MEET DR ALISTAIR SOYODE AND HIS DIASPORA DREAMS
There is no better place and person to start with than when BEN TV in conjunction with newdeal africa hosted a diplomatic dinner and awards night to appreciate and celebrate the achievements made by the diplomatic corps. the Diaspora media anchor and icon - Dr Alistair Soyode the CEO of (BEN) Television. BEN is an acronym for Bright Entertainment Network.

Dr alistair soyode with the kuwait embassador H.E Alduwaisan

Since August 2002, BEN created television history, by launching the first 24-hour black-oriented television service in United Kingdom, bridging and filling the gap created by Mainstream broadcasters.

Dr Alistair with the guyana and Babardos high commissioners
BEN continues to celebrate the rich heritage of our diverse cultures, beliefs, customs, and hopes to foster a greater appreciation of the family and humanity in all its manifestations.

Saying hello to the Tanzania deputy high commissioner Mr chabaka kilumanga

To overcome the hurdles of registering/licensing an outfit in such a sensitive industry-the media is daunting.

Is every thing alright ? .. to the cameroon diplomats

In this exclusive interview, A. Soyode bares his mind on how it all started, what he has accomplished, opportunities and constraints. He offers a tip to Nigerians to join hands in rebranding Nigeria. Enjoy it.INTERVIEW:The Voice: Welcome! With me is Dr. Alistair Soyode, -Chief Executive Officer and founder of the Ben TV. Dr. Allister, you are welcome.Alistair Soyode: Thank you very much. It is my pleasure to be with you.The Voice: How did the BEN TV come about? In other words, why BEN TV?Alistair Soyode: Ben TV was established as a medium to fill the gap/emptiness that was created by none programs to cater for the interests of Africans and the Caribbean in the UK. With that emptiness, we then thought we could produce a program for all TV stations-just a program. From there basically, it became a bigger project-a production House. We then applied for a satellite license which took a long time in materializing and by 2002/2003, this station started broadcasting on the satellite.

Im honoured to have you in the house sir he seems to say to the Jamaican high comissioner

The Voice: Dr. Alistair Soyode, will you tell us a bit about yourself. I mean, do you have a background in communications? Alistair Soyode: I would say I have a background in communications, like telecommunications-GSM, mobile phones, that sort of thing, in those early days. That is as far as I can say in terms of communications. But in terms of the media, that is where we belong.

Saying hello to the Kuwait ambassaodor

The Voice: 2002 has been a very long time. What has it been like for you?Alistair Soyode: It has been challenging. Constantly, very challenging, everyday has been a totally different day from the normal media industry because what we do is that we cater for a community that has been marginalized by the mainstream. Then of course, the station represents kind of, the Nigerians content, the Nigerian people. So with that, it has always been a battle to convince the Diaspora that we mean business/have something to offer. But looking at it, I would definitely say we have been going on and to God be the glory, and without any doubt, we have been the major source of branding Nigeria internationally, be it positive or negative. This is because we combine the two together to create the story. It is a challenging task and I guess we can keep paddling on.

The Voice: What kinds of challenges have you faced?Alistair Soyode: We are facing challenges in terms of human resources, in terms of raising capital because in the media industry most of our tasks are capital intensive and require massive financial injection into our business. As a media that is a TV station, as a media that is globally seen either through the Internet or other means of information, it is without any doubt a daily challenge. Every challenge comes in different form and fashion. But we have to keep battling on.

The Voice: You are out there in the United Kingdom and you are a Nigerian. How were you able to break into the market?Alistair Soyode: Surely enough I recognized that BEN TV is a major brand in terms of the black and ethnic TV program provider in the UK or even in Africa as well. For us, being the name BEN is a major brand, we have recognized as well that we need to continue to break them all down either in terms of African or Caribbean people that we represent or the Nigerian people that we represent. So we just hope that being in the market we have to continue to sustain our growth, market our potentialities which we have not yet been totally explored. The reality is that we are a station but we have not utilized up to 10% of our capacity and capabilities.

The director of new deal africa Mr Ayoub mzee attentively listening to his boss's key note speech which out lined the ben tv 's future plans

The Voice: You are out there in the United Kingdom and you are a Nigerian. How were you able to break into the market?

