Abdulswamad at Qubaa Muslim School

November 1, 2012

By Eugene Omilo

Mombasa residents have been urged to turn out in large numbers during the forthcoming voter registration exercise in order to influence the election of credible leaders in the general elections next year.

Shariff Nassir Foundation chairman Mr. Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir said the county’s future lies in the hands of those to be elected and urged voters to ensure only credible aspirants are given a chance.

Mr. Nassir was speaking at Qubaa primary school in Mvita  in a speech read on his behalf by his younger brother Mr. Abdulwaheed Shariff Nassir during the school’s variety show.

“We all want a good future for our children but this can only be guaranteed if we elect good leaders who can fight for their interests,” said Mr. Nassir.

His sentiments were echoed by the school’s administrator Mr. Abubakar Maamun and headteacher  Mr. Caleb Ombati who drummed support for his candidature for the Mvita parliamentary seat saying his track record in promoting education in the county was commendable.

At the same time, Mr. Nassir called on teachers to instill a sense of brotherhood in pupils as a way of diffusing ethnic rivalry and discrimination in the country.

“Let us teach our children to be mindful of their neighbours and treat them as their brothers and sisters regardless of their tribes,” he said.

“This way, we shall never have another post election violence or clashes between tribes because our ethnic backgrounds will not matter anymore, what will mater is the fact that we come from the same country, Kenya,” he explained.

During the variety show, pupils showcased a fashion show that represented the diversity of Kenya's cultures with a common theme of promoting  unity.

Ends…

Blarb from Faraj Dumila

This is a verbatim report on this writer as profiled alongside Francis Thoya, Philip Mwakio and Patrick Kanga by prolific Coast culture enthusiast, veteran journalist and personal friend Faraj Dumila in his latest popular periodicals.Thank you so much Mzee Dumila, I highly recommend you for a Head of State Commendation in recognizing your effort to promote the Coastal culture, religion, the hijab women, the Kiswahili language, journalism as a profession and more so your inspiring writing maxim thus: "Charity to all, malice towards none".  

The Media Stars
......Eugene Omilo: It is fascinatingly inspiring meeting Eugene Omilo at his work place; committed to concentrating on assignments with a deep sense of devotion and dedication. He thoroughly knows his job and superbly enjoys to meticulously and immediately doing it to the best of his professional capacity. He is a thorough gentleman, decorous, calm, and diplomatic minded, easily approachable and ever ready to help one who requires PR information about his clients.His pieces of news items are usually concise, articulate, factual and written in commendable English.This writer has been finding him usefully helpful and thankful to him for getting me some active, illustrative photos that have marvelously adorned the feature  articles on Sheikh Suleiman Shahbal's political profile.Eugene congruently concurs with the axiom: 'As people become more literate and more civilized, the written word comes into play as increasingly important in spreading opinion and the creation of emotional attitude."....

The Blarb by Faraj Dumila

Dont forget pre school learners -Nassir reminds Gvt

October 28, 2012

By EUGENE OMILO

The Ministry of Education has been challenged to come up with a common curriculum for pre - school learners to be instituted in all nursery schools countrywide.

Shariff Nassir Foundation chairman Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir said it is a pity that pre school learning has been left almost entirely to the private sector as government has not invested in nursery schools.

Mr. Nassir spoke at Coast girls secondary school in Mombasa while presiding over a prize giving and graduation ceremony for An - Nujum nursery school pupils.

"In some places, nursery school children submit their homework through email, this is where we want all our children to be but our government must be on the forefront to provide direction, other stakeholders can take it from there," said Mr. Nassir.  

He called on the Teachers Service Commission to consider employing qualified nursery school teachers.

His sentiments were echoed by educationist Ms Hafswa Abubakar who said many nursery school teachers are well qualified but have been sidelined by TSC.

“We were told to enroll for diploma certificates before being considered, some of us went as far as getting degrees but we are yet to be considered,” complained Ms Abubakar who said many pre school teachers depended on the benevolence of their pupil’s parents to survive.

At the same time, Mr. Nassir encouraged teachers to guide their pupils to embrace unity at an early age as a way of deterring them from engaging in terrorist activities in future. 

