MINISTER DR. SHUKURU KAWAMBWA DONATES TRACK SUITS

MINISTER SHUKURU KAWAMBWA DONATES TRACK SUITS

The entire cargo of attractive track suits donated by Minister for Education & Vocational Training Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa who is also MP for Bagamoyo constituency was distributed to 30 teams and groups of joggers, football clubs and netball teams of Bagamoyo. More such gears will also be distributed in other areas.

Minister Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa (centre) accompanied by Councillor Hashim (left) leading about 2,500 young sports boys and girls in a jogging spree around the football ground. Despite many of them were fasting (Ramadhan), they appeared to be cheerful and energetic.

The enthusiatic sports boys and girls responding cheerfully to the speech of the minister just before conducting the presentation ceremony of 1,400 pairs of track suits.

A bundle of track suits being presented to the leader of Tandika Jogging Club Sauda Abdallah (left) by Minister Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa who is also MP for Bagamoyo Constituency.

Another bundle of top quality track suits for a football team of Bagamoyo being presented by Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa at Bagamoyo on last Sunday morning.

Top quality track suits were donated by the Member of Parliament for Bagamoyo Constituency Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa to sports men and women of Bagamoyo. Dr. Kawambwa who is also Minister for Education & Vocational Training appears to have played a key role in promoting sports, particularly the jogging culture and football.

The good quality pairs of track suits, of different colours to suit different clubs and teams, were handed over to team leaders by the Member of Parliament. Dr. Kawambwa who was accompanied by several Councillors, appeared energetic throughout the sunny Sunday morning as he led not less than 2,500 sports men and girls in a dancing and jogging spree around the football pitch. 

The “jogging culture” seems to have attracted the entire historical town of Bagamoyo judging by the presence of hundreds of onlookers and  young sports  boys and girls and grown up women with their small children. Onlookers admitted that sports was entirely fotgotten in Bagamoyo but the Minister had succeeded in reviving the sports culture among the people.

Just before the presentation, Dr. Kawambwa told the sportsmen and women that it was evident that  sports was not only promoting the  healthy lives of participants but it was creating a spirit of brotherhood, unity and love among themselves.

He said that during one of the sessions, the joggers had directed their attention towards protecting and safeguarding the “albino class of people”. Of late, in Tanzania, Albinos’ lives were threatened by maiming, kidnapping just for sorcery purposes. Dr. Kawambwa made it very categorical that this negative attitude towards the Albinos was not acceptable.

In addition to this donation, the Minister is on record to have given the various sports groups a sum of TShs. 1,000,000/= for purchase of sports gears and uniforms.

An annual football competition under the name of Kawambwa Cup is financed by the Minister simply to promote sports in the district. The competitions will precede with football  tournaments fighting for Diwani Cup. 

Story and Pictures by Abdul Hai

Bagamoyo News

ANOTHER POISONOUS COBRA

ANOTHER POISONOUS COBRA

 

A pinkish colour poisonous cobra snake, locally called "swilla". Another cobra  which was seen in the grassy open plots at Chuguni, Bagamoyo is causing serious concern to the residents, particularly those with children. The cobra is said to be black in colour similar to the one which was caught a couple of weeks ago, by "snake hunters".

Another black poisonous cobra snake is reported to have been seen in the dense grassy plot next to residential houses at Chuguni street, old Bagamoyo town. A four-feet cobra was captured in the same vicinity a couple of weeks ago.

Two passers- by have reported that a black cobra snake was seen at the same place where one was captured by expert snake hunters. The snake was taken into custody by the experts and is reported to be under secured conditions. The fresh news of “another cobra snake” has caused serious concern among parents and passers-by.

Two prominent residents along the Chuguni street have taken the initiative to report the matter to the Ward Chairman. It is understood that the empty plots which should have been developed since being allocated, has been neglected. Due to recent heavy rains, the over-grown grass seems to have attracted every kind of insects and including harmful snakes.

The Ward Chairman has taken the initiative to locate the Plot Owners with several options including either to surrender the empty plots to the Government or start developing the area. Meanwhile, if action is not taken immediately, the same “snake hunters” may be employed to capture the dangerous snake. 

Schools are in mid-term holidays and children enjoy playing hide-and-seek in the grassy areas. Although some parents have cautioned their children but it is always safe to get rid of the dangerous animals altogether. A snake bite by a black cobra can cause immediate death or the poisonous spit can cause dangerous consequences to the eyes or open wounds.

Story by Abdul Hai

ANTI-DRUGS & ILLICIT TRAFFICKING DAY 26TH JUNE

ANTI-DRUGS CAMPAIGN TO BE INTENSIFIED

“The anti-harmful-drugs forces will be intensified without any hesitations,”  President Jakaya M. Kikwete told the nation during the International Day to observe campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The Day was observed at Bagamoyo, the  historical coastal town which was designated as capital of the then Tanganyika during the German colonial era in 19^th century.

The stern warning which he described it with a clenched fist, will be intensified without any hesitations and the tempo will be maintained. He said that it was a clear intention of the Government to arrest the  scenario of the illicit trafficking and drug abuse so that it does not become  worst.

He clarified that although there were established forces to combat the illicit drug traffickers and drug abusers but another organ will be created which will be even more powerful and will carry the force of a powerful punch. At the same time he called on the community to keep away from harmful drugs and not to involve in intoxicants.

He further advised hospitals and clinics to give proper treatment and counseling to the victims of drug users and intoxicants. The Day to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking is observed internationally on 26^th June every year. Present at the event, among many prominent leaders, included the Minister for Health  Dr. Seif Rashid.

Several persons who had fallen victim to the usage of harmful drugs and intoxicants, confessed openly the dreadful harms it had on victims. 

A procession of school students and members of the public, carried “loud messages” of  anti-drugs campaign passed by the Presidential Dais, led by the police  brass band.

Story by Abdul Hai

www.bagamoyonews.blogspot.com

DRUG ABUSE & ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

The Lions Quest Programme which conducts seminars for school teachers to impart knowledge to school children to keep away from harmful drugs. The school teachers numbering 30 in Singida were given a three-day seminar by well-trained  Trainers. The Coordinator of the Lions Quest Programme in Tanzania is Past District Governor, Abdul Majid Khan (3rd left).

The then District Commissioner of Bagamoyo, Mr. Ahmed Kipozi addressing teachers who attended the three-day seminar in Bagamoyo. Seated next to him in dark suit is Past Governor Lion Abdul majid Khan and next to him is Convenor of the seminar Lion Mohammed Mulla.

The then Bagamoyo District Commissioner Mr. Ahmed Kipozi being presented with the a set of books which deals with various methods of how to teach school pupils to keep away from harmful drugs such as cocaine, bhangi, mirungi, mendrax, alcohol and cigarettes.

DRUG ABUSE & ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

26^th June is observed as International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking of  the harmful dugs  by member states of the United Nations. Tanzania being one of the Member States has endorsed and implements the UN Resolution  No. A/RES/42/112.

Several cases of illicit drug trafficking have been apprehended by “hawk-eyes” custom officers and specialized anti-narcotic police officers at the airports, particularly the international airport of Dar es Salaam and at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. Very recently, a press report originating from  Mumbai stated that a Tanzanian national (a woman) had been arrested for involvement in a large consignment of drugs at the main airport in Mumbai.

The famous programme of Morning  Trumpet beamed by Azam TV Two, conducted by presenters Mohamed Ramadhani and Betty Omara interviewed  Madame Nuru Swaleh and a Psychiatrist Mr. Karoli Mabula. The question-answer sessions  dealt with the harmful effects of drugs such as bhangi, cocaine, mandrax, mirungi etc.

Madame Nuru Swaleh who is administering two rehabilitation centres in Dar es Salaam  for victims of  harmful drugs appeared to be very well versed with the management of bringing back to normal track the victims of drugs. She was perplexed at the fact that although “pushers” of the drugs were known but the actual big sharks were comfortably hidden behind the curtains. 

She admitted to have been through her turbulent life history as a “drug user” for almost twelve years. Now she is leading a “changed life” and helps victims to come to their normal way of life. She admitted that her rehabilitation centres faces financial problems but she was a determined  lady to help others.

The Lions Clubs International is running an international Lions Quest Programme  which conducts seminars and teaching sessions for school teachers with an objective to influence school children to keep away from harmful usage of drugs, cigarettes, bhangi, mirungi, alcohol etc. The coordinator of this country-wide programme is Past District Governor/Multiple Council Chairman Lion Abdul Majid Khan and the  Quest Convenor is Mohammed Mulla.

The Lions Clubs International Fund had given a support of US $ 26,636:00 for initially conducting such workshops and later after observing the successful projects, the United States financed a package of grant amounting to US$ 100,000:00 with a local matching grant of US$ 25,000:00. 

In all 25 workshops were conducted which involved 780 teachers from various schools in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, Zanzibar, Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro, Shinyanga, Mtwara, Singida during the three year period 2013 to 2015.

Story & Pictures by Abdul Hai

Bagamoyo News

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY

The International Yoga Day was observed in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam on Sunday 21st June with hundreds of  people, the big majority of whom were boys and girls from secondary and primary schools. It was observed with Yoga exercise on the sandy Coco beach with diplomatic staff of the India High Commission led by Deputy High Commissioner Hon. Robert Shekintong.

The Yoga exercises started immediately after sunrise with instructions being heard loud and clear in English language and immediately translated into the National language Kiswahili. Despite some mistakes here and there, by young followers, the exercises and concentration went very well.

The Deputy High Commissioner welcomed the hundreds of people to the event, many of them looked very enthusiastic because Yoga was a new form and style of exercise. To make things a bit easier, the Organizers distributed a 12-page booklet in Kiswahili "Mazoezi rahisi ya Yoga kwa maisha yenye afya" which in simple English to read as "Exercise of Yoga made simple for a healthy life". Under the official emblem of the International Day of Yoga reads YOGA FOR HARMONY AND PEACE.

Immediately after the three hours event, a photo exhibition of Yoga was officially opened by the Deputy High Commissioner by lighting a "diwa" oil based candle at the India Cultural Centre. The First Secretary of the High Commission, Madame Deepa Sehgal also performed the short lighting ceremony.

It was in September 2014 during the Seating of the UN National Assembly, the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Narendra Modi addressed the assembly and put forward the motion for recognition of Yoga as an International Yoga Day on 21st June. This was approved by 177 Member States including Tanzania.

In India's capital New Delhi, His Excellency Narendra Modi led a contingent of almost 30,000 Indians to perform the Yoga physical and mental concentration exercises. This popular event was televised in India and beamed in many countries throughout the world.

The Yoga exercise was reported to have been observed in the coastal town of Tanga, Tabora and Mwanza.

Story & Pictures by Abdul Hai

Bagamoyo News

Deputy High Commissioner of India, Hon. Robert Shekintong lighting the "diwa" to signify the opening ceremony of the Yoga Photo Exhibition at the India Cultural Centre in Dar es Salaam.

First Secretary of India H.C. Madame Deepa Sehgal (left) lighting the "diwa" and on right is one of the key figures of the event Madame Deepika Dikshit.

Yoga Enthusiasts going through the posters of Yoga.

A Japanese National who appeared to be impressed with the photo exhibition tries to imitate the symbolic statue.