So to come across the Riders for Health website was great and to then watch the short film narrated by Ewan McGregor filled me with the kind of hope that will one day see the great African continent stand on its own feet and singing to its own tune!

The information below is taken from their website:

“Riders for Health is an international non-governmental organisation born out of the world of motorcycle racing. Its mission is to ensure that health workers in Africa have uninterrupted access to reliable transport.

Without such transport, all health care projects fail. Using an innovative social enterprise model, Riders has developed a practical, dynamic approach which is helping to achieve real and sustainable development.

They have put in place reliable preventive maintenance systems for two- and four-wheeled vehicles used in health care delivery allowing health workers to reach rural villages time and time again.

Riders currently operates three national programmes, in the Gambia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, where we work with ministries of health, UN agencies and local humanitarian organisations.

All programmes are managed by wholly-African, wholly-professional teams, and not by volunteers or expatriates.

This means that Riders is able to build a lasting base of local knowledge and a culture of maintenance in the communities with which it works.”

Click for website: Riders for Health

Click for the video: Ewan McGregor & Riders for Health

Click here to view: CNN Video

The presumption is this: Global warming is causing desertification, and the villages of northern Nigeria are among the victims. But this is almost certainly false. Desertification is being caused by two factors stronger than global warming - it is being caused by deforestation, and it is being caused by drought.

Click here to read article: EcoWorld

Click here: Mobile phones change Africa

IBA has this week concluded the first in a series of Continuing Airworthiness Management training courses to eight members of the Nigerian Air Force – Presidential Air Fleet (PAF).

Each 4-week course has been tailored to meet the needs of the PAF with regard to education in EASA Legislation and, in particular, Part-M requirements for Continuing Airworthiness Management that includes both classroom and project-based work.

The course was conducted by Alan Miles (IBA’s Director – Asset Management) and Kevin Oram (IBA’s Quality Manager) at the MLS Business Centre in Redhill, Surrey.

We aim to minimise the risk and maximise the opportunity for our clients using our knowledge and experience in both technical and commercial aspects of the industry. We are also very proud to remain one of the few consulting companies who are completely independent from any financial institution, leasing company, manufacturer or supplier.

Click through to website: IBA

Pharma West Africa 2008 is an International trade exhibition targeting international manufacturers and traders interested in the African market. It is a trade event brings together the industry’s most respected leaders, associations and government agencies to discuss how to effectively manage cost efficiency.

It is a trade Expo that will put you on the leading edge and provide you with new exciting opportunities you will not find anywhere else at one place at one time.

Click for the event website: Pharma West Africa 2008

Press Release - Pharma West Africa

The conference is targeted at building upon the experience and success of Nigav 2007. This confrence will serve as a platform to reach out to Nigeria and Africa Air Transport market.

Nigeria Aviation 2008 will seek to promote investment and trade by creating a multi sector interaction and networking platform where opportunities are highlighted.

The theme of this years conference will be: “Giving the Economy the Wings to Fly”-this emphasises the strategic position of the air transport sector in the global supply chain and logistics structure and its power to accelerate economic development of a nation when rightly managed

The organisers of the NIGAV 2008, now invite speakers,exhibitors, sponsors, partners, delegates and visitors to participate in this event. Targeted sectors include: Ministry of transport and foreign affairs, The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airport Authrority of Nigeria(FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Managemnet Agency,Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Nigerian Airforce, Nigerian Shippers Council, Petroleum Products Marketing Company(PPMC), Nigerian Aviation Handling Company and Skypower Aviation Handling Company.

For further information click through to : NIGAV 2008

The Index has been created by The Norwegian Council for Africa (NCA), as a part of NCA’s efforts to raise awareness about Africa and African affairs.

Nigeria