"Teach our children to love one another and realize the importance of each one of their colleagues.This way, they will grow knowing it is bad to harm each other and they will shun terrorism and crime," said Mr. Nassir.

 He was reacting to the current wave of young people being arrested in Mombasa in connection with belonging to criminal and terrorism groups.

Shariff Nassir Foundation chairman Abdulswamad Nassir presents a gift to Swalha Abdallah during a prize giving ceremony for An-Nujum nursery school pupils over the weekend.

Abdulswamad Nassir presents a gift to Mohamed Hussein

Abdulswamad Nassir presents a gift to Naima Hussein

Ends…

French duo lectures on sustainable energy practices

October 25, 2012

By EUGENE OMILO

Two French technologists yesterday engaged students from local universities in a scientific discourse on sustainable energy practices throughout Africa.

The duo, Claire Guibert and Jeremy Debreu from Association Africa Express stopped in Mombasa as part of their 20, 000 kilometers journey in 10 months by train to observe 20 different projects on sustainable energy across Africa.

They plan to complete the journey which started six months ago in Morocco through the West Coast, down to South Africa then to Eastern Africa via the East Coast and finally to France.

During the lecture at the Alliance Francaise Mombasa on Wednesday evening, the two expounded on the energy situation in Africa and updated participants on the practices being promoted in various African countries to promote the use of sustainable energy.

They also shared their experience boarding various trains while traversing the cultural and biodiversity rich continent in their journey.

The participants were drawn mainly from Mombasa Polytechnic, Kenyatta University and Alliance Francaise students.

Ms. Guibert and Mr. Debreu are expected to board the ‘Lunatic Express’ to head to their next stop in Nairobi Thursday.

Their mission is to create awareness about sustainable energy options in Africa as well as compile a White Book on the best practices and a video documentary about their unique journey.

From Left: Claire Guibert, Ian Kafuna, a student, Mwakiwiwi Mwachia of AF and  Jeremy Debreu in a light discussion after the lecture at the Alliance Francaise yesterday.PHOTO/Eugene Omilo

 

Mombasa leaders expect sterling results

October 21, 2012, Mombasa

By EUGENE OMILO

Leaders and education officials in Mombasa have expressed optimism that this year’s exam candidates in Mombasa County will post better results in the coming national exams than last year’s lot despite the teachers strike and threats to security in Mombasa.

Led by Shariff Nassir Foundation chairman Abdulswamad Nassir and Municipal Education officer Mr. Bwanaheri Salim the leaders said stakeholders have doubled their efforts in a bid to reverse the poor performance registered last year.

The two leaders urged the candidates to face the coming exams with confidence and shun any compulsion to engage in exam malpractices.

Mr. Nassir reiterated his Foundation’s commitment towards education saying he plans to work towards improving the educational infrastructure and systems in Mombasa so as to improve performance in national examinations.

.

Mr. Nassir said his Foundation will provide free lunch to all pupils within Mombasa County during the three days they will be sitting for their exams.

Mr. Nassir also encouraged the pupils to work hard and beat the belief that Mombasa is alays behind when it comes to performance in national examinations.

“There is no reason why all of our pupils should not do well in exams because the question is why don’t we emulate the best practices from the best that we have in our midst?” he posed.

On his part, Mr. Salim cautioned the candidates against engaging in exam practices saying tough action will be taken against those caught in accordance with the newly instituted law on exam fraud.

The leaders were speaking during an interdenominational prayer rally for all candidates within Mombasa Island held at the Aga Khan sports centre.

The prayers were led by religious leaders from the Christian, Muslim and Hindu faiths.

Education officials at the event including Kepsha chairman Mr. Fuad Ali, KNUT officials Dan Oloo and David Mulei congratulated the Shariff Nassir Foundation for its efforts in supporting education in Mombasa.

Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir

The crowd

Sheikh Musa prays for the candidates as leaders join in.

PHOTOS/Ali KUBO.

Ends...

Probe disabled fund scam, government told

July 31, 2012, Mombasa.

By EUGENE OMILO

Shariff Nassir Foundation chairman Mr. Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has called for the prosecution of government and NGO officials alleged to have been implicated in the swirling of funds meant for the disabled population.

Mr. Abdulswamad who was reacting to recent press reports indicating how crooked officials have been stashing away government funds meant for people with disabilities said those whose organizations and parastatals have been mentioned in the scandal should step aside to allow for investigations into their conduct.

