”
Play the “I’m going to catch you!” game
around the house by playfully chasing your
child around your living space. If she has a
lot of energy, this will help her to get it all
out. You may need to join her for a nap
yourself when you’re done.
Name that noise
Make different animal noises and have him
guess which animal you’re pretending to
be. Encourage taking turns and let him
make some noises too while you guess.
This is a great opportunity to teach him
more about the animals you each choose,
too.
Toddler challenge
Toddlers love to be given challenges as they
are growing more physically coordinated.
Ask your child “Can you lift your arm? Can
you touch your hands to your toes?” Using
the names of her body parts in context helps
her learn, and let’s her show you what she
can do!
YOUNG CHILDREN 5-8 YEARS
Obstacle race
Create an obstacle course using furniture,
pillows, and toys – anything safe and soft.
Show him how to move through it and have
him try to go through as fast as he can.
Time him, and try to get him to beat his
record every time he goes through!
Wash away!
Grab some toys that can safely go in the
water, fill up a bucket and let the fun begin.
Encourage her to “wash” her toys by
dunking them and playing with them in the
water and then cleaning them off with a soft
cloth.
Make believe
Have him take the lead and encourage him
to come up with a make-believe scenario.
Follow along with his instructions and ask
him questions about the world he has
created.
Build-a-snack
Have your child help you prepare a snack
for the family and challenge her to use as
many colours as she can. Grab some
healthy options and have her lay them out
on a plate in a design she likes. She’ll be
proud of her delicious creation.
It pays to Advertise in
The Trumpet Call
020 8522 6600 or
email: adverts@thetrumpet.com
STALLIONS AIR
Ipanema Travel Ltd
AFRICA FLIGHTS
SPECIALISTS
LAGOS fr £477
(2 Bags)
020 7580 5999
07979 861 455
Call AMIT / ALEX
73 WELLS ST, W1T 3QG
All Fares Seasonal
ATOL 9179

GAB Awards
Faces at GAB Awards
APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020
TheTrumpet
Page11
Continued on Page 13

