FORWARD

(14th May - 4th June)

I must admit, I’ve not read much about it, but I was just told by Agama that a panel of US health wizards has recently backed the approval, for the very first time, of Truvada, a new drug for the prevention of  HIV infection in healthy people. When I asked Agama how he got the news, he looked at me disrespectfully and reminded me that everyone has where their interest lies. “Don’t forget I am the dean of this faculty.” He boasted.

Well, I am not sure I understand which faculty Agama meant nor do I know who promoted him to that enviable position. Regardless, the fact is that the said medicine has indeed been approved by the USA regulators. Even though the usual very strict US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is not bound by law to accept the panel’s advice, the FDA often does.

There is no doubt that the approval of Truvada, which is already approved by the FDA for people who are HIV-positive in combination with anti-retroviral drugs, will be a milestone in the treatment of Aids amongst the HIV community. Definitely, the drug, which could reduce the risk of HIV by between 44% and 73% would be a big boast especially in the southern Africa, where the virus has been the single greatest contributor of death. I am happy and optimistic.

AGAMA: Why are you simple minded?
OGO: Who?
AGAMA: What is who? How many of us are talking here? You just open your mouth and ask rubbish questions because you are allowed to breathe free democratic air. “Who?”
OGO: Eeee, must you be so rude?
AGAMA: Mustn’t I? Or must I first apply for a rude licence before I respond to you stupid questions?
OGO: I don’t have the time and energy to argue with you
AGAMA: Ahaa, so you surrendered?
OGO: Yes, I truly do. Just go on and explain to the world why you consider me simple minded.
AGAMA: Thank you for that simple mindedness self – confirmation. Yes, am.. I said so because you obviously think that everyone is happy with the decision of the panel to approve the drug.
OGO: Are you nuts? Who wouldn’t be happy about this ..?
AGAMA: Let the gods bend that your poisonous mouth! Whots matter with you? What concerns you with nuts? Are you a car mechanic? Am I nuts? You know what you should do?
OGO: No!
AGAMA: Just go to your dad; when you ring his doorbell and he opens the door, you ask him “are you nuts” before you even say “good morning.” You hear me?

Introducing the characters ...

Kata Kata in a content partnership with Umuntu Media

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MASS MARRIAGE CEREMONY FOR RIANNIGE NOKA DIVORCEES

In its attempt to minimize the rate of divorce amongst its indigenes, local government in the northern state city of Noka, Rianige has recently sponsored a mass wedding for hundred couples.

The wedding, which is the first batch of the estimated 1,000 couples the religious local government authority has planned to sponsor in a mass wedding of mostly widows and divorced, took place at the palace of a traditional ruler, the Emir of Noka.

The organisers of the wedding insisted that the main reason behind the ceremony is to minimize the rate of divorce and provide the affected victims with government financial assistance and social security.

“We arrange the marriages to help helpless women, especially in the Noka city, who are forced to feed themselves and their kids after a divorce as a result of refusal by many men to take responsibility for paying child support following a divorce.” The spokesperson for the Bahiz board, the main Islamic authority in the predominantly Muslim state explained.

But not everyone is convinced of the board’s intentions, especially in a state where many women have little or no access to higher education. Many opponents of the arranged marriage have questioned why the local government has not made and enforced a law that would make it a mandatory responsibility of men to take care of their divorced wives and their children. The group equally wonders why women must not be empowered economically by the government to make women more financially independent rather than relying on the local government for economic survival.

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AGAMA THE SUPER CONMAN

Wanting to top up his pension money, Agama responds to an advertisement for distributors. Even though the wife doubts his business acumen, Agama proves her and the new partner wrong. But Agama’s greed – and the newly acquired power – would be his nemesis.  Read more and have yourself a laugh...

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