Alistair Soyode: Surely enough I recognized that BEN TV is a major brand in terms of the black and ethnic TV program provider in the UK or even in Africa as well. For us, being the name BEN is a major brand, we have recognized as well that we need to continue to break them all down either in terms of African or Caribbean people that we represent or the Nigerian people that we represent. So we just hope that being in the market we have to continue to sustain our growth, market our potentialities which we have not yet been totally explored. The reality is that we are a station but we have not utilized up to 10% of our capacity and capabilities.

The Voice: What are you aiming at in the next 5years?

Alistair Soyode: I have never looked at it that way because 5years for me is a very, long, long time. I will probably say that hoping that the Station will continue to be there, to represent my people, my Africa as a continent and my Nigeria as a country, then that will give me joy

The Voice: What would you like your viewers to know about you personally and about the Ben TV?

Alistair Soyode: I am separate from BEN TV. I would want viewers to know that Ben TV emerged on the Media scene to fill the gap created to represent Africa as a continent and the Caribbean, represent the people of Nigeria and represent any nation so far as we can get to that country. We reach out to the Western Europe-the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, name it. We reach out to Africa and the North Africa. We are going to reach out to America and USA, and globally through the Internet and through the screen. That is what we are doing as Ben and then, of course, I would like anybody that has any content that is worth broadcasting including news and current affairs that are intellectual, to try to contact us. We cannot be everywhere, for instance, I am not in Holland or Italy I live in UK. So if there is anything happening in your locality that you feel people around the world or the Africans and the Caribbeans need to know, send us those materials, get in touch with us and together we can bridge the gap. Once again I say we can’t do it alone.

The Voice: Nigeria is now being rebranded. How have you been able to change the image of Nigeria?

Alistair Soyode: I tell you frankly that Nigeria is the biggest product/project that anybody would contract to sell. There is no doubt about it. It is a product that people have been seen, heard of and known. To me, rebranding Nigeria as Prof Dora, the Minister for Information has initiated is not that the Nigerian green-white-green colour is going to change-no. It is making Nigerians aware that they need to change and for me that is basically the real branding. It is not like there is water, there is electricity, no but that is achievable. But it is the people who matter, the people who can do it. It has to do with people beginning to think we want to rebrand Nigeria and that if we don’t do it, nobody else will. This is the real branding. You and all the Nigerian listeners, this is an opportunity, and instead of criticizing, let us look at the positive side and if there are no positive stories about the country, then there is nothing we can do about it. But then together we can say, let us then create it.

The Voice: Do you have any message for Nigerians in Diaspora?

Alistair Soyode: My message is–be real, follow the law of the country wherever you are. I can honestly say that as a country and as a Nigerian, we come first in any Diaspora country or any country outside Nigeria to adapt to what they want them to do when they make their laws and regulations. And to all Nigerians I say always be law abiding wherever you are and do what you can within the limited resources you have then together we can really make Nigeria a good people and a great nation. Thank you.

Hands on approach is the motto for dr alistair soyode

Did you enjoy your meal sirs?

The Voice: It has been a pleasure having you for this interview.

Alistair Soyode: Thank you very much.

Ayoub mzee withe RT HON JOHN BERCOW speaker of the house of commons in england
Rt. Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, UK Parliament
On 22 June 2009 John Bercow was elected 157th Speaker of the House of Commons.

A former national Chairman of the Federation of Conservative Students and London Borough Councillor, he was elected Member of Parliament for Buckingham in May 1997 as a Conservative, serving on the front benches as spokesman for Education & Employment and Home Affairs.

He was appointed Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2001 then Shadow Minister for Work & Pensions in 2002 and from 2003 to 2004 as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development.