Page12 TheTrumpet APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020
Opinion GAB
COVID-19 pandemic and the days
that follow!
By Abiodun Komolafe / ijebujesa@yahoo.co.u
“Lockdown has immediate ramifications
for individuals who live on a hand-tomouth
basis, and for the networks of
their dependents. If people cannot eat,
they will not obey a lockdown, nor is
there any reason, practical or moral, for
them to do so.”
- Alex Broadbent, ‘Lockdown is
wrong for Africa.’
Once again, the lockdown in parts
of Nigeria as a way of mitigating
the coronavirus, aka COVID-
19, pandemic, is a step in the right
direction. At least, for those who believe,
disease pandemics are signs of the end of
the age (Matthew 24). That settled, it is
obvious that COVID-19 has come to
expose the level of Nigeria’s
underdevelopment. It has innocently
painted a glimmer picture of the poverty
in the land which, hitherto, was
unknown! Tragically, as at the time of
writing this piece, there is nothing on
ground to suggest that our
leaders are conscious of the grave
implications of this malaise, let
alone demonstrate the willingness to
tackle it head-on.
As of today, we don’t have all the
facts about coronavirus disease; neither
do we have accurate figures of how
many people have been infected, nor the
capacity to train those who are doing the
testing and contact tracing aspects of the
healing process. We don’t have the drugs
or vaccines for combating the
pandemic or factual knowledge about the
demography of the locked-down
population, which is also key to certain
decisions about its management. It is
even doubtful if Nigeria has the capacity
to process information about the disease
with a view to putting out clear directives
to the field operatives, medical personnel
and frontline workers in the battle
against this invisible enemy. Anyway,
‘COVID-20’ may just be around the
corner unless concrete steps are taken to
contain the ‘reigning’ COVID-19,
currently ravaging this ailing country
with relentless recklessness.
As the uncertainty in this
sometimes lonely world grows, there’s a
general feeling that people are getting
impatient with the lockdown. We
are now in a period of uncertainty
when despair is not only setting
in, socioeconomics statistics is also not
looking good globally. With each passing
day, jobs are becoming increasingly at
risk and small businesses are facing hard
times, even as economies are shutting
down. Already, the Federal Reserve
Bank has warned that, between April and
June, this year, 47 million jobs may be
lost in the United States of America, even
as ‘God’s own country’ may experience
recession. Ditto for many
developed nations! Then, one
can only imagine the likely fate of a third
world country like Nigeria, with a weak
economy and a struggling healthcare
system, which is apparent, even, to the
blind!
Quite frankly, the days that follow the
resolution of COVID-19 crisis in Nigeria
promise to be as revelatory as they will
be tense and troubling! Facts will
become the gifts to give: some altruistic,
others, self-serving! Some things, we
may know; some, shrouded in secrecy,
while others may never be revealed.
Where necessary, governments will set
up probe panels to unravel alleged
underhand deals during interventions,
but, typical of governments in this part
of the world, the Nigerian society
runs the risk of being permanently kept
in the dark!
While accepting the situation in
which our world has now found itself, it
COVID-19 palliative in Nigeria
remains true, nevertheless, that COVID-
19 is here to teach our leaders
some lessons in humility and sense of
responsibility. If we are a thinking
country, going forward, this is the right
time for the government to go back to the
drawing board, rethink its strategies and
redesign our national core values. If the
Nigerian State is conscious of its
roles, this is the time to start preparing
for the next probable pandemic, whether
it’s going to happen or not! If our
government is serious, all the testing
laboratories and Isolation Centres
currently in use should be prevented
from becoming another Abuja National
Stadium Aerodrome, once the current
COVID-19 is put to rest. Otherwise, it
may be from one tragedy to another!
I have argued elsewhere that the
palliative gesture of governments in
Nigeria has shown that they have no idea
at all how hungry the people are; how
many people are indeed poor and the
peculiarity of each of the federating
States. It is also pathetic that some
government functionaries may not have
been well initiated and integrated into
their constitutionally-, institutionallyand
socially-prescribed roles in
government, but the politics of grabbing
power for pecuniary conveniences.
Otherwise, addressing salient-butseemingly-little
challenges in the society
won’t be a problem.
What about the importance of food
chain and adequate food supply in a
locked-down economy?
Who says hunger cannot lead to death
and aggravate social tension and highrisk
crimes? The fact that people are so
poor and hungry that they accept two
cups of uncooked rice as palliatives
from government has not only shown
that Nigerians are indeed immiserated, it
has also attested to the cracks in our
social fabric and how weakened our
social formation and ties,
which, hitherto, were tightly woven
together, has become. For a fact, the
safety valve which the society can have
is the family. But, once that is strained,
then, it becomes a serious problem.
Reacting to one of my previous
interventions, entitled, ‘The dynamics of
COVID-19 interventions’, a cleric,
Samson Akinde wrote: “COVID-19
might be a blessing of a new-born baby,
taken out of a woman in painful and
agonizing labour. It is like a proverbial
ground that swallows both the rich and
the slave alike. Maybe the sensitivity of
our imposing rulers might be awakened
towards doing what is right with the time
and resources they control at any given
time … COVID-19 is just an alert; the
real message is yet to be explored.”
Another commentator, Bolade
Agboola, even inserted figures to support
his assertions: “It ought to dawn on us
now that we are a poor nation with over-
100 million people living on less than $2
per day. To be above poverty at N360 per
dollar, a family of 6 (father, mother and
four children) must earn N130,000.00 a
month. So, we need N6.5 trillion to cater
for the poor for 2 weeks, if UN statistics
is right.”
Well, now that the proverbial cleric
has removed the masquerade’s mask,
will the lessons learnt from this crisis be
used to safely initiate a respite protocol
towards the scourge of coronavirus
disease and cautiously refocus the social
re-engineering of Nigeria?
May the Lamb of God, who takes
away the sin of the world, heal our land!
*Komolafe writes in from Ijebu-Jesa,
Osun State, Nigeria

GAB Awards
APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020
TheTrumpet
Page13
at GAB Awards
Continued from Page 11<
Faces