“We do not want to be seen to be judging anyone but it is procedural that officials mentioned in bad light by legitimate accusers should step aside to pave way for investigation,” he said.

“Those who are found to be clean can resume their duties and those who aren’t must face prosecution,” he added saying that is the only way to fight corruption and impunity.

 He spoke at Ziwani school for the deaf in Spaki, Mombasa where his foundation donated food stuff for 14 different groups of people with disabilities.

Each of the groups received several bales of maize and wheat flour, beans, rice, cooking oil and dates.

While speaking at the same function, leaders of the physically challenged in Mombasa called on the government to move fast and take stern action against those who will be implicated in the scandal failure to which they will take to the streets to demand for justice.

Ms. Rahma Said Omar of Mombasa County Disabled Network and Mr. Paul Ochieng who is the spokesperson for the disabled in Mombasa said programmes meant for social protection of the marginalized have been misused to benefit a few individuals, a matter they said was unacceptable.

“Some people are using either us or orphaned children as a stepping stone to earn easy money. This is not right and we pray that the law catches up with their misdeeds,” said Mr. Ochieng’.

On her part, Ms. Omar said the revelations might discourage genuine sympathizers and well wishers from helping out the needy thinking their money will be misused by corrupt individuals to the detriment of those in need.

Mr. Abdulswamad called on the strict enforcement of laws meant to protect the vulnerable in the society.

He also appealed to the Muslim community to remember the needs of the disabled and the less fortunate population  during the holy month of  Ramandhan.

With Ziwani School for the deaf pupils

Assisting the disabled.

Addressing the Press. PHOTOS/Eugene OMILO

Ends...

Education official warns KCPE candidates on cheating

By EUGENE OMILO

A senior educational official in Mombasa has cautioned KCPE candidates against engaging in exam malpractices warning them of dire consequences if caught.

Municipal Education Officer Mr. Bwanaheri  Salim said many candidates fail to prepare enough for their exams after being  duped by conmen of exam leakages when the examination time draws near.

“We even have cases where candidates are coached to cram a composition or insha article then rewrite it during their exams, this too will be treated as a malpractice and the results will be cancelled,” he  warned.

The officer spoke on October 19,2012 at the Aga Khan sports centre while presiding over a prize giving ceremony for the Mombasa Island 2012 mock exams for class seven and eight pupils sponsored by the Shariff Nassir Foundation. 

The foundation’s chairman Mr. Abdulswamad Nassir reiterated his commitment to education saying he plans to work towards improving the educational infrastructure and systems in Mombasa so as to improve performance in national examinations.

Mr. Nassir also encouraged the pupils to work hard and beat the belief that Mombasa is always behind when it comes to performance in national examinations.

“There is no reason why all of our pupils should not do well in exams because the question is why don’t we emulate the best practices from the best that we have in our midst?” he posed.

Mr. Nassir spoke in a speech delivered on his behalf by his younger brother  Mr. Abdulwahab Nassir.

During the ceremony, St Kevin Hill academy and Tudor Hill academy emerged the best overall schools for the standard eight and seven categories respectively.

St. Kevin posted an impressive mean score of 427 while Tudor Hill posted a mean score of 371 out of a possible 500 marks.

Kasiangani Esther Nasike of Amani primary school was the best overall girl for the standard eight category after scoring 454 marks while Muli Jacob Midimo of Ganjoni primary school emerged the best overall boy in class eight with 455 marks.

In the standard seven category, Ganjoni primary’s  Joy Wahome was named the best overall girl with 418 marks while Mudathir Timami of Loreto primary school with 454 marks.

All private and public schools within the Mombasa Island sat for the mock exams with the standard seven mock exams being administered for the first time.

The event was graced by among others the local Knut branch officials led by their chairman Mr. Johnson Kivutha, local Kepsha chairman Mr. Fuad Ali, teachers, parents and pupils from various schools within Mombasa Island.

Bruno Sorre of  Loreto primary school receives an award from Mombasa MEO Mr. Bwanaheri Salim during teh Mombasa Island Mock Awards 2012 sponsored by the Shariff Nassir Foundation..PHOTO/Ali KUBO

Ends…