That African Presidents Wives' Annual Health Summit In Beverly Hills



Not much was talked about it. Not much was known about it. Not even the mainstream media mentioned it. In fact, it was not a big deal, because, as usual, knowing what should be expected from such a gathering of the wives of inept and corrupt African presidents, the errand boys, the opportunistic organizers had to run the show their own way which is typical of deceit and fraud. We've seen this kind of stuff happen many times as it ends up being a picnic and a loophole for money laundering.

I was socializing with some friends when the event and its issues popped up. We were discussing about a retarded African continent, Nigeria in particular, and what should be done about it until one curious-minded fella among us brought up the topic, and stressed on how we lost it here in Diaspora as a collective and the failure to complete ourselves.

"Did any of you hear about the summit held in Beverly Hills? Can you imagine the wife of our president was here and nobody knew about it?" he asked sarcastically.

"Yes, I heard about it but it was nothing to talk about," I responded without feelings.

As it happened, most, if not all, among us never heard of Nigeria's First Lady visiting the Los Angeles area for a summit, except, probably, the organizers who were the opportunists. I am not sure why it was too much of an event from the errand boys who ran their mouth in praise of the First Ladies of Africa visit, and particularly, "our own" Turai Umaru Yar'Adua who sneaked in and the numerous Nigerian women's organization in the Los Angeles metropolis did not know or heard about it and did not do anything about it.

The health summit which was held at the Jewish Skirball Cultural Center was attended by Turai Umaru Yar'Adua (Nigeria); Queen Inkosikati Mbidiza (Swaziland); Ida Odinga (Kenya); Laraba Tandja (Niger); Penehupito Polamba (Namibia); Thandive Banda (Zambia); Maria da Lu Dai Guebuza (Mozambique); Mathato Sarah Mosisili (Lesotho); Sia Nyama Koromo (Sierra Leone); Adelcia Barreto Pires (Cape Verde); Chantal Bida (Cameroon) and Ana Paula Dos Santos (Angola).

After the summit at Skirball which eventually would produce no effective result for what the continent has been known for over three decades since the colonists of various European enclaves had left for the new rulers to figure things out. Nothing in the long run was figured out but widespread scandals of bribery and corruption, political and economic instability, and anarchy coupled with civilian and military staged coups.

The gist: The summit gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel was sponsored by US Doctors for Africa and ExxonMobil which is a clear indication that the organizers were up to something.

Who does not know ExxonMobil and other oil companies and how they destroyed the environment of the oil-producing countries in that ailing continent? Who does not know how the doctors in collaboration with the medical errand boys to save according to Amanda Peabody who reported the event for The Beverly Hills Courier the "critical issues of HIV/AIDS, infants and maternal health and girls education?" Who does not know how the US DOctors for Africa and the so-called medical mission and how they misused the priorities meant to carry out a sound, thorough and effective project that should have been in the obvious?

Unfortunately, it is pointblank. The motive is deceptive, unclear and fraudulent on the ground it is evident that all the money being poured in by charity organizations, United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, World Health Organization and several other independent caring institutions over the years for the projected developments, has not yielded any meaningful dividend save for misappropriation of funds and things like that. In most cases, these funds are wasted due to lack of accountability and transparency.

But the irony of this kind of disturbing propanganda is when well-intentioned people get involved by way of financial contributions and other voluntary works "to provide primary care, strategic planning, education and training first as aid and then to empower the people of Africa to respond to the health crisis they face" and later to find out something is not right somewhere; and that the whole project has become a cock and bull story.

Hollywood celebrities -- Sharon Stone, Kristin Davis, Danny Glover, Paris Hilton, Naomi Campbell, Rosario Dawson and Chris Tucker -- who came to the gala and got excited about a comatose summit, had no idea what the entire event would lead to. Deadend, to be precise.

Has any of these celebrities who've been giving their moral and financial support ever asked why Africa remains toxic despite its enormous natural resources and abundant human capital? Has any asked why would such staggering amounts in the millions, if not in the billions, been invested in the continent annually yet there's nothing to show for it? Has any attempted to approaching the root cause of the problem dealing with it once and for all so the continent can march toward onward objectivity? Has any considered the importance of a radical step by way of an organized and timed political revolution to effect change? Has any thought of the normalcy of due process taking into account prosecuting to the limit of the law those that raped their country's public funds and caused all sorts of hardship to its people, as a result, and learning from the steps taken by Paul Kagame of Rwanda?

Today, Nigeria in particular, is on the list of the world's highest number of malnourished children and yet it is the one called the giant of Africa.