Page14 TheTrumpet APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020
Earn money as a Trumpet Ambassador
campaign.
Sale of Banner Adverts, ‘Highlights’ and
Mail-shots our in Email Newsletters.
With rates ranging from £100 to £500 per
insertion, we pay Ambassadors a 15%
Commission.
Sale of Advertising on our Social Media
channels.
With rates ranging between £100 to £200
per channel per post, we pay a 15%
Commission.
Sale of Sponsorship, Advertising,
Exhibition spaces and Tickets for GAB
Awards and Trumpet Connect.
With most products and services ranging
between £100 and £20,000, we pay a 15%
Commission.
Engagement Status
Our freelance Ambassadors run their own
business, work from their own home or
office, and choose the amount of time
they devote to the programme. They work
towards the amount they want to earn.
They choose their legal status in terms of
whether they operate as a Self-Employed
individual or a Limited Company or any
other appropriate status depending on the
country they operate, but we suggest you
take professional advice on this.
Ambassadors are fully responsible for
ensuring their tax affairs and other related
issues fulfil the legal requirements of their
country of operation.
Incentives
From time to time, to incentivise our
Ambassadors, we may run special
promotions, or reward achievements,
milestones and introduction of other
Ambassadors to the programme through
cash or advert credits.
About Us
Trumpet Media Group is an
international media organisation with
various media products, services and
events targeting Africa, Africans and Friends
of Africa in the Diaspora and on the
Continent.
Its first media venture - Trumpet Newspaper
started 23 years ago - in 1995, closely
followed by the founding of the prestigious
Gathering of Africa’s Best (GAB) Awards in
1999. There are a number of other niche
products, services and events - with plans to
grow our portfolio over the coming months
and years.
Sales Ambassadors
Our planned future growth has given rise to
the need to take on talented and ambitious
Sales Ambassadors who share our vision of:
promoting the positive image of Africa and
Africans, and are able to sell some (or all) of
our growing number of products and services
on a freelance basis.
Products and Services
We are introducing our portfolio of products,
services, and events below on to the Trumpet
Ambassadors Programme (TAP) in phases.
Print Newspapers: The Trumpet Newspaper
and Trumpet Ghana Newspaper.
Website: www.TrumpetMediaGroup.com
Email Newsletters: Trumpet Newsbreaker,
Trumpet Kenya, Trumpet Nigeria, Trumpet
Sierra Leone, Trumpet Gambia, Trumpet
Ghana
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
Pinterest, LinkedIn, Google+ and WhatsApp.
Events: GAB Awards and Trumpet Connect.
The Opportunities
Opportunities to earn revenue through
Commissions are currently available by
way of:
Sale of Subscriptions to any (or both) of
our Print Newspapers.
With Annual Subscriptions starting from
£60, we pay a 10% Commission.
Distribution and Sales of bulk copies our
Newspapers.
We pay a 35% Commission - split between
the Ambassador and the Sales Outlet.
(Outlets will usually take between 15%
and 25% depending on its type and your
negotiating skills.)
Ambassadors may choose to sell directly
to their clientele or at events and keep the
entire 35% Commission.
Sale of Advertising Spaces in our Print
Newspapers.
With most Advert Spaces ranging from
£80 to £4500 per edition, we pay a 15%
Commission. You receive a Commission
on all editions in the campaign in line
with the Client’s payment - for example, if
an advertiser books and pays for six
editions, you get a Commission on all six
editions.
Sale of Banner Adverts on Website
With Banner Adverts ranging between
£50 and £200 per week, we pay a 15%
Commission for the length of the
Payments
Commission Payments to Ambassadors
are made by the 15th day of the month
following payment of Clients - For
example, Commission on Clients’
payments in January will be paid by 15th
February.
Distribution and Sales of bulk copies of
Newspapers (4.3) are excluded from the
payment arrangement above (7.1).
An Ambassador buys and pays for bulk
copies in advance at a discounted rate
with the TAP Commission deducted upfront.
For example, if an Ambassador
orders bulk copies worth £100 in advance,
the Ambassador only pays us £65
(deducting the 35% Commission upfront).
We operate a No-Returns policy on
Newspaper Sales.
Joining the Programme
It currently costs £100 per annum to join
the Trumpet Ambassadors Programme
(TAP).
Introductory Offer - Join the programme
by 31 August 2018 and accumulate sales
of at least £1000 across any or all of our
products by 30 September 2018; and we
will reward you with 100 TAP Points
worth £100 - which you can spend on any
of our opportunities (4.2) - (4.8).
To join the programme, please request the
Trumpet Ambassadors Programme Form
and via email: info@the-trumpet.com

APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020
TheTrumpet
Page15
We are recruiting:
Independent Sales Consultants
Trumpet Media Group - an
international media
organisation targeting Africa,
Africans and Friends of Africa
in the Diaspora and on the
Continent was founded 24
years ago - in 1995.
Our growth has given rise to the need to engage the services
of self-employed Independent Sales Consultants and
organisations to sell some (or all) of our growing number of
products and services on a Commission-only basis.
The Opportunities
Opportunities to earn revenue through Commissions are
currently available by way of:
· Sale of Subscriptions to our Print Newspapers.
· Distribution and Sales of bulk copies our Newspapers.
· Sale of Advertising Spaces in our Print Newspapers.
· Sale of Banner Adverts on Website.
· Sale of Banner Adverts, ‘Highlights’ and Mail-shots in Email
Newsletters.
· Sale of Advertising posts on our Social Media channels.
· Sale of Sponsorship, Advertising, Exhibition spaces and
Tickets for GAB Awards and other events.
To apply, please email: info@the-trumpet.com

Page16 TheTrumpet APRIL 22 - MAY 5 2020
TheTrumpet is published in London fortnightly by Trumpet
Tel: 020 8522 6600 Field: 07956 385 604 E-mail: info@the-trumpet.com (ISSN: 1477-3392)