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ALBERT B. CASUGA, a Philippine-born writer, lives in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, where he continues to write poetry, fiction, and criticism after his retirement from teaching and serving as an elected member of his region's school board. He was nominated to the Mississauga Arts Council Literary Awards in 2007. A graduate of the Royal and Pontifical University of St. Thomas (now University of Santo Tomas, Manila. Literature and English, magna cum laude), he taught English and Literature (Criticism, Theory, and Creative Writing) at the Philippines' De La Salle University and San Beda College. He has authored books of poetry, short stories, literary theory and criticism. He has won awards for his works in Canada, the U.S.A., and the Philippines. His latest work, A Theory of Echoes and Other Poems was published February 2009 by the University of Santo Tomas Publishing House. His fiction and poetry were published by online literary journals Asia Writes and Coastal Poems recently. He was a Fellow at the 1972 Silliman University Writers Workshop, Philippines. As a journalist, he worked with the United Press International and wrote an art column for the defunct Philippines Herald.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

SUB SAHARAN AFRICA

Ascot Media Group, Inc.

8:55 AM (9 hours ago)
to me
Dear Albert Casuga:
When it involves poverty, the outpouring of generosity from the developed nations of the world is awe-inspiring. In the past five to six decades, more than $1 trillion has been donated to the nations of Sub-Saharan Africa with little to no improvement, despite the overwhelming advantage these nations have in possession of natural resources. Hence, according to retired Maryland neurosurgeon Dr. Sylvanus A. Ayeni, it is obvious that no amount of foreign aid will alleviate the grinding poverty in these nations unless there is a major reversal of the widespread leadership failure.
In his new book, Rescue Thyself: Change In Sub-Saharan Africa Must Come From Within, Dr. Ayeni outlines exactly what needs to be done to help make the people in these nations self-sufficient.
I would like to send a copy of Rescue Thyself in consideration of an interview or review from you. Please read the press release below and let me know if I may schedule an informative interview with Dr. Ayeni. If you would prefer to run this story, I would be happy to send you JPEGs of the author and the book cover.  Thank you.

Kelly Landrum
Ascot Media Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 2394
Friendswood, TX 77549
281.333.3507 Phone
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(This press release may be reprinted in part or entirety by any print or broadcast media outlet, or used by any means of social media sharing)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Why Is Sub-Saharan Africa Still The Poorest Region In The World Despite Its Abundant Natural Resources And Generous Foreign Aid?
Bethesda, MD, July 26, 2017 ― Why has foreign aid failed to alleviate poverty and promote development and economic growth in Africa? If an influx of more than $1 trillion in aid over five to six decades hasn't solved the problem then it's obvious nothing will help unless there is significant improvement in the performance of the leadership, says Dr. Sylvanus Ayeni – retired neurosurgeon and founder of the non-profit organization Pan Africa Children Advocacy Watch. His new book, Rescue Thyself: Change In Sub-Saharan Africa Must Come From Within, is an in-depth, bold and holistic examination of this region. The discussion about the profound deficits in virtually all areas of human development in these nations engages several  audiences including government policy makers in the West and in Asia, the foreign aid community and Africans in the continent and the Diaspora.
The author strongly suggests that there should be significant rethinking of the open-ended "giving” approach of many of the donors, including the rich and developed nations of the world. Sure, the donors are very passionate about alleviating the suffering of the populations in these nations. However, they should demand more accountability, transparency, honest governance and true commitment to the rule of law from the leaders of these nations.
The most formidable barriers to progress and development in many of the nations in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are Sub-Saharan African leaders who have presided over the decimation of the subcontinent. Some of these nations certainly need help. But first, they must start helping themselves. Several possible solutions are proposed, all anchored on a new type of leadership, quality education, superb infrastructure, respect for the rule of law, and a different strategy by the donors.
The murderous activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria, Niger and Chad, including the abduction of hundreds of female students in North Eastern Nigeria and the 2014 - 2015 Ebola epidemic in West Africa have been well publicized. Recently, the UN says it needs $1.4 billion to help refugees escaping conflict and famine in South Sudan. The country has been embroiled in a catastrophic civil war since 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his deputy, Riek Machar of plotting a coup. Now, nearly 2 million South Sudanese are seeking refuge in neighboring countries. These are three examples of the disasters that plagued and continue to inflict pain and suffering on the people in SSA.
These situations, plus the destitution in many of the other nations of SSA, all make it imperative that a blunt, deep analysis and discussion of the failure of these nations should take place. While the agony in most of these nations affects the majority of the population, the children, the youth, and the elderly have been particularly impacted. 
The book is a comprehensive and rather provocative examination of the calamitous state of most of the nations of SSA; written by someone born in Africa, and educated there from primary school to medical school. He has also been involved in development issues in the sub-continent for many years, mainly in the education and healthcare sectors.
No amount of foreign aid to these poor-performing nations will reverse the poverty in the region unless there is significant improvement in the performance of the leadership. The case is also made that Sub-Saharan Africans have been bequeathed with all the tools needed, i.e., human and natural resources, to develop their nations. Thus, they need not continue the culture of dependency on the rest of the human race.
Available at online outlets including amazon.com,  BarnesandNoble.com, rowman.com and some bookstores.
RescueThyself: Change in Sub-Saharan Africa Must Come From Within
By Dr. Sylvanus Ayeni
Publisher: Hamilton Books
Language: English 
April 2017
ISBN-10: 0761868917
ISBN-13: 978-0761868910
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TIP SHEET:
Ken B. Godevenos, President, Accord Resolutions Services, Canada: "[Dr. Ayeni] has for years been involved in the education of children in Africa as well as in attempts to improve Africa's healthcare sector. If anyone knows about the ins and outs of Africa's decades old problem of little to no progress, it's Dr. Ayeni. He delivers his message with incredible doses of passion, love, logic, and statistics.
His quotes from many sources are appropriate and well placed. And many of his own are also worthy of being cited elsewhere. One memorable one for me, when he debunked any excuse Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) might have as to why it is still in trouble was "Except in the Garden of Eden, no society started out rich.” Another one is: "The color of the skin does not determine the quality of the output of the human brain.”
He goes where others have feared to tread and this is to ask the question, "Is democracy the appropriate form of government for the nations of SSA?” But the bottom line of the good doctor's message is this: it is time for the foreign-aid community to rethink its strategy… In his last chapter as well as his epilogue, the author gives some very practical suggestions as to what can be done now. And he also warns us of what may well happen if these things are not done. Scary. This is a must read for anyone working with NGO's in Africa. It's also a must read for pastors and mission leaders, and of course the individual who cares about helping his or her less fortunate brothers and sisters in the world. Well done, doctor.”








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