Two major African countries, South Africa and Nigeria have the largest number of her citizens living with HIV/AIDS.   There are many problems contributing to the increasing AIDS/HIV population in both countries but   essentially, poverty, lack of education and awareness, including poor health facilities are the major fundamental problems making the bad situation even more grind..

Countries with Largest Number of People Living with HIV Infections

South Africa - 5,600,000

Nigeria - 3,300,000

India - 2,400,000

Kenya - 1,500,000

Mozambique - 1,400,000

Tanzania - 1,400,000

Zimbabwe - 1,200,000

Uganda - 1,200,000

United States - 1,200,000

Russia - 980,000

Source: CIA World Factbook, 2009 estimates

Global AIDS Figures

People Living with HIV

Adults - 30.1 million

Children - 3.4 million

People newly infected with HIV in 2010 - 2.7 million

AIDS deaths in 2010 - 1.8 million

Chinua Achebe, The father of modern African literature, was described by United States President, Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle as: “A revolutionary author” who “shattered the conventions of literature.”

The above description of Achebe was made in a letter released by The White House and  addressed to the family of Achebe. The letter was read by a representative from Obama’s White House at the Celebration of Life event for Late Chinua Achebe, which took place on last Sunday night, June 2, at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium, Washington, DC.

The letter from President Obama and The First Lady Mitchell Obama read:

“Achebe shattered the conventions of literature and shaped the collective identity of Nigerians throughout the world. With a dream of taking on misperceptions of his homeland, he gave voice to perspectives that cultivated understanding and drew our world closer together. His legacy will endure in the hearts of all whose lives he touched with the everlasting power of his art.”

There were cultural highlights at the occasion including a theatrical rendition of a scene from Achebe‘s Things Fall Apart, which was produced by Mike Chuck theater, a former Nigeria based US citizen.

Notable personalities and entertainments at celebration include, “The Afrobeat band Eme and Heteru serenaded the crowd with electrifying music. Speakers included the host, Johnnetta Cole, president emeriti of Spelman and Bennet Colleges and now director of the Smithonian Museum of African Art; Ruth Simmons,  former president of Brown University; Poets Sonia Sanchez, Micere Mugo and Simon Gikandi. Others are Scott Moyers – president of Penguin, and Jules Chametzky professor emeriti of Umass Amherst, where Achebe spent time in the 1970s and ‘80s.”

Adding  more salt to a festering sore, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Executive Governor of Rivers State has now be suspended by his ruling party  - Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Loading to the headache and burden  of Governor Amaechi was his bad relationship with the presidency and his squabble  with Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) on the chairmanship of the group. But these were not the loads that break the camel's back.

Rather he was suspended for his "refusal to obey the lawful directive of the Rivers State Executive Committee to rescind his decision dissolving the elected Executive Council of Obiokpor Local Government Area of Rivers State."

A  communique was later released at the end of an emergency meeting  called by PDP -National Working Committee, NWC, and was  appendly signed and cleared  by National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh.

Olisa Metuh

The communique  from PDP,National Working Committee :

The National Working Committee at its emergency meeting on Monday, 27 May, 2013 considered the petition submitted by the PDP Rivers Executive Committee against His Excellency, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Executive Governor of Rivers State for violating Articles 58 1 (b), (c), (h) and (m) of the PDP Constitution following his refusal to obey the lawful directive of the Rivers State Executive Committee to rescind his decision dissolving the elected Executive Council of Obiokpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The National Working Committee after preliminary hearing, in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 57 (3), 59 (3), 59 (5) and 29 (2.b), hereby suspends the Executive Governor of River State, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a member of the PDP and refers the matter to the  appropriate disciplinary committee of the Party.

This is in furtherance of the determination of the leadership of the Party to enforce discipline at all levels within the Party.

i 

Gov. Amaech (L),  Gov. Akpabio (R)

"Still struggling to come to terms with the reality of the defeat of their candidate by Governor Rotimi Amaechi, aggrieved governors Saturday distanced themselves from his victory, claiming that he ceased to be their leader on Friday when his tenure ended.