He then became a member of the International Development Select Committee and served as co-Chair of the All party Parliamentary group on Burma, vice-Chair of the APG on the prevention of genocide, Africa and Sudan.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 9, 2011



Statement by the President on Sudan



I am extremely pleased that polling has started for the Southern Sudan Referendum, and congratulate the people of Southern Sudan who are determining their own destiny. This is an historic step in the years-long process to fully implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the civil war between north and south. The international community is united and determined to ensure that all parties in Sudan live up to their obligations. We know that there are those who may try to disrupt the voting. Voters must be allowed access to polling stations, and must be able to cast their ballots free from intimidation and coercion. All sides should refrain from inflammatory rhetoric or provocative actions that could raise tensions or prevent voters from expressing their will. Violence in the Abyei region should cease. And while a successful vote will be cause for celebration, an enormous amount of work remains to ensure the people of Sudan can live with security and dignity. The world will be watching in the coming days, and the United States will remain fully committed to helping the parties solve critical post-referendum issues regardless of the outcome of the vote.



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H.E Masire Mwamba -Commonwealth deputy secretary General- recieves the Ben tv diplomata award- Africa Diplomat of the Year Awards from the CEO of Ben tv Dr Alistair soyode

Secretary Clinton signs PEPFAR Partnership Framework Agreement with South African Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane in the Treaty Room at the State Department.
State Dept Image by Michael Gross / Dec 14, 2010

TAARIFA KWA VYOMBO VYA HABARI


Zanzibar For Democracy (U.K.)inachukua nafasi hii ili kuwapa pole na kuwafariji wanachama wa CUF na wananchi waliojeruhiwa na kukamatwa katika maandamano ya kuwasilisha rasimu ya katiba mpya;Wakati huo huo Jumuiya inawapongeza sana viongozi na
wanachama wa CUF na wananchi waliojitolea kushiriki katika maandamano hayo na kufanikiwa kuiwasilisha rasimu hiyo.

Hatua hiyo waliyoichukua inathibitisha uelewa wao wa kiwango cha juu wa mapungufu yaliyomo katika Katiba iliyopo sasa ambayo haikidhi matakwa ya wananchi wengi wa Tanzania.
Tunaamini kuwa rasimu hiyo ni kielelezo halisi cha matakwa ya wananchi walio wengi na itakidhi kabisa hoja zote za kikatiba na kisheria ambazo kwa muda wote zimekuwa ni miongoni mwa matatizo ya msingi yanayoidhoofisha demokrasia nchini.

Tunataraji kuwa hatua iliyochukuliwa na wananchi hao itakuwa ni changa moto muhimu sana kwa viongozi wote wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania katika ngazi zote na kila mmoja wao ataikubali na kuitafsiri kuwa ni kichocheo cha kufungua kwa upana zaidi milango ya siasa za uwazi na kuwa ni dira kamili ya demokrasia iliyokamilika.

Tunaziomba taasisi zote za kiserikali na zile ambazo si za kiserikali kuunga mkono rasimu hiyo ili nchi yetu iweze kupata katiba mpya na tuachane na tabia ya kutia viraka kwani kufanya hivyo ni kuongeza matatizo badala ya kuyatatua.

Aidha,tunawasifu sana wale wote walioiandika rasimu hiyo, kwani wao wameonyesha na kuthibitisha kwa vitendo namna wanavyoipenda na kuitakia mema nchi yetu. Tunawaomba wananchi wote waiunge mkono rasimu hiyo ili tuondokane na migogoro na mivutano inayokwamisha maendeleo.

Ahsante.
(Abdulla A.Abdulla),
KATIBU,
ZANZIBAR FOR DEMOCRACY(U.K.)

Meet Mr. Kanaki Tjejamba -The Acting Namibia High Commissioner reciving the BEN TV DIPLOMATIC AWARD 2010
At independence in 1990, Namibia inherited an economy characterised by a narrow industrial base and heavy dependence on the production and export of primary commodities such as beef, fish and minerals. In order to redress this structural imbalance, Government committed itself towards a strategy of economic diversification aimed at creating dynamic industrial and service sectors through increased manufacturing activities, promotion of value addition to locally produced raw materials and the modernisation of our financial and ICT sectors.

Towards this end, Namibia implemented free-market liberal policies such as enacting a Foreign Investment Act and an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) regime as well as employing favourable incentives for exporters and manufacturers with a view to attracting foreign direct investment.

Mining remains the mainstay of Namibia’s economy, being the largest contributor to the GDP. Namibia is the fourth largest exporter of non-fuel minerals in Africa and the world’s fifth largest producer of uranium. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten.