Until the thought of the above-mentioned necessary steps is taken, the African continent will continue to sink beyond imagination and like in a situation where no matter how many gallons of palm oil is used in preparing a dog's meal, its stool will not change; it will still be black. Since the event was a success as the organizers made us believe, the point here is, as the First Annual Health Summit by Africa's First Ladies, its too early to start applauding because from my observation it will end up like any other African summit where nothing gets done. Davis who was at the gala pointed it out clearly: "It's really amazing to have the First Ladies (in Beverly Hills) and hear what their countries are going through and what they need..."

Yes, everybody wants to help but the people in question are cocky and crooked. So why don't we weep for those shattered people and also for the poor and penniless who have been oppressed and crushed instead of applauding a sect that intends to rape the peoples fund.

Comments

Dr. John Maszka said…
Hello,

Thank you for your blog. People need to know about these things.

I'm conducting feminist research on how American foreign policy affects popular support for terrorism. I’m particularly interested in incorporating the views of women, non-whites, and people living outside of America and Western Europe, but all responses are invited and welcome. The survey can be accessed at

http://www.johnmaszka.com/SURVEY.html


I would really value your opinion and the opinion of your readers.

Thank you,

John Maszka
Denise said…
Ambrose,

You are very right about what people are doing in the name of helping others. It's all a scam and I have seen it in many occasions with many Nigerians who pretend to have non-profit organizations just to talk their victims into contributing money to help build schools in their country.
Brandon said…
Sorry to say this... Africa is a dark continent and no amount of foreign aid can solve the problem. The problem of Africa can only be solved by Africans and of course they know how to go about it.
Patrick said…
You hit the nail on the head. Love you man, you are great!
Ardis said…
It makes no sense to keep thinking issues like these are helpful when in reality they are wreaking havoc and demolishing violently.
Anonymous said…
We have a long way to go as Africans and it is sad.
Frank said…
Ok we assume everything is out of order so what's the solution?
Brent Collins said…
Just like what Maszka said, 'people need to know about these things' and it must be taken seriously by anyone who wants to understand the origins and problems in the African continent. Does Africa really wants to solve its own problems? That's the question.
DUBMASTER said…
I think Ambrose understands the political implications of what the outside world do not know which is what bothers him
Anonymous said…
Africa may have been cursed as in the Greek tragedy.
Jenny said…
Among the poor and the needy, it should be understood that it takes forces of challenge to alleviate the problems and that's what the writer here tries to emphasize.
Andrew C said…
I don't think there is anything wrong with the idea of First Ladies of Africa Health Summit fight hunger, HIV/AIDS and other problems but the thing here is whether the forum is to stay or not it is only time that will measure its achievement.
Adanna said…
Good to know Nigeria is listed among the nations with worst religious violence. While Taliban is advancing within 60 miles to reach Islamabad... they will soon be in Nigeria and hell will let loose and Nigeria will cease to exist... (lol)
Maxwell said…
I love this place and everything here is good and I want to be part of it.
Gerald said…
I know how the problem in Africa can be stopped and it starts from the moment America stops taking sides and let the countries decide on how better they can rule.
Big G said…
Waaasssssuuuup LA? You guys rock, period!
Ambrose Ehirim said…
Whew! Some serious stuff, huh?

First of all, John Maszka, what you have out there is quite engaging and trust me I will provide every resources within my reach to help in your research, especially when it concerns women, and I do believe it takes the kind of commitment you proferred to get things done. But the point is, this is just the beginning of tackling what we have ecountered in the African continent over the years. I will support you in your research and count me in.

Denise,

You all make me look like I'm doing some worthy stuff and I do appreciate your kind gesture in all the comments you have made so far.

Brandon,

Africa is not finished yet. It can still rise like a phoenix learning from its mistakes.

All,

Your responses 'is' greatly appreciated and we got to do better by challenging the forces that continues to take us back to the stone age. It is a 'New Dawn' and we must abide by the rules of the time and embrace change.
Lama said…
For sure something got to be done about the whole mess in the dark continent.
Art Lakewood said…
You have obviously made your voice known with the continuous communication to the world on a variety of issues and it would pay off, eventually. Keep trucking, my brother.
Anonymous said…
How come nobody heard about the African First Ladies Health Summit?
Cassandra said…
I have been trying to reach you through your blog contact being told you are trying to do a story on Ciofi about "Sweet Crude," regarding the Niger-Delta militants and kidnappings. You can contact me at www.speakeasy.org

Best wishes,

Cassandra
George said…
Africans in Diaspora will only learn the moment the picnic is over.
Big G said…
Waaassssuuup LA? You guys rock!
Dr. Kingsley Ciofan said…
I wanted to drop a quick note to say how much I enjoy reading this blog. Thank you for the straight up to the point and keep it up.
Aaron said…
This post is great! I am impressed with the level of detail and your ability to present a somewhat complicated issue clearly and strongly. Fact is, these problems cannot be solved without fighting for it.

Another reason has been the general crappy state of the African continent and the alleged leaders who have succeeded in corrupting the people's attitudes and dispositions.