The splinter NGF, led by Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, presented Governor Jonah Jang as the new Chairman of the NGF.

They also announced plans to set up a different secretariat for their meetings so as to disconnect from the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, which had been serving as their meeting point in the past two years.

Eighteen governors, who are sympathetic to President Jonathan and his anointed candidate, Jang, converged on the Benue State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro and tried to discredit the electoral process that threw up Amaechi.

The governors who are opposed to Amaechi’s victory are: Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Jonah Jang of Plateau, Idris Wada of Kogi, Gabriel Suswam of Benue, Sullivan Chime of Enugu, Martin Elechi of Ebonyi, Theodore Orji of Abia, Peter Obi of Anambra and Isa Yuguda of Bauchi.

others are: Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Ibrahim Shema of Katsina, Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna, Garba Umar of Taraba,  Ahmed Abdulfatah of Kwara, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Liyel Imoke of Cross River, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and Gombe Deputy Governor, Thaanod Rubainu." - Soni Daniel, Vanguard.

He is cool like that!!

Fist bump is an American thing! An acknowledgement and a confirmation that it is all good. Fist bumps in the life of President Obama took a life of its own when the  then "Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama  and his wife Michelle Obama bump fists at an election night rally at the Xcel Energy Center June 3, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota and the next day he won Democratic presidential nomination after the primaries in South Dakota and Montana.

Now  Fist Bumping is becoming Obama's trademark of salutation and acknowledgement.

President Barack Obama acknowledges the crowd as he exchanges fist bumps with the audience after speaking at Hyde Park Academy, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

President Barack Obama fist-bumps custodian Lawrence Lipscomb in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building following the opening session of the White House Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth, Dec. 3, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Photo credit  Aude GUERRUCCI/AFP/Getty Images

(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (L) gives a 'fist bump' to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) during the national convention of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) at the Washington Hilton July 8, 2008 in Washington, DC.( Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

(Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

(Photo by Pete Souza/White House via Getty Images)

In the Oval Office (Photo by Pete Souza/White House via Getty Images)

(Photo SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

(PHOTO JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

US President Barack Obama (L) asks for a fist bump from a young girl as he speaks with patrons outside the Kozy Corner restaurant in Oak Harbor, Ohio, July 5, 2012, where he made an unannounced visit to speak with supporters while on a bus tour of Ohio and Pennslyvania. AFP PHOTO/Jim Watson (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/GettyImages)

Pictures compilation: huffington post

Three eminent African women made the Forbes annual list of The World’s Most Powerful Women, a list that comprises of 100 women around the globe.  The African women on the list were Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria, Joyce Banda, president of Malawi and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, president of Liberia.

According to the list ranking the most powerful woman in African is Joyce Banda, president of Malawi who moved from 71st ranking position to 47th, while Ellen JohnsonSirleaf, president of Liberia, was ranked  87th on the listing position and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria minister of finance was ranked 83rd from previously 81st position.

Many other Black women made the list including United States first lady, Mitchel Obama, Talk-Show Businesswoman Oprah Winfrey and Singer Beyonce Knowles.

"The list was heavy on top politicians, featuring nine heads of state who run nations with a combined GDP of $11.8tn. Merkel – who has been placed at the top of the Forbes ranking seven times – headed the list again, ahead of Rousseff, who came to power in Brazil in 2011. Hillary Clinton, who has featured in every Most Powerful Women list since the inaugural ranking in 2004, is in fifth place. Despite resigning as secretary of state earlier this year, Clinton remains one of the biggest political hitters on the international stage. The only former first lady to become a US senator, she is now hotly tipped to become the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate.

Clinton was one place behind the woman already in the White House, First Lady Michelle Obama, who climbed three places to reach fourth.

