Anne Makinda opens the 6th Tanzania Parliamentarians Aids Coalition in Dodoma

  

Speaker of the National Assembly Anne Makinda (Centre) along with TAPAC leaders after she opened the 6th TAPAC Conference in Dodoma yesterday 

By Nasser Kigwangallah, in Dodoma

THE speaker of the National Assembly Anne Makinda has underscored the need for concerted efforts to be made to ensure that the country attains no new infections by eradicating all forms of discrimination of people living with HIV/Aids in the country.

Makinda made the remarks when she was making her key note address to participants at the inaugural of a two day annual conference of Tanzania Parliamentarians Aids Coalition at the Saint Gasper Conference Centre in Dodoma yesterday.

She said: “We have succeeded, after twelve years of TAPAC existence in eradicating, to a greater extent, stigma and other forms of discrimination at the grass roots level.”

She said infection of new HIV from mother to child, and the number of ARVs users has dramatically shot up.

But of our success the Inter Parliamentarian Union sent a delegation to TAPAC and came to learn what we were doing to reach to that level of success.

She added that Tanzania was the only country in which its parliament was actively involved in the war against HIV/AIDS. 

This of course is an increasing gesture, thanks to all MPs, our donors both at local and international level.

We will soon send a draft to the august house so that all draconian laws which were discriminatory could be changed.

On her part, Lediana Mng’ong’o, the TAPAC Chairman said the objective of the two day seminar is to build capacity to all MPS, who are members on HIV/AIDS activities so that they could educate their voters in their respective constituencies.

“We aim at raising awareness on the level of HIV/AIDS prevalence and the way to combat it so that no more infections could be recorded in the country,” she said.

Presenting greetings from the country representative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Dr Bwijo Bwijo,

HIV and AIDS Programme Specialist said relations between UNDP and the National Assembly are long and close spanning more than a decade in Tanzania.

“Globally, UNDP is committed to building better Parliaments and stronger democracies covering more than fifty countries,” he said.

He added that one of the main plan of the United Nations Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP) outcomes is to enhance the ability of key institutions to effectively implement their election and political function and better fulfill their representative, legislative and oversight responsibilities.

He remarked: “Our partnership is based on a shared understanding that development depends on good governance, and good governance depends on strong parliaments.”

He said it is through our Legislatures Support Project (LSP) that we have been working closely with respective portfolio committees of the National Assembly and the House of Representatives in Zanzibar.

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SPICENET (Tanzania) Limited organises Tanzania Open Chess Championship-2013 in Dar

The Spicenet Tanzania director Vinay Coudary speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam recently

By Nasser Kigwangallah

SPICENET Tanzania Limited, in collaboration with Tanzania Chess Association (TCA) organised an open international tournament named Spicenet Tanzania Open Chess Championship (TOCC) 2013.

The three day event was held in Dar es Salaam from 14^th to 16^th June, 2013 at Golden Jubilee Towers in downtown Dar es Salaam under the supervision of the World Chess Federation (FIDE).

Th event was graced by Nigel Short, the renowned chess grandmaster from United Kingdom and Alina Lima, a woman chess championship star from Romania.

The championship, one of its kind to be held in the East African region, was attracted by 80 players from 10 countries, including Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Others were United Kingdom, Romania, Finland and Zambia

Speaking to this reporter at the venue on Sunday, Vinay Choudary, the Spicenet Tanzania Limited director said as sponsors of the tournament, Spicenet has spent about 50m/- to organise the event.

“We have spent 50m/- to organise this event, the objective being to promote chess in Tanzania and nothing more,” he said.

He added that he doesn’t want to get any returnss out of it.

Mr Nigel Short, the chess grandmaster from the United Kingdom playing chess. He won the first prize

A total of five winners with the overall points  were awarded trophies and cash money as follows; the 1^st winner was Mr. Nigel Short from the UK who scooped a tophy and 1mil/-, the 2^nd runner-up was Emojong Elijah from Uganda who got 500,000/- and a trophy, the third, fourth and fifth placed pocketing 300,000/-.

The rest will get a consolation prizes of 100,000/- each.
The tournament is sponsored by internet service providers, Spicenet Tanzania Limited (STL).

ORIJINO KOMEDI SIGNS A LUCRATIVE DEAL WITH NEXUS IN DAR

By Nasser Kigwangallah

ORIJINO Komedi, the leading Tanzania TV  talent show, yesterday  signed a lucrative management deal with Nexus, a consultancy film based in Dar es Salaam.

The contract, one of its kind to be signed by a group in tanzania, was inked at a hurriedly called on press conference at the Serena Hotel in down-town Dar es Salaam.

According to organisers of the event, Tabasamu PR Consultancy firm, the deal will see the management of the Orijino Komedi TV show that has been the highest rated TV show in Tanzania for the past 6 consecutive years.

The management of the seven members of the Orijino Komedi are: Joti, Maclegan, Masanja, Wakuvanga, Mpoki, Vengu and David Seki . 

Nexus Consultancy Agency management deal will include the development, marketing and commercilisation of the TV show and talent of the Orijino Komedi.

The deals are not limited to physical and digital distribution, endorsements, events etc to a global audience through its Pan African partnership with Rock Star- 4000.

"Signing a contract with the Orijino Komedi is an important event for Nexus Consultancy Agency. We have always admired their talent and and we will be able to take on management and  establishing them across the globe which is an exciting moment for us," said Bobby Bharwani, the Nexus Consultancy Agency CEO.

On his part, Sekioni "Seki" David, the Orijino Komedi producer said: "We are blessed and energized to sign this deal with Nexus which will be an adventurous event for our work, locally and abroad."

Signing the a contract with Orijino Komedi is part of Nexus Consultancy Agency in partnership with Rock Star 4000 belief that Tanzania talent is important and valuable and has high hopes.

With assistance, Orijino Komedi talent could achieve new Pan African and global success.
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Dar Muslims commemorate Imam Khomeini's death

 Ayatullah Imam Khomeini

By Nasser Kigwangallah

 ON June 3rd, 1989, Ayatullah Imam Khomeini passed away peacefully at the age of 87.

Muslims across the globe pour into mosques and other places of worship to mourn Imam Khomeini's death.

Similarly, every year, millions of Tanzania Muslims across the country pay tribute to the late leader, who was not the leader of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, but the world over.

In Dar es Salaam, the capital and commercial metropolitan of Tanzania, Muslims also gathered on Tuesday 4^th June, 2013 at the Centre for Foreign Relations famously known as ‘Chuo cha Diplomasia Kurasini’ to pay tribute to this great leader who inspired the entire world through his philosophical thinking.

Many renowned Muslim leaders and diplomatic officials gave inspiring speeches in honour of Ayatullah Khomeini.

Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Mahdi Agha Jafari, the honourable ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran said the anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s death, widely is recognized as the symbol of the Islamic Revolution, is commemorated in many countries all over the globe as well.

He said, according to many western philosophical thinkers Imam Khomeini was named ‘Man of the Year’ in 1979 by American newsmagazine TIME for his international influence and has been described as the "virtual face of Islam in Western popular culture.” 

He added that Islamic revolution of Iran is the most prominent and most profound of Iran’s contemporary social phenomenon.

‘This metamorphosis became matrix of expanded political, social and cultural development inside Iran and indeed its achievements were witnessed as far as regionally and internationally as well,” he said.

Ambassador Jafari added that as a matter of fact, the Islamic revolution of Iran is the last role of Iranian’s Muslim nation in its ancient ups and downs history to be delivered to the contemporary history and civilization.

He remarked: “Today, we mark the 24^th anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s demise. He was the great leader of the Islamic revolution and founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

He said by his death, the entire world missed the one of the greatest men in history of human being.

His role was felt not by Muslims alone, but the entire world as well.

Dr. Mohammed Reza Dehashiri

On his part, the renowned Assistant Professor of International Relations Dr. Mohammed Reza Dehashiri said Imam Khomeini was known for his strong political views against the regime, the security agents of Reza Khan, the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty.

Giving historical background of Imam Khomeini, he said on 3rd June, 1963 Imam made a historical speech against the dependence of the Shah's regime on foreign powers and its support of Israel.

He also exhorted Ulema’s role in society was to eliminate evil doing and people to become upright in their deeds.

According to him, Imam Khomeini wrote a number of books on various subjects such as ethics, mysticism, jurisprudence, principles, politics and social issues, many of them have so far been published.

In addition to his scientific works, Imam Khomeini has rewritten a number of unpublished treatises by other learned men. Some of the works of Imam, are written in a specialized manner the understanding of which, is not possible without help by the exegesis of the experts in those lines, other works are written in a more simple style. 

Morteza Sabouri, Director of the Cultural Centre

Speaking on the occasion, Morteza Sabouri, Director of the Cultural Centre of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran said the situation of the world today is pathetic and discouraging.

“The entire world is full of miseries, problems and challenges which must be tackled by a devoted personality and this was Ayatullah Khomeini, whom we have gathered here to commemorate,” Sabouri said.

He said in the midst of this situation, we see that the Middle East has a very important role to play in shaping the entire world.

That is why Iran has played that role of shaping the whole of Middle East through its revolution.

“We cherish Imam Khomeini for his role he played to shape the geo-political situation of the Middle East and the Arab uprising is a good testimony of this,” he said.

Sheikh Alli Bassaleh

Sheikh Alli Bassaleh, the grand Imam of Idrisa Mosque situated at Kariakoo in down town Dar es Salaam castigated the western imperialists’ countries for their hypocrisy and double standards on Iran’s nuclear technology.

He said these countries have nuclear arsenals among themselves, including the Zionist regime of Israel, but they keep mum, and see Iran as a threat.

“This is stupidity and we condemn any aggression on Iran. Keep away from Iranian activities. Instead you should censor Israel first for having nuclear weapons. The Islamic nation has the same right to acquire them,” he said.

TANZANIAN PEACE AT STAKE: Religious leaders urge the government to take action before it is too late

Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, Home Affairs Minister 

THE Minister for Home Affairs Emmanuel Nchimbi has warned that the country's peace and harmony among Tanzanians of different religious denominations was at stake and there was a need to take action immediately to safeguard the lost glory that existed.

Nchimbi was addressing a congregation of religious leaders organised by Dar es Salaam region at PSPF Conference Centre in the city yesterday.

He congratulated the regional commissioner Sadik Meck Sadik for organising such a meeting adding that it was vital for conducting such a meeting at a right time.

"You have a responsibility to organise such a meeting at this time aimed at easing the tension among our people of this region and the whole country as a whole," Nchimbi said.

He said misunderstanding was the root cause of all evils in the society and the tension that exists has been fommeted by such discord.

He added that it is ironic to see such discord among our people happening now although we have lived for decades since independence in peace and harmony.

"When you visit social networks such as Facebook  twitter, you tube  Jamii Forum and internet  etc, you will notice how people are divided on religious dimensions and they always hurl insults at one another on religious matters," he said.

He extorted religious leaders to take charge and have a responsibility to preserve harmony that existed for decades in our country.

Nchimbi wondered why have we reached to that extent of hating each, because the government has been reluctant to take action on wrongdoers at an earlier stage.

"From now on, the minister warned, the government would not tolerate such behaviour and will take action promptly, fearing none," he said.

He urged religious leaders to preach the message of love to their disciples in mosques and churches so that we exist to live in peace and harmony as before.

Dr Nchimbi said if we do not take action now, the country's peace would be in shambles and we would witness civil war and religious conflict in future, which we have to avoid.

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Premier Pinda inaugurates population census in Dar es Salaam

Premier Pinda inaugurates population census in Dar es Salaam on Friday

 

By Nasser Kigwangallah

TEN percent of the 44.9 people live in Dar es Salaam which is 10 percent of the population which is a worrisome to policy makers in the country, PM Pinda has said.

He was inaugurating the  2012 census in Dar es Salaam on Friday.

He added that the 2012 PHC revealed that, the population of Tanzania has grown from 12,313,469 persons in the 1967 Census to 44,928,923 persons counted in 2012.

“Dar es Salaam accounts for 10 percent of the total Tanzania Mainland population.” he said.

THE National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is the Central Statistical Office of Tanzania.

The NBS, as a Government agency, was formed from the former Bureau of Statistics to provide efficient services, giving increased value for money for the benefit of the Government and the public in general.

NBS carries out its activities in a businesslike manner, using commercial financial management and business-planning techniques and is customer focused.

It conducts Censuses and Surveys which yield a wide range of economic, social and demographic statistics.

The General Report on Population Distribution by Administrative Units is the first of a series of publications planned for the 2012 PHC.

The main purpose of the report is to give aggregated totals of population by sex.

The report also provide number of households, average household size, population densities, average annual inter-censal growth rates and sex ratios.

Levels of aggregation are national, regional, district council and ward/shehia.