Agriculture contributed around 5.4% to the Gross Domestic Product for the year 2008, which is lower than its potential capacity. The agricultural sector directly or indirectly supports over 70% of the total population of Namibia, and its main sources of income are: (i) livestock, beef and mutton production, which accounts for about 70-80% of the gross agricultural income; and (ii) agronomic production which accounts for the remaining 20-30% gross agricultural income. The livestock population of Namibia is about 2.5 million cattle, 2.4 million sheep and 1.8 million goats. The major cattle breeds are the well adapted indigenous Sanga as well as Bonsmara, Afrikaner, Brahman and Simmentaler breeds. Cattle farming is concentrated in the northern and central parts of the country where a variety of breeds freely roam the nutritious grasslands, whilst sheep farming is mainly in the southern part of the country. About 80% of Namibia's beef and mutton is exported to South Africa and the European Union. Namibia's climate is mainly suitable for dry-land crop production, with the exception of areas in the north, north-eastern, and southern parts of the country where irrigation is possible in areas bordering perennial rivers and where dams feed irrigation schemes. The main crops grown are maize, wheat, sorghum, pearl millet, grapes, dates and a variety of beans. Namibia remains a net importer of basic food crops particularly from South Africa and in 2005 the country imported 50% of the cereals it required. To address the dependency on imports, the government is acquiring land from traditional authorities, mainly from areas where irrigation is possible, for crop production under the Green Scheme Programme. In terms of the Green Scheme Policy, government enters into a public private partnership (PPP) agreement with a private investor who is given the mandate to farm the land, with the government being in charge of providing bulk services i.e. access to roads, water and electricity. The government's land reform policy is shaped by two key pieces of legislation: the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act 6 of 1995 and the Communal Land Reform Act 5 of 2002. The government remains committed to a "willing seller, willing buyer" approach to land reform and to providing just compensation as explicitly stipulated and directed by the Namibian constitution.

Namibia’s fishing industry ranks among the world’s top 10 in the international fishing industry. This is due to the cold Benguela current which creates an especially beneficial eco-system, with year-round temperate conditions. Namibia’s 1500 kilometer-long coastline has a marine produce harvested by a flourishing fishing and fish-processing industry. Some of the more common fish available in quantity for export are horse mackerel and hake. Namibian horse mackerel contains only three to eight percent body fat, making it both healthy and highly nutritional as well as a vital staple food source for many nations. Namibia’s Hake products are of superb quality and in great demand for the catering and retail markets. Other marine exports include rock lobster; crab; oysters; kabeljou; monk; tuna; pilchards and seaweed.

The tourism sector is the fastest growing in the economy in terms of contribution to GDP. Tourism is the second largest contributor to the country’s GDP after mining. Tourists to Namibia are increasingly attracted by the country’s unique mix of peace, political stability, cultural diversity, and geographic beauty. Tourism in Namibia has had a positive impact on resource conservation and rural development.

Namibia’s main export commodities include copper, cut diamonds, gemstones, granite, lead products, marble, uranium and zinc. The main import commodities include petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, plastic products, rubber, spare parts, textiles and knitwear and timber.

In addition to our membership in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Namibia is a member of the South African Customs Union (SACU), a customs union comprising Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa. Namibia has been a member of the World Trade Organization since its inception in 1995 and has been a strong advocate of the Doha Development Agenda. Namibia also is a member of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Furthermore, Namibia is currently engaged in negotiations aimed at concluding the EU-ACP Economic Partnership Agreement.

Key Economic Sectors:

• Agriculture
• Fisheries
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Tourism
• Service Industry

Key Economic Indicators:

GDP (2007): N$20,524 million

GDP growth (2008): 2.4% (2007: 4.1%)

GDP per capita (2007): U$6.990

Inflation (2007): 6.7%

Main exports: 52% minerals (±70% diamonds), 25% fish and fish products, meat and animal products, beverages, grapes.

Main Export Destinations: United Kingdom, South Africa, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, Switzerland, United States, Angola and the Netherlands

Main Source of Imports: South Africa, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States.

(Sources: Bank of Namibia, Quarterly Bulletin, September 2008; Ministry of Finance, Namibia; Central Bureau of Statistics, Namibia; United Nations World Economic and Development Indicators)