Apart from Clinton, there are 14 on the 2013 list who appeared on the inaugural list a decade ago: the head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde (7), Sonia Gandhi (9), Indra Nooyi, the chief executive of PepsiCo (10), chatshow host Oprah Winfrey (13), UN administrator Helen Clark (21), ABC chief Anne Sweeney (24), Sony Pictures co-chair Amy Pascall (36), the Queen (40), Fidelity president Abigail Johnson (60), Ho Ching, chief executive of Singapore state investment firm Temasek (64), news anchor Diane Sawyer (73), JK Rowling (93) and Fox news anchor Great Van Susteren (97).," as reported by Guardian UK

The top 10

1. Angela Merkel, German chancellor

2. Dilma Rousseff, president of Brazil

3. Melinda Gates, co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

4. Michelle Obama, US First Lady

5. Hillary Clinton, former US secretary of state

6. Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook

7. Christine Lagarde, managing director, IMF

8. Janet Napolitano, US homeland security secretary

9. Sonia Gandhi, president, Indian National Congress party

10. Indra Nooyi, CEO, PepsiCo

"The global outpouring of eulogies over the passage of renowned novelist and critic, Professor Chinualumogu Achebe, clearly testifies to the profound respect he enjoyed all over the world. The death of the outstanding author in the United States, at the age of 82 is, indeed, a loss to Literature, Nigeria and the world. Chinua Achebe shot to the global literary stage with the iconic novel, Things Fall Apart, in 1958.

The novel, which was translated into more than 50 languages, sold over 12 million copies worldwide. The book put African Literature in the mainstream of world literature, telling the story of an authentic African community in the throes of colonialism. As a constructive griot, Achebe exposed Europe’s jaundiced and dismissive perspectives of the continent in the strong belief that Africans had their own perception of life contrary to Eurocentric misrepresentations.

His books captured the idyllic African perspective in a way that caught the imagination of the world and defined the awe with which he was regarded at home and abroad. Achebe’s pioneering and seminal contributions to the development of African Literature, particularly through the African Writers’ Series that threw up great writers on the continent, are immeasurable and unrivalled. He was a broadcaster, university lecturer and social critic who, in different works, courageously dissected the Nigerian condition and highlighted the problems plaguing the country.". - Daily Sun

"O.J. Simpson is back in court, asking for a new trial in the armed robbery-kidnapping case that sent him to prison in 2008.Simpson wore shackles and blue prison garb Monday, his appearance contrasting with the fancy clothing he wore during his acquittal in his historic, high-profile 1995 murder trial in Los Angeles. The suit he wore then is now part of the Newseum collection in Washington, D.C. The former football star is 65, and serving a minimum nine-year prison term. He will be in court all week to claim that he had poor legal representation in the trial involving the gunpoint robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers in 2007 in a Las Vegas hotel room.So far, the crowds at the courthouse are small. The courtroom on Monday was partly empty, and an overflow room with closed-circuit hookups wasn't needed.Huge crowds turned out in 1995, when a jury acquitted him in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in Los Angeles, and also in 1997, when Simpson was found liable for damages in a civil wrongful death lawsuit and ordered to pay $33.5 million to Goldman, Nicole Brown Simpson estates." - Associated Press

reuters

independent

(AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jeff Scheid, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Photo by Jeff Scheid-Pool/Getty Images)

Reuters

Getty images

Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jeff Scheid, Pool

MICHAEL QUINE/LAS VEGAS REVIEWJOURNAL

"The 36 governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) yesterday asked President Goodluck Jonathan not to yield to the agitation for a declaration of state of emergency in troubled states in the country.There were reports of a planned emergency rule in some northern states, including Borno, Yobe and Nasarawa, over heightened security crisis. But the NGF, in a statement signed by its chairman and Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, said those calling for state of emergency do not wish the country well and are bent on plunging the country into a deeper crisis." - Chibuzo Ukaibe, Leadership Newspaper

The signed statement by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi,Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF). reads:

“We urge the Federal Government to continue to support affected states in the bid to check violence. The Federal Government should remain focused and continue to provide leadership until every part of Nigeria is rid of violence and insurgency.”

We also call on the Federal Government to ignore the ongoing agitation for a state of emergency in some parts of the country. These requests are being made by people who do not wish our country well and who are bent on plunging the country into a deeper crisis.

The Federal Government should not allow itself to be distracted from our collective goal of curbing the insurgency in some parts of our country once and for all.

We in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) hereby condemn the recent violence and killings in some parts of our country – Borno, Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa and some other states. We also commiserate with the people and government of those states, our security agencies and the families of the victims and pray God to give them and indeed every Nigerian the fortitude to bear the loss.

While urging security agencies to continue to do their jobs as professionally as possible, we appeal to all aggrieved individuals and groups in Nigeria to appreciate the fact that violence can never be a solution to any problem. We have no other country to call home and it is important that we understand the danger and futility of destroying our land in the pursuit of a selfish agenda.

It is gratifying that government – Federal and State – are working hard to get to the root of the killings and nip this orgy of violence in the bud. We are impressed by the magnanimity of the Federal Government, which has demonstrated an uncommon love for the country by setting up a Committee to explore the possibilities of granting amnesty to the members of the Boko Haram sect.

It is also a good step that government has agreed to cooperate fully with the National Human Rights Commission in the investigation of the killings in Baga.

We also commend our security agencies for the selfless sacrifice they are making in the interest of us all to restore calm to all parts of our country.”

The Progressive Governors’ Forum unequivocally condemns the breach of peace and mindless bloodletting in the states and empathises with our brother Governors Alhaji Kashim Shettima, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam and the good people of Borno, Nassarawa and Yobe states, as well as the people of other states affected. We equally extend our sympathies to the families of the gallant soldiers, policemen and men of the State Security Service (SSS), that have lost their lives in the course of duty.

While it might be argued in some quarters that the Presidency is well-intentioned with the reported intended course of action aimed at restoring sustained peace to the affected states, we would like to draw the attention of Mr. President to historical perspectives and contemporary conflict resolution methodologies for consideration before taking such a far-reaching decision.

We find the reported course of action incongruent with the posturing of the Presidency which has been reported to be pursuing dialogue with the non-state actors reportedly responsible for the breach of the peace in those states. Less than three weeks ago a Presidential Committee was empanelled to look into the issues and deploy mediation among other measures and make recommendations to Mr. President; why then would the Presidency want to pre-empt the work of the committee by declaring state of emergency in the affected states.

We note that the Federal Government under the leadership of former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, was able to successfully contain the Niger Delta crisis by creating the space for credible dialogue with the aggrieved militants, within the framework of a period of amnesty. More importantly, the government at the time worked assiduously with all stakeholders to address the socio-economic issues that catalysed such unrests especially youth unemployment.

“In view of the foregoing, the Progressive Governors’ Forum implores Mr. President to be consistent with the combination of dialogue and mediation which he has already set in motion, and stay action on the planned declaration of State of Emergency in the affected states, which we believe would be counter-productive. It is also suggested that the Presidency, in addition to the committee, consults extensively with the leadership of the Christian and Muslim Communities as well as Eminent Traditional rulers across the country pursuant of a critical path to sustainable peace in the country.

Already, the international community has condemned the excesses of our security forces in their recent campaigns that recorded widespread human rights violations – a state of emergency would precipitate the conditions for the escalation of such excesses.

Mr. President is further encouraged to step-up the criminal intelligence gathering machinery of our security forces with a view to pre-empting the wanton destruction of lives and property. This, in our opinion, is in tandem with contemporary statecraft which focuses on preventive rather than reactive responses to breaches of peace and tranquillity in any state.

We believe the presence of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the affected areas is capable of restoring peace, if properly coordinated. Thus, any attempt to declare a state of emergency would be seen as a mere excuse to remove the governors by every means.

Lastly, it is in our collective interest for the Presidency to concentrate efforts on addressing the socio-economic issues that catalyse crime in any society as well as ensuring equity and justice in the administration of our great country, Nigeria. In other words, an economic-cum-security strategy would yield more enduring dividends than a law and order response. This, in our view, is the surest way to achieve peace and progress.”

5 African countries Among 10 Fastest-Growing Economies In The World

According to the most recent compilation, five out of ten fastest-growing economies in the world are in Africa.The global economic growth forecast has been cut down to 2.4 percent from previously 3.0 percent by The World Bank for 2013. The slow down is being attributed to sluggish economic growth as aresult of recession in many parts of the world . United States of America has not fully recovered from past recession and Europe is now experiencing double dip recession due to large debt and deficit, rooted in excessive spending, weakening macroeconomic stability and bloated public sector. Africa continues to look hot with growth above 5.0 percent and with increasing foreign exchange reserve accumulation especially by Nigeria, Angola and Ghana.

#10: Ethiopia

2012 GDP: +7.80%

2013 GDP: +7.50%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +7.96%

Economy: Coffee has been a major export for the nation. While GDP growth rates are high, GDP per capita remains among the global laggards. In Ethiopia, the state owns all land, which is significant since agriculture accounts for over 40 percent of GDP.

#9: Angola

2012 GDP: +8.10%

2013 GDP: +7.20%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +8.08%

Economy: This OPEC member has 85 percent of its GDP come from oil production and related industries. The nation remains marred by corruption and the land mines left over from decades of civil war. Most Angolans practice subsistence farming to make a living.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#8: Laos

2012 GDP: +8.20%

2013 GDP: +7.50%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +8.08%

Economy: 75% of Laos’ workforce practices subsistence farming, which accounts for around 30% of GDP. Foreign investment in hydro, mining, and construction has spurred Laos’ growth and reduction of poverty over the past two decades. Laos’ debt burden is modest compared to many of its Asiatic counterparts.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#7: Ghana

2012 GDP: +7.50%

2013 GDP: +7.80%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +8.15%

Economy: Ghana’s developed Services sector contributes 50% of GDP, while oil, gold, and cocoa production provides the basis for future growth. Inflation is expected to outpace even robust real GDP growth over the next two years, and reducing the debt load remains a challenge for this middle-income African nation.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#6: Mozambique

2012 GDP: +7.50%

2013 GDP: +8.00%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +8.73%

Economy: The majority of Mozambique’s population lives below the poverty line, and foreign aid accounts for half of its government’s budget. Aluminum comprises a third of the nation’s exports, and volatility in the commodity’s price has an impact on GDP growth.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#5: China

2012 GDP: +7.90%

2013 GDP: +8.40%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +8.77%

Economy: The world’s largest exporter and second biggest economy has gradually transitioned from an isolated, state-planned economy and introduced elements of free markets. An aging population, decreasing farmland, lack of domestic consumption, and reducing regional imbalances are downside risks to Chinese GDP growth. China is on the forefront of alternative energy development, particularly in solar.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#4: Sierra Leone

2012 GDP: +25.00%

2013 GDP: +11.10%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +9.54%

Economy: Nearly half of the workforce engages in subsistence farming, which leaves the nation's substantial mineral reserves relatively underdeveloped. Diamonds account for about half the value of Sierra Leone's exports. In the past, these were primarily 'blood diamonds', though the nation has worked hard to repair its image.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#3: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

2012 GDP: +10.00%

2013 GDP: +10.00%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +10.63%

Economy: Offshore drilling for oil and gas is the principal source of government revenues. The government has increased spending on infrastructure to continue to repair damages caused by Indonesian troops in 1999. Unemployment and dependence upon O&G are roadblocks to growth.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#2: Iraq

2012 GDP: +11.10%

2013 GDP: +13.50%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +12.23%

Economy: Foreign investment inflows are expected to increase in the wake of US Troop withdrawals. Oil exports, the impetus for the nation’s wealth, have returned to pre-war levels. Adoption of free market principles, strengthening the legal framework for businesses, and developing Iraqi infrastructure are keys to the country’s growth.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#1: Mongolia

2012 GDP: +11.80%

2013 GDP: +16.20%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +13.60%

Economy: Mongolia successfully transitioned from a Cold War Soviet satellite state into semi-modern, mixed capitalist economy. Mineral deposits of copper, gold, coal, uranium, tin, and tungsten are the major sources of Mongolia’s wealth. Commodity exports – overwhelmingly to China – and foreign investment will drive GDP